Eden Sher plays the awkward yet lovable Sue Heck on Fox’s new hit series “The Middle”. Movie Mikes had a chance to speak with Eden about the show as well as some of her other projects, which include working with Jay Leno.
Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about how your role on “The Middle” came about?
Eden Sher: I had auditioned for the original pilot a few years earlier but the show was never picked up. I got a call about going to the audition a second time and said ok. When I showed up at the audition there were two other girls who were much younger than I was. I figured that they would want one of those girls for sure. I decided I would give it a shot anyways and went in with my fake braces on and did the audition. After a few more auditions and phone calls, I got the part.
AL: What did you think the first time you saw the yellow sweat shirt?
ES: When I saw the sweatshirt the first day, it wasn’t really a big deal. I figured it was only going to be for one episode. Well it turned into this joke with the cast and crew that they started putting it in my trailer each day. Eventually what started as a joke turned into it being used in more scenes. The fans of the show really liked it as well and now I wear it almost all of the time. (Laughs)
AL: What is it you like about playing the Sue Character?
ES: Do I have to pick just one? (Laughs) It’s just a fun character to play and I kind of sympathies with the character as I am the middle child in my family.
AL: Do you have a favorite episode?
ES: Up until a few weeks ago I really liked the Kung Fu fighting episode from season one or the jeans episode. That episode Sue got to throw a tantrum which was great! However we just shot an episode which Sue has some really great moments.
AL: How was your experience working on “Weeds”?
ES: That was a really great experience and I loved working on that show. “Weeds” was a very different vibe than “The Middle”. It was a much more serious show. That was my first experience with a fully scripted show. I learned quite a bit by just watching some of the other actors work. A lot of what I learned working on “Weeds” has been very crucial in developing my acting skills.
AL: Can you tell us what it was like doing skits for Jay Leno?
ES: I had done that before I even knew that I wanted to act. Jay had come to my elementary school to film a bit for the show where he asked various kids questions. I happened to be one of the kids he talked to. He must have thought I was funny because they kept all of the parts I did in the show. I guess the bit ended up being successful and Jay came back to my school to do another one for Christmas. After that the producers of the show contacted my mom and told her that Jay really liked me and wanted me to do a recurring bit on the show. It was awesome! I got to be on the show with my brother and do a bit called “Just ask Eden and Cosmo.” Audience members would send in questions asking advice and we would get to answer them. At the time I 
was 8 and my brother was 10 (Laughs). We actually got to do that bit a couple times.
AL: Did you get to meet any of the guests from the show?
ES: I got to meet Michelle Branch and Pamela Anderson! Pamela is like the nicest person ever. She was great. My brother actually got to sit on her lap while she did her interview. It was really awesome!
AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
ES: I haven’t had time to audition for anything because of the shooting schedule on “The Middle”. I am attached to be in a film but there are still somethings that have to be taken care of before that gets started. Hopefully that will start in the spring time. We shoot like 15 hour days, so when I have some time off…I want to just relax. I do have a list of things I want to do in the near future like travel to Israel and a few other countries.
