The Cheerleader

Season 1, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Trying to save her job, Frankie organizes a publicity stunt by filling a car with jelly beans. Meanwhile, Sue fails to make the swim team and realizes that she needs glasses and Brick starts reading his mother's romance novels when he can't check books out of the library.moreless
8.2
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • 102

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Nov 26, 2010 Report Abuse
    I think this episode was far too under appreciated, it was loads better than the pilot, and it was absolutely hilarious, not to mention it left it's viewers with a heartwarming yet funny narration at the very end. Sure getting a new looking dryer out of a tornado isn't very realistic, but it fit the moral of the story. The episode title was genius, just watch the episode and see why.

    Not only was this episode a hilarious installment, but a lot of entertaining things happened such as the tornado, jellybeans in a car, or Sue being bad at swimming. This also had a great story line that all families can relate too. Those payment plans years in the future is probably the most relatable.

    This is a great family show that anyone can relate too, and I must say, watching this episode just lets me know that Modern Family isn't the best family show on ABC's comedy lineup, this is!moreless

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    0 0

  • If you have each other that's everything.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TMFMM2022AD, Sep 30, 2010 Report Abuse
    Mike is a straight shooter and he tells it like it is, but Frankie noticed a family needs more than honesty, its need a cheerleader. Being punished when you're young, who likes it? Axl had to be within five feet of his dad at all times. Is that punishment to you? How about a teen? Their dryer is out now they have to go to the neighbors for help. Today I used my neighbor's lawnmower because ours is not working we haven't got it fixed. Being on good terms and having an open communication with your neighbors is beneficial. We chit chat here and there so that is what the Heck's are doing too. They shop at an expired food store and are being thrifty. Frankie sees this as a life lesson for her kids, to live within their means. Did your parents teach you life lessons like this? Mom made promises to the kids and she has to do that before getting back to work where there is a disaster. While going to checkout a book for Brick like she promised she was presented with a 189 dollar fine at the library. What? Who has that high of a library debt causing her to be flagged and banned from the library. Frankie is bringing the cheer to her family in these frugal times. At work Frankie is minus 1 on the sales chart and her boss is far from understand and just talks making excuses for them. He's got this sort of growling watery voice. Then her boss was going to fire her and tells her in from of her co-workers and post pones it because if an idea Frankie brought up. She is on the firing block at work, yikes? What is that like? Mike doesn't have any filters he just says anything. He told Sue not to try out for the swim team, is that fatherly support? Mike didn't know what to do about the Sue situation and was honest to Frankie about it. He didn't play it off like he knew everything. They find out Sue needs glasses and realize this has been holding her back. They take her to frugal Hoosier to get glasses. Frankie gets a commission at work for having a good Idea of placing jellybeans in cars as a contest for winning a car. Brink was able to count the jelly beans for her and she rewarded him with a book. A proud mother going the distance facing embarrassment to check out a book when she incurred a high library fine and is banned from the place. She does this for Brick, Mom going the distance for her son. My mom goes the distance for me then (growing up) and now. Her boss had made several sexist comments at work and doesn't seem like he is going to stop. Just has Frankie begins to have a breakdown, there is a Tornado, I used to live in Iowa and we would have tornado warning from time to time and go in the Basement like the Heck do. Your sitting in the basement wondering what is going on and I was young and didn't know if we would die or not. In the Basement Frankie becomes the straight shooter and the cheerleader is now gone. This shocks us all, and Mike tells her they'll get through Mike becomes the cheerleader. Their luck turned around after the tornado.moreless

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  • Second funniest show on ABC's comedy block.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Oct 08, 2009 Report Abuse
    I liked the pilot better, but this episode has convinced me that The Middle really is one of the better shows on ABC's comedy block. I thought Cougar Town was okay at first, but it's progressively getting worse, while Hank is just flat out bad. At least in this show, we get unique characters that are relatable and fun to watch.

    First off, I just have to say that Brick is the funniest character in the show. He's socially problematic but extremely smart which makes for one hilarious character. Also, I thought Sue's swimming skills ("Mike was right. She sucked.") made for some funny moments. And as for Frankie, played wonderfully by Patricia Heaton, has proven to have found a hit with her role on this new show. I'd like to see her be nominated for an Emmy, but that's just my initial thoughts based on the first two episodes.

    The second episode was definitely a little slower and less interesting than the first, but it's still a very funny and entertaining show. The way the storylines connect by the end makes the show smarter than your average sitcom on television. If I were ABC, I'd dump Hank, give Cougar Town a few more chances and RENEW The Middle! Give it a few more episodes and the show should hit its stride and attract more attention. Either way, the show brings the laughs and the fun.moreless

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  • Notes

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    • International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Roztleskávačka (The Cheerleader) Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: United Kingdom: September 5, 2010 on Sky1/Sky1 HD Czech Republic: September 7, 2010 on HBO Comedy Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Brick: (While reading his mother's romance novel) Mom, which part of me is my hungering manhood? Edit

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