Malcolm in the Middle: Season 1

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Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 109 Ratings

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9.0	User Score Universal acclaim based on 109 Ratings

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Malcolm In The Middle: Season 1

Now Playing: Malcolm In The Middle: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

FOX | Season Premiere Date: January 9, 2000

Starring: Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Chris Masterson

Summary: Created and executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning writer Linwood Boomer, this inventive half-hour series is seen through the eyes of MALCOLM (Frankie Muniz), a regular high school kid trying to navigate his way through life despite the various obstacles thrown in his way – a complete misunderstanding of girls, the constant burden ofCreated and executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning writer Linwood Boomer, this inventive half-hour series is seen through the eyes of MALCOLM (Frankie Muniz), a regular high school kid trying to navigate his way through life despite the various obstacles thrown in his way – a complete misunderstanding of girls, the constant burden of masterminding plans to get himself and his brothers into or out of trouble, and a miserable job at the Lucky Aide… not to mention a severe case of teen angst.

Although Malcolm has a genius IQ, he can't seem to make sense of the opposite sex, much less his embarrassing family. Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) is the outspoken, opinionated mom, who still manages to rule the roost even though her boys are growing wise to her crafty ways. Hal (Bryan Cranston), a dad who is just a bumbling, big kid at heart, often finds himself creating more chaos than his five boys combined. Reese (Justin Berfield) has mastered the art of a perfect blank stare, and makes up for his lack of intelligence with deviance.

Francis (Christopher Masterson), Malcolm's oldest and favorite brother, is willing to move from Alabama to Alaska to New Mexico – as long as its keeps him from moving back home. Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), no longer the youngest, has learned his tricks from the best and often pulls the wool right over his brothers' eyes. And then there's Jamie, the newest member … and family scapegoat.

Timeslot History on Fox and Global

January 2000 - July 2002 .... Sundays, 8:30pm
August 2002 - October 2004 .... Sundays, 9:00pm November 2004 - August 2005 .... Sundays, 7:30pm
September 2005 - January 2006 ... Fridays, 8:30pm
January 2006 - Present .... Sundays, 7:00pm… Expand

Creator: Linwood Boomer and Linwood Boomer

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E16. Water Park (1)
Air Date: May 21, 2000
tbd
S1:E15. Smunday
Air Date: May 14, 2000
tbd
S1:E14. The Bots And The Bees
Air Date: May 7, 2000

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Johnson

Jul 15, 2013

It plays as fresh and funny as anything on TV. [5 Jan 2000]

100

Eric Mink

Jul 15, 2013

But at the true core of this strange and wonderful series - wackiness notwithstanding - are the often strange and, ideally, wonderful relationships among members of a family. [7 Jan 2000]

Ken Tucker

Jun 13, 2013

There are times when you wish the jokes in this series were a little funnier, but right now its unique situations — there's comedy gold being mined from Malcolm's gifted-child class of awkward brainiacs — make it distinctive. Read full review

Tom Shales

Jul 15, 2013

"Malcolm" immediately, instantly, explosively achieves an identity all its own--a little bit like a live-action "Simpsons," but with a Bart who's a genius, not an underachiever. [8 Jan 2000]

Jonathan Storm

Jul 15, 2013

The sweetest, funniest and most original family sitcom that has come to TV in a long time. [6 Jan 2000]

Scott D. Pierce

Jul 15, 2013

The show is a laugh-out-loud funny, skewed look at the American family that rings surprisingly true. But the pilot goes more than a bit over the top at times. [6 Jan 2000]

Rob Owen

Jul 15, 2013

Its slightly warped sense of humor won't appeal to some viewers, but "Malcolm in the Middle" qualifies as unique. Read full review

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User Score

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9.0

User Reviews

ZombifiedDragon

Jul 4, 2011

The Best Television show of the noughties! Ever since the reruns of the show got canceled, i havent been watching much TV at all. It's very funny, every character is great and even the plot is very good

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

chem64

Jan 23, 2014

you gotta love this show. Its smart, clever, funny, and is probably the most accurate depiction of what the nerdy kid felt like back in JR High, and high school. Can't get enough of this, I love it. Plus, Walter White is the dad.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Awesomegamer777

Nov 18, 2013

The greatest Tv sitcom comedy ever made. This show is the best comedy out there its really funny watch it and you will laugh out loud. This show is my favorite show of all time. WATCH IT!!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Fren

Mar 21, 2016

In my opinion one of the greatest TV shows to ever grace the air. This show will make you smile, laugh, think and just feel good! If you haven't seen this show, SEE IT.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Onlyclassicvg1

Jan 24, 2023

Summary: Shutter Island is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.Summary: Shutter Island is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tss5078

Jun 13, 2017

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 GuyMany 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

EljeroTV

Dec 22, 2013

I don't know why, but I have now watched over 20 episodes of this TV-show and just can't laugh about it. I watch HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Two and a half Men freuguently and love them, but maybe Malcolm in the Middle is just too old for me (2000). Mostly the jokes are embarassing, not funnyI don't know why, but I have now watched over 20 episodes of this TV-show and just can't laugh about it. I watch HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Two and a half Men freuguently and love them, but maybe Malcolm in the Middle is just too old for me (2000). Mostly the jokes are embarassing, not funny and things like ripping of your skin like a snake is not funny either. Also I asked more than 10 friends, whether they like it, 'cause it got such good reviews, but not one of them liked it all in all it is maybe just me but 2/10 is very gently in my Opinion.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

88

Series Overview
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 2005
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: November 7, 2004
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 2003
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: November 3, 2002
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: November 11, 2001
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 5, 2000
Season 1

88
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 9, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E16. Water Park (1)
  Air Date: May 21, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E15. Smunday
  Air Date: May 14, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E14. The Bots And The Bees
  Air Date: May 7, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E13. Rollerskates
  Air Date: April 30, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E12. Cheerleader
  Air Date: April 16, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E11. Funeral
  Air Date: April 9, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E10. Stock Car Races
  Air Date: April 2, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E9. Lois vs. Evil
  Air Date: March 19, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E8. Krelboyne Picnic
  Air Date: March 12, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E7. Francis Escapes
  Air Date: February 27, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E6. Sleepover
  Air Date: February 20, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E5. Malcolm Babysits
  Air Date: February 13, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E4. Shame
  Air Date: February 6, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E3. Home Alone 4
  Air Date: January 23, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E2. Red Dress
  Air Date: January 16, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: January 9, 2000