The sit-com returns for its sophomore season fresh from the Emmys with the award for “Best Comedy” under its belt. My one fear is that the show may now suffer from much higher expectations — so high no show could possibly meet them. In fact, I may have succumbed to that myself.
Last year “Modern Family” was like an oasis in the desert… like Katie on “My Three Sons“… like a change-up from Mariano Rivera. It was an unanticipated and delightful shift from what we’d previously been getting. In this case, a change from the mediocre shows produced each year that have the nerve to call themselves sit-coms.
But this season’s premiere seemed to be missing something. While it was funny and entertaining, I still felt as if it fell a bit short of the standard the show has set. I’m willing to admit, as I previously mentioned, that it could be due to my own raised expectations.
As usual Eric Stonestreet, as Cam, lights up the screen when he is in a scene and proves that his Emmy for “Best Supporting Actor” was well deserved. But it’s truly an ensemble show with each actor adding something to the stew.
In this episode gay couple Cam and Mitchell want to build a playhouse for their daughter Lily, but Mitchell isn’t very handy. In fact he’s a danger to everyone when he’s around power tools.
The other plotline involved Claire and Phil and the classic old station wagon they plan to sell. But, as I know all too well, when you start digging through old stuff it brings up lots of memories.
Ty Burrell was especially good as Phil. But I’ve come to expect that from Burrell ever since I first took notice of him in the 2007-2008 series “Back to You.”
While delivering the comedy we expect, both plotlines also give us some endearing moments that remind us what “family” is all about. In short, “Modern Family” remains one of the best shows currently on broadcast TV. Even if every episode isn’t perfect, we’re lucky to have a show like this to watch each week.
FUNNIEST LINES:
Cam: “If an accident DOES happen, I hope it kills me. Because I don’t think I would be a very inspiring disabled person.”
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Claire: “A minute ago they were babies. And now they’re driving… And soon we’ll all be dead.”
WRITTEN BY: Bill Wrubel
DIRECTED BY: Michael Spiller
CREATED BY: Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Christopher Lloyd & Steven Levitan
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Tags: Burrell, Modern Family, Stonestreet, TV Review
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