'Modern Family': Savior of the sitcom. "I keep hearing about this 'Modern Family' effect," says Steven Levitan, co-creator of the hit ABC series being lauded for spearheading the recent renaissance of comedy on TV.
He's on the set, plopped on a chair in the dining room of what audiences have come to know as Jay and Gloria's swanky home. Dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, Levitan is self-deprecating and awkward — hardly what you'd expect from the savior of the sitcom. But that's the position he — along with the show's co-creator, Christopher Lloyd — finds himself in. That's not to say that the genre was totally dead when "Modern Family" launched in 2009. CBS sitcoms such as "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory" were doing quite well. "We sort of got noticed right off the bat," Levitan said. The show's boffo ratings and award wins (five Emmys this year alone) continued to pick up momentum through the second season. "I'm sure Simon Cowell has a target on my back," Levitan said. Modern Family Writer Steve Levitan Based Cam and Mitch on Real-Life Gay Couple. Emmy-winning writer Steve Levitan isn’t out to create an image of the picture perfect family.
So, when it came to creating the characters of the hit ABC comedy Modern Family, he went with his gut, putting aside worries about whether or not it would appeal to every viewer out there. "As soon as you [worry about what the audience wants], you’re chasing your tail … we knew that in some ways having a gay couple raising a baby would be a turnoff to a section of the public. But we also knew that we had to do it anyway. It’s a modern family," he said in regards to the characters of Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet).
He also explained that the inspiration for the gay couple came from Modern Family casting director Jeff Greenberg and his partner. From this “prototype,” Levitan took a few artistic liberties. Levitan and Lloyd’s gut instincts seemed to have worked. Source: Reuters.com/The Wrap. Emmys 2011: 'Modern Family' wins for comedy series. ABC's "Modern Family" won its second consecutive Emmy for comedy series on Sunday.
The series about a lovably dysfunctional family earned 17 nominations in its second season, including for directing and for cast members Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O'Neill, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara. The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards were handed out at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and televised live on Fox TV. Emmys 2011: Red carpet photos Emmys 2011: Complete coverage Alec Baldwin confirms that his Emmy skit was cut — Susan King.
'Modern Family' takes home five Emmys. 'Modern Family' sweeps Emmy Awards "Mad Men" wins just two Emmys out of 19 nominations"Modern Family" wins best comedy seriesCharlie Sheen wishes former castmates well"Glee's" Jane Lynch is just the third woman to host the Emmys Los Angeles (CNN) -- AMC's "Mad Men" won a fourth consecutive best drama series Emmy, while the ABC sitcom "Modern Family" took top comedy honors at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night.
PBS' "Downton Abbey," a Masterpiece production, won the best miniseries Emmy, although HBO's "Mildred Pierce" and ReelzChannel's "The Kennedys" had a share in the acting honors. Although cable network HBO led with the most nominations, it was broadcast net ABC that garnered the most primetime Emmys Sunday night. The wealth of trophies was spread around more than usual, with DirecTV winning two and ReelzChannel carrying one home. Complete list of Emmy winners Fashion on the red carpet Red carpet arrivals gallery. Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell Win Supporting Actor Emmys for Modern Family! All hail the Dunphys!
Guess all of Julie Bowen's (Claire Dunphy) pre-Emmys drama — her son threw up on her, she dropped her phone in the toilet — was worth it in the end. The Modern Family star pulled out a surprise win — especially to herself — for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Julie beat host Jane Lynch of Glee, Betty White of Hot In Cleveland, Kristen Wiig of Saturday Night Live, Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock and her own Modern Family co-star Sofia Vergara.
“Oh my God,” Julie said a few times when accepting the night’s first award. “I don’t know what I’m going to talk about in therapy next week now. She thanked the writers, the Emmy voters and her TV and real-life husbands. Ty said his father passed away before he could see Ty perform. He’d probably laugh and be proud, just like the rest of us. Modern Family Season 3 Guest Star Spoiler Roundup. 'Modern Family's' Ed O'Neill Earns Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.