Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

'Modern Family' - 'Strangers on a Treadmill': Criss-cross!

Are four stories one too many, even with a cast this funny?

By Alan Sepinwall Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 9:01 AM

Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire (Julie Bowen) come home from a night out on "Modern Family."

Credit: ABC

A review of last night's "Modern Family" coming up just as soon as I invent McKenzie...

When "Modern Family" started out, there was a pretty clear format: three sets of adults in three families meant three stories, even if sometimes the families overlapped across the three. Then the producers began to realize what they had on their hands with the kids, and some episodes began to expand to four stories. This is a very big, very deep cast, and I undertand the producers' desire to feature as many of its funny actors as possible every week. But an episode like "Strangers on a Treadmill" - while having a number of strong individual moments - was a reminder that sometimes the show can get too crowded for its own good.

All of the stories felt underdeveloped because we had to keep cutting away to the other three. And aside from thematic unity and the fact that the show simply isn't going to do an episode without Ed O'Neill and Sofia Vergara, there was really no reason for the Jay/Gloria/Manny storyline. I'd have much rather that screen time gone to the other stories, and particularly to Haley teaching Alex how to be popular, which generated the episode's biggest non-pixellation-related laughs, and then gave a sweet capper to the Claire/Phil storyline by again showing Claire taking care of her brood(*).

(*) And no voiceover this week, even with the heartwarming ending. Phil and Claire's conversation spelled out the same things we would have heard in a typical "Modern Family" voiceover, but I still consider this a step in the right direction.

Cam's pixellated bike shorts was one of those jokes that made me laugh initially (in this case when I saw it on a commercial during "No Odinary Family" the night before), and then got funnier the longer it kept going. Mitchell's immediate move to shave his beard was a nice romantic moment, and after the deliberately understated background smooch back in "The Kiss," I appreciate that here the two guys kissed front and center and it was no big thing, because of course that's what they would do in this situation. And then the sweetness was amusingly undercut when Mitchell misunderstood Cam's request to "do my shoulders" and grabbed the shaving cream.

The Phil/Claire story, meanwhile, started off as another one where Phil Dunphy and Michael Scott seemed indistinguishable. (Though it did give us a rare bit of genuine funniness from Julie Bowen, when Claire demonstrated how she laughs with her mouth but not her eyes.) But the payoff - where, in the setting of a rubber chicken dinner with a bunch of fellow realtors who all know each other well, Phil's corny jokes turned out to be perfect - was a nice, unexpected moment.

Again, though, I'd have liked more of Phil/Claire, Mitchell/Cam and Haley/Alex, and if it meant no Manny for the week, so be it.

What did everybody else think?

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

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Next 77 Comments

Completely agreed--the Jay/Gloria/Manny story seemed shoehorned in and didn't really work thematically. (Also, has it ever been made even remotely clear what exactly Jay does? He owns some sort of business, it seems, but rarely seems to actually work.) More time on the Claire/Alex story would have been better.

The other problem I've had this season is that with the exception of the big full family gathering in "The Kiss" and tonight's Claire/Mitchell scene, there's been very little mixing up of the family units, which is when the show is at its best. (For instance, the Luke/Manny pairing was great a couple of weeks ago.)

And a minor bug? Where did baby Lily go during the entire episode?
October 14, 2010 at 9:14AM EST Reply to Comment
conrad

i was disappointed with the finish of this episode. there were 2 jokes/situations left hanging: 1) there was no payoff for jay's gaff at the engagement party and 2) no payoff to mitchell's beard being partially shaven.

considering how overly critical mitchell is about gays being stereotypical, i'd love to see him shave the beard into a village people/motorcycle cop/fu manchu. if for just one scene to then be ridiculed by cam and then shave it off.
October 14, 2010 at 9:17AM EST Reply to Comment
Danny

Oh man, Alex's impromptu "I love you!" and then both girls screaming at the top of their lungs sent me into hysterics. I definitely would have liked more of this plotline instead of the Jay/Gloria one.
October 14, 2010 at 9:26AM EST Reply to Comment
Marc

i am constantly amazed how you find some kind of problem with this show almost every week. When I click on your review I always wonder is it gonna be the fact that the families weren't all together, or was there a reaction that you deemed stereotypical (like Mitchell and the bird)... which is your prerogative, it's your blog. I guess I just assume you're looking for things. I thought last nights ep was sublime and sweet and funny and colored in new facets of the family like Haley and Alex. Even the Phil/Claire dynamic was kind of new and I thought this was a really strong Julie Bowen ep (who I know you don't love on this show). Could the Jay storyline be excised, sure, but it's not the conceit of the show and there were many laugh out loud moments from that atoryline (that I would have missed if it was cut) and this show is a comedy.

