“Modern Family” has ushered in a new age of the feel-good sitcom
By Lori Acken
When ABC began promoting its new sitcom Modern Family this time last year, critics and viewers alike weren’t sure quite what to make of it.
On paper it seemed awfully gutsy — or maybe even lazy — replete with that guy who played Al Bundy (in a red velour tracksuit!) as its biggest star and what, in any but the deftest of hands, would be a barrelful of touchy stereotypes and TV clichés. Rich older gent with hotsy-ditzy trophy wife. Bumbling suburban dad and know-it-all mom. Homosexual couple with adopted Asian baby. And here’s the kicker — they’re one big happy family!
But critics who got the first peek battled for the glossiest superlatives … and as for everyone else, well, those commercials sure were a hoot. So when viewers began tuning in — and they did in droves — they found a show so organic, kindhearted and (still!) gut-bustingly funny that an instant hit was born, even as Family found itself pitted against its critical-darling feel-good equal, the FOX phenom Glee.
“I totally, completely agree with you that when I first heard the idea, I thought in my silly little mind this is either a formula for something genius — or something really generic,” says Ty Burrell, who frequently steals the show as overly exuberant Dunphy dad, Phil. “And I think you’re right that, in lesser hands, it would be nothing but stereotypes. But, in my opinion, the show has an infinite upside because there are so many combinations and so many storylines that can be told in the family. While that would be such a challenge to a writer who wasn’t as skilled as they are, for them it’s just a huge open playing field.”
Instead, it is four of the musical legend’s brothers — Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon — who are featured in A&E’s new docuseries The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, premiering with back to back episodes on Sunday, Dec. 13 beginning at 9pm ET.
It’s the only reason I can think of to explain why — after taunting us Bachelor faithful with potential promises of Romeo-in-blue-jeans Reid or Ken-Doll-come-true Kiptyn as Season 14′s one for the roses — they up and settled for snoozy, milquetoast, tattletale Jake.
Because I seem to like to admit things at the start of these buggers …
Or — since we’ve already been treated to that particularly irritating outcome a few seasons back, courtesy of Bachelor Brad Womack — maybe an old Vancouver-based beau returns in next Monday’s finale to sweep her off her feet.
Smile a while, Sara Sidle lovers!
