"Married with Children" (1987) TV series 1987-1997

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Creators:

Ron Leavitt
Michael G. Moye

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Release Date:

5 April 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Al Bundy is a misanthropic women's shoe salesman with a miserable life. He hates his job, his wife is lazy, his son is dysfunctional (especially with women), and his daughter is dimwitted and promiscuous.

Plot Keywords:

Stripper | Married With Children | Family Relationships | Dog | Friends Who Hate Each Other

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 21 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Oct. 13	5:30 AM	TBS	The Unnatural	#5.4
Mon. Oct. 13	6:00 AM	TBS	Dance Show	#5.5

Cast

Ed O'Neill	...	Al Bundy / ... (261 episodes, 1987-1997)
David Faustino	...	Bud Bundy / ... (259 episodes, 1987-1997)
Christina Applegate	...	Kelly Bundy / ... (258 episodes, 1987-1997)
Katey Sagal	...	Peggy Bundy / ... (249 episodes, 1987-1997)
Amanda Bearse	...	Marcy Rhoades / ... (242 episodes, 1987-1997)
Ted McGinley	...	Jefferson D'Arcy / ... (165 episodes, 1989-1997)
Buck	...	Buck the Dog / ... (160 episodes, 1987-1995)

Also Known As:

Married... with Children (USA) (promotional title)
Not the Cosbys (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Germany:25 min (260 episodes) | USA:30 min (including commercials) (259 episodes) | Argentina:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-3 (DVD) (2003) | Netherlands:6 (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

ABC Television Center - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Television

Trivia:

According to "Ed O'Neill (I)' and David Faustino, much of their life was parodied on the show. O'Neill (Al Bundy) did play college football. Faustino (Bud Bundy) wanted to be a rapper, hence his character Grandmaster B.

Goofs:

Continuity: In episode 5, "Have You Driven a Ford Lately", while Peg and Marcy are eating salads, they are originally drinking from cans in "coolies" (blue styrofoam holders). In the middle of Peg's sentence the scene cuts and shows they are drinking dark liquids from regular glasses.

Quotes:

Al: Why do I suddenly feel I'm in the presence of great evil?
Bud: [on phone] Hi, Mom.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Law & Order: Married with Children (#14.13)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Love & Marriage

A Great Resource for the Resourceless

Tom Sharpe once wrote the following regarding one of his characters: "Like so many great men, Lord Petrefact loathed his nearest and dearest..."

Many of us identify with Lord Petrefact, but are at a loss to express ourselves in this "don't worry--be happy," never-say-anything-negative world. We have very few role models to lead us against appalling, manipulative family members, and have often resigned ourselves to our fate. We've gone about our lives lacking the words to easily repel the smiley-face squads.

The Bundys are a superb resource for people like us. We can't and shouldn't adopt a Bundy-like demeanour to truly nice, kind people. But the Bundys suggest to us what we can say to obnoxious relatives and neighbours -- our nearest and (supposedly) dearest, who want US to do THEIR bidding so THEY can receive undue obedience, money, goods or status from OUR successes or aspirations.

For example, in one episode, Al thinks of buying a new car. Peg, Kelly and Bud all sneer at the type of car he chooses, telling him high-handedly what kind each of them particularly thinks he should buy -- i.e., what they want HIM to buy to satisfy THEM. Al does what most of us should do in such circumstances: He spreads his arms in a great paternal gesture, smiles broadly, and says, "Your wishes [slight pause for effect] mean nothing to me." It's extremely refreshing to hear. And it's very, very funny. The fact that virtually every character appearing throughout the show's long run was extremely sleazy allows this sort of repartee to continue uninterrupted.

God bless Al Bundy. The show has changed my life.