When one (me) reads your reviews on this show, it feels like the motif is all these things are wrong but there was some good funny stuff in the middle.

I guess it seems to me you overlook what i find to be obvious problems in other shows like COMMUNITY that you just enjoy more. Again, that's your prerogative. Maybe it's just me, it just seems like you want to harp on the things you don't like on this show more.

I don't mean this in a harsh way, just offering my opinion (not that you should care).

October 14, 2010 at 9:28AM EST Reply to Comment
- sepinwall I'm not looking for things to complain about. I just think Modern Family is a show with a lot of moving pieces, and only occasionally do they all fit together perfectly. Though this episode had funny moments (like the one Danny mentioned above), it was not one of the perfect fits.
  October 14, 2010 at 9:36AM EST
- Indeed Agreed. I thought this was a great episode. I laughed so hard at the Jay/Gloria story, that it didn't occur to me that i didn't fit in "thematically". Sometimes a show is just super-funny.
  Also loved all the other stories last night.
  October 14, 2010 at 10:06AM EST
- Melissa Life doesn't fit together thematically. So, the fact that the Manny/Gloria/Jay wasn't similar to the other stories didn't bother me. All four story lines made me laugh out loud and that's all I care about. I guess I'm easy that way.
  
  October 14, 2010 at 10:17AM EST
- FFC I have to agree with Marc on this, Alan. While I don't think your criticisms of Modern Family are unfair, I would certainly like to see you direct similar criticism to the obvious flaws in Community and Chuck (both shows I watch and enjoy), which you seem unwilling to do.
  October 14, 2010 at 10:27AM EST
- Joe Strummah Note to Melissa: a TV show isn't "life."
  October 14, 2010 at 10:56AM EST
- You hit it right on the head, Marc. There are some shows Alan seems to easily overlook their flaws - Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Community - and others that he'll emphasize the negative even for episodes he supposedly likes - Modern Family and Lost mainly. You're right, it's his blog so he can do what he wants, but for fans of the shows that he's constantly knocking down, it can be very frustrating.
  October 14, 2010 at 11:03AM EST
- Jaynee I thought it was a fabulous episode as well - it clicked on all cylinders for me.
  October 14, 2010 at 11:09AM EST
- Echos Myron Shows like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire operate in a completely different stratosphere than Modern Family. Even their weakest moments are more worthwhile than anything you'll find on a flipping ABC sitcom! Sheesh.
  October 14, 2010 at 11:26AM EST
- LJA OMG, Jay's horror at misunderstanding the bride/groom-to-be were father/daughter got the biggest laugh out of me of the night. Hysterical!
  October 14, 2010 at 11:31AM EST
- Prepare to be shocked: TV critics have favorite shows, too.
  
  Calm down, Internet.
  October 14, 2010 at 11:41AM EST
- Kmarko No reason for the Internet to calm down, these are all balanced, civil remarks.
  
  And to Echos: sorry, no. Comedy is hard, and to say the "weakest moment" of Boardwalk Empire is better than anything on Modern Family is asinine.
  October 14, 2010 at 12:00PM EST
- cadfile People will have different views of shows naturally. I read these reviews just to find out if I might have the same or different ideas on them. There is at least one show this season that I part with Alan's reviews almost every week. That's the way it goes
  October 14, 2010 at 1:45PM EST
- sanen85 I find that in my experience when Alan is pointing out something negative in this show (or others) falls directly inline with when I am feeling so-so about the episode and can't figure out why. I appreciate when he points out the negative aspects (which he has done for Community), because it helps me put my finger on what the issue was. Just like some might feel that he is hyper-sensitive to the negative for some shows (and not others), maybe some of his readers are hyper-sensitive to the negative parts of his reviews for some shows. *shrugs*
  October 14, 2010 at 2:59PM EST
- Ed W Here's how it seems to me. People say that Alan will nitpick a show like Modern Family but not as much a show like Community. Why? Well the obvious answer is that Community is on near life support and can't really take a lot of criticism, it needs help. Modern Family is getting great ratings and it frees critics up to be more brutally honest without feeling like they are hurting the chances of the show to succeed. I don't think critics pull their punches with all low rated shows, just a few that seem worthy and not run of the mill junk. So while I agree with some of the observations about what Alan does, I fully support him in it and would do the same.
  October 14, 2010 at 6:49PM EST
- Huey If all of you woul listen to the podcast this week, both Alan and Dan both criticize Community for being to much reference and not enough story moving humor. They do point out flaws in other shows. Also, I'm loving the new mobile version of this sight. Makes it much easier to read these reviews on my iPhone.
  October 14, 2010 at 8:55PM EST
- Alison Heh. I found this comment hilarious given I logged in to Alan's review of Community eagerly this week, only to think "Wow, was he harsh!" on what I thought was a fantastic ep. I'm a fan of both Modern Family and Community, and I haven't really noticed any bias in the reviews. Spoilerish reviews are there to provoke thought, not to simply let someone know if they should see it or not. AI quite like it when my critics criticise :)
  October 18, 2010 at 8:38PM EST
bettyd

