Christina Applegate signed magazine covers both inscribed To Richard
Married... with Children is an American sitcom created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt for the Fox Broadcasting Company,[1] broadcast from April 5, 1987 to June 9, 1997. It is the longest-running live-action sitcom ever aired on Fox. Married... with Children was the first primetime series broadcast on the new Fox network. The series' run ended with the episode broadcast on May 5, 1997.[2][3] Two previously unaired episodes were broadcast on June 9, 1997 and June 18, 2002.
The show is set in Chicago and follows the lives of Al Bundy, a former high school football player turned hard-luck women's shoe salesman; his lazy wife Peggy; their pretty but dim-witted daughter Kelly; and their smart-aleck son Bud. The show also features their neighbors Steve and Marcy Rhoades, both of whom Al finds annoying, but the Rhoades feel the same way about him. Later in the series, Marcy marries Jefferson D'Arcy, a white-collar criminal who becomes her "trophy husband" and Al's sidekick.
The series is one of the longest running sitcoms in American television history, covering 11 seasons with 259 episodes in its run. Its theme song is "Love and Marriage"[4] by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, performed by Frank Sinatra from the 1955 television production Our Town.
The first two seasons were videotaped at ABC Television Center in Hollywood. Seasons 3 to 8 were taped at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, and the final three seasons were taped at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The series was initially produced by Embassy Communications. Starting halfway through the second season, it was produced by ELP Communications under the studio Columbia Pictures Television.
In 2008, the show made the top 100 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list, placing number 94.[5] In May 2022, an animated revival was in the works.[6]
Cast and characters
Main article: List of Married... with Children characters
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Actor Role Years Seasons Appearances
Ed O'Neill Al Bundy 1987–1997 1–11 259
Katey Sagal Margaret "Peggy" Bundy 1987–1997 1–11 247
Christina Applegate Kelly Bundy 1987–1997 1–11 256
David Faustino Bud Bundy 1987–1997 1–11 257
Amanda Bearse Marcy Rhoades/D'Arcy 1987–1997 1–11 236
David Garrison Steve Rhoades 1987–1990, 1992, 1993, 1995 1–4, guest 6–7, 9 73
Ted McGinley Jefferson D'Arcy 1989, 1991–97 Guest 4, main 5–11 166
The cast of Married... with Children in 1987. From left to right: Katey Sagal, Ed O'Neill, David Faustino and Christina Applegate.
Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) – A misanthrope, afflicted by the so-called "Bundy curse" that consigns him to an unrewarding career selling women's shoes and a life with a family that mocks and disrespects him, who still enjoys the simple things in life. He constantly attempts to relive his high-school football days, when he was an "All State Fullback". His most noted achievement was having scored four touchdowns in a single game for Polk High. His favorite things in life are the local nudie bar, his collection of BigUns magazine, his Dodge car with more than 1 million mi (1.6 million km) on the odometer, and a television show called Psycho Dad.[7] Despite his family's antipathy for him, and his for them, Al is always ready to defend his family and the Bundy honor.
Peggy Bundy (née Wanker) (Katey Sagal) – Al's wife who is always pestering him about money and refuses to do any housework or get a job. Peggy is a lazy redhead who spends most of her time watching talk shows such as Oprah or stealing Al's limited funds to go shopping; she frequently mocks Al about his unglamourous job, his meager earnings, his hygiene, and his poor sexual abilities. Her careless spending on things like clothes and male strip clubs has run Al into debt on numerous occasions. A recurring joke in the series is Al's and Peggy's regrets of having married each other, although on occasion they will show affection towards one another. Peggy's best friend is Marcy, with whom Peggy occasionally leads into trouble. Peggy's side of the family is a backwoods clan of hillbillies whom she often forces the other Bundys to endure, especially her morbidly obese mother, whom Al finds intolerable.
Kelly Bundy (Christina Applegate) – the Bundys' firstborn; a dumb blonde who is often derided as promiscuous and dates guys who irritate Al to the point that he wants to physically assault them. Her stupidity manifests in many ways, from forgetting ideas on the spot to mispronouncing or misspelling simple words. She and her brother Bud generally get along, but enjoy belittling one another.
Budrick "Bud" Franklin Bundy (David Faustino) – the younger Bundy offspring, and sometimes the more level-headed family member, although his preoccupation with sex sometimes leads to inevitable failures with women. He and older sister Kelly constantly taunt each other, but when Kelly is in a legitimate bind he will support her, much like Kelly does for him under similar circumstances.
Marcy Rhoades, later Marcy D'Arcy (Amanda Bearse) – the Bundys' next-door neighbor, Al's nemesis and Peggy's best friend; an educated banker, but also a feminist and environmentalist who often protests Al's schemes with his NO MA'AM (National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood) group. Marcy is the founder and leader of an anti-man support group called "FANG" (Feminists Against Neanderthal Guys). Marcy and Al constantly bicker and do not get along. For the first few seasons of the show, Marcy is married to Steve Rhoades. After Marcy and Steve divorce and he leaves during the fourth season, Marcy meets and marries Jefferson D'Arcy, giving her the name Marcy D'Arcy.
Steven "Steve" Bartholomew Rhoades (David Garrison) is Marcy's first husband, a stuffy banker who finds himself frequently entangled in Al's schemes. Steve's most prized possession is his Mercedes-Benz, which he does not even let Marcy drive. Although very much in love at the beginning of the series, Steve and Marcy grow apart and he leaves her during the fourth season to become a forest ranger at Yosemite National Park. He later comes back in "The Egg and I" episode to try and reclaim his old life with Marcy, but finds trouble with Jefferson, Marcy's second husband. Steve later has another job as the dean of Bud's college, after blackmailing the previous one he worked under as a chauffeur.
Jefferson Milhouse D'Arcy (Ted McGinley), a pretty-boy scammer to whom Marcy wakes up one morning and discovers she has married. Unlike Steve, Jefferson is more of a free spirit, likes to have fun, is constantly unemployed, has no money of his own, and uses Marcy for financial purposes. Marcy is aware of this, but whenever Jefferson gets into trouble with her, he distracts her by working his charm and resorting to sexual bartering. In several episodes, Jefferson is implied, but never confirmed, to have had a past life as a former spy/CIA operative.
Pilot episode
In the show's pilot episode, actors Tina Caspary and Hunter Carson played the roles of Kelly and Bud Bundy, respectively. Before the series aired publicly the roles for the two Bundy children were re-cast. Ed O'Neill and the show's producers worried about a lack of chemistry with the parents and the original actors cast as the children. A re-casting was done and all of the scenes in the pilot with Carson and Caspary were re-shot with David Faustino and Christina Applegate playing Bud and Kelly Bundy.[8]
Recurring characters
Main article: List of Married...with Children recurring characters
Reception
Critical response
For season 1, Metacritic calculated an average of 58 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[9] In 1987, the Los Angeles Times commented:[10] "The scripts are one-line oriented and sometimes an ugly howl, and the central characters are perfectly cast. The growly O'Neill and Sagal—who has a terrific mincing walk that she may have picked up from her days as one of Bette Midler's Harlettes—were born to insult and perform bowling-ball humor." Conversely, also in 1987, Tom Shales writing for The Washington Post wrote:[11] "A nasty-minded, overacted and poorly cast sitcom, "Married ... With Children" gets the schedule off on a rousing limp."
