THIS is why I LOVE Modern Family.
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Category Archives: Funny
Modern Family, Modern Funny
Absolutely the best show on TV, Modern Family continues to entertain me (no small task) each Wednesday at 9pm EST, 8pm CST on ABC.
Now, I used to be a huge situation comedy fan when I was younger, dedicated to M*A*S*H, Happy Days, Barney Miller, Maude, and Good Times. However, in my adult years, not even Seinfeld held my attention for long — until Modern Family.
A serious LOL for the 21st Century, Modern Family centers around three families in the larger context of one family. The conventional unconventionalness of the family dynamic among the families is what really makes this show so appealing. Everyone can find themselves somewhere in the Modern Family.
Here’s a family tree of characters (click for larger picture):
If I had to choose just one favorite character, it would have to be Cam (actor Eric Stonetreet). The flamboyant yet tough former football player partner of Mitchell (actor Jesse-Tyler Ferguson). Together, they adopted Asian baby, Lily.
While I actually love ALL the characters in this show, my next favorite would have to be Manny (actor Rico Rodriguez). The young, latin impresario is the son of Gloria (actress Sofia Vergara) who is the young, Columbian wife of Jay (actor Ed O’Neill a/k/a Al Bundy), who happens to be Mitchell’s father.
And, then, there’s the Dunphys. Perhaps the most traditional family among the group, with a Mom, a Dad, and three kids who are all their’s together. Father Phil (actor Ty Burrell) and mother Claire (actress Julie Bowen) tackle everyday issues with their teenage/pre-teen daughters and young son with humor, love and a little neuroticness. Claire is Mitchell’s sister and Jay’s daughter — hence, the family connection.
The writing on this is show is brilliant. Christopher Lloyd, Steve Levitan and their talented staff of scribes no doubt pull from their own family and life experiences which is likely what makes the show and characters so identifiable. They delve into sometimes dark places like OCDness, prejudice, fears and phobias, etc. but do it with authenticity and self-depreciating wit.
Each week, I look forward to see where the Modern Family will go. Currently, it’s right to the top of the ratings. Well done, Modern Family, well done.
May Musings
Sorry for the lack of attention here over the last few weeks. Our lives have been quite busy and something’s gotta give. Hundred of post ideas pass me during the week, but I’m usually not in a position to post it. Therefore, I thought I’d throw out the week in review (from my mind).
On the personal front, we’re starting to center life around the river and the boat. We’re readying our house to sell in order to build our dream house, so there’s plenty of work to keep us busy. More to come on the dream house, but here’s a preview….
While this has been top of mind for us, other exciting things are also happening. May is shaping up to be quite a nice month. On Monday, Mini DD fulfilled a big goal (at least one of his Mom’s) in becoming an official member of the National Honor Society.
Part of the induction ceremony is the new Junior members being “tapped” by a graduating Senior member. 5′ 6″ Mini DD was tapped by 6′ 8″ GM. It received the biggest laugh of the night.
Very nice way to start off the week and so proud of our progeny.
Cinco de Mayo — which seemingly lost it lustre this year because of Swine Flu — required travel starting at 3:00AM (that’s not a typo), with meetings/dinner until after 9:00PM. I therefore, missed Idol, but was kept informed by Shrew and KD.
On Wednesday, John Mayer posted the second video chronicling the creation of his new CD, Battle Studies.
Johnny Boy’s been particularly busy on Twitter and on Wednesday twittered right before playing this…
Since I was traveling home on Wednesday, I once again missed Idol. I was kept informed that the dudes were safe and Allison was going home, but an important detail was omitted. No-one told me of the absurd Paula Abdul “first time on TV” performance. This is wrong on so many levels, but SO telling regarding what the “judges” endorse as good music.
WARNING: Viewing this video may be hazardous to your musical health.
Along American Idol lines, Taylor “Tinks” Hicks released his country foray, Seven Mile Breakdown, complete with video. Perhaps Taylor is reading? From my March 15th, 2009 post on The Distance:
Along with Nineteen, Seven Mile Breakdown (co-penned with Hicks by Spoonful James’ guitarist and pre-Idol buddy, Wynn Christian) and the title-track, The Distance, Maybe You Should has serious Country potential, if appopriately brought to Nashville. Even the blues number, Wedding Day Blues is oddly reminiscient of Garth Brooks’ Country anthem, Friends in Low Places.
I think that Country will be much kinder to Taylor and there are even better Country songs on the current CD to be released. This might have legs. (**clapping as hard as I can**)
Taylor is also a twitterer, recently tweeting that he LOVES FEIST!!! See, all you Feist haters. Taylor thinks she’s the female Paul McCartney. I might not go that far, but do still love me some Feist.
Feel it All, Feist
Rather excited to find this morning that Janiva Magness was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2009 Blues Music Awards in Memphis last night.
….although she beat our Watermelon Slim….
Pretty cool, as the guy is left-handed — so he’s playing that dobro upside down and backwards.
All in all, a pretty solid week except for the fact that Dom Deluise died. Sure miss the great comedy of Carson and Company.
R.I.P. Captain Chaos.
I will be back to regularly scheduled programming soon….just trying to catch my breath.
Funky Music? White Boy?
Ok. There was a certain level of sacrilege on American Idol tonight. This was wrong on so many levels.
I cannot wait to hear Dave White’s take on this one.
