I really didn't think I was going to enjoy "Modern Family" when it was first announced. Much as I loved Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy on the legendary farce "Married With Children" (heck, I even liked his take on Joe Friday on the short-lived "Dragnet L.A."), I was afraid O'Neill was going to chew the scenery Bundy-style. I also feared that the gay couple was going to be cast as comic stereotypes.

I finally started watching it in reruns and was happy to see that none of my suspicions were true. The characters, with the possible exception of the too-too brittle Claire, all seem to click like a well-oiled machine. O'Neill, even if he is the lead star in the billing, seems to take a back seat as the voice of reason among the cast of characters he calls his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren.

And I came to the conclusion that this was really meant as the karmic payback to Al Bundy: a trophy wife, successful children, a successful business...and no Marcy D'Arcy.

I only fear that the last scene of the series finale may have Ed pulling a Newhart, waking up next to Katey Sagal and screaming "PEG!!!" in agony.