Ratings
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Despite the show's enduring popularity and fanbase, Married... with Children was never a huge ratings success. Part of the reason was that Fox, a startup network, did not have the affiliate base of the Big Three television networks, thus preventing the series from reaching the entire country. In an interview for a special commemorating the series' 20-year anniversary in 2007, Katey Sagal stated that part of the problem the series faced was that many areas of the country were able to get Fox only through low-quality UHF channels well into the early 1990s, while some areas of the country did not receive the new network at all, a problem not largely rectified until the launch of Foxnet in June 1991 and later the network's acquisition of National Football League rights which led to several stations across the United States changing affiliations. For instance, Ed O'Neill's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio didn't have its own Fox affiliate until CBS affiliate WKBN-TV signed on WFXI-CA/WYFX-LP in 1998, one year after the show went off the air (the area was served by WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh and Cleveland's Fox affiliates—initially WOIO, then WJW—as default affiliates on cable), so many of O'Neill's friends and family mistakenly thought he was famous for beer commercials during this time.
Another problem lay in the fact that many of the newly developed series on Fox were unsuccessful, which kept the network from building a popular lineup to draw in a larger audience. In its original airing debut, Married... with Children was part of a Sunday lineup that competed with the popular Murder, She Wrote and Sunday-night movie on CBS. Fellow freshman series included Duet, cancelled in 1989, along with It's Garry Shandling's Show and The Tracey Ullman Show, both of which were canceled in 1990. The success of The Simpsons, which debuted on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, helped draw some viewers over to Fox, allowing Married... with Children to sneak into the Nielsen Top 50 from Season 4 through Season 8, peaking at No. 37 in Season 6. Although these ratings were somewhat small in comparison with the other three networks, they were good enough for Fox to keep renewing the show.
While the series didn't end on a cliffhanger, it was expected to be renewed for a 12th season (which would have been the final season) and thus didn't have a proper series finale when Fox decided to cancel it in 1997. With Fox announcing the cancellation publicly before informing the cast and crew, most if not all of them found out about the series cancellation from fans and low-level employees instead of from the network itself. Katey Sagal stated that she constantly felt that the series was neglected by Fox despite helping bring the fledgling network on the map (Married with Children having been on even before The Simpsons); for his part, Ed O'Neill attributed possible neglect of the series by Fox to constant turnover of some of the top positions at the network.[12] In a 2013 interview, O'Neill stated that he felt TV stations who owned syndication rights to the series put pressure on Fox and Sony Pictures Television to end the series since the series had nearly three times the episodes needed for syndication and the production of more episodes would have resulted in higher rights fees.
Ratings overview Season Episodes Timeslot (EDT) Premiere Finale TV season Rank Rating
1 13 Sunday 8:00 PM April 5, 1987 June 28, 1987 1986–87 #142 –
2 22 Sunday 8:00 PM (September 27 – October 18, 1987)
Sunday 8:30 PM (October 25, 1987 – May 1, 1988) September 27, 1987 May 1, 1988 1987–88 #115 4.7[13]
3 22 Sunday 8:30 PM November 6, 1988 May 21, 1989 1988–89 #63 10.5[14]
4 23 Sunday 9:00 PM September 3, 1989 May 13, 1990 1989–90 #41 12.9[15]
5 25 September 23, 1990 May 19, 1991 1990–91 #41 12.4[16]
6 26 September 8, 1991 May 17, 1992 1991–92 #37 12.5[17]
7 26 September 13, 1992 May 23, 1993 1992–93 #43 11.4[18]
8 26 September 5, 1993 May 22, 1994 1993–94 #46 10.8[19]
9 26 September 4, 1994 May 21, 1995 1994–95 #66 9.5[20]
10 26 September 17, 1995 May 19, 1996 1995–96 #78 8.2[21]
11 24 Saturday 9:00 PM (September 28 – October 12, 1996)
Sunday 7:30 PM (November 10 – December 29, 1996)
Monday 9:30 PM (January 6–27, 1997)
Monday 9:00 PM (February 24 – June 9, 1997) September 28, 1996 June 9, 1997 1996–97 #97 6.7[22]
Controversy
The series is considered the first raunchy sitcom to run on regular network television and in 1989, Terry Rakolta from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan attempted to lead a boycott[23] of the show after viewing the episode "Her Cups Runneth Over".[24] Offended by the images of an old man wearing a woman's garter and stockings, the scene in which Steve touches the pasties of a mannequin dressed in S&M gear, a homosexual man wearing a tiara on his head (and Al's line "...and they wonder why we call them 'queens'"), and a half-nude woman who takes off her bra in front of Al (and is shown with her arms covering her bare chest in the next shot), Rakolta began a letter-writing campaign to advertisers, demanding they boycott the show.
After advertisers began dropping their support for the show, and while Rakolta made several appearances on television talk shows demanding the show's cancellation, Fox executives refused to air the episode titled "I'll See You in Court" (in which the Bundys attempt to improve their love life by having marital relations in a different setting). This episode became known as the "Lost Episode" and was aired on FX on June 18, 2002, with some parts cut. The episode was packaged with the rest of the third season in the January 2005 DVD release (and in the first volume of the Married ... With Children Most Outrageous Episodes DVD set) with the parts cut from syndication restored.
Viewers' curiosity over the boycott and over the show itself led to a drastic ratings boost in an example of the Streisand effect, which Rakolta has since acknowledged. Rakolta has been alluded to twice on the show: "Rock and Roll Girl",[25] in which a newscaster mentions the city Bloomfield Hills, and "No Pot to Pease In",[26] in which a television show is made about the Bundy family and then cancelled because, as Marcy stated, "some woman in Michigan didn't like it."
The conservative Parents Television Council named Married... with Children the worst show of both the 1995–96 and 1996–97 television seasons in its first two years in operation.[27] Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms called the show "trash".[28] Fellow Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) also strongly criticized the sitcom, after having walked in on his stepson and young daughter watching an episode one evening during the late 1993. In an interview many years later, Lieberman would specifically cite Married...With Children as the impetus for his becoming a vocal opponent of pop culture and the entertainment industry throughout his Senate career.[29][30]
Despite the series' controversial content and being largely aimed at an adult audience, it did receive recognition as one of the few series at the time that gave women prominent roles behind the scenes. Producers decided to rewrite the sixth season storyline of Peggy's pregnancy, which coincided with Sagal's actual pregnancy, as a dream that Al had. This was done to prevent Sagal from suffering further trauma by having her character Peggy interact with a new baby, when Sagal's pregnancy ended with her going into premature labor and the baby being stillborn.[31] Bearse showed she was a talented director as well as an actress by moving to the director's chair and directing her co-stars for over 30 episodes of the series between 1991 and 1997. Bearse also became one of the first mainstream actresses to publicly come out as lesbian, which she did during the series run and received positive recognition for doing.[12]
On April 22, 2012, Fox re-aired the series premiere in commemoration of its 25th anniversary.[32]
Episodes
Main article: List of Married... with Children episodes
Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 13 April 5, 1987 June 28, 1987
2 22 September 27, 1987 May 1, 1988
3 22 November 6, 1988 May 21, 1989
4 23 September 3, 1989 May 13, 1990
5 25 September 23, 1990 May 19, 1991
6 26 September 8, 1991 May 17, 1992
7 26 September 13, 1992 May 23, 1993
8 26 September 5, 1993 May 22, 1994
9 26 September 4, 1994 May 21, 1995
10 26 September 17, 1995 May 19, 1996
11 24 September 28, 1996 June 9, 1997
During its 11-season run on the Fox network, Married... with Children aired 258 episodes. A 259th episode, "I'll See You in Court" from season 3, never aired on Fox, but premiered on FX and has since been included on DVD and in syndication packages. Three specials also aired following the series' cancellation, including a cast reunion.
