‘Til Death’ Do Us Part

Being married for over 20 years is no easy feat, but Eddie and Joy Stark make it work. The fictional couple are the stars of ‘Til Death’, an American sitcom which is sort of based on creators Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa’s lives.

Set in a Philadelphia suburb, the couple’s battles are fun, friendly and funny – much like what you’d see in ‘Big Bang Theory’ or ‘Two and a Half Men’.

There’s always a fight in a relationship – a dwindling sex life, especially in a long-term union; comparing yourselves to younger couples; the past coming back to haunt you… It’s a lot.

Let’s get into the characters, though: Eddie (played by Brad Garrett) isn’t afraid to get things off his chest when it’s time to do so. He has great authority and is there for his family and friends who need him.

Sometimes he gets out of hand with his goofiness. Anyone would find him to be a lovable character. And as a lover of history (who also happens to be a history teacher), Eddie also has great chemistry with his wife, and is quite the family guy.

Then there’s Joy (Joely Fisher), a sarcastic travel agent who has had time in the travel industry, but later moves to teaching high school. She’s a loving person, but often makes jokes about sex – as seen in episode eight when she thinks Eddie is dying, and tries to revive their sex life.

The younger neighbours are Jeff and Steph Woodcock – optimistic newly-weds who often talk about their happy marriage. Jeff also happens to be the vice principal where Eddie works. Then there’s JB Smoove playing Kenny Westchester, who admires Eddie, seeing as they have a brotherly relationship. Divorced and sad, he enrolls in a Big Brother organisation and he creates a strong bond with Eddie, later moving in with the Starks.

Allison Stark (who has been played by several people) is the eldest Stark daughter who goes to college to find her own way, but returns home now and then. She leans on her mother for support with her boyfriend and later husband – to her father’s dismay, seeing as he wants to be her shoulder to cry on. It’s all quite sweet.

Sadly, the series came to an end after season three in 2010.