FRANKIE IS CONFLICTED WHEN SHE AND SUE BOTH LAND ROLES IN A COMMUNITY THEATER PLAY, BUT THE DIRECTOR WANTS TO FIRE SUE, AND BRICK ASKS HIS UNRELIABLE UNCLE RUSTY TO ATTEND HIS SCHOOL'S SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

Norm Macdonald Guest Stars as Mike's Brother, Rusty

"The Play" - Frankie is thrilled when she learns that the Orson Community Theater is putting on a production of "The Wizard of Oz," and that kids don't need to audition to be munchkins, as they will be automatically cast - which is a perfect scenario for a hapless Sue. But things quickly go awry when Frankie is cast in a singing role and learns the director is not happy with Sue's performance and may cut her from the play. Meanwhile, Brick asks his unreliably quirky Uncle Rusty (Norm Macdonald) to attend his school's Special Friends Day - with disastrous results -- on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 11/16/11)

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chris Kattan as Bob Weaver, Norm Macdonald as Rusty, Harry Groener as Gene, Jill Basey as science teacher and Jenny Lerner as Dorothy.

The story for "The Play" was by Roy Brown & Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter, and the teleplay by Roy Brown. Eyal Gordin directed.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com