a tv version of the NUMBER_TOKEN film the french connection how ed o'neill became al bundy an executive for fox saw ed o'neal's work on stage in of mice and men and asked him to audition for married with children the offer came at a time when fox was just beginning to make a name for itself as a tv network in fact it was the first primetime series they ever aired ed practically had the role from the moment the audition began he walked through the door of the bundy family home sighing and slumping his shoulders while some casting directors may see this as a sign of disdain or lack of confidence it was a positive sign this time because it was exactly what al bundy would have done the rest of ed's mannerisms and delivery during the audition also gave the right impression he based his portrayal of al bundy on his carefree self-deprecating uncle joe no one had high hopes for married with children at first ed's agent bernie brillstein wanted him to stick with more serious roles and his four to six hundred dollar a week broadway's salary ed didn't expect the show to remain on air for more than a few episodes so he initially turned down an offer to come in for another audition the network kept asking but he insisted on a pay raise before taking the part bernie negotiated an even better deal for his client after season eight when it was time to re-sign his contract for the show showrunner gary lieberthal wasn't receptive to the idea at first but gave in to make sure he didn't lose the rising star that carried his program once the show became a success bernie had one final demand a new porsche carrera to replace ed's old mustang the negotiation went over smoothly and everyone involved was pleased to do it including ed who had always loved cars hey if you're enjoying this video so far be sure to give it a like and subscribe to facts first for more and keep watching to learn how married with children changed ed's life and career forever married with children married with children aired its first episode in april of NUMBER_TOKEN. it followed the bundy family who was named after wrestler king kong bundy they were a dysfunctional family who constantly fought and put each other down they served as a break from and almost a parody of the perfect tv families of the previous decade and fans embraced the change married with children was a major success for several years it was the longest running show to never win an emmy until baywatch ended in NUMBER_TOKEN and broke its record it also held the distinction of being the longest running american primetime scripted series after murder she wrote ended in NUMBER_TOKEN. it held that record until the end of its run despite its impressively long run it never reached the top NUMBER_TOKEN of the nielsen ratings ed o'neal wasn't as rude as his tv counterpart he even took the time to call fans on their birthdays while staying in character life did imitate art in many ways though al bundy played high school football in a call back to ed's early football career his wife katherine russoff with whom he had
START_INTERACTION_TOKEN hey if you're enjoying this video so far be sure to give it a like and subscribe to facts first for more and keep watching to learn how married with children changed ed's life and career forever END_INTERACTION_TOKEN