Posts tagged Modern Family
The 10 Best TV Shows Of 2011
Dec 29th
Yes, it’s that time of the year again where I pick my top shows of the last 12 months. Many shows – New Girl, The Borgias, Homeland, Nurse Jackie – almost made the list. But in the end there could be only 10… here they are!
REVENGE: There were shows this year with better writing, better directing and better acting. But NOTHING on our screens in 2011 was as ridiculously entertaining as Revenge, the season’s most surprising new hit.
Who would have thought that the primetime soap opera would make a comeback in 2011 and that its story of rich people receiving their comeuppance would seem quite so timely. Revenge has been perfectly played since episode one – hooking us into Emily Thorne’s grand plans to avenge herself on the Grayson family – led by the wonderfully icy matriarch Victoria (Madeline Stowe).
But Revenge has also done a wonderful job of surrounding Emily with a series of equally gripping storylines. There’s grasping social climber Tyler who’s gradually becoming more and more unhinged, bisexual billionaire Nolan who helps fund Emily’s schemes, reformed party boy Daniel who may be the key to Emily’s undoing and the Poison Ivy-like Amanda who’s out to cause a whole heap More >
Take The Poll: How Much TV Do You Watch?
May 2nd
Hi everyone – it’s Poll time again!
Last time around we asked you to vote for your Favorite Modern Family character – and the winner was Gloria with 25% of the vote. I have to say I totally agree! How fantastic is Sofia Vergara week in, week out… check out this classic Gloria moment.
Now for this month’s question. If you read Remote Patrolled chances are you watch a fair amount of TV – but just how much?
According to surveys the average American watches about 30 hours of TV a week!!! But where do you fit on that scale?
Personally I think I probably watch about 12 hours of TV a week, which actually sounds quite low. But I’m very directed in my TV habits – I’d never sit down and channel surf for an evening like a lot of people do. I know what I want to watch, I generally DVR it, and then I skim through the adverts – so an hour long show becomes about 40 minutes.
Plus if I sample a show and don’t care for it I won’t stick with it. And if a new show launches and bombs on its opening night I won’t bother to go back and watch it. On More >
Keep Or Cancel? ABC
Mar 23rd
It’s that time of the year again when networks have to start making some tough decisions and clearing the decks ahead of the upcoming Fall season. But what shows will survive and which are heading for the chopping block?
With the ax looming over several shows on each network I thought it would be a great time to launch our new strand, Keep Or Cancel, analyzing each show’s chances of survival for the Fall season.
First up – ABC, the increasingly troubled network which has endured a pretty rocky season so far.
NETWORK SCORECARD: ABC
Jan 3rd
It’s the start of a new year for the five broadcast networks and a chance to take stock for the year ahead. But how are all five shaping up – and what does the future hold? Here’s our Remote Patrolled perspective…
WHAT’S WORKING:
DANCING WITH THE STARS – the ratings keep getting higher and higher as the caliber of celebrities continues to improve. Season 1 featured Rachel Hunter, Joey McIntyre and Kelly Monaco while Season 11 saw David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton and Brandy competing for the mirrorball. And for tabloid trashiness it doesn’t get much better than Kate Gosselin, Bristol Palin and The Situation. With American Idol struggling, Dancing is now officially the biggest show on TV… but how long can it keep the crown?
WEDNESDAY COMEDIES – After years of struggling, ABC has finally carved out a solid Wednesday comedy block – led by critically acclaimed Emmy magnet Modern Family (up 34% year to year). The Middle doesn’t get half the attention or kudos -probably because it’s only half as funny – but provides a strong lead in to the night. And even Cougar Town has now stabilized into a minor hit. Now if ABC could just do something with struggling freshman Better With More >
THE TOP 10 TV SHOWS OF 2010
Dec 31st
It’s that time of the year again – our chance to countdown the best of the 2010!
And while there was plenty of bad TV this year (much of it on E!) and several former favorites which disappointed (Glee, True Blood, American Idol), there was enough strong shows to prove once again we’re in a golden era of TV viewing…
Here’s my picks for 2010 – in no particular order!
MAD MEN: Hands down THE best TV show of the year was undoubtedly Mad Men, a show that’s pretty much TV perfection. I mean seriously, did the show even put a single foot wrong all season?
