Cost Per Episode
The show was hugely successful due to the fact that each episode took a lot of effort and money to produce. Each episode cost a reported $1 million to produce!
Cost Per Episode
Popularity Came Overnight
The series was unique at the time as it was Fox’s first primetime TV show, so they did not initially know how audiences would respond to it. The first episode aired in April 1987 and it was an immediate success.
Popularity Came Overnight
Viewers Couldn’t Get Enough
In fact, audiences loved the first episode so much that Fox actually decided to air it over and over again on the same day. They didn’t realize just how popular the show would be. An unexpected reason led the show to be such a success.
Viewers Couldn’t Get Enough
A Breath Of Fresh Air
The show portrayed a family dynamic that was quite different from what audiences were used to from family sitcoms. Most shows portrayed happy family with a few quirks, but Married…With Children showed a completely dysfunctional family that still loved each other, but showed it in quite unconventional ways.
A Breath Of Fresh Air
A Different Working Title
The show was in a way the antithesis of shows like The Cosby Show, which typically showed perfect families with a warm and loving patriarch. In fact, the show’s working title was Not The Cosbys in order to emphasize just how different the Bundys are.
A Different Working Title
Making Birthday Calls On The Show
When the show was at the peak of its popularity, Ed O’Neill’ would make phone calls to fans while in character. Fans would receive a call from Al Bundy wishing them a happy birthday. Ed was perfect for the role, but someone else well-known was actually up for the role as well.
Making Birthday Calls On The Show
A Winning Audition
Ed O’Neill’s audition was simple but it won show runners over. He walked into the house with his shoulders slumped and gave a sigh of defeat. That was all that producers needed to see in order to know that he perfectly captured the character.
A Winning Audition
Playing The Part
Al Bundy was a struggling women’s show salesman, a job that was truly unsatisfying. Add in a dysfunctional family, and Al was totally emotionally drained. Ed perfectly captured this feeling with his audition.
Playing The Part
Other Hidden Talents
Ed O’Neill is a fantastic actor, but that is not his only talent. He is also quite into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was introduced to the sport by director John Milius, who is a good friend of Ed’s.
Other Hidden Talents
Black Belt In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
O’Neill has been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over two decades. He became quite proficient and even earned a black belt back in 2007. He has called this the greatest achievement of his life.
Black Belt In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Cars In The Opening Credits
There’s a part in the opening credits that shows some cars driving on the interstate interchange. It might look familiar to you and that’s because it was actually taken from a scene in the film National Lampoon’s Vacation.
Cars In The Opening Credits
Kramer Could Have Been Al Bundy
Everyone knows Michael Richards for playing the role of Cosmo Kramer on hit sitcom Seinfeld. However, before he was Kramer he also auditioned for the role of Al Bundy, but as we know, the role ended up going to Ed O’Neill.
Kramer Could Have Been Al Bundy
Better Things Awaited Richards
Although the role of Al Bundy ultimately went to Ed O’Neill, Richards still left a great impression on the casting director. When it came time to cast the role of Kramer for Seinfeld, Richards was immediately brought in, and the rest is history.
Better Things Awaited Richards
Ed O’Neill’s Requests
Ed O’Neill didn’t feel that Tina Caspary and Hunter Carson were right for the roles of Kelly and Bud after they filmed the pilot. He said that he felt that the chemistry was just not right, and that they should replace the actors.
Ed O’Neill’s Requests
Last Minute Recast Of Kelly And Bud
After O’Neill suggested recasting, producers agreed and then they found Christina Applegate and David Faustino. The cast knew that this felt right, and so the pilot had to be reshot completely with the two new actors before it could air.
Last Minute Recast Of Kelly And Bud
Katey Sagal Goes For What She Wants
Katey Sagal is an immaculate professional, so she decided to come to her audition fully in character. She embraces the idea of immersing oneself into a role in order to make it truly believable.
Katey Sagal Goes For What She Wants
Getting Into Character
She wanted to get this role, so she made sure to dress the part. She showed up with a big red wig over over-styled hair in order to grab the producers’ attention.
Getting Into Character
Tension On Set
Amanda Bearse played the role of the Bundys’ neighbor Marcy. Reportedly, Amanda and Ed did not get along at all and they would even argue on set. It seemed like their personalities totally clashed and it led to these arguments.
Tension On Set
Being Flexible Actors
A lot of times, actors become quite in demand, which means that they have to become very flexible. This was the case with Christina Applegate, and she knew how to be flexible and improvise in order to make things work.
Being Flexible Actors
Being On The Wigs
When the tenth season of the show was being filmed, Christina Applegate was also filming a movie at the same time. She needed to dye her hair brown for the role in the film, so she would often wear a blonde wig to play Kelly on Married…With Children.
