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The long-anticipated animated reimagining of Married... with Children has at last been shelved. It was last year that word initially surfaced that the show was being revived in animated form with the original cast returning to their respective roles; however, it looks like it won't happen. For fans of the raunchy 1980s sitcom, this is bad news.
First released in 1987 and on air for more than a decade, Married... with Children made a lasting impact on American culture with its offbeat comedy and anti-sitcom attitude. The concept of a reboot, especially one that featured the original cast members, created buzz. But now, that reboot appears to be scrapped, at least temporarily.
Reboot of Married... with Children was to feature the original cast in animated form
It was the show's innovative animated concept and the intended return of the original cast that set the reboot apart. Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, and David Faustino had all signed on to return to voice their characters. The new approach for the reboot was viewed as both a throwback and a twist, given the cast's ages and changing expectations of what people wanted.
The project had been in production under Sony Pictures Television, which owned the rights to the series. A script was penned, and initial feedback from people in the know had reportedly been positive. However, despite the support and talent backing it, the reboot failed to create interest among streaming platforms or TV networks.
The series is not in development
As reported by Collider, the Married... with Children animated reboot is no longer actively in development. The news came while talking to series creator Alex Carter, who spoke about the project's progress. Even though Carter did not declare the project cancellation officially, the statement suggested that despite having a script and preliminary interest from Sony, the reboot failed to take off after it was pitched.
This concurs with increasing fan rumors in the past year that the reboot, which was once the subject of great fanfare, had been quietly put on the back burner. While not officially canceled, the series appears to have been shelved indefinitely, with no further development or reported plans.
Industry shifts could have affected the reboot's status of
Married... with Children
The renewal of the reboot occurred during a crazy period in Hollywood. The writers' and actors' strikes in 2023 disrupted many of the ongoing and upcoming series, and Carter acknowledged that timing was an issue, as it was difficult to find footing. Even veteran shows with dedicated fan bases can't find commitments in a hectic and unpredictable market.
Additionally, the television business has gravitated toward serialization and expensive programming. Sitcom revivals, especially animated ones, are even more formidable these days, even when they're tied to classic franchises. The remake of Married... with Children was, by all accounts, a casualty of such shifting trends.
Original series is a sitcom landmark
Married... with Children first aired from 1987 to 1997 and became a cultural institution of the Fox network, perhaps one of the network's most enduring shows. Sassy dialogue, edge-pushing comedy, and dysfunctional families brought the show self-consciously to challenge the family-friendly sitcom format that dominated television in those days. The show had gained a dedicated following throughout its long run and is still a cultural reference point for TV of the '90s.
Even after decades of false rumors of reboots and revivals, none had ever gotten as far as this one. Even with a script written, the return of the original crew, and backing by studios, the reboot has languished, a reminder that even the classics aren't always afforded second chances.
No sign of revival of Married... with Children anytime soon
Carter did not close the door to revisiting the reboot in the future, however, but the future does not look bright for now. With no discussions currently in the works and with little industry interest, there is no hope that the animated reboot will be revisited. The project, while fully developed and pitched, remains only on paper.
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At this point, fans will simply have to continue watching the original show in reruns or online streams. With nostalgia-driven revivals still all the rage, Married...with Children is among an increasing number of older programs whose reboots did not get off the ground.
read: What happened to Peggy and Marcy's baby on Married... with Children?
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