# \[i\] Malcolm in the Middle \[/i\] crossed a line last night **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546 "2005-03-21T13:00:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/21 "2005-03-21T15:56:22Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Well, yes, it does. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/22 "2005-03-21T16:28:30Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > I used to be a Lampoon subscriber back in the good old days. Are you suggesting that there are mainstream US TV shows more offensive than _Doggy Wogs_? OK, I’ll bite. What was Doggy Wogs? ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/23 "2005-03-21T17:15:18Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Well, actually, there were a number of times when I’d put down an issue of the _'Poon,_ and say, “That wasn’t funny. That was just cruel and/or gross.” Kinda like National Lampoon’s famous 1977 record album “That’s not Funny! That’s Sick!” [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000C0FA4/103-9875011-2133406?v=glance](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000C0FA4/103-9875011-2133406?v=glance) ---
**Author:** ![IKinSpelGud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/46a35a/32.png) [@IKinSpelGud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IKinSpelGud)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/24 "2005-03-21T17:22:12Z")
Another vote for not offended or grossed out. I’ve seen far worse on network TV that didn’t offend/gross me out. When I was watching it didn’t even occur to me that someone might be offended. But maybe it’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/25 "2005-03-21T19:12:13Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > I used to be a Lampoon subscriber back in the good old days. Are you suggesting that there are mainstream US TV shows more offensive than _Doggy Wogs_? > > Long live Chris Miller and PJ O’Rourke. Um, is Chris Miller dead, too? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/26 "2005-03-21T19:23:48Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > I didn’t see it, but from the description I completely fail to see how it was offensive. Very gross, yes. But how is it offensive? Making light of amputation vicitims? If someone were offended by amputees in sitcoms, then MitM was not a good idea since season 1, episode 4. Remember Commandant Edwin Spangler from the first 3 seasons? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/27 "2005-03-21T21:22:56Z")
I wasn’t bothered by it. It was in line with one of MITMs themes “When the family tries to do bad things, bad things happen. When they try to do something nice or generous, horrible things happen.” When Francis tried to cheer up one of his friends, the friend ended up having his wallet taken and then being arrested for being at a cockfight. When Francis tried to give the dead janitor a viking funeral, there was a large explosion and fire. Dewey manages to draw a Bea Arthur out of her shell and make her happy, she has a massive heat attack and has to be rushed to the hospital. And the many times they’ve destroyed Craig Feldspar’s life while trying to help him. Dewey is trying to do the right thing and somehow thank his grandmother for the sacrifice she made to save his life. Hal is trying to do the right thing by helping his son get over his guilt and sadness. Given their track record, of course this leads to disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/28 "2005-03-21T21:46:54Z")
Not offended here either. Far more skeeved out about the Simpsons spider thing. Not offended, mind you, just skeeved. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_A_Tame_Lion)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/29 "2005-03-21T22:00:38Z")
I’m not a _Malcolm_ viewer in any regular sense. Last night I had the show on “in the background” while I was working on my computer, waiting for _The Simpsons_ to come on. I was only vaguely aware of the whole turn of events with the dog and the leg. I didn’t really find it uproarious, but also didn’t find the gag all that offensive, either. But, when you add **LonesomePolecat** having a Margaret Dumont, clutch-the-pearls, “Well, I never” moment over the sequence, _then_ it becomes fucking hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/30 "2005-03-21T22:23:15Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Well, I think it was offensive, and I suspect most people would agree with me. I don’t think I’m unreasonably squeamish or prudish, but this sort of thing does seem to be getting out of hand. A lot of police dramas these days show lingering close-ups of mutilated corpses which contribute absolutely nothing to the story and seem to be intended for no other purpose than catering to some sick, sadistic impulse. I think “offensive” is the wrong word. It was pretty gross and I squirmed while viewing it, but what part of you was offended? Maybe if you or a close loved one suffered a recent amputation, but that’s stretching it. Not talking about you, **LonsomePolecat** , but I think some people are looking for reasons to be offended. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/31 "2005-03-21T22:23:59Z")
What is it with Fox Sunday night shows and amputation? First Arrested Development and now this. I liked the episode. MitM had started to get weak the last two years but I’ve really enjoyed this season. I like that the show is getting away from Malcolm and focusing on Dewey; he’s a genius too, but a lot less pretentious and whiny than his brother. The surrealism of the show is one of the reasons I think it’s funny; the leg funeral is consistent with the behavior of the kids since the first season. The humor hasn’t become more offensive; this show’s always been on the “gross” side. The character motivation/result that **DocCathode** talked about has always been a part of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/32 "2005-03-21T22:28:14Z")
