On next week’s Modern Family, toddler Lily is going to use one of the worst of George Carlin’s famous Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.
The adopted two-and-a-half year-old character somehow picks up the profanity “f—.” This naturally horrifies her parents, Cam and Mitchell, who in particular fear she’ll blurt it at an upcoming wedding. Lily is shown saying the word, but it’s not audible to the viewer. The episode’s title: “Little Bo Bleep.”
It might be the first time in a scripted family broadcast TV series where a child has said the F-word.
Creator Steve Levitan revealed the story line during an ABC comedy showrunner panel at the network’s press-tour presentation in Pasadena. “We had to really convince ABC,” Levitan told EW.com after the panel. “We thought it was a very natural story since, as parents, we’ve all been through this. ABC will tell you Modern Family gets away with a lot, because I think it’s all about context. We are not a sexually charged show. It has a very warm tone so people accept it more. I’m sure we’ll have some detractors.”
Another interesting moment came when Levitan was asked his opinion of sitcoms shot in front of studio audiences with laugh tracks.
“Living in L.A., you sometime hear coyotes eating cats,” Levitan said, drawing somewhat horrified laughter. “And to me, that’s the sound of a multi-cam laugh track. I just can’t take it anymore. I’ve done it [on previous comedies like Just Shoot Me] for 15 years. I couldn’t take another minute of it. I don’t think there’s any thing wrong with it — when done well, like Raymond, like Friends, like Frasier, and like Cheers, the laugh track disappears and you’re in that world and it’s a heightened reality and it works.”
In other Modern Family news, Kevin Hart will return for another guest stint on the show. He joins upcoming guest stars Greg Kinnear and Ellen Barkin.
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Now, let's dissect the key concepts in the article:
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George Carlin's Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television:
- George Carlin, a legendary stand-up comedian, is famous for his routine on the "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." These words are considered highly profane and inappropriate for broadcast.
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Modern Family's "Little Bo Bleep" Episode:
- The article discusses an upcoming episode of Modern Family where toddler Lily, a two-and-a-half-year-old character, uses one of George Carlin's forbidden words ("f—"). This unconventional storyline is presented as a unique and potentially controversial element for a family-oriented TV series.
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ABC's Approval and Context in Modern Family:
- The creator of Modern Family, Steve Levitan, reveals that ABC needed convincing for this particular storyline. Levitan emphasizes the importance of context in the show, asserting that Modern Family's warm tone and context allow for more creative freedom. Despite the potential controversy, the show has earned leeway due to its overall tone and approach.
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Opinion on Multi-Cam Laugh Tracks:
- Levitan expresses his personal opinion on sitcoms shot in front of studio audiences with laugh tracks. He uses a vivid analogy, comparing the sound of a multi-cam laugh track to the unsettling noise of coyotes eating cats. Levitan suggests that he finds it difficult to endure laugh tracks after having worked with them for 15 years on previous comedies like Just Shoot Me.
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Guest Stars and Casting in Modern Family:
- The article briefly mentions that Kevin Hart will return for another guest stint on Modern Family. It also notes the inclusion of upcoming guest stars Greg Kinnear and Ellen Barkin. This highlights the ongoing trend of bringing in well-known guest stars to enhance the appeal of the show.
In conclusion, the article provides a glimpse into the creative decisions behind Modern Family's storytelling, the challenges of pushing boundaries on network television, and the personal preferences of its creator regarding sitcom production techniques. This insight showcases the complex and multifaceted nature of creating successful and innovative television content.