I read the end of Mitchell and Cam as Mitchell was just picking up the shaving stuff to finish shaving or fixing the partially shaven beard. At the same time, Cam turned around and overeacted, as he was shown to do earlier in the show. I didn't think it was Mitchell thinking to shave Cam's shoulders/back, but that may just be me where back shaving has never come up in conversation!
October 14, 2010 at 9:37AM EST Reply to Comment
- I was pretty sure Mitchell thought Cam wanted him to shave his shoulders. I thought it was hilarious, and I don't see why Cam would run off if your scenario was the actual one.
  October 14, 2010 at 9:43AM EST
- ken sly No -- Cam was thinking back.
  October 14, 2010 at 9:46AM EST
- ken sly Sorry. Mitchell was thinking back.
  October 14, 2010 at 9:47AM EST
- bettyd back shaving is funnier, I'll give you that!
  October 14, 2010 at 10:04AM EST
I always enjoy when they show Phil isn't just a blundering moron, like when he called out Claire for stealing his joke cards. It's better when they don't just make Phil a caricature but is just a silly, intelligent, naive person.

Very solid episode, I laughed out loud to Cam every time he ran off to cry or overreacted again and again.
October 14, 2010 at 9:41AM EST Reply to Comment
- conrad and he did it in true phil fashion...the kiss of death from godfather 2. if you're familiar with it:
  
  video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6231604815415378912#
  October 14, 2010 at 9:53AM EST
- Debbee My husband and I cracked up at the godfather reference
  October 14, 2010 at 4:50PM EST
M

I liked the Jay/Gloria storyline, but I wish the payoff had been better. The storlyine that felt shoehorned in to me was Alex and Haley. It was a funny story, but didn't get enough screentime and felt really underdeveloped.
October 14, 2010 at 9:46AM EST Reply to Comment
- Melissa Maybe we'll get the payoff of the Jay/Gloria story in a later episode. I can't help but think they're setting a larger storyline up...?
  October 14, 2010 at 10:19AM EST
- jenfullmoon I agree, I thought that was the weakest/could have been cut part of the show. (And why did Hulu say that was what the show was about?)
  
  Really, it was the "strangers on a train" plot that made the episode.
  October 14, 2010 at 10:24AM EST
- Omagus I don't think it was quite shoehorned in but I agree that it didn't get to fully develop. It actually started out pretty well; I thought we'd finally get to see Haley and Alex interact in a way other than just being polar opposite antagonists of one another.
  
  The last scene with Alex on the phone with Mackenzie was pretty funny, and there was a pretty nice payoff where Claire got to be a mother to Alex* but even with all that, it still felt like something was left on the cutting room floor.
  
  (*Borrowing Alan's asterisks move...for all the props that Manny gets, how about some appreciation for Ariel Winter as Alex? She's not as over the top funny as Manny but I think she's the best actor out of all the kids.)
  October 14, 2010 at 10:24AM EST
Kmarko

I have a slightly different take, in that I agree there was so much going on, it's a shame the stories weren't given more time to breathe. Having said that, I didn't think any were sub-par, just could have been saved for another episode.

On the flip side, what a great problem for a show to have--not enough time to get in all the ideas/stories/laughs the writers are coming up with.
October 14, 2010 at 9:46AM EST Reply to Comment
- Excellent point, Kmarko! I would much rather watch a show where my biggest complaint is that I want MORE from each of the actors than one where I wish certain actors were never on screen!
  October 14, 2010 at 5:10PM EST
Kendra

I forgot how much I missed Mitch and Claire scenes until they were at the gym together. I think my biggest disappointment was how quickly the "Strangers on a Train" theme was dealt with. Or why, instead of Mitch saying that Cam looked bad in the shorts, they just didn't tell him they were inappropriate. (After all, wasn't that what the pixellation was about? )

I do agree with you that the episode was packed and I do think that the stories could have bee split up so more airtime was devoted to each one. The next time they have a real dud, I know I'll be thinking to myself that they could have excised that episode for more of any of the stories from tonight.

