Many TV historians will tell you that if it wasn't wedged in between the Simpsons and the X-Files on FOX Sunday nights, Malcolm In The Middle never would have lasted seven seasons. The ratings did drop every time Fox tried to move the show, and it did ultimately get cancelled when Family Guy came back and took it's time slot. I think however, it had more to do with the kids growing up than it did with the quality of the show or it's time slot, because Malcolm In The Middle to me, was the first truly hilarious and worthwhile sitcom of the new millennium.The family with no last name, (yes, in seven seasons, they don't mention their last name a single time) is the dysfunctional family that puts all others to shame! The father, Hal (Bryan Cranston), may be the biggest kid of them all, with absolutely no self-control. The mother, Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), is the boss, the big scary scream machine, who hands out the punishments, and is the boys ultimate rival, making her the most fun to mess with. The oldest son, Francis (Christopher Masterson), is so bad, that he keeps getting sent away to one ridiculous place after another. The next oldest, Reese (Justin Berfield), is the good old fashion school bully. Little brother, Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan) is just as weird as they come (every time he screamed like a girl, especially when he got older, I almost peed myself). Finally, in the middle is Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), who is a genius, trying to make sense of the chaos that is his life.To me this show was so ahead of it's time, I mean they cast Bryan Cranston in a leading role, back when Vince Gilligan was still a part-time screen writer on the X-Files. The chemistry between the kids is fantastic and the dynamic between the laid back Hal and the high struck Lois is comedic gold. This isn't just the kind of show you love to watch, but it's also the kind of show you can tell the people involved with loved doing it. When it's more than just a job and the actors really love the characters and fellow cast members, that is when a show can become really special.The bottom line, most sitcoms are full of corny PG jokes meant for prime time audiences. They're something to tune into when nothing else is on, but once in a while, one of them comes along that is special and breaks the mold, Malcolm In The Middle is that show. No sitcom, with perhaps the exception of Everybody Loves Raymond has ever made me laugh as much as this show has, and trust me that is not an easy task with my weird sense of humor.

Malcolm in the Middle is undoubtedly, one of the greatest of it's genre. Everything about the show is very intelligent and well-done. Each member of the family has a relatable personality, and a fitting role in the show. The writing style of the episodes, right down to the very editing of shots and camera angles is very intriguing and good at keeping the viewers glued to their screens, and the situations that the characters are put in have great potential, which is always fully reached. No matter which demographic you belong to, Malcolm in the Middle is a show that you will enjoy on any level between occasional viewer to die-hard superfan.The choice of personalities for each character is brilliant. Alone, every individual member of the family can strongly hold up an entire scene on their own and together, a combination of every two characters makes for a unique interaction and a hilarious duo for their own plot for an episode. Our title character, Malcolm is a relatable and likable main character alone, as well as the voice of reason to Reese's stupidity, The guy who Dewey looks up to, the guy who looks up to Francis, the sworn enemy of Lois, and a loving friend of Hal.The jokes are always spot-on and over the course of an episode, at least one will hit hard and get a genuine laugh. The comedy varies from observational comedy, to slapstick, to dark comedy, to gross-out, to awkward comedy, to satire and never uses too much of one type at a time.The stories of the episodes are always intriguing and aren't afraid to go too far with making it too unrealistic, dark, nonsensical etc. because they can handle making it go to those extremes in a well-written way. They always do something new and the way the plots play out are never expected and can't be compared to the plot of an episode from a different show or movie. The plot dynamic of the episodes usually consist of the serious main story, and a comic relief B plot. Malcolm is usually the center of the main story and the side plot is either Francis getting caught up in his antics at his current job, or Hal being thrown into a huge situation, that he just had no idea how to handle. The stories always work and we get just enough of both stories at a time, as well as wrapping them up nicely and uniquely.The overarching stories of the show, for the most part, are pretty mediocre. Francis' many jobs over the series starts off really well, but could be played out better, with the main flaw being that his entire role in the show vanishes by Season 6. Episodes with Cynthia Sanders, who was supposed to be a major character, are inconsistently scattered about and widely spread apart, with the plot traveling very quickly every time she appears. However, the lack of characters like this are usually for fiscal reasons as opposed to writing and they still manage to make the plot lines impactful enough to be remembered and loved, so the stories are really nothing to sneeze over and fall neatly under "average" on the scale of good and bad.The show also has a handful of satirical episodes, tackling topics such as religion, censorship of literature and artwork, birth control, feminism, modern day racism, politics etc. and makes it subtle enough to be an episode alone. It doesn't blatantly make fun of those who disagree with it, and it does a swell job at not being offensive, even if you disagree with the point the episode proves.The careers of some famous actors were launched by this series, including Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz, who play Hal and Malcolm, respectively and their actors have won many awards and acclaim for their performances in certain episodes, usually for their performance, their comedic routine, or their way of handling their role in the episode. Lots of familiar faces also make appearances in the cast of side characters, including Jason Alexander, Robert Loggia, and Bea Arthur and although they only make guest appearances, they go down in Malcolm in the Middle history for being such memorable one-time characters.Malcolm in the Middle belongs in the hall of fame, for it well-deserved awards and critical acclaim and even if you're only going to watch one episode, the show deserves to be checked out.

After watching Parks and Recreation, I thought no other show I watch can top it. But just after watching Pilot of this series, I changed my mind instantly. This is by far the best comedy/drama/any genre show I have ever seen. There isn't a single dull moment in the whole 7 seasons. I was binge watching it even when I was doing work. That much I loved it. Although the name of the show is Malcolm in the middle, it should have been Hal and his sons. Coz none of the characters is left unused for this perfect masterpiece. Dewey's Opera episode is my favorite and I don't imagine any other episode of any other show topping that. If you have any doubts if you want to watch this show, watch Bowling or Opera episodes. If you don't like such humor/screenplay, you are not gonna like it. But, if you enjoy those episodes, you are in for a treat. When I completed the show the first time (I'm watching whole 3rd time again in 1 year), I thought it did not have a satisfying ending. But upon watching it the second time, I cannot imagine any other fitting end for the show. I already recommended this show for 5 of my friends, and they all love it. Cheers for the creators on creating such a wonderful masterpiece.

This sitcom is one of the best sitcoms in Fox. In addition to other very good sitcoms as "Friends", "Seinfeld", or "Married with children" this show is so funny as these shows. "Malcolm in the middle" is so realistic and original. The mother Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) that lost her temper all the time, is a very funny character, also as Hal (Bryan Cranston) that is the sensitive and immature dad. Also the problematic sons, including Francis (Christopher Masterson) that is the worst and sent to military school, Reese (Justin Berfield) the bully one, Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) that is a genius, the little Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan) that is bothered by his brothers, but smart to defend or revenge, and the youngest Jaimie, that is a toddler. This is one of the funniest dysfunctional families; and all the problems that each character has to face makes this show so funny. Totally recommended.