Malcolm in the Middle was a staple in many homes in the early 2000s. To this day, the show is celebrated as an example of the best in television comedy.
The series follows Malcolm, the third child out of four brothers (later five), and his family as they struggle to make it through a day without everything bursting into flames. The early seasons focus on Malcolm’s struggles as a growing kid and those from his socioeconomic status. As the seasons progress, extended family and friends are introduced, adding more layers to the family’s choices, relationships, and personalities.
The Family
Lois, played by Jane Kaczmarek, is the stubborn, hot-headed mother of the family. Her main point of tension is trying to raise her five rambunctious boys while working at the Lucky Aide, a drugstore. Her husband Hal is her complete opposite.
Hal, played by Bryan Cranston, is the kinder, much more childish father. However, Hal is always one bad thing from a complete mental breakdown.
Francis is the eldest brother of the five. He makes special appearances throughout the show. Francis lives in a military school far away from home due to his bad behavior. He later leaves the school and finds himself happily working on a cattle ranch.
Reese is the second brother. He’s impulsive and does not think much through. He takes great pleasure in beating up others and his brothers. In later seasons, he grows up a bit and finds a passion for baking.
Dewey is the fourth brother. Like Malcolm, Dewey is intelligent. However, his talents lie in music, and he does not struggle to make friends like Malcolm.
Jamie is the youngest brother born at the end of season four. The toddler is just as mischievous as his older brothers and loves causing more chaos for the rest of the family.
Malcolm in the Middle’s Realism
Malcolm in the Middle is arguably the most realistic portrayal of the average family on television. The show never strayed from portraying the struggles of the working-class family when it comes to the family being unable to pay their bills, but it also showcases how even the most dysfunctional family can stick together.
It also connected with younger viewers as the show’s opening video showed popular topics with kids in the family’s age range. The opening video features a WCW fight at Halloween Havoc 1999 featuring Brett ‘The Hitman’ Hart and disgraced wrestler Chris Benoit, a scene from the 1998 anime Nazca, and clips from various films.
The Comedy
A lot of the comedy in this show comes from different avenues. A mix of cold opens, dramatic reads, and physical comedy make this show memorable. To this day, references to the quote, “The Future Is Now, Old Man” are made throughout the internet.
However, some of the most iconic moments come from Bryan Cranston. In many moments throughout the series, we watch Hal express his love and adoration for his family no matter how much they stress him out. However, many of these moments usually come paired with one of the boy’s hair-brained schemes blowing up in his face. Others are self-made as Hal loves to jump into new hobbies and becomes obsessed. Sometimes, these adventures land him in ridiculous situations like when he started race walking. These odd situations paired with Cranston’s comedic timing made the show a must-watch.
Malcolm in the Middle: The Reboot
Back in December, Disney+ posted videos featuring Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek screaming ‘Malcolm’ and Frankie Muniz exasperatedly responding. As of now, this reboot will only have four episodes and serve as an epilogue that follows Malcolm as he and his daughter prepare for Hal and Lois’s 40th anniversary. It is unknown if the rest of the original cast will return to the screen. There is also no official release date as of now.
