I SAW IT IS TV-PG TV LAND HAVE CLEAN EPISODES AND DIRTY EPISODES
Married... With Children
(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Christina Applegate, Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Where to watch: FX, Syndicated, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
The Bundys are still outrageous. Teens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Married... With Children was written by Melissa Camacho
Parents need to know that this show -- which was purposely designed to test the boundaries of network primetime TV -- mines adult themes for laughs; caution is recommended when allowing tweens and young teens to watch. References to sexual behavior (including masturbation) fly fast and furiously, there are crude references to body parts and homosexuality, and characters constantly insult and belittle each other. All of that said, hidden under the insults and tight clothes is a nuclear family that cares about each other.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about their own flaws and strengths. While no family is perfect, what are the great things about your family? What are some of the talents your family members have? Families can also talk about the inappropriateness of stereotypes and sexist references. What are people really saying when they use stereotypes to describe a person? Parents and teens can also talk about the Bundys' relationships. Why do they resort to name-calling and insults so often? How can you tell that they really do care about each other?
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More on Married... With Children
What’s the Story?
MARRIED... WITH CHILDREN -- which has the distinction of being the very first original primetime show to air on the Fox network -- is a sitcom that puts a unique twist on the idea of "family values" by celebrating the Bundys, a significantly flawed working-class nuclear family from Chicago. Lazy, unlucky shoe salesman Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) heads up the family; his college football career was cut short when he was forced to marry tacky, undereducated girlfriend Peggy (Katey Sagal) after knocking her up. Their sexed-up teenage daughter, Kelly (Christina Applegate), personifies the "blonde bimbo" stereotype; younger brother Bud (David Faustino) is an intelligent young man who repels girls. Peggy, Kelly, and Bud often get roped into Al's efforts to achieve fame and fortune by participating in half-witted schemes that usually fail -- and they're always the first to tell him "I told you so." Rounding out the crew are Yuppie neighbor Marcy and Steve Rhoades (Amanda Bearse and David Garrison, who was later replaced by Ted McGinley as Marcy's second husband, Jefferson).
Is It Any Good?
Meant to serve as a critique of the perfect, unrealistic families often seen on network TV, Married... With Children constantly pushes the envelope with its bathroom humor and over-the-top sexual innuendo. Al's sexist references to "hooters," demeaning homosexual stereotypes, and allusions to masturbation are comedic staples throughout the series -- as is Peggy's non-stop whining about never getting any sex from Al. The Bundys are also are constant schemers and don't hesitate to take advantage of each other if it helps them get ahead.
But even though the show comes across as being anti-"family values" on the surface, it actually supports the idea of a family that, while seriously flawed, cares deeply about each other. Al is vocal about "liking his family," while Peggy is very clear about the love she feels for her husband. The kids, while often embarrassed by their father, are always there to support him when it counts, and both siblings defend each other against others despite their constant rivalry. As a result, while the Bundys may not be perfect, the importance and strength of family is a strong theme throughout the series.
Our Members Say
See all 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Ok for teens
To sexy, daddy always watches it. kinda clever, not to good, but funny and shows you what not to do in life. Makes me laugh still, there is worse.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Classic, dry, hilarious show rarely dissapoints
I recently started watching MWC not too long ago, but have developed an addiction to it. Al Bundy steals the show, with his dry, sometimes cruel humor that still makes people world-wide laugh out loud. The Bundy's were the first sitcom to show the Cosbys the door and laugh at them. Fantastic show.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
TV-PG,TV-14 TV-MA
On TBS and Spike This is rated TV-PG. On The CW, it's rated TV-14 and TV-MA. CW SHOWS THE CLEAN EPISODES WHILE TBS AND SPIKE SHOW THE DIRTY EPISODES.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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