One of the most joyful "Married With Children" episodes, despite Death's prominent role. Every cast member (even Buck in one scene where he barks, something he does very rarely) gets their chance to shine, especially Peggy, in a dual role: as Peggy, and as The Grim Beaper....er, I mean Reaper, who visits Al after he claims that he hates life. Of course he changes his mind, so Death cuts him a deal: he will be allowed to live if another member of his family says that they need him one time before midnight. Meanwhile, Peggy and the kids are over at Marcy's impersonating The Village People and lip-synching to "It's fun to stay at the YMCA" on a loop. Later the real Village People show up, for a great fun ending. Many laugh-out-loud moments in this episode, from the kid dressed as "one of those dinosaurs that spit" to Kelly saying "Daddy, you've been breathing toxic poison gas, here, smell!". Clever (for a TV show of the time) special effects as well. *** out of 4.
2 Reviews
Al stares death in the face.
BA_Harrison24 December 2022
It's Halloween and Marcy has organised a charity fundraiser for women who have killed their husbands, booking The Village People to perform. Unfortunately, a last minute cancellation means that Marcy needs to find people to take The Village People's place, which is where Jefferson, Bud, Peggy and Kelly come in...
While his family is next door miming to YMCA (over and over again, since it is the only single that Marcy owns), Al is visited by Death (who looks like Peggy), who has finally answered his call. Al decides he doesn't really want to die, so Death cuts him a deal: if his family say that they need him just once before midnight, he can live.
This one isn't especially funny, but it sure is a lot of fun: it's nice to see Katey Sagal with a different look for a change (that long black wig looks great on her; she would've made an excellent Morticia Addams), and watching the gang prance around to YMCA is a hoot. The real Village People also turn up to join in the craziness, getting beaten up by the audience, who have finally had enough of listening to YMCA.
In the end, Al's meeting with Death turns out to be the result of the man breathing in toxic fumes and passing out. The Village People are invited to the Bundys' home and everyone dances.
While his family is next door miming to YMCA (over and over again, since it is the only single that Marcy owns), Al is visited by Death (who looks like Peggy), who has finally answered his call. Al decides he doesn't really want to die, so Death cuts him a deal: if his family say that they need him just once before midnight, he can live.
This one isn't especially funny, but it sure is a lot of fun: it's nice to see Katey Sagal with a different look for a change (that long black wig looks great on her; she would've made an excellent Morticia Addams), and watching the gang prance around to YMCA is a hoot. The real Village People also turn up to join in the craziness, getting beaten up by the audience, who have finally had enough of listening to YMCA.
In the end, Al's meeting with Death turns out to be the result of the man breathing in toxic fumes and passing out. The Village People are invited to the Bundys' home and everyone dances.
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