While television programming as evolved greatly over the last 50 years, the traditional family-based TV situation comedy still remains relevant. “All in the Family” of the 1970s and “Modern Family” of today reflect many attitudes and feelings of their times. Both TV shows share the basic foundation of a family, with a patriarchal bringing them all together. Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker in “All in the Family” and Ed O’Neil as Jay Pritchett in Modern Family” share similar views of traditional family values and hesitant of change. Both characters have experiences of friends and family opening up as gay individuals, and neither is completely comfortable with the situation, but do their best.
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| "All in the Family" and "Modern Family" Cast |
“All in the Family” fails to go in depth into the topic, as homosexuality was still taboo for the 1970s; Archie Bunker is very crude and offensive in his beliefs, even after learning his friend is gay, while the rest of his family is accepting. “Modern Family” on the other hand, depicts a gay couple who adopt a child and face many obstacles even in 2010. Jay Pritchett is father to Mitchell and continues to come to terms with his son’s sexuality, but loves him nonetheless. “Modern Family” portrays a more realistic representation of a gay couple and opens the door for more discussion, while maintaining the comedy. “All in the Family” and “Modern Family” are excellent reflection of their time periods and hopefully future TV shows will continue to explore complex situations, and adding in laughs.
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