Exciting and Surprising Facts You Never Knew about “Married…With Children”

There have been many television sitcoms come and go throughout the years, but one of the most iconic was from the 1990s. Married…With Children was a popular show that revolved around the Bundy’s. It was meant to be funny and a little risque, and it played the part quite well.

Though most people enjoyed the antics of Al Bundy and his hungry children, some of the most interesting things were never declared. Throughout the years, tidbits came out that most people didn’t know, making them fall in love with the Bundy’s all over again. Here is some trivia about Married…With Children you might not have heard before.

Cost for Each Episode

Married…With Children had a massive following and was highly successful. After it was all said and done, executives reported that almost every episode cost about $1 million to produce. That’s a lot of money!

Overnight Popularity

This show was actually Fox’s first prime-time TV series, so it had no idea how the audience might respond. The first episode was shown on April 15, 1987. Everyone loved it, and for those who couldn’t watch it at 7 p.m., it was aired at 9 p.m., too!

Can’t Get Enough

The first episode actually had so many viewers that Fox chose to air it over and over. They never imagined how popular this show might become, but then an unexpected event happened to propel everything into overdrive.

Fresh Air

This show was so much different than what watchers were used to. Most of the sitcoms of the 90s showed happy families with a few minor quirks. Married…With Children was totally opposite and showed a dysfunctional family that had unconventional ways.

Different Working Title

In a sense, the show was the antithesis of The Cosby Show, which showed a perfect family and a loving father. That’s why Married…With Children was originally to be called Not the Cosbys to show the contrast.

Birthday Telephone Calls

When the show was at its peak, Al Bundy, played by Ed O’Neill, made birthday calls to fans during filming. He played this role well, but you might not believe who auditioned for the part before Ed came along!

The Winning Audition

Ed O’Neill’s audition was effective and simple. He just walked through the door and into the house. His sigh of defeat and slumped shoulders were all the execs needed to know this was the best man for the part.

Playing the Part

Overall, Ed played a woman’s shoe salesman who struggled in all areas of life. His job wasn’t satisfying, and his family was dysfunctional to drain him emotionally. With that simple audition, though, he portrayed the role perfectly.

Other Hidden Talents

Ed O’Neill isn’t just a one-trick pony; he had many hidden talents. In his spare time, he liked training for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. John Milius, writer, director, and close friend, introduced Ed to the sport.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Ed O’Neill began training for Jiu-Jitsu 20 years ago and never looked back. In fact, he loves the sport and became good enough to earn his black belt in 2007. This is one of his greatest achievements in his life.

Opening Credits and Cars

If you’ve ever watched from the beginning, you know that the opening credits show a scene with cars on the interstate. This shot was taken from the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation!”

Kramer as Al Bundy

Michael Richards is most known for his role playing Kramer in Seinfeld, another sitcom. However, he tried out for the part of Al Bundy first, but it wasn’t meant to be (and that’s probably a good thing!)

Better Things for Richards

Ed O’Neill won the role of Al Bundy, but Michael Richards left a lasting impression on this casting director. In fact, when he cast Kramer’s role for Seinfeld, he naturally thought of Richards!

Requests from Ed O’Neill

Ed wasn’t happy with Hunter Carson and Tina Caspary playing Bud and Kelly in the pilot. He claimed that there must be chemistry between the actors for the show to be successful, and the execs listened!

Last-minute Recast

O’Neill suggested that Bud and Kelly be recast. The producers actually agreed and came to choose David Faustino and Christina Applegate for the roles. That means reshooting the pilot scenes with the kids to air on time!

Katey Sagal Knows What She Wants

Sagal is a professional and believes that one must get into character to audition for the role to get what they want. In fact, actors should immerse themselves in that role to be believable.

Getting Into Her Character

Sagal really wanted to play Peggy Bundy, so she dressed for the part at her audition. In her mind, Peggy was attractive, with big and over-styled hair. She wore a red wig and captured the attention of the casting directors.

Set Tension

Amanda Bearse played Marcy Rhoades, the Bundy’s neighbor. She and Ed didn’t get along well and had full-blown arguments on the set. Overall, their personalities clashed, and they couldn’t see eye-to-eye.

