FOX TO AIR FIRST EPISODE OF MARRIED WITH CHILDREN FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

In celebration of its 25TH Anniversary, FOX is giving viewers a look back at a show that defined the network and created one of television’s most iconic characters: “Al Bundy,” played by Ed O'Neil, known to today's viewers as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family. The “Married…With Children” episode will air on Sunday, April 22, 7 p.m., followed by an encore of THE SIMPSONS’ 500th episode.

“Married…With Children” launched on April 5, 1987. In the pilot, Al gets front row seats to a basketball game, but Peggy (Katey Sagal) makes him stay home and meet their new neighbors, Marcy (Amanda Bearse) and Steve Rhoades (David Garrison).

THE SIMPSONS first aired as a full-fledged series on January 14, 1990, but Springfield’s craziest family had appeared on FOX for several years in a number of animated “shorts” as part of “The Tracey Ullman Show.” In the 500th episode, “At Long Last Leave,” the Simpsons are evicted from Springfield and join an off-the-grid community outside of town.

Immediately following these rebroadcasts, FOX’s 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) will take an entertaining look back at the groundbreaking and irreverent shows the network has aired over the years. The special will feature appearances by FOX talent, highlights from iconic series and specials and reunions with cast members from some of the network’s fan-favorite series, including “Married With Children,” “In Living Color” and “That ’70s Show,” among others.