"Malcolm in the Middle" (2000)TV series 2000-2006

Creator:

Linwood Boomer

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

9 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A gifted young teen tries to survive with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Cult TV | Family Relationships | Embarrassment | Sitcom

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Golden Globes. Another 39 wins & 82 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. July 25	12:30 AM	MyNetwork	Pearl Harbor	#6.4
Fri. July 25	7:00 AM	FX	Carnival	#2.23

Cast

Bryan Cranston	...	Hal (151 episodes, 2000-2006)
Justin Berfield	...	Reese / ... (151 episodes, 2000-2006)
Erik Per Sullivan	...	Dewey (151 episodes, 2000-2006)
Jane Kaczmarek	...	Lois (150 episodes, 2000-2006)
Christopher Masterson	...	Francis (150 episodes, 2000-2006)
Frankie Muniz	...	Malcolm (150 episodes, 2000-2006)

Also Known As:

Fighting in Underpants (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:TV-14 (one episode) | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:Livre | Singapore:PG | USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Satin City Productions

Trivia:

The monster seen rising from the water in the opening credits is the monster from Clash of the Titans (1981)

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Pilot, when Malcolm and Stevie are in Stevie's room eating cookies, the cookie in Malcolm's right hand disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

Francis: Well, look at that - 8:00 already. Way past my bed time. Where do I sleep?
Grandma Ida: You're sitting on it.
Francis: Does it turn into a bed?
Grandma Ida: Yes, it becomes a bed.
[sarcastically]
Grandma Ida: It's a special magic sofa. It opens up for magic, lazy boy. And angels come out feed you grapes and sing to you while you sleep, and it flies around the room, granting wishes to boys who are stupid.
Francis: All right! It doesn't fold out!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Even Stevens: Louis in the Middle (#1.6)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Smile

Consistently funny and original

When this show first debuted right after THE SIMPSONS, I incorrectly thought it was just a live action knock-off of the Simpson family. While there are some similarities, the show managed to carve out a unique niche for itself due to the show's wonderful ability to tell two or three stories simultaneously and interweave them so well. Plus the humor involving this very dysfunctional family managed to be unique enough that I honestly can't say it was like any other show on television. Excellent writing, casting and enough bizarre plot twists to keep you interested, it's not surprising this show lasted seven seasons. In fact, considering how FOX moved the show around so much, it's a testament to the quality of the show that this didn't kill it--as so often happens when they move shows around.