Did the creators of Malcolm in the Middle always have us fooled? Although the long-running sitcom technically has Frankie Muniz in every episode, the actor recently revealed to other contestants of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia that he did, in fact, leave the show for a while. What exactly happened?
The former child star revealed that he left the sitcom for two entire episodes because of the continuous tension that was present on the set. Muniz’s career took off after he played Malcolm in the lead role, and in a short period, he rose to international fame. Likewise, Bryan Cranston’s career underwent a sea change after being featured in a pivotal role (Malcolm’s father) in the well-liked sitcom.
However, Muniz’s recent bombshell about Linwood Boomer’s show has us wondering: Was his on-screen father, Cranston, part of the problem?
Malcolm in the Middle: Frankie Muniz’s Eye-Opening Revelation About the Show
Frankie Muniz, the former star of Malcolm in the Middle, has finally opened up about why he was absent from the dysfunctional Fox family sitcom for two full episodes. According to News.com.au, Muniz, 38, who is presently competing on the reality show, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Australia explained to his fellow campers why he left the Bryan Cranston-starrer show for a few weeks during its lengthy run.
Speaking about his tenure on the program, which ran from 2000 to 2006, the actor shared:
“There were two episodes I’m not in. I walked off that set.”
Although he refrained from naming anyone, Muniz stated that he could not handle the conflicts that “certain people” fostered on the set:
“Everyone was so afraid to stand up when certain people were controlling or rude or disrespectful. Like they walked on pins and needles.”
Created by Linwood Boomer, the beloved Fox sitcom starred Muniz as the brilliant Malcolm, with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek as parents. The Miracle in Lane 2 star said to his fellow contestants of the Network 10 series:
“I was so mortified by seeing people afraid to stand up for themselves, I was like: ‘Say something’. I didn’t care if they told me I was never going back, because it was worth it to me. It helped that the show was based around me.”
Even though Muniz was starring in a popular network sitcom, he admitted that life in Hollywood was not for him. In 2001, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Boomer’s show.
Well, it looks like Cranston needs to address Muniz’s Malcolm in the Middle experience right away.
Frankie Muniz’s Experience Needs to Be Addressed by Bryan Cranston?
Bryan Cranston continues to be a father figure to his on-screen sons from Malcolm in the Middle, especially Frankie Muniz. In December of last year, Muniz and Cranston had an emotional reunion after the former surprised the Breaking Bad star at a Dos Hombres Mezcal event. In a video that went viral on social media, Muniz surprised an unknowing Cranston by bringing a case of mezcal to the table.
Touched by the surreptitious moment, Cranston reached across the table to embrace his on-screen son. Regarding his reunion with Muniz, he shared with ET:
“Playing a father on television was easy for me because I’m a father in real life and, and so on Malcolm [in the Middle] for seven years, these boys were my boys. And that doesn’t stop when the camera stops. You still have this love and affinity for them. And I’m very very proud of them as now, adults. They’re all adults and they’re all doing very well.”
Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek played Malcolm’s parents in the dysfunctional, lower-middle-class family-focused series. The former believed that his time spent with the boys helped each of them through their early careers and prepared them for life after Malcolm in the Middle concluded.
Given this beautiful bond, it is surprising when Muniz claimed “certain people” were to blame for the toxic atmosphere on set. Was Cranston involved in the problem? Was he aware of any mistreatment that Muniz suffered on set? This made us wonder if Cranston would respond to Muniz’s shocking revelation and clear the air.
Until then, fans of the beloved sitcom will remain enthralled and curious about the mystery surrounding Muniz’s mysterious revelation!
Watch Malcolm in the Middle on Hulu.
