NOT the Cosbys
Before the show was Married… With Children, the producers honestly considered calling the show Not The Cosby’s. The Bundy family was definitely a more raunchy choice among viewers then to the successful and cleaner style of The Cosby Show. So they decided to go with the not-so-direct name approach.
Not The Cosbys
Live It Up
Despite the show’s awesome success and fan-base, every episode of the show was a ~huge~ expense. In fact, each episode cost creators and producers a whopping $ 1 Million per episode, this may explain why the series was untimely cancelled. It just became too expensive!
Live It Up
Becoming Al
When Ed O’Neill researched the role of Al Bundy, he leaded on inspiration from his own family to perfect the role. An uncle of his, Uncle Joe, was actually his role model and he and the character did share a great deal of similar characteristics.
Becoming Al
Almost Peggy Bundy
It’s extremely difficult for anyone to see Peggy Bundy portrayed by anyone but Katey Sagal but the story is, Roseanne Barr almost landed the gig. She would miss out on the role but just a year later, she had Roseanne, her own television series that lasted for nine seasons.
Almost Peggy Bundy
Ed O’Neill Would Call Fans IN Character
During filming, Ed O’Neill would almost always take a fan request and call them on their birthday. In character and call collect of course. Kind of makes you want watch Married with Children online just for a laugh.
Ed O’Neill Would Call Fans IN Character
Very First Episode
The cast of Married with Children had no idea they were creating one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Which is a tad crazy since it was an instant overnight hit. When the very first episode aired back on April 5th, 1987 – it was so successful in viewership that the network decided to play it over and over that same night.
Very First Episode
Spell My Name
Throughout the show’s whole 10 years, one of the biggest jokes on set was actually Al Bundy’s name and how it was constantly being misspelled in crazy variations. Some included Al Boondy, Al Birdy, Al Bumby, etc. Nice!
Spell My Name
Wisconsin’s Finest Fictional County
Wanker County, home of Peggy Bundy. That’s right, Wanker County is a rather recurring joke in the show as it always causally implies that the area has a rather…bad inbreeding problem. The county doesn’t really need free online dating services because as Al says, “Nothing says lovin’ like marryin’ your cousin.”
Wisconsin’s Finest Fictional County
Becoming Peggy
The one and only Katey Sagal was merely an up and coming actor when she was cast in Married with Children as dear ol’ Peggy Bundy. Thing is, she really wanted the part. So when Sagal showed up for auditions, she had an idea in her head as to what the character should look like, therefore, she literally dressed up for the part, complete with a huge red wig.
Becoming Peggy
The Family Car
Everyone should remember the family car but did you know that it’s actually a 1972 Plymouth Duster? Here’s why that’s important, Al Bundy often declared his affection for Dodge and his pure hatred of any Plymouth cars. Quite the mix up when it came to choosing the family car!
The Family Car
No Emmy Here
Even though the show lasted for eleven years and aired over 250 episodes, it never took home any big awards. Married with Children was in fact repeatedly nominated for many Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy Awards but never won. Seems crazy!
No Emmy Here
Not Just an Act
Bud Bundy had a whole phase of being like the rapper Vanilla Ice in the show but this carried on in real life. Faustino would go on to release a hip hop album using the name D’Lil in 1992.
Not Just An Act
Uncle Al
Casting director of Seinfeld wanted future star Michael Richards for the part of Al Bundy. Richards actually did so well at the audition that the director kept him on file when Seinfeld started casting, and he will always be remembered for his role as the ever incredible Kramer.
Uncle Al
A Decade of Excellence
There were many networks who were sure that Married with Children would never even get off of the ground, because it was so edgy and offensive at that time. But it is still the longest running live-action show to have aired on the Fox network. From 1987 to 1997 with 259 original episodes and 11 seasons, the show quickly cemented itself as a great.
A Decade Of Excellence
Christina Applegate: The Stunner
When Christina Applegate got the role as Kelly Bundy, the “dumb blonde”, this was her big break, since then she’s become a sought after and successful actress. However in season 10, due to her works with a movie role, Applegate needed to have red hair. So for the show, she actually wore a blonde wig!
Christina Applegate: The Stunner
Big ‘Uns
Who could forget the Big Un’s many repeated appearances in the show? And who could forget how cranky Bundy would get if he ever misplaced the magazine? What a class act.
Big ’Uns
Katey Sagal – Hollywood Walk of Fame
Katey Sagal really hit the mark with her role on Married with Children and she would go on to star in many other big television roles. Such as her role in the hit series Sons of Anarchy. Sagal earned the 2,529th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and it was placed right next to Ed O’Neill’s star, this of course was not an accident.
Katey Sagal – Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Meeting David Faustino
David Faustino’s acting career really took off with his role of Bud on Married with Children, before the show, he had a handful of part time gigs on well known and not so well known shows. When he landed the full time gig with Married with Children, it made all the difference. He appeared in 259 episodes in the show.
Meeting David Faustino
