Hypertext Program Guide
"Pilot" (0101)



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Last update September 12, 2010


Episode title: Pilot
Episode production code: 0101

Episode # in production code order: 1
Episode # in true US premiere order: 1
Episode # in old US premiere order: 1

US premiere date: April 5, 1987
US premiere time: 6 pm

Taping date: December 12, 1986, with later re-shots
US premiere rating: 3.9
US premiere share: 7

Written by Michael G. Moye & Ron Leavitt
Directed by Linda Day

First camera shot: Peggy seesawing her foot.

Synopsis: After 15 years of marriage and two kids, Chicagoans Al and Peggy have settled into a peaceful coexistence - disturbed only by the verbal volleys they exchange while awake. The opener introduces the Bundys to newlywed neighbors Steve and Marcy Rhoades. We also meet Luke, Al's swinging single co-worker at the shoe store. Peg wants Marcy and Steve to come over, so she refuses to let Al go to a basketball game with Luke.

Recurring character cast:
Luke Ventura: Ritch Shydner

Guest cast:
Customer #1 (Nancy): Diana Bellamy
Customer #2 (Lisa): Sue Ann Gilfillan
Tawny: Linda Dona
Arnold: Victor Di Mattia

General notes: The premiere of this pilot was also the premiere of the Fox Network; it was followed by "The Tracey Ullman Show" pilot; both pilots were repeated twice on that night. Peggy & Al have sex, initiated by Al. This is the only episode that lists the writer/director credits at the beginning of the episode instead of at the end. There is an unaired earlier original version of this episode with a modified shoe store scene and different actors as Bud and Kelly!

Influences: When Al hears his neighbours' first names for the first time, he asks Peggy: "What is their last name, Gorme?" This indicates that the Rhoades' first names "Steve'n'Marcy" could be a reference to "Steve and Edie" aka Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, a husband-and-wife singing team who do light songs.

Kelly's boyfriend: Cobra aka Stanley

DVD: Information at Bundyology's DVD page.

Transcript: Available at Marriedaniac's Macrocosm of Married with Children and Bunda Stránky. Marredaniac also has the final draft script of the original pilot.

Al, Marcy and Steve

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© Andreas Carl 2003