Summary
- Malcolm in the Middle ended after season 7 due to low ratings, with viewership steadily declining throughout the show's run.
- Fox's decision to change the show's time slot contributed to its falling viewership.
- The cancelation of Malcolm in the Middle ultimately led to Bryan Cranston's iconic role as Walter White in Breaking Bad.
It was one of Fox's most popular shows when it first aired in 2000, which may leave fans wondering why Malcolm in the Middle ended after season 7. The series starred Frankie Muniz as the titular Malcolm, a child prodigy in a dysfunctional lower-middle-class American family. Created by Linwood Boomer, Malcolm in the Middle was known for its whip-smart comedy, outlandish antics, pop punk influences, and exuberant portrayal of 2000s youth culture.
As well as shooting Muniz to stardom, the show is also notable for the appearance of Bryan Cranston. Now known as one of America's finest dramatic actors thanks to his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad, Cranston made a name for himself in comedy roles, including Hal - Malcolm's goofy and lovable dad. Malcolm in the Middle became a cultural touchstone in the earlier to mid-2000s, which makes its abrupt end all the more puzzling.
Fox Decided To Cancel Malcolm In The Middle Because Of Low Ratings
Like many shows in the 2000s, Malcolm in The Middle came to an end due to low viewership. While the earlier seasons could pull in an average of 13-15 million viewers per episode, by season 4 this had dropped to around 10 million. Viewership almost halved in season 6, which according to Malcolm in the Middle's largest fansite, led creator Linwood Boomer to consider making the seventh season its last while working on season 6, but no official decision was made during production. Instead, the official cancelation announcement came from Fox towards the end of Malcolm in the Middle season 7's run.
Malcolm in the Middle's falling viewership has been largely attributed to Fox's decision to change the show's time slot. Originally, Malcolm in the Middle aired on Sundays in a comfortable primetime slot, helping to bring in such a sizable audience. In its final season, however, the show was placed in the dreaded "Friday night death slot," a name coined because Friday evening is the time young people - network TV's most profitable demographic - are most likely to be out doing things other than watching TV. While it was moved back to Sundays for the last few episodes, the damage was already done, and Malcolm in The Middle was ultimately canceled.
How Malcolm In The Middle's Cancelation Led To Bryan Cranston ing Breaking Bad
While Malcolm in the Middle's cancelation was arguably a loss for TV in the mid-2000s, it did ultimately lead to another television win: Bryan Cranston's role as Walter White in Breaking Bad. Cranston's unexpected transition from playing a lovable, goofy dad to a hardened drug lord almost didn't happen, however. In 2021, it was revealed Malcolm in The Middle almost prevented Cranston's Breaking Bad role. Appearing on the Smartless podcast, Cranston explained that Fox had actually considered renewing Malcolm in the Middle for season 8.
If Fox had given Malcolm in the Middle another chance to win back viewers, the Walter White viewers know today wouldn't exist. Cranston's commitment to Malcolm in the Middle season 8 would have meant he wasn't available to shoot the pilot for Breaking Bad. While Cranston excelled at playing the hapless Hal, his role in Breaking Bad has cemented him as one of the finest dramatic actors working today. It was a positive both for his career and the wider television landscape, as Breaking Bad is considered one of the best TV shows of all time in no small part due to Cranston's performance.
Could A Malcolm In The Middle Reboot Still Happen?
Rumors have been circling about a possible Malcolm in the Middle reboot, but no official confirmation has been given as of August 2023. In 2015, Muniz expressed interest in reprising his role as Malcolm, and in a 2016 Reddit AMA Cranston revealed a Malcolm in the Middle movie had been talked about; an idea he was open to. At this point in time, it seems a film is more likely than a continuation of the TV series due to the lesser commitment needed from those involved.
While Muniz and Cranston's willingness to return is a huge plus for a possible Malcolm in the Middle reboot, there are additional factors to consider. Key actors Justin Berfield and Erik Per Sullivan, who played Reese and Dewey respectively, have retired from acting. In addition, any Malcolm in the Middle reboot would need to find a good way to bring the central family together or add new characters while still staying true to the chaos of the original, given that almost 20 years have ed since the final episode, and the children would likely have children of their to contend with.