It's a Bundyful Life (Part 1) is the eleventh episode of of Season 4 of the FOX TV series Married... with Children, as well as the 68th overall episode. Written by Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye, the episode was directed by Gerry Cohen. It first aired along with its second part as a one-hour episode on FOX on December 17, 1989.
Synopsis[]
Al has finally saved up some cash to buy his family Christmas presents this year. Unfortunately, a mob of late customers in the shoe store prevents him from getting to the bank in time and retrieving the money he needs.
Plot[]
To be added.
Cast[]
Regular Cast[]
- Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy
- Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy
- Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy
- David Faustino as Bud Bundy
- Amanda Bearse as Marcy Rhoades
- David Garrison as Steve Rhoades
Guest Stars[]
- Don Sparks as Santa Claus
- Ann Nelson as Elderly Woman
- Trevor Eyster as Franklin (as Tim Eyster)
- Kate Romero as Midge
- Kristeen Buxton as Denise
- Thomas Ian Nicholas as Bobby
- Eve Smith as Mom
Quotes[]
- Marcy: Peggy, what am I going to do? We were supposed to go to the party at my bank tomorrow. I can't go stag, what will people think?
- Al: Marcy, let me give you some advice [gets up from the couch and walks towards her]. Don't spend time thinking about things you don't have: a good relationship, nice hair, good disposition, a woman's body... Think instead of the things you do have...[Marcy's becomes hopefully as she turns to Al]... and when you do, let me know, because I've drawn a total blank! Merry Christmas, hahaha.
- Peggy: Al! [hugs Marcy] Christmas is no time to make fun of someone whose life is crumbling down around them. Do you know how many people with lives a lot better than hers commit suicide this time of year?! [Marcy looks downward in disappointment]
- [A depressed Al is trying to unlock the door to Gary's Shoes after returning from Kyoto National Bank]
- Santa: There he is, guys! [four Mall Santas run up and surround Al]
- Al: Huh, no!
- [Al dodges the first attack, but is then hit with the sacks of the other Santas until he drops to the floor. The four Santas then quickly run off].
- Al: Needed some help, eh Horowitz?! I guess you're not Santa enough to face me alone!
- Santa: [offscreen] Remember, I know when you're sleeping!
- Al: And I know when you've had beans!
Notes[]
Title[]
- It's a Bundyful Life is a play on the title of the 1946 classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, which this episode parodies.
Trivia[]
- Fox re-aired this episode two-parter on December 15, 2003, the same year that the Married... with Children Reunion special was aired, making it a rare occurrence in which a classic TV show re-airs on its parent network after being canceled.
- This two part episode originally aired on the same date and network at the series premiere episode of the animated series, The Simpsons, titled "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (a.k.a. "The Simpsons Christmas Special")
- Both episodes are Christmas themed
- The Simpsons' episode title as well as Al's line, "I guess that's what they mean when they say 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire', eh guys?" reference the classic Christmas song, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" by Nat "King" Cole.
- Both episodes aired out of production order: The Simpsons' episode was the 8th episode produced but the first to air, while this two-part episode was produced after "Who'll Stop the Rain?" but aired before the episode premiered in January 1990.
- On the Married... with Children Podcast this is the first two-parter to get two separate podcast episodes.
- When Al puts his feet up, he has a noticeable hole in his shoe.
- The exterior of the Bundy residence at the beginning and end of the episode is computer generated instead of the still frame of the real house used in other episodes.
- Peggy reveals that Al spent the previous Christmas playing pool with his friends and didn't give the family any presents.
- Marcy mentions that Steve is visiting his mom for Christmas and that she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Bud offers Kelly "Toaster Shakings" where he shakes the toaster upside down for leftover crumbs.
- This would later be seen in the season 9 episode "No Pot to Pease In" when it is referred to as "Toaster Leaveins" on the fictional show, "Pease in a Pod"
- The interior of Kyoto National Bank is recycled from The Leading Bank of Chicago as seen in "976-SHOE"
Cultural References[]
- The whole two-parter is a parody on the 1946 classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life.
- Al tells the family that he had a Christmas Club and then Peggy points out the issue with it.
- A "Christmas Club" is a real type of short-term savings account, in which someone puts aside money each week for Christmas spending and receive a check shortly before Christmas in order to purchase the gifts.
- As Peggy noted, the main reason it fell out of favor with customers was that interest rate was very low compared to a typical savings account and it had numerous restrictions that made it difficult to maintain year after year.
- After the family insult Al by singing a mocking version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", he sarcastically remarks "I guess that's what they mean when they say 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire', eh guys?". This is a reference to the classic Christmas song "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" by Nat "King" Cole.
- The song was later used in another MWC Christmas episode, "The Worst Noel".
- When Santa and the kids stop by the front of the store and promise to egg the windows, he makes a gesture towards Al by putting his hand underneath his chin and then flicking it outward.
- Although not as common in American culture, the "Chin Flick", as Santa does, is an insult gesture in several European countries, such as Italy, France and Belgium. Depending on the culture and context, it can be used to say "I couldn't care any less" to "Get lost" or "Piss off", though in Southern Italy, it can simply mean "No". [1][2][3]
- Al tells the kids at "Uncle Al's Christmas Tot Lounge" a variation of the Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", more commonly known as "Twas The Night Before Christmas".
- He then offers to tell them the story "The Red Headed Grinch That Stole Uncle Al's Life", in reference to the Dr. Seuss story "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".
Music[]
- The song that plays in the beginning of the episode and during the end credits is "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas".
- Bud, Kelly and Peg sing a variation of the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to mock Al.
- The Christmas carolers can be heard singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
- The music playing in Marcy's bank is an instrumental version of "Deck The Halls".
- Al hums the Christmas song "Winter Wonderland" while counting his money after tying up the kids in "Uncle Al's Christmas Tot Lounge".
Locations[]
Sets[]
- Bundy Living Room/Kitchen
- Al & Peggy's Bedroom
- Shoe Store
- Bank
Goofs[]
- When Steve and Marcy come to the Bundys, to wish them a merry Christmas, Bud is "stealing" Marcy's wedding ring from her right hand; later when Marcy asks who has it, she looks at her left hand, where the ring supposedly was.
- One of the partying bank employees is handing the already dead drunk Marcy another drink - but the glass has clearly not very much in it.
- Al says he was gonna pick up the money at he bank the next morning. But when he tries to go there to pick it up (before being held up by the old ladies) it's afternoon.
References[]
External Links[]
It's a Bundyful Life (Part 1) at the Internet Movie Database- It's a Bundyful Life (Part 1) on Bundyology
- It's a Bundyful Life (Part 1) - Transcript on albundy.net
- #69 It's a Bundyful Life (Part 1) - MWC Podcast on Horrorphilia