Home media
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released all 11 seasons of Married... with Children on DVD in Regions 1, 2, & 4. On December 12, 2010, Sony released a complete series set on DVD in Region 1.[33]
In December 2007, the Big Bundy Box—a special collection box with all seasons plus new interviews with Sagal and David Faustino—was released.[34] This boxset was released in Australia (Region 4) on November 23, 2009.[35]
The Sony DVD box sets from season 3 onward do not feature the original "Love and Marriage" theme song in the opening sequence. This was done because Sony was unable to obtain the licensing rights to the song for later sets.[36] Despite this, the end credits on the DVDs for season 3 still include a credit for "Love and Marriage."
On August 27, 2013, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment[37] had acquired the home media rights to various television series from the Sony Pictures library including Married... with Children[38] with the original theme song "Love and Marriage" sung by Frank Sinatra. They have subsequently re-released the 11 seasons on DVD. The Mill Creek Entertainment version (along with the versions available for streaming and downloading) include scenes that are normally edited in syndication and most of the licensed music that's dubbed over or deleted due to copyright issues.[39][40][41][42][43][44] A complete series DVD set was re-released on July 7, 2015, in Region 1. All seasons of Married... with Children are now available for online download and streaming through Amazon, Apple iTunes, Peacock, Hulu, and Vudu.
DVD name Ep # Release dates DVD special features
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Season One 13 October 28, 2003[45] April 7, 2004 October 25, 2005[46] Married with Children reunion
Season Two 22 March 16, 2004[47] October 26, 2004 September 22, 2008[48] Clips from the 2003 reunion
Season Three 22 January 25, 2005[49] February 10, 2005 September 22, 2008[50] Clips from the 2003 reunion
Season Four 23 August 30, 2005[51] December 22, 2005 September 22, 2008[52] None
Season Five 25 June 20, 2006[53] June 27, 2006 September 22, 2008[54] Promos for other TV shows
Season Six 26 December 19, 2006[55] August 17, 2006 September 22, 2008[56] Promos for other TV shows
Season Seven 26 September 18, 2007[57] October 5, 2006 September 22, 2008[58] None
Season Eight 26 March 18, 2008[59] December 19, 2006 October 22, 2008[60] None
Season Nine 26 August 19, 2008[61] February 20, 2007 October 22, 2008[62] None
Season Ten 27 March 17, 2009[63] March 20, 2007 March 11, 2009[64] None
Season Eleven 24 October 13, 2009[65] May 8, 2007 March 11, 2009[66] Promos for other TV shows
The Big Bundy Box 209 N/A N/A December 3, 2008[67] Seasons 1–9 with room for 10 & 11.
Special features same as individual seasons.
The Complete Series 259 October 13, 2009[65]
July 7, 2015 (re-release)[68] November 22, 2009 November 23, 2009[69]
June 17, 2020 (re-release)[70] Married with Children reunion (2003)
Clips from the 2003 reunion
David Faustino interview
Katey Sagal interview
Promos for other TV shows
Bonus wall poster
Merchandise
Books
Pig Out With Peg: Secrets from the Bundy Family Kitchen, by Linda Merinoff and Peg Bundy, Avon Books, November 1990, ISBN 0-380-76431-8
Bundyisms: The Wit and Wisdom of America's Last Family, Boulevard Books, May 1997, ISBN 1572972513
The Complete "Married... with Children" Book: TV's Dysfunctional Family Phenomenon, by Denis Noe, Bear Manor Media, August 2017, ISBN 1629331899
Married... with Children vs. the World, by Richard Gurman, Permuted Press, April 2024, ISBN 9781637588314
Comic books
Married... with Children was adapted into a comic book series by NOW Comics in 1990.[71]
Toys
Board game
Married With Children: Act Like...Think Like...Be Like a...Bundy was released in 1990 by Galoob.[72]
Action figures
Two series (10 in all) of 8" action figures were produced by Classic TV Toys in 2005 and 2006.[73] In 2018, Funko produced figures of Al, Kelly, Bud and Peggy as a part of their Funko POP! line.[74] That same year, Funko also released a Married... with Children action figures box set.[75] In 2018 and 2019, Mego released Target exclusives of Al, Peggy and Kelly in 1/9 scale.[76]
International remakes
Armenia
An Armenian remake was made in 2016, called The Azizyans. The Azizyans is an Armenian sitcom television series developed by Robert Martirosyan and Van Grigoryan. The series premiered on Armenia TV on October 31, 2016. However, the series was not available to the public until Armenia TV started airing the sitcom from October 10, 2017. The series takes place in Yerevan, Armenia. The Azizyans sitcom is starred by Hayk Marutyan. He embodies the character of Garnik Azizyan – a clothes store seller, who is the only one working in the family. Mrs. Ruzan Azizyan is lazy enough to perform the duties of a housewife.
The problems of the father of the family don't bother his 3 children – his daughter, who is internet-addicted and is active in all social networks; his unemployed eldest son, who is a complete loser, and his youngest son, who is a schoolboy. The roles in this sitcom, created for family watching, are played by Ani Lupe, Satenik Hazaryan, Ishkhan Gharibyan, Suren Arustamyan and other popular Armenian actors. The project is directed by Arman Marutyan. In the second season of the sitcom, the Azizyan family continues to survive thanks to the meager salary of Garnik.
The wife of Garnik – Ruzan, remains in the status of a housewife, without even thinking about finding a job. The elder son of Garnik and Ruzan – Azat, continues to look for a new job, a young man appears in the life of Marie, who is trying to win the girl's heart. Their younger son Levon, continues to live his own life and does not understand what he has in common with this family. And their neighbors Irina and Alik continue to be friends with the family, which Azizyans do not quite approve. The only bright spot in the life of the family is their house, which Garnik inherited from his grandfather.
Argentina
An Argentine remake was made by Telefe in 2005, called Casados con Hijos. Two seasons were made (2005 and 2006), totaling 215 episodes and it became a smashing success during the replaying. More than fifteen years after the release, it is still aired on Saturdays at 7:30 pm.[77] The series has been also shown by local channels in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru.
The character names are: José "Pepe" Argento (based on Al, played by Guillermo Francella), Mónica "Moni" Argento (based on Peggy, played by Florencia Peña), Paola Argento (based on Kelly, played by Luisana Lopilato), Alfio "Coqui" Argento (based on Bud, played by Darío Lopilato), Dardo and María Elena Fuseneco (based on Jefferson D'Arcy, Steve Rhoades and Marcy; played by Marcelo de Bellis and Érica Rivas).
Brazil
In Brazil Rede Bandeirantes made a remake in 1999 with the name A Guerra dos Pintos (The War of The Pintos). 52 episodes were recorded but only 22 aired before cancelation.[78]
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria a remake is aired from March 26, 2012, with the name Женени с деца в България (Zheneni s detsa v Bulgaria) (Married with children in Bulgaria).[79]
Croatia
In Croatia a remake called Bračne vode was broadcast from September 2008 until November 2009 on Nova TV channel. The characters based on the Bundys were called Zvonimir, Sunčica, Kristina and Boris Bandić while the ones based on Marcy and Steve were called Marica and Ivan Kumarica.[80]
Germany
In Germany, the 1992 remake Hilfe, meine Familie spinnt, broadcast in the prime time, reached double the audience of the original (broadcast in the early fringe time). This, however, was not enough to maintain the series, so it was cancelled after one season with 26 episodes.The remake used the exact translated scripts of the original series (which already substituted localised humour and in-jokes for incomprehensible references to American TV shows not shown in Germany, as well as some totally different jokes) and just renamed places and people according to the new setting.[81][82] It had a rerun twice on Super RTL in 1996 and 1997.[82]
Hilfe, meine Familie spinnt was aired from March to December 1993 for 26 episodes.[83]
Hungary
In 2006, Hungarian TV network TV2 purchased the license rights including scripts and hired the original producers from Sony Pictures for a remake of the show placed in a Hungarian environment. It was entitled Egy rém rendes család Budapesten[84] (in English: Married with children in Budapest, loan translation: A gruesomely decent family in Budapest). The main story began with the new family called the Bándis inheriting an outskirt house from their American relatives the Bundys. They filmed a whole season of 26 episodes, all of them being remade versions of the plots of the original first seasons. It was the highest budget sitcom ever made in Hungary. First it was aired on Tuesday nights, but was beaten by a new season of ER, then placed to Wednesday nights. The remake lost its viewers, but stayed on the air due to the contract between Sony and TV2.[85][86][87] Also the Hungarian critics have strongly condemned the copyright infringement of the original series. They also criticized the lack of quality and the dilettante forcing of the American cliches in Eastern European (Hungarian) environment.[88]
Israel
The complete American series aired in Israel in the 1990s, with reruns of it ever since. There has also been an Israeli remake to the show titled Nesuim Plus (Married Plus) that aired its two seasons from 2012 to 2017.
