One of the better examples of how the traditional American nuclear family sitcom has been remodelled for a new century, Malcolm In The Middle centres on the title character (Frankie Muniz), the second-youngest of four boys who also happens to have a high IQ and is considered a gifted student.

Instead of being with normal kids at a normal school, Malcolm is stuck in a class for exceptional students (known as the Krelboynes) with other socially-challenged kids, including Stevie (Craig Lamar Taylor), Malcolm's African-American, wheelchair-bound, asthmatic best friend.