Malcolm in the Middle

Deadpan and satiric Malcolm in the Middle (2000) is a family sitcom that strays from the rest, poking fun at American culture through the eyes of a cranky middle child trying his best to fit in.

Malcolm in the Middle is worth watching today despite its two-decade-old release date- the show’s homey vibe and hilarious character dynamics remain ageless, even today.

“Life is unfair,” the last line in the show’s theme song (“Boss of Me” by They Might be Giants), perfectly encapsulates the overarching mentality of the show.

The audience’s point of view is through Malcolm, who represents us all with his whininess and pretension. He feels as if the world is against him, even though he’s a genius with a loving (or at least “like-ing”) family.

Having a point of view centered around a pubescent “negative Nancy” (or “morose Malcolm”) allows for a perfect combination of sensationalized comedy and a true depiction of family life.

The reality of lower-class family life is put on display through earnest and frankly American beliefs, such as Malcolm’s “TV doesn’t make you stupid; it makes you NORMAL!” (the viewers laugh candidly).

The family is seen as the lowest-common-denominator by all, except for the blissfully ignorant parents Lois and Hal. They have vastly different parenting methods: Hal has a pacifistic approach; Lois is nonpermissive.

Malcolm and his four brothers develop demented quirks due to their family’s dysfunctionality, and the absence of a laugh track highlights their awkward moments in full, painful glory.

No matter the situation, however, the show is always genuine. Unlike sitcoms which try to poke at the audience’s emotional side through superficial relationships (looking at you, Friends), the softer sides of Malcolm in the Middle come naturally, whether they be through high school relationships or felonious acts of revenge.

Malcolm in the Middle incorporates a timeless plot along with biting-edge satire to create an ‘unfair’ advantage in a world of depthless sitcoms.