Last night there was a fresh, new episode of Brothers & Sisters on ABC. I was so elated that I nearly jumped from my chair to see a non-rerun. Well, this week were sorta/kinda back from vacation as a bunch of shows will be airing new shows. For that, I say, "Hooray!"

One I'm really looking forward to seeing is Wednesday's Modern Family with Benjamin Bratt guesting as Manny's father. The reason for my anticipation is this: I haven't liked any of the guest turns on Modern Family thus far this year. I thought Shelley Long was over-the-top as Jay's ex-wife, the mother of Claire and Mitchell; Fred Willard was basically a cameo as Phil's dad; and in one episode, Elizabeth Banks and Ed Norton embarassed themselves as bizarre characters.

For me, the best Modern Family shows have been the ones in which just the family takes part. "Fizbo" was a perfect example. Maybe there's something about establishing a new show in the first season (or two) before besetting it with flashy guest stars?

And yet I'm still hopeful that Benjamin Bratt will be the exception to the rule. On the January 6 episode, he'll be appearing as Javier Delgado, Manny's often-talked of father and Gloria's ex-husband. Since Jay has become a very responsible step-father to Manny, albeit reluctantly, the dynamic between Jay an Javier should be charged. As the photo reveals, the two men play a game of pool, crossing cues apparently.