Is 'Happy Endings' More Modern Than 'Modern Family'?

Fair warning: I'm about to hit you with an unpopular opinion. And though I challenge the assertion that an unpopular opinion even exists on the Internet, overzealous melting pot of ideas and ideologies that it is, this disclaimer is my paltry attempt to avoid a comments section full of vitriol, mud-slinging and CAPS LOCK abuse. Because what I'm about to say certainly flies in the face of critical consensus.

So, Unpopular Opinion Alert: Not only do I think that ABC's midseason comedy, 'Happy Endings,' is funnier than 'Modern Family' (and a great majority of other comedies on air this year, for that matter), I also believe that it is a more accurate, modern representation of Western life than the show with 'Modern' in its title.

Hear me out, though, because I can hear the pitchforks being sharpened and the torches being lit. I would never dare to presume to tell you which show is the "funniest," since one man's trash is another man's treasure, and 'Modern Family' is not a bad show -- most of the time, it's a sharp, poignant, chuckle-worthy mid-week boost -- but something has always prevented me from loving it, from accepting it into my heart and eagerly anticipating it week to week the way I do 'Cougar Town,' 'Parks and Recreation,' 'Community' and now 'Happy Endings.'

Perhaps it's not even 'Modern Family's' fault -- judging by the ratings and award wins, most of America doesn't share my reticence, while 'Happy Endings' is hovering dangerously close to the bubble after a month on the air.

But comedy, like opinions, is subjective, and aside from the fact that the 'Modern Family' brand of comedy just doesn't make me laugh out loud the way 'Happy Endings' does (an unquantifiable case of lightning in a bottle for any sitcom), there is one thing about 'Modern Family' that I've always found problematic: Its representation of homosexuality, and, to a lesser extent, race. That's what I want to focus on in this opinion piece: Which show is giving audiences something fresh and unique, something outside the stereotypes and clichés that dominate network programming?

And sure, as a straight, white female, I'm not ideally positioned to make these arguments, but I am qualified to comment on things I see on television that make me uncomfortable, and something about Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell's (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) brand of flamboyant, stereotypical flouncing has always rubbed me the wrong way and kept me at a distance from their storylines. And while I think that the inclusion of an "unconventional" parental unit in a primetime comedy is a very important step forward in terms of portraying sexuality and the modern iterations of "family" on screen, one commendable aspect does not excuse 'Modern Family' for tripping on a number of other clichés.

I fear that in trying to appeal to the widest possible audience, 'Modern Family' presents stereotypical, preconceived notions of homosexuality that "Middle America" (ideologically, not geographically, before I offend any open-minded Nebraskans) is more comfortable with -- or at least more accepting of -- and does little to challenge those stereotypes.

When people think of gay men, perhaps many do picture Cam's flamboyant overdramatics, or Mitchell's repressed, type-A neuroses; I think that 'Happy Endings' does a much better (and more responsible) job of presenting a different homosexual perspective, in order to illustrate that, despite what some viewers may think, not every gay man behaves in the same way. Reinforcing stereotypes is a dangerous thing, and I think it's the duty of TV shows to open viewers' minds to the whole human experience, especially to viewpoints that they may have never encountered before.

I'm sure that a number of 'Modern Family' viewers can relate to the way Cam and Mitchell are written -- after all, stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason (as season one of 'Modern Family' adroitly illustrated in the episode 'Fears'), and everyone displays their sexuality in different ways. But it's disheartening to see a lack of diversity in the portrayal of gay men in a show that purports to be a representation of modern America -- while Mitchell and Cam's identities are valid, where are the other homosexual identities, from less flamboyant gay men to lesbians? While I'm certain that there are a number of gay guys who'd love to dress their child up like Carmen Miranda for a photoshoot, there are probably just as many who would be embarrassed by the prospect, and many of my nearest and dearest fall into that category.

As the series wears on, I become more convinced that 'Modern Family' is content to present a safe, palatable, PDA-lite version of a homosexual couple with an adopted child -- it plays on those stereotypes in order to make conservative viewers more "comfortable" with the idea of an unorthodox family unit.

To give 'Modern Family' its due, in getting audiences accustomed to seeing gay families on screen, no matter how "safe" the portrayal may be, it's still paving the way for more shows like 'Happy Endings' and 'Glee,' shows that are brave enough to display the different facets of homosexual identity. But that is why Happy Endings is more "modern" and, in my opinion, more worthy of critical praise than Modern Family in terms of representing today's America.



In the recent episode 'Boys Night Out,' we were introduced to Cam and Mitchell's wider circle of friends (resplendent with names like Crispin, Pepper and Longines) who all enjoyed a good cocktail (who doesn't?) and a howling debate about their first guy crushes. The episode seemed designed to highlight the fact that Mitchell's repressed father, Jay (Ed O'Neill), wasn't quite as closed-minded as he often appears, and on that front, the episode was a success. But in terms of offering a picture of homosexual men who weren't perfectly coiffed, cocktail swilling approximations of the 'Sex and the City' girls, it missed the mark.

