Created by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd
Starring: Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet
“Look at them: a minute ago they were babies, now they’re driving and soon we’ll all be dead”
Julie Bowen as Claire
Sitcoms are a hard sell these days. Just too many of them are bad and it seems the general public might be a bit tired of the overall concept of the shop worn 30 minute situational comedy. Once in awhile, a new sitcom hits the air that feels fresh and is actually funny: Is that Modern Family? I took a look at Season One.
The Series
Modern Family is told documentary style and focuses on three families. Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) a well off man that lives very happily with his much younger second wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and her son Manny.
Jay has a daughter named Claire (Julie Bowen), tense but basically good hearted homemaker who is married to Phil and have three children. Claire’s brother Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) has a life partner named Cameron (Eric Stonestreet). They recently adopted a baby girl named Lily.
Rather than following a typical timeline, most episodes start with the family being asked a “question” by the “documentary” film crew that follows them which is then the catalyst for the story that follows. Then, we, as the audience, see everything that happens to all of the members of the Pritchett family for that episode.
Several stars make guest appearances in the first season of the show. Look for Edward Norton, Elizabeth Banks, Minnie Driver and Justin Kirk just to name a few.
So, did I like Modern Family? Why yes, I did. Quite a lot in fact.
The cast of Modern Family is truly one of its main strengths. Of course, anyone that was a fan of Married With Children is familiar with Ed O’ Neill and he continues to be funny on this show. Also of particular note are the performances of Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet as Mitchell and Cameron. They are absolutely hysterical and bring genuine warmth to their character and their relationship that is refreshing. Julie Bowen also brings a great depth to her character.
I can recall many times in my past, friends telling me that some show or movie was absolutely hilarious and that I couldn’t miss it. Then I watch it, and I don’t laugh at all. I am sure things I have told colleagues and friends something made me laugh and they were left scratching their heads.
This is not one of those clichéd laugh track dependent shows, dedicated readers. This one is as funny as you have heard. Maybe you have had a friend or coworker tell you this show is funny…they are right.
So fans of this show will add this one to the collection with a quickness. But if you are looking for a boxset of a show you haven’t watched and have a free weekend to veg out and gorge on multiple episodes in one sitting, this would be a good one to add to the shopping list.
8/10
The Video
The 1080P video transfer of the series looks great. The level of detail is impressive and the color palette is vibrant and eye catching. I did not notice any instances of grain or artifacts. For a television show, this looks impressive.
8/10
The Audio
The show is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The sound was crystal clear and well balanced. The sound mix utilized the 5.1 system well. Again, for a television show, this is presented as good as it gets.
8/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
The film is presented in a standard Blu Ray case with a cardboard slipcover with artwork that suits the show presented well.
Some nice bonus features await you on this release. There are Deleted, Extended and Alternate scenes and Deleted Family Interviews.
A Making of the Modern Family: Family Portrait is offered. As well as a gag reel and a featurette on Fizbo the Clown.
Rounding things out is a look at the episode Hawaii, Real Modern Family Moments and Before the Modern Family.
There aren’t any episode commentaries and the bonus features are spread out over the four discs. I find that personally irritating.
8/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10
The Review
The Movie 8/10
The Video 8/10
The Audio 8/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 8/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 8/10