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The Worst Episodes of Malcolm in the Middle

Every episode of Malcolm in the Middle ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Malcolm in the Middle!

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A gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Malcolm in the Middle Season 3 Episode 19 - Clip Show
    6.3/10(1060 votes)

    #1 - Clip Show

    S3:E19

    An embattled psychiatrist probes the boys' naughty behavior patterns in a session framed by flashbacks to past episodes.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Alex Reid, Michael Borkow

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  2. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 17 - Clip Show 2
    6.3/10(946 votes)

    #2 - Clip Show 2

    S4:E17

    Hal and Lois are penning their will, and think back to all the trouble their sons put them through. It is there that Lois' problems with Francis are finally revealed and how her inability to admit when she is wrong lead to a lot of the problems the family has been dealing with.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writers:Dan Kopelman, Maggie Bandur

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  3. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 5 - Kitty's Back
    7.2/10(873 votes)

    #3 - Kitty's Back

    S6:E5

    Kitty returns and asks Lois for help getting Kitty's estranged husband back; Francis comes home and puts Dewey through the torturous "Brotherhood Initiation."

    Director:Peter Lauer
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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  4. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 12 - Living Will
    7.2/10(817 votes)

    #4 - Living Will

    S6:E12

    Hal is named executor of his neighbor's living will and must decide whether to keep him on life support or pull the plug. In attempting to make the decision, Hal discovers he is incapable of making decisions on his own because he always defers to Lois. Meanwhile, Craig asks Malcolm, Reese and Dewey to teach him how to fight dirty since a bully from his childhood is coming to town.

    Director:Steve Love
    Writer:Jennifer Celotta

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  5. Malcolm in the Middle Season 5 Episode 12 - Softball
    7.3/10(869 votes)

    #5 - Softball

    S5:E12

    Malcolm is convinced to play Softball by Lois and ends up doing very badly at it due to Lois's hold on him. Meanwhile, Francis tries to pick fights with Lois, Reese tries to break Francis's record of collecting toilet seats from a local junkyard, and Hal accidentally applies to become a member of the CIA.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Michael Glouberman

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  6. Malcolm in the Middle Season 7 Episode 20 - Cattle Court
    7.3/10(785 votes)

    #6 - Cattle Court

    S7:E20

    Reese meets a cute vegetarian named Carrie when he goes back to work at the meat plant. At first, he goes along with her political talk, but she catches him with a pork chop. So, to get Carrie back, he sets free all the cows at the meat plant. Malcolm, meanwhile, tries to fool Lois in order to attend a rock concert.

    Director:Peter Lauer
    Writer:Michael Glouberman

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  7. Malcolm in the Middle Season 1 Episode 7 - Francis Escapes
    7.4/10(1626 votes)

    #7 - Francis Escapes

    S1:E7

    Francis goes AWOL from military school to link up with his girlfriend, a ditsy doozy who's made him gaga.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Linwood Boomer

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  8. Malcolm in the Middle Season 3 Episode 16 - Hal Coaches
    7.4/10(1039 votes)

    #8 - Hal Coaches

    S3:E16

    Clever Hal invigorates Dewey's soccer team; sly Reese blackmails a philandering neighbor; obsessed Malcolm battles a computer program.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Ian Busch

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  9. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 22 - Day Care
    7.4/10(942 votes)

    #9 - Day Care

    S4:E22

    With the arrival of their fifth child, Lois and Hal search for a "creative" daycare solution.

    Director:Steve Love
    Writers:Neil Thompson, Gary Murphy

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  10. Malcolm in the Middle Season 5 Episode 17 - Polly in the Middle
    7.4/10(873 votes)

    #10 - Polly in the Middle

    S5:E17

    Hal sets up Abe Kenarben on a blind date with Jaime's babysitter Polly but then realizes Lois has also set her up on a blind date - with Craig. Malcolm, Dewey (with his "lucky" shirt) and Reese also meet Reggie Jackson and Francis is embarrassed by Piama in front of his co-workers.

    Director:Steve Love
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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  11. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 13 - Tiki Lounge
    7.4/10(827 votes)

    #11 - Tiki Lounge

    S6:E13

    When Hal and Lois realize how little time they spend together, Hal turns the garage into a private tiki lounge where he and Lois can retreat. Things go smoothly until they feud over philosophical beliefs. Meanwhile, Mr. Herkabe cons Malcolm into joining the Booster Club, where he learns a lesson about taking one for the team.

    Director:Peter Lauer
    Writer:Jay Kogen

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  12. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 20 - Stilts
    7.4/10(831 votes)

    #12 - Stilts

    S6:E20

    After Lois and Hal are reminded of the tight budget they must uphold, Hal discovers one of his boys has been dialing a 900 number. His attempt to explain the error to the hotline's billing department turns awry when he forgets to hang up the phone, incurring a whopping $800 charge. Meanwhile, Reese takes a job at a research clinic that pays him to pop experimental pills, and a reluctant Malcolm takes on a mortifying job at the Lucky Aide as a costumed Uncle Sam on stilts.

    Director:Linwood Boomer
    Writer:Michael Glouberman

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  13. Malcolm in the Middle Season 7 Episode 12 - College Recruiters (2)
    7.4/10(802 votes)

    #13 - College Recruiters (2)

    S7:E12

    A broke Francis gets talked into getting a real job by Dewey, but one of Francis' rocker friends decides to offer him the position of tour manager of his band instead. Back home, Hal takes over the college recruiters, which Malcolm refuses to meet with, and treats each one as a suitor. However, Hal's plans are ruined when Malcolm chooses to go Harvard.

