Malcolm in the Middle: Season 1

This show is by far one of the best shows on television. In my opinion it is the best, however I'll let you decide for yourself how much you like it. I liked all of the episodes on these 3 DVDs (Some more than others, but overall they were all good). I instantly fell in love with this show, because it's one of the only shows ever that resembles real life. Istead of you sitting at home wishing your family were like the sitcom families on TV, when you watch this show you say somthing more along the lines of "Oh my family's just like that."The acting in this show is great. All of the characters are really unique and show how people can be different. Take the character Reese for example: A bully who enjoys cooking, us there any other show on television with a charater like that. Then look at other shows where characters are exactly the same. For instance: The "8 Simple Rules" family and the family in "The War at Home" are exactly the same except Keri Henesy is a boy in "War @ Home." This show took a lot of actors who weren't well known in 2000 (Frankie Muniz was kind of well known then, but not as much as he is today) and made them into stars, and with made a T.V. show that won 5 emmys, won a peabody award, and is going into its 7th season!I sure hope that after reading this you buy the DVD set too, or at least watch the show on TV. the Premiere is @ 8:30E/7:30C on Friday Sept. 23. Repeats are on Mon-Fri @ 6:30PM E/5:30PM C or at 12:30 AM (half hour after midnight)E/11:30 PM C.P.S. people writing bad reviews for the show/ making fun of the actors:You might look like you know what your talking about if you spell Frankie Muniz's name correctly.Note the way I spelled it: It's Muniz not Munitzand I bet Frankie MUNIZ gets an oscar long before you doOn top of that how can you justify the statement that the charaters look like geeks?Or: They're as boring as dry meatloaf?Where is the evidence behind any of those statements?

I first caught this show in it's final season...in late night reruns. And, goodness gracious, I was floored by the quality and consistency of the show. So, when these DVDs went on sale, I had to have them. And...I was speechless. Absolutely fabulous. Easily one of the greatest comedies of all time, and on the short list of best family shows of any kind.Particularly fantastic was the episode "Smunday." They easily blew through 3 or 4 plot twists, and at the climax of the episode I was literally gasping from horror, laughter and shock. Hilarious! Also, the sight gags on this show are funny, slightly exaggeratedly (hence the humor) and always with a touch of tenderness that highlights why family relationships are complex and unique and beautiful, even when their shameless and dysfunctional. I think the episode "Malcolm Babysits" highlights this nicely, when Malcolm in babysitting for the "ideal" family, while his family is their own neighborhood's live Jerry Springer show, while camping in a trailer while their house is getting fumigated. Sure, we know the moral is that there is no place like home, but the lesson isn't forced and is very entertaining. Far from didactic, you barely notice between the humor. And the young cast together are astonishingly good actors. Muniz, in particular, handles his duplicitous "real-life" versus talking to the camera with a fluidity that I think most adults wouldn't be able to sell.The extras are very enlightening as well with the voice-over commentary (although Frankie Muñiz in real life is a long-winded gasbag). I also thought the Spanish dubbing (which I happen to speak) was well done also.I could go on and on. It was worth every cent I spent on it. I just ache for the other seasons.

Other reviews have done a great job describing it, so here's another perspective on now good Malcolm in the Middle is:We use Malcolm as a treat for guests. Because the episodes are less than half an hour, we're not locking them into a long commitment. Not to worry - after watching the pilot episode, they always beg for more. Even though as hosts we've seen Malcolm repeatedly - and usually I'm not much for repeat viewing - we still laugh like crazy, sharing our guests' delight. Only one couple was not amused, and we weren't surprised. (Thank God they're only once a year!)Occasionally we watch the current episodes. I'm reluctant, because I hate to see the kids grow up. I know it's inevitable, but leaving that wonderful "first season" is kind of like leaving your own childhood - at the time you're glad you've finally grown up, but before long you're longing to return. Anyway, with that sentimental caveat, I just wanted to say, that the quality of the series has been maintained - it's still hilarious!So I predict, that Malcolm in the Middle will take it's place, along with the Honeymooners and Andy Griffith and Mary Tyler Moore, in the pantheon of all-time television comedy classics. Yes, Folks, it's that good. And though the quality has indeed held up, this first season may be the best.