Linda Day Movies
- 1993
Jamie (Helen Hunt) is down in the dumps, so Paul (Paul Reiser) takes her for a weekend trip to the country. At first, nothing goes right (indeed, how could anything go right when all the cable channels carry Barnaby Jones?). Eventually, however, Jamie is so enchanted by the country that she intends to stay forever -- and also plans to open a Chinese restaurant...and harvest apples.... This episode represents one of the rare TV appearances of the legendary Polar Bear Swim Club. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Paul (Paul Reiser) makes a vivid impression when he reveals a secret about a bride to her father on the girl's wedding day. In time-honored "Truth or Dare" fashion, Jamie (Helen Hunt) is required to reveal a secret from her past -- and oh, does she ever. (Incidentally, who is Stan Franklin and what is he doing in London?) This episode marks the first series appearance of John Pankow as Paul's cousin Ira. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Louis Zorich makes his first appearance as Ben Buchman, father of Paul Buchman (Paul Reiser). A close encounter between Ben and the famous Regis Philbin (playing himself) results in embarrassment for Paul. Soon, however, all of New York -- including the telephone company -- has come to the conclusion that Paul is a bit...overreactive. This episode comes to a conclusion that would have done Woody Allen proud. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Jamie (Helen Hunt) is none too happy that her sister Lisa (Anne Ramsay) has gone "all the way" so quickly with new boyfriend Michael (Charles Shaughnessy). When Lisa and Michael decide to move in together, Jamie takes drastic action -- but of course she refers to it as "only trying to help." Remember the cow and the free milk...not to mention the handcuff key that didn't fit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Valentine's Day is no holiday when Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) find themselves trapped in their own bathroom. Boredom leads the Buchmans to paint each other's toenails, while hunger prods them to down a whole bottle of Tums antacid tablets. And little Ryan Devanow (Spencer Klein) may be many things, but Cupid he's not. Fans familiar with Helen Hunt's previous TV-series work will enjoy the reference to "The Swiss Family Buchmans." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Jerry Lewis guest stars as "the nutty billionaire," aka Freddy Stadler, who wants Paul (Paul Reiser) to make a film about his life. Alas, Paul's new cameraman-editor Warren (Steven Wright) -- a veteran of CNN -- is as dull and phlegmatic as Freddy is wild and energetic. This episode marks the first appearance of Paul's assistant Connie (Meagen Fay). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
When the Bundys' faulty air conditioner causes a huge power blackout in the neighborhood, Al (Ed O'Neill) takes decisive action. No, he doesn't buy a new conditioner: Instead, he moves his family into the cool confines of the local Foodie supermarket. Ordered to leave the premises or risk facing arrest, the Bundys hightail it to the checkout counter--where Peg ends up winning a $1000 shopping spree as Foodie's millionth customer! This is the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of a two-part episode, it's the Bundys versus the D'Arcys in a "Supermarket Sweep"-like competition at Foodie's Supermarket. Both families are given $1000 to buy as much as they possibly can before a pre-determined deadline, with celebrity judge Jerry Mathers--aka Beaver Cleaver--determining the winner. Meanwhile, the Bundy kids do their best to drive Mathers crazy, but "The Beav" emerges triumphant with the episode's funniest put-down line. With this episode, Ted McGinley becomes a series regular in the previously recurring role of Jefferson D'Arcy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
It's "night out" time for the Bundys as Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg (Katey Sagal) descend upon Marcy's house to watch a cable-TV movie, Kelly (Christina Applegate) babysits for the horrible Hubbard kids, and Bud (David Faustino) finally "gets lucky" thanks to an obliging young lady named Crystal (Helena Apothaker). As things turn out, Bud is the only one who can look back upon the evening with anything resembling fondness. Appearing as the Hubbard youngsters are several real-life children of the Married. . .With Children production staff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
When Al tells the kids that they're going to have to earn their own keep, Kelly becomes a singer with a group called The Gutter Cats (playing themselves). Enterprising Bud likewise finds work--as Kelly's agent, with most of her earnings coming his way. Listen for a brief but pointed reference to the home town of Married. . .With Children's "bete noire", housewife-activist Terry Rakolta. This is the final episode to feature David Garrison as a regular. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Marcy (Amanda Bearse) accidentally puts a dent in her husband Steve's precious Mercedes. To get even, Steve (David Garrison) feigns impotence, claiming that his condition has been brought about by Marcy's bad driving. As a result, Marcy is forced to wait on her husband hand and foot -- but salvation (and revenge) are close at hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Rummaging through their neighbors' mail, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg (Katey Sagal) come across an invitation for Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) to appear on "How Do I Love Thee?," a TV game show for newlyweds. Posing as Steve and Marcy, Al and Peg attend the show's taping, where they learn that the object of the game is for the husband to endure as much pain and humiliation as possible. But the "fun" doesn't really begin until the real Steve and Marcy show up on the same program. (Trivia alert: one of the other contestants is played by Catherine Rusoff, the wife of series star Ed O'Neill.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
While their house is being fumigated for termites, the Bundys move into the shoe store where dad Al (Ed O'Neill) works. This relocation may prove to be a boon to daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate), who is planning to escape her family and attend a rock concert despite being grounded. Though series regulars David Garrison and Amanda Bearse (Steve and Marcy Rhodes) do not appear, we are given ample glimpses at the guest stars, former Playboy centerfolds Teri Weigel and Hope-Marie Carlton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
