Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, I want to alert you of a new book called Married… With Children Vs. The World: The Inside Story of the Shock-Com that Launched FOX and Changed TV Comedy Forever. Writer and producer Richard Gurman has penned the first comprehensive history of this FOX classic — starting with its development and going through all eleven of its individual seasons. It’s an insightful and sometimes juicy behind-the-scenes account of this sitcom and its long trajectory, with smart analysis about its place in the genre.

I must also mention that I was interviewed by the author (and several quotes from my 2016-2017 coverage of the series are included as well). When I spoke to Richard Gurman last year, we talked about Married…’s conception as a satirical response to the syrupy family sitcoms of the mid-1980s, the seminal Al vs. Marcy relationship as a source of both comedy and drama, and the qualitative evolution of the series as it first hit its stride and then slowly began to devolve. I’m mentioned at least six times, and I’m so proud and grateful to be included in what is easily the most definitive look yet at the great, hilarious, unique Married… With Children. I would recommend it even if I wasn’t involved. Here’s a link to purchase it from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Married-Children-vs-World-Shock-Com/dp/1637588313

Come back next week for a new Wildcard! And stay tuned Tuesday for more sitcom fun!