Frankie Muniz is reflecting on an early career decision that ultimately led to a full-circle moment with Amanda Bynes… and it all started with turning down “Saturday Night Live.”
While reminiscing about their 2002 film “Big Fat Liar,” Muniz revealed he declined an opportunity to host “SNL” in order to attend the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, where he hoped to meet his “biggest crush,” Amanda Bynes.
Why Frankie Muniz Chose Kids’ Choice Awards Over ‘Saturday Night Live’
In an interview with People he revealed, “My dream was to be on ‘All That’ or ‘The Amanda Show.’ It was so funny. They were so good. Amanda was incredible.”
GettyBefore landing “Big Fat Liar,” Muniz was asked to co-host the Kids’ Choice Awards in 2000; an opportunity he eagerly accepted. But the moment became complicated when he was also offered the chance to host “Saturday Night Live” on the very same day.
Muniz said he publicly stood by his prior commitment to Nickelodeon, noting he had already been advertised for the show. Privately, however, his reasoning was simply that he wanted a meet-cute with Amanda Bynes.
A Full-Circle Moment With Amanda Bynes
That decision turned into something even more special when Muniz later starred alongside Bynes in “Big Fat Liar.” He described the experience as a “full-circle moment,” and the two quickly built a genuine friendship.
Muniz also shared that he felt a little intimidated working with Bynes at first (in the best way).
“Because she was just so naturally funny,” he said, praising her effortless comedic talent. At the time, Bynes was already a standout thanks to “The Amanda Show” and “All That,” making the collaboration even more exciting.
Looking Back on a Star-Studded Early Career
Muniz also reflected on other memorable co-stars from his early career, including Bryan Cranston on “Malcom in the Middle” and Hilary Duff in “Agent Cody Banks.”
Those experiences helped shape a career full of fan-favorite moments and collaborations.
‘Malcom in the Middle’ Revival Brings the Story Full Circle
Now, Muniz is stepping back into one of his most iconic roles with “Malcom in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.”
Set nearly 20 years after the original finale, the revival reunites the family for Hal and Lois’ 40th wedding anniversary. This time around, Michael is a single father trying to build a quieter life: though, of course, the chaos isn’t far behind.
The four-episode limited series premieres April 10, 2026, on Hulu.