Being On The Wigs
Paying With A Vista Card
Eagle-eyed fans will remember that at Al Bundy’s shoe shop there was a sign that said “Vista.” It was never clarified whether this was because the show runner didn’t want to have problems with Visa or if this was an intentional comment on showing just how aloof Al Bundy was, but either way it’s just as funny.
Paying With A Vista Card
Fox Makes A Call
You might not have known this, but there was an episode of the show that Fox ultimately refused to air. It had a suggestive nature and they did not want to potentially upset and anger viewers.
Fox Makes A Call
Banned Episodes
A season three episode called “I’ll See You In Court” was criticized by Terry Rakolta, an activist that fights against obscenities. The episode featured Al ogling at a model. Despite Terry’s efforts, the episode was eventually aired in 2002.
Banned Episodes
Television Is An Art Form
Making a TV show is quite a bit of work. Creating a show like Married…With Children requires a lot of planning and often need stunts to be pulled off to keep everything going smoothly. Everyone has to do their part to make it all work.
Television Is An Artform
A Little TV Trickery
Often TV shows will involved a bit of trickery in order to accomplish a desired result. This was the case with Al Bundy’s beloved car. On the show, Bundy owns a Dodge, but the actual car itself was a 1972 Plymouth Duster.
A Little TV Trickery
It’s All In The Name
Peggy’s maiden name on the show is said to have been quite embarrassing. It was mentioned frequently that thanks to Al, she could finally have a different last name that sounded a lot better.
It’s All In The Name
A Great Pastime
Watching TV was a beloved pastime during the 1980’s and 1990’s, and so the show often portrayed Al and Peg watching TV. Al loved spending his time watching football while Peggy preferred watching The Oprah Winfrey Show and Psycho Mom.
A Great Pastime
An Adoration For Oprah
It was no secret that Peg Bundy absolutely loved Oprah and enjoyed watching her show. In one episode, Peggy even got a job in order to afford to buy a VCR so she could tape episodes of the Oprah Winfrey Show. She called Oprah a role model and inspiration.
An Adoration For Oprah
The ‘No-Ma’am Club’
There are a lot of parts of the show that would probably never be approved ot be on a TV show today, like Al Bundy’s all-male group the “No Ma’am” Club, which was a club that was completely anti-feminism.
The ‘No Ma’am Club’
What Does It Stand For?
So what does the “No Ma’am” club stand for? It stands for the “National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood.” This definitely would never fly in today’s TV world!
What Does It Stand For?
Bud’s Dream Of Becoming A Rapper
Do you remember that time when Bud decided that it would be a good idea for him to pursue a career in hip-hop? The young Bundy wanted to try to become a rapper, but clearly things didn’t work out for him.
Bud’s Dream Of Becoming A Rapper
Rapping Into Stardom
Interestingly, the character’s desire actually mirrored David Faustino’s real life dream. He said that he wanted to become a rapper for a long time, and in 1992 he actually released a rap album under the rap name D’Lil.
Rapping Into Stardom
The Producers’ First Choice
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Katey Sagal as the hilarious Peg Bundy, but it has actually been reported that she was not the producers’ first choice for the role. So who was?
The Producers’ First Choice
Earning The Part
Reportedly, Married…With Children producers were initially interested in hiring Roseanne Barr for the role of Peg. However, Sagal’s audition impressed them so much that they couldn’t imagine anyone but Sagal playing her from then on.
Earning The Part
A Better Al Bundy?
Of course, we all know and love Al Bundy played by Ed O’Neill, but he too was first envisioned to be played by someone else by the show producers. They actually considered comedian Sam Kinison for the main role, but ultimately it went to O’Neill.
A Better Al Bundy?
A Classic Theme Song
If you were a fan of the show, then you obviously remember the theme song. The song was one by the legendary Frank Sinatra. The song, “Love and Marriage” was actually first performed for a 1955 TV production. Years later, it would serve as the theme song to Married…With Children.
A Classic Theme Song
Walk Of Fame For Ed O’Neill
Like many celebrated actors, Ed O’Neill was honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his very own star. Funnily enough, his star is located right in front of a local show store, which is very fitting to his character, Al Bundy.
Walk Of Fame For Ed O’Neill
Retirement Party For Buck
The Bundy’s family dog, Buck, appeared on the show from the very firt episode. He made an appearance in every season until the tenth and eleventh seasons. The poor doggie was too old to continue acting, so he was retired. The cast threw him a retirement party.
Retirement Party For Buck
A Spinoff Around Bud Bundy
While Married…With Children ended its run in June 1997, it has been reported that a spinoff series focusing on Bud Bundy was in the works. However, it was put off for legal reasons. Faustino shared that many original cast members had actually agreed to make an appearance on a spinoff show.
