Latest news with #TheMiddle
Fox News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Extra: Patricia Heaton & David Hunt On 'Unexpected' Hope
'Everyone Loves Raymond' & 'The Middle' star Patricia Heaton and her husband, David Hunt, set out to tell a real journey through infertility in their latest rom-com, 'Unexpected.' Patricia produced while David directed this heart-warming rom-com about adjusting to the madness life can throw at you. They joined the Rundown to discuss why this film is so important to portray both perspectives confronting the challenge of infertility. In the FOX News Rundown Extra, hear the full conversation about and the story they set out to tell and why this project was so important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Patricia Heaton and David Hunt: ‘Unexpected'
In observance of National Infertility Awareness month, producers (and couple) Patricia Heaton and David Hunt are promoting their 2023 comedic drama, 'Unexpected,' now available on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. Known to most audiences as the female lead in the TV shows 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and 'The Middle' (nine seasons each), Heaton has now produced a dozen films and TV shows. Having shared the big screen with Jim Caviezel, Meg Ryan, Albert Finney, and Clint Eastwood, Hunt makes his live-action feature debut as director here. Heaton and Hunt spoke from their home in Nashville to discuss 'Unexpected' and some of their current and future projects. David Hunt, director of "Unexpected." Courtesy of David Hunt Michael Clark: I read the synopsis of the book ('Enslaved by Ducks') that your movie is based on, and there was no mention of adoption (the main theme). Is that correct? David Hunt: Yes, 100 percent. We wrote scripts based on the book, and they weren't working. I then approached a writer (Rodney Vaccaro) that I'd worked with on several past projects and said, 'This needs another engine. Let's introduce the subjects of infertility and adoption. The wife wants to have kids and the husband doesn't.' A few weeks later [Vaccaro] came back with the finished screenplay. In doing so, he mentioned that his two daughters were adopted, and the story just poured out of him. Actress Patricia Heaton, producer of "Unexpected." Kate Romero Clark: I noticed you made a pro-life movie without actually using those words or mention of abortion. Why do you think adoption has received relatively little attention? Patricia Heaton: The writer [Vaccaro] with the adopted daughters told us it's a complicated issue. The husband in the movie says, 'I don't think I can adopt another person's child.' His wife retorts with, 'It wouldn't be another person's child, it would be our child.' You have these two opposing views; the struggle in the movie is trying to get the couple on the same page mentally. Related Stories 5/21/2024 3/16/2025 We've been with friends as they've gone through the adoption process, and they have the birth mother asking to take the child back. Or, when an adopted child wants to meet their biological parents and whether or not the birth parents will agree. It's complicated and not nearly as smooth as you might think. Hunt: There's a stigma in certain places in society regarding adoption and people feel a lot of pressure. One of the goals of the film was we try to take that pressure off a bit by showing this couple's struggles and giving people a sense of hope. Clark: Patricia, I noticed Neil Flynn, your co-star from 'The Middle,' plays a character named 'Rupert Murdoch.' I laughed hard when I first heard it. Is there a reason why that particular name was chosen? Heaton: There's no reason, and there's nothing political about it [laughs]. Rodney just thought it was funny. Clark: Could you give me any details regarding the project you're now involved with, the 'October 7th Coalition?' Hunt: I created it with my friend Elizabeth Dorros. When October 7th happened and I saw the Hamas body cam footage online being celebrated the world over and on U.S. college campuses, I was in shock. I'm a baby boomer and grew up knowing our parents fought in World War II and that Jews were obliterated during the Holocaust. Never again would we let that happen. And then there it was suddenly happening again. Here in Nashville, there was an awkward feeling; people didn't know what to do or how to show their support. So we created the 'October 7th Coalition' to activate Christians to be visibly and vocally supportive of Israel's right to exist and to fight anti-Semitism. We have community dinners; we encourage people to put mezuzahs on their doors as a 'Spartacus' moment. [We ask people] to be involved in social media, and to donate, if possible, to the many Jewish organizations that are helping to heal people from this second Holocaust. Clark: You are both appearing in the upcoming movie called 'Merv.' When is it being released and what is it about? Hunt: It comes out Dec. 17 on Amazon Prime. Heaton: It's a romcom. … Hunt: It's about a couple that becomes estranged, and they have a dog named Merv, who pines for them to get back together. We play the parents of the husband character (Charlie Cox). Clark: I've noticed a lot of people in the entertainment industry, not just musicians, have been moving to Nashville. Why did you two relocate there? Heaton: There's a lot of artistic momentum going on here now. Initially, it was because our oldest son started music school here in 2012. In the subsequent years, we just began to really love the city. Clark: 'Unexpected' has been out since 2023. Why are you promoting it now? Heaton: April is National Infertility Awareness month. Poster for "Unexpected." Blue Fox Entertainment Clark: OK, that makes complete sense. Hunt: We wanted to highlight the issue and especially the emotional aspect of it for couples and what they deal with. What's so beautiful about 'Unexpected' is that you get into the story through humor, and you wouldn't think you could find humor in a subject matter like this. Rodney was able to bring out the humor, the actors were great, and Dave provided excellent direction. For me, working on comedies … I've always felt comedy is the best way to deal with serious or difficult subjects. Foundationally, you lay it in humor, and your heart literally physically opens up because as you laugh you're oxygenating your bloodstream, opening everything up. You then come in with the unexpected [dramatic] events, and people are really moved because they're open and primed. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Fox News
24-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
RFK Jr. Vows To Deliver America 'Real Food,' Without Synthetic Food Dyes
