The Forgotten Married… With Children Spin-Off Attempt That Starred Keri Russell – Looper

When a series is as successful as “Married… with Children” was, it’s easy to overlook its failures. One of these missteps is the one Fox Network made with its attempt to spin off the beloved series, and have one of its main characters, Bud, go off on his own televised path. Fans unknowingly got to witness the pilot of this new series as it was first shown as a Season 9 episode of the flagship show. It was Episode 26, “Radio Free Trumaine,” where this new idea began, though it ended almost as quickly as it started.

This potential backdoor pilot featured not only Faustino but also Keri Russell as his possible love interest. “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane even played a radio DJ in this episode. The initial storyline followed Steve Rhoades (David Garrison) as the dean of Trumaine University, who is also the antagonist for the school’s radio station DJs. A simultaneous plotline focuses on Bud; the Bundy son is dating April Adams (Russell), who needs to choose between him and a Russian student who plays for the basketball team. When it was all said and done, the episode ended up being one of the lowest-rated chapters of the entire season on IMDb.

That was seemingly enough for the spin-off to be stopped dead in its tracks. It was pretty clear that cashing in on possible connected shows was not meant to be. Despite the fact “Married… with Children” only lasted two more seasons thereafter, cast members Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, and Christina Applegate all went on to enjoy successful careers, while “Radio Free Trumaine” guest stars Dane and Russell ended up doing alright for themselves as well.