His Home Life Is Fodder for ‘Modern Family’
- Image by Getty Images via Daylife
Jewish Journal has an interview with Steven Levitan, co-creator and executive producer of ABC’s “Modern Family”. Here are some of the highlights:
In an interview, Levitan credited the success of “Modern Family” to its blending of diverse points of view. Levitan says he has “no filter” for his emotions; Lloyd, in his opinion, is reserved. Levitan believes that his own cultural sensibilities at times trickle down to the writing, while Lloyd sees no Jewish or religious sensibilities on the show.
“We certainly don’t delve into religion — second, after politics, on the list of show-killing topics – nor do we have any intention of doing so,” Lloyd wrote in an e-mail.
“One of our constant issues is, what level of fighting can these couples do?” Levitan added. He cited the remote-control argument between Claire and Phil: “They barely got into it, from my point of view, and Chris was like, ‘I think they’re too angry.’… But oftentimes, from our differences, the best [work] comes.”
Levitan, 48, acknowledges his strong cultural Jewish connection but says he is not religious. He grew up attending a Reform synagogue in suburban Chicago, where he aspired to become a writer from an early age. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, he took a job as a reporter at Madison’s ABC affiliate because “I wanted to be on TV,” he said sheepishly.
So, why aren’t any of the “Modern Family” members Jewish? Casting, Levitan said. “I don’t subscribe to the thinking that people won’t fall in love with a Jewish family,” he explained. “But when you have actors like ours, they don’t look Jewish or seem Jewish. So even if some of the humor seems Jewish, we’re not avoiding the issue to play to a mass market.”
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New Modern Family Tonight
When Luke and Manny’s (Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez) hot-tempered basketball coach quits, Jay and Phil (Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell) jockey to fill the position on a new episode of the sitcom (9 p.m. ABC).
Don’t miss!
Source: LA Times.
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Rico Rodriguez Flirts With Joan Rivers on ‘The View’ (VIDEO)
‘Modern Family’ star Rico Rodriguez stopped by ‘The View’ (weekdays, syndicated) and proved to the ladies that he’s got game.
Source: AOL TV
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On The “Modern Family” Set With Eric Stonestreet
Back Stage visited Stonestreet on set, where he was filming an episode, and spoke with him about landing the job of a lifetime. Here are some of the highlights of their visit:
Stonestreet reveals that he originally read the pilot for “Modern Family” when a friend asked for help running lines.
“He had an audition for Cameron, and as I read with him, I was really bummed I wasn’t getting to go in for it,” Stonestreet recalls. “It just hadn’t come my direction as far as the physical type yet.” Although he hadn’t seen a description of the character’s appearance, he knew that Ferguson was already cast as Mitchell and the network was looking for someone who matched him. “You just never know,” Stonestreet says. “I’ve been a character actor and a big guy my whole career, and my goal has always been to change people’s mind and do justice to the part so that they look past what I look like and see just an actor, rather than a ‘big’ or a ‘heavyset’ actor.”
Stonestreet’s representation persisted, and the show still couldn’t find a Cameron. The search began to widen, and eventually Stonestreet was allowed to audition. “I don’t remember the exact breakdown, but it was something like ‘Passionate, the more dramatic of the two, flamboyant but grounded,’” the actor says. “It was a tricky character to audition for, because you read the script and there’s that ‘Lion King’ moment. So you have to build a character who’s not too flamboyant — yet, on Page 27, he’s capable of this.”
Though Stonestreet is straight, he had no qualms about accepting the role, and he takes it as a compliment that many viewers find him so convincing that they assume he’s gay in real life. “I love it!” he says. “I love the fans that I have. They’re so cool. I’m a guy who’s been working as an actor for a long time, and my main goal was always to get a job. Not to get a job on a great show, not to get a job on a great show with a great character, but just to get a job. So for me to be on this show with this cast and this audience support is more than I could have ever imagined. I will take my fans in any shape, size, gender, sexual orientation they come in. I’m just happy to have fans!”
As for his family’s reaction, Stonestreet points to the year before he landed “Modern Family,” when he played murderers on “The Mentalist,” “Pushing Daisies,” and “NCIS,” as well as an inmate on death row for raping and murdering a girl on a recent episode of “Nip/Tuck.” “People will ask me, ‘Are your parents okay with you playing a gay character on TV?’ And I’m like, ‘My mom was more upset that I killed three people on TV last year!’”
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‘Modern Family’ Cast Will All Compete For Supporting Emmys After Ed O’Neill Gesture
When Modern Family star Ed O’Neill submits himself this week for Emmy Awards consideration, he will do it in the Supporting Actor category, despite being the biggest name star on the hit ABC sitcom. Insiders said that O’Neill’s move will be emulated by all of the principal cast members. While this might cost the show some trophies, sources said O’Neill is making the surprising move because he felt that nobody is bigger than anybody else in a show that is evolving into a true ensemble hit.
Source: Deadline
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Fred Willard talks upcoming ‘Modern Family’
EW talked to Fred Willard about his upcoming role in Modern Family. Here are some of the highlights:
You’re reprising your role of Phil’s father, Frank, on Modern Family. Frank shows up in an RV with a little four-legged friend?
Yes, yes, it’s his dog that his wife is allergic to, so he’s driven across country to give it to his son. So there’s some touching moments in that as well.
You worked with the creators of Modern Family and Ty Burrell on Fox’s Back to You. That’s what made them think of you? It’s such great casting.
I never think I’m old enough to play someone’s dad, even though I have a daughter of my own and a grandson. But yeah, Steve Levitan and Chris Lloyd did Back to You and thought of me. And I guess Ty Burrell kept saying, “Gee, we should get Fred Willard on.”
The first time we saw Frank, it was just on a web camera. What will we learn about him now that’s actually visiting in-person?
He’s just kind of a silly character who loves corny jokes, but also has a serious side, a sentimental side.
Do you have scenes with Ed O’Neill this time?
I do. I did Married… With Children years ago with him, and he’s just the most marvelous guy you’d ever want to be with, just a regular blue-collar guy…. There’s a musical scene that’s done in a real club that’s just really wonderful, where Cam bulls his way into playing the drums [for Dylan's band]. We’re part of the group watching and amazed at the, we’ll call it the drum solo. [Laughs] It’s a hysterical scene.
Any plans to return for future episodes?
The problem is, my character lives in Florida. When I left, I said, “I see the whole family going to Disney World in Florida.” “Hey! That’s a great idea!” As with most great ideas, I haven’t heard much more about that. But they did request a photo of me to put in the hallway [of Phil and Claire's home]. So I haven’t been eliminated from the inner circle. They said, “You’re one of the family now, so we need a photograph.” I don’t know if you get paid for that, but there’s my picture.
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‘Modern Family’ Star Teases ABC Hit
Eric Stonestreet, star of abc’s breakout comedy ‘Modern Family,’ on the popularity of his character Cameron and what to expect in the final episodes of the first season.
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Happy Birthday, Ed O’Neill (Jay Pritchett on “Modern Family”)
Ed O’Neill, who plays Jay Pritchett on “Modern Family” (8 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC), turns 64 today.
Source: Newsok
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New ‘Modern Family’ Videos
Inside Julie Bowen, ‘Modern Family’, House
In Style Magazine has an article about the house of Julie Bowen from ‘Modern Family’:
The Modern Family actress lives in a midcentury ranch-style house, close to a canyon where she goes on her morning runs. Julie and her husband, software developer Scott Phillips, spent more than a year gutting and remodeling the house, creating an open floor plan with a light-filled living room where everything happens: playdates, story time with the children, and cocktail parties with friends.
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Going to a wedding?
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