Anoffbeat,laughtrack-lackingsitcomaboutabizarrelydysfunctionalfamily,thecenterofwhichisMalcolm,themiddleofthetwobrotherswhostillliveathome.Hiseldest(andfavorite)sibling,Francis,boardsatmilitaryschoolbecausehisparentsbelieveitwillreformhimandkeephimoutoftrouble.Malcolmoftenhasahardtimecopingwithhisfamilylife,buthehasmoretroublestocontendwithwhenhestartsreceivingspecialtreatmentatschoolafterbeingdiagnosedasanintellectuallyadvancedgenius.