Malcolm in the Middle

In my opinion Malcolm in the Middle is by far the best US sitcom currently on screen - incredible funny in both a slapstick and sophisticated way!

It's a show though that BBC2 treat with very little respect. One week it's on nightly at 6pm, then it disappears for weeks, before returning on Friday nights at 6pm.

It vanished again for the BBC to screen Flog It in it's "We've lost the Simpsons so we'll stick on anything" 6pm slot.

Unlike others, I don't mind recorded programming being dropped for live sport (it's far better than being shunted round the schedules) - even if it's dropped for snooker. So considering all week there has been snooker on, I wasn't expecting MITM to air this week.

However, checking the listings at 6.25pm tonight I realised I'd just missed an episode (though it's not aired on BBC Wales - so hopefully I'll catch it there soon!).

Come on BBC2 - give Malcolm in the Middle the regular slot it deserves. IMO it's the best solution to your 6pm crisis (next week it's Animal Hospital and Masterchef!).

I agree, MITM is a great show and, as you said, deserves a regular slot. I only realised they were showing it today when I saw it in the Radio Times, and I think it said it was a repeat. Even if it is, it still should be shown in a fixed slot.

I think maybe they should move it to 6.30, because quite a few people will probably watch the Simpson's at 6, even if they are repeats.

Well I heard recently that the BBC are currently looking for ideas for a new commission for the 6.00 slot, so they're obviously not interested in the idea of filling it with a great programme which they already have... Perhaps it doesn't pick up good enough ratings?

During NFL, Malcolm In The Middle got no respect from FOX(at least in the eastern US).

If was abbreviated into 12 minute episodes in some cases or not shown at all. Depending on how long each game ran, some FOX stations would get access to the full episode, others would be stuck with an overtime game. FOX also put a few overtime games on the full network, followed by commercials, a post-game show, THEN an abbreviated Malcolm. Just so they could run The Simpsons EXACTLY at 8pm ET.

Of course, this was on the East Coast. The rest of the time zones got a full episode at it's timeslot.

I think its a problem that all British channels have.

Excluding Friends - name me one other American programme treated well by a terrestrial broadcaster?

The West Wing - moved all over the place.
Arrested Development - would disappear and then re-appear without any notice.
Seinfield - one of the most popular programmes in the states for years and treated with so much contempt by BBC2.
Angel - Ch4 had the first series - five bought it and stopped showing it.
Alias - Ch4 had the first series - five bought it showed eight episodes and dropped it. It's now appeared at midnight on a Tuesday.

I think Malcolm in the Middle is one of the funniest things on TV. I did think the other day that it would be perfect for the 5pm hour on ITV..

The Simpsons!

I liked it when they used to have star trek and other sci-fi stuff in the 6 slot. It's always been like that, they should bring it back.

Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck, Sex and the City, CSI!

Aren't BBC2 supposed to be showing Family guy and American dad? if so, when?

Family Guy new episodes haven't yet started in USA and only the pilot for Amefican Dad has been shown, it continues later in the year, so I'd expect a bit of a wait.

New episodes of Family Guy and American Dad commence Sunday 1 May in North America on FOX, so expect them in the UK after that.

Since when did the BBC have rights to Family Guy? It was always shown on C4. Infact I'm pretty sure they still haven't shown season 3 yet have they? I've only seen it because I have it on DvD.

I hope the BBC don't get it, because they'll probably show it at a stupid time, meaning it'll have to be edited