First let me say that Modern Family is a good show. Let me repeat that in italics, bold and with asterisks around it so it stands out even more: *Modern Family is a good show.*
But the reason why I say it's "overrated" is because I've been hearing from various critics that they not only think it's great, but it's going to be on their list of the top ten TV shows of 2009. And that's where the overrated part comes in.
Top ten? Really?
I've enjoyed each episode of Modern Family, for the most part, but at the same time I think the show is a bit contrived and it's almost as if the various characters were created in a very blunt way to show the various members of the family as a wacky mix. So we have the gruff old guy with the incredibly hot wife, the gay couple who bicker about everything, the cute wife with the clueless husband, and a bunch of kids.
And the way it's filmed seems like a mix of better shows like Arrested Development and The Office, with the use of handheld cameras and a faux-documentary style that I still don't understand. Is someone filming a documentary a la The Office, and if not, why are the characters sitting and talking directly to the camera and also looking at the camera sometimes during regular scenes? It's the same thing that happens on Parks and Recreation, but I think subliminally I accept it more because it's from the same people who do The Office.
I think that the people behind the show (and this is just a wild guess) went with the documentary style because if the show was structured differently it might not hold up as well and that realistic look (speaking to the camera, no laugh track, very little music) is all the rage now.
I find Modern Family amusing, but I rarely laugh out loud at something like I do with shows like 30 Rock or The Office. I think that the show that precedes it on Wednesday nights, The Middle, is a better show. Maybe because it's not trying to position itself in any sort of way, it has the basic format and structure of a sitcom, and while that might seem like a dig, a basic premise can be quite good if the writing and the cast and the execution are all well done, and I think The Middle gets it right.
So, to summarize: Modern Family is good, but not great.
Now you can hit me with your vitriol in the comments.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on 'Faces of America' and the Beer Summit
Six Reasons Why '24' Has Jumped the You-Know-What
The Super Bowl Commercials: The Best
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
11-05-2009 @ 2:28PM
Jeff N. said...
Of course Comedy is always a matter of taste. My opinion is Modern Family is very funny with a great cast. There are so many bad shows on TV I would hardly think you need to go after Modern Family. It is not a spin-off and it's original and funny and Lord knows we do need more comedy on TV and less Procedural cop shows. 3 Law and Orders and 3 CSI's and 2 NCSI's. I'm glad Modern Family is on the air.
Reply
11-08-2009 @ 3:28PM
Jane C. said...
Duh. Ever hear of Shakespeare and "asides" or "soliloquys"?
Talking to the audience is valid, and as old as playwriting.
11-08-2009 @ 3:31PM
carol said...
I agree Jeff. And as far as the writer of this article....boo hiss. I laugh out loud at Family, but find The Office and 30 Rock lacking...so much so that they are not on my play list. It's all a matter of taste. Most critics give me a pain anyway.
11-08-2009 @ 4:04PM
eydie proffitt said...
It is not original and thats the problem. it is a rip off of The Office...so lets do The Office set in a extended family...no originality in Hollywood anymore, not that there ever has been a time when shows weren't ripping off successful shows...maybe Hollywood could be more creative if they got off the coke and crack...
11-08-2009 @ 6:24PM
Kristen said...
I do agree that the show is great. The asides that the do are not a new concept and from what I remember "Saved by the Bell" and "Fresh Prince" all had asides from characters.
11-08-2009 @ 7:50PM
Tara said...
I agree. There are MANY worse shows on TV and Modern Family is a good show. I think the shows this writer cites as better (The Office, 30 Rock, Arrested Development) are all substandard. Their comedy isn't funny - it's stupid. It's good to have a show that actually makes you laugh and draws you in the way Modern Family does. I'm not sure I would put it on my Top 10 either, but I think it's totally unnecessary to blast the show either. As you say, at least its original, which today is a feat in and of itself!
11-05-2009 @ 2:36PM
MJL said...
Oh, Bob...what would be in your Top 10? Heroes?
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 3:35PM
mdisloki said...
