Saturday, December 19, 2009
It's a Bundyful Life
This here's the climatic scene from one of my holiday favorites:
The "Married with Children" episode that spoofs "It's a Wonderful Life."
It debuted 20 years ago this week.
In the episode, Al's plans to get presents for his family have been thwarted. He comes home empty handed and gets grief from his wife and kids. Alone and depressed, he wonders if he should have been born. Sam Kinison appears as his lunatic guardian angel. He offers to show Al what the world would be like if he'd never been born (video above starts here).
In this alternate universe, his family is obnoxiously content and loving. His wife happily prepares a big meal, his kids are well groomed and considerate. Alternate Dad appears, announcing they're to move to a much nicer house than this "hovel" they live in. The children assure him his love is more important than presents.
"Well this had been fun!" Al says, oozing sarcasm. (Who hasn't spent a holiday season or two feeling like someone watching everyone else have a great time?).
The Angel admits he can't find one reason why Al should have been born, griping that now he won't get his wings. Al interrupts that he wants his old family back:
"Look at them. They're happy. Not a care in the world. You think I'm gonna let that happen after all that grief they put me through!? I want to live!"
I shudder to think that there was some family out there that was this much dysfunctional, but I will admit the guilty pleasure of having watched it during its run and laughed out loud ;-)
ReplyDeleteEd O'Neill's new gig (Modern Family) is pretty funny in its own right, though I think they use the uncomfortable silence gag a bit too much.
Hi GhostBuild,
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that O'Neill had a new show. I'll have to check it out.
I think the Bundys were a hit because they were easier to identify with than the squeaky-clean lovey-dovey sitcoms that dominated television at the time. While never cruel, unfaithful or abusive, they were great at complaining, being sloppy, selfish, and disappointed with how things turned out. Everyone can identify with that.