Russia
Main article: Happy Together (Russian TV series)
The Original Married... With Children ran on TV-6 Russia in the late 1990s and early 2000s (before the closing of the channel) in prime-time basis, broadcasting the episodes from seasons 1–11. The show later aired on DTV and Domashniy TV. A Russian adaptation, titled Happy Together (Schastlivy Vmeste; Happy Together), was broadcast on TNT across the country in 2006.[89][90]
The character names are: Gena Bukin (based on Al, played by Viktor Loginov), Dasha Bukina (based on Peggy, played by Natalya Bochkareva), Sveta Bukina (based on Kelly, played by Darya Sagalova), Roma Bukin (based on Bud, played by Alexander Yakin), Elena and Anatoliy Poleno (based on Marcy and Jefferson D'Arcy, played by Yulia Zaharova and Pavel Savinkov), Evgeniy Stepanov (based on Steve Rhoades, played by Aleksey Sekirin), Sema Bukin (based on Seven, played by Ilya Butkovskiy), and Baron Bukin (based on Buck and Lucky, played by Bayra).[91]
Turkey
A remake was aired in Turkey in 2004 for one season under the name Evli ve Çocuklu (Married and with Children), featuring Ege Aydan and Yıldız Kaplan in the roles of Niyazi (based on Al) and Jale (based on Peg) Tonguç.[92] The producer, Med Yapım, has published 10 episodes on YouTube in 2018.[93]
UK
Main article: Married for Life
ITV had been screening the original Married... With Children since 1988. In 1996, the UK production company Central Television and Columbia Pictures Television (Columbia TriStar Central Productions) produced a UK version called Married for Life, which lasted for one series with seven episodes.[94]
Spin-offs
Top of the Heap was a sitcom starring Matt LeBlanc. The show was about Vinnie Verducci (played by LeBlanc) and his father Charlie (played by Joseph Bologna) always trying get rich quick schemes. The Verduccis were introduced in an earlier episode where Vinnie dated Kelly Bundy, and Charlie was introduced as an old friend of Al Bundy's. The end of the pilot episode shows Al breaking into their apartment and stealing their TV to replace the one he lost betting on Vinnie in a boxing match. However, the show didn't last long and was ultimately cancelled. It had its own spin-off/sequel called Vinnie & Bobby a year later, which was also cancelled.
Also, an attempt was made to make a spin-off out of David Garrison's Steve Rhoades character which took place on Bud's Trumaine University. The spin-off was called Radio Free Trumaine where Garrison played the Dean.[95] Enemies was another spin-off, but played to be a spoof on the TV series Friends. Meanwhile, a proposed series focusing on the NO MA'AM group without Al Bundy was outright rejected by Fox over fears of misogyny.[96]
On September 11, 2014, it was announced that a spin-off was in the works, centered on the character of Bud Bundy.[97]
Animated revival
On May 13, 2022, Deadline reported that an animated revival of the series was currently in the works with the original cast attached to return. It was further revealed that Sony Pictures Television had been working on the animated series for over a year and waited until they had closed deals with the cast before presenting it to networks and streamers.[6] It was felt that an animated revival worked best due to the original cast's busy schedule as well as Applegate being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, making an animated revival more feasible due to the cast's schedules and Applegate's physical limitations.[6]
Applegate confirmed in a 2023 Vanity Fair interview that she, O'Neill, Sagal, and Faustino remained attached to the revival and were just waiting.[98]
Memoir
In April 2024, a memoir, Married... with Children vs. the World, written by Married... with Children writer and producer Richard Gurman, was published by Permuted Press. In it, Gurman gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the show and his time working on it. The show's cast also contributed to the book.[99]
U.S. syndication and international airings
Distributed by Columbia Pictures Television Distribution, later Sony Pictures Television since 2002, Married... with Children debuted in off-network syndication in the fall of 1991. The series later began airing on cable on FX from September 1998 until 2007. In June 2002, FX became the first television network to air the controversial, previously banned episode "I'll See You in Court", albeit in an edited format. The full version of "I'll See You in Court" can only be seen on the DVD release Married... with Children: The Most Outrageous Episodes Volume 1 and the Mill Creek Entertainment complete series collection. The version found on the Third Season DVD set under Sony is the edited-for-TV version. In 2008, the Spike network reportedly paid US$12 million for broadcast rights to every episode including the unedited version of the infamous episode "I'll See You in Court".[100]
Broadcast rights to the series are currently held by Paramount Media Networks. It previously aired on Antenna TV, Ion Television, TBS, WGN America, and Sony's GetTV channel. WGN America gained rights to the show when TBS removed it from their early morning slots in September 2018.[citation needed] Following its acquisition by Nexstar Media Group and rebrand to NewsNation, the network indicated it would start rolling off its non-news programming as those contracts expire to expand news coverage.[101][102] Meanwhile, eight Paramount channels have carried the show since 2008: Spike (since renamed Paramount Network), TV Land from 2009 to 2011, Comedy Central from 2010 to 2011, Nick at Nite from July 6 to August 17, 2011, VH1 Classic (now MTV Classic), CMT from 2019 to 2022, and Logo TV.[citation needed] In November 2018, the entire 11-season run became available to watch through Hulu.[103]
Married...with Children has also been a ratings success in other countries around the world.
Country Foreign title Translation Network(s) Notes
Brazil Um amor de Família
(A Lovely Family) Dubbed
Subtitled Sony Entertainment Television
PlayTV The show runs on Sony Entertainment Television and Comedy Central Brasil (since 2012 February) with original sound and subtitles (source: [1]), the dubbed version runs on PlayTV. 57 dubbed and subtitled episodes are now available on the Brazilian version of Netflix.
Bulgaria Женени с деца
(Married with Children) Dubbed bTV
Fox life
Diema Airing on bTV Comedy.
Canada Married...with Children None CMT
Global
Spike
DejaView
TVtropolis
CFMT
Much
MTV Broadcasting on Spike, DejaView, Much, and MTV. Episodes available to stream for free (with ads) on the CTV app.
Chile Casado con hijos
(Married... with Children) Subtitled Sony Entertainment Television Today the show runs on Sony Entertainment Television.
Colombia Casado con hijos
(Married... with Children) Subtitled Cadena 1
Sony Entertainment Television
Comedy Central The original series aired in Colombia presented by Cinevision on Channel 1 from 1992 to 1994. Reruns on the original language aired on basic cable channels Sony and Comedy Central. The Colombian remake Casados con hijos airs on Teleantioquia (2000-2005), Caracol Channel (2004-2006, 2011–2012) and CityTv (2014-2016).
Croatia Bračne vode
(Marriage Waters) Subtitled HRT
RTL Televizija
Nova TV
Fox Life The show runs on Nova TV and Fox Life.
Czech Republic Ženatý se závazky
(Married with commitments) Dubbed TV Prima
TV Nova
Nova Cinema
Smíchov The show runs weekly from Monday to Friday on TV Smíchov.
