All in the Family Vs. Modern Family

Although both "All in the Family" (AF) and "Modern Family" (MF) are both successful sitcoms, there are clearly differences between them, mainly because of the time period they first started airing. This factor affects the characters as well as the content of the show. Yet the underlying messages of both shows may be more similar than audiences would think.

While both sitcoms center around the family and what goes on within the family home, the cast of characters widely contrast each other. In AF, the Bunkers are the typical, middle-class Caucasian family who live in New York. Archie, the father, is the channeled ignorant bigot, whose constantly reinforced as a manly-man racist who shuns at progressiveness. His wife is apparently an idiot, but is kind-hearted. His daughter and son-in-law both represent the "newer" generation and are seen as having more taste and a more liberal nature.

On the other hand, MF surrounds the three different immediate families, who are overall one big, loving family, residing in California: The suburban, well-off family, the multi-cultural family and the gay family, consisting of two fathers and an adopted daughter.

Also, other than their completely different comedy stiles, the shows are filmed differently. AF is filmed in traditional sitcom style, breaking the fourth wall at times. Whereas MF is filmed mockumentary style.

Yet, the writers of the show have similar underlying messages. In AF, the creator of the show wanted to challenge the audience and ultimately make them question the older generation, which Archie represented. In terms of race and sexuality, the creator wanted audiences to think about equality in society. MF takes it a step further. They let audiences accept the different types of families and establish it as the contemporary norm, throwing out prejudice.

Both shows dealt with homosexuality, but portrayed it at different levels. In AF, Archie complains about his son-in-law's friend being "fairy," and in the end he leans that one of his own friends is actually gay. Archie's bigoted opinion of homosexuality is meant for people to laugh at.Yet in MF, the two gay main characters are generally accepted by society, and its their own insecurities that make it funny to audiences.

Still, race, at least in the episode I watched, was not brought up as much in AF. They didn't seem to outright deal with race, unless it focused on Archie's racism. But even that, only the African-American culture was featured in the show, not other vast minorities. In MF, the show deals with a Columbian wife, who makes her culture apparent, in both her dialogue as well as plot lines. They really delve/make fun of these stereotypes of strong, latina women that AF wasn't even close to covering.