Family Matters

Modern Family follows the daily lives,adventures and the special quirks of this large family in a mockumentary fashion — members of the family face an unseen camera crew and talk about themselves and their children and spouses or provide different perspectives to a single incident. This is a great technique for directly involving the viewers — make them feel like interviewers talking to real people,not just ‘characters’ on a TV show.

Who’s in it? Modern Family’s cast is one of the best ensemble casts on television right now,but a few performances stand out. Julie Bowen,as the stressed-out Claire,is the show’s ‘straight man’. Bowen compliments the wackiness of the other characters with her underplayed performance and straight,silent stares. Ty Burrell,who plays her husband Phil,is also fantastic — Burrell brings to life Phil’s dorky,earnest nature. Especially funny are his ‘peerenting’ scenes,where he’s trying to be a friend to his children. Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet as the uptight Mitchell and flamboyant Cameron,respectively,also deserve a special mention for their believable,non-campy portrayal of a gay couple in love.

What’s hot? Given it’s mockumentary style,it’s natural for Modern Family to be compared to another outstanding show,shot in the same way,The Office. However,unlike The Office,where one character,the incompetent manager Michael Scott,stole the show,Modern Family has an extremely well-balanced cast of characters. The actors are fabulous in the way they convey each character’s quirks without exaggerating them for comic effect. The comedy here comes mostly from the situation and the timing.

What’s not? While we prefer understated comedy,sometimes the writing in Modern Family is a little too underwhelming. It’s all very well to be able to laugh at a crazy family,and also admire and envy their closeness. However,at the end of the day,in a comedy,one is really looking for a special kind of madness — one that is only hinted at in real life,but which can get its logical,if fictitious,conclusion on a TV show. The ‘family’ is always a goldmine for jokes and stories — take the case of shows such as The Simpsons,Family Guy and Arrested Development. If Modern Family did go a little bonkers,we certainly

wouldn’t complain.

Should you be watching it? Friends are old hat; it’s the family that’s funny now and Modern Family will warm your heart and make you laugh.