| Key Points |
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| 1 .Ed O’Neill admitted on The Kelly Clarkson Show that he feared “Married…With Children” would be canceled every year during its 11-season run. |
| 2. The show addressed less idealized aspects of marriage, such as lackluster sex lives, which resonated with many viewers. |
| 3. Ed O’Neill acknowledged the lasting impact of “Married…With Children,” noting that fans reference the show frequently, depending on the location. |
Ed O’Neill, beloved for his portrayal of Al Bundy in Married…With Children, recently shared an intriguing revelation on The Kelly Clarkson Show. He went on to admit that throughout the show’s impressive 11-season run, he kept panicking that the show would be canceled.
I thought it would be canceled every year,a sentiment he held throughout the series.
This particular revelation by the actor is multifaceted and thoughtful in multiple ways. It basically tells every struggling actor out there that nothing is for certain and you never know how things will play out. It’s also a stark reminder that celebrities, don’t always have a know-how of everything.
Humor in Marital Realism
The show tackled topics that many contemporary family sitcoms shied away from. In contrast to the idyllic portrayals in The Cosby Show, where Cliff Huxtable and his wife seemed perpetually content, Married…With Children offered a more relatable depiction.
I think we were the only show before or after that dealt with the sex not being great in the marriage,O’Neill explained to Clarkson.
The humor often stemmed from Al’s reluctant and grumbling attitude towards spousal duties, especially when it came to intimacy. As he once cracked the following iconic joke on the show:
Naw, just a little sex with the wife… but what the hell, there’s always next month.
Married… With Children Went on to Break Sitcom Norms
This unconventional approach resonated with audiences across America, striking a chord with many who found relief in seeing their realities reflected on screen. O’Neill noted in an interview for the book Married…With Children vs. the World:
We started talking about how sexual bliss was not exactly part of our marriage and that was like a bomb that went off around the country.
This departure from traditional sitcom narratives set Married…With Children apart from shows like The Cosby Show, Happy Days, and even Roseanne. As Ed humorously commented on couples in other shows like Roseanne and Dan Conner flying up the stairs, it was clear that the Bundys provided a stark yet humorous contrast.
The Show Has Left a Lasting Legacy
Ed O’Neill’s candid reflection on his time as Al Bundy reveals how this unlikely hit made its mark. When asked by Clarkson which show is most often referenced by fans today, O’Neill responded, If I’m in Beverly Hills, it’s Modern Family. If I’m in Vegas, it’s Married With Children.
No matter where he is or which role is mentioned, Ed O’Neill’s work across both beloved sitcoms has cemented his status as an adaptable and enduring figure in television comedy.
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Married…With Children |
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| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 100% |
| Where to Watch/Buy | Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple iTunes |
| Director | Gerry Cohen, Linda Day, Amanda Bearse |
| Producer | Michael G. Moye, Ron Leavitt, Richard Gurman |
| Main Cast | Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, David Faustino |
| Release Date | April 5, 1987 |
| Number of Seasons | 11 |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Synopsis | “Married…With Children” follows the life of Al Bundy, a disgruntled shoe salesman, his lazy wife Peggy, and their two dysfunctional children, Kelly and Bud. The show humorously depicts their everyday struggles and misadventures, breaking traditional sitcom norms by addressing less idealized aspects of family life. |
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