    Director:Peter Lauer
    Writer:Jay Kogen

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  14. Malcolm in the Middle Season 2 Episode 9 - High School Play
    7.5/10(1314 votes)

    #14 - High School Play

    S2:E9

    Malcolm gets a role in the high school play and is so captivated by high school gossip that he forgets his lines. Lois discovers the joys of massage. Hal and Dewey build a society of model buildings in the living room. Francis tries to show his individualism at school when the commandant cracks down on personal belongings.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writers:Maggie Bandur, Pang-Ni Landrum

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  15. Malcolm in the Middle Season 2 Episode 11 - Old Mrs. Old
    7.5/10(1244 votes)

    #15 - Old Mrs. Old

    S2:E11

    Dewey starts carrying a purse to school. Francis's friend Richie joins him at military school. Malcolm becomes a slave to an old woman in the neighborhood.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Alan J. Higgins

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  16. Malcolm in the Middle Season 3 Episode 4 - Malcolm's Girlfriend
    7.5/10(1159 votes)

    #16 - Malcolm's Girlfriend

    S3:E4

    Francis has to stay a couple of days in a small county jail and enjoys it more then he expected. Malcolm finds himself with a girlfriend, which add to his usual social anxiety. Dewey makes friend with a new kid in the area, helping the kid's mother to compose Dewey's dream birthday party for his new friend.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Ian Busch

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  17. Malcolm in the Middle Season 3 Episode 20 - Jury Duty
    7.5/10(1040 votes)

    #17 - Jury Duty

    S3:E20

    Lois gets jury duty and Hal tries to figure out what case she's working on. Meanwhile, Malcolm and Reese saw Stevie's mom naked and brag about it, they also take Dewey to the sewers and get lost.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Pang-Ni Landrum

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  18. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 12 - Kicked Out
    7.5/10(978 votes)

    #18 - Kicked Out

    S4:E12

    After Lois is out of town, Malcolm and Hal got into a fight leading Malcolm to get expelled from his house. Malcolm lives with his girlfriend in her attic, as Hal put signs for "Missing Malcolm."

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Alex Reid

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  19. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 14 - Hal's Friend
    7.5/10(957 votes)

    #19 - Hal's Friend

    S4:E14

    Malcolm tries to emancipate Dabney from his overbearing mother while Hal invites his ne'er-do-well old buddy to the house. At the ranch, Francis is forced to share a room with Otto.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Dan Kopelman

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  20. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 18 - Reese's Party
    7.5/10(959 votes)

    #20 - Reese's Party

    S4:E18

    When Hal and Lois go out of town for a "last chance" getaway before the baby comes, Reese has a big bash that gets out of hand. College-age thugs show up, cancel the party and set up a drug-making operation in the garage. All Reese and Malcolm can do is knuckle under. The good news is, Dewey's not around. The bad news is, his baby sitter is Lois's annoying co-worker Craig. Meanwhile, Hal and his very pregnant wife are off at a romantic retreat---feuding.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writer:Andy Bobrow

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  21. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 19 - Future Malcolm
    7.5/10(961 votes)

    #21 - Future Malcolm

    S4:E19

    Leonard, a cynical, genius chess player with no friends or job, makes Malcolm think he could grow into a similar adulthood. Determined to prevent this undesirable fate, Malcolm tries to help Leonard change his life by lining him up for a job interview with the obnoxious Craig. Meanwhile, Francis finds employ as a nude model and begins to delight in the exposure.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writers:Michael Glouberman, Andrew Orenstein

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  22. Malcolm in the Middle Season 5 Episode 10 - Hot Tub
    7.5/10(877 votes)

    #22 - Hot Tub

    S5:E10

    Jamie's babysitter coerces Malcolm into doing a "small" task for her; Dewey finds a friend, only to lose him to Reese; Francis persuades Otto to confront an old adversary that once courted Gretchen.

    Director:James Simons
    Writer:Andy Bobrow

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  23. Malcolm in the Middle Season 5 Episode 20 - Victor's Other Family
    7.5/10(872 votes)

    #23 - Victor's Other Family

    S5:E20

    When Lois tracks down her father's "other family," she meets Victor's "other wife" Sylvia, and learns something shocking about her dad.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Eric Kaplan

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  24. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 8 - Lois Battles Jamie
    7.5/10(846 votes)

    #24 - Lois Battles Jamie

    S6:E8

    Lois thinks Jamie is out to get her when Jamie knocks over a shelf and nearly crushes her.

    Director:Steve Welch
    Writer:Michael Glouberman

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  25. Malcolm in the Middle Season 6 Episode 9 - Malcolm's Car
    7.5/10(852 votes)

    #25 - Malcolm's Car

    S6:E9

    When Malcolm spots a roughed up 1967 Cuda in his neighborhood, he instantly falls in love with it and purchases the car. But he gets so caught up in the difficult task of restoring it that he blows off Stevie as well as Reese who needs him for an illegal betting scheme of his. Hal on the other hand, is having success when he stumbles upon his hidden talent -- hairstyling. Lois doesn't have time to worry about Malcolm or Hal, as she is caught up in scandal between Craig and their Lucky Aide boss Fred. Craig says he is taking time off to tutor Fred's wife in golf but Lois finds out he is actually having an affair with her.

    Director:Peter Lauer
    Writer:Alex Reid

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Clip Show" is the worst rated episode of "Malcolm in the Middle". It scored 6.3/10 based on 1060 votes. Directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Alex Reid, Michael Borkow, it aired on 4/28/2002. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Clip Show 2".