I didn’t see it, but from the description, it doesn’t sound at all offensive. I think **LonesomePolecat** is over-estimating his under-offensiveness. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/33 "2005-03-21T22:44:26Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > Humor snobs! This board is increasingly infested with humor snobs. Why is it when you don’t agree with another poster’s sense of humor (in particular, South Park, which IMHO relies almost purely on shock value for any semblence of humor) you are branded a “humor snob” or much, much worse? Humor is an individual thing, and I don’t get riled up just because nobody I knew found _Adaptation_ to be uproarious or _Brazil_ to be the epitome of dark satire. If it doesn’t make you laugh, it isn’t funny…to you. How this makes someone a snob (particularly in regard to a subject that is likely to turn the stomachs of some) is beyond me. Grow up, will ya? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/34 "2005-03-21T22:55:15Z")
> [@continuity eror](#): > > What is it with Fox Sunday night shows and amputation? First Arrested Development and now this. Let’s not forget Homer losing a thumb, which he had to fight the dog to get back. On Futurama- Bender once chopped his arm in slices to demonstrate some ginus knives. Fry had his head removed and grafted onto Amy’s neck for an episode. Dr Zoidberg cut off one of Fry’s arms with his claw during a duel. He reattached it, to the wrong side of Fry’s body. So, he amputated the arm again and tried to sew it back in the right place. Fry had both hands bitten off while feeding a tyrannosaurus rex. And of course, Fry and Robot Devil swap hands. Family Guy I can’t think of any amputations. But most episodes had a few ‘paraplegic in a wheelchair’ jokes. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/35 "2005-03-21T23:33:00Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Family Guy > > I can’t think of any amputations. But most episodes had a few ‘paraplegic in a wheelchair’ jokes. There was that old fisherman who had four peg limbs. “Oh, you are just adorable!” ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/36 "2005-03-22T00:09:58Z")
**Stranger On A Train.** “Growing up” is part of the reason SOME people are humor snobs. I agree humor can be highly individual. But it can also be grouped, broadly, as either “highbrow” and “lowbrow.” And while I can appreciate a well-timed _bon mot_, or even a pun (a very, _very_ good pun) some forms of humor – slapstick (the heart of farce), gallows humor (the kinds of sick stories homicide detectives find funny), scatological humor (“Doo-doo-- gonna put it onnnn youuuu!”), blue humor (sex is funny!) and gross-out humor – (of the visual variety) hits the gut better. These are the kinds of jokes shows like SOUTH PARK wallow in, and humor snobs avoid them like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/37 "2005-03-22T00:22:44Z")
Askia, some gross-out humour hits my gut in a sense - it makes it twist and turn. Five seconds of Eddie Izzard is likely to give me more belly laughs than the entirety of Tomcats. I adore good slapstick and some sex humor, but I loathe most scatological humour. Humor is entirely subjective. So, uhh… What the hell are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/38 "2005-03-22T00:34:34Z")
> [@continuity eror](#): > > There was that old fisherman who had four peg limbs. “Oh, you are just adorable!” He wasn’t an amputee; his father was a tree. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/39 "2005-03-22T00:39:20Z")
**Gadfly.** I’ve taken to calling some people humor snobs on several recent threads. **Stranger On A Train** seems to have taken offense, and I’m explaining why I think it’s true why people whose sense of humor is more “highbrow” are usually humor snobs. Humor isn’t THAT subjective. You can usually make some canny predictions on what people will and won’t find funny based on, among other things, gender, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity and cultural upbringing. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546/40 "2005-03-22T01:28:49Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > **Gadfly.** I’ve taken to calling some people humor snobs on several recent threads. **Stranger On A Train** seems to have taken offense, and I’m explaining why I think it’s true why people whose sense of humor is more “highbrow” are usually humor snobs. What I object to is the use of the deprecatory term “snob” applied to anyone who doesn’t find humorous what you think is funny. I’m not a “snob” because I don’t think South Park, or amputation, or whatever, any more than I’m a snob because I don’t think Charles Shultz was funny. > [@Askia](#): > > Humor isn’t THAT subjective. You can usually make some canny predictions on what people will and won’t find funny based on, among other things, gender, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity and cultural upbringing. So, if your humor doesn’t fit into the classification defined by the above categories, you’re a snob? :rolleyes: Humor is subjective. One person’s belly laugh is another’s groaner. That doesn’t make one better than the other, or either a snob, unless they perneciously and obnoxiously insist that the other is somehow diseased or feebleminded for enjoying their own sense of humor. In order for something to be amusing to me, it needs to be novel (at least on first viewing), unexpected, clever, and preferably a little though provoking. That doesn’t mean that foul language or shocking behavior make it unfunny–they’re often appropriate, such as in _Trainspotting_–but alone they don’t make something amusing. Personally, I find humor based on shock value to be cheap, predictable, and pandering. That doesn’t mean that someone who enjoys it is a bad or stupid person; and my MIT-graduate ex-girlfriend was a big fan of South Park. But I do get irritated when I’m decried a “snob” 'cause I’m not laughing at the guy who glues his \ to his \ while attempting to \. It’s just that I’ve seen it before, I know what’s going to happen, and it wasn’t (to me) even all that funny the first time. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-malcolm-in-the-middle-i-crossed-a-line-last-night/295546.md?page=3)