The FUNNIEST new comedy is…

Not Cougartown. I was all excited about this new show and had high hopes that this would be a winner for Courteney Cox. But unfortunately, in my opinion, it isn't. It wasn’t awful, but it's just not as good as the previews led on. An hour earlier though, I was watching Extra TV and they were raving about a new show that’ll have you “laughing out loud”. So I thought I’d try it…did anybody else watch Modern Family?

Brief, brief summary

The show is centered on three families. One’s a typical household with a mom, a texting-cool-dad, and three kids; the next a cynical older guy who’s recently married a younger, beautiful Columbian woman with an 11-year old son; and then the hilariously bickering gay couple who’ve just adopted a baby girl from Vietnam.

They’ve taken a page out of The Office’ book and they talk to the camera in “private interviews” and often look at the camera in the middle of a situation for emphasis, which always makes me laugh.

Why it’s a winner

This show literally did have me laughing out loud from start to finish. The reason why is because they talk like real people talk in 2009. And I think that’s why some of these new shows fail so quickly – because they’re not relatable. In Cougartown’s attempt to be funny, it comes across as contrived. I mean geez; Courteney Cox’s character spent half the show screaming at the top of her lungs and shoving people. It just seemed fake. It’s like all the jokes came on cue and there was no fluidity.

On the other hand; Modern Family is a blast the whole time – because it’s real! The irony in that is that we watch TV as a form of escapism, kind of like a fantasy land, but what we like is what we know. Seriously, why do you think reality TV is so popular? It’s what? Real-ish.

Great fall TV

So I will definitely be adding Modern Family to my weekly TV lineup now. I’m going to have to start writing these shows down or else I’ll forget. I haven’t given up on Cougartown yet, but I’ll give it one more week to grab me, and then I’m outie.

And Thursday night is going to be another big night of TV too. The Vampire Diaries is now a MUST, and I’m going to try out the new show Community with Joe McHale. The previews look hilarious. But I’ll proceed with caution, because so did Cougartown's…

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Comment by Cheryl on September 24, 2009 at 7:57pm: OK Court here's where we differ. I started out watching Modern Family but here's the thing...the dad was truly too much of a geek On his computer/cell phone too much - no dad his age is on the cell phone. Not a real dad - trying to be "too" cool with his daughter. Plus he was not a good geek - kind of faky. Almost reminded me of your dad trying to be a geek.

Then it just wasn't that funny with the old dad (from a show way back in the 80's) married to some good looking chick from Venezuala or something who was way too bossy and bitchy. Didn't really dig her attitude at all. Bi-och! I believe I must have changed channels by this time. I didn't think it was that funny!! Must be just me - but I wasn't diggin it!

Oh I forgot the gay couple! Of course, they had to throw that in to make the season complete. Got to make sure they covered all the bases.

Well got that show covered. Now for Cougartown. That is one funny show. I absolutely loved Courtney and she was pretty frickin funny. She is so absolutely a cougar....look out kiddos! And she is funny. I like her better in funny roles versus the bitch she played in the last TV show. Anyway I will plan to tune into her show just because I can more relate. I think the Modern Family is trying to be too political and show you that this is the "real" modern family when I don't think it is!!

Oh well, it was a fun evening anyway. Plus my selections on Dancing With The Stars won!!

Comment by Courtney on September 24, 2009 at 11:40pm: After I posted this, I thought that perhaps some women (namely, single or even married cougs) would relate to Cougartown more than I would. I just thought it seemed forced. I don't find Courtney Cox naturally funny. I don't think I ever did on Friends either. She was always just the pretty one.

But I think the dad trying to be cool on Modern Family is funny! Ok, so perhaps it's not "typical", but maybe it's becoming more modern for parents to be highly engaged in technology (I believe my mom is!). I think it's funny because the mom and dad have kind of reversed roles. The mom is more overprotective and the dad tries to be the friend. I laughed out loud when he said he texts 'WTF" which means, "what the face", because WTF=What the EFF!! Anyway, several things made me laugh.

I promise to watch another Cougartown episode if you watch another Modern Family!