“Yes, no, maybe… I don’t know.”Malcolm in the Middle’s intro is simply iconic. The lyrics bring fond memories of the protagonist, Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), Hal (Bryan Cranston), Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), Francis (Christopher Kennedy Masterson), Reese (Justin Berfield), and Jamie, a middle-class family struggling to survive in an unforgiving America. This classic ’90s comedy followed Malcolm and his family as they lived a hectic suburban life, trying to raise a kid with a high IQ without any resources. Linwood Boomer created the show in the late ’90s after a career in acting and scriptwriting for TV.
While fans can now watchMalcolm in the Middleon Disney+, many wonder about a potential reunion of their favorite characters. Their eyes sparked recently when Frankie Muniz, the actor portraying the titular Malcolm, mentioned the possibility ofBryan Cranston reviving the show. Cranston had already teased it back in 2020, but given these renewed rumors of a possible comeback, we know many factors would make this revival a great fit in the streaming era.
A Critical and Clever Take on Inequality
Despite the series being calledMalcolm in the Middle,Hal and Lois, the family patriarchs, played a fundamental role in the show. Not only were they a loving couple facing five devil-like sons, but also they were two middle-class workers stretching a salary to provide for the household. Lois and Hal’s constant efforts to ensure a roof under their heads were challenged by tax audits, unemployment, and even a lawsuit from Lois’ own mother, to name a few. These crude situations with a humorous lens take a different perspective today in America’s current economy, making it perfect for a revival.
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Cryptocurrency, prohibitive mortgages, and recession all make for great opportunities for Cranston and Boomer to showcase Malcolm and his family dealing with today’s complex economic situation. With the usual social commentary disguised as raw comedy, we can definitely see Malcolm hijacking a digital bank to teach his brothers a lesson or Lois defying her boss while working in a delivery center. Let alone givingDewey the chanceto play one of his elaborate schemes that once questioned a whole Church’s system of beliefs. A more mature and defiant Dewey is more than ready to face alone and take down a group of extremists, or anyone that forgets his birthday, for that matter!
Fans Want to Know What Happened After the Malcolm in the Middle Finale
Just likethe cast today, scattered and devoted to their personal projects, an estranged family who has cut almost all ties would make for a great reunion or special. By the end of the series, Malcolm had made it halfway through his parents’ plan of him working his way as a janitor to pay for his Harvard courses to become the US’ next president. Reese also finds his peace, working in maintenance and moving with Craig, Lois’ creepy yet lovable colleague at the convenience store.
Meanwhile, back home, Dewey breaks the cycle by bonding with Jamie, while Lois and Hal are terrified by a new positive pregnancy test. Finally, Francis is ready to cease his problematic behavior by working 9 to 5 in an office, away from mischief and random life choices.
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Fifteen or twenty years later, there is a lot of potential for everyone’s development. Maybe Malcolm did become the leader of the free world — or he didn’t, coping with the frustration of the impossible standard he was subject to. Separated from his parents, a call to save them once more from economic demise would make for an excellent special. We can also see Dewey exploiting his musical talents, finding some success to use against his less intelligent older brother Reese, a little vengeance after his tormented childhood years. For the older sibling, Francis is clearly ready to face his mommy issues while struggling to teach his own without becoming Lois in the process.
The Themes Aged Well
In the end,Malcolm in The Middlehas stood the test of time because of the long-lasting issues mentioned and the characters’ multidimensional composition. A good comedy needs a cast of talented members who portray their roles to the fullest. Adding social commentary to the mix gives an extra layer to the humor, making it a show worth binge-watching today.
Undoubtedly, a revival would require a lot of tweaking, as many situations depicted in the series wouldnever be aired todaydue to its controversial nature. Twenty years is a long time, with many changes affecting how people view certain topics. Yet, this family still has a lot to say about today’s society, and a properly driven revival with the ideas suggested (or any, for that matter) would definitely find success in a special comeback.
