Simon Dean wrote:
>>>Im so glad I found this group. Im not a new MitM fan, I've been
>>>watching since day one... and then that got me started with They Might
>>>Be Giants (best band, besides Rush).
>>
>> I've been watching since about the middle of season one, so there's
>> still a fair few episodes I haven't seen from that. It's annoying as I
>> like to catch things right from the very beginning!
>
> Thank god for TV repeats!
If only that were true. Season one has not been repeated for some time,
at least on BBC. Indeed, it may never have been repeated ever. I'm sure
Sky One have, but I've only recently got that channel.
>>>I even have the DVD of Season One, and searching desperately to find
>>>when the next seasons are coming out.
>>
>> I would love the DVD of Season One but I am still holding out that
>> they will release it for region 2, in full glorious widescreen as it
>> was originally filmed.
>
> Fortunately I have a multi-region dvd player. I dont think widescreen
> would be too advantageous - if you watch the bloopers on the dvd,
> you'll find out why!
It's strange is this one. The fact is though that Malcolm has been filmed
in widescreen from day one. BBC Two have always broadcast it as it was
originally intended in 16x9, and I don't think anyone has ever commented
on seeing bloopers. It's entirely possible that the widescreen blunders
in question were reshot, or they were beyond the 16x9 frame but they
still chose to include them as a widescreen "blunder."
>>>My critique of the show, I love the first two seasons, season three
>>>seemed a little bland however. But season four is better than ever,
>>>with Malcolms peptic ulcer, Hal's leotard, Gretchen, Otto's night
>>>terrors, that paintball episode, and well, everything. Only upto
>>>episode 15 though so far.
>>
>> It's funny, really. I love seasons one and two, like you. However, I
>> thought season three was just as good, and season four is the one
>> that's looking a bit tired. It's almost as if they're desperately
>> seeking ways to blow the undoubtably larger budget on more and more
>> things (e.g. Hal and the steamroller - where did that come from?!)...
>> but it's not a big budget that makes top scripts!
>
> Steamroller? Hrm. Havent seen that one. Or at least I can't remember
> it.
It was early in season 4. All of a sudden Hal discovers his penchant for
cru****ng things with a steam roller. It's very silly. You can't just
introduce a childhood dream like that four seasons in if he's never
mentioned it ever before!
> But in reference to the lack of zanyness.... are you insane? What
> about the Yard Sale? And that singing group with Hal getting up on
> stage at the end and playing by himself... the evil grandmother comnig
> to stay, Lois announcing her pregnancy, Hal in his leotard.
All good examples, yes... but when I watch season two which always
follows after season four on Sky One, I know which one I prefer.
>> Could that be possibly because it finally had
>> the Krelboynes back, and on form... something that's disappeared since
>> they all went to High School? The stuff about Malcolm's girlfriend and
>> his quest for social acceptance is wearing very thin now.
>
> Malcolm doesn't have a girlfriend now...
That's good. The girlfriend thing was good for one episode, but they
dragged the possessive father stereotype on for too long.
> but I think he's getting more
> mature. Reese's girlfriend is an absolute hoot!
Funny thing is that we haven't seen much of Reese's girlfriend for a long
time. It seems daft to introduce characters attached to the central cast
and then not mention them.
>> But at home, I think there's something lacking. Seasons one and two
>> had that cutting-edge, razor sharp social commentary and observational
>> humour about family life that seems missing from season four,
>
> I was watching an old episode yesterday, with brotherly love, where
> Francis has two tickets, and Reese starts hitting himself to get
> Malcolm in trouble.
A great episode. Sure, it's not what happens in an "average" family, but
it's through the exaggeration of what is a normal everyday situation with
a lot of families that the humour is derived. Sibling rivalry is always
fun to exploit from a writer's perspective.
>> zanyness of the original seasons which is somewhat lacking now. Plus,
>> they've been a character down all season (Lois) which excludes a
>> further dimension to the storylines.
>
> All season? Five episodes man. Lois was there in episode 11, then she
> went, and now she's back in episode 15! All season? Unless you meant
> emotionally absent.
It feels like a lot longer!
>> I guess Sky One will show season five at about September next year in
>> the UK, with the BBC showing season four for the first time in late
>> spring 2004.
>
> they're already showing season 5 in america. So it can't be that long.
> Maybe June...
It depends, really. Sky One is very American in that it likes to follow
the US structure of programming. The best shows are always premiered in
the "fall" season. Summer (sometimes called "silly season" in the UK
media) is generally not a good time to premiere new shows - traditional
viewing figures show that average audiences dip quite considerably over
summer and then return by the autumn.
They started season 4 on August 31st. It will probably be the same next
time. But I'd be delighted to be proved wrong :-)
>> I hope you stick around. This group needs new posters :-)
>
> Yeah. Its a bit quiet. im definately sticking around. Big Malcolm fan.
> Hal's the best.
Agreed. Bryan Cranston is a wonderful actor. Shame he didn't win an Emmy
again. I'm not convinced his foray into directing MiTM is as successful
though.
> Though I am a big fan of Frankie Muniz. He's a great
> actor. Ever seen My Dog Skip? I just hope he doesn't get typecast with
> MitM, Agent Cody Banks and Big Fat Liar.
Very true. One of the things about MiTM is that the cast is just perfect.
Sure Dewey and Reese's acting skills sometimes look a bit wooden, but
they bond together as a great team and fit the stereotypical
dysfunctional family like a glove.
As for Frankie - he's a great little actor... I've bought autographed
memorabilia of him so I'm hoping he becomes one of the greatest actors of
all time, and then I can share in his success by selling the pictures for
hundreds of pounds :-)
> I havent really observed the interactions with the family in great
> detail. I just appreciate a good comedy. Consequently, I dont miss the
> observations.
>
> But I'll see what I can learn.
Everyone appreciates a good comedy, but everyone has different things
that they like. MiTM does well when it has a bit of everything. The
observations are just one part of it, and sometimes pass a lot of people
by. I enjoy them, but it's not the only reason why I watch. Far from it !
Brett
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