ABC’s new sitcom Modern Family is a mockumentary style show about three couples from one family: Patriarch Jay (Ed O’Neill) who is married to a much-younger, Colombian woman named Gloria and her son (his stepson), his daughter Claire who is married to an aloof Phil and their three kids, and his homosexual son Mitchell who just adopted a Korean baby with his partner Cameron. Check out the preview:

Most critics loved Modern Family like The Washington Post’s Tom Shales who wrote that the show “is cause not just for cheer but also for outright jubilation. The writers and producers of the domestic sitcom … have found sharp new angle.”

Meanwhile some bloggers, like Colleen Raezler of News Busters, feel the show is “stereotypical Hollywood propaganda.” Then of course there are those ignorant folks like the group One Million Moms who asked people to “Send ABC an email stating you are outraged by this new program and are highly offended by the homosexual content and the inappropriate age difference of spouses.” (Oh pa-lease, One Million Moms, you’ve got to be kidding?! ).

One thing we can all agree on is that the show is getting a lot of attention and any attention is good for ratings. I watched the premiere this week and liked it. I thought it had some really funny moments and I appreciated the diversity effort ABC is trying to make in showing non-traditional families. I like that the program might introduce new American families into the minds of viewers who may not otherwise be exposed to such differences. The objective of Modern Family is first to entertain, and I think also to make us acknowledge the changing face of family in this country. Overall the show has a great message of unconditional love; how can we be offended by that?

What do you think about ABC’s Modern Family? Is it full of stereotypes or is it spreading a positive social message? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.