‘He Doesn’t Know’: Ed O’Neill Shares The Shocking Way He Found Out About Married… With Children’s Cancellation

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of empathy for Ed O’Neill upon learning about his heart-wrenching encounter with the newlywed couple who broke the news of the cancellation of Married… With Children. The image of him strolling through the picturesque gardens of his hometown, only to be greeted by the unexpected tidings, is a poignant illustration of the unpredictable nature of showbiz.


Ed O’Neill, star of Modern Family, shared memories of the time Married… With Children was taken off air in 1987. In an open conversation on the MeSsy podcast with hosts and his fellow actors Christina Applegate and Jamie Lynn Sigler, he spoke frankly about this experience.

While performing in the play, O’Neill portrayed Applegate’s father. During a leisurely walk through his hometown, the actor encountered a freshly-married couple who recognized him and shared the news with him.

Speaking with the hosts, the actor shared, “Recently, I found myself in my childhood town, staying at a charming inn. On this particular day, the weather was simply perfect – it was springtime! Stepping outside, I discovered their beautifully tended gardens. It was a truly delightful scene.”

…”Continuing, he remarked, ‘A vehicle arrived with wedding decorations dangling from its rear, the familiar tin cans attached… And I realized, ‘Ah, they’ve just tied the knot.’ So there I stood, as they stepped out of the car, and it turned out to be the newlywed couple.'”

In simpler terms, the actor added that when the girl was wearing a dress and her partner was in formal attire, they rushed over to O’Neill and expressed their regret for the news of the cancellation of the show.

After the pair completed speaking, the actor from Clipped responded, “I asked, ‘What are you talking about?’, to which he replied, “Whoa, he hasn’t figured it out yet. It was announced on the radio – your show has been cancelled.”

Continuing the story, O’Neill remembered that although the news wasn’t good, he still met with the couple to toast their happiness and opened a bottle of champagne.

Ed O’Neill and Applegate both expressed that they were taken aback by the news. When asked about it, O’Neill said he preferred to hear it directly from them, as opposed to others offering their condolences. He then went inside and mentioned his fondness for champagne. The podcast host revealed that they found out about it indirectly, through someone who knew someone who worked for the assistant at the time. They were not contacted directly.

As an ardent fanboy, I can’t help but share my disappointment that, even after all those years on set, not a single parting gift was bestowed upon me by the showrunners or the network. In jest, I quipped, “I always thought The Golden Girls were given Mercedes-Benzes when they wrapped up their series, so where’s my ride?”

For over a decade, the Fox network broadcast “Married… with Children,” a series centering around a Chicago family consisting of Al Bundy, his spouse, their daughter, and a son.

The episodes of the show are available to stream on Prime Video.

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2024-08-31 22:07