How in the world could even attempt this classic Idol “moment”…has he not heard? There is only ONE Boogie.
— now, THAT is some emotion.
Go n-eírí an bóthar leat
“May the road rise up to meet you.”
Blessin’s upon ya.
Obligatory Irish Drinking Song
One that didn’t go so smoothly…
HAPPY ST. PADDY’S DAY!!
One Election That Counts!!!…..VOTE for DOMINO
This is my big, mentally challenged cat, Domino. Thanks to Shrew’s mad captioning skillz, I entered this photo this morning to I Can Has Cheezburger? If you have a free second (and of course you do, because you are here now), please click on this link and go and vote for Domino. The more votes he gets, the better his chances of making the front page.
Thanx N Advance…kaibai.
Decking the Halls…
So today, I’m trying to get all of my Christmas decorating finished. Yes, I’m slow like dat.
Due to my enduring gimpiness, however, I now need assistance in hanging the 4,000 yards of garland, hanging the 1,721 ornaments on my 8′ tree that includes intertwining 22,000 small white lights and scaling scaffolding to get every pine cone and hand-made bow in place.
Enter Mini-DD. Now, last night he “volunteered” to help me with said decorating because, of course, he wants to go somewhere tonight. I take it any way I can get it. As promised, he got up this morning and began the task of hanging garland and attaching bows and putting ornaments on the top three feet of our tree. And, he really didn’t bitch much…however, he is now because he wants to get going to his friend’s house.
Parenthood, particularly Motherhood, can be “challenging” at times. Who am I kidding? It’s challenging all the time, just usually different challenges in different stages. These pre-adult years are quite edgy sometimes, yet I know that in two short years the child who has been the challenge of my lifetime will be gone and I will be profoundly sad. Sometimes I wonder if he’ll ever come back once he leaves. Will he ever like us?
As I was contemplating this, one of our nieces emailed us a link to Anita Renfroe’s William Tell Mom. BINGO!
“The Mom Song”
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here’s your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don’t forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don’t shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don’t play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don’t forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don’t make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don’t sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod’s my iPod if you don’t listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You’ll appreciate my wisdom someday when you’re older and you’re grown
Can’t wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You’ll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I’ll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don’t get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I’ll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
“I don’t care who started it!
You’re grounded until you’re 36”
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven’s sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said at least a thousand times before
That you’re too old to act this way
It must be your father’s DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on
Get in bed, get up here, say a prayer with mom
Don’t forget, I love you
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom’s work never ends
You don’t need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I’m the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Ta da!!!
My Presidential Candidate
I think that I have found my guy for ’08. I mean…a Southerner, moderate Conservative and CHUCK NORRIS APPROVED!
I don’t care who ya are, that…right there, is funny.
Since this is a music blog, here’s a little something for a Monday…
Can’t Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones
Rocky Raccoon
Cute no?
NO. Not cute. Destructive menace. Eater of Cat Food. Lots of Cat Food.
A few weeks ago, Mr. D. and I put a cat door, complete with magnetic latch, on our garage storage room. This way, our precious felines, Rosie and Domino, could access their food and litter box without “the neighborhood” sharing. Here is our cowardly duo.
Rosie & Domino
I say cowardly, as our spoiled and pampered cats allowed Rocky Raccoon to pillage their food and take over their “room”. Apparently, a wiley raccoon was climbing up a set of shelves to the open rafters, going over the top into the storage room, eating its fill, then exiting through the cat door. (The magnetic door restricts entry to only those wearing the magic magnet (see Domino’s neck), but does not prohibit exit.
Now, our two “babies” eat alot of cat food, so we generally purchase the industrial size, very cheap cat food. You know, like Alley Cat and Kozy Kitten. Thankfully, they are not picky eaters and absolutely HATE the good stuff. But I digress…. I mention this because we put their food in a large plastic bin that’s traditionally used to store charcoal. It looks like a giant cereal container. The crafty little varmit had figured out how to open the lid and basically feast on the tender morsels of cheap cat food. Of course, our cats nor the 19 neighborhood cats could not facilitate such a move and likely just sat there in awe of posable thumbs. Or maybe they just like cheering for the underdog and were accomplices in the “heist”. Cats are “double-agent” like that.
Well, the ‘coon was wreaking utter havoc in the garage and storage room, not to mention that they leave behind a filthy trail. So, Mr. D., ever the hunter, went out to Lowe’s and purchased a Raccoon Trap. After two tries, we caught the sucker. Cute, but mean as Lucifer hisself. We delivered him to Animal Control to be released into the wild far, far away. Maybe now, my cats will gain some weight. But I do think I see a hint of wistfulness in their eyes…
All of this raccoon wranglin’ got me to thinking about The Beatles’ Rocky Raccoon and just what was the point. Or was their one. So, while I’m away on a much needed vacation, give some thoughts on any interpretations or hidden meanings in Rocky Raccoon. Here’s an inventive video highlighting the song…
ROCKY RACCOON by The Beatles
Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn’t like that
He said I’m gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon.
Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon’s bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy.
Her name was McGill and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy.
Now she and her man who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said Danny boy this is a showdown
But Daniel was hot-he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner.
Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, Doc it’s only a scratch
And I’ll be better I’ll be better doc as soon as I am able.
Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon’s bible
A Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky’s revival.
Music Maven 