Modern Family for ABC that began in year 2009 and just wrapping up in 2020 is proven to be one of the successful sitcoms of the television industry. Created by Christopher Lloyd, and Steven Levitan, the show modified a standard format of a family-sitcom and introduced a diverse main cast that every viewer will find relatable. The show also embraced issues of shifting family paradigms, the use of comedies and portrayal of family life and still stays as part of awards and the history of television and social progress.
Social Relations in Motion: The Role of Families
At its core, “Modern Family” explores the lives of three interconnected families: All the families such the Pritchetts, Dunphys and the Tuckers have been brought out in this show. The family of Pritchett has its head, the elder man Jay Pritchett, who has a gorgeous young wife Gloria and son in law Manny from her side. Jay has a daughter Claire Dunphy who is married to Phil and they have three children while Mitchell Pritchett, Jay’s son is a father to a adopted daughter Lily with his husband Cameron Tucker.
What differentiates ‘Modern Family’ from the sit-com’s format is that it seems to be a documentary show in most of its episodes, and hence the characters are always staring at the camera. This story technique ensured that the audience was in a position to have a glimpse of the characters and their feelings hence a less screen between characters and the viewers. Laughter shook me as I went out of the theatre; it was as if I was watching real people going to work, with real live issues and achievements and losses.
Representation and Inclusivity
Moreover, one must mention that one of the significant components of “Modern Family” is the storyline about a homosexual couple and their child. In that sense, Mitchell and Cameron’s storyline was novel for mainstream television as the audience was given a loving gay couple who had a child, free of contention. It can be mooted that this representation aided in changing the attitude that the society had for the LGBTQ+ families to be accepted in the society.
The show also focused on other forms of diversity, including cultural – Gloria is from Colombia as well as Manny being raised in a diverse household. In this aspect, “Modern Family” included the multicultural aspect of the America’s population and newcomer families in a way that seemed more natural and real. This inclusivity was a spectacular departure from the strictly white, and more to the point, strictly nuclear families which had become the norm on our television sets for as long as we can remember.
The Evolution of Comedy
‘Modern Family’ brought changes in the perception of sitcom humour that included traditional slapstick layer and additional sophisticated humour. The writing in the show was clever, sarcastic, and timely at times Even though the show did mock various aspects in the society such as parenting, and the generation gap. The personalities of all the characters due to their idiosyncrasies were sources of humor throughout the episodes as Phil’s lightheartedness, Gloria’s temperance, among others.
What the show did was generating laughter within the viewers and at the same time get them start contemplating. Like many other shows, Modern Family did teach serious lessons and was not afraid to mix comedy with topics such as adoption, divorce or identity. I hope that this approach was well received as it focused on aspects of characters’ experiences in order to make comedy of the consequences cut deeper.
Legacy and Influence
It’s clear that “Modern Family”’s time on the air was not just timed, but meaningful. It allowed more extensive examination of the other television shows that depict rather more diverse and rather liberal parenting, which opposes the conventional stereotype of family life. Some of those changes are in the sitcom and drama works that attract more attention from the public, the representation of the LGBTQ+ characters and multicultural couples and families.
Conclusion
For many, ‘Modern Family’ was not simply a program to watch; it had become a part of culture and tradition changing the family sitcom genre for the contemporary society. It was a comedy, a drama, and it gave representation to millions of viewers around the globe that made them find it a favorite show. Television has continued its positive change and the influence of “Modern Family” will not be felt for many a season as a prime representation of how a sitcom can be both funny and impactful.