In this pilot we meet Al and Peg Bundy, a very dysfunctional Chicago family. In the pilot, Al and Peg, who have no friends, meet their new neighbors Steve and Marcy Rhoades. Steve and Marcy are a very happily married couple until they learn from the Bundys.

Marcy gives Peggy the book "Thinnergy", which is a book about health. Very inspired by the book, Peggy goes on a diet and tries to convince the family to join in, but they refuse. When the diet makes Peggy really annoying, Steve convinces Al to join the diet, and persuades Peggy to quit.

The Bundys and the Rhoades' hear of crime in the neighborhood. Al buys a gun, and the Rhoades' buy a dog. Al hears a noise and accidentally kills the dog, thinking it was a burglar.

Al and Steve draw closer together when they try to restore a 1965 Mustang. Peg and Marcy on the other hand can't stop from despising their husbands.

Al is unable to purchase a gift for Peg on their 16th wedding anniversary as his credit card seemed to be maxed out.

In an attempt to spice up their marriage, Al and Peg check in at a hotel, while Steve and Marcy babysit Bud and Kelly. The Rhoades' learn that babysitting the young Bundys is a mistake when the kids turn their home into a rioting party.

Al invites Steve to play poker, but Steve ends up losing his paycheck to Al. Afraid to tell Marcy the truth, Steve tries to convince Peggy to give him the check back.

Peg wants a VCR and Al won't get it for her. She ends up working at a department store for money, which disrupts her and Al's relationship.

Al spends some time at Luke Ventura's apartment after running out from a fight with Peg.

Steve is away on business and Marcy is having sexual fantasies with Al involuntarily. Marcy becomes so disgusted and she tells Peg, who tries to give her tips on how to avoid them.

After thinking that his boss is dead, Al tries to find another job unless he gets some appreciation and credit for his work.

Al and Peggy delay going to a closing of their favorite hamburger joint when Bud and Kelly run into a problem. Meanwhile, Steve and Marcy prepare a party for some executive big-shots.