ABC’s Modern-day Family Drew Fire From Viewers in FCC Problems

ABC’s Modern Family members grew to become a ought to-check out sitcom in the course of its eleven-year operate from 2009-2020. Its lovable humor mixed with experience-good loved ones times made it value anyone’s time. Nonetheless, as with any Television display these times, the creating did not occur totally free of the occasional “controversial” remark from audiences.

We use “controversial” in the loosest sense of the phrase. As the millions of Modern Family viewers can attest, the huge the vast majority of the show’s jokes are lighthearted and harmless, albeit most likely inappropriate in the context of, say, a intercourse-ed class. Even so, there are a pick out selection of men and women who took major offense to these jokes, to the level wherever they filed a official criticism with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC is dependable for overseeing and regulating what is aired on broadcast television. If any American so chooses, they are in a position to post issues to the FCC about anything they could see on air. Observer submitted a Flexibility of Information and facts Act request around four weeks in the past for complaints about Contemporary Family members (and we’re not the 1st ones). In return, we received ten webpages of complaints submitted involving the exhibit, relationship from September 2015 to the current.

These issues range in distinct subject areas, but most viewers were being concerned with articles from the clearly show they considered “explicit” and unfit for youthful eyes.

“ABC Television demonstrate promos that continually exhibits X-rated, R-rated, sexually specific commercials during… prime time Household PROGRAMMING,” complained one particular Illinois resident. While we’re self-confident ABC is not airing porn, “ [they air] homosexual men kissing, gay women of all ages kissing, men & woman intercourse scenes for… Modern Family”. Oh, the horror.

There are far more highlights, capturing some of the a lot more outstanding problems exasperated viewers had with Present day Family.

“While looking at the 9/28/16 episode of Modern day Relatives on ABC On Desire, we were stunned at a Victoria Top secret business demonstrating women in underwear,” writes a guardian from New York. “Modern Loved ones is a relatives tv present and we enjoy it with our 6 year outdated daughter.” Imagine watching Lily from Modern day Spouse and children with, well, Lily from Contemporary Loved ones.

Even though we simply cannot argue that Present day Family members is about family (of course), this does not automatically imply it is designed for viewers young than, say, 10 a long time previous. A viewer from Pennsylvania looks to disagree, even so: “I was observing the Tv set demonstrate Contemporary Loved ones and just one of the people stated the term ‘son of a bitch’… This is unacceptable for a family members television set show… This wants to be addressed additional due to the fact its [sic] the younger kids that re [sic] afflicted.”

Other viewers have been appalled at the volume of so-called “nudity” the exhibit was at ease with airing. “Fox 23 channel 5 at 6:30 PM was perspective modern relatives. They confirmed a mom and father chest was nude and part of the legs,” claimed an Oklahoma resident.

In response to “Modern family… male removes gown to exhibit he was naked,” this Arizonian promises they “[were] like what the heck.” Good adequate.

Last of all, a grievance from a Chicagoan not only brightly illustrates the complainant’s have homophobia, but also a touch of their ableism as nicely: “I continuously see a push for blatant homosexuality pretty much on each information show, exhibiting homosexual people today kissing… Just like they have warnings with violence and nudity, men and women have the suitable to know if a Tv present has homosexual imagery in it so mothers and fathers can keep their small children from seeing the ‘popped in’ SUPRISE! [sic]” They ice the cake by boasting, “I have a younger Autistic child, 13 a long time outdated and he is bewildered as it is!” Something tells me he’s not the issue listed here.