Celebrating 36 Years of 'Married... with Children': FOX's Longest-Running Sitcom
Celebrating 36 Years of 'Married... with Children': FOX's Longest-Running Sitcom
Paulette CohnSun, April 5, 2026 at 6:57 PM UTC
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(Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
The FOX network was in its infancy when it premiered Married…with Children. It was the first primetime series on the network and became FOX’s longest-running live-action sitcom.
The goal of Married…with Children was to be the antithesis of network family series with the directive to be as outrageous as they could be, using material, i.e. sexually-charged humor, that wouldn’t be allowed on ABC, CBS or NBC.
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What was the premise of Married... with Children?
Set in Chicago, Married…with Children followed the lives of the Bundy family: Al Bundy, a former high school football player turned hard-luck women's shoe salesman; his lazy wife Peggy; their teenage daughter Kelly; and their younger son Bud.
In addition to the Bundys, the show also featured their next-door neighbors Steve and Marcy Rhoades, both of whom Al finds annoying, a feeling that was definitely reciprocated.
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Who were the original cast members of Married... with Children?
Ed O’Neill as Al BundyKatey Sagal as Peggy BundyChristina Applegate as Kelly BundyDavid Faustino as Bud BundyDavid Garrison as Steve RhoadesAmanda Bearse as Marcy Rhoades
Did Married... with Children win any awards?
Despite the show's longevity and loyal fanbase, Married... with Children was never a major ratings success. Part of that was a reflection of FOX, which had much fewer broadcast stations than the big three: ABC, CBS and NBC.
Even so, the series was nominated for seven Primetime Emmys during its tenure and seven Golden Globe Awards.
Where can I watch Married... with Children today?
All 11 seasons of Married…with Children are currently streaming on Prime Video.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
