Release Date: September 20, 2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: 528 minutes

The Pritchett clan has Jay sitting at the head, a true guys’ guy experiencing a bit of mid-life crisis, has remarried a much younger wife, Gloria, whose passion and loyalty is matched by her 11-year-old son, Manny, a boy wise beyond his years. Blending together into this new family has quite the learning curve with some culture clashes, a few awkward misunderstandings, and plenty of sweet victories along the way

Jay’s grown daughter, Claire, has her own family. Claire and Phil are the proud parents of three kids with whom they want that open, healthy, honest relationship. It’s not always easy, especially when you have a teenage daughter who’s growing up a little fast, a too-smart-for-her-own-good middle daughter and a scatterbrained boy. On top of that, Phil wants to be the “cool dad,” while Claire is just trying her best to run a tight ship, determined not to let her kids have the rebellious childhood she had.

Claire’s brother and Jay’s grown son, Mitchell, adopted a Vietnamese baby with his partner of five years, Cameron. Opposites attract in this household, with Cameron having a wonderfully big personality and maybe a flare for the dramatic, whereas Mitchell is the more serious of the two. They balance each other out and are doting fathers trying to do their best as new parents.

All of these three families are unique unto themselves, and together they give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family.

“Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay, Julie Bowen as Claire, Ty Burrell as Phil, Sofía Vergara as Gloria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Nolan Gould as Luke, Ariel Winter as Alex and Rico Rodriguez as Manny. The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television in association with Levitan Lloyd Productions. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd are executive producers/creators.

As you know from reading my Modern Family Season 1 Review, I fell in love with Modern Family immediately. I knew that this would become my favorite new comedy of the season and one of my favorite comedies ever. Season two continued to set the bar high for every other television series out there. And of course, my week continues to not be complete without Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy. There’s something special and captivating about every actor (including the carefully chosen handful of incredible guest stars), every character, every story, and every setting. That’s not any easy task to accomplish on television, especially when hoping that there’s no sophomore slump.

Modern Family came back for season two just as strong as it did when it premiered season one. The writers get it right every time. Last season, Modern Family brought wonderful family comedies back on the map and this season is a statement saying it is here to stay. You’ll laugh so hard you’ll cry in every episode, guaranteed. The realism and relatability here is one thing but making each situation funny (when some of them definitely weren’t when we experienced them in our own lives) and giving us multiples life lessons of course, it’s brilliant. The writers on this show are clearly the best on the TV industry today and they also have their families to thank for inspiration as well. Modern Family is wildly entertaining but it also has heart in every single moment of screen time and that is what really holds this show together and makes this series so wonderful. So be sure to get your DVD or Blu-ray copy today… matter of fact, get two copies because you will be sure to play one copy out.

Bonus Features:

Deleted Family Interviews – The writers of Modern Family are comedic geniuses and the actors are superb. They own these roles. They were born for these roles. All of this footage is comedy gold that simply was unable to make the cut in the half hour long broadcast.

Deleted & Extended Scenes – There are plenty of deleted and extended scenes to go around for this ensemble cast but Ty Burrell takes the cake and Eric Stonestreet gives him a run for his money.

“Strangers on a Treadmill” Table Read – On August 3, 2010, the cast of Modern Family came together at the Zanuck Theater for a table read in front of Emmy voters and co. for an episode that they filmed a week later. While c-creator, Steve Levitan narrates, the writers were in the front row, ready to take notes for any changes between then and filming. Manny’s DVR choice in this episode never fails to make me laugh so it was more than a thrill to find the audience react so well the first time around.

Mitch’s Flash Mob – This feature takes viewers behind the scenes with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Co-Executive Producer, Danny Zuker. The feature is quite short and Ferguson does playfully mention how the choreographer taught him the moves at his house, so there is not much more of a story to tell or a rehearsal to follow. But the flash mob always brings laughs, even behind the scenes. Fun feature.

“Imagine Me Naked” Music Video – You remember the episode when Dylan made up a song just for Haley and all of the adults ended up having the song in their head? Well, we’ve got not only a full length song but a full length real deal music video right here for your viewing pleasure! Truly hysterical. What a gem.

Gag Reel – This gag reel was unlike any other as it incorporated some of the funniest moments from the episode as well as outtakes. Because of this, it may seem like not many gags, but what is there laugh at is abundant, gag or not.

Modern Family Holidays – This feature takes viewers behind the scenes of the Valentine’s Day episode, Mother’s Day episode, Halloween episode. Watching the cast talk about their favorite and scariest Halloween moments and other holiday memories was quite fun, especially for people who are big on holidays like me.

Appearing in this Feature:
Cast Members, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O’Neill, Ariel Winter, Sarah Hyland, Rico Rodriguez
Co-executive Producer, Danny Zuker, Dan O’Shannon, Ilana Wernick, Jeffrey Richman
Director, Michael Spiller

Waiting for Oprah – This feature is a fun countdown, if you will, until the big Oprah telecast. So we follow Ferguson and Stonestreet as they arrive on set, get into hair and makeup, go to craft service for breakfast, get interviewed about the telecast prior to telecast, and then hear what the cast and Levitan have to say about the honor of Modern Family being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Watching this feature is bittersweet because The Oprah Winfrey Show is over but the cast of this series was able to be featured before the end. Great move capturing this unforgettable moment on the Blu-ray!

Chatting With Steve Levitan – Co-creator, Steve Levitan sits down to talk briefly about the realism of the show, the use of the guest stars, and the series’ recognition. If you’re a writer anticipating an intimate sit down interview with all of your burning questions answered, this ain’t it. But it is worth noting how meaningful it is that time was given to him for the special features.

At Home With Modern Family – This feature is a behind the scenes tour of Mitch and Cam’s home, the Dunphy home, and the Pritchett home by Production Designer, Richard Berg. For those interested in production design, interior decorating, and/or getting to know these characters by the tone of their home, check this feature out.

Own Modern Family The Complete Second Season on Blu-Ray and DVD today.

Watch new episodes of Modern Family Season 3 Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.