I actually don't think there was a weak story, though. I found Jay trying to fit in at the wrong party highly amusing, although I do agree that there was no payoff. I would've preferred that be the tag over the Dunphy's somewhat predictable joke of Claire thinking she's better at something than she is.
October 14, 2010 at 10:01AM EST Reply to Comment
- M Yeah, maybe if Mitchell had told Cameron he was just too well endowed to wear them Cameron wouldn't have argued. Lol.
  October 14, 2010 at 10:18AM EST
Chris

I completely agree! The show will only continue to succeed if they write the best possible show they can and not wedge stories like they did with Jay this week. I felt there were so many opportunities lost for Cam jokes because they cut away to Jay...

I wish others here would understand that people can like a television show and still have criticisms about it. Just because there are things we wish they would improve doesn't mean we don't like it!
October 14, 2010 at 10:34AM EST Reply to Comment
christy

Yeah, I was a bit distracted at first because to me the obvious solution was for Claire to walk in, see Cam in the pants, and immediately say "OMG CAM I CAN SEE EVERYTHING!" and of course for no one to say anything to Phil about the jokes. I'm not sure if the pixels were because the shorts were supposed to be showing his package, or just because they were supposed to look THAT BAD that it was necessary to blur them out, but even if it was the latter, it'd be best for Claire to pretend the former to protect Cam's feelings but still get rid of the shorts. When he pulled the legs down a little when she told him they didn't look good! Oh, Cam!

Both of those stories got me in the end, though. The bathroom scene was the best, and I like when Phil called Claire out.

I didn't like the Jay/Gloria storyline at all. Too cringey, plus it didn't resonate much because I don't have much sense as Jay as a boss.

The Alex and Haley story was gold from start to finish, though.
October 14, 2010 at 10:35AM EST Reply to Comment
jlrepka

I have to admit, my first thought on the Phil/Claire storyline was that the Realtors would love his stuff, which I guess was the selling point, but -- Phil's extemporaneous material was objectively more humorous, and his timing was better, than the stuff earlier in the episode. I was expecting him to tell the same bad jokes at the dinner, and have the crowd laugh anyway, to Claire's surprise... What we got was the audience responding to the better material.
October 14, 2010 at 10:52AM EST Reply to Comment
Bigphish420

Funniest line of the night came from Jay

"Carlos" "I was luck only one of them turned around"
October 14, 2010 at 12:13PM EST Reply to Comment
- sanen85 The only one I can remember.
  October 14, 2010 at 3:03PM EST
Andrew

I loved this episode. As a whole, I was worried that the show would struggle a bit, given the expectations and greatness of last season. However, this episode proves they are doing just fine. Although, I understood the point about the Jay/Gloria storyline and how it had no point essentially, I personally thought it was my favorite of them all, the one where I got the most laughs. Of course the whole episode was a setup for one reaction from Jay, nonetheless still brilliant.

My only criticism of this show would be the nagging between all of the families. It seems they are all complaining about each other every episode in every family, where in the first season it didn't seem so.

Phil is exactly like Michael Scott and does it just as good, which I think downgrades the phenomenal job of Steve Carrell.
October 14, 2010 at 12:17PM EST Reply to Comment
- JimBriggs I don't find Phil and Michael Scott similar at all. Michael can be crude, cruel and vindictive, and I don't see any of those characteristics in Phil. Yeah, they're both naive about some things, but Phil is more loving and openly caring. I know you have to take some liberties with reality for the sake of a show, but the way that Michael has treated people, and the things he has done as a member of management make it totally unbelievable that he would still have his job or that nobody would have quit working for him by now. I never have the "C'mon, that would never happen" feeling with Phil's situations.
  October 14, 2010 at 1:00PM EST
- ^^^^^Well said. Michael Scott is inept, rude and socially retarded. Also Phil thinking he's funny is aided by Luke retardedly laughing at everything he does. That kid is still the absolute worst part of the show. He should be fired. The Godfather Kiss of Death had me in stitches though.
  October 14, 2010 at 1:43PM EST
- FFC Count me in the camp that thinks the comparisons between Phil and Michael Scott are superficial at best. As for Luke, I like the kid. He's not the strongest actor on the show (heck, he may be the worst), but in a cast this good, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
  October 14, 2010 at 2:02PM EST
- Maria Yeah, count me as another reader who doesn't understand how Alan could consider Phil indistinguishable from Michael Scott. To me they are nothing alike, and every time Alan makes that assertion, it leaves me perplexed.
  
  Phil is the funniest character for me and I love that he is kind-hearted and lovable, and often even smart and capable in his some ways... but also can be very goofy, naive and dorky.
  
  Michael Scott on the other hand is often over the top ridiculous and idiotic, and can at times be down-right nasty.
  
