Many now know Ed O’Neill from the hit series Modern Family, but before he took the screen as ‘Jay Pritchett’ he was famously known as the legendary ‘Al Bundy’ in the long running series Married…With Children. Older audiences will remember this, as Married…With Children was one of the longest running shows without an Emmy win, spanning two hundred sixty-two episodes in eleven seasons from 1987-1997. Though it never took the win, in the shows tenure it was nominated for multiple Primetime Emmys as well as for multiple Golden Globes in the television categories.
Married…With Children was one of the longest running shows without an Emmy win, spanning two hundred sixty-two episodes in eleven seasons from 1987-1997.
A long running joke amongst men is that once they finally tie the knot, marriage is something of a prison. Though relationship culture evolved in the last few decades, this is still a joke that makes its way around masculine circles every so often. That, is what ‘MWC’ is basically about. Al Bundy is a middle-aged shoe salesman who leads an ordinary family life, and it’s an otherwise unhappy one. Going to work is a hassle, and coming home is a defeat, as Al lives each day in an existence that is everything he doesn’t want it to be. Tormented by his wife Peggy (Katey Sagal) who doesn’t work and spends most of his money, his licentious daughter (Christina Applegate) and his airhead son Bud (David Faustino), not to mention his annoying neighbours, Al takes each day in stride as he continuously loses in every situation.
The show is hysterical. It’s a sitcom, so the writing is more or less formulaic, though the concept of the show drives most of the comedy. Ed O’Neill brings most of the power in the shows’ comedic atmosphere, with his sharp wit, dry humour, and physical mannerisms that keep the other actors on their toes. That said, all of the cast more than contributes to the series success. Applegate and Faustino play off each other well as ornery siblings and embrace the way their characters are written with significant impact. Katey Sagal is also near perfect as their mother and Al’s other half, as she serves the ultimate purpose of annoyance to Al and a reminder of his status in life. The show as a whole is mostly shot in a frontward view of the Bundy’s home, with occasionally showing other locations, and the sets are built with great detail.
It is a show that is dated, but that does not mean the funny has faded. Does it consist of sexist jokes, occasional misogyny, and boundary pushing comedy? Definitely. So for those with feeble sensibilities or easy triggers, consider this blog segment a fair warning. For those who enjoy laughter regardless of subject matter, this show is the one. MWC is classic show that many will remember as a great evening escape from their daily lives, and also a unique experience of watching the shows chief characters literally grow up and change as people (though not too much on the show). Now streaming on Hulu, or for purchase on Amazon Prime.
