User Reviews

Usually, television sitcoms don't lend themselves to criticism because they are what they are, namely commercial products that cater to ratings at the expense of artistic quality. And Married with Children is no different (even though this sitcom was in my opinion far more clever and funny then most other series in the genre). However, this episode was actually excellent. It features dancing by David Garrison and Christina Applegate, an excellent script with great one-liners, humorous and likable characters and proof that when given the chance, performers can excel. Case in point is Ms. Applegate. She is terrific in this episode. Not only is she funny, she dances is and clearly the star. That later on she has gone on to perform on Broadway does not surprise me. Ms. Applegate is wonderful. She would be a great Shirley Feeley in a remake of Laverne and Shirley.

Christina Applegate dutifully played the part of Kelly for years, helping Fox TV make itself a household staple. Kelly was the stereotypical "dumb blonde", unable to walk and chew gum at the same time. Kelly jiggled, mispronounced words, and tossed her beautiful hair on cue with such masterful comedic timing, at such a young age, she reminded me of a young Goldie Hawn on Laugh-In. Finally an episode was written that once and for all proved that this little girl had more talent in her little finger than many young actresses will ever display in their entire careers! My favorite episode, by far, a must-see for Christina Applegate fans.

Oh yes, Christina Applegate shines in this episode as she is punished for vandalizing the school bus for the school's tap dance club. In this episode, her principal punishes her by making her take tap dancing lessons. When Al goes to talk and reason with her, Kelly is forced to perform the dance recital. She confesses that she is afraid that the good-looking janitor and Fame alum won't like her after he finds out that she's in the tap dance club. Steve helps out by tap dancing and helping Kelly out. In the meantime, Al is complaining that his socks are going missing and don't match. He thinks the wives are all up to something thanks to Oprah Winfrey or Phil Donahue. The scene at the recital is really priceless because of what Kelly does. She can dance very well maybe not just tap.

Kelly Bundy is the focus of this episode and that's fine with me: Christina Applegate was my poster girl back in the late '80s/early '90s (well, she shared bedroom wall space with Traci Lords). As punishment for vandalising the school tap-dance club bus, Kelly is forced to perform in a tap dance recital. But in a last minute change of plans, her performance is less rhythm and more raunch, the Bundy girl steaming up the auditorium by dancing to the song 'Fever' with Bruno, the school janitor.

Applegate kicks off this episode in a sexy purple off-the-shoulder top that is designed to set pulses racing, but she really gets people hot under the collar in her final dance scene, wearing a skimpy red number that must have doubled viewing figures for the show in one fell swoop. The plot also features some nonsense about Al's footwear, Peggy deliberately losing single socks so that her husband cannot find a matching pair, but who cares about that?