  Luke didn't have much to do this episode other than laughing at his parents jokes... but generally he is one of my favorite child characters/actors and I think he is often both adorable and hilarious, without being annoyingly precocious.
  October 14, 2010 at 7:32PM EST
cadfile

Loved the episode. I guess it did seem a little stuffed but wasn't an issue for me.

Good line I heard was â€Ž"Do you want to be smart or popular?" - Haley Dunphy
October 14, 2010 at 1:37PM EST Reply to Comment
- Dezbot I liked, "What are you babbling about? You owe me a murder!"
  October 14, 2010 at 3:19PM EST
VN

Maybe my humor compass is offset, but I thought this was easily the best episode of the season so far (the rest have been mediocre at best). Then again, when I watch a comedy, I care a lot less about the drama elements of it (like family interaction, same-sex love story, etc.) than I do about the amount of laughs I get out of it. There is a clear difference between a straight sitcom like this, and a dramedy (like Chuck). It doesn't seem like you are differentiating the two when you are watching the shows.

October 14, 2010 at 1:46PM EST Reply to Comment
Robin

I do agree with Alan that they tried to cram too many stories into 30 minutes. The Jay storyline could've been a "b" plot to another episode, instead a "d" plot in an already crowded episode.

But other than that, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Much like the cul-de-sac crew, I just like hanging out with these characters for half an hour a week.
October 14, 2010 at 3:56PM EST Reply to Comment
Ace

I laughed hysterically the whole episode. Sure it was a little crowded, but without the Jay/Gloria storyline we wouldn't have gotten the line "there wasn't a dry eye in the cartel."
October 14, 2010 at 4:10PM EST Reply to Comment
Challie

Alan - I enjoy your reviews about 98% of the time even when I agree with you about 70% of the time. (Sounds like "Having said that..." is coming.) Having said that ... this is clearly an article from somebody who's decided to write about Modern Family every week. Sometimes there's not much more to say than "I laughed a lot" or "not the funniest episode for me" which would be way too short of a review. But your budding obsession with how they structure this sitcom and divy up screen time doesn't seem like your finest hour as a TV critic. (My two cents, obviously.) Love the show & I like your reviews except for this one.
October 14, 2010 at 4:45PM EST Reply to Comment
Kelley

I agree.
October 14, 2010 at 4:57PM EST Reply to Comment
Shilo

Modern Family just isn't doing it for me this season. There are individual stories that I like, but they've yet to make a truly cohesive, great episode this season. I agree that the Jay/Gloria/Manny storyline was ill fitting and took away from the other stories. The Dunphys continue to be the saving grace of the show, as Claire and Phil's chemistry is beautiful to watch and the kids are hilarious without being annoying (something Manny should take note of). I'm still watching but with much less urgency than before.
October 14, 2010 at 5:05PM EST Reply to Comment
Jonathan

I saw your tweet about commenters wanting you to stop writing about MF. I have no problem with you criticizing an episode that I thought was the show's strongest since the Valentine's Day episode, but I agree with some other commenters that are suggesting you have a blind spot when it comes to certain other comedies like Chuck and Community (two other shows that I also love, don't get me wrong).

Your reviews come off as a bit...odd when you continually find more things to criticize in Modern Family (a show nearly universally praised for its high quality) than you do in Chuck (a great show for sure, but not exactly one that has the smartest writing out there or the most laugh-out-loud moments).

So don't quit commenting on this terrific show because I always find your opinions interesting even when I don't agree. I just hope that you always have that same neutral critic hat on when you're reviewing shows that you have a bit of a vested interest in like Chuck.
October 14, 2010 at 5:09PM EST Reply to Comment
ColumbusRazor

This was a funny episode, but we spent more time with the Dunfys and Cam
October 14, 2010 at 5:25PM EST Reply to Comment
ghoti

The reason I like Alan's reviews is the same one Roger Ebert gave - he watches the shows and writes what he sees.

I have seen plenty of mediocre reviews for weak episodes of Chuck, Lost, Mad Men and every other show (except the Wire, since there are no weak episodes) that Alan supposedly "has a vested interest in" (which is nonsense).

Alan was one of the biggest proponents of HIMYM anywhere, but you sure wouldn't think so if you read last season's reviews.

Alan watches the show and writes what he saw. If you want him to write something else you have the wrong critic. Pouring through these reviews looking for signs of bias seems silly to me. IMO, the fun part of the site is getting Alan's take and then sharing your own.
October 14, 2010 at 5:32PM EST Reply to Comment
- Notjon Jeez, some Modern Family fans are touchy. Your show is flawed. Every show is flawed (except for season 4 of The Wire, obviously). Alan is a critic. This is his job.
  
