Dia de los Muertos. Day of the Dead. Not exactly Christmas, Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July but this was a holiday episode. I don’t claim to know much about the Day of the Dead but it was nice how this episode revolved around shows of affection (sometimes public) and how they have a good ripple effect. This was sort of one of those “awww” sweet Modern Family episodes, I say sort of because I was left wanting more. I actually didn’t believe the episode was finished when Phil had his reaction to the open can of paint. For the record Google couldn’t help me find the clinical term for an open can of paint phobia, any of y’all know what they call that?

Most importantly- Cam revealed that gays don’t high five. This makes me sad. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the high five no matter their sexual orientation. Also this-

Kiss Worthy Moment Official List:

Buying a shirt.

Finding jalapeno stuffed olives.

Making the light on Maple.

Every time you see a VW “Kiss Buggy.”

Almost getting a turkey (bowling).

As if that weren’t enough Cam also gave us a hilarious physical comedy gag (as seen above) when he turned to kiss Mitchell, Mitchell moved away from the attempted kiss and Cam fell over the couch and onto the floor. I don’t know what this show would do without Cam and Phil, easily two of the top ten funniest characters currently on television. Luke gets honorable mention.

What did you think of tonights episode? How do you feel about PDA?

MODERN FAMILY WON A TON OF EMMYS! I believe that covers the first five minutes of episode one season two. Okay, maybe I prefer a little more humility than the silver screen has to offer. I was happy to see the good people at Modern Family open the new season with their bread and butter- Ty Burrell.

“You know what? You can insult a lot of things about me- my hair, my voice, my balance-board exercises but don’t insult my selling. That crosses a line. What line? Oh you don’t see it? That’s cuz I just sold it.”

Followed by Cameron reading celebrity gossip (I don’t know what “Bio” magazine is and I’m unwilling to Google it to find out.) to Lilly because he will snap if he has to read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” one more time.

And finally Manny preparing for the arrival of “just a friend” to study “the life cycle of silkworms.” I never want to know how old the actor playing Manny is because I’m afraid it would ruin the greatest comedic performance of this century (see that? I stole that from Criss Angel. Greatest magician of this century, my foot!) but seriously I could watch Manny get eaten alive by the anxiety he’s  having over the impending arrival of a girl he’s interested in until pigs fly.

In the end Phil and Claire have to let go of the car they spent their glory days in, going to parades grand marshaled by Angela Lansbury. “Good times, she wrote.” Mitchell has to give up his dream of being handy around the house as the eminent danger he puts everyone in will eventually give Cameron a heart attack or at the very least make him a very uninspiring disabled person. Gloria gets a glimpse of her future, practically present, of becoming a Colombian tradition- the clingy mother. Manny is a ladies man, also a Colombian tradition, and eventually Gloria will learn to accept this fact or die when Manny gets married which happens to be the leading cause of death among Colombian mothers (their son’s getting married). I’m rambling like a Phil so you must be entertained! You’re not? How about some quotes-

“until someone can figure out how to keep a wormhole from collapsing in on itself, that’s just a pipe dream.”

“Where is Mitchell? He’s not supposed to be unsupervised!”

“When you’re around tools, Honey, it’s dangerous for me, for you, for our roses.”

“Do you think that the town of Brigadoon just magically appear?”

“Yes” is the correct answer to the question in that last quote. What I really want to know is what y’all thought of this episode? Was this your first time to see Modern Family or were you there for season one? What makes this show stand out from Glee and Community?

Gleeks unite! September 14th Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases the complete first season of GLEE on Blu-ray and DVD! You better believe there’s extras, here’s what series creator Ryan Murphy had to say about all of those wonderful extras you’ll find only on the  four-disc Blu-ray and seven-disc DVD set-

“The show started out as a comedy musical about the underdog in all of us and has blossomed, largely due to the incredible support and passion from the fans that have embraced the show…. When we developed the Blu-ray and DVD, we wanted to give those fans something special because they’ve been so great to us. There’s everything from a sing-along karaoke, to a behind-the-scenes look at our Madonna episode, to a dance lesson from our amazing choreographers. There’s even some all new Sue’s Corners which have never been seen before. It’s our ‘thank you’ to the Gleeks.”