The 'Happy Endings' character of Max (Adam Pally), on the other hand, is at the other end of the spectrum from Cam and Mitchell. Like Cam, Max isn't exactly the svelte, muscle-bound gym-bunny cliché, but he's also far from an effeminate, flag-waving stereotype. (It's also interesting to note that both Cam and Max are played by straight actors, but that's an article for another day.)

His friends often tease him for acting like "a straight dude who likes dudes," especially Penny (Casey Wilson) who tasks him with finding her a "proper gay ... who will watch house-flipping shows with me and grab my boobs in a platonic way," in the episode 'My Couples Friends and Neighbors.'



She soon realizes that the type of gay guy Max would describe as "a stereotypically flamboyant, cartoonish 'Sex and the City' gay" ain't all he's cracked up to be, and it's a little depressing that the kind of stereotype one show uses to illustrate how offensive stereotypes can be, actually shares more than a few characteristics with the main characters of another, supposedly forward-thinking comedy attempting to portray a slice of modern life.

But despite his tough, nonchalant facade, Max still struggles with the dynamics of relationships, just like anyone else -- rather than being in a monogamous relationship like Cam and Mitchell, he's still afraid of commitment (another common stereotype), and episode four, 'Mein Coming Out,' dealt with his fear of coming out to his parents, in one of the show's most touching storylines.

Since I want to avoid being a "gaycist" (a term coined by Max in the episode 'Of Mice and Jazz-Kwon Do') and keep from making sweeping generalizations from my straight chick pulpit, I thought it would be sensible to put my theory to a couple of my fellow TV reporters, both of whom possess the correct anatomy and orientation to speak on the subject with more authority.

Damian Holbrook, senior writer at TV Guide opined: "Max is way more representative of myself and my peers than Cam or Mitchell, although there are certainly people who will see themselves more in the 'Modern Family' characterizations than on 'Happy Endings.' And while the bitchiness and jaded "over-it" attitude that all three of them often display is a pretty common stereotype among gay roles on TV, I appreciate that Max is a gay man who is written as both gay and a man. No mincing, no showtunes, no fashionista dramatics. It's about time TV caught on to the fact that not every gay man walked out of the closet and straight into 'La Cage Aux Folles.'"

Jim Halterman, who writes for The Futon Critic and Edge weighed in: "Max definitely seems closer to reality than Cam and Mitchell. While just having [gay] characters there as regular parts of their respective shows is progress, the stereotypes are more glaring with the 'Modern Family' gays. While I won't say men like Cam and Mitchell don't exist, I personally know more Max-like gays who are not of the 6-pack/ripped up variety and who are not as career driven and successful as you usually see on television. Overall, this is all progress, because while I loved Jack McFarland on 'Will and Grace,' he was one of the worst stereotypes for the gay community. At least Cam and Mitchell are in a solid, monogamous relationship and their families accept them for who they are (and acknowledge the awkwardness sometimes). But having someone like Max intentionally not look like the typical gay stereotype full of fashion and flair, and being so comfortable with who he is that his confrontations don't come off as desperate or needing validation, is a step in the right direction."

I understand that 'Modern Family' often attempts to draw attention to stereotypes by poking fun at them, but as is often the case with Cam and Mitchell -- and with Gloria and her Colombian accent and traditions -- there comes a point where writers begin to perpetuate stereotypes instead of simply satirizing them.

Is 'Happy Endings' perfect? No. Like any other comedy, sometimes the jokes fall flat -- but in terms of presenting a realistic (if dramatically heightened) representation of our culture while still being a-mah-zingly hilarious, I'd choose the sometimes quirky, often risqué group at the center of 'Happy Endings' in a heartbeat.

Or better yet, enjoy it right alongside 'Modern Family' as two wildly different portrayals of what race and sexuality mean in America today. Kudos to ABC for having the courage to green-light two such distinct shows each featuring homosexual characters and people of color in lead roles (but still no lesbians). It's disappointing that a network still needs to be commended for inclusiveness, but that's the reality of the world we live in.

If 'Friends' had been made in a less white-washed, politically correct period, I'd like to believe it would look like 'Happy Endings,' where an interracial couple and a snarky gay guy don't feel like tokenism so much as an honest illustration of what groups of friends look like today.

If you haven't given the show a chance yet, I urge you to check out the double-bill tonight (Wednesday, May 11, 10PM and 10:30PM ET on ABC) -- I guarantee you'll be entertained. You can also check out a couple of the more Max-centric episodes on Hulu below, if you live in the US.




If you're familiar with both 'Modern Family' and 'Happy Endings,' do you agree with my assessment, or do you identify more strongly with Mitchell and Cam than with Max?

Feel free to discuss your thoughts on both shows below -- but please keep it civil and avoid name-calling or baseless argument for argument's sake. Homophobic or insulting comments will be removed.


Follow Laura on Twitter: @LauinLA