Ep 1. Hot off the Grill

Married...with Children season 4 episode 1 titled Hot off the Grill is a classic episode of the popular sitcom series. With a runtime of 21 minutes, the episode originally aired on September 3, 1989, on Fox TV network.

The episode begins with Al Bundy (played by Ed O'Neill) waking up from a nightmare where he sees a future where his family has become rich, and he is living in a mansion. An unhappy Al then goes downstairs to see that his family is preparing for a barbeque. Peggy (played by Katey Sagal) has invited her relatives for a cookout, which does not sit well with Al, who is reluctant to give up his Sunday to entertain them.

As Al reluctantly prepares for the barbeque, he discovers that the grill is not working. Al attempts to fix the grill but soon gives up when he realizes that he is powerless to do so. Peggy suggests that they borrow a grill from their neighbor Marcy (played by Amanda Bearse). However, Marcy demands a price for her grill, which Al reluctantly agrees to pay.

Meanwhile, Al's slow-witted, but extremely strong neighbor, Jefferson D'Arcy (played by Ted McGinley) is picking up a new grill at the store. But when he discovers that the grill is too heavy, he appeals to Al for help. Al agrees to help Jefferson, but only if he can keep the giant box that came with the grill, which Al uses to torment his wife.

Back at the Bundy household, Peggy's relatives arrive, and the cooking begins. However, Peggy's uncle, Otto (played by John Randolph), is not satisfied with Peggy's cooking and starts complaining loudly to everyone's annoyance.

As the afternoon wears on, Marcy returns with the grill that Al borrowed but discovers that it is not working. Marcy has an emotional breakdown over her broken grill, but Al tries to comfort her by offering to fix it. However, Al soon gives up, realizing that the grill is beyond repair and has to give Marcy his prized cookbook, "The Joys of Cooking Roadkill," as compensation.

As the barbeque ends, Al discovers that Jefferson has left his giant grill box behind, and he decides to have some fun. Peggy's relatives convince Al to climb inside the box, promising him that he will get a beer for his trouble. But after Al climbs inside, they leave him there, and he is unable to get out. Peggy finds Al trapped in the box but instead of helping him, she decides to have some fun by rolling him around in the box.

In the end, Al gets his revenge by tricking Peggy's uncle Otto into walking through the fence into Marcy's yard, allowing Marcy to take her revenge on him.

Overall, Married...with Children season 4 episode 1 titled "Hot off the Grill" is a hilarious episode that showcases the show's characteristic humor and dry wit. The episode's plot is simple, but the comedic situations that arise from the family's attempts to host a barbeque keep the audience entertained throughout.