If you haven’t seen an episode of GLEE yet then maybe these awards will help sway you- winner of the Golden Globe® for Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical. Winner! People’s Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy (Hello! That’s sayin’ somethin’ in a year that also debuted ABC’s Modern Family and NBC’s Community!) and winner of the Screen Actors Guild Award for Oustanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Again, they beat out Modern Family and Community!)

Here’s the official synopsis-

“GLEE follows an optimistic teacher who – against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach – inspires McKinley High’s Glee Club to conquer the world one singing competition at a time.”

Goodness! I’m still thinkin’ about those special features! Why can’t the DVD’s be released next week?! What’re you looking forward to?

It’s hard to believe that the first season of Modern Family has come to an end because it feels like we’ve known Jay Pritchett’s clan for years, doesn’t it? “Family Portrait” was a great season finale that reminded me of all that I’ve enjoyed over this first season, I believe Jay said it pretty well-

“I had this mental picture of the family that, if I was lucky enough, one day I’d end up with- perfect wife, perfect kids. Guess what. I didn’t get any of that. Wound up with this sorry bunch. And I’m thankful for that every day.”

I admit that there are plenty of great jokes throughout any given Modern Family episode but I think we enjoy the show so much because it is familiar. Everyone has family, whether they’re your biological family or not. Family are the people we love unconditionally and I think that’s what Jay was sayin’. But what did Phil say?

PHIL QUOTES!

“ridicu-licious”

“Here’s the thing. Kiss-cam is only supposed to be for the enjoyment of the people at the game! They never show that on TV. What people do in the privacy of their own sports arena should be their own business.”

In case you missed it Gloria kissed Phil when they were put on the Kiss-cam at the Lakers game. Gloria was at the game because Jay had to back out because he was helping Luke. Luke working on a school project, due the next day, that required he interview someone that lived through the 1960s hence Jay. As you might imagine Phil was scared to death of Claire and Jay’s reaction when they would inevitably find out about the kiss.

While Phil was at the game Claire was at home preparing for the family portrait that was to happen later in the day. The family would be posing on the stairs and Claire, a perfectionist, wanted to fix that broken step. Finally! Well Claire might be a perfectionist but she is no handy man. So we can expect more from the broken step in season two.

“Pigeons aren’t scared of anything, they stand on electrical wires.” This is just one of the many reasons why Mitchell freaked out when a pigeon became trapped in his home. The pigeon would have been dinner if Cameron were  home but he was singing a solo for a wedding of a complete stranger that heard him karaoke and hired him to perform at the wedding. Of course I thought we were learning yet another fun fact about Cameron but the fact turned out to be not so fun. Cameron butchered Ave Maria. Cameron cannot sing but I still love him.

What grade do you give Modern Family‘s first season?

Full House may have beaten Modern Family to the Hawaiian vacation episode and “Hawaii” didn’t have the cast performing along with The Beach Boys at a resort luau but that didn’t matter. This episode made me smile and that’s all I ask.

The first laughs came when Manny and Luke expressed very different reactions to having their own hotel room. Manny looking through the closet, “Score! There’s an iron in here!” Luke with his shirt off, hair dryer in hand and a shower cap over his head, “I am a bathroom martian. beep. boop. boop. I’m from the nebula of the great toilet. beep. boop. beep. boop. bop.” Hotel rooms really are fun no matter how old you are and this scene captured that feeling.

Now I don’t like quoting a line used in the commercials but this one was still funny when deliver in the episode, “Are you watching Gloria in my sunglasses?” Oh Phil. This is as good a time as any — PHIL QUOTES!

“So I was thinking we book a couple’s massage! I accidentally looked in on one. They seemed really relaxed until they noticed me.”

“Just to be clear, I’m not condoning eating your kids, but I sure as heck know why giraffes do it.”

“I’m just going to rock you. Like a hurricane. I’m kidding. You’re too old to get that.” I am not to old to get that and I thank you, Phil Dunphy, for being the light of my Wednesday night.