Flexible Actors

Sometimes, A-listers are highly popular and must handle different projects simultaneously. When that happens, flexibility is crucial, and improvisation is necessary to make it work. Christina Applegate knows all about this!

Being on the Wigs

When filming the episodes for the 10th season of Married…With Children, Christina Applegate was also filming a movie where her hair was dyed brunette. Therefore, she was required to wear blonde wigs while working as Kelly Bundy.

Using a Vista Card

Everyone remembers the sign in the shoe shop that Al Bundy works for. It reads “Vista” instead of “Visa.” It’s not clear if the producers did that to avoid lawsuits or if it was meant to show how aloof and spaced out Al is.

Fox Made a Call

You may not realize that there was one episode of Married…With Children that Fox never aired. Apparently, it had mildly suggestive behaviors, and the executives worried that the viewers might complain.

Banned Episodes

“I’ll See You In Court” was a season three episode that got attacked by Terry Rakolta, an activist against television obscenity. In the episode, Al Bundy ogled a model. Despite Terry’s efforts, the episode finally got released for viewing in 2002.

Television Is Art

Art is expressed in many mediums, with television being one of them. Making a television series like Married…With Children meant pulling off stunts to make the show a success. Each person had a part to play to pull it off.

TV Trickery

Sometimes, the producers must do some tricks to achieve the right result, and they did so with the Bundy’s car. On the show, it’s supposed to be a Dodge, but it’s really a 1972 Plymouth Duster!

All in a Name

On the show, Peggy Bundy’s maiden name is quite embarrassing. Thanks to her husband, she could be referred to as Mrs. Bundy instead of Ms. Wanker. That has a better ring to it!

The Great Pastime

Television dominated all in the 80s and 90s, so there’s no surprise that Peggy and Al Bundy loved watching TV. Al spent a lot of free time enjoying football, but Peggy enjoyed The Oprah Winfrey Show and Psycho Mom.

Adoring Oprah

Peggy Bundy absolutely loved Oprah. In one episode, she actually got a job so that she could buy a VCR to tape The Oprah Winfrey Show and watch Dr. Phil. Peg believed Oprah was a role model and an inspiration to all.

No Ma’am Club

Had the show been created for today’s world, most aspects never could have made it to the television. The No Ma’am Club was an all-men’s group created by Al Bundy, and it was likely to have been scrapped because it was against feminism.

The Acronym

In the show, No Ma’am is an acronym: National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood. Could you imagine the interesting tidbits if the original man meant to play Al got the part?!

Bud’s Rapper Dream

You might not associate this dysfunctional family with rapping or hip-hop music. Still, Bud (Al’s youngest son), dreamed of being a rap artist. However, that’s the extent of hip hop you see on the show.

Rap to Stardom

David Faustino played Bud Bundy in the show, and he expressed that rapping was his personal dream, as well as the character’s. In 1992, he actually released an album as D’Lil. Isn’t that amazing?!

First Choice

Katey Sagal was actually a talented actress and had been in Hollywood before she auditioned to play Peggy Bundy. Even though she ended up winning the part, she wasn’t the first choice, and producers wanted someone else.

Earning the Part

The role for Peggy Bundy was meant to go to Roseanne Barr, a big-time comedian and television producer. However, Sagal’s audition blew everyone away so much that they couldn’t imaging anyone but her playing Peg!

The Better Al

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Ed O’Neill playing Al Bundy. However, the producers originally intended San Kinson, a comedian, to play this role. After Ed’s audition, the producers and casting directors realized he was made for the job.

Classic Theme Song

The theme song of Married…With Children is actually a classic song by Frank Sinatra. It was performed originally for a 1955 television show. However, the producers snagged it for this sitcom, making it a funny parody of the life of Al and Peggy Bundy.

Walk of Fame

Many of the top Hollywood actors have stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. However, Ed O’Neill’s is placed in the most appropriate spot. In fact, his star is in front of the local shoe store! How’s that for funny?!

Buck’s Retirement Party

The Bundy’s had a family dog named Buck, who appeared on the show from the beginning. He didn’t miss a season, except for the 10th and final one. At that point, Buck was too old and had to retire, but the producers threw him a party!

Bud Bundy’s Spinoff

The show actually ended in June of 1997. However, a spinoff about Bud Bundy was in the making, and everyone was excited. Overall, it was put on hold because of legal problems. Faustino claims that the original cast had agreed to make an appearance when it does air!

