SEASON 1, EPISODE 3: SIXTEEN YEARS AND WHAT DO YOU GET?

An anniversary episode, on Network TV, on a sitcom...sugary, sappy and syrupy. Fox's rebuttal is the Bundy's anniversary. For the other Network's, this presentation of middle/working class suburban love must have seemed vile and offensive, but for Married With Children, it's the third episode in a row where the Bundy's get all mushy and romantic on us. Al and Peggy agree to not get presents for each other for their anniversary, but Al has a secret up his sleeve. He is planning on buying Peggy an expensive watch she has been wanting. His tragic move is telling the kids, who run straight to Peg to ruin the surprise. Peg, to counter Al's loving gesture, buys him power tools and orders a violinist and a catered dinner. Using their joint credit card, Peg rings up a few other purchases. Naturally, when Al attempts to buy the watch, his card is rejected and he comes home presentless. Al comes home and Peg, Steve and Marcy and Bud and Kelley crucify him for not getting Peggy a present. Al attempts to explain his dilemma, but no one listens and Al is ostracized. Al finally figures out why his credit card was rejected, and sulks out of the house leaving everyone else feeling quite guilty. The real mushiness begins when Peggy goes out to see Al, who is laboring in the garage. Al demands Peggy to say she is sorry--the Peggy a few years in the future would have laughed in his face, but this Peggy is not nearly as hostile. When she finds out Al was in the garage installing his car radio into her car (something she had really wanted), she feels even more remorseful. For the first and certainly last time, Al and Peggy make up with a slow dance in the garage. It appears that for the third episode in a row, Al and Peggy appear to be heading to the bedroom. Married With Children Light carries on.

*I RECOGNIZE THAT FACE
In the jewelery store, Al lectures a fellow customer on the science of wife gift giving. The customer happens to be Richard Sanders, better known as Les Nessman from WKRP in Cincinnati, nerd extraordinaire from the late-1970's.