Modern Family

When I was home over my break I found my self sucked into a marathon of Modern Family created by Christopher Lloyd and Steve Levitan. Before break I didn't really watch much of the show because I didn't have cable but I knew my own family loved it and that within the Park School and my group of friends it is a strongly liked show.

Getting more into the analysis of the show, I absolutely love all of the characters. There is literally a strong character that  every person can relate too and the crazy dynamic it creates is that of a real family. Not only is the writing for the characters good but it is casted so well. My favorite character is Phil Dunphy played by Ty Burrel. I love his witty awkward but yet smooth humor. It's so easy to match personalities of my own family to characters in the show and I think that's what makes it so funny. Also the writing in general is great, the jokes have so many levels are delivered so smoothly into the normal dialogue. I was actually fortunate enough to meet Christopher Lloyd when he came to Ithaca College last year. He was such a funny and energetic guy that it makes a lot of sense that someone like him helped create a show of such caliber. He also talked to us about the writing for the show and that they're inspired from real events they all experience in their own houses but they need to modify them so they fit into the story line and match the specific characters of the show better.

Along side of the fantastic writing and casting of the show, it also gives off several great messages and seems to be setting the new norms. The first and most obvious social norm it is setting is the stance on homosexual marriage. They have put loving faces and characters to the movement that people can stand behind and think about when addressing this situation in reality. They also address relationships like Jay's and Gloria's. That age isn't a problem when it comes to love and the obstacles of remarrying someone. Finally they also show that the family at a whole is perfect because it is flawed. I think this is such a positive message because it's taking away expectations from society that shows like The Brady Bunch set. Overall I think all of these messages can be summed up by the fact that love is love no matter of race, sexual orientation, or age.

Modern Family

Its finally that time of year again. The leaves are starting to change colors, the weather is getting brisk, the school year is in full swing, oh, and most importantly Modern Family is back on! 

As “modern” as you can imagine a sit-com being, this tri-family dynamic with its wide range of personalities does a fantastic job of bringing light to struggles and controversies of everyday life.  The families are all interconnected by Jay who is the father of Claire and Mitch, who both also have families of their own.

The Dunphys, including goofy, “I’m the cool Dad” Phil, and Claire, with their three children Hailey, Alex, and Luke are seen as the “traditional” family of the show.  But only in the sense that they represent the average family in society and mimic what most people find acceptable.  You know, man and wife and their three children. Yeah I know, sounds like déjà vu ,and not to mention boring, but I promise this is no ordinary family.    Well, unless you have a dad like Phil, who undoubtedly wins the award for the ability to make any situation awkward and who is frequently labeled as one with “not much going up on upstairs”. Yet who is then know for having the biggest heart and makes it apparent that family is his biggest priority. In fact, you may actually be surprised by how you may possibly relate to his character in several different ways.  And then there is Claire, who has the more serious role, and keeps things together and organized.  Both Phil’s and Claire’s personalities complement each other and make up the perfect recipe for comedy. They are the butt of each other’s jokes.   They use comedy to get through to one another in tense situations and it translates into being the audiences’ pleasure as well.

Mitch and Cam also bring a lot of laughs to the table.  Its no secret that they are gay and though many cant help but make a fuss about it in one form or another, especially during this culture change society is enduring, they aren’t portrayed any less as people or as a family than others.  They are accepted and represent a positive example to those who they reach out to.  We see them struggle through the adoption of Lily, winning the approval of parents, approval of society… you name it.  Regardless, the real impact I believe the writers of Modern Family were trying to portray was the uniqueness of the characters themselves and how they both blend and bounce off each other while at the same time reaching out to a different demographic. Cam himself can keep me laughing for days.  His mannerisms, his facial expressions, and his crazy actions alone are fantastic.   Cam is the portrayed as the lazy one who is perfectly content playing the role of housewife.  Mitch, however, is more like the average working guy, who goes to work and provides for the family.  They both are so opposite that they play off each other’s actions and emotions, which are often times way off the charts, and make it is impossible for you not to find yourself in a fit of laughter.

Then there is Jay and Gloria.  For those that have seen the show quickly recognize the big age difference between the two.  To put it into perspective, Gloria is the same age as Jay’s daughter, Claire.  I’m not going lie and say that I didn’t find it a bit strange and slightly uncomfortable initially. But as I continued to watch more of the show they became nothing more than a normal happy couple.  Age has nothing to do with happiness, its about who you are and your respect for one another and they make a great example of that.  In fact, it has come to my attention that there actually many couples that have substantial age differences and in this case it just adds to the originality and social accordance of the show.  Gloria is from Columbia and has an accent to say the least. I can’t help but have a love hate relationship with it.  Sometimes it makes me laugh because of her over exaggeration of words and emotions, then other times I would personally like to send her a rendition of Rosetta Stone so that I wouldn’t have to put on the captions.   Despite the fact, she adds an interesting quality to the show that is not to be overseen.  Jay, in return,  is simply a laid back older guy who either does whatever his wife wants or does whatever he can to get away from her and her over the top activities.  Just imagine the comedy in that. Let me tell you, its priceless.

 And not to be forgotten, the children are also big components into the success of the show.  Much of the drama revolves around them. Ranging in all different ages, from College to newborn baby.  For those who have kids can only imagine the drama that comes with that. And for those who are the kids…well, you know how it goes.

All in all there is something for everyone in this show.  The different aspects that reflect on many of society’s own, different personalities that we can all relate to, different ethnicities and cultures, and last but not least family. Writers and producers, Steve Levitan, and Christopher Lloyd have undoubtedly created one of the best sit-coms of all time and continue to produce awesome writing. 

Season 5 has just kicked off and I couldn’t be more excited. If you have not seen this show I encourage you to give it a try because I promise you that there is a big chance that it will be hard to walk away.  It airs on ABC at 9:00 every Wednesday.