I love Modern Family. From the bickering and uncomfortable moments to the genuine sweetness, it’s one of the few series I tune in to watch live. And while I enjoy it when Cam and Mitch argue, Phil and Claire fight, or Jay and Gloria get huffy, I enjoy it even more when the characters mix it up with someone else.
This was used to great effect earlier this season, when typical pairings were thrown out the window in the Christmas-themed episode. It was also a lot of fun in Wednesday’s “Me? Jealous?” as the usual suspects were teamed with a different adversary.
The sniping between Gloria and Cameron was the most fun to watch. The duelling drama queens — who are also the most sensitive characters on Modern Family — were spectacular. With Cam, Mitchell and Lily having to move in with Jay, Gloria and Manny for 72 hours because of work being done on their place, Gloria and Cam were excited to spend some time together. The enjoyment turned to jealousy quickly, when Lily bonded with Gloria over clothes and hair, which led Cam to rearrange the kitchen, making the sultry South American feel like she wasn’t a good housewife.
Meanwhile, big-screen star Greg Kinnear dropped by to play Tad, a successful business associate of Phil’s. Of course, Phil’s networking with the guy didn’t go so well, especially for Claire, who thought the divorced Tad was trying to make a move on her. Being kissed on the lips by a guy after meeting him will do that to a gal.
She grew more agitated with Phil as the kisses and bottles of wine piled up, until the Dunphys visited Tad's home and discovered he kisses everyone on the lips, no matter who they are. Kinnear, who has yet to turn in a bad performance, was perfect as the confident, slightly sleazy Tad, a man who knows good wine and has a penchant for helping those in need. Phil’s bromance with Tad seemed boundless, until Tad made Claire laugh. Then jealous Phil emerged, and he forced them to leave the dinner date prematurely.
“You can kiss my wife. You can take her to bed. But only I can make her laugh,” he intoned. Well said.
Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Citytv/ABC.
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