ABC

This week, the women both tried manipulation to get their families to change, but in each case it backfired wonderfully.  We go to see “Inception Claire” and Gloria chewing a shoe.  Does it get any better?

While Cam and Mitch went on a “Juice Fast” (or as Luke called it, “Jew Fast,”) Phil was inspired by the “weird little man” and decided to tight-rope walk like he’d always dreamed.  Phil to me is like a real-life Homer Simpson.  Loving, caring, and truly believes everything can be accomplished.  He’s a bumbling idiot at times, but so much fun to watch.  It’s quite a feat to embody a beloved cartoon character, but Ty Burrell does it brilliantly (and was rewarded with an Emmy for it!)

As usual though, it was Claire and Gloria stealing the limelight.  Claire, on a quest to get her daughters to make peace and attend the same 2nd year math class, winds up arrested for mouthing off (brilliantly) to a fake officer in front of Hailey and Alex’s school.  Not that they were much better.  Even as sisters, they got caught trying to cheat.  Life as criminals isn’t in the offering for those two.

But, Gloria, feeling a little jealous of the dog, Stella, was in fine form trying everything she could think of to get Jay angry at the dog.  My highlight, and possibly a picture I’ll never forget is seeing Gloria chewing on Jay’s shoe in order to entice Stella.

With such a talented and varied cast, it’s no wonder Modern Family is consistently funny, week after week.

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Law And Order: Special Parking Unit would be a good show

Everyone wishes they had the time and patience to come up with that kind of line when dealing with annoying authority figures.

2. Unforgettable Quotes

“I’ve got two ways to cross the lawn.” Phil after successful tight-rope walking
“Everything I touch turns to detention” Hailey after getting caught cheating
“It goes: Wife, Mistress, Dog. Dog is always at the bottom.” Gloria on being under appreciated.

ABC

Just when I rave about how great Julie Bowen is as Claire, Sophía Vergara steals the show in the second episode of the season. But I have to ask, why two episodes back-to-back?

Instead of premiering Surburgatory and the second season of Happy Endings, ABC decided to air two episodes of Modern Family.  So, I thought the two would be related. But, besides being the same show, there was nothing linking the two episodes.  And while the season premiere felt like a season premiere, this episode felt like a pretty good Modern Family episode…than could have been aired anytime.

I guess there was the new adoption that Cam and Mitchell announced, but I think ABC might have benefitted more from giving a strong lead-in to a new show.

New-Lily was great in this episode, pushing the baby (did they really get her to push a baby?) and Cam around was fun, but it’s still hard to accept how quickly Lily has aged.  In a few years, Lily might look older than Manny.

While Jay may have shown the spotlight on Manny in the garage for stealing the locket, Gloria was the star of the episode.  She was hilarious yelling at the principal and threatening her with a Colombian neck tie and acting smug with Jay.  But my favourite scenes were her breaking open that girl’s locker and taking control when Jay caught on that something was up in the car.

In all fairness, two really good episodes to start the season.  It’s nice to have the Family back.

Second paragraph of the main body.

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Phil Looks at Every Woman Around

Having an unhealthy obsession with Gloria was one thing, but to always look at any semi-attractive woman while Claire is around?  C’mon Phil.

2. Claire’s a Good Mom

All that talk about her always being right, it was a fitting ending to show, when it counts, she puts being a mom first.

ABC

Hot off a weekend of Emmy victories, capped by winning the Best Comedy statue, Modern Family launched its third season with two new episodes (review of second episode here.) First up, a trip to the Dude Ranch.

Trying to get the entire family together for a trip is almost impossible in real life, but TV is magical that way.  Everyone ended up at the Dude Ranch hosted by Hank, the cowboy (Tim Blake Nelson, from the really funny and underrated summer show Chaos.)  Hank gave everyone nicknames which I thought were kinda boring (Old Timer, Cactus Flower, Buffalo Phil, and Hollywood,) but he did nail it with Claire (Bossy.)

In fact, watching this episode made so angry that Molly, Mike & Molly, was given an Emmy.  What a terrible show that is.  Seriously, just terrible.  And seeing how amazing Julie Bowen is at playing Claire makes me mad.  Awards shows are a farce, and most of the time don’t really acknowledge the best, but this was egregious.  I hope next year Julie Bowen is recognized because her character is far and away my favourite on the show.  No Claire, no show.

Most of the kids on Modern Family are just as good as the adults, with the giant exception of Alex (Ariel Winter.)  Did you see that fake fall when she was pushing Lily in the swing?  It was painful.  And most of the time I can tell she’s playing the part; instead of seeing Alex’s expressions, I see Ariel’s expressions…perhaps they changed the wrong kid actor.

On to episode two of the night!

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Lily Can Talk!

Yes, they recast Lily and now she’s a talker, and clearly not the same girl.  It was odd to hear her speak the first time.

