All in the Modern Family

"All in the Family", on air in the 1970s, is known for addressing controversial social issues of the times, often through Archie’s outward opinions.  One of my favorite new shows is "Modern Family", which manifests some similarities to and differences from "All in the Family".  "Modern Family", as the title connotes, is a comedy that revolves around the lives of a family in the present day.  There are three generations of family members in "Modern Family" while only two in "All in the Family"; the characters in "Modern Family" do not all live under a single roof, while the Bunkers do.  "Modern Family’s" patriarch also lacks the extreme cynicism and belligerence that Archie wears so well.  However, both shows are comedies that find humor in the everyday lives of people and situations.

"All in the Family" presents many of the controversial and confining issues of the 1970s, as we see in the episode, “Judging Books by Covers” which addresses homosexuality.  Archie suspects Mike’s friend is gay, and reveals his hateful attitude toward homosexuality.  Archie proves his bias throughout the episode with his language and exclamations.  The most impressive difference, and proof of how as a nation we have progressed, is the openness that "Modern Family" demonstrates.  One of the characters is gay and married with an adopted daughter; the couple is openly gay and the family openly accepting.  Dear old Archie would have had a fit over this setup; it is quite a divergence from "All in the Family’s" portrayal.  The contemporary show doesn’t criticize homosexuality or eccentricity, "Modern Family" actually thrives off of the uniqueness of its characters and their lives. 

Shows today certainly wouldn’t use the language that Archie did; while it may have been accepted in that generation, today many of his language choices are considered inappropriate and even explicit.  The contemporary show also wouldn’t be as sexist as Archie often was, as his behavior towards his wife most consistently illustrates.  In fact, many shows today include the theme of women in charge, and "Modern Family" adheres to this theme.  Conversely, some things that "Modern Family" addresses, like characters’ physical relationships, may not have been included in "All in the Family".  Still, though their differences are plenty, both shows’ roots stem from the same tree; they both find humor in the chaos of family and the comfort of home.

photos from: forum.dvdtalk.com and americanmemorabilia.com