Bowling

"Bowling" is the twentieth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Malcolm in the Middle and the show's 36th episode overall. The episode originally aired on Fox in the United States on April 1, 2001. The episode was written by Alex Reid and was directed by Todd Holland. The plot serves as a parody of the 1998 film Sliding Doors. "Bowling" has received positive reviews from critics since airing. Reid and Holland later received Emmy Awards for their work on the episode. Plot Malcolm and Reese are going to a bowling party. Dewey is grounded for killing a neighbor's parakeet, and must stay home. When Lois and Hal are asked who will drive Malcolm and Reese, the screen splits, with Lois offering to take them on one side, and Hal offering on the other. From this point forward, the episode alternates between the realities in which each parent drives. When Lois takes the boys, she only has enough money for one pair of shoes and makes them share. Right away, both Malcolm and Reese notice a pretty girl named Beth (Alex McKenna) at the party. Lois soon learns that there are no adults chaperoning, then decides to stay and chaperone it herself. Reese impresses Beth, but is repeatedly interrupted before he can tell her a joke. Malcolm does terribly at bowling, and Lois' overbearing encouragement only makes the ridiculing worse. When he finally stands up to her, he only embarrasses himself. Beth finds Malcolm's courage endearing and kisses him, but Lois breaks it up and takes everyone home. Meanwhile, Dewey tricks Hal into reading him a bedtime story, which puts Hal to sleep. Free to do whatever he wants, Dewey orders pizza and watches R-rated movies.