It's all the the family

Modern Family is an amazing show. It's funny, it's progressive, and it's very very heart-warming. At times the plot can be cliche, but they navigate used story lines so artfully and under such a fresh premise that this complaint is really quite trkvial (and in itself, cliche). ABC's Modern Family is exactly what the title suggests. The show portrays a modern take on the extended family: There's the nuclear family with two liberal parents and their three kids, the gay couple that's adopted an asian baby, and the aging rich father with his hot young foreign wife. The show is in a single camera mocumentary format, and unlike a lot of new mocumentaries springing up lately, MF deals with the camera expertly. Subtle looks gives the camera presence at times, but they don't over do it or ignore it.

What I truly love about this show is that it is hilarious without trying to be super edgy. It seems like the trend of television has been towards the shock factor. Zany goings ons that are meant to shock and offend. Gratuitous sex and drug use in order to "be hip" and speak to an increasingly corrupt young generation. Even as part of this corrupt young generation, I have to say that it's a nice breath of fresh air to find a show that deals with modern subject matters while still maintaining a family-friendly environment.

Bottom line, this is a really great show that will keep you and whoever you watch it with smiling and feeling good. The characters are treated fairly; every one is flawed but that's what makes them fun to watch. The stories are compelling in a very real, quotidian sense. I instantly fell in love with all the characters, and I proudly admit that I'm hooked. Check it out Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC, or do what I do and just watch it on Hulu.