I think Modern Family jumped the shark tonight

We were just saying it was the most bizarre episode ever!!!

I thought they jumped the shark when Gloria had a baby. Whatever happened to that baby anyway?

Modern Family hasn't been funny in two years. But the line "Ref, that's the worst call since they cast Russell Crowe in Les Mis!" was pretty good.

Updated On: 11/13/13 at 11:05 PM

Yeah, I didn't mind the new baby, though there hasn't been much in the way of added value yet.

I've enjoyed the rest of this season. I hope last night was an aberration.

Right?! Great example. It was as if the writer(s) had never seen the show before.

Did not see it, but the Russell Crowe comment is hilarious!

It's in syndication, as well.

USA tried to model the success TBS has had with 'Big Bang Theory', but the ratings haven't delivered.
The feeling is that the TBS viewers weren't the same as the CBS viewers, so the show was finding a new audience, which then led to audience growth for the originals on CBS.

The USA/ABC model hasn't worked out the same way. USA is also known primarily for dramas, and isn't top of mind for sitcoms, the way some TBS nights of programming are, so the acquisition hasn't been the best fit.

A mis-calculation on USA's part. At least at this point.

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Updated On: 11/14/13 at 11:53 AM

It's an interesting dilemma for the writers--and one that they are not resolving with too much flair.

The initial rationale was this family that was, frankly, a roster of cliches, determined to find a way to love and support each other despite their krayzee idiosyncrasies and lovable foibles. It could have been total dreck (i.e.: "The New Normal"), but some great, heartfelt and insightful writing combined with a terrific ensemble made magic.

At this point, though, it's all repetitive drudgery--"Uh oh! Cam is having a lip-quivering melt-down! Gloria is worried that Jay is going to be angry about something but--Surprise!--it just makes him love her more." Yawwwwn... They've all adapted to each other's whacky traits and are just living with them.

There are still some great lines and moments ("Bank it!!!" has permanently entered our household as shorthand for "I was way out of line, but I know you'll do something before too long which will retroactively justify my horrible behavior") but it takes landmark events--the passage of Marriage Equality--to create authentically new situations.

I hope that they can find a path back to greatness, but I **really** hope it doesn't involve too much more screen time for Pepper.

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Updated On: 11/17/13 at 07:45 AM

I agree with most. This weeks episode really was bad. the Manny storyline is bad and tiresome. I don't think the show has jumped the shark. They usually have one or two very bad episodes and then spring back. At least I hope that is the case.

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I have stopped "liking" stuff on FB for that very reason. I am also down to only 100 or so FB friends. Trying to make FB a different thing for me. All everyone does is self promote in one way or the other.

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I'm with Sutton Ross...I haven't been able to watch this for the past two seasons. It became, in a word, annoying. I actually always felt that way about Cam, but the whole air of can we top this in terms of plot contrivances, embarrassing situations and whatnot became a turnoff.

I still love the show. It's not as good as it was in its prime, but it's still one of the funniest comedies on TV. I laugh every week, which is more than I can say for most "comedies" on TV nowadays. I think it's far from "jumping the shark," it's just not as consistently clever as it once was.

Updated On: 11/17/13 at 09:14 PM