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'Modern Family' vs. 'Community': Vying for the number 1 new comedy spot
We TV fans -- those of us who truly appreciate comedy -- are a bit spoiled with this fall season. Not only is Courteney Cox's new sitcom "Cougar Town" legitimately funny -- It premieres tonight on ABC, but I just previewed the second episode which is far better -- I also kind of giggled through CBS' "Accidentally On Purpose" with Jenna Elfman and FOX's "Brothers" with Michael Strahan.
That said, the real gems right out the gate are NBC's "Community" with Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, which debuted last Thursday after "The Office," and ABC's "Modern Family" with Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen and several other stellar actors, which begins this evening.
Following three suburban families -- one traditional, one gay, one a sort of multi-ethnic second marriage type deal -- the writing is spot on, the comedy is well-executed and I'm really kind of psyched to see where it goes from here.
I sat down with Bowen and her on-screen husband Ty Burrell just recently to talk about the show...
Could this be the beginning of a renaissance period for TV sitcoms?
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I plan to turn off ABC. I really don't know who runs their network. What are they thinking..They put a gay story line on one of their soap operas in the middle of day for when small children are at home. Now they want a gay program at night primetime. I'm sick of if being shoved in my face, gay programing should stay on bravo or ABC can add a gay channel. As is my right to shut them off I don't have to watch the trash. I don't have to purchase the products either that endorse such programing. I believe for every one person that will stand up and say they are sick of sick programing, their are also a million persons who will just turn the channel or shut their TV's off.
wow, homophobia running rampant
Yes, I'm sure the network spent weeks and months plotting to add a gay character, storyline into every show at all times. Really.
It might just be that writers and creators realize that having a gay character or story might make the show more interesting or give it a fresh perspective.
Its not all a conspiracy.
We love "Community" and invite everyone to visit our Community TV show fans site in communitynbc.com
lo there are a bunch of dumb things mentioned in your post but im going to focus on the most obvious: Having a gay couple on a show does not make it a "gay show" or "gay programming". The gay couple is one of three so if anything its a 33% gay show.
Oh and i hate to break it to you but any little kid that watches soap operas has a ton of problems as is. And any male that watches soap operas is probably gay or accepting of gay people anyway.
io: You're an idiot. Its simple--don't watch.
I love Modern Family! It's amazing and all the writing is spot on.
And I just want to add the first post was incredibly offensive and disgusting. As someone with many close homosexual frieds, I feel violated just by reading your homophobia.
Climb under a rock, because that's the only way you're going to avoid gay characters on television! Get a clue.
I thought Modern Family had been more hyped than Community though I think both fell a little short of my expectations. Modern Family is arguably the best new comedy this season with a great cast and snappy writing. I'm usually not a fan of family comedies and found the premise of Community to be better, but Modern Family is a keeper. Full review of the episode.
http://th3tvobsessed.blogspot.com/2009/09/abcs-modern-family-overhyped-still.html
I actually don't see what's so bad about "Cougartown." Sure, it's vapid, and cliched. But the gags fly at you so fast, you don't have time to reflect that they're bad. Yes, that compliment was full of knuckles, but it was still a compliment.
...
"Modern Family" I just really like. Not because it's, as a whole, a good comedy -- there are plenty of cringe moments that these mock-u-dramedies have -- but after each cringe are some very funny moments: the BB gun, then the basketball; the sheriff picture, then the pre-credits talking head. (I hope Ed O'Neil does some of his "confused" expressions; those are priceless.)
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"Community" was a big surprise. It was really well done, and looked like they had a budget to spare. It was non-stop comedy (funny lines and gags) -- and I will feel really bad when it tanks. (Just because it is on NBC)
Gay channel? Come on. At least 7% of the population is gay or bisexual and three or four characters out of THE WHOLE PROGRAMMING of a channel makes that channel a gay channel?
I wouldn't even dare to say that this particular channel is a innovative channel, because gay people need more spotlight and open real shows about them. Come on, they're part of the population, they deserve it.