Fox’s leading men reach their peak

Al, Homer and Evan (a.k.a. Joe Millionaire) took over Fox on Sunday and Monday. “Married… with Children,” “The Simpsons” and “Joe Millionaire” are shows from Fox’s past, present and future that make a real statement about the station.

First in the lineup on Sunday night was the milestone, 300th episode of “The Simpsons.” Ever dedicated to spontaneous humor, this episode, in which Bart divorces his parents, kept the tradition going. Homer filled Al Bundy’s shoes after “Married… with Children” left the air. He is the epitome of the anti-“Father Knows Best” dad. He’s the real Dad (to an extent) who asserts that spending your free time with a beer and a doughnut is what life is all about.

However, in Sunday’s episode, Homer reached deep to find his fatherly instincts and won Bart back with the help of Tony Hawk. Highlights in the episode were Blink 182’s appearance and Homer’s “viagain” commercial, where he advertised a combination sex drive, hair loss pill.

On the heels of the 90-minute “The Simpons” was the “Married… with Children” reunion show. It’s been five years since the show went off the air after 11 seasons, and the reunion show was welcome to fans everywhere. The entire cast got together and gave commentary on clips from the show. They focused on the quirks of each character, such as Al’s aversion to sex, Bud’s luck with the ladies, Peg’s housekeeping and Kelly’s less than modest lifestyle. The best thing about the reunion show was that it provided a chance for the actors to talk about their takes on their characters. Also, Fox was a baby station when this show came on the air. It was the WB of the late ’80s and still establishing its role in the TV world.

Many of Fox’s traditions seemed to be established in “Married… with Children.” Certainly, a precedent for what types of shows to expect from Fox was set. Shows that are a little out there, chancy and open to criticism from the conservative is what Fox is known for. “Married with Children” definitely fit into this category because up until 1987, when the pilot aired, family shows followed a strict “Leave It To Beaver” pattern. That wasn’t the only precedent set. Anyone who’s ever seen an episode of “The Simpsons” knows that Fox constantly finds ways to insult their own station during the show. It’s something that all Fox fans love about the station. It can laugh at itself, which keeps us laughing, too. “Married… with Children” was the first Fox show to really activate this comedic tactic. For a while there was even a sort of “find Fox” competition because at the time, it didn’t have a set channel.

On Monday night, Evan followed up Homer and Al’s act. The “Joe Millionaire” Show’s technical finale packed in three suspense filled events. Two were entirely expected and one was not so predictable. OK, it was predictable, but it wasn’t supposed to be. Evan impressed the world when he passed up Sarah and chose Zora, who didn’t give him more than a few stolen kisses in the swimming pool. Having made his decision, he had to break the news.

If Zora was still going to have him, she had to meet him in the ballroom at the said time. So, we all expect sweet honest Zora to dismiss him for lying and go on with her life of charity work and sunny days.

The second surprise of the night came when Zora walked into the ballroom, all jazzed up, and decides to give Evan a second chance. So, as if that wasn’t enough, America’s favorite butler walks in and hands the happy couple a check for one million dollars. Not too shabby for a construction worker/underwear model. The show as we know it ended with a shared dance between Evan and Zora. Didn’t their mothers ever tell them not to base a relationship on a lie? Look out for the interview next Monday at 9 p.m. that will update you on America’s newest millionaires and their relationship.