The writers of the show originally planned that Al and Peggy really loved Marcy and Steve, their annoying neighbors. But, the real-life issues and true feelings of the actors interfered. There was no way of hiding the real relationship of Ed O’Neill and Amanda Bearse on screen.
Ed O’Neill and Amanda Bearse played neighbors on the show, but talk around the set was that they were not on good terms in real life. Amanda is a lesbian and Ed is not very understanding about this, as the rumor goes. In a beautifully sardonic twist, Ed’s role in Modern Family was that of a gay man’s dad who was very supportive of the LGBTQ community.
The Original Bud & Kelly
Did you know that the Kelly and Bud Bundy you fell in love with were not actually the original cast? It was probably because the producers were already short on time during filming of the pilot episode of the show. The producers did not bring along Ed O’Neill, the dad you know and love, during the original casting of the Bud and Kelly characters.
It was Tina Caspary who first played Kelly, while Bud was originally played by Hunter Carson. However, the producers decided to change the cast. Lack of chemistry between the original actors was the reason for the recast. They had to reshoot all the Bundy kids’ scenes for the pilot episode to be broadcast.
Kramer Almost Played Al Bundy
Do you know Cosmo Kramer from the sitcom, Seinfeld ? Yeah, Michael Richards, who played Kramer, took a chance at playing the role of Al Bundy. However, after a few test tapings of the scene from the show’s first episode, the producers realized he was too enthusiastic for the sluggish and shabby character of Al. They wanted someone who looked and acted more tired and grumpy. Ed fit the character like a glove.
In the end though, everything turned out well. Richards got the role of Kramer, which is perfect for his natural character. Richards was not right for the role of Al, as the casting director Marc Hirschfeld said. But, Hirschfeld remembered Richards when he was casting for Seinfeld , and that’s how Richards got the role of Kramer.
Katey Sagal Was Pregnant 3 Times During The Show
Peggy Bundy was played by Katey Sagal, who was actually pregnant in real life not just once, but three times during the 10-year filming of the show. With Katey’s pregnancy popping up during the earlier seasons of the sitcom, the writers included it into the show. In Al’s nightmare in one episode, Peggy and Marcy were pregnant at the same time, and it was the reason for the story to be stretched out.
Sadly, Peggy’s first child was stillborn, arriving six weeks earlier than planned. Katey had to wear a fake pregnancy belly while shooting. A tough sacrifice for the show. Fortunately, Katey’s last two pregnancies were successful. They somehow kept it hidden from the audience. Kudos to the producers and wardrobe consultants as it wasn’t so obvious in the show.
A Very Successful Pilot
Success happened to Married With Children on the first night it was aired, just like that! The network had to play the first episode repeatedly the night it was first aired because its viewership was so positive. The show was about a not-so-normal Bundy family and this resonated with people. The sitcom is the first prime-time TV series to be broadcasted by Fox, and was absolutely a hit.
If we had the internet back in 1987, imagine how the show would have been a viral sensation overnight. Truly, success can happen overnight! The very first episode was aired on April 15, 1987 and instantly had so many viewers. The dysfunctionality of the Bundy family was so unique and extraordinary it brought in far more success than anyone could have anticipated.