A Letter to Ed O'Neill

Dear Ed,

My sentiments exactly

Allow me to demonstrate how much I truly appreciate your contributions to the acting community. Sir, you single-handedly revolutionized the stereotypical lower-middle class domicile. Your role as Al Bundy on the hit show Married… With Children will forever embed my brain with the ideal role model of the man’s man. The fact that they still air the show just expresses how influential your role really was. I am mainly writing to you to show my true gratitude and appreciation for your commitment to the TV sitcom. You stood up for men in a time when the “breadwinner” role was undermined as well as expected from the man of the house. From my perspective, the “Al Bundy” character was a direct embodiment of Rodney Dangerfield’s entire comedic repertoire, you got NO respect! The fact that you worked so hard and had the chance to leave your malevolent family for greener pastures only furthers my case. When the show finally ended (as all good things do), you fell under the radar for approximately twelve years with only minor roles to show for it. But then, when I thought you were out of the spotlight for good, BAM! Your career was suddenly resurrected like the ghost of TuPac. Accepting the role as the patriarch of the hit show Modern Family was by far one of the best career moves you could have made. I absolutely know this was made for you because in contrast to your role as Al Bundy; you became Jay Pritchett, a successful near-retiree with a gorgeous younger wife. Basically you got everything Al could have asked for. Knowing that it comes wit the stipulation of your new wife’s son Manny, keeps my interest going. I wish you the best of your current endeavors; and I hope Modern Family gets signed for eight more seasons, simply because I enjoy your style so fervently.

At long last...

Enjoy Yourself,

The Armchair Quarterback

(F.C. Zamani)