O’Neill’s Jay recalling his father’s last moments on this earth, “He did die doin’ what he loved: refusing service to hippies who came into his store.” I would have liked Jay’s dad. In an episode where Ed O’Neill struggles with the thought of his own mortality I am especially thankful for the scene between O’Neill and Burrell. You know the one. In the hammock.

“I just ordered an extra-long straw to avoid accidentally doin’ a sit-up.” If I liked using straws I’d definitely follow O’Neill’s lead. To Gloria’s (that’s everyone) I may never quote Gloria because without her accent it’s just not the same. By the way: her accent, real or fake?

What did we learn about Cameron this week? Cameron likes adventure but not as much as Mitchell thought! This of course means that he is in fact a “stay-by-the-pool type of guy” also “Sidenote- we’re very good friends with a couple named Lewis and Clark. Clark bought a big, sparkly belt in New Orleans that he calls his ‘Louisiana Purchase.’”

Lily is the cutest prop ever. Since we’ve already touched on the Full House connection- do you think that Modern Family will be on the air long enough for us to see Lily grow up, ala the Olsen twins?

No one thought Luke would ever find a use for that iron Manny found but, “I had bread, I had cheese, and I had an iron. What was I supposed to do?” Man. after. my. own. heart.

Haley learned the very painful, necessary, valuable lesson that too much alcohol hurts.

I am a sap. That ending was pure gold. I’m searching iTunes for that ukulele’d cover of “Eye of the Tiger.” If any of you know where I can find a copy, please point me in the right direction.

“Cost me a fortune”

Poor rich Jay, his trophy wife spends his money on… him. But I do understand where he’s coming from when he says, “I don’t like activities” I believe there are two types of vacationers- doers and do not-ers. When I am on vacation I am a do not-er and when you’re on vacation with the whole family it’s hard to not do anything. Family: you don’t gotta love ‘em but ya should. Now the Prichett family vacation could be a freeloader-loaded event and they could’ve easily left Mitchell and Phil behind but they didn’t and that’s what makes this episode different from Home Alone. That and Cameron doing everything he can to keep Lily awake so that she’ll sleep on the plane.

Speaking of Cameron, we learned that he wants to dance. I’ll say it again- what won’t we learn about Cameron?

PHIL QUOTES!

“Thanks Darrell, I know I got a lotta baggage but don’t worry- I’m seeing a therapist. Just kidding, I’m fine.”

“Sometimes I wish you were my mom.”

“Uncle Phil’s here.”

“Slow is smooth and smooth is fast” is that what Phil was saying? Is that kinda like “do it right the first time” probably not, can’t imagine Phil doing much right the first time.

“The average burglar breaks in and leaves clues everywhere but not me, I’m completely clueless.”

“You weigh less than my paintball gear.”

Anybody goin’ on a Modern Family style vacation this summer?

“When my grandaughter’s boyfriend’s band plays an under 21 club with my daughter-in-law’s brother’s gay partner I show up, that’s just how I was raised!”

There you have it “Travels with Scout” was another great episode of ABC’s Modern Family, due in no small part to the fact that the story revolved around Ty Burrell and his character Phil’s dad played by guest starring Fred Willard. Once upon a time these two funny men were on ABC’s short lived Back to You starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. When Back to You was canceled I immediately missed newcomer Burrell and old standby Willard thankfully Modern Family brought both of these talented actors back to my living room and exposed their greatness to a much larger (spanning beyond the borders of my living room) viewing audience. I like the entire cast of Modern Family but I think I’ve gotta claim Ty Burrell as my favorite. The way he always entertains reminds me of David Cross’ Dr. Tobias Fünke from FOX’s Arrested Development = comic gold. Enough about Modern Family the series and more “Travels with Scout!”

How about some quotes?

“I shoulda told Claire about the dog and I was going to but I was just waiting for her to be in the right mood, actually I did get one right mood a couple of nights ago but I cashed that in for something else.”

“I made the mistake of letting him sleep with me on the road now my sheets look like two Bigfoots did it. Pardon the language.”

