Schastlivy vmeste (Счастливы вместе) (Happy Together) was a Russian adaptation of the American sitcom Married... with Children and ran for six seasons, totaling 364 episodes, which were broadcast on the Russian TV channel TNT from 2006 - 2013.
Background Information[]
The first 245 episodes of the series were adaptation of episodes from the American sitcom, following the outlines of the original scripts closely. However, some of the American characteristics were changed to Russian ones, such as Russian holidays instead of American ones, sets that better resemble interiors in Russia, and the character's names. Al Bundy became Gena Bukin (Гена Букин), Peggy was named Dasha (Даша), the children's names were Roma (Рома) and Sveta (Света) instead of Bud and Kelly, and the dog, originally Buck, was named Baron (Барон). Additionally, being that this version is set in the 21st century and aimed at younger audiences, it was adapted to today's technology, featuring cell phones and computers.
Along with the Chilean version, it is the most successful remake of MWC, gaining so much popularity in Russia, that after adapting nearly all of the original episodes, three more seasons of completely new episodes were added. The story lines of those episodes were inspired by scripts fans submitted through a contest that was held from April to June in 2008, in order to get new ideas.
In the 2024 book, Married… With Children vs. the World, author Richard Gurman, who worked on MWC as a producer and writer, wrote that he, along with Katherine Green and several others writers from the original show, were brought in to help with writing and keeping the continuity going with the new original scripts. As such, their names appear in a few of the opening credits in the later seasons.
In December 2023, 10 years after the release of the last season, the show received an official spinoff, “Bukins,” which continues the story of the Bukins family ten years later. The entire main cast returned to their roles. Season 1 of 10 episodes has already been released, and season 2 and a full-length theatrical film have also been announced.
Like all other remakes, many of the changes made were done to relfect modern times and Russian culture including:
- The Bukins live on the top floor of a Khrushchevka (panel apartment) and lacks several features that the Bundy house had, such as the lack of a basement and attached garage. Additionally, the front door opens outward, which changes the approach of slamming the door in front of people.
- Like virtually all other international MWC remakes, Gene was a talented soccer (a.k.a. football/fútbol) player instead of American football.
- In the adaptation of "Al Goes Deep", the Russian version of Chad Dowling ends up breaking his leg instead of his arm, as he plays soccer.
Synopsis[]
The series tells about a "typical" Russian family consisting of a husband, a wife, two (for a time - three) children and dogs that live in Yekaterinburg. The head of the family, Gene Bukin, is a seller of women's shoes, a loser both in his personal life and in his "career". His wife Dasha is a housewife, who spends most of the time in front of the TV, eating candy. Their children are attractive, promiscuous and stupid daughter Sveta and unsuccessful in communicating with the opposite sex, but intelligent son of Roma. They also have a Bernese Mountain dog named Baron.
Their neighbor Elena Stepanova is considered to be a very unattractive woman. With her cohabiting at different times Zhenya Stepanov (first husband), who eventually leaves her and becomes a hunter, and Tolia Poleno (the second husband) - a former criminal, handsome and gigolo. As in other situational comedies, the humor of the series is based on the fact that the characters constantly get into various difficult or sometimes even funny situations and try to get out of them.
Characters[]
| Actor | Role | Original |
|---|---|---|
| Viktor Loginov (Виктор Логинов) | Gena Bukin (Гена Букин) | Al Bundy |
| Natalya Bochkareva (Наталья Бочкарёва) | Dasha Bukina (Даша Букина) | Peggy Bundy |
| Darya Sagalova (Дарья Сагалова) | Sveta Bukina (Света Букина) | Kelly Bundy |
| Aleksandr Yakin (Александр Якин) | Roma Bukin (Рома Букин) | Bud Bundy |
| Yuliya Zakharova (Юлия Захарова) | Elena Stepanova-Poleno (Лена Степанова-Полено) | Marcy D'Arcy |
| Aleksey Sekirin (Алексей Секирин) | Zhenya Stepanov (Женя Степанов) | Steve Rhoades |
| Pavel Savinkov (Павел Савинков) | Anatoly "Tolia" Poleno (Анатолий "Толик" Полено) | Jefferson D'Arcy |
Episodes[]
- Main article: Schastlivy vmeste (Счастливы вместе)/Episodes
Trivia[]
To be added.
| International Remakes | ||
| Germany • United Kingdom • Brazil • Turkey • Colombia • Argentina • Russia • Chile • Spain • Hungary • Croatia • Bulgaria • Israel • Armenia • Mexico | ||