All in the Family was a very popular sitcom which ran from 1971 to 1979 (IMDB). According to the IMDB website, All in the Family had a premise of “a working class bigot [who] constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day” (IMDB). One of the many contemporary family-based television situation comedies currently airing is called Modern Family which also deals with a family working through every-day issues and problems. All in the Family and Modern Family share differences and similarities as both shows deal with broad issues within the family setting.
All in the Family mainly deals with the main protagonist (or antagonist depending on the outlook) Archie Bunker and his conservative ideals and how his surrounding family members deal with them. In the All in the Family episode shown in class, it deals with the subject matter of homosexuality and the issue of homophobia. Archie Bunker is seen as unable to cope with his homophobia, pointing fingers at whomever he believes to be a “faggot”. He mocks his son-in-law’s effeminate friend and becomes shocked when his very masculine friend reveals his own unconventional sexual orientation. Archie is an archetype of a conservative and homophobic male unable to accept changing gender roles.
Modern Family is only in its second season so far but has shown itself to be a very progressive show because not only does it take the conventional family setting and actually makes it humorous in a refreshing way, but it also includes two homosexual fathers taking care of an adopted child. The two men are Cameron and Mitchell Tucker—one of them plays up the stereotype of flamboyant and obvious homosexuality while the other is more muted and does not cater to people’s predisposed perceptions of homosexuality. With this pair, Modern Family is able to subtly explore questions and the issues of homosexuality in today’s society. As a matter of fact, the last episode “The Kiss” aired on September 29, 2010, showed the two men giving each other a small kiss. Not many shows or major networks allow this sort of depiction and with this small little gesture, the ABC network was able to move a little bit forward.
Both shows are the similar because they deal with different issues within a family setting. They bring up issues that the American people and families probably ask themselves on a daily basis or at least of which have an opinion. They usually include a moral or lesson learned at the end. Both shows can be considered progressive when compared to their television counterparts. In All in the Family, the male main character Archie is portrayed as a conservative bigot whereas in Modern Family, the members are more supportive (although Jay, Mitchell’s father, sometimes is uncomfortable with the subject). All in the Family is much more blatant and negative with the exploration of the subject, even throwing around the word “faggot” around. Modern Family takes small steps and is much more subtle in dealing with the issue of homosexuality, taking a much more lighter note about it as the show tries to depict the two men as fun-loving and sweet caretakers. In addition, All in the Family has a very serious political undertone, as Archie scoffed at “socialists” who he believed were ruining the country. Although both shows show varying degrees of radicalism, it seems as though All in the Family was able to get away with a lot more. Even though Modern Family can still play with unconventional ideas, it has to keep in mind that it has to take the issues with some degree of hesitation so that it does not offend or alienate any of its viewers or the network.
All in the Family mainly deals with the main protagonist (or antagonist depending on the outlook) Archie Bunker and his conservative ideals and how his surrounding family members deal with them. In the All in the Family episode shown in class, it deals with the subject matter of homosexuality and the issue of homophobia. Archie Bunker is seen as unable to cope with his homophobia, pointing fingers at whomever he believes to be a “faggot”. He mocks his son-in-law’s effeminate friend and becomes shocked when his very masculine friend reveals his own unconventional sexual orientation. Archie is an archetype of a conservative and homophobic male unable to accept changing gender roles.
Modern Family is only in its second season so far but has shown itself to be a very progressive show because not only does it take the conventional family setting and actually makes it humorous in a refreshing way, but it also includes two homosexual fathers taking care of an adopted child. The two men are Cameron and Mitchell Tucker—one of them plays up the stereotype of flamboyant and obvious homosexuality while the other is more muted and does not cater to people’s predisposed perceptions of homosexuality. With this pair, Modern Family is able to subtly explore questions and the issues of homosexuality in today’s society. As a matter of fact, the last episode “The Kiss” aired on September 29, 2010, showed the two men giving each other a small kiss. Not many shows or major networks allow this sort of depiction and with this small little gesture, the ABC network was able to move a little bit forward.Both shows are the similar because they deal with different issues within a family setting. They bring up issues that the American people and families probably ask themselves on a daily basis or at least of which have an opinion. They usually include a moral or lesson learned at the end. Both shows can be considered progressive when compared to their television counterparts. In All in the Family, the male main character Archie is portrayed as a conservative bigot whereas in Modern Family, the members are more supportive (although Jay, Mitchell’s father, sometimes is uncomfortable with the subject). All in the Family is much more blatant and negative with the exploration of the subject, even throwing around the word “faggot” around. Modern Family takes small steps and is much more subtle in dealing with the issue of homosexuality, taking a much more lighter note about it as the show tries to depict the two men as fun-loving and sweet caretakers. In addition, All in the Family has a very serious political undertone, as Archie scoffed at “socialists” who he believed were ruining the country. Although both shows show varying degrees of radicalism, it seems as though All in the Family was able to get away with a lot more. Even though Modern Family can still play with unconventional ideas, it has to keep in mind that it has to take the issues with some degree of hesitation so that it does not offend or alienate any of its viewers or the network.
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