Now that season 2's over and I've seen every episode except one, I think the time is right to write a review on the series Modern Family. Following Arrested Development and The Office, Modern Family is a mockumentary TV show. But instead of ripping off AD it manages to establish its own voice early with a string of characters more down-to-earth but still funny in their own right. There weren't enough great episodes for me to bump my rating to a 9, but I never felt this show dipped below a certain quality. The dialogue is not dependent on pop culture references, bathroom humour or a laugh track, giving this show an advantage.

Modern Family is intelligently put together, often by having three different stories sharing a motif reflected in the episode title. Some of the best episodes, particularly in season 1, have the characters giving commentary that can be touching. I do like most of the characters, including Alex, even if she's an imitation of Lisa Simpson, and Phil, even if the dumb sitcom dad has been done before on other shows. There's no denying Gloria is beautiful and Jay is played well by Ed O'Neill, even though I was never a big fan of him in Married with Children. Of the three branches of the family, my favourite is the Dunphys.

The best episodes, I think, are Coal Digger (season 1) and Caught in the Act (season 2). Here's hoping for a good season 3!