Modern Family
I’m not sure if I enjoyed this one any more than I enjoyed The Middle before it or Cougar Town after it, but I do think Modern Family is a great new way to return to an old-style comedy concept. It was also the most consistent of the three new ABC comedies.
First off, you’ve got a great cast. Every single actor knows his/her role in the series—and knew it from the very beginning. Props, too, to the writers and directors who didn’t play around with the concept or the characters. This show knew what it was from the wonderful pilot and continued in that same tone throughout the season.
But the most “magical” part about it was while it kept its mostly-grounded sense of reality, it also wasn’t mean-spirited. I’m all about funny, scathing humor—but I also appreciate a show that can maintain a level of warmth while remaining very funny. This is one of very few recent shows that is able to do that. I’m also impressed that the children are active participants in the humor. Most shows have the kids appear once or twice and then are forgotten about; this one not only keeps them on screen (such as the constant presence of the baby Lily), but often uses them to move the plot or as be active in the humor (such as the wonderful Manny).
Like most comedies, I expect to become a little more comfortable with the show in subsequent seasons (forgetting how original it is in this climate), but this show definitely is a different animal for being normal, and it should be commended for it.
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