Modern Family: A Victim of the Sitcom Wall?
It’s a well-known fact that popular sitcoms eventually reach a point of decline. I’ve argued before that this typically happens after the fifth season. Even the greatest sitcoms in history have shown signs of slowing down. Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends, and The Office all experienced a noticeable decline in their final seasons. This decline is not because these shows were bad by sitcom standards, but because they couldn’t compare to their earlier seasons. Audience burnout is a significant factor, and it’s challenging for a show to stay fresh and continue captivating audiences after several seasons. This phenomenon is what I like to call the ‘sitcom wall.’
I believe that the episode “The Storm” marked a major turning point for Modern Family, showing its weakness. Don’t get me wrong, I still think Modern Family is a good show, and I’ll continue to watch it. However, my patience has worn thin, and the same things that made me laugh three years ago just don’t cut it anymore. So let’s review some highlights of “The Storm” that support my theory that Modern Family might be nearing its end as a sitcom (of course, ratings and advertising earnings will determine that).
Cam, Mitchell, and Lilly: Losing Their Charm?
In “The Storm,” Jesse Ferguson’s hair was a striking shade of red, which seemed out of place. But let’s move past that. I’m tired of seeing Cam dress up as a clown and use references to his days on the farm. It just doesn’t work anymore. And in this episode, it was far and away the least I’ve ever laughed at Cam’s clown antics.
As for Lilly, there’s nothing wrong with her in the technical sense, but she’s getting older. Her one-liners aren’t as cute simply because she’s older. Lilly still has some great zingers, but they don’t get as big a rise out of me as they used to. Maybe another adoption (as the show has explored) could bring new life into this family?
Luke and Manny: Growing Pains
Luke is getting too old, and the show is pushing the “I’m a teenager and I like flirting with girls” thing a little too far. He’s at that awkward pubescent age, and unfortunately, I think that Nolan Gould needs some acting lessons. It was cute when he was just a kid who looked like he was reading from cue cards, but it’s not the same when you hear his voice cracking.
Manny faces the same problem as Gould. He’s not a particularly good actor, and he’s just older now. The days when he was a cute little pudgy guy that reminded you of a young Fred Savage were the good old days. Now he’s just a gawky teenager. And the whole bit with him and Claire? Claire seeing him naked and references to her being sexy and Manny’s man parts? I’m sorry, but that did absolutely nothing for me.
Gloria, Jay, and Fulgencio: Still Going Strong
Fulgencio is one of the funniest names in the history of sitcoms. Too bad they only call the baby Joe. I think Joe is fine. He’s still a little kid, and they got a cuter actor to replace the original. Ed O’Neill can never go wrong as Jay. He’s still awesome. Gloria is still Gloria, and I’ve never gotten tired of her. Let’s move on.
Claire: A Working Mom
I still love Claire and her mania in each episode. However, ever since she’s become a working mom, I think they try and push the whole “I need to come home and have a glass of wine” thing a little too much. We get it. You’re tired. You work hard. But you don’t need to push the angle of Claire being the husband and Phil being the wife too hard. Still, the adults definitely hold up the show, which brings us to Phil.
Phil Dunphy: Timeless
Nothing wrong there. I never get tired of Phil.
Alex and Haley Dunphy: A Dynamic Duo
They too are fine. Unlike Manny and Luke, I think that Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland can act. Plus, their relationship has always been entertaining, with one being the brain and one not so much. It’s always worked, and I think it always will. The show tries to bring that bond to Manny and Luke, but it just doesn’t work. As long as they stick to what they’ve always known with Alex and Haley, the show will be fine.
I think Sarah Hyland is great, and her relationship with Andy (Adam Devine) has brought a new and much-needed element to the show. Just a great rocky relationship that we like to hope for. That formula always works. Devine is a fantastic comedic actor, and the show can probably keep that relationship fresh for at least another season.
Can the Wall Be Torn Down?
So has the show hit a wall? I will argue that yes, it has. However, that doesn’t mean the show can’t breathe new life into itself. Adding Andy was a great move. The adults are still fine. I think for the show to continue moving on and not moving backward, it needs a spark. Just what would that be? First of all, show less of Manny and Luke. Episodes where their roles are limited have always been great. They work out well when they have great one-liners and that’s it. Anything more is stretching it. Find more youth. Get Lilly a sibling. This would help a ton. And add some new characters. Remember Phil and Claire’s neighbors? What happened to them? They were awesome. Sometimes the greatest part of a show is the ancillary characters. Modern Family needs more to sustain itself.
Thoughts?
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Know what Nat, I agreed with you especially Luke and Manny.They look more an irritation than being delight like when they were kids. Also for their gay uncle’s/Half-Brother parts, I think introducing new character (new adoption) is a bit too late now at this point of their story-life and yes, Cam is too cliche on his farm origin and he needs to stop bragging up on it.
I suspect that the Manny/Luke problem exists mostly because the show has written itself into a corner with Manny, who started out as an “adorkable” child but come off as cringingly pathetic as a teenager. And its Manny’s sadness that makes it impossible for the writers to do anything with Luke. I mean, Sarah Hyland isn’t Streep, and she never needs to be when playing the “hot but dumb slut” role. And Nolan Gould doesn’t need to be Nicholson in order to play a “hot but dumb stud” type of part. But making Luke sexy and popular makes Manny come off as nothing but a character to be pitied. Pathos is something that Modern Family seems entirely unsuited for, and writing Manny off (back to Columbia to be with his dad!) the show would make it possible to develop Luke..
I too noticed the orange orange hair. Who could miss it? I thought it was my TV too. Cam is still funny, but his overly sensitive insulted thing is growing thin. I agree about the two boy teens, either both should have remained nerds or none at all. Just because Manny is chubby that shouldn’t encourage the whole nerd thing. I don’t agree though with the actor playing Manny. I don’t see him acting… the awkwardness in both was evident the first show back, but they work well together with antics together. I am tired of Glorias HUGE mouth! Lately I just hit mute when she overly does her accent and loud mouth. Never much cared for Claires character, but Phil is the best. A new kid for Cam to fuss over would be an improvement. Show is still good though, and I laugh more than get annoyed. I agree with smart alleck remarks from Lilly. Enough already, nobody likes a fresh mouthed kid who gets away with it.