It appears ABC has second thoughts on passing on a sequel to The Middle. However, Eden Sher is unavailable as Sue Heck, so ABC has opted for a retool to Shoes in The City. Nicole Lavelle and Jennifer Farley star as two shoe store owners who struggle to keep their business afloat in the Heck's former town of Jasper, Indiana. Lavelle and Farley are best known as Snooki and JWoww from MTV's reality hit Jersey Shore. Though their acting resume is thin, ABC programming chief Karey Burke is confident the network needs new shoes. "Our sitcom brand has been taken as far as it can go." stated Burke. "Every show has some larger than life mother, weak father and a house full of kids. It's time to shake it up, even if we gamble on two ladies with virtually no acting experience. We hope they draw some of their viewers back to ABC." As for tie-ins to the original series and cast, Burke has opted not to have any of the primary cast members appear for at least one season to allow viewers to acclimatize to Lavelle and Farley.Consequently, Burke has opted to schedule for Tuesdays at 8:00, requiring ABC relocate The Conners. "Though Modern Family leaves us in a couple weeks, I need to give that slot to American Housewife as I've hated on that show too long by sticking it on Fridays. It's time to let The Conners handle that night as its performance sank lower than The Middle's last season. We just want to know what people watch and schedule." Is Burke's move a realistic one? You be the judge, and look at today's date and wonder if everyone's lost it today.
