Random thoughts - "You're not the boss of me now!" edition.

The last year or so, I've been watching reruns of "Malcolm in the Middle" on FX, local television and Nick-at-Nite. Today marks the show's tenth anniversary. The list of observations about the show is shorter than I would've liked, as I've been busy with other pursuits, but here goes:

- In the episode "Cheerleader", Hal gives a speech to the boys about how relationships will go between women and men in their family. In hindsight, as he illustrated how insane and clingy a guy would get, I couldn't help but think, 'Did he call it with Malcolm or freaking what?' (cf. "Butterflies" and especially "Malcolm's Girlfriend").

- The episode "Living Will", where Hal was tasked with the choice of letting a neighbor live or having his life support cut off, ended with a scene where Lois and Hal talk about the solution he came up with. Strangely, they never mention what the solution was or how it was arrived at ("And everything you needed was available at Radio Shack?" "Everything but the hat."). To me, this'd be a cop-out on any other show, but it totally fits on this one.

- I'd have to say that, in watching the show, there was only one aspect of the show that was truly irredeemable - Jessica. Nothing against the actress, but I could never stand that frizzy-haired, manipulative C-word. As far as I'm concerned, the character (and, for that matter, the show) reached its nadir in the episode "Secret Boyfriend". The episode indulges two of my greatest pet peeves of TV watching: a girl who likes the main character, but not when anyone's looking and a girl who treats the main character like crap, but (we're led to believe) that's because they're too chickenshit to tell them how they really feel. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I fucking hate that shit.

- Sara Paxton ("Malcolm Dates a Family"), Emma Stone ("Lois Strikes Back"), Ashley Tisdale ("Jury Duty")...it's amazing how many ingenues appeared on this show.

- The episode "Stilts" features Malcolm getting a job as a Lucky-Aide greeter on stilts, replacing the alcoholic Sam. When Sam comes back wanting his old job, the two of them are on stilts. The first time I saw Sam shuffling his feet like a boxer on stilts, it may well have been the hardest I've ever laughed at anything on television (and the moment that made me a fan of the show).

And, to extend this post a bit, here are twenty of my favorite "Malcolm" episodes, alphabetized for your protection:

Billboard - The boys manage to turn defacing a billboard of a stripper into a woman's rights protest.
Highlight: Reese's fantasy

Block Party - Apparently, the neighborhood throws a big party whenever Malcolm and his family go on vacation. Unfortunately, they came back early this year.
Highlight: Reese and Dewey's scam

Bride of Ida - Because of tyrannical Grandma Ida, Reese and Malcolm find themselves in a contest of manhood.
Highlight: any of the manhood trials and any of Dewey's 'accidents'

Buseys Run Away - When Dewey leaves his special class, his classmates disappear.
Highlight: the look on Lois' face when Dewey bites her leg

Chad’s Sleepover - Despite Hal's objections, Dewey invites one of his classmates over.
Highlight: "Pictures of things belong on the things they're pictures of."

Dewey’s Dog - Dewey finds a stray and uses it to get revenge on Malcolm and Reese.
Highlight: the appearance of Craig

Forwards Backwards - Reese and Malcolm get into a war of oneupmanship and pranks.
Highlight: any flashback to a prank and the goofy music by which it's accompanied

Hal Coaches - Hal tries to inspire Dewey's soccer team to victory.
Highlight: Malcolm becoming obsessed with a 'Sims'-like game

Halloween - Hal is convinced that the house is haunted after hearing about the murders that took place there long ago.
Highlight: "It's Jamie, isn't it?"

Living Will - Hal is tasked with deciding the fate of a neighbor: keep him on life support or pull the plug?
Highlight: Hal's from the neck up coma and the entire subplot with Craig

Lois Strikes Back - Lois gets revenge on the girls that humiliated Reese.
Highlight: "Tell me how I get."

Malcolm Dates a Family - Malcolm falls for a girl, but ends up beloved by her family.
Highlight: the entire subplot with Lois fighting a double-tipping restaurant, especially its conclusion

Malcolm’s Girlfriend - Malcolm gets a girlfriend...and grows fixated on her.
Highlight: the party at the end

Monkey - Craig's helper monkey soon tries to kill him.
Highlight: Hal vs. the monkey; sort of a pisstake of the middle segment of Terror Tract

Opera - Dewey is inspired to write an opera based on a spat between Hal and Lois.
Highlight: the tree landing (you'll know it when you see it) and pretty much any moment of the opera

Reese Joins the Army - Hal is accused of insider trading, Lois flips out and Reese...well, guess.
Highlight: the method by which Hal is acquitted

Reese’s Apartment - After going too far in an argument, Reese leaves home and gets his own place.
Highlight: the various reactions to Reese's latest act of malfeasance

Robbery - Lois and Craig are trapped at the mercy of two armed thugs.
Highlight: Lois' reaction to Craig's confession of love

Stilts - Malcolm gets a humiliating gig at Lucky Aide as a greeter on stilts.
Highlight: the aforementioned stilt fight

Watching the Baby - While watching Jamie, Hal tries to get diapers and Reese and Malcolm are approached by popular girls.
Highlight: Dewey's bedtime story

Not much more I can say but I hope that the rest of the show finds its way to DVD. Fox has clearly lost interest (schmucks), but maybe Shout! Factory can lend a hand.