Denmark Vore værste år
(Our Worst Years) Subtitled TV3
Comedy Central
Dominican Republic Casado con Hijos
(Married with Children) Dubbed Telesistema Canal 11
Estonia Tuvikesed
(Loveydoves) Subtitled Kanal 12 Broadcast before midnight on Kanal 12, episodes rerun on the next weekday morning.
Finland Pulmuset
(Loveydoves) Subtitled MTV3
Nelonen
TV5 Being rerun on TV5.
France Mariés, deux enfants
(Married, Two Children) Dubbed M6
Comédie! Runs on the cable channel Comédie!.
Germany Eine schrecklich nette Familie
(An Awfully Nice Family) Dubbed RTL
ProSieben
Kabel1
Comedy Central
kabel eins classics
RTL Nitro It first ran from 1992 on RTL ("RTLplus" at that time), moving to ProSieben for the final 51 episodes, ending in 1997. It airs two episodes a day Monday-Friday on RTL Nitro, with an additional two episodes on Thursday night.
Greece Παντρεμένοι με παιδιά
(Married with Children) Subtitled ANT1
Mega Channel
Makedonia TV The series returned on January 9, 2016, for reruns, airing every weekend at 10:40 p.m., starting from season 1, on Mega Channel which initially aired just the last seasons.
Hungary Egy rém rendes család
(A gruesomely decent family) Dubbed TV3
RTL Klub
Viasat 3
CoolTV
Humor+ A cable television called CoolTV airs 3 episodes and PrizmaTV 2 episodes each day.
Italy Sposati...con figli
(Married...with Children) Dubbed Canale 5
Sky Show
Norway Bundy
(Bundy) Subtitled TV3
Viasat 4 Originally named Våre verste år (Our worst years), but was later renamed Bundy. It had its on run on TV3, and now in reruns after midnight every day except weekends on TV3. Reruns have also been shown on TV3's sister channel Viasat 4.
Poland Świat według Bundych
(The World According to the Bundys) Voice-over Polsat The show was aired many times on Polsat and is still broadcast on that channel. The series' success brought about a local TV show Świat według Kiepskich (The World According to the Kiepskis) that paraphrased the Polish title of Married... with Children; however, the premise of the Polish show is significantly different from that of the American original (e.g. has got other characters only similar to the original ones and makes laugh of Polish, not American reality), which is why it is usually not considered a remake. In the book "Świat według Kiepskich. Zwariowana historia kultowego serialu" (The World According to the Kiepskis. A crazy story of the cult TV series) by Jabłonka and Łęczuk, a producer of Świat według Kiepskich- Tomasz Kurzewski says that Polsat wanted to create a brand new sitcom and announced a competition for the best idea and Kurzewski was advised to make a Polish version of the most popular Polsat sitcom, which was Married... with Children and competitive ideas were not connected with Married... with Children, so the American TV series is only an inspiration of the Polish one, not an original version of a remake. Świat według Kiepskich was not made under the American licence.
Romania Familia Bundy (The Bundy Family) Subtitled Pro TV The show was aired in the 1990s, multiple times.
Russia Женаты... с детьми (Married... with Children), Счастливы вместе
(Happy Together) Voice-over (original) TV-6, DTV, Domashniy TV (original)
TNT (remake) The Russian remake of the show, Счастливы вместе, has been broadcast since March 2006 on TNT every weekday. The series was cancelled in 2013.
Serbia Брачне воде / Bračne vode
(Marriage Waters) Dubbed (Season 1)
Subtitled Fox televizija
Fox Life Fox televizija aired season 1 dubbed, by the studio "Prizor". The show aired on Fox Life too, with all of its seasons in subtitles only.
Spain Matrimonio con hijos
(Marriage with Children) Dubbed TVE2
SET en VEO The original series was a classic that ran for a decade in the public national channel TVE2. The Spanish TV channel Cuatro did a remake of the original series under the name Matrimonio con Hijos.[104] In Catalonia, the Catalan dub was aired on the DTT channels Canal 300, while in Valencia the full series was aired with a dub of their own.
Sweden Våra värsta år
(Our Worst Years) Subtitled TV3
ZTV
TV6 The name "Våra värsta år" is a pun on the name "Våra bästa år" ("Our best years") as Days of Our Lives is called in Swedish.
Ukraine Одружені... та з дітьми (Married... with Children)
Щасливі разом (Happy Together) Voice-over TET, 1+1 (original)
Novyi Kanal (Russian remake) The show aired on TET (first two seasons) in 2009 and on 1+1 (all seasons) in 2011–2012.
The Russian remake of the show, Счастливы вместе, is being shown on Novyi Kanal (New Channel) every Sunday from 12:20–14:20.
There was also a Ukrainian version of Polish Świat według Kiepskich which was called Nepruhi and was aired in 2010.
Locations
The opening footage comprises views of Chicago, opening with a shot of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The aerial downtown shot was taken from the Lake Shore Drive section north of the Loop. The expressway entrance shot was taken from the 1983 movie National Lampoon's Vacation featuring the Griswolds' green family truckster with a northeastward view of the Dan Ryan/Stevenson junction southwest of the Loop. The exterior shot used for the Bundys' house was taken in a subdivision in Deerfield, Illinois.[105] Non-English versions might differ, e.g. the dubbed German version always includes the expressway shot.[106]
See also
Modern Family, a show where Ed O'Neill also plays a family man.
Star-ving, a web series created by David Faustino, where the original cast was reunited.
Unhappily Ever After, another show created by Ron Leavitt, treating similar themes.
Christina Applegate (born November 25, 1971)[1] is an American actress. After appearing in several roles since early childhood, she gained recognition for starring as Kelly Bundy in the comedy sitcom Married... with Children (1987–1997). Applegate established a successful film and television career in her adult years, winning a Primetime Emmy Award as well as gaining nominations for four Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award.
Applegate starred in the title role of the sitcom Jesse (1998–2000), which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role in the NBC sitcom Friends (2002–2003). For her role in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity (2005), she earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She went on to star in the sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–2009), for which she received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards; the sitcom Up All Night (2011–2012); and the dark tragicomedy series Dead to Me (2019–2022), which earned her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.
Applegate has also had major roles in several films, including Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991), The Big Hit (1998), The Sweetest Thing (2002), Grand Theft Parsons (2003), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Hall Pass (2011), Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013), Vacation (2015), Bad Moms (2016), and Crash Pad (2017).
Early and family life
Applegate was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Her father, Robert William "Bob" Applegate, was a staff producer at Dot Records;[2] her mother, Nancy Priddy, is a singer and actress. She was named after the Andrew Wyeth painting Christina's World, for which her mother also named a song on her album You've Come This Way Before.[3] Her parents separated shortly after her birth. She has two half-siblings, Alisa and Kyle, from her father's second marriage. After her divorce, Applegate's mother had a relationship with musician Stephen Stills. As a child, Applegate trained as a dancer in various styles, including jazz and ballet.[4]
Career
1972–1986: Early projects
Applegate at the Governor's Ball following the 41st Primetime Emmy Awards, September 1989
Applegate made her television debut in 1972 alongside her mother in the soap opera Days of Our Lives and starred in a commercial for Playtex baby bottles at 3 months old.[5] She made her film debut in the 1981 horror film Jaws of Satan (or King Cobra) and appeared in the 1981 movie Beatlemania. She debuted as a young Grace Kelly in the television biopic Grace Kelly (1983) and appeared in her first television series in Showtime's political comedy Washingtoon (1985), in which she played a congressman's daughter.
