Modern Family does have a dog after all

“… it’s just that we happen to be a very traditional family.” – Cam
“Yes, that’s what the disabled lesbian shaman who blessed Lily’s room said too.” – Mitchell

This has got to be one of my favorite episodes of the season … you pair Fred Willard and Ty Burrell, Luke exhibiting dog-like tendencies, Cam on drums and Manny on fear and you’ve got a formula for laughs.

It was so great to see Fred Willard show up again on Modern Family. He and Ty Burrell have the greatest chemistry — it was such a brilliant casting choice. The writing is strong, but I have to feel that the lines are even funnier when delivered by this comedic duo. C’mon, we get stuff like this:

• “My dad is awesome. He’s always up, he always happy. I mean he and I are best buds. We’re like two peas in a pod, or Siamese twins or a snake with two heads.” – Phil
  “They’ve actually been all those things for Halloween.” – Claire
• Underwear jokes, sausage links, “Frank” puns … they somehow work when Fred Willard says them.

I always wondered how the families of this show could represent modern American families, yet none of them have a pet (Manny’s dead turtle so doesn’t count). This dog-lover thought for sure they were rectifying the situation tonight and the Dunphy’s would now have a dog. What I didn’t realize was that they’ve had a dog all along.

Forgive me if I sound insensitive here, but there is almost nothing funnier than a weird kid joke. OK, maybe someone tripping and falling, but as the mother of a weird kid, I think I’ve earned the right to laugh when the weird kids of the world are celebrated with inappropriate humor at their expense. Modern Family has done right by Luke throughout the series, portraying him as weird, not the brightest bulb on the tree, yet sweet and sensitive, kind and lovable. And now they add dog-like and I couldn’t be prouder.

• Luke going through the screen after the dog asked to be let out almost made me snort water through my nose.
• Somehow the dog figured out how to get out of his crate, but Luke was stuck? Priceless.
• It only stands to reason that Luke would chase his grandfather’s RV, but Phil calling for him to “stay” was awesome.

And more:

• “I’m just not sure we like the same sorts of music, you know.” – Dylan
  “Oh, what, because I’m gay I’m just going to want to play show tunes?” – Cam
  “No, because you’re old.” – Dylan
• “Dude, you should label those sticks.”
• “What’s up with ‘21 Jump Street‘?” – Mitchell
• You just knew that actor was somehow going to be at Manny’s window with the machete, didn’t you?

Did you laugh just a little harder than usual at tonight’s Modern Family?

Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Apr 28, 2010 @ 22:17 EST5EDT