Taking the Role So Far

Though Katey Sagal was on the Hollywood scene when she earned the role for Peggy Bundy, she still wasn’t well-known and hadn’t made a name for herself. She soon became the fan favorite, appearing in 260 episodes on Married…With Children, solidifying herself as every home’s household name.

Ed’s Start

Before Ed was Al Bundy and propelled himself to stardom, he was on All My Children, a soap opera that had been around for a while. He was an extra there. Now, many people recognize O’Neill for being Jay Pritchett from Modern Family.

Nod to the Past

When attending Ohio University and Youngstown State University, Ed O’Neill played football. Then, he was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he was later cut at training camp. As a tribute to that, Al Bundy was a former high school football player who reminisced about the glory days.

NFL Guest Star

Along with the reference to O’Neill playing high school football, the show featured Terry Bradshaw, a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. He was a guest star for two episodes.

Hollywood Star

Ed O’Neill’s star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame is right in front of a shoe store. This is a hilarious tribute to the Al Bundy character because it nods to him working at a shoe store for most of his adult career.

An Unexpected Ending

The show’s final episode aired on May 6, 1997. Overall, the Fox executives were undecided on whether to renew it for another season. When they decided not to, they didn’t even notify the cast!

Finding Out

Ed O’Neill was on vacation when he heard that Married…With Children was canceled. In fact, he heard it from a random couple he met, who read about it in the newspaper. Similarly, Christina Applegate learned about it from some friends’ gossip.

No Awards

Married…With Children was actually nominated for Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy Awards multiple times. Even though there were repeated nominations, the show didn’t win any awards for its duration.

Her Hollywood Star

Mr. O’Neill isn’t the only show’s alum who gets a Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame. Katey Sagal also got a star on the boulevard, and hers was the 2529th one. In addition to playing Peggy Bundy, she also starred in Futurama and Sons of Anarchy.

The Consistent Theme

Throughout the sitcom, the running theme focused on financial struggles that don’t get resolved. The situation gets so bad at the end that Al and Peg resort to sharing a cemetery plot when they die!

Every Single Episode

You may not realize it, but Ed O’Neill was the only cast member that appeared in every episode. That includes the unaired failed pilots and the lost one. What an amazing feat!

James Bond, A Fan

Sir Roger Moor played the starring role for many James Bond movies and openly admits that the sitcom was a guilty pleasure of his. He’s also good friends with Katey Sagal’s dad, Boris Sagal.

Heavy Promotions

Sometimes, promotions and product placement are quite obvious for a show. Other times, it’s incorporated naturally. Ed O’Neill was in a movie named Dutch, and it was mentioned twice during the sitcom’s episodes.

A UK Version

When a sitcom is very successful, other countries try to replicate it for local television. A UK version of Married…With Children ran for about seven weeks before it got taken off the air. It was called Married for Life.

Expensive to Air

Toward the end of the show, when it was most popular, every episode of the sitcom cost about $1 million to air and make. This price tag is likely why the show was canceled, at least in Ed’s eyes.

Talented Guy

We know that Ed O’Neill is a highly talented actor. After Married…With Children, he went on to be in Modern Family to keep the acting prowess alive. Plus, he’s got a black belt for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He’s quite impressive!

Family Connection

Sometimes, the actors in a show have guest appearances from their real-life spouses. When Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, he appeared on Friends. Similarly, Catherine Rusoff, Ed O’Neill’s wife, stared in a few episodes for Married…With Children.

Ending Well

The last episode of the sitcom shows the Bundy family winning the lottery and then getting struck by lightning. The hilarious end to a dysfunctional life was Ed’s idea, and it worked smoothly!

Marcy D’Arcy – The Tribute

Everyone gave a little giggle when Marcy learned that her last name was now D’Arcy (after getting drunk and marrying Jefferson). However, you may feel it sounds familiar, and it should! The character’s name was a tribute to Marcy Carsey, The Cosby Show‘s executive producer.

Funny Moment

The scene where Al falls off the roof while trying to fix the television antennae is quite hilarious. In fact, this part was voted to be the show’s funniest moment throughout the whole series!

