"Modern Family" - Is It Modern Enough?

The title of this Indiewire article should tell you everything:  "Is 'Modern Family' Still Making an Impact After Five Seasons?"

Oh, is that what it's supposed to be doing?

To start, the series, as many others have in the past and will likely do so in the future, has lost some of its initial luster. The luster referred to here, of course, was originally derived from the inclusion of minorities as central characters on a network sitcom -- particularly the Colombian (played by Sofia Vergara) and, more notably, the gay couple (played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet) raising an adopted Asian baby. While the cast consists primarily of non-minorities, the combination of the two made for one of the most unique ensembles in television comedy. Not only that, but the first season's ratings showed that such a refreshing notion of family was in fact welcomed by audiences, with the show's ratings increasing quite well over the following two seasons. (my emphasis)

One can hear the wind whistling through the portion of writer Ziyad Saadi's brain that is devoted to forming his own thoughts. Using his logic, the most popular show on television would be an exhibit of all the flavors of ethnicity and sexual persuasion.

Modern Family is falling behind in the race to "break ground:"

[W]hile the show started out riding a tidal wave of critical and ratings success, the last two seasons have dwindled on both those fronts, which leads to the question of 'why?' To answer that, one would need to dissect the ground which "Modern Family" was bold enough to break
...
[W]ith shows such as "House of Cards," "Game of Thrones" and above all else, "Orange Is the New Black" all prominently featuring minorities and/or strong independent women, the hit ABC sitcom seems quite tame in comparison. "Black" even has a male-to-female transgender as a significant member of the ensemble and has developed the character in ways that are unprecedented.

This is the gold standard of media reporting these days:  "Are there minorities?" "Are there enough minorities?" "Are they portrayed as brilliant, sexy saints?" "Are they brilliant and sexy and saint-like enough?"

I point these out not because they should surprise anyone but because these social justice warriors have ruined cultural criticism. I like reading about the arc of a sitcom. I just don't think that Modern Family's (apparent) problems have anything to do with "breaking ground." In fact, it sounds as though the decline is because of a willingness to kowtow to those activists who have decided that the show isn't doing enough:

The writers seem to be making the attempt to mend these issues this season. In regards to the women on the show, Claire is being groomed to take over her father's business while Gloria's working class roots have been revealed and credited with justifying her reward of a more comfortable life. Even Cam and Mitchell's relationship is headed for a grand wedding in the season finale, with the dissolution of California's Prop 8 being worked into the season five premiere. But the chances of the characters' situational improvements ultimately reviving the show's image seem increasingly bleak.

Is it really that complex? A good sitcom, like a good film or any other television show, is a combination of good acting, good writing and good execution, with a sprinkle of unforeseeable magic mixed in. If it were as simple as violating norms, I Love Lucy would have ended its run with a Mestizo transgender furry as Lucy's best friend and neighbor.

Even Saadi knows that he's bullshitting:

Ultimately, it may very well be the fact that "Modern Family" no longer breaks new ground or causes a stir that proves the biggest testament to its iconic nature. A show that, five years ago, shocked viewers is now barely making them flinch. It's become increasingly apparent that people have accepted its unconventional nature and presently view it merely as "the norm."

I don't remember anyone being "shocked." If anyone noticed at all, they rolled their eyes; "Network television presenting an alternative family? That's the last thing I would have expected of Hollywood."

Incidentally, Modern Family used its "ground-breaking" status as a cover. How many shows portray their female characters as arrogant and irrational and, Heaven forbid, often even wrong?