Applegate was a guest in the series Father Murphy (1981), Charles in Charge (1984–1985), and Silver Spoons (1986). In 1986, she won the role of Robin Kennedy, a policeman's daughter, in the police drama series Heart of the City (1986–1987). For her performance, she received a Young Artist Award. She guest-starred in several television series, including All is Forgiven, Still the Beaver, Amazing Stories, and Family Ties.
1987–2001: Breakthrough and Married... with Children
From 1987 to 1997, Applegate played the ditzy, sexually promiscuous daughter, Kelly Bundy, on Fox's first sitcom, Married... with Children. While working on the series, Applegate was seen in Dance 'til Dawn (1988) and Streets (1990), in which a teenage drug addict is stalked by a psychotic police officer. She guest-starred in 21 Jump Street (1988) and Top of the Heap (1991) and hosted Saturday Night Live (1993) and MADtv (1996). The character of Sue Ellen Crandell in the black comedy feature Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) was Applegate's first starring role in a mainstream film, playing a rebellious teenager who is forced to take care of siblings after their summer babysitter dies. She had roles in films such as Vibrations (1995), Across the Moon (1995), Wild Bill (1995), Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! (1996), and Gregg Araki's Nowhere (1997). Contrary to reports, she did not audition for Titanic, as she told Vanity Fair in their May 2023 edition: “No. Who said that?…That would not have come across my desk, if I had a desk.” [Shaw, Vanity Fair, May 4, 2023.] When Married... with Children was cancelled in 1997, producers pitched a spinoff centered on Kelly Bundy, but Applegate declined.[6]
In 1998, Applegate starred as Claudine Van Doozen in the independent feature Claudine's Return (or Kiss of Fire), appeared in the action-comedy The Big Hit and played the fiancée of a mob boss in the Mafia satire Jane Austen's Mafia.
Applegate was one of the founding members of The Pussycat Dolls, which debuted at Johnny Depp's Viper Room on the Sunset Strip in 1995.[7][8] She emceed for the group when they moved to The Roxy Theatre in 2002.[9]
In 1998, Applegate began portraying the title role in the NBC sitcom Jesse. She won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series, the TV Guide Award for Favorite Star of a New Series, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy.[citation needed] The series was cancelled in 2000.[10]
2002–2009: Anchorman, stage, and television
Applegate at the 66th Golden Globe Awards in January 2009
Applegate played the dual role of a 12th-century noblewoman, Princess Rosalind, and her 21st-century descendant, Julia Malfete, in the time-travel comedy Just Visiting (2001). She was Princess Gwendolyn and Kate in the movie Prince Charming (2001). After playing Cameron Diaz's level-headed best friend, Courtney Rockcliffe, in The Sweetest Thing (2002), she appeared in Heroes (2002), the romantic airplane comedy View from the Top (2003), the true-crime film Wonderland (2003) based on the Wonderland murders, and the Gram Parsons biopic Grand Theft Parsons (2003). In 2004, she starred with Ben Affleck in the holiday comedy Surviving Christmas and with Matt Dillon in Employee of the Month. She was the executive producer of Comforters, Miserable (2001).
Applegate guest-starred on Friends in the ninth (2002) and tenth (2003) seasons in episodes titled "The One with Rachel's Other Sister" and "The One Where Rachel's Sister Babysits" as Amy Green, Rachel Green's (Jennifer Aniston) sister. She won the Primetime Emmy Award from two nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series[11] for her performance in "The One with Rachel's Other Sister."
Applegate received recognition for her portrayal of anchorwoman Veronica Corningstone in the 2004 comedy films Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, an alternative film comprising alternate takes and deleted scenes and story elements.
Applegate has performed on stage in The Axeman's Jazz, Nobody Leaves Empty Handed, The Runthrough, and John Cassavetes' The Third Day (co-starring Gena Rowlands). In 2004, she debuted on Broadway as Charity Hope Valentine in a revival of the 1966 musical Sweet Charity. In late April 2005, she took part in the annual Broadway Cares' Easter Bonnet Competition, being sawed in half by a magician in their Clearly Impossible sawing illusion. Sweet Charity ended its Broadway run on December 31, 2005.[12] Applegate won the 2005 Theatre World Award and was nominated for a 2005 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the musical.
While appearing in Sweet Charity, Applegate broke her foot and it was announced that the musical would close during previews. She persuaded the producers to change their minds.[12] Because of her injury, she had to wear special shoes to prevent another accident. In a 2013 interview, she said that because of what happened, she "actually can't dance anymore. And that is sad for me because I always wanted to go back. But I probably won't be able to."[13] She does dance whenever the opportunity presents, but cannot perform in strenuous roles.[13]
In 2006, Applegate appeared in Jessica Simpson's music video for "A Public Affair" with Eva Longoria, Ryan Seacrest, and Christina Milian. She starred in the ABC comedy Samantha Who? from October 15, 2007, until it was cancelled on May 18, 2009; the finale aired on July 23, 2009. The series co-starred Jean Smart, Jennifer Esposito, and Melissa McCarthy and focused on a 30-year-old who, after a hit-and-run accident, develops amnesia and has to rediscover her life, her relationships, and herself.[14] She received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and two nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. Shortly after the cancellation was announced, she began a campaign to get the show back into production,[15] which failed. She topped the list of People's Most Beautiful People in 2009.[16] She appeared with her Married With Children brother David Faustino in an episode of Faustino's comedy series Star-ving.[17]
Applegate in June 2012
2010–present: Dead to Me and further acclaim
Applegate voiced Catherine the Cat in the three-dimensional talking animal sequel Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010). She said her mother wanted her to be involved in the film. Prior to Cats & Dogs 2, she voiced Brittany, one of the Chipettes, in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011), and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015).
Applegate starred in the NBC sitcom Up All Night with Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett, which debuted on September 14, 2011.[18] On February 8, 2013, she left the series after its second-season hiatus, which was leading into a planned format change. The series was ultimately cancelled.[19]
On July 31, 2013, Applegate was featured on the second episode of the fourth season of the revived American version of the TLC series Who Do You Think You Are?. The episode centered on Applegate trying to find information about her paternal grandmother, Lavina Applegate Walton, who was absent for most of Applegate's father's life and died when he was young. Applegate learned that Walton died in 1955 from tuberculosis and alcohol-related cirrhosis.[20]
In 2013, Applegate reprised her role as Veronica Corningstone in the comedy sequel film Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success. In 2014, she had a starring voice role as Mary Beth in the animated musical fantasy film The Book of Life. In 2015, she starred with Ed Helms in the National Lampoon sequel Vacation, the fifth full-length movie episode of the road-trip comedies. They played Rusty Griswold and his wife, Debbie, who with their two sons take a trip to Walley World, just as Rusty did with his parents in the 1983 original film, National Lampoon's Vacation. The film was poorly reviewed, but was a box office success. In 2016, she starred as Gwendolyn James in the comedy film Bad Moms with Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn. The film earned mixed reviews from critics and was a box office success.[21] She reprised her role for a cameo appearance in the November 2017 sequel A Bad Moms Christmas.
In July 2018, Applegate co-starred with Linda Cardellini in the Netflix dark comedy series Dead to Me[22] and executive produced the series with Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Jessica Elbaum.[23] The series received critical acclaim. Applegate received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in seasons one and two and[24][25] nominations for a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and TCA Award.
