The third season of the American television sitcom Malcolm in the Middle premiered on November 11, 2001, on the Fox Network, and ended on May 12, 2002, with a total of twenty-two episodes. The series follows young Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his dysfunctional family, including his mother Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), father Hal (Bryan Cranston), older brothers Francis (Christopher Masterson) and Reese (Justin Berfield), and younger brother Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan).
Cast and characters
Main Jane Kaczmarek as Lois Bryan Cranston as Hal Christopher Kennedy Masterson as Francis Justin Berfield as Reese Erik Per Sullivan as Dewey Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
Recurring Brenda Wehle as Lavernia Craig Lamar Traylor as Stevie Kenarban David Anthony Higgins as Craig Feldspar Daniel von Bargen as Edwin Spangler Eric Nenninger as Eric Hanson Evan Matthew Cohen as Lloyd Kyle Sullivan as Dabney Merrin Dungey as Kitty Kenarban Tania Raymonde as Cynthia Sanders
Guest stars Shannon Woodward as Tammy ("Houseboat") Scott Adsit as Attorney ("Houseboat") Edie McClurg as Julie ("Book Club") Amy Farrington as Karen ("Book Club" & "Cynthia's Back") Jim O'Heir as Roy ("Book Club") Alessandra Torresani as Sara Coleman ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Logan O'Brien as Ronnie Demarco ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Cristine Rose as Mrs. Demarco ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Terry Rhoads as Sheriff Chad ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Colin Ferguson as Deputy Brock ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Malcolm David Kelley as Kid #1 ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Charlie Stewart as Kid #2 ("Malcolm's Girlfriend") Cloris Leachman as Ida ("Christmas") Dan Martin as Malik ("Poker" & "Poker #2") Stephen Tobolowsky as Mr. Fisher ("Lois' Makeover") Terry Bradshaw as Coach Clarence ("Company Picnic") Howie Long as Howie ("Company Picnic") Christina Ricci as Kelly ("Company Picnic") Tom Green as Steve ("Company Picnic") Heidi Klum as Toothless Hockey Player ("Company Picnic") Patrick Warburton as Burt Landon ("Company Picnic") Lauren Storm as Laurie ("Company Picnic") Susan Sarandon as Meg ("Company Picnic") Bradley Whitford as Meg's husband ("Company Picnic") Stephen Root as John Pratt ("Company Picnic") Magic Johnson as Ringer Hockey Player #32 ("Company Picnic") Michael Kostroff as Toadie ("Company Picnic") Steve Witting as Announcer ("Company Picnic") Rheagan Wallace as Jackie ("Reese Drives") Mel Rodriguez as Neil ("Reese Drives") Wayne Wilderson as Hotel Clerk ("Hal's Birthday") Jim Meskimen as Waiter ("Hal's Birthday") Dana Davis as Chandra ("Poker #2") Lindsey Haun as Kristen ("Poker #2") Andy Richter as Dr. Kennedy ("Clip Show") George Wyner as Foreman Fred ("Jury Duty") Ashley Tisdale as Girl ("Jury Duty") Michael Horse as Steve ("Monkey") Jesse D. Goins as Officer Smith ("Monkey")
Episodes
Production 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. The season introduces the recurring character Piama Tananahaakna, with Emy Coligado cast in the role. It is also the final one to feature Eric Hanson, played by Eric Nenninger. The season's parallel plot involving Francis shifts from Marlin Academy to a resort in Alaska. The episode "Clip Show", true to its title, serves as a clip show, incorporating footage from previous episodes presented as flashbacks.
Release The season premiered on the Fox Network in the United States November 11, 2001, and ended on May 12, 2002, with a total of 22 episodes. The season was released on Region 2 DVD on February 4, 2013, and on Region 4 DVD on September 4, 2013.
Reception Greg Braxton of Los Angeles Times lauded the season premiere for its comedy, particularly Cranston's performance. For her performance as Meg in the two-parter "Company Picnic", Susan Sarandon was nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category, but lost to Cloris Leachman.
In 2019, Angelo Delos Trinos of Screen Rant criticized the episode "Cynthia's Back" as being outdated. He said, "While not the worst of its kind, Cynthia's Back suffers from depicting outdated stereotypes about women being too emotional and casual sexual harassment."
References