Modern Family is a totally enjoyable series that's never condescending

The sit-com series "Modern Family" is a totally enjoyable, funny, clever little romp, never condescending to its characters and, though far-fetched and slapstick at times, always on the near side of credibility. The likable ensemble cast includes a 40ish prosperous couple in which the mom (Julie Bowen) is a bit overprotective (especially as she recalls her wild youth) and the dad (played too much like a 2nd-tier Steve Carrell) buffoonishly thinks he's in "hip" (I text!), the 3 kids includes a young teen daughter somewhat rebellious, brainy daughter, adhd-ish son. In the extended family - an gay uncle and his partner and their adopted baby girl, and the grandpa newly married to a hot Latina and fathering her chubby 10-year-old son. Hm. That's a lot, and a bit hard to follow when you first start watching - even after several episodes I don't have the names of the characters in mind - but the plots of each episode click right along, very well written, clever dialogue, good laugh lines, and a nice feeling of good will without smarminess throughout. We like the characters and tend to laugh with them and at their foibles, as they obviously mean well and try to do well. Series has a bit of a mock-umentary style, a la the Christopher Guest movies and The Office, in which the characters from time to time will address the camera as if sitting for an interview. Not sure how successful this series has been or how long the Lloyd-Levitan creative team will be able to sustain the mood and storyline, but it's an entirely enjoyable series.