A look back at the series Married with Children: the satire that poked fun at domestic life and marriage.
From 1987 to 1997, Married with Children aired on American television. The show became one of the most talked-about sitcoms of its time. With no less than eleven seasons and 262 episodes, it built up a loyal fan base. The story follows the life of Al Bundy, a cynical shoe salesman. Al reluctantly spends his days in a chaotic household.
From the very first episode of Married with Children, one thing is clear: Al Bundy feels trapped in his life. Once, during his high school years, he scored four touchdowns in a single game—an achievement he constantly references. Since then, life seems to have brought him little more than disappointment. He finds his job at a shoe store soul-crushing, especially when he’s forced to deal with customers he openly insults—particularly those who don’t meet his beauty standards.
At home, chaos reigns. His wife Peggy doesn’t lift a finger around the house, chain-smokes, and spends her days watching TV—preferably Oprah. Parenting is virtually nonexistent: their daughter Kelly is naïve and spends most of her time dating an endless stream of boyfriends, while their son Bud considers himself the smart one, but can’t hide his social ineptitude. Al’s interaction with his kids usually amounts to handing over dollar bills—grudgingly, but without much choice.
The neighbors of the chaotic Married with Children household
The neighbors often add to the turmoil. Marcy, the woman next door, is assertive and outspoken. She first marries Steve Rhoades, then Jefferson D’Arcy. Her feminist views frequently clash with Al’s crude remarks. Their feuds result in hilariously tense showdowns, with Al repeatedly calling her a “chicken” and mocking her appearance, while Marcy ridicules his failed career and shabby lifestyle.
Although Al’s life is short on high points, he clings to a few sources of comfort. He constantly reminisces about that one glorious football game, stubbornly holds on to his old Dodge Dart (which is actually a Plymouth Duster), treasures his beloved Big Uns magazines, and takes great pride in his luxurious toilet.
Even years after the series ended, the cast didn’t disappear from the spotlight. A reunion episode aired in 2003, and the actors came together again in 2012 during the Fox 25th Anniversary Special.
In the Netherlands, the show debuted on Veronica and later moved to RTL 7. The broadcasting rights eventually went to RTL Nederland, ensuring the series remained a recognizable and beloved cult phenomenon for many Dutch viewers.
You’ll find plenty of YouTube videos about the show on this site.
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