“He Didn’t See It Coming: Ed O’Neill Shares the Surprising Moment He Learned About the Cancellation of Married… With Children”
Modern Family actor Ed O’Neill recounted his initial reaction to the cancellation of his 1987 show, Married… With Children. In an appearance on the MeSsy podcast with co-stars Christina Applegate and Jamie Lynn Sigler, O’Neill shared his thoughts.
Playing Applegate’s father on the show, O’Neill revealed that he learned of the cancellation while walking through his hometown. A newlywed couple informed him of the news.
Reflecting on the moment, O’Neill said, “I was back in my hometown, at a bed and breakfast, enjoying a beautiful spring day in the gardens.” He continued, “A car with ‘Just Married’ decorations pulled in, and the newlyweds approached me with the news.”
Despite the disappointing news, O’Neill celebrated with the couple and opened a bottle of champagne. Applegate also shared that she was caught off guard by the cancellation, learning about it through indirect sources.
On the podcast, O’Neill mentioned that he never received a farewell gift from the show or the network, joking about other shows receiving luxury gifts. Married… with Children aired for eleven seasons on Fox, depicting the comedic struggles of a Chicago family.
The show is available for streaming on Prime Video.