Lost Episode

You probably feel that you’re a big fan of the show and think you’ve seen every episode that aired originally. However, one episode ended up airing five years after the rest. “I’ll See You In Court” had to wait because of cries that it was too racy.

Going Global

Married…With Children was a huge success, so there were many remakes of it produced in various countries. One includes a Russian version, and the title translates to “Happy Together.” It lasted about six seasons from 2006 to 2013!

The Rockin’ Cameo

When the show aired, heavy metal bands were quite popular. The executives didn’t want to miss out on opportunities to bring in a younger crowd. Therefore, it acknowledged the shift to heavy metal music by featuring Anthrax, and the band played “In My World.”

Still Visit the Bundy’s

Do you wish you could see the house that was used for filming the show’s opening theme? You actually can! It’s found in Deerfield, Illinois, and it’s about 20 miles from Chicago!

First Prime Time Show

Fox didn’t have sitcoms broadcasting for the prime-time slot before Married…With Children came along. When it first premiered back in 1987, it took that spot and became the longest-running live-action sitcom series on the Fox network.

Toughen Up D’Arcy

Ted McGinley played Jefferson D’Arcy on the show. However, he grew tired of the character and wanted him to be tougher. Overall, the writers agreed and created a secret agent role for D’Arcy!

No Emmys

Even though Married…With Children was the longest-running show of the era, it didn’t win any Emmy Awards. In fact, it was overtaken by Baywatch, which also never got an Emmy, though it ran for a long time and was massively popular.

Familiar Friend

If you like rewatching old episodes of the show, you might be surprised to see a familiar friend. Before you called him Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc actually had a recurring role for Married…With Children as Vinnie, Kelly’s on-again-off-again boyfriend.

The Name’s Bundy

Some people think that the Bundy name came from Ted Bundy, a serial killer. However, the real origin is much better. They were named after King Kong Bundy, a wrestler, who made two guest appearances for the show!

Not Much to Work With

When the show first came out, it didn’t have a big budget to work with. Therefore, the cast got creative. In one episode, Buck (the family dog) goes shopping, but the items he brought were directly from the cast and crew, who brought their own.

Peggy’s Hair

When Katey Sagal auditioned, she wore a huge 80’s-style haircut, and the executives liked it. During the first few seasons, she used her own hair and teased it up to make it look good. However, she chose to move to a wig for later seasons to reduce the time it took to get ready.

Inspiration

You’ve probably heard that writers should write what they know about, and the same is true for actors. Ed O’Neill borrowed bits and pieces from his real-life family and friends to create a realistic and dynamic character for Al Bundy.

He Became Typecast

One problem actors face when they star on long-running sitcoms is being typecast as that type of character forever. Though it’s a testament to how well Ed played Al, he felt that he was sought after for similar roles. Finally, he broke the cycle when he starred in Modern Family.

Potential Spinoff

In 2014, the cast started hinting about a spinoff that focused on Bud Bundy. It was to be a reunion-type of thing, but Katey admitted it might be hard to do. Though they talked about a reunion each year, there are so many things to align that it never happened.

Unexpected Publicity

You may remember hearing about the media coverage from “family values” activists who got offended by the show. However, the executives went with it, and it ended up not being bad publicity. More people tuned in to see what the fuss was about!

Almost Al

Sam Kinison was supposed to audition for the part of Al Bundy. Though he didn’t become a star, he was a guest star when he played Al’s guardian angel. He also made other appearances! There are no hard feelings there!

Producer Joins in the Fun

Usually, you don’t hear about the crew of a sitcom and only ever talk about the cast. However, Ron Leavitt was the producer of Married…With Children, and he made waves when he beat King Kong Bundy in competitive eating!

The Running Gag

One of the funniest and most ignored bits on the sitcom was the fact that Al Bundy’s name was misspelled many times during different episodes. It was done on purpose to become a running gag!

His Full Name

Do you remember what Bud’s full name was during the show? It wasn’t mentioned very often, and most people were confused for a second when they heard it. His name was actually Budrick Franklin Bundy.

A Coincidence or Not

Christina Applegate had something in common with her character, Kelly Bundy. They had the same birthday of November 25, 1971. This couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?!

Other Appearances

Ted McGinley played Jefferson D’Arcy for Married…with Children, but he was on many other television shows, too. They include Happy Days and The Love Boat!