Boomer
"Malcolm's" still in the middle of Fox's lineup -- at least for one more year.
Net has ordered a seventh season of long-running laffer hit "Malcolm in the Middle," which creator-exec producer Linwood Boomer said will likely be the show's last.
Simultaneously, Boomer has signed a new overall deal with Regency TV to develop new series, in addition to continuing to lead "Malcolm."
It's the first time Boomer will develop a new series since "Malcolm" launched in January 2000. But with the sitcom nearing the end of its run, the scribe said he felt comfortable pursuing the next chapter of his career.
"Because the odds are next year will be the last, I won't feel guilty about doing something new," he said. "This show has always been close to my heart, so I haven't developed before now."
Regency TV prexy Robin Schwartz said she was excited about finally getting Boomer to develop a new project. Schwartz also said she wouldn't count out an eighth season of "Malcolm" beyond next year.
Meanwhile, Boomer said he's starting to prep for next season's "Malcolm" as if it's the show's last, hoping to end the series on a high note.
"It's like having a kid going off to college," he said.
"Malcolm" will launch next season with an episode featuring the family attending the counterculture Burning Man festival in the desert.
"Someone made an off-hand comment about 'Malcolm,' that it's about the adventures of a family on the fringes of society," Boomer said. "We kind of gravitated toward that."
"Malcolm" became an instant phenomenon upon its launch in January 2000. Show stumbled this season in a rough Sunday 7:30 p.m. slot -- frequently preempted on the East Coast by football -- but remains a Fox staple.
Prior to "Malcolm," Boomer's credits include stints with "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Townies" and "Night Court." He launched his career as an actor, playing Adam Kendall on "Little House on the Prairie."
"Malcolm" has earned a Peabody Award and five Emmys. Show stars Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Justin Berfield, Chris Masterson and Erik Per Sullivan.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com