Three Modern Families

Photo by Loren Javier

Genre: Comedy

Date: 1/19/2011 at 7PM

This popular comedy titled Modern Family displays a dysfunctional family in their attempts to face real life problems from many different perspectives. Our main characters are Phil and Claire Dunphy are the parents but still kids themselves with their three kids who sometimes do the parenting; Mitchell, who is Claire’s gay brother and his partner Cameron and their adopted Chinese daughter Lily provide a different spin on the new traditional family life; Jay Pritchett (Claire’s father) and his Columbian wife, Gloria with her son Manny show us the third kind of stereotypical American family, the second family. Gloria as the second wife to an older man with her young son from a previous relationship exemplify the family put together from the pieces of ended marriages which are more and more common in America these days.
In a recent episode, Phil and Claire's three kids walk in on their parents in a somewhat intimate moment and are completely mortified. Their solution: door lock. Does it work? Only partially. Watch and see how this American family handles it!


You can watch episode clips like this on the ABC Network Youtube page for Modern Family

Modern Family is a perfect example of television sitcoms or rather a "mock-u-mentary" if you will, mirroring our culture, American culture, today. In every episode there is always a new and/or current mode of technology used keeping the family paralleled with real families today. For example in the episode Caught in the Act, Mac operating software was used in the opening scene and the Toyota family minivan is featured later on in the episode. Another feature mirrored in the show is the controversial gay couple who are quite hysterical but also represent the diversity of where American culture is moving in terms of gay rights, tolerance, and family advancement with adoption. The inability of this family to function logically but still realistically is both hysterical and sentimental. What truly turns this show into a feel good family comedy is the solution or lesson at the end of each episode which prove to be the solutions and lessons that we ourselves as participants in some form of family unit have learned or experienced. Nothing is too great to be hugged away.

My favorite element of the show is how the characters often turn to the camera and talk into it, making the audience feel like they’re both a participant of the family as well as a viewer. These one-on-one times are presented like a confession or an inside thought shared as a monologue creating comic relief in an awkward situation. It gives a feel similar to reality sitcoms such as The Kardashians. As Mr. Lloyd said: “The interviews are a chance to have characters more honestly express things than they might openly do in a scene with someone. So we get a laugh from the contrast between what they’re really feeling and what they were willing to admit they were feeling in the scene.” But this show has become a HUGE hit, for many reasons! Check it out!

The attitude or style of the program portrays a very suburban lifestyle, especially when you realize that the economic crisis and recession we are going through doesn't affect them whatsoever. Here is what Allison Waldman had to say about The Modern Family. When Cameron complained about Mitchell missing too much of their daughter Lily's life due to work overload, Mitchell quit his job without a question. Now, we all know how unrealistic that may be, especially since Cameron was a stay at home dad to Lily and they both depend on the medical coverage Mitchell's job provided. Soon after, they all planned a family trip to Hawaii. Wouldn’t that be nice to take a family vacation during the holidays and not have to worry about being able to eat for the next month? When the iPad came out, Claire rushed off to buy one for Phil without worrying or even so much as questioning the price. I think this show is very similar to other family comedies, like the Cosby show and Full House but also has the clever wit like the Office and Friends. It is a fresh version of an idea that has been recycled throughout the generations but like the ever changing families in America, the shows' plot also changes to suit. The goal is achieved for the true entertainment value with the tongue in cheek comedy, the diverse family dynamics and the relatable mole hill sized problems turned into mountains.

There are many stereotypes in this show: Claire, the high strung wife and over-involved stay at home mom; Phil, the real-estate agent does as he is told and never knows how to discipline his children who are always at each other’s necks; Jay Pritchett, who is the ultimate manly man (somewhat reminiscent of Jack Barns from Meet the Fockers); Jay’s younger Columbian wife who struggles with her English; and her chubby, quiet yet silly son, Manny; Mitchell, Claire’s brother, and his partner Cam are the gay couple who aren’t portrayed like the usual gay couple and don't show excessive P.D.A. but still do possess a few of the definable characteristics that gay men are stereotyped into.

The producer's do a great job at including a variety of stereotypes without being crude or too bold while keeping it entertaining for a broad audience. This show airs on ABC family so the commercials were expected to be family friendly. However, when I viewed the show a second time around online, the commercials ranged greatly from KY Intense to Fill the Cup and All State.

If I was traveling from another country and I viewed this show, I would think everyone was as well off financially as the Modern Family and that every challenge or situation was solved with a hug or a smile. We all know that not all challenges we face growing up can be solved so easily and some situations take time to heal but Modern Family does a great job of getting their point across without making us feel like they are trying to teach us a moral lesson.