MARRIED WITH CHILDREN : The Bundy's White Trash Sitcom
Written: Aug 15 '01
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Pros: presented a more realistic but overblown version of family life
Cons: inappropriate for children; last year of the series really stunk
The Bottom Line: is that 'Married With Children' offered totally inappropiate humor during prime time viewing but it brought the networks back to reality and helped end unrealistic views of the average family.
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| phineaskc's Full Review: FOX |
Married With Children first aired in 1987 on the Fox Television Network. During a time when television audiences were being flooded with relatively wholesome family comedies such as 'The Cosbys', 'Growing Pains' and 'Full House', the Fox Network introduced a new and more twisted version of family life. The Chicago based Bundy family with all of their white trash glory became the new model for sitcom families and changed the face of television forever.
Because this show was politically incorrect in many of it's episodes and considered demoralizing by some, Terry Rakola, head of the group 'Americans For Responsible Television' decided to call for a ban of the show and began her fight with the Fox Network. Terry found everything about the show to be inappropriate and in her fight made several references to homosexual characters, nude women, gay discussions, etc. Although the show is certainly in bad taste most of the time, it would appear that Terry held greater issue with the mere mention of homosexuals on television then with protecting the American public. I guess she never figured out what the OFF button was for on her remote.
The show was an absolute hit, proving that audiences were sick and tired of unrealistic family situations. No longer were Americans able to stomach the "white bread" families that were so easily able to deal with a crisis and have it all resolved by the end with a big family group hug. This just wasn't the average family any longer - if it ever was. Granted, the Bundy family wasn't your typical family either and the situations were often highly exaggerated but the raunchy, bold, and absurd situations presented on 'Married With Children' were exactly what audiences had been craving. The ratings spoke for themselves and the show aired for ten years before Fox canceled the series for contractual reasons. It seems the Bundy family was just not worth over a million dollars and episode.
So who are the Bundys? The Bundy family is best described as 'white trash', plain and simple. They certainly aren't living high and mighty like the Cosby family or baking cookies together in the kitchen with happy sappy smiles on their faces. In fact, you would be lucky to get a meal at all in the Bundy household. The Bundy family live in a average suburban house, drive a crappy broken down car, have a flea ridden dog, and struggle to keep their heads above water. Sound familiar? If so, I am sorry. Although many of the scripts are ridiculous and overblown to mammoth proportions, the Bundy family is really pretty average. It's the way they handle situations and relate to one another and others around them that sets the The Bundy family apart from the norm.
The head of the household is Al (Ed O'Neil), miserable shoe salesman by day and irritable husband and father by night. Al has little to look forward to in life and much of his time is spent remembering his glory days in high school. He grumbles and complains quite a bit but wouldn't you if you had his life? As much as Al complains, he loves his family including wife Peggy (Katie Segal), the lazy housewife that spends most of her days watching television and well watching television. Not unlike many couples, Al and Peggy hooked up in high school and their relationship is far from perfect but they are devoted to one another. The script often has Peggy complaining about Al's job, his personal hygiene, his lack of money, and their nonexistent sex life but she really loves the big lug. Al's character is similar in that he moans and groans about Peggy's inability to cook and clean, her spending habits, her family, and having to service her. Al would prefer reading the latest version of 'Big Uns' or hanging out with his buddies to spending time with his wife and kids.
Bud and Kelly, the Bundy children, are in some ways typical children but in other ways they are part of the highly exaggerated story lines.
Kelly (Christina Applegate) is the beautiful airheaded tramp of a daughter. She is often easily confused and her character the ideal stereotype for a ditzy blonde. Kelly is often seen in the series wearing skimpy clothing, heavy makeup, and she oozes sexuality. Kelly is daddy's girl and he is quick to protect her when a situation arises or to toss a boyfriend out on his ear but he is also somewhat oblivious to her slutty ways.
Bud (David Faustino) on the other hand is quick to point out his sister's ignorance and attempts to get her into trouble at every turn. The two are not so different from average siblings in that they argue constantly and take jabs at one another when the opportunity arises. The script usually calls for Kelly to poke fun of Bud's lack of female companionship and masturbatory materials and in turn, Bud cracks slut jokes. Unlike Kelly, Bud is the bright one in the family and takes every opportunity to show his sister and other family members up. Bud is totally obsessed with girls but hardly ever gets a chance to actually date anyone.
There are other entertaining characters in the series including Marcy (Amanda Bearse), the politically active feminist, that manages to get under Al's skin at just the sight of her. Marcy has had two different husbands on the series, neither of which ever really lend much to the show. Her character is incredibly funny and the arguments that ensue between her and Al are fairly regular throughout the series. Out of all the characters on this show, Marcy is probably the one that developed and changed the most over the years.
During the ten year run of 'Married With Children', there were a few cast changes and many guest appearances by models, Playboy bunnies, sports figures, and even Springer himself. There were never any headlining celebrity guests but this wasn't that type of show.
Overall, 'Married With Children' certainly wasn't the best show on television or even the funniest but it brought a touch of realism to the ho hum family sitcoms that were being aired during that time period. It is doubtful that the show will be remembered as one of the greats but you can bet that it won't be forgotten either.
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This review is my late contribution to the "The Six Degrees of the 80s Write-Off" sponsored by Elvisdo and Levda - those two wacky Epinionators. It was their bright idea to write three reviews over a period of three weeks on an 80's tv show, an 80's movie, and an 80's music selection. The catch is that you have to be able to tie the three together in some fashion.
My first installment was the movie, 'Can't Stop The Music' starring Steve Guttenberg and The Village People. http://www.epinions.com/content_34479640196
How does that tie into 'Married With Children'? At one time or another during the series run, each one of The Village People made appearances on this series. As a side note, the Leatherman (Glenn Hughes) of The Village People died in March of this year.
Other participants include: 29th_Candidate, ainsleyjo, Bijou, bluehawq, brotherman, Caleo, Chris_Maverick, DavidK93, elvisdo, Fez_Monkey, levda, mattjoe, MuseMelpomene, orator, Phineaskc, repulsemonkey, rfr, st3on1ey1baby.
For links to their reviews, visit http://www.geocities.com/elevdado/
Recommended:
Yes
Average Program Rating: TV PG -- parental guidance suggested
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phineaskc
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Location: Kansas City, Missouri
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