Television Audiences Loved "Married… with Children," But Cast Members Were in the Dark About Its Cancellation
In a recent revelation, Ed O’Neill, known for his role as Al Bundy on the iconic sitcom “Married… with Children,” shared a surprising story about the show’s unexpected end. He appeared on the “MeSsy” podcast, hosted by Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate, the latter of whom played O’Neill’s on-screen daughter, Kelly Bundy.
O’Neill recounted how he learned of the series’ cancellation after its successful 11-season run on Fox from 1987 to 1997. The actor was enjoying a peaceful stay at a bed and breakfast in his hometown of Ohio when a striking car decorated with a “Just Married” sign, along with tin cans, pulled up next to him.
“Oh, they, you know, just married,” O’Neill thought to himself as he watched the married couple exit the vehicle. He further described the encounter: “She was in the gown, and he was in the tux. And he said, ‘Oh my god. It’s Al Bundy, in Ohio.’ And I said, ‘Yeah. Congratulations. You got married.’”
However, the interaction took a turn when the couple expressed their sorrow about the show coming to an end. “The woman said, ‘We’re so sorry about your show.’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And the guy said, ‘Oh my god. He doesn’t know. It’s on the radio. You got canceled,’” O’Neill explained.
The unexpected news prompted the newlyweds to invite O’Neill inside for some Champagne, as they felt guilty about breaking the news to him. “They said, ‘Oh, we’re so sorry,’ and I said, ‘I’d rather hear it from you.’ So yeah. I came inside. I love Champagne,” he shared.
In a relatable experience, Applegate chimed in, recalling she found out about the show’s cancellation through a convoluted relay: “from a guy who knew a guy who worked for my assistant at the time. That’s how I found out. They never called us.”
"Married… with Children," which also starred Katey Sagal and David Faustino, centered on the life of Al Bundy, a shoe salesman navigating the ups and downs of working-class life. The series received critical acclaim for its sharp, sometimes controversial humor, earning seven Primetime Emmy nominations throughout its duration.
The “MeSsy” podcast, launched earlier this year by Applegate and Sigler, focuses on the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis, a condition both women share.