2. Cam’s Pop-Up Book was Awesome

That was an intricate prop for about 5 seconds of screen time.  Well done.

3. Phil Is = Phyllis

Phil was so manly in this episode, but Jay turning “Phil is my son-in-law” to “Phyllis, my son-in-law” was a nice touch.

ABC

What a great start to the second season for Modern Family.  Deserving of its Emmy victory and proving why it won in the first place. And after that wonderful tip, I wonder how many people will now be drinking chocolate milk with a pinch of salt.

Phil wins character of the episode.  He had both the best physical jokes and the best lines of the show.  I’m not sure I’ll ever get tired of seeing the entire garage empty onto Phil when he’s trying to get something down from the top. It was hilarious last year and worked just as well here.  But, the outright winner for the night was his mnemonic device usage. In case you can’t remember how they went, let’s recap shall we?

Phil’s Awesome Mnemonic Device #1

Step 1. He wore a Grateful Dead t-shirt.
Step 2. What’s a band like the Grateful Dead?
Step 3. Phish.
Step 4. Where Do Fish Live?
Step 5. The Ocean.
Step 6: What else lives in the Ocean?
Step 7: Coral. 
Answer: Hello Coral (said like the real name, Carl)

Phil’s Awesome Mnemonic Device #2

Step 1. He looked like the drummer from Foreigner.
Step 2. A foreigner’s from France.
Step 3. France rhymes with ants.
Step 4. Ants ruin a Picnic.
Answer: What’s up Nick?

I really liked the trip down station wagon lane and seeing the baby blankets and sunshine in a bottle was reminiscent of anytime I’ve ever cleaned out an attic or a shoebox.  It becomes an all-day job because you can’t help but share stories over each new memory you find.  And the funnier the story, the harder the reality probably was back then.  Claire got a kick out of re-discovering all the quirks of the car, but I’m sure when they had no other choice it wasn’t so much fun.  I’m sure every kid can relate to the bonds you make when your parents are made to look stupid and Phil jumping on that car was an instant classic.

Jay has become more and more comfortable hanging out with Cam and Mitch. It was nice to see him come to the rescue, possibly to save lives, while building Lily’s new princess house.  Character growth in sitcoms is rare but refreshing.  Not only do the characters have added depth but the writers don’t get stuck writing to the stereotype (Think how over-the-top OCD Monica became in the later years of Friends.)

Oddly enough, it was Manny’s storyline that was the least interesting to me this week.  Sure it was funny, but I give Gloria all the credit.  Her jealousy was awesome and I hope that gets pushed even further in a subsequent episode.

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. The newest catchphrase?
”What’s The Plan Phil?”  Even Phil’s kids got a kick out of it.

2. The shows heart shines through
One of my favourite parts of the show is the reflective moments of one family member talking to the camera.  Tonight, it ended like this: “Nobody loves change, but part of life is learning to let things go.”  Loved it.

ABC

If you didn’t see Modern Family last night and you’re reading this review of the episode, stop.  Go watch it, then come back.  This show is officially my favourite new comedy of the year.  And, it’s all because of one scene.  Seriously, if you didn’t see it, go watch it now.  The rest of you, follow me.

The Lion King scene was far and away the best comedic scene of the season.  Of course, it’s the first few weeks of the season and with more comedy on TV this year, I could be wrong.  But I’m not.  I didn’t see it coming, and it was fabulous.

I thought I was over the mockumentry style (Thanks for overdoing it NBC!), but I was wrong.  I think being les overtly mockumentary-ish was the best way to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.  It feels like a modern sitcom, not an American version of a Ricky Gervais idea.  I don’t know how long this show can keep up its momentum, but based on this episode, I’ve picked this show to be a lock for next year.

First episodes always have a lot of work cut out for them in introducing every character.  It sometimes leads to a disjointed feeling in the show and a less than stellar episode.  But, even with a pretty large cast (3 families of at least 3 members each), the fact that they are all related really brought the show together.  The casting has a lot to do with this with everyone from Al Bundy himself to Julie Bowen (Ed, Boston Legal, and filled out with comedic regulars Sophia Vergara (The Knights of Prosperity, Hot Properties), Ty Burrell (Back To You, Out Of Practice) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The Class).

I hope when Better Off Ted returns, it’s paired with this show because they seem to be matched perfectly.  ABC really has a great night of comedy (except for Hank which can’t seem to buy a well written episode) on its hands.

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Watch out for the kid
Manny seems like he’s going to be an unexpected source of comedy on the show.  Already he’s shown his comedic timing and I think they should use him as much as possible.  He’s a great addition.

2. The Gay Couple
Sorry, but The Lion King scene is so funny that I can’t help but refer back to it.  Cameron is the dynamic boyfriend and like Manny stole the limelight from the more well known actor in the scene.

Good shows have great moments.  Let’s see how this fares in the coming weeks.  What did you think of the show?