Blondie Christina Applegate Channels Kelly Bundy with a New Dance: “The Bundy Bounce”
Christina Applegate, who rose to fame in the 1990s comedy Married with Children as Kelly Bundy, has taken fans by surprise by paying homage to her previous character in a nostalgic way and adding a fresh perspective to an old plot. Applegate, who portrayed the carefree and a little naive daughter of Al and Peg Bundy, is trying out for an unexpected position as the face of a new Allanté vehicle.
Applegate is reenacting a Kelly Bundy-inspired event with a dance routine she’s dubbed “The Bundy Bounce,” in a satirical tribute to her days of being married with children. In a recent interview, she gave an explanation of the change, saying it was her attempt to get back in touch with the lighthearted and carefree persona Kelly possessed from 1987 to 1997 when the show ran.
“I was going through some old scripts, and it just struck me, like, why not have some fun with this?” Applegate recalled, reflecting on the role that helped establish her as a household figure. Kelly would always think of something ridiculous to make herself stand out, so I imagined what would happen if she were trying out for a luxury car commercial right now. And thus, “The Bundy Bounce” came to be.
This story is based on an episode of Married with Children in which Kelly Bundy was well-known for her outrageous behavior and daring wardrobe choices, frequently bordering on slapstick hilarity. Kelly’s attempt to become the face of Allanté would have made for a fantastic fictitious storyline full of her characteristic airheaded charm, overstated confidence, and distinctive dance skills. The result of that concept is “The Bundy Bounce,” a goofy, wildly exuberant dance designed to grab the judges’ attention.
To the joy of devoted Married with Children fans, Applegate recently posted a little video of herself practicing the dance on social media. The video, which went viral right away, features Applegate in her living room mimicking Kelly’s outrageous enthusiasm for the audition with lots of exaggerated arm gestures, hip swings, and, of course, a wink toward the camera.
“It was the Kelly that was all show and no substance that people really wanted to see again,” Applegate quipped. “Kelly would have done the silly, ridiculous dance in an attempt to appeal to the crowd,”
Even with Applegate’s successful post-Married with Children career, which included critically lauded parts in Anchorman and Dead to Me, Kelly Bundy’s legacy lives on in popular culture. For viewers of 90s sitcoms, Kelly’s casual demeanor, catchy one-liners, and unrepentant attitude made her a legendary “dumb blonde” who was frequently more self-aware than others gave her credit for.
As many fans are rediscovering Married with Children through streaming platforms, Applegate’s tribute to Kelly with “The Bundy Bounce” introduces a new generation to the antics of the Bundy family. Sitcom fans still find great resonance in the show’s irreverent comedy, exaggerated characters, and scathing critique of middle-class America.
With a smile, Applegate replied, “You never know!” in response to a question concerning the potential of returning to Married with Children after this enjoyable callback. It all comes down to timing and narrative, in my opinion. But for now, I’m content to honor Kelly in my own unique manner.
Although Applegate is still very busy with her current endeavors, such as her ongoing support of multiple sclerosis awareness after receiving her own diagnosis, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of resuming Kelly Bundy’s role in the future.
Fans can currently experience some nostalgic charm and her jovial dance routines. It’s debatable if Kelly Bundy would have ever been hired as an Allanté spokeswoman, but one thing is certain: The Bundy Bounce serves as a humorous reminder of the reasons Christina Applegate and Kelly Bundy will always be beloved by fans.
It appears that Applegate’s homage to her iconic role has brought back some 90s nostalgia while also introducing her character’s charm to a new generation of viewers, as evidenced by the number of views her new “Bundy Bounce” video is receiving. Watch Applegate’s social media accounts, as she has hinted that she might post more content that draws from her experience as Kelly Bundy.
She chuckled, “Once you start bouncing, it’s hard to stop.”
