Household Median income in the US as of 1989 (the year The Simpsons started) was $30k.
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Al Bundy was supposed to be a loser because he worked minimum wage, yet he was able to afford a house and 2 children
- Thread starter HomokHarcos
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Household Median income in the US as of 1989 (the year The Simpsons started) was $30k.
He tried to do a side hustle for extra money but it didn't work very well
Sorry for the hijack, but I see Al Bundy's name and it gives me an occasion to signal boost this fantastic Youtube channel :
Also make sure to watch José's videos about the Roseanne and the Conners show.
Also make sure to watch José's videos about the Roseanne and the Conners show.
could be a few variables at play in actual reality.
It was probably left to him or low income subsidies, state programs, cheap location etc etc...
It was probably left to him or low income subsidies, state programs, cheap location etc etc...
I'm pretty sure Al inherited the home since there were flashbacks with him as a child in the same house. Beyond that they were eating toaster crumbs and he drove a 20 year old car. Not exactly a winner...
That Simpsons pay slip is from 24 years ago lol.
There was also the episode where Homer left his job at the power plant to work in bowling for minimum wage which he liked more but had to go back to the higher paying job to support Maggie. It's not that he's dirt poor, but he is poor for a person who had to support three kids and a wife
There was also the episode where Homer left his job at the power plant to work in bowling for minimum wage which he liked more but had to go back to the higher paying job to support Maggie. It's not that he's dirt poor, but he is poor for a person who had to support three kids and a wife
I thought it was the opposite? The person asking the question made that amount and Biden said that's a shame.
Yeah I was just about to go look for it. They drill down to the likely neighborhood he lived, what his salary was based on some episode, and I think they determined it was reasonable.
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I think the exceptions are Seinfeld (Jerry's apartment is nice but not absurd, and he's supposed to be making decent money) and maybe Chandler from Friends, who I remember as being extremely well-compensated.
Grimy, as he liked to be called, probably would have been in a better financial situation if he didn't blow his money on hookers.
Chandler and Ross were pretty much the only two making good money consistently throughout the show.
Also never forget Monica, the cook/chef/linecook that has the most free time in the entire world.
All sitcoms need enough space to film. Imagine fitting 4 people in tiny space is not fun or funny. Rich or poor, most sitcom set is exactly the same size.
He was a very frugal guy. He probably payed for them with coupons.
Okay, but that doesn't explain how he was able to afford a Ferguson.
Disability? Child support maybe trust fund. Lots of reasons that can happen.
Reminds me of Malcolm in the Middle. Parents had about 4-5 kids while the mum worked retail and no idea what the dad did.
Did he work for minimum wage? He was a shoe salesman, right? I think it was metaphorical. Working for a shitty boss, being stepped on, having to be on your knees a lot, having to deal with smelly feet, etc.
yah, people miss the point of the show. Al lived in a hell of his own creation. He was his own worst enemy, etc. If he were a caring father and a loving husband chances are his life would have been much happier.
yah, people miss the point of the show. Al lived in a hell of his own creation. He was his own worst enemy, etc. If he were a caring father and a loving husband chances are his life would have been much happier.
The real Kramer had already made it rich through some inventions of his, I believe, which probably the inspiration for the TV Kramer.
The TV Kramer's a bit inconsistent. Sometimes it's suggested that he's legitimately broke and has to mooch off of Jerry, there are other points where he does seem to be more in line with reality.
He told the realtor that he scored four touchdowns in a single game and got given the house for free.
This is 100% the Simpsons dilemma (though Homer was likely making BANK as an unqualified safety inspector. Thank god for that early episode to justify the next 30 years lol). But ultimately that was the middle class ideal of the late 80s and early 90s which was portrayed in every sitcom.
Far more unrealistic was Friends. Nothing about that show was grounded in economic or demographic reality
Far more unrealistic was Friends. Nothing about that show was grounded in economic or demographic reality
Pretty sure there was an episode about the hammer Al's male family members used to attempt to build a room for themselves but were never successful at doing so. Which tells me Al wasn't paying for that house.
Peg stayed home to do nothing but watch the kids, eat bon-bons, and buy shit from the home shopping network, so it's not like they had to pay for daycare. But he was barely making enough to put food on the table and clothes on their back.
Peg stayed home to do nothing but watch the kids, eat bon-bons, and buy shit from the home shopping network, so it's not like they had to pay for daycare. But he was barely making enough to put food on the table and clothes on their back.
Nothing. That story is false
Though the real story is somehow more absurd: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Kramer
Hal worked at some office job. They still were pretty well off for living in North Hollywood though.
With Roseanne it's said that they have multiple mortgages out on the house, but at the same time have episodes where they are unable to pay the power bill. After Dan loses his bike shop and Roseanne is out of work they very nearly do lose the house, until Bev steps in and helps Roseanne and Jackie open up that diner(I believe Dan goes back to being a contract drywaller at this point).
Good point. That job over here would pay well above minimum wage.
This is an interesting take. In retrospect it makes sense. I think this is partially intended by the writers especially later on, but I think the first season is all "poor Al"
Should be said that Homer lucked into his job. It's shown that the reason he even works at the plant in the first place is because he assured Mr. Burns he would be a pushover employee that would be completely at his whim in a flashback, although before that it's shown that he obtained his current position by threatening litigation because of the numerous safety violations found throughout the plant, and Mr. Burns essentially buying him off. Pretty good for a guy that didn't even officially graduate high school until he was in his late 30s, let alone having any sort of college degree.
Although in "And Maggie Makes Three" it's shown that Homer is able to pay off all his debts before Maggie comes along, enabling him to work at the bowling alley, which must mean their house is actually paid for.
Although in "And Maggie Makes Three" it's shown that Homer is able to pay off all his debts before Maggie comes along, enabling him to work at the bowling alley, which must mean their house is actually paid for.
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Yeah Biden did say it was a shame but it was the guy asking the question who referred to himself as middle class which was interesting to say the least.
Assuming kelly was 16 in the show, maybe they bought the house in 1971 - just as she was born. Google tells me minimum wage was around $1.15 an hour then in illinois. The average home price was around $30k.
He did have second jobs every now and then too. Maybe he had help with a down payment and just eeked by. He seems to have had the same car and clothes for the whole series.
He did have second jobs every now and then too. Maybe he had help with a down payment and just eeked by. He seems to have had the same car and clothes for the whole series.
