Comparing Sitcoms

            From when All in the Family aired in the 1970s, the evolution of the sitcom became evident when Modern Family came on TV.  In this particular episode of All in the Family, most of the comedy centers on Archie’s personal issues and how the rest of the family believes his stubborn stereotypes are politically incorrect. However, in Modern Family, the laughs are based on the different family interactions and personal problems that they all face. It also seems that All in the Family, was trying to send a message about societal problems while modern sitcoms don’t always necessarily try to teach a lesson and rather just go for comedic entertainment.

            Even though they are more than 30 years apart, All in the Family and Modern Family do maintain some similarities. Both shows display some sort of dysfunctional family element. In All in the Family, Archie’s family has various comical problems in terms of how they interact, argue, debate, etc. with one another. Similarly in Modern Family, the three separate families all of their certain idiosyncrasies which makes their relationships so successfully hilarious. Also both shows have typical familial roles. They both have the goofy husband, the kids that almost back talk their parents and wives who love their husbands.

            Both shows deal with the issue of homosexuality, but in totally different ways. In the episode of All in the Family, when Archie’s daughter brings home a friend that acts flamboyant for a man and Archie immediately thinks he’s gay. He begins to call him pansy, tuity fruity and other types of stereotypical insults without even getting to know him. This attitude makes Archie seem unreasonable and homophobic which criticizes society’s view of homosexuality at the time. However, Modern Family deals with sexual orientation head on, as one of the families consists of a gay couple for parents. This marks a change in societal thinking because back in the 70s, people such as Archie had discriminating thoughts about homosexuality while, in today’s society, it is commonplace to see a gay couple raise a family.