On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced it would revoke authorization of 2 petroleum-based synthetic food dyes with plans to eliminate 6 other food dyes by the end of 2026. While this is not an outright ban, the Trump administration is continuing with its 'Make America Healthy Again' mission by urging the food industry to make the switch. President of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Dr. Peter Lurie, joins to discuss HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to phase out synthetic dyes and how this will impact public health. April is National Infertility Awareness Month, spotlighting an issue that affects millions of men and women and that carries a significant impact for American families. Actress Patricia Heaton and her husband, David Hunt, are tackling this topic in their dramedy film, 'Unexpected,' which closely follows a couple's journey through infertility. 'The Middle' & 'Everyone Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton and director David Hunt join to discuss the joys and challenges of producing this film, making the topic of infertility less socially taboo, and embracing the messiness of life as a couple. Plus, commentary from FOX News contributor and host of The Jason In The House podcast, Jason Chaffetz. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Fox News
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
PATRICIA HEATON: I'm a mom on screen and off. Building a family is a journey of love and commitment
Some know me as Debra Barone, others as Frankie Heck. To my four boys, I am simply "Mom" — the name I cherish most. Though they are now grown, I will never forget the first time Sam, John, Joe and Dan first said it. That single word, a milestone, formed a bond only a parent and child can understand. Yet, for many women facing infertility, that same word carries a pain only they can truly know. There has been much discussion lately about the importance of having children. But if the conversation stops there, we miss the bigger picture. It is not just about having kids — it is about having a sense of family. If we overlook that truth, we risk turning a deeply personal experience into a divisive debate. Family has always been at the heart of my life and career. Portraying mothers on screen and raising four sons with my husband, David Hunt, has given me profound insights into the joys and challenges of parenthood. Playing characters like Debra Barone in "Everybody Loves Raymond" and Frankie Heck in "The Middle" allowed me to explore the complexities of motherhood and family — its humor, chaos, and love — reflecting the diverse experiences that so many women navigate daily. Off-screen, my greatest role has been being "Mom." My life is permanently enriched by my sons — through the endless soccer games, band practices, school dances, Thanksgivings with kids running wild, summer vacations, bedtime stories, road trips, science fairs, driving lessons, pillow and blanket forts, college applications, playing catch in the back yard, school plays and so much more. But I know this journey to parenthood is not the same for everyone. April marks National Infertility Awareness Month. Here in the United States, approximately 12% of women aged 15 to 49 — more than 10 million — struggle to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. The weight of infertility can feel overwhelming, made heavier by the assumption that becoming a parent is something that simply happens. The heartbreak of infertility is often lived in silence, which is why my husband, David, and I produced the feature adult comedy "Unexpected," a film about a couple navigating infertility and finding their unique path to family. Infertility is more than a medical condition. It is an emotional journey that tests identity, relationships, and faith. The societal expectation that parenthood is a given can make this journey even more isolating. But families are not defined solely by biology. Adoption, for instance, brings approximately 135,000 children into new loving homes each year. Yet, when discussing children in our culture, we rarely discuss what it means to build a family. The conversation often focuses on birth rates, fertility rates and the economic impact. But these numbers miss the real human experience. Every child deserves a loving home, and every hopeful parent deserves to know that there are many paths to creating a family — paths that deserve just as much recognition and support as traditional childbirth. My family, friends and audience members who have seen "Unexpected" and experienced infertility firsthand have shared how lonely it can be. For too long, they have felt overlooked in conversations about parenthood, as if their journey matters less. But it does matter. David and I hope "Unexpected" offers hope, reminding viewers that while the road to parenthood may be uncertain, the destination — a loving family — is possible in many ways. If we truly value family, we should recognize that building one is not a one-size-fits-all journey. A family's strength is not measured by how it is formed but by the love, commitment and faith that hold it together. From Debra Barone to Frankie Heck to Patricia Heaton, the throughline of my life has always been family. To those experiencing the uphill battle of building a family, I hope you find support to walk this path with others and faith to believe that your dreams of family — however they unfold — are possible.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Al Pacino's In A Horror Movie Based On A Real-Life Exorcism, And I'm Forever Haunted By What I Saw In The Trailer
I watched the trailer for the horror movie The Ritual, and I should've listened to my rule about avoiding movies with evil spirits, ghosts, and demons. Spoiler alert: I always end up watching them. Just when I thought it was complete make-believe and couldn't hurt me, I discovered that The Ritual is based on the true notes and findings of a real exorcist who performed multiple exorcisms on Emma Schmidt (who later changed her name to Anna Ecklund). HELP. The Ritual stars Dan Stevens (Abigail, Cuckoo) and the legendary Al Pacino as two priests who team up to perform Emma's exorcism. Al will portray Father Theophilus Riesinger. XYZ Films / Dan will portray Father Joseph Steiger. XYZ Films / Emma will be portrayed by Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Winx Club). Monica Schipper / Getty Images, XYZ Films The movie also features Ashley Greene (Twilight Saga) and Patricia Heaton (The Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond). Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / WireImage German-American exorcist Father Theophilus presumably performed multiple exorcisms on Emma (aka Anna Ecklund) in 1912 and 1928, and bless their hearts because it couldn't be me. No matter how often I tell myself that I will stay far away from films like Insidious and The Conjuring, I suddenly find myself back in the irresistible clutches of creepy movies. Filmdistrict / FilmDistrict / courtesy Everett Collection, Ben Rothstein / © Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection Thanks to The Ritual, I'm back on my paranormal BS, and I'm utterly terrified... and excited. Check out the trailer for The Ritual here, and let me know your thoughts. Have you ever had a real-life scary experience that made you wonder if you should search Yellow Pages for an exorcist? Share your responses in the comments! The Ritual will be in theaters everywhere June 6th.