I’ve been a Mad Men fan from day one but I’d be the first to admit the first couple of seasons could be a tad slow at times. But since the sensational third season Mad Men hasn’t looked back. Season 4 offered us a new agency for a new era, the fall and rise of Don Draper, a triumphant and independent Peggy and a tragic Joan. Best episode of the series – undoubtedly The Suitcase – the Don / Peggy double-header which saw the duo fighting and bonding over the course of a single night. It’s why Emmys were More >
MODERN FAMILY: MISSING THE MARK?
Nov 9th
I’ve been a big fan of Modern Family since Day One. ABC’s fresh take on the sitcom format was straight out of the box funny and for the majority of its first season pulled of a remarkable balancing act between sharp and sweet. No wonder it won the Emmy for Best Comedy over the summer. Compared to network mush like Two And A Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Outsourced and $h*! My Dad Says, Modern Family was absolute appointment TV.
But notice how I used the word ‘was’ there? You see, I don’t know if it’s just me, but Modern Family somehow seems a little off the boil this season. Have you noticed it too?
Don’t get me wrong – Modern Family is still better than most other comedy series out there. It’s just that instead of making me laugh the show is simply making me smile. I used to be guaranteed 3 big belly laughs an episode. Now I don’t know if I’ve even had that many laughs all season…
Take the show’s recent Halloween episode (which achieved record ratings for the series). This should have been a home run for Modern Family – a comedy gold mine. But instead we More >
SNEAK PEEK: MODERN FAMILY
Nov 2nd
Here’s our usual sneak peek at this week’s Modern Family... hot on the heels of the celebrated comedy series’ record ratings last week…
Yep, as we discussed in our recent Ratings Roundup, ABC’s Halloween themed special pulled in some mighty big ratings – hitting a 5.1 in the 18-49 demo to rank as the number one scripted show of the week! Take that Glee, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy!
Will the great ratings continue? This week’s episode is less of a ‘special’ but still sounds great as Cameron and Mitchell debate whether Lily can begin a showbiz career, Gloria and Manny visit Jay at work and Phil is on the hunt for a malfunctioning smoke detector… Enjoy!
RATINGS ROUNDUP – 30TH OCTOBER
Oct 30th
Winners and Losers From The Last 7 Days
WINNERS
MODERN FAMILY: Wow, no sophomore slump for this Family!
It was a great week for Phil, Jay, Gloria and the rest of the gang as the Modern Family Halloween special scored a terrific 13.14 million viewers and a mighty 5.1 18-49 share. That’s easily the biggest scripted show of the week in the youth demo – far ahead of The Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives (which all hovered around the 4.0 mark).
And the good news is spreading for ABC’s Wednesday comedy block – with rises across the board this week. The Middle is doing a pretty good job at 8pm with NO lead in (9.54 million and a 2.9 18-49 share); Cougar Town is now a modest hit (8.16 million and a 3.3) and even newbie Better With You got some good news with a 19% ratings rise (7.67 million and a 2.5).
Personally I didn’t think this week’s Modern Family was the show’s strongest (last week’s Unplugged episode was far funnier) but there’s no arguing with those numbers… If only every week could be Halloween…
RATINGS ROUNDUP – 25TH SEPT
Sep 25th
Winners and Losers From The Last 7 Days
It’s been a big week on the ratings front for the main networks – let’s jump in!
WINNERS
GLEE: We all knew Glee was going to come back big, but without an America Idol lead in could the high school musical series match its strong spring ratings? Absolutely.
Glee’s Tuesday night debut brought in 12.28 million viewers and a 5.5 18-49 share, up 50% on its 2009 premiere and topping the week in the youth demo. Fox must be thrilled that Glee is now a ‘stand alone’ show and can launch an evening of programming, especially given their rocky fortunes elsewhere this week. And with a Britney special this Tuesday expect the Glee success story to keep on rolling…
As you know we love a good infomercial here on Remote Patrolled… remember the TV Hat and Cami Secret clips we posted recently?
Well this week the newly crowned superstars of comedy – namely the Modern Family cast – guested on Jimmy Kimmel. And before they appeared on the show a few of the cast members took potshots at their dubious acting pasts with a couple of infomercial spoofs…
Check out the glorious Gloria trying out the Hawaii Chair… and Mitchell and Phil demonstrating the famous Shake Weight…
Sure the gags are obvious – but personally I find anything that comes out of Sofia Vergara‘s mouth fabulous – she’s just so darn warm and likable…
Here’s the clip… enjoy!