On November 14, 2022, she received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.[26] She was accompanied by her Married With Children co-stars Katey Sagal and David Faustino. Her star was placed adjacent to Sagal and Ed O'Neill's stars.[26]
In 2024, Applegate began a podcast with fellow actress with MS Jamie-Lynn Sigler called MeSsy about their friendship based on the condition.[27]
Personal life
Applegate attending the Up All Night cast panel at PaleyFest in 2012
Applegate married actor Johnathon Schaech in Palm Springs, California on October 20, 2001.[28] Schaech filed for divorce in December 2005, citing irreconcilable differences,[28] and the divorce was finalized in August 2007.[29] She began dating Dutch musician Martyn LeNoble in 2009. The couple became engaged on Valentine's Day 2010[30] and married on February 23, 2013, at their Los Angeles home.[31] It was the second marriage for both.[32] They have one daughter, born in January 2011.[33]
Health
People reported in 2008 that Applegate had been diagnosed with breast cancer. A representative stated, "Christina Applegate was diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer. Detected early through a doctor-ordered MRI, the cancer was not life-threatening. Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery."[34] It was announced that she was cancer-free after a double mastectomy, although cancer had been found in only one breast.[35] She has an inherited genetic trait, a BRCA1[36] mutation, which can trigger breast and ovarian cancer. Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor. Applegate said when she first was diagnosed, "I was just shaking and then, also immediately, I had to go into 'take-care-of-business mode,' which included a change to a more healthy diet."[36]
Applegate announced in August 2021 that she had received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis a few months before.[37] The disease heavily affected her ability to perform in the final season of Dead to Me, for whose success she credits her co-star Linda Cardellini and showrunner Liz Feldman's support and openness in making reasonable adjustments to her filming schedule.[38]
Applegate said in 2023 that because of her illness she probably would no longer act on camera, but that she would be open to voiceover work, such as a planned animated revival of Married... with Children. She would also consider working behind the scenes.[39][40] In April 2024 she announced she had recently become ill after being infected with a Sapovirus virus as well as COVID-19.[41]
Philanthropy
Applegate has supported Entertainment Industry Foundation, Adopt-A-Classroom, The Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, World Animal Protection, and the Trevor Project.[42] In 2003, she was the spokesman for the Lee National Denim Day, which raises millions of dollars for breast cancer education and research.[43] Following her breast cancer diagnosis, she appeared on a television special, Stand Up to Cancer, designed to raise funds for breast cancer research. The one-hour special was broadcast on CBS, NBC and ABC television networks on September 5, 2008.[44]
In 2009, Applegate announced plans to return as the ambassador for Lee National Denim Day.[45] Also in 2009, she founded Right Action for Women, a charitable foundation dedicated to breast-cancer screening for women and focused on the type of MRI scan that saved her life.[46] In February 2015, she was awarded the Saint Vintage Love Cures Award at the 2nd annual unite4:humanity event hosted by Variety magazine for her dedication to and work with Right Action for Women.[47]
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Jaws of Satan Kim Perry
Beatlemania Dancer
1990 Streets Dawn
1991 Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Sue Ellen Crandell
1994 Across the Moon Kathy
1995 Vibrations Anamika
Wild Bill Lurline Newcomb
1996 Mars Attacks! Sharona
1997 Nowhere Dingbat
1998 Jane Austen's Mafia! Diane Steen
The Big Hit Pam Schulman
Claudine's Return Claudine Van Doozen
1999 Out in Fifty Lilah
2000 The Brutal Truth Emily
2001 Just Visiting Princess Rosaline / Julia Malfete
Sol Goode Girl at the Bar Uncredited
2002 The Sweetest Thing Courtney Rockcliffe
Heroes Wife Short film
2003 Grand Theft Parsons Barbara
Wonderland Susan Launius
View from the Top Christine Montgomery
2004 Surviving Christmas Alicia Valco
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Veronica Corningstone
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
Employee of the Month Sara Goodwin
2005 Tilt-A-Whirl Customer #1 Short film
2007 Farce of the Penguins Melissa Voice role
2008 The Rocker Kim Powell
2009 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Brittany Miller Voice role
2010 Going the Distance Corinne
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Catherine Voice role
2011 Hall Pass Grace
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Brittany Miller Voice role
2013 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Veronica Corningstone-Burgundy
2014 The Book of Life Mary Beth Voice role
2015 Vacation Debbie Fletcher Griswold
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip Brittany Miller Voice role
2016 Youth in Oregon Kate Gleason
Bad Moms Gwendolyn James
2017 Crash Pad Morgan Dott
A Bad Moms Christmas Gwendolyn James Cameo
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1972 Days of Our Lives Baby Burt Grizzell 3 months old
1981 Father Murphy Ada Episode: "A Horse from Heaven"
1983 Grace Kelly Young Grace Kelly Television film
1984–1985 Charles in Charge Stacy 2 episodes
1985 Washingtoon Sally Forehead 10 episodes
1986 Silver Spoons Jeannie Bolens Episode: "A Family Affair"
All Is Forgiven Simone Episode: "Mother's Day"
Still the Beaver Mandy / Wendy 2 episodes
Amazing Stories Holly Episode: "Welcome to My Nightmare"
1986–1987 Heart of the City Robin Kennedy 13 episodes
1987 Family Ties Kitten Episode: "Band on the Run"
1987–1997 Married... with Children Kelly Bundy 259 episodes[48]
1988 Dance 'til Dawn Patrice Johnson Television film
21 Jump Street Tina Episode: "I'm Okay, You Need Work"
1990 The Earth Day Special Kelly Bundy Television special
1991 Top of the Heap Kelly Bundy 2 episodes
1993 Saturday Night Live Herself / Host Episode: "Christina Applegate/Midnight Oil"
Highlander Greta Episode: "The Darkness"
1996 Mad TV Herself / Host Episode: "#201"
1997 Pauly Mariah Episode: "Through the Ringers"
1998–2000 Jesse Jesse Warner 42 episodes; also co-producer
2001 Prince Charming Kate / Princess Gwendolyn Television film
2002–2003 Friends Amy Green 2 episodes
2004 King of the Hill Colette / Attorney (voice) Episode: "My Hair Lady"
Father of the Pride Candy (voice) Episode: "One Man's Meat Is Another Man's Girlfriend"
2005 Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas Dr. Suzanne Bedford Television film
2007–2009 Samantha Who? Samantha "Sam" Newly 35 episodes; also producer
2008 Reno 911! Seemji Episode: "Did Garcia Steal Dangle's Husband?"
2009 Star-ving Herself Episode: "Married with Children...The Movie"
2011–2012 Up All Night Reagan Brinkley 35 episodes; also producer
2011–2014 So You Think You Can Dance Herself / Guest Judge 8 episodes
2012 Saturday Night Live Herself / Host Episode: "Christina Applegate/Passion Pit"
2015 Web Therapy Jenny Bologna 2 episodes
The Muppets Herself Episode: "Bear Left Then Bear Write"
The Grinder Gail Budnick Episode: "A Bittersweet Grind (Une Mouture Amer)"
2018 Ask the Storybots The Baker Episode: "Why Can't I Eat Dessert All the Time?"
2019–2022 Dead to Me Jen Harding 30 episodes; also executive producer
Theatre
Year Title Role Venue
2005 Sweet Charity Charity Hope Valentine[49] Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Music videos
Year Title Role Artist
1990 "Rattlesnake Kisses" Girl Electric Angels
2006 "A Public Affair"[50] Herself Jessica Simpson
Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1987 Young Artist Awards Exceptional Performance By a Young Actress in a New Television Series Heart of the City Won [51]
1988 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Comedy Series Married... with Children Nominated [52]
1989 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Comedy Series Won [53]
1992 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress Nominated [54]
MTV Movie Awards Most Desirable Female Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead [55]
Young Artist Awards Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture [56]
1999 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Jesse [57]
People's Choice Awards Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series Won [58]
TV Guide Awards Favorite Star in a New Series [59]
2003 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Villain View from the Top Nominated [60]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Friends Won [61]
2004 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
2005 Tony Awards Best Actress in a Musical Sweet Charity [62]
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical [63]
Theatre World Awards Theatre World Award Won [64]
2008 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Samantha Who? Nominated [57]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series [65]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedy TV Actress [66]
Television Critics Association Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy [67]
Satellite Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy [68]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series [61]
2009 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy [57]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series [61]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series [69]
TV Land Awards Innovator Award Married... with Children Won [70]
People's Choice Awards Favorite Female TV Star Samantha Who? [71]
2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated [72]
2012 Satellite Awards Best Actress — Television Series Musical or Comedy Up All Night [73]
2014 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress – Comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues [74]
2019 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Dead to Me [61]
2020 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy [57]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series [75]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series [76]
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series [77]
Television Critics Association Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy [78]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series [61]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
2021 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series [79]
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series [80]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series [81]
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
2023 Critics’ Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series [82]
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Actress (TV) [83]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series [84]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series [85]
Count Christina Applegate’s ex-husband Johnathan Schaech among the viewers inspired by her appearance at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on January 15. Schaech said in a post to social media site X (formerly Twitter) that Applegate, 52, “is the toughest human being I’ve ever met” after she presented the opening award of the ceremony.
Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, received a standing ovation after taking the stage with the help of host Anthony Anderson and a walking cane. The actor revealed in 2023 that she might never work on camera again because of the disease.
“She danced opening night on Broadway on a broken foot! Beat cancer!,” Schaech posted, referencing Applegate’s prior bout with breast cancer. “So proud of her! Go, Christina!”
More From Biography
Biography: Pierce Brosnan
Current Time 0:08
Remaining Time -0:53
preview for Biography Actors Playlist
Designer Christian Siriano, who made Applegate’s cranberry gown for the event, also praised the actor in an Instagram post. “Christina you are divine and I will dress you any day of the week! What a woman,” he wrote in a caption.
Being a guest judge on a reality competition can be a tricky spot to be in. To be honest, it's rare that we even notice the guest judge sometimes. That's not the case with Christina Applegate, who is a guest judge this season on So You Think You Can Dance after having done so several times before. Spoiler: She is one of the best guest judges to ever appear on a reality show, period. And it probably has something to do with Applegate's dance background.
Often, the guest judges on shows like SYTYCD and American Idol only have the tiniest amount of expertise in the area, and they will only offer up positive feedback, like "Well, you look great tonight" or "At least you were able to hit some notes. A for effort," because, hey, they're only in the hot seat temporarily and probably don't want to ruffle too many feathers during their time there. Applegate, however, knows what she's talking about.
Applegate is so great because she actually offers constructive feedback for the dancers so that they can learn from their mistakes and triumphs in their routines and become better dancers. There's none of that fluff that most guest judges like to impart on the contestants, because as a life-long dancer, Applegate knows more than a thing or two about the subject.
Since Applegate was a young girl, she's been a dancin' fool. Applegate grew up studying dance, such as jazz and ballet. In her breakthrough role as teenager Kelly Bundy on Married with Children, she even cut a rug in one episode, performing a sultry routine to a '90s-tastic version of "Fever." Her supposedly "hot" dance partner looked kinda skeevy though, no? When she wasn't filming for Married with Children, Applegate danced 15 to 20 hours per week. She would continue to dance regularly until she was 27.
In the early '90s, Applegate's roommate was Robin Antin, another SYTYCD guest judge who is famous for creating The Pussycat Dolls. Can you imagine the parties these two must've thrown? Back then, Applegate actually helped Antin develop what would become the group of burlesque dancers and singers by letting them polish their act in her basement. Applegate would go on to join The Pussycat Dolls onstage (below) to perform as one of the group's honorary members.
For someone who has been obsessed with Fosse all her life, it must've been a dream come true for Applegate to star in Sweet Charity on Broadway, originally choreographed by the man himself. Applegate sang, kicked, and waved her little jazz hands all the way to earn a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. Not bad for someone who had injured her foot during an out-of-town tryout of Sweet Charity just months before it opened on Broadway.
Applegate hosted Saturday Night Live in 2012 and wowed us once more with her smooth moves. She burst into song and dance during her monologue and also bust a move during a sketch where she played a dance instructor trying to teach her class the Fosse method. She really embodied the Broadway star attitude perfectly and her dancing was on point, naturally.
Get Even More From Bustle — Sign Up For The Newsletter
From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person who’s on TikTok, even if you aren’t.
Bustle Daily
Up Next
By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
More like this
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals On 'The Masked Singer'
By Jake Viswanath
Bachelor Nation Stars Took Over Stagecoach 2024
Stagecoach 2024 Was Just A Big Bachelor Nation Reunion
By Grace Wehniainen
'The Golden Bachelor' star Gerry Turner
Gerry Turner's First Post-'Golden Bachelor' Gig Is Very On Brand
By Sam Ramsden
Joey and Daisy on 'The Bachelor.' Photo via ABC
Joey Graziadei's Dad Was “Let Down” By The Bachelor's Daisy Kent
By Sam Ramsden
Celebrity
The Masked Singer’s Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
From politicians to Tom Sandoval.
by Jake Viswanath
May 10, 2024
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
The Masked Singer requires celebrities to do something unusual: don very elaborate costumes as if they were a sports mascot, and sing for their lives. Not many other shows can get legitimate A-listers like Kevin Hart, political figures like Sarah Palin, and other notable celebs to perform like this for the TV world’s judgment and entertainment.
While many stars successfully show off their new musical side — or even remind viewers about their proven vocal prowess — others don’t make it past the first episode. But it’s a winning formula nonetheless, with The Masked Singer currently in its 11th season as the caliber of contestants continues to grow.
While the show is an adaptation of the South Korean series King of Mask Singer, the U.S. version’s success has spawned even more international versions, from the U.K. to Australia, providing some surprising crossovers. Below are the 20 most shocking celebrity reveals on The Masked Singer.
Demi Lovato
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Nick Cannon and Demi Lovato in the "Season 10 Kickoff" episode of The Masked Singer
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
Over the first 10 seasons, the panelists guessed Demi Lovato so many times that it seemed like it was never going to happen. But then it did — albeit as a special guest on the Season 10 celebration special, not the actual competition. Her soaring voice wouldn’t have fooled anyone if she were an actual contestant.
Katharine McPhee & David Foster
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Nick Cannon, David Foster and Katharine McPhee on The Masked Singer.
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
David Foster has 16 Grammys, making him one of the most-awarded winners of all time. This made it even more shocking to see him come out of a banana split costume with his wife, actor-singer and American Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee.
Honey Boo Boo & Mama June
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Mama June, Nick Cannon and Honey Boo Boo on The Masked Singer.
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
Many people were very surprised to see former pageant queen Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her mother June belt out in song — in a beach ball costume of all things. Honey Boo Boo is multi-talented, y’all.
Pentatonix
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Pentatonix on The Masked Singer.
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
It didn’t take long for fans to correctly guess that California Roll was a cappella pop group Pentatonix. The Masked Singer has become good at pulling off duo costumes, but what made their reveal so surprising was that they were able to pull off good disguises for a fivesome.
Donnie Wahlberg
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy on The Masked Singer.
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
New Kids on the Block boybander Donnie Wahlberg going on The Masked Singer to show a new side of himself isn’t surprising. What made this reveal shocking is that he made it all the way to the semi-finals without his wife, panelist Jenny McCarthy, ever guessing that it was him. Needless to say, her reaction was TV gold.
Seal
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals
Seal on The Masked Singer.
FOX/FOX Image Collection/Getty Images
Seal, four-time Grammy winner and hitmaker of classics like “Kiss From A Rose,” went on Season 2 as a leopard (wearing a Victorian-style dress). He managed to keep his voice disguised with theatrical takes on big band songs like “Respect,” making his reveal a genuine shock.
William Shatner
'The Masked Singer': The Most Outrageous Celebrity Reveals