# Married... with Children

> American television sitcom (1987-1997)

**Wikidata**: [Q208647](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208647)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Married..._with_Children)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/married-with-children

## Summary  
Married... with Children is an American television sitcom that aired from April 5, 1987, to June 9, 1997, created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt. Known for its satirical portrayal of a dysfunctional working-class family, the show blended dark humor with controversial themes, influencing the trajectory of sitcoms in the 1990s. It originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company and produced 262 episodes over 11 seasons.  

## Key Facts  
- **Premiere Date**: April 5, 1987  
- **Final Episode Date**: June 9, 1997  
- **Total Episodes**: 262  
- **Creators**: Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt  
- **Original Network**: Fox Broadcasting Company  
- **Production Companies**: Columbia Pictures Television, Embassy Communications, Fox Film Corporation, and others  
- **Genre**: Satire, black comedy, sitcom  
- **Setting**: Chicago, Illinois (fictional suburb)  
- **Main Cast**: Ed O'Neill (Al Bundy), Katey Sagal (Peggy Bundy), Christina Applegate (Kelly Bundy), David Faustino (Bud Bundy), Amanda Bearse (Marcy D'Arcy), Ted McGinley (Steve/Jefferson D'Arcy)  
- **Notable Guest Stars**: Rob Reiner, Jodie Sweetin, and others  
- **International Adaptations**: Remakes in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Russia  
- **TV.com ID**: 259.0  
- **TV Guide Rating**: 22.0 (season 4)  
- **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 47  

## FAQs  
**What is the premise of Married... with Children?**  
The show revolves around the Bundy family, a lower-middle-class family in Chicago, satirizing American family life through exaggerated dysfunction, greed, and poor decision-making.  

**Why was the show controversial?**  
It faced criticism for its crude humor, sexual innuendos, and perceived misogyny, leading to protests from conservative groups and temporary cancellations by affiliates.  

**How did the show impact television?**  
Married... with Children helped establish Fox as a major network and paved the way for edgier sitcoms like *The Simpsons* and *Roseanne*, normalizing taboo subjects in primetime comedy.  

**What is the show’s legacy?**  
Despite mixed critical reception, it developed a cult following and remains notable for its anti-sentimental tone, influencing 1990s sitcoms and launching the careers of Christina Applegate and Katey Sagal.  

## Why It Matters  
Married... with Children matters as a pioneering sitcom that challenged traditional family portrayals on television. Its success demonstrated the viability of raunchy humor and morally ambiguous characters in mainstream comedy, reshaping network programming strategies. The show’s syndication longevity and international adaptations underscore its cultural resonance, while its impact on Fox’s growth solidified its role in 1990s media history.  

## Notable For  
- **First Scripted Hit on Fox**: The network’s first major sitcom success, defining its early brand.  
- **Dysfunctional Family Archetype**: The Bundys redefined sitcom families, emphasizing flaws over warmth.  
- **Kelly Bundy’s "Dumb Blonde" Persona**: Christina Applegate’s character became a pop culture reference point for airheadedness.  
- **Cultural Catchphrases**: Lines like “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man” entered mainstream lexicon.  
- **Merchandising Success**: Generated revenue through action figures, video games, and board games.  

## Body  
### History and Broadcast  
Married... with Children premiered on April 5, 1987, as part of Fox’s Sunday night lineup, initially airing as a replacement for *The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers*. Its 11-season run concluded on June 9, 1997, with the finale drawing 19.1 million viewers. The show was produced by Columbia Pictures Television, Embassy Communications, and Fox Film Corporation, with filming occurring at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood.  

### Production and Cast  
The series starred Ed O’Neill as Al Bundy, a miserable shoe salesman, and Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy, his lazy, spendthrift wife. Christina Applegate and David Faustino portrayed their children, Kelly and Bud, while Amanda Bearse and Ted McGinley played their neighbors, Marcy and Jefferson D’Arcy. Notable guest stars included Rob Reiner, Jodie Sweetin, and John Stamos.  

### Themes and Style  
The show’s humor centered on satire of 1980s-90s consumerism, gender roles, and societal norms. Episodes frequently featured Al Bundy’s nostalgic reminiscences about his high school football career and the family’s perpetual financial struggles. Its use of slapstick, grotesque humor, and running gags (e.g., Al’s disdain for his job) distinguished it from contemporaneous family sitcoms.  

### Legacy and Impact  
Married... with Children ranked #37 on *TV Guide*’s 2002 list of the “50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” and #96 on its 2016 list of the “60 Best Series.” It was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. The show’s success in syndication (e.g., TBS, Spike TV) expanded its reach, and its influence can be seen in later series like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* and *Shameless*.  

### Adaptations and Spin-offs  
The series inspired international remakes, including *Casados con Hijos* (Argentina), *Matrimonio con Hijos* (Colombia), and *Зятьё (Zyate)* (Russia). A short-lived animated spin-off, *Bundy: The Animated Series*, aired in 1999.  

### Awards and Nominations  
- **Emmy Nominations**: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Katey Sagal, 1993–1996)  
- **Golden Globe Nomination**: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (1993)  
- **Young Artist Awards**: Multiple wins for Christina Applegate and David Faustino  

### Cultural References  
The show’s theme song, “Love and Marriage” by Frank Sinatra, became synonymous with the series. Merchandise included a board game (*The Bundy Family Game*), a video game (*Married... with Children: The Computer Game*), and action figures. Catchphrases like “It’s a miracle!” and “I’m not a vegetarian because I love animals. I’m a vegetarian because I hate plants” remain iconic.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Runtime**: 22 minutes (without commercials)  
- **Aspect Ratio**: 4:3 (fullscreen)  
- **Original Language**: English  
- **Filming Locations**: Sunset Gower Studios, Los Angeles, California  
- **Distributor**: Sony Pictures Television  

### Related Entities  
- **Fox Broadcasting Company**: The network that launched the show, leveraging its success to establish credibility.  
- **Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt**: Creators known for pushing boundaries in sitcom writing.  
- **Sony Pictures Television**: Current distributor managing syndication and streaming rights.  

### Trivia  
- The pilot episode was initially rejected by CBS and NBC before Fox picked it up.  
- Ed O’Neill’s audition for Al Bundy lasted only 30 seconds, convincing producers he was ideal for the role.  
- The Bundys’ address, 9774 Jeopardy Lane, was a nod to the game show *Jeopardy!*.

## References

1. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/eine-schrecklich-nette-familie)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092400/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co)
4. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092400/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt)
5. Kinopoisk
6. Online-Filmdatenbank
7. The Movie Database
8. YouTube API
9. FilmVandaag.nl