  As for this episode, I agree with a couple of people in that the blurring, while funny made no sense. Was the joke that he's out of shape or that his package was showing. If it's the latter, then there's no reason to be coy, just tell him. If it's the former, there's no reason for the blurring. It seemed like there were two jokes that were meshed awkwardly.
  
  I didn't have a problem with the Jay storyline (any more than I do with the fact that all the characters seem to be doing the same storyline every week, ie. Gloria tries to get Jay to do something cultural he doesn't want to do) since the end scene with the "father" and "daughter" was the only real laugh I got last night except for the brilliant shoulder shaving gag.
  
  Otherwise, another meh episode which is how I've felt this whole season about this show. And that's much harsher than anything Alan's said. So, again, lighten up, Modern Family fans, you're show is a slightly above average family sitcom, not the Second Coming.
  
  Then again, at least MF fans aren't nearly as bad as...Glee fans.
  October 14, 2010 at 6:03PM EST
- Echos Myron Actually, the picture quality of my season 4 DVDs of The Wire is very, very flawed - so much so that it detracts from my viewing experience, and makes me unable to call it the best season of the show by any stretch. Plus, those kids were generally annoying to listen to.
  October 15, 2010 at 10:33AM EST
Zach

This show has really painted itself into a corner with the way they handled the Gay Adoption line. Lily is an infant, which makes her basically a prop, not a person. Unlike Claire and Jay's families, without a real kid character there for them to play off of, it seems the writers cant find anywhere for Cam and Mitchell to go but down, down and down the long, shrieking slide to frivolous.

Really, Cam started out as an interesting multi-sided character ("..Surprise!..") but this season mostly we see him just pout, flounce, and pout some more.

Nice heartwarming peck in front of the shaving mirror, sure, but ***one human moment does not a tinny caricature unmake***. Contrast with the matching Phil and Claire moment: "Youre on the clock, honey."

No contest.

Arcs like that keep pushing Cam and Mitchell's family over more and more into a thin, shallow parody of a family. I understand that straight people habitually think of the gay purpose on earth as their own comic relief, i.e. to entertain them by providing a bad example to feel superior to .. but seriously, some self awareness on that front would go a long way towards saving this show from itself.

I am really disappointed that the writers have defaulted back to the Jack & Karen line: if its gay, then paper thin and over the top will always do just fine. Thatâ€™s some criminally lazy comedy writing, people.

Meh.

October 14, 2010 at 5:36PM EST Reply to Comment
- R There is plenty of material to mined in two men (gay or not) raising a baby. Look at Raising Hope, or Three Men and a Baby, just to name two off the top of my head.
  October 20, 2010 at 2:39PM EST
Zach

This show has really painted itself into a corner with the way they handled the Gay Adoption line. Lily is an infant, which makes her basically a prop, not a person. Unlike Claire and Jay's families, without a real kid character there for them to play off of, it seems the writers cant find anywhere for Cam and Mitchell to go but down, down and down the long, shrieking slide to frivolous.

Really, Cam started out as an interesting multi-sided character ("..Surprise!..") but this season mostly we see him just pout, flounce, and pout some more.

Nice heartwarming peck in front of the shaving mirror, sure, but ***one human moment does not a tinny caricature unmake***. Contrast with the matching Phil and Claire moment: "Youre on the clock, honey."

No contest.

Arcs like that keep pushing Cam and Mitchell's family over more and more into a thin, shallow parody of a family. I understand that straight people habitually think of the gay purpose on earth as their own comic relief, i.e. to entertain them by providing a bad example to feel superior to .. but seriously, some self awareness on that front would go a long way towards saving this show from itself.

I am really disappointed that the writers have defaulted back to the Jack & Karen line: if its gay, then paper thin and over the top will always do just fine. Thatâ€™s some criminally lazy comedy writing, people.

Meh.

October 14, 2010 at 5:38PM EST Reply to Comment
Zach

This show has really painted itself into a corner with the way they handled the Gay Adoption line. Lily is an infant, which makes her basically a prop, not a person. Unlike Claire and Jay's families, without a real kid character there for them to play off of, it seems the writers cant find anywhere for Cam and Mitchell to go but down, down and down the long, shrieking slide to frivolous.

Really, Cam started out as an interesting multi-sided character ("..Surprise!..") but this season mostly we see him just pout, flounce, and pout some more.

Nice heartwarming peck in front of the shaving mirror, sure, but ***one human moment does not a tinny caricature unmake***. Contrast with the matching Phil and Claire moment: "Youre on the clock, honey."

No contest.