Dylan says to Cameron, “I’m not sure we like the same sorts of music.” Cameron replies, ”Oh what, because I’m gay I’m just gonna wanna play show tunes?” Dylan, “No, because you’re old.” Cameron, “Wow. That hurt more, Dylan.”

Cameron plays the drums. Cameron played football. Cameron was a clown. Cameron is not just a gay parent of an adopted Asian child. What else will we learn about Cameron before this season is finished?

Oh wait, Cameron believes “We happen to be a very traditional family.” “Yes, that’s what the disabled lesbian shaman who blessed Lillie’s room said too.” Mitchell sarcastically agrees but which is it- Modern or traditional?

Some Phil quotes to soothe your soul-

“It probably just sounded like he was crying, have you heard the noises he makes when he gets out of a chair?”

“We talk all of the time, he pranks calls me at work like three times a week!”

“My dad isn’t like your dad. There’s nothing deep and dark inside, his hard candy shell is just hiding more candy.”

Al Bundy Ed O’Neill’s Jay makes another poor parenting decision and takes young Manny to a slasher flick, Manny is scarred for life, one thing leads to another and Manny takes first watch standing guard over the homestead with fencing foil in hand- protect that house, Manny.

“I’ll always remember him as the stranger holding my baby. Can I talk to you in the kitchen for a second?” another great line from traditional family man Mitchell Pritchett.

When asked where his recreational vehicle will take him Fred Willard replied, “I’m just gonna drive wherever the wind blows me which is usually into the next lane.” I only hope the wind leads Fred Willard back to many more Modern Family guest appearances.

I’ll close with this Ty Burrell masterpiece- “I always felt bad for people with emotionally distant fathers but it turns out I’m one of them. It’s a miracle I didn’t end up a stripper.”

Today’s the big day. Today Steve Jobs unleashed another technological marvel upon the world. The iPad.

At first, I was not too impressed with the device. It seemed like a poor port of an iPhone onto a bigger device. I can see now that I was entirely wrong. Although I haven’t seen the device in action, I’ve heard only good things about it. The early reviews have been entirely positive, with Andy Ihnatko calling it “one of the best computers ever.”

And if you don’t know, the iPad has a ton of functionality. Its not a fully-functional computer, but it can do most of the things you need. And with style, too. Now, there are many other tech sites that will cover the ins and outs of the new device, so you should look elsewhere for more specifics about the Apple’s new hardware. This site is about movies and television, so I am going to highlight some apps that are either available now, or will be soon, for the iPad:

First up is the Netflix app. This free app allows you to browse Netflix, update your queue, and stream TV shows and movies from Netflix Instant Watching. Now, if you have internet (via Wi-Fi or 3G) you have access to over 15,000 titles right from your iPad.

There are several other ways of getting video content on your iPad, including one from ABC, which will provide full-length episodes of that network’s shows, as well as a Hulu app in the works. For sports, you have MLB At Bat for Baseball, and presumably DirecTV will be updating their NFL package app for the iPad. The NBA already has an app, but it doesn’t have live video at the moment.

IMDB has also released their service as an iPad app. There aren’t any new features, but you can browse the site in a specifically-designed interface on the iPad.

Disney is really focusing on developing content for the iPad. In addition to revamping their site for the device, they’ve released Toy Story and Toy Story 2 Read-Alongs as well as several branded games that range from faeries to the popular kid’s show “Phineas and Ferb.”

On the other side of the camera is a screenwriting app being developed by Final Draft. Yes, the most popular tool for writing screenplays is coming to the iPhone. Could this change how scripts are read and written in the future? Possibly, so if you’re interested go over and sign up to be notified when the app becomes available.

It looks like movie fans won’t be disappointed with their iPads. This is only a small fraction of the apps that will be available by summer, and many are sure to be awesome.

The iPad is almost definitely sold out by the time your reading this, so if you want to buy one (you know you do) and you have the money (the iPad starts at $499) head over to the Apple.com Store and order one. So, does anyone have the iPad yet? Tell us what you think.