10 TV Moments That Were Almost WAY Darker

As far as post-The Simpsons networks sitcoms went, Malcolm in the Middle was about the best at fusing the mean-spirited cynicism of It’s Always Sunny with the warm-hearted family dynamics of earlier, more innocent sitcom eras.

The show was no Cosby Show, but the distinctly working class adventures of sadsack (and former pirate DJ Kid Charlemagne) Hal, tyrant/ loving mum Lois, adorable tyke Dewey, black sheep Francis, budding psychopath Reese, and the titular boy genius/ arrogant know-it-all Malcolm made for a hysterically funny, uncompromisingly dark, and often still warm-hearted depiction of everyday Americana in the nineties.

That said, there were still occasions when the writer’s room felt it prudent to rein themselves in lest the meaner side of their humour take over the show. Take the episode in which the family, sans a sick Dewey, vacation at a water park together. Originally, Dewey’s babysitter (a guest-starring role for the Golden Girls’ Bea Arthur) was going to steal the youngest of Malcolm’s dysfunctional brood, dyeing his hair black before bolting for the border—yes, really.

The writers decided this was too disturbing, but of course, this being Malcolm in the Middle, their alternative gag wasn’t a lot softer—in the episode proper, the sitter has a heart attack and promptly dies whilst dancing with Dewey. Much better!