It's "mano y mouso" when the Bundy household is invaded by a persistent rodent. Too proud to call in a professional exterminator, Al (Ed O'Neill) vows to get rid of the mouse himself, donning "Rambo" gear for just that purpose--and nearly destroying the house in the process. Watch for a neat "inside" reference to Mike Semon, the series' real-life property master. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A computer glitch results in a pre-approved credit card for Buck, the Bundy family's dog. Reasoning that they aren't really purchasing anything if they aren't using their real names, the Bundys go on an insane shopping spree with the errant card, purchasing everything from foot-long cigars to hot tubs. Christina Applegate (Kelly Bundy) does not appear in this episode, leaving plenty of space for Bud Bundy (David Faustino) to accumulate an unprecedented two girlfriends at the same time! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Steve (David Garrison) thinks he's scored a collector's coup when he trades his wife Marcy's 20-year-old Barbie doll for a pair of classic baseball cards. But Marcy (Amanda Bearse) is sorely displeased: she'd hoped to hand Barbie down to her own daughter, assuming that she ever has her own daughter. When the store that purchased the doll is robbed, Steve and Al (Ed O'Neill) must pound the pavements and interview every bum in Chicago to retrieve the valuable plaything. If you miss the references to Gilligan's Island and The Addams Family in this episode, it's because you're tuned to another channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Al (Ed O'Neill) scores a big win at the race track, but he may not be able to enjoy it. Fully aware that Peg (Katey Sagal) will demand her share of the money (and then some), Al keeps his winnings a secret from his wife. But it's all for naught when Peg raids Al's wallet, and...well, figure the rest out for yourself. Former Playboy centerfold Teri Weigel appears as Jade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Season two of Married... With Children comes to a riotous end when the Bundy household is invaded by Peg's (Katey Sagal) hillbilly cousins from Wanker County. In addition to suffering the shock of seeing his mother-in-law naked, Al (Ed O'Neill) also causes dissension amongst Peg's three singing aunts (played by the Del Rubio triplets). Then there's the ongoing feud between Uncles Irwin and Otto, portrayed by pro wrestlers Christopher Pallies -- aka "King Kong" Bundy -- and James "Gypsy" Haake. Fabled female impersonator Divine was to have played Otto, but he died just before taping: this episode is dedicated to his memory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Peg (Katey Sagal) wants a VCR, but Al (Ed O'Neill) won't pony up the necessary money. In a snit, Peg decides to earn the dough herself by landing a job behind the clock counter at Muldin's Department Store. Predictably, the customers suffer -- but not so much as Al, who complains that all the fun has gone out of his marriage now that Peg can pay her own way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Peg (Katey Sagal) and Al (Ed O'Neill) plan a weekend getaway without the kids. Of course, this plan requires that Bundys dump their offspring Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino) upon some unwitting suckers -- er, baby sitters. Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) are chosen for this "honor," and they soon grow to regret their decision to invite the Bundy kids into their home. Depending upon which version of this episode one sees (original network print, syndicated print, DVD copy), the soundtrack features two songs by the Beastie Boys -- not to mention a tantalizing reference to Vanna White. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
April 5, 1987, was the historic day upon which the Fox network launched its first prime-time lineup with the highly controversial -- and incredibly successful -- situation comedy Married... With Children. The pilot episode wastes no time introducing the delightfully dysfunctional Bundy family of Chicago: Boorish shoe salesman Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill), his lazy, sex-obsessed wife Peg (Katey Sagal), and their worthless children, underachieving 11-year-old Bud (David Faustino) and promiscuous 15-year-old Kelly (Christina Applegate). In the opener, Peg insists that Al try to make friends with the Bundys' new next-door neighbors, simperingly sweet newlyweds Steve and Marcy Rhodes (David Garrison, Amanda Bearse) -- and in the process nearly destroy the young couple's marriage before it gets into first gear. Also on hand is Al's swinging-bachelor co-worker Luke Ventura (Ritch Shydner). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Marcy (Amanda Bearse) lends Peg (Katey Sagal) a new dieting book called "Thinnergy." Figuring that the book's regimen will improve her sex life -- which has been in dire need of improvement for nearly 16 years -- Peg embarks upon the prescribed diet, but not without demanding that her husband Al (Ed O'Neill) join her. Before long, Al is all but begging Peg to give up the program before they kill each other. This episode finds Peg singing three songs -- you've been warned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Though they agreed not to exchange gifts for their 16th wedding anniversary, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg (Katey Sagal) have characteristically lied to one another. Comes the big day, however, and it looks like Al has forgotten. Actually, Al wanted to buy Peg a present, only to find that his credit card was maxed out -- and wonder or wonders, it's not his fault this time. This is the episode in which the Bundys reveal that "their song" is Edwin Starr's "War." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
A burglar invades the neighborhood, and both the Bundys and the Rhodes rush out to purchase some protection. While Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg (Katey Sagal) buy a gun, Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) acquire a dog named Bela (as in "Abzug," not "Lugosi"). A few evenings later, both couples are aroused by strange noises. Al fires his weapon -- and Bela bites the big one! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Married. . .With Children launches its second season with the series' first two-part episode (originally networkcast in a single hour-long timeslot). "Borrowing" their neighbors' car, the Bundy family embarks upon a vacation, ending up in a sleazy hotel in Dumpwater, Florida. The town happens to be famous for two things: It's the home of "the man who shook the hand of Andy Griffith", and also the home of a brutal axe murderer who strikes every five years--and specializes in hacking up tourists. As the locals place bets as to who will be the killer's next victims, guess which family strolls into the scene? (Aw, you guessed.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
