That Time Anthrax was on Married… with Children

I spent a lot of my childhood and teenaged years in front of the television. Even pre-internet, it was the golden era of cable, with dozens (yes, dozens!) of channels to choose from. It was also a golden era of syndication, with dozens (yes, dozens!) of re-runs of any sitcom popular enough to run for 5+ years. 

One of these was Married… with Children, which ran for 11 seasons and 259 episodes from April 1987 to June 1997. Having seen most of these episodes numerous times — as well as many other episodes of many other shows numerous times — I was convinced that my brain made up the one where thrash metal band Anthrax appeared on Married… with Children. Surely such a strange combination could’ve only be the result of me conflating episodes of one show with things that happened in another show, right? But it happened! I rewatched it and everything!

 

When did Anthrax appear on Married… with Children?

“My Dinner With Anthrax” — Season 6, Episode 19 — originally aired on February 23, 1992. In this episode, Bud (David Faustino) and Kelly (Christina Applegate) win a radio contest where they are awarded a private party with Anthrax at their house. They send Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peggy (Katey Segal) to a time-share pitch disguised as 20th anniversary trip to get their parents out of the house for the party. 

The parents leave and Anthrax comes to the house — just before a big snowstorm! While trapped in the house, Anthrax are starving and eat a “mystery pack” left in the fridge that no one in even such a food insecure household would consider eating. They hallucinate. Clearly affected by the food, Anthrax goes into a rousing rendition of their song “In My World.” Marshall amps are stacked around the staircase and the band, along with Bud, Kelly, and their next-door neighbor Marcie trash the house. It’s great! Here it is if you want to see for yourself.

 

 

Meanwhile, Al and Peggy are at the hotel getting ready for some romance when they are interrupted by time-share salesman Fred Willard. Fred Willard! He was so great and so funny. I miss him. Fred’s pitch is joined by former teen idol Edward Byrnes, who hands out combs in homage of his popular tune “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb),” which was a hit for him and Connie Stevens in March 1959. It’s very endearing for anyone who has fond memories of the old late 1950s show 77 Sunset Strip. Even in my middle age, I am still way too young to get these references but it is charming nonetheless.

Al and Peggy return home to a trashed house. The episode ends with Anthrax and Edward Byrnes performing an a cappella version of “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb),” with catch phrases that many many people are way too young to remember. Still, the combination of all these pop culture elements make for a fun episode. If you’re nostalgic for either Married… with Children or Anthrax, you should treat yourself and buy the complete series box set!

Click on the box set to buy Married… with Children: The Complete Series!

 

The Legacy of this Groundbreaking Episode

Scott Ian of Anthrax recalls this fondly. He spoke to Stereogum about the experience in 2022, saying, “Man, that week was one of the best weeks in the history of the band, getting to do that.” Ian even shares a story about the band taking David Faustino to see Metallica while shooting the episode and catching shit from one of the producers for Faustino showing up hungover. Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante confirmed that appearing on Married… with Children was indeed a highlight of the band’s career.

Click on the band to buy Persistence of Time by Anthrax!

 

Conclusion regarding Anthrax on Married… with Children

Yes, Anthrax did indeed appear on a 1992 episode of Married… with Children. They preformed the song “In My World” from their 1990 album Persistence of Time. For some reason, this episode has been living rent-free in my head for like weeks and taking up too much cognitive space in my brain that could better be left for much more important things, like the impending collapse of the United States or the ice shelves melting or replaying my favorite movie in my head. In writing up this random episode that I keep thinking about from 30 years ago, I am hoping to stop thinking about it so much and move on.

Image Credit: made with Pixl

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