An oral history, with the full participation of cast and crew, of one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. Since premiering in 2009, the groundbreaking television sitcom Modern Family has garnered tens of millions of devoted fans, earning 75 Emmy nominations and 22 Emmy Awards, including five in a row for Outstanding Comedy Series (one of only two sitcoms to ever achieve that … to ever achieve that feat). Professors have written about it. Psychologists have lectured on it. Leading publications, such as The New York Times and Washington Post, have explained their love for it. With funny, heartfelt and relatable stories about family, Modern Family has gained a worldwide following of hundreds of millions of viewers in countries as diverse as England, Israel, The Netherlands, Germany, and South Africa.
As much as people love the show, few know the stories behind it. How did a kernel of an idea by Emmy-winning writers Steve Levitan and Chris Lloyd morph into a television juggernaut? Where did they find the cast? How did they come up with story ideas and film favorite episodes? What went on behind the scenes? Up until now, there have been individual stories and interviews about the show, but nothing comprehensive that captures the complete story of the series.
Marc Freeman’s Modern Family: The Untold Oral History of One of Television’s Groundbreaking Sitcoms is the only major book ever written that explores this show as told by those who created it. More than seventy people, including the entire cast, crew, and creators, detail the full history of this iconic sitcom. The cast recalls their memories of the trials and tribulations of casting. They share their impressions from the first table read through the last light turning out. Writers, directors, and performers walk readers through storylines, production and favorite episodes. Guest stars such as Elizabeth Banks, Josh Gad, Adam Devine, Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane recall their appearances on the show while others recount their experiences working with Kevin Hart, Barbara Streisand, Ed Norton and more. Readers get to go behind the scenes and experience the show like never before, including personal photos. They’ll also discover the never-told fallout and divorce of the two showrunners, making the show two separate series blended into one. Even people unfamiliar with the show will gain deep insight into what it takes to put a series on television.
Typically, oral histories come out as retrospectives, based entirely on recall. This one will have the benefit of having the ending occur in real-time. From script development to final season (the 11th season will be the show’s last) readers will get a glimpse of the cast’s relationships with each other and the emotions attached to saying goodbye to the best and longest-running workplace many of them expect to ever experience. Much like the series itself, this book shares a story of family, of conflict and collaboration, that went into this timeless, groundbreaking series.
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Over a decade ago, I began watching Modern Family. It became a quick favorite and I watched it every week. When the last episode aired a few weeks ago, I was definitely sad. How could I keep up with all my favorite characters? Then I saw this book… and it was available via NetGalley, so I requested it, got lucky, and here I am today… excited to own a copy and be able to read it whenever I want.
Titled “Modern Family: The Untold Oral History of One of Television’s Groundbreaking Sitcoms,” this book written by Marc Freeman is a very in-depth look at how the show came together and became such a hit. We learn all the fun facts about where the stories came from, how the actors were selected, what shenanigans occurred on set, and how everyone felt at the end. It was quite comical and sad, and I definitely recommend the book to fans.
My only constructive feedback would be that the organization of the content could’ve been stronger. It hopped around a bit, and it often repeated itself to the point I stopped to ensure I hadn’t accidentally picked up the wrong spot when I began to read again. I think it might’ve been stronger if there were sections in the book such that chapters were divided by actor and category. I would’ve enjoyed picking up a chapter about each actor and their story on the show, perhaps a few random chapters about the writers and the audience feedback. Instead, I thought often… this is getting too long and not as easy to read as I’d like.
That said, it’s still very good and I would definitely tell others to buy it and treasure it. I learned so much about who else might’ve played a character, which actors suffered through awful personal issues, and how people reacted to the show in ways I wouldn’t have expected. The writers are truly a great crowd, and I appreciate the honesty in this book. I’m sure they left out a few confidential things, but there were some surprises where I thought… “wow, so and so can be a jerk, but they can also be so kind!”
I will revisit this book, and it made me consider watching the show from the beginning again. I also recalled stories and guest stars I’d forgotten, so for those reasons alone, this is a book to get in your reading queue. Thanks for the opportunity!
Modern Family by Marc Freeman is an excellent book that is everything and anything that has to do with the amazing show, Modern Family.
I have been a fan of this show since it debuted over a decade ago. I remember when the pilot debuted. I watched it and thought, man this is going to be an awesome show. It was funny, witty, fresh, awkward, heartwarming, and best of all, it made me want to come back for more. One would think that after so many years a show would lose its luster, but Modern Family just improves with age. I can watch reruns and still laugh out loud as if I am watching the plot for the first time. This show is truly special.
This book goes over so much: the creation, the inspiration for the characters, the casting, the development of the relationships. It also incorporates dialogue and discussions with the cast and crew on their thoughts, feelings, and memories of a once in a lifetime TV event. This book is with full approval and cooperation of the full cast, so the oral history, memories, and feelings are real and from the actual members themselves.
This is an excellent compilation of the “life and times” of Modern Family and is a treasure and must have for any fan.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.