Married... with Children (1987)

The groundbreaking FOX sitcom that turned the American family comedy on its head — one shoe sale at a time.

Married... with Children - Series Information

  • Original Title: Married... with Children
  • First Air Year: 1987
  • Last Air Year: 1997
  • Created by: Michael G. Moye, Ron Leavitt
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Content Rating (US): TV-PG
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (22 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 11
  • Number of Episodes: 258
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: April 5, 1987 (United States - TV-PG), April 5, 1987 (Canada - PG), April 5, 1987 (United Kingdom - 12), April 5, 1987 (Germany - 12), April 5, 1987 (Australia - M), April 5, 1987 (Brazil - L), April 5, 1987 (Mexico - A), April 5, 1987 (Spain - 13), April 5, 1987 (South Korea - 12)
  • Networks: FOX
  • Production Companies: Columbia Pictures Television, Embassy Communications, ELP Communications
  • Production Countries: United States of America
  • Alternative Titles: متاهل... دارای فرزند! (IR)

Married... with Children - Plot

Al Bundy is an unsuccessful middle aged shoe salesman with a miserable life and an equally dysfunctional family. He hates his job, his wife is lazy, his son is dysfunctional (especially with women), and his daughter is dim-witted and promiscuous.

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Married... with Children - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Michael G. Moye
  • Ron Leavitt

Main Cast

  • Ed O'Neill
  • Katey Sagal
  • Christina Applegate
  • David Faustino
  • Amanda Bearse
  • Ted McGinley
  • David Garrison
  • Harold Sylvester
  • Dan Tullis Jr.
  • E.E. Bell

Writers

  • Ron Leavitt
  • Katherine Green
  • Larry Jacobson
  • Kevin Curran
  • Russell Marcus

Married... with Children - FAQs

Where can you stream Married... with Children?

Married... with Children is available to stream for free with ads on Tubi TV and The Roku Channel. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.

Why was Married... with Children controversial when it aired?

The show sparked significant controversy for its crude humor, sexual innuendo, and irreverent portrayal of family life. In 1989, a viewer-led boycott campaign drew national attention. Despite protests, FOX stood by the series, and the controversy ultimately boosted its ratings and cultural profile considerably.

Who are the main cast members of Married... with Children?

The core cast features Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy, Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy, Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy, and David Faustino as Bud Bundy. Amanda Bearse and Ted McGinley play neighbors Marcy and Jefferson D'Arcy, with David Garrison appearing in earlier seasons as Steve Rhoades.

How many seasons does Married... with Children have?

Married... with Children ran for 11 seasons on FOX, totaling 258 episodes. The series premiered on April 5, 1987, and concluded in 1997, making it one of the longest-running live-action comedies in FOX network history at the time of its finale.

What is Married... with Children about?

The show follows Al Bundy, a perpetually defeated Chicago shoe salesman, and his gloriously dysfunctional family. His lazy wife Peggy, dim-witted daughter Kelly, and hapless son Bud stumble through suburban life in a comedic portrait of working-class frustration that critics praised for subverting the idealized TV family formula.

Was Married... with Children the first FOX series to air?

Yes. Married... with Children holds the distinction of being the first scripted series to air on the FOX network, premiering on April 5, 1987. It became a cornerstone of FOX's identity, helping establish the fledgling network as a bold alternative to the three major broadcast networks.

What is the content rating for Married... with Children?

Married... with Children carries a TV-PG content rating in the United States. The series contains adult-oriented humor, suggestive dialogue, and satirical depictions of family life that may not be suitable for younger viewers without parental guidance, despite the relatively moderate rating classification.

Who created Married... with Children?

The series was created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt, who developed the concept as a deliberate antidote to the warm, idealized family sitcoms dominating television at the time. Their vision of an unfiltered, blue-collar household proved revolutionary and helped define the edgier comedic tone FOX would become known for.

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