Modern Family Saved American Sitcoms

For years the American family sitcom formula has been the same. A  4-6 person family navigating the coming age of their youngest members and the American ( usually suburban) life. Examples include Malcolm In The Middle, Blackish, Full House, and so on. These shows have common jokes, day-to day plotlines, and lack differences even with changes in racial background. Modern Family, however, gave us something new. That show gave us non-traditional families with non-traditional lives.  

Modern Family was originally supposed to be named “My American Family", a fun fact revealed in the “Finale Documentary” recorded by ABC as the series came to an end. Despite my love for the current name, I feel “My American Family” would’ve been just as fitting. The family dynamics that the show presents are actually as American as you can get. A gay couple and interracial marriage with an extremely old guy? I’ve never seen anything more accurate. This change was something that American television was lacking and I believe that’s why it was so successful. Before this show I don’t think non-traditional families had ever been represented in a way that wasn’t about their struggles. Modern Family presented these differences as their strengths. I think the show taking the route of comedy rather than drama is what allowed for that to happen. The jokes were authentic and the writers were unafraid to take it “too far.” It addressed stereotypes without being critical or dramatic. 

When the show first released critics and viewers used to say it felt like they were watching their own family on live tv. The harsh jokes between siblings and the overall family dynamics were very realistic. Claire struggling not to watch her daughter repeat her mistakes while also having a disconnect with Alex was conveyed through comedic situations and daily living. I feel this was the best way to go because in reality these things are not just spoken or told. In real families these dynamics present themselves in disagreements over Halloween costumes and parent teacher orientations. Most shows tried to do this with serious episodes or sit down conversation, but it was Modern Family's approach with comedy that made it seem more genuine.

That said, because most things came off in the form of a joke the writers and producers never really played it safe. Race, homosexuality, relationships, and scandals were never off the table if meant getting a laugh. Misunderstandings were the foundation of these jokes,  creating a very innocent tone that made their intentions seem comedic and not negative. Phil being the main culprit with moments such as his “if you ain’t white, you ain’t right” shirt, gay encounter with Cam’s friend, and Hailey’s roommate are all great examples of this. Additionally, the comedy being out of pocket made it very realistic to American culture. Every daily scene filled with a word slip up from the family felt like watching a memory of my own parents say something insane. 

And even through all the situational irony this show didn't fail to shed light on real word issues. For example, the show was still airing when gay marriage was legalized and to reflect that political change Cam and Mitchell made their relationship official with a hilarious episode that also shed light on the California fires. The creators took that step of removing the “normal” family lens and showcased another side of American culture that hadn’t been presented in the media like this. I honestly can’t think of a sitcom that followed after it that had the same impact. It brought what I felt like was a dying genre back to life. Every scenario felt so real and I find myself living through them as I get older which makes it that much more special. If you have not watched the show outside of clips from TikTok, I highly recommend it.