Arcs like that keep pushing Cam and Mitchell's family over more and more into a thin, shallow parody of a family. I understand that straight people habitually think of the gay purpose on earth as their own comic relief, i.e. to entertain them by providing a bad example to feel superior to .. but seriously, some self awareness on that front would go a long way towards saving this show from itself.

I am really disappointed that the writers have defaulted back to the Jack & Karen line: if its gay, then paper thin and over the top will always do just fine. Thatâ€™s some criminally lazy comedy writing, people.

Meh.
October 14, 2010 at 5:40PM EST Reply to Comment
ColumbusRazor

This was a funny episode, but we spent more time with the Dunfys and Cam&Mitch. There was a point that we DID cut back to Jay&Gloria at the party where it felt jarring to be back with them, like we ha been away for a few beats too long.

As far as Alan being overly critical of certain shows, I would assume that to mean that he thinks highly of a them to begin with. When one doesn't deliver, it's falling short of its potential.

(I apologize for the truncated post above, but this website is not very comment-friendly)
October 14, 2010 at 5:40PM EST Reply to Comment
jerie b

alan, you were dead on. the show was too busy. too bad manny wasn't spending the night with luke while gloria and jay went to
'the thing'. loved the pixels
October 14, 2010 at 5:45PM EST Reply to Comment
Notjon

Jeez, some Modern Family fans are touchy. Your show is flawed. Every show is flawed (except for season 4 of The Wire, obviously). Alan is a critic. This is his job.

As for this episode, I agree with a couple of people in that the blurring, while funny made no sense. Was the joke that he's out of shape or that his package was showing. If it's the latter, then there's no reason to be coy, just tell him. If it's the former, there's no reason for the blurring. It seemed like there were two jokes that were meshed awkwardly.

I didn't have a problem with the Jay storyline (any more than I do with the fact that all the characters seem to be doing the same storyline every week, ie. Gloria tries to get Jay to do something cultural he doesn't want to do) since the end scene with the "father" and "daughter" was the only real laugh I got last night except for the brilliant shoulder shaving gag.

Otherwise, another meh episode which is how I've felt this whole season about this show. And that's much harsher than anything Alan's said. So, again, lighten up, Modern Family fans, you're show is a slightly above average family sitcom, not the Second Coming.

Then again, at least MF fans aren't nearly as bad as...Glee fans.
October 14, 2010 at 6:05PM EST Reply to Comment
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Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Danny Oh man, Alex's impromptu "I love you!" and then both girls screaming at the top of their lungs sent me into hysterics. I definitely would have liked more of this plotline instead of the Jay/Gloria one.

sepinwall I'm not looking for things to complain about. I just think Modern Family is a show with a lot of moving pieces, and only occasionally do they all fit together perfectly. Though this episode had funny moments (like the one Danny mentioned above), it was not one of the perfect fits.

Indeed Agreed. I thought this was a great episode. I laughed so hard at the Jay/Gloria story, that it didn't occur to me that i didn't fit in "thematically". Sometimes a show is just super-funny. Also loved all the other stories last night.

Melissa Life doesn't fit together thematically. So, the fact that the Manny/Gloria/Jay wasn't similar to the other stories didn't bother me. All four story lines made me laugh out loud and that's all I care about. I guess I'm easy that way.

FFC I have to agree with Marc on this, Alan. While I don't think your criticisms of Modern Family are unfair, I would certainly like to see you direct similar criticism to the obvious flaws in Community and Chuck (both shows I watch and enjoy), which you seem unwilling to do.

Joe Strummah Note to Melissa: a TV show isn't "life."

Jaynee I thought it was a fabulous episode as well - it clicked on all cylinders for me.

Echos Myron Shows like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire operate in a completely different stratosphere than Modern Family. Even their weakest moments are more worthwhile than anything you'll find on a flipping ABC sitcom! Sheesh.

LJA OMG, Jay's horror at misunderstanding the bride/groom-to-be were father/daughter got the biggest laugh out of me of the night. Hysterical!

Prepare to be shocked: TV critics have favorite shows, too. Calm down, Internet.

Kmarko No reason for the Internet to calm down, these are all balanced, civil remarks. And to Echos: sorry, no. Comedy is hard, and to say the "weakest moment" of Boardwalk Empire is better than anything on Modern Family is asinine.

cadfile People will have different views of shows naturally. I read these reviews just to find out if I might have the same or different ideas on them. There is at least one show this season that I part with Alan's reviews almost every week. That's the way it goes

I was pretty sure Mitchell thought Cam wanted him to shave his shoulders. I thought it was hilarious, and I don't see why Cam would run off if your scenario was the actual one.

ken sly No -- Cam was thinking back.

ken sly Sorry. Mitchell was thinking back.

bettyd back shaving is funnier, I'll give you that!

conrad and he did it in true phil fashion...the kiss of death from godfather 2. if you're familiar with it:video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6231604815415378912#

Debbee My husband and I cracked up at the godfather reference

M I liked the Jay/Gloria storyline, but I wish the payoff had been better. The storlyine that felt shoehorned in to me was Alex and Haley. It was a funny story, but didn't get enough screentime and felt really underdeveloped.

