Children of a Conservative God: The Bundys and us.

National Review Online ^ | February 21, 2003 | John Derbyshire

[anncoulteriscool]

I thought this was an amusing column from NR. I too even though I'm a conservative loved watching this show when it was on ( atleast till about the mid 90's). Probably because I worked 2nd shift back then and sunday night was the only night I really watched TV. I think the author makes some good points about Al going to work even though he hated his job and the couple staying together and stuff.

[dighton]

"Ah, home sweet hell."

Thank you, Mr. Derbyshire. You've made it safe to confess that I liked the show myself.

[Paradox]

Count me as another conservative who like the show. There were a few episodes where you saw clearly that, with all the nagging, joking, rolled eyes, and family infighting, there was a family bond there, and there was love.

"Goooooooo BUNDY!"

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

I was shocked when I saw that Ed O'Neil was part of the "Not in our Name" leftist crowd.

[kcordell]

I think the author makes some good points about Al going to work even though he hated his job and the couple staying together and stuff.

Good ol' Al, the "born loser", always got the short end of the stick but, he never quit.

Let's not forget....He scored 4 touchdowns in a single game.

[Snake65]

The only time I've come close to losing bladder control during a sitcom was the episode where Al, a part-time school security guard, (after a long break in the john that led to the football trophy being stolen) was stripped of rank, insignia, and trappings to the "Branded" theme.

Between Al and Kelly in one of her "belts" I never missed a show...but I've always been a bit of a lowbrow.

[dts32041]

He makes a lousy Joe Friday also.

Methinks Dick Wolf has finally written a stinker.

[Old Professer]

I've noticed that columnists have a fondness for saying condescending things like, "I have mentioned before in this space my fondness..." as though the reader needed to be reminded of the writer's importance by his claiming the territory around him.

As far as M...W/C is concerned, the show bordered on prurience, peurile prurience, at that. Al was the only limp member present and we were left to assume that somehow foot-odor acts as a libido-depressant agent or old Al was just somehow, you know, not normal.

The worse part was that we had to watch these people grow older while not growing up in any meaningful way.

Derbyshire might as well stick with NPT if he has a soft spot for that "upstairs,downstairs" sort of rot.

[US_MilitaryRules]

I'd have to say it was one of my all time favorites!
Another one was "Sledgehammer", goofy but right.

[anncoulteriscool]

****He makes a lousy Joe Friday also.****

Yeah! I am used to seeing him in the comedy role that its hard to take him seriously as Joe Friday especially since I loved the old shows with Jack webb!

[aculeus]

You've made it safe to confess that I liked the show myself.

Not with some of us, Mr. Quoting-famous-writers-all-the-time-smart-ass.

[The Toad]

"Married...." Was is a classic. Although my opinion of "Al" has greatly diminished once I found he was on the pro-Saddam celebrity list and possibly a member of the George Clooney Global Think Tank....

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Methinks Dick Wolf has finally written a stinker.

You must have missed "Deadline". Lasted two episodes.

[jedwardtremlett]

I don't know if there was much love in the house, but it was funny to watch. I think anyone who's ever had to work a dead-end job could sympathize with poor Al.

As for Ed O'Neil recent activities... I seem to remember he was a fellow OU alum, and he once confessed - in an old interview - that he'd been in with the 60's peace movement when he was going to OU, but it was mostly to "meet chicks."

Maybe he's on the prowl, again?

J

[joesnuffy]

Oh I was wondering how he got to star in and direct that idot remake cop show "Dragnet"
He's a freekin leftie...shoulda known

[quietolong]

I loved the show But I found it was the lefties liberals that didn’t like the show.
If you think of it. It was the most family oriented show on TV.
Any time Al save/hid enough money to buy a new fishing rod or tool. the kids needed money for something. And by the end of the show The money went for the family.
All the times Al could have cheated on Peg. He always came home ( remember the show with the airline stewardess and Al coming home with the wig LOL ) Worked a crappie job. But came home every night. Not on welfare or food stamps. And they all looked out for each other. Plus made fun of the liberals next store
I wish the show was still on ! I had thought I had lost my sense of humor. Until that show came on. But then I realized that someone swearing on stage was not funny.
That show made me laugh my ass off. ( That show with the ashes ROTFPIMP )

The next FReep

BRING BACK Married with Children.

The Jiggle Room
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1892/

[Valin]

I must admit I too have a hard time not seeing Al (I scored 4 touchdowns to win the city championship) Bundy. But I wonder if we aren't being a bit unfair he after all just an actor playing a role. I wonder what the opinion of someone how never saw the original would be. It's not so much that it's bad as it's nothing special.

[applemac_g4]

I liked it as well; much more than the Simpsons.

[Shooter 2.5]

I think this explains why he likes the show so much:

"My own parents were happy for the first four or five years of their marriage, I think, and thereafter miserable together.

My wife hated the show and I think I understand her reasoning. When a couple love being married to each other, they can't understand why someone would subject themselves to a half hour of arguing and disrespect.