The Middle

Patricia Heaton

Courtney Gains

Jane Kaczmarek

Eden Sher

Julia Max

Lauren Lapkus

Elizabeth Small

Laura Ann Kesling

Harrison Boxley

Brianne Howey

Ava Allan

Jimmy Dempster

Neil Flynn

Charlie McDermott

Atticus Shaffer

How did Brick and Axl get their names?

According to the creators, there was a scene cut from the pilot explaining that Frankie read in People Magazine that children with interesting names did bigger things with their lives. (Sue is named after one of Mike's relatives.) She also states in the pilot that they gave Brick the name they did because they hoped that a cool name would make him a cool kid. Brick's name likely came from the character Brick Pollitt, the football star turned alcoholic from Tennessee William's play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". Axl seems to have gotten his name from Axl Rose, the lead singer for Guns n' Roses.Edit: In the episode where we see when Brick was born (season 2, episode 7, A birthday story), Frankie tells Mike how interesting names affect the child.

What did Frankie do before selling cars for Mr. Elhert?

In the pilot, Frankie says that she worked for a dentist's office that had closed down. What she did there was never said, but most likely she was the receptionist.

Why does Brick whisper to himself?

In the show, Mike and Frankie mention that Brick whispers to himself because it makes him feel comfortable. They do not mention any sort of medical condition he may have that causes it. Brick himself in the pilot episode says that he does it because it "suits his personality"