# Modern Family 5/25/11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238 "2011-05-26T02:16:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/21 "2011-05-26T19:04:46Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > So glad they didn’t go with Craig T. Nelson- he’s such a douche when he whines about politics. (His most famous line is that [I’m paraphrasing] “Where was the government when I was on welfare?” comment.) Here it is, bolding mine. “What happened to society? I go into business, I don’t make it, I go bankrupt.\*\* I’ve been on food stamps and welfare, did anybody help me out?\*\* No. No. They gave me hope, they gave me encouragement, and they gave me a vision.” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/22 "2011-05-26T19:25:18Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > “Not really into sports? I have a tennis racket that I only use to stir up my bubble bath.” > So glad they didn’t go with Craig T. Nelson- he’s such a douche when he whines about politics. (His most famous line is that [I’m paraphrasing] “Where was the government when I was on welfare?” comment.) I wonder if they’re paying Ed O’Neill more than they offered Nelson. > > O’Neill’s done a great job of making people forget Al Bundy. While he’s a great actor I can’t imagine him as Al Swearengen (which he was offered). I wonder if they’ll ever reunite him with Katey Sagal- not sure if it would work or not really- though I do like Shelly Long better as his ex in this than I have on any other of her projects. Ed O’Neil did guest star on an episode of “8 Simple Rules” as Katy Sagal’s old high school boyfriend. He wasn’t Al Bundy-ish though. And meaningless factoid - Ed O’Neil was originally cast as Sam Malone on “Cheers”, so he would have been acting with Shelley Long. I’ve said this before - I treat this show as a spiritual descendant of MWC. Peg died or went back to Wanker County, so Al could become a successful shoe manufacturer, Kelly got hit on the head again and recovered her faculties, and Bud finally came to terms with his true nature. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/23 "2011-05-26T19:49:53Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I’ve said this before - I treat this show as a spiritual descendant of MWC. Peg died or went back to Wanker County, so Al could become a successful shoe manufacturer, Kelly got hit on the head again and recovered her faculties, and Bud finally came to terms with his true nature. Peggy actually moved to Charming, CA. and took a bit of a hard turn after losing her family. Other than that, I agree. Jay is Al Bundy mellowed a bit by success. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/24 "2011-05-26T20:37:43Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Peggy actually moved to Charming, CA. and took a bit of a hard turn after losing her family. Other than that, I agree. Jay is Al Bundy mellowed a bit by success. Well, and Jay likes the nicer things in life. Al was a notorious cheapskate, no? ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/25 "2011-05-26T20:46:01Z")
yeah but his cheapness came moreso because he was broke than his natural frugalness ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/26 "2011-05-26T20:52:54Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Well, and Jay likes the nicer things in life. Al was a notorious cheapskate, no? But they both seem to have a thing for Big 'Uns. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/27 "2011-05-26T20:53:22Z")
Yes, any time Al came into a few bucks he became quite the spendthrift. Like the time Buck was mailed a credit card & they ran it up at the penthouse of a 4 star hotel. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/28 "2011-05-27T07:20:00Z")
I just noticed in the very first scene, they have Lily’s godzilla commercial playing in the background! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/29 "2011-05-27T15:39:34Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I thought it was very odd that Cameron shouted, “Why did we ever have children?” In all my trials and tribulations as a young, sleep-deprived mom, I never once THOUGHT such a thing. And I thought it was completely out of character for him. > > No one would scale a 6 foot privacy fence to get a photo. And what kind of self-respecting watch dog doesn’t notice intruders until their halfway in the yard? > > It was cute that Phil finally said, “I’ll catch her” and it was referring to his wife instead of Gloria, which has been the running gag. > > Oh, and thanks to the Yahoo article a few months ago, I can’t watch Jay without wondering how Craig T. Nelson would have been in the part. (If you didn’t read it, the part of Jay was written for him, but he turned it down because he thought that the salary was a slap in his face.) Growing up when my mother would get exasperated with my two older brothers and little sister (never with me, of course 🆒) she would be know to say “Oh God! If I had my whole life to live over again, I’D NEVER HAVE KIDS!” We NEVER once thought we weren’t loved and were always knew that sacrificed more than a person should for the sake of her kids. As we became adults we’d tease about it. I wish I could call her just to say that phrase! ☹ I think you’re reaching a bit about the fence and dog. NO ONE? First of all it’s a sitcom; on that alone anyone should give it a little leeway for not being 100% true to life. Second; someone scaling a fence to get the ‘perfect’ picture doesn’t even come close to something that NO ONE would do. Of the few serious photography people I know; I don’t think they’d think twice about doing something like that for the ‘perfect’ shot. I was going to comment about the dog statement; but geez, I see it already looks like I’m bashing you; and I don’t mean it that way. I totally agree with the Craig T. Nelson thing. I could see where it was written for him; but Ed O’Neill is such a more awesome choice. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/30 "2011-05-27T15:45:28Z")
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the line about the sailor suit when Claire know how to open the wine bottle; Mitchell asked her how she knew how to do that. She said something like “How did you get sailor outfit on such short notice?” Mitchell: “fair enough.” I was belly laughing on that one. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/31 "2011-05-27T15:45:30Z")
Yeah, Claire was definitely fixated on the “We used to live here!” excuse. I’ve certainly known people like that, who thought they had some extra privileges towards their old house even after they’ve sold it. Heck, my own wife can’t drive past our previous house without complaining how the new owners have “ruined” all her landscaping work. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/32 "2011-05-27T17:06:06Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > And what kind of self-respecting watch dog doesn’t notice intruders until their halfway in the yard? Why are you assuming it was a watch dog? The only thing unrealistic about that scene was that neither Claire or Mitchell made any attempt to befriend the dog. It’s a good thing neither of them had a dog, because they didn’t appear to have any idea what to do with one. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/33 "2011-05-27T17:49:30Z")
In the photograph that showed Claire and Mitchell as young kids, do you guys think it was a photoshop of a young Julie Bowen and a young Jesse Tyler Ferguson? Or do you think it’s two young actors who the casting director thought looked like what Mitchell & Claire would have looked like when they were kids? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/34 "2011-05-27T17:52:51Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Also when Jay’s scolding Claire and Mitchell in the car and they regressed into their younger selves. I like Claire & Mitchell on the show. They act like siblings, which doesn’t always happen in shows with adult siblings. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/35 "2011-05-27T18:10:31Z")
When Claire opened the wine, I thought they were going to have her pour it into the shoe and give it to the dog, who would have drunk it and passed out. I’m glad they didn’t – that’s been done to death, and this show still consistently surprises me. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/36 "2011-05-27T19:53:52Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Loved Jay’s conversation with the dog washer. > > “Yes, I was wrong to blame her. You’re pretty quick to judge. You know who did your job in my day? A hose.” > > Also when Jay’s scolding Claire and Mitchell in the car and they regressed into their younger selves. LOVED the dog washer line. …and when my brother(s) and are with my mother we regress as well. If it’s just us we can be mature adults relating to one another. But put Mom there & she becomes the referee to her children. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/37 "2011-05-28T01:41:26Z")
This show is still my favorite sitcom. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/38 "2011-05-29T01:08:17Z")
Claire looks ten times yummier in pigtails than in her regular haircut! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/39 "2011-05-29T04:39:03Z")
> [@Neidhart](#): > > Claire looks ten times yummier in pigtails than in her regular haircut! But I’ve heard she can’t be satisfied. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238/40 "2011-05-29T09:02:13Z")
And I loved the old college buddy, telling Phil how hot Claire was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-5-25-11/583238.md?page=3)