8 Funniest Cold Opens In TV History
3. Malcolm In The Middle - "Who Wants To Make Five Bucks?"
The beloved family sitcom Malcolm in the Middle developed a reputation for its mastery of the short and snappy cold open - each episode began with very brief skits that normally had little to do with the episode's main plot. They helped give the show its zany but authentic feel, demonstrating the fractious hilarity caused by large families who can't help but step on one another's toes.
Malcolm in the Middle episode Water Park perfectly encapsulated the family dynamics in just 20 seconds. Hal (Bryan Cranston's naif father figure) cajoles Malcolm into taking the fall for some unspecified misdeed. With Jane Kaczmarek screaming imprecations from behind the door, and a row of terrified looks on the boys' faces, the scene gives us a hilarious dose of Hal's immaturity and Malcolm's compliant middle-child syndrome.
Life is unfair.