ABC aims to put Patricia Heaton in "The Middle"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC is eyeing Patricia Heaton for the lead in "The Middle," a quirky single-camera comedy.

Written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, "Middle" tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family seen through the eyes of the mother. During the 2006-07 development cycle, it was picked up as a pilot starring Ricki Lake but narrowly missed the cut for a series order.

Now ABC is said to have given the project a new cast-contingent pilot order, possibly tied to landing Heaton as the lead.

Picking up a pilot contingent on a specific actor is rare but not unprecedented. Five years ago, CBS picked up the pilot for "Two and a Half Men" contingent on the producers securing Charlie Sheen.