A Spinoff Around Bud Bundy
Taking The Role Far
When Katey Sagal landed her role on the show, she was pretty unknown and still an up and coming actress. She became a fan favorite very quickly and after 260 episodes of the show became a household name.
Taking The Role Far
His Start
Before Ed O’Neill appeared on the show, he was cast as an extra on the popular soap opera All My Children. Of course, after Married…With Children, a lot of people recognize O’Neill from his role as Jay on Modern Family.
His Start
A Nod To His Past
When he was a student at Ohio University and Youngstown State University where he transferred to, O’Neill played football. He was signed on as an undrafted free agent for the Pittsburgh Steelers but was ultimately cut. As a nod to this, Al Bundy is a former high school football star that is constantly thinking back to his “glory days.”
A Nod To His Past
An NFL Guest Star
In addition to the references to Al’s high school football days, actually Pittsburgh Steelers football player Terry Bradshaw appeared as a guest star on the show for two episodes.
An NFL Guest Star
His Hollywood Star
Hilariously, Ed O’Neill star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located directly in front of a shoe store. When he was awarded the star, Katey Sagal and Sofia Vergara, his two on-screen wives showed up in support of his accomplishments and career.
His Hollywood Star
The Unexpected Ending
Fox executives were not sure whether or not they would renew the show when its last episode aired on May 6th, 1997. The executives decided it would be best not to tell the cast when they decided not to renew the show.
The Unexpected Ending
Finding Out
Ed O’Neill has said that he found out that the show was cancelled from a couple he randomly met who had read the news in a newspaper. Christina Applegate found out the news from some friends who had also heard about it before she did.
Finding Out
No Awards Here
Although Married…With Children was nominated for several Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy Awards, it never actually won any of these awards despite the multiple nominations.
No Awards Here
Her Hollywood Star
Katey Sagal also was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hers became the 2529th, star on the boulevard. In addition to her work on Married…With Children, she also worked on Sons of Anarchy and Futurama.
Her Hollywood Star
A Consistent Theme
Throughout the show’s run, there was a constant theme of the family’s financial troubles never being resolved. In fact, the situation only continually gets worse and towards the end of the series Al and Peg decided to share a plot in the cemetery where they would eventually be buried.
A Consistent Theme
In Every Single Episode
Ed O’Neill is the only cast member of Married…With Children who has appeared in every single episode. That includes the lost episode as well as the multiple failed and unaired pilot episodes. He was there for it all!
In Every Single Episode
James Bond Was A Fan
Sir Roger Moore, who is best known for his role as James Bond in several of the films in the franchise admitted that Married…With Children is a guilty pleasure of his. He was also friends with Katey’s father, Boris Sagal.
James Bond Was A Fan
Heavy Promotion
Many times, promotion and product placements in a show are quite obvious, and other times it can be done in a a more subtle way. O’Neill appeared in a film called Dutch, which was mentioned two times during episodes of Married…With Children. You be the judge!
Heavy Promotion
The U.K. Version
Often when a show becomes a huge hit, international remakes will be made in hopes that the success will be replicated. A U.K. version called Married For Life was made, but it ran for just seven weeks before it was cancelled.
The U.K. Version
Quite Expensive To Air
When the show was nearing its end and was at its peak popularity, the production cost of each episode of Married…With Children was about $1 million. This expensive price tag was perhaps what caused the show to be cancelled, which is Ed O’Neill’s theory of what happened.
Quite Expensive To Air
A Talented Guy
Ed O’Neill is quite the impressive guy. Not only was he the star of two major hit shows, Married…With Children and Modern Family, but he also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
A Talented Guy
A Family Connection
Sometimes, actors’ real life spouses will make an appearance on their shows. For example, Brad Pitt was a guest star on Friends while he was married to Jennifer Aniston. Ed O’Neill’s wife Catherine Rusoff made an appearance in a few episodes of Married…With Children.
A Family Connection
All’s Well That Ends Well
The very last episode of the show has the family winning the lottery but then getting struck by lightening. The episode’s storyline was actually Ed O’Neill’s idea.
All’s Well That Ends Well
Marcy D’Arsy Was A Tribute
For those who are big into TV trivia, the name Marcy D’Arsy might actually be familiar, and there’s a good reason for that. The character’s name was chosen as tribute to Marcy Carsey, who was an executive producer on The Cosby Show.
Marcy D’Arsy Was A Tribute
The Funniest Moment
You might remember the scene where Al falls of the roof when he is trying to fix the TV antennae. The hilarious scene was voted to be the show’s funniest moment of its entire run.