Well I'm a Bob and yes Heroes is on my top 10 list. Also I agree MF is a good show and I'm a huge Ed O'Neil fan, but good is as far as I'll take it.
11-05-2009 @ 2:36PM
amazo said...
its top 10, its opinion, it's easy to see how it could be the in top TEN shows of tv on right now. there are maybe 3-4 dramas and 2-3 comedies that would be unanimous top 10 of tv shows. And then you've still got room. 30 rock is good but the office, other than the wedding episode, has been mediocre at best.
ok i'm done now :).
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 2:51PM
Pamela said...
I not only think Modern Family is top notch, I found myself replaying parts of the show (during the telecast) last night just so I could savor them again! Great cast, love the cringeworthy moments that all of us have experienced, only funnier because it's happening to someone else.
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 3:32PM
Telechimp said...
I would put 'Modern Family' in my top ten of new shows for this year. The writing is smart; the characters are memorable and you care about them. It's well performed and directed. For me, it's a definite stand out.
You can't really compare this show to '30 Rock' or 'The Office,' any more than you can compare it to 'King of Queens.' It's a different style of comedy.
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 2:51PM
Ryan said...
So weird. You and I usually agree on so many things, Bob, but not on this one.
Not sure where it will land on my Top 10 list of TV shows this year, but it's definitely up there. And even if it's not, it definitely takes the award for best new show for me this fall. In fact it's funny I'm saying this now, because I'm one of the very few who wasn't IN LOVE with the pilot. The pilot was actually the weakest episode for me since it's been hitting it out of the park ever since.
But comedy IS overly subjective. I love 30 Rock as well, but I would put it behind Modern Family, HIMYM, and Big Bang Theory in terms of laughter per minute.
At the very least, let's just be happy that comedy sitcoms seems to be making a sort of comeback and that even if this IS the most overrated show of the season, be grateful that it is still a good show.
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 2:57PM
Willmore2000 said...
Based on the last year, my top ten in no particular order.
BSG
FNL
Office
30 Rock
Sunny
Curb
Lost
Californication
Psych
House
Nope, guess Modern Family doesn't get in.
But, it is a very good show. Certainly top 20.
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 3:23PM
Jeff N. said...
BSG is no longer on the Air Wilmore. So maybe Modern Family can slip into your Top Ten this year. I would think it would be close.
11-05-2009 @ 5:15PM
Willmore2000 said...
I know it's not on the air, I was going by over the course of the past year.
Still, Modern Family is somewhere in the second tier of shows, along with Community Parks & Rec, HIMYM, Dexter, True Blood, etc.
11-05-2009 @ 2:59PM
Mitch said...
How come whenever people mention great shows someone always brings up 30 rock yet noone watches it and its not funny. I love Modern Family and I would say it is the best new comedy of the year.
Reply
11-19-2009 @ 3:38PM
Tom said...
Yeah cause 30 rock only won like 14 emmys right? Thats the surest sign that a show isn't funny
11-19-2009 @ 10:00PM
Andrew said...
I think Modern Family is definitely one of the best shows on tv. On top of being incredibly funny, it lacks the cynicism that is present in a lot of sitcoms. There is an emotional resonance to it too. As far as 30 Rock, I don't think any other show besides Cougar Town makes me laugh out loud as consistently. I suppose it just comes down to a matter of taste.
11-05-2009 @ 3:26PM
John said...
Totally agree, overrated
Reply
11-05-2009 @ 3:27PM
bcarter3 said...
It IS subjective. "Modern Family" is certainly in my current top 10. To put that in perspective, my taste in comedy leans toward favorite-comedy-ever "Arrested Development," "The Larry Sanders Show," Britcoms ("Blackadder," "Coupling," "The IT Crowd," "Yes, Minister," "Fawlty," etc.) and the classics ("MTM," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," etc.). I didn't love Lucy, and I sure as hell didn't love Raymond.
I've given "30 Rock" and both versions of "The Office" a fair shot--watched at least a half dozen episodes of each--and found them unbearable smug and tedious.
Reply