Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom, it received critical acclaim and won a Peabody Award, seven Emmy Awards and was nominated for seven Golden Globes.

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 normal kid trying to navigate his way through life despite the various obstacles thrown in his way–a complete misunderstanding of girls, an eclectic group of classmates and the constant burden of masterminding plans to get himself and his brothers either into or out of trouble.

Although Malcolm has a genius IQ, he cannot seem to make any sense of the opposite sex, much less his embarrassing family. Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) is the outspoken, opinionated Mom, and her creative punishments and tough-as-nails approach always prevent the boys from slipping one past her. Hal (Bryan Cranston), a dad who is a certified legend in his own mind, is perfectly content to let Lois “wear the pants”, but often finds himself creating more chaos than his four boys combined.

Reese (Justin Berfield) has mastered the art of a perfect blank stare, but has made up for his lack of intelligence with deviance. Francis (Christopher Kennedy Masterson), Malcolm's oldest and favourite brother, has grown accustomed to life away from the family, whether it's at a military academy or a dude ranch. And then there's Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), who just doesn't know any better than to look up to his brothers. Hopefully, he'll catch on before it's too late. As if Lois and Hal didn't already have their hands full with their four mischievous sons, Malcolm finds himself truly in the middle after Lois and Hal become parents yet again in the fourth season. And if history repeats itself, Malcolm and his family are in for a wild ride

NTSC FORMAT.

Special Features

• New-for-DVD extended pilot episode
• Running commentary on selected episodes by the show's creator, stars, directors and writers
• “Malcolm in the Middle: A Stroke of Genius” featurette
• Season One gag reel
• “Dewey's Day Job” featurette
• Deleted scenes and alternate show openings
• Season One promotional TV spots & more

Awards

• British Comedy Awards 2003 – Won British Comedy Award Best International Comedy TV Show
• Directors Guild of America 2002 – Won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series'
• Family Television Awards 2001 – Won Family Television Award Comedy
• Golden Globes USA 2001 – Nominated Golden Globe Best TV-Series – Comedy/Musical
• Kids' Choice Awards, USA 2001 – Won Blimp Award Favorite Television Show
• Primetime Emmy Awards 2001 – Won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
• Television Critics Association Awards 2001 – Won Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
• Television Critics Association Awards 2000 – Won Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
• Writers Guild of America 2005 – Won Episodic Comedy

Malcolm in the Middle Season 1 Review

"Casting my mind back 11 years (oh my god I am so old) Malcolm in the Middle was shown in that Friday pre-going out BBC 2 slot and I remember it being sold as a type of live action The Simpsons in the era when The Simpsons could still have some claim of being fresh and a little rebellious. Malcolm in the Middle revolved around an American family with four sons, who cause chaos weekly, and their unorthodox parents. The eldest son has been sent to military school, the second eldest was the incredibly dumb bully, the youngest was cute and possibly insane and the episodes are hosted by genius middle child Malcolm.

Having now re-watched the show I am hugely impressed and appreciative of what a great piece of television this was and still is. The show has held up surprisingly well and is potentially more subversive for its genre than it was 12 years ago (teenagers smoking and drinking openly without retribution, parents openly acknowledging their children are shits? Nowadays it’s more about dysfunction through mixed race/same sex/age difference and children are all a little too groomed with minimal bad behaviour, parents are all just struggling to be good parents and cope with their flaws not just stopping the children burning down the house). The show broke away from the studio audience format, a forerunner in this style of casual, steady cam filming with Malcolm addressing the camera directly. The family (yes like The Simpsons) were utterly dysfunctional but so recognisable. The parents Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston) had deeply questionable parenting skills, Hal being the yes man and Lois seemingly willing to murder and/or torture all of her children. However these are parents you like, who in all their eccentricity are humorously identifiable and actually their freedom of supposed bad parenting makes you a little envious of the we are what we are attitude.

If this show was just about Malcolm it would not work nearly as well. Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is the super smart know it all who can become irritating a little too quickly but when placed with his brothers is just another idiot. And it is the dynamics of the four brothers and parents that make it entertaining. My favourite character is the same as ten years ago, the little brother Dewy. Just his vacant expression and huge ears are enough to make you love him but throw in that he is quite simply missing a marble or twenty and he is a shining point of the show. The final episode with his scenes are bonkers and watch out for his perception of the world when he wants a new toy. Genius." Filmwerk