The Funniest Moment
The Lost Episode
There’s one “lost episode” of the show that even some of the most devoted of Married…With Children fans may not have seen. The reason is that it was aired just once in 2002. The episode was called “I’ll See You In Court.”
The Lost Episode
Going Global
In addition to the UK version of the show, there were several other remakes in other countries. One of them is the Russian version of the show, whose title means “Happy Together.” This version actually did pretty well and ran for six seasons between 2006 and 2013.
Going Global
A Rockin’ Cameo
At the time of the show’s release, hair metal was quite a popular musical genre. The show referenced this by featuring the band Anthrax in an episode. They even performed their song “In My World.”
A Rockin’ Cameo
You Can Still Visit
For those who are interested in visiting the house that was featured in the show’s opening credits, you can actually visit it in person. It’s located in Deerfield, Illinois, about 20 miles away from Chicago.
You Can Still Visit
The Network’s First Prime Time
Married…With Children was the first prime time sitcom on Fox. It premiered in 1987 and was a bit of a risk for the network. That risk paid of greatly, and it became the longest running live action sitcom on the network.
The Network’s First Prime Time
Toughening Up Darcey
Ted McGinley, who portrayed Jeff Darcey, got tired of his character’s personality and wanted him to become tougher. Show writers agreed and they decided to make him a secret agent.
Toughening Up Darcey
No Emmys Around
Married…With Children used to hold the title for the longest running show that never won an Emmy Award. It was later overtaken by Baywatch, which also never won the award even though it was so popular and ran for so long.
No Emmys Around
A Familiar Face
If you’ve ever found yourself rewatching old episodes of Married…With Children, you might see a familiar face. Long before he played Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc played Vinnie, Kelly’s on and off again boyfriend.
A Familiar Face
What’s In A Name?
Some people think that the Bundy’s family name was inspired by Ted Bundy, but that’s not actually the case. The name came from King Kong Bundy, a wrestler who would eventually make a guest appearance on the show several times.
What’s In A Name?
Not Working With Much
At first, the show did not have a huge budget to work with and so it called for a lot of creativity from the cast and crew. There was an episode where Buck, the family dog, goes shopping. The items that he got are actually some personal items that that the crew brought in to use.
Not Working With Much
Peg’s Hair
In the early seasons of the show, Katey Sagal’s hair was styled into Peggy’s exaggerated hairstyles we’re all familiar with. In later seasons, Sagal chose to wear a wig instead of having her own hair styled.
Peg’s Hair
Who Inspired Him
There’s a famous expression: “write what you know.” Ed O’Neill was inspired by the mannerisms of people who he knows in real life in order to create a more realistic and dynamic character when portraying Al Bundy.
Who Inspired Him
He Was Pigeonholed
While it meant that so many people thought he did a great job while playing Al Bundy, Ed O’Neill felt that he was being typecast as characters similar to Al. He struggled to find roles that were varied until he was finally cast as Jay on Modern Family.
He Was Pigeonholed
A Potential Spinoff
Some more whispers of a spinoff show were brought up in 2014, but Katey Sagal shared that it would be tough to coordinate. She said: “We’ve talked about [a reunion] every year, but then there are so many pieces that have to be in alignment that for some reason it never happens. But we love each other. Well, we’re all working now, so it’s hard to find the time!”
A Potential Spinoff
Unexpected Publicity
In an unexpected twist, a lot of media coverage brought on by family value activists actually caused the show to have a surge in publicity. The activists were upset by the themes on the show. As they say, there’s no such thing as bad press.
Unexpected Publicity
Almost Al
Actor and comedian Sam Kinison was considered for the role of Al Bundy, but he ended up playing Al’s guardian angel and made a bunch of appearances throughout the show’s run.
Almost Al
Producer Joins The Fun
Most of the time, we don’t hear about a TV show’s crew members. Married…With Children producer Ron Leavitt impressed everyone when he beat out wrestler King Kong Bundy when they went head to head at an eating competition.
Producer Joins The Fun
A Running Gag
A funny running gag that was constantly recurring on Married…With Children was how Al’s name was always being misspelled throughout the show’s run. This was done on purpose.
A Running Gag
His Full Name
Speaking of names, did you ever know what Bud’s full name is? It’s almost never mentioned, but his full name was actually Budrick Franklin Bundy. Has a nice ring to it!
His Full Name
Coincidence?
Actress Christina Applegate’s birthday is November 25th, 1971, which happens to be the same exact birthday of the character she played, Kelly Bundy. While it’s not clear if this was done on purpose, it might be too much of a coincidence.
Coincidence?
Other Appearances
Actor Ted McGinley, who played Jefferson D’Arsy also appeared on popular shows that include Happy Days and The Love Boat.
Other Appearances