Melissa Maybe we'll get the payoff of the Jay/Gloria story in a later episode. I can't help but think they're setting a larger storyline up...?

jenfullmoon I agree, I thought that was the weakest/could have been cut part of the show. (And why did Hulu say that was what the show was about?)Really, it was the "strangers on a train" plot that made the episode.

Excellent point, Kmarko! I would much rather watch a show where my biggest complaint is that I want MORE from each of the actors than one where I wish certain actors were never on screen!

M Yeah, maybe if Mitchell had told Cameron he was just too well endowed to wear them Cameron wouldn't have argued. Lol.

Bigphish420 Funniest line of the night came from Jay "Carlos" "I was luck only one of them turned around"

sanen85 The only one I can remember.

^^^^^Well said. Michael Scott is inept, rude and socially retarded. Also Phil thinking he's funny is aided by Luke retardedly laughing at everything he does. That kid is still the absolute worst part of the show. He should be fired. The Godfather Kiss of Death had me in stitches though.

FFC Count me in the camp that thinks the comparisons between Phil and Michael Scott are superficial at best. As for Luke, I like the kid. He's not the strongest actor on the show (heck, he may be the worst), but in a cast this good, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

cadfile Loved the episode. I guess it did seem a little stuffed but wasn't an issue for me.Good line I heard was â€Ž"Do you want to be smart or popular?" - Haley Dunphy

Dezbot I liked, "What are you babbling about? You owe me a murder!"

Ace I laughed hysterically the whole episode. Sure it was a little crowded, but without the Jay/Gloria storyline we wouldn't have gotten the line "there wasn't a dry eye in the cartel."

Kelley I agree.

ColumbusRazor This was a funny episode, but we spent more time with the Dunfys and Cam

Echos Myron Actually, the picture quality of my season 4 DVDs of The Wire is very, very flawed - so much so that it detracts from my viewing experience, and makes me unable to call it the best season of the show by any stretch. Plus, those kids were generally annoying to listen to.

R There is plenty of material to mined in two men (gay or not) raising a baby. Look at Raising Hope, or Three Men and a Baby, just to name two off the top of my head.

jerie b alan, you were dead on. the show was too busy. too bad manny wasn't spending the night with luke while gloria and jay went to'the thing'. loved the pixels

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Danny

Oh man, Alex's impromptu "I love you!" and then both girls screaming at the top of their lungs sent me into hysterics. I definitely would have liked more of this plotline instead of the Jay/Gloria one.

Indeed Agreed. I thought this was a great episode. I laughed so hard at the Jay/Gloria story, that it didn't occur to me that i didn't fit in "thematically". Sometimes a show is just super-funny.
Also loved all the other stories last night.

Prepare to be shocked: TV critics have favorite shows, too.

Calm down, Internet.

Kmarko No reason for the Internet to calm down, these are all balanced, civil remarks.

And to Echos: sorry, no. Comedy is hard, and to say the "weakest moment" of Boardwalk Empire is better than anything on Modern Family is asinine.

conrad and he did it in true phil fashion...the kiss of death from godfather 2. if you're familiar with it:

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6231604815415378912#

M

I liked the Jay/Gloria storyline, but I wish the payoff had been better. The storlyine that felt shoehorned in to me was Alex and Haley. It was a funny story, but didn't get enough screentime and felt really underdeveloped.

jenfullmoon I agree, I thought that was the weakest/could have been cut part of the show. (And why did Hulu say that was what the show was about?)

Really, it was the "strangers on a train" plot that made the episode.

Bigphish420

Funniest line of the night came from Jay

"Carlos" "I was luck only one of them turned around"

cadfile

Loved the episode. I guess it did seem a little stuffed but wasn't an issue for me.

Good line I heard was â€Ž"Do you want to be smart or popular?" - Haley Dunphy

Ace

I laughed hysterically the whole episode. Sure it was a little crowded, but without the Jay/Gloria storyline we wouldn't have gotten the line "there wasn't a dry eye in the cartel."

Kelley

I agree.

ColumbusRazor

This was a funny episode, but we spent more time with the Dunfys and Cam

jerie b

alan, you were dead on. the show was too busy. too bad manny wasn't spending the night with luke while gloria and jay went to
'the thing'. loved the pixels

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