Frankie Muniz stars as the title character Malcolm, and he is joined by Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield and Erik Per Sullivan.

Main cast members Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield and Erik Per Sullivan return as Malcolm, Lois, Hal, Francis, Reese and Dewey respectively.

Viewers accustomed to sitcom conventions will have a hard time with "Malcolm's" breakneck pace and lack of laugh track or theatrical stage.

"[34] Mike Lipton of People wrote,"With parents as manic as these, how can Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his brothers possibly vie for attention?

"[36] The episode "Bowling" won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing and Writing for a Comedy Series for Todd Holland and Alex Reid, respectively, in 2001.