Love this show, loved this book. ( )

This had just about everything I want in an oral history of a TV show. There were detailed chapters on casting all the parts. Some oral histories spend a lot of time on the creation of a show, and its ending, and maybe a few key episodes in between. This one addressed many of the episodes during the show's run, in thematic chapters about that cover things about stories inspired by the writers' own lives, physical comedy, and guest stars. They also cover some of the trips the show took. Part of what makes this book interesting is that the creators had such different approaches to and visions for the series, once it got started. The book is honest about that, and describes the different creative processes. It also helps that the cast and crew seemed to get along very well. The book has quotes from lots of different crew members, as well as extensive interview excerpts from interviews with the cast. ( )

Have you always wanted to know how the producers decided on the opening music to "Modern Family"?

What went into deciding between upper and lowercase letters on the title cards?

EXACTLY how many auditions Ty Burrell had to go through to land the role of Phil?

Who does and doesn't wear pants when filming car scenes?

How exactly they covered the necessary body parts for a sex scene in bed?

How the producers found each and every actor and the processes that led them to getting the roles?

What they think about the cutesy lines they write for Joe?

What they think about every single aspect of the show?

Does wading through 500 pages of dialogue between every single person ever involved on this show sound like a perfect way to spend a weekend?

Then this book is for you.

Oh, and there's no pictures. ( )

Modern Family: The Untold Oral History of One of Television's Groundbreaking Sitcoms by Marc Freeman is an excellent inside look at the show told in a wonderfully personal manner.

Books about television shows (or movies, or music acts) can easily get bogged down in either superfluous praise (no matter how deserved) or petty gossip. This book manages to do neither, the praise is generally between people involved in the show and the gossip is largely the good natured (or at least the "we got through it") variety.

The form of the book is a little different than most such books, I think I've experienced a couple other books in the past couple years that gave me the same feeling. Namely, it is largely quotes from interviews and such with a small amount of contextualizing moving the narrative ahead. For me, this is kinda like sitting around with these people, at different times, and them each remembering something about the time or incident or comment the other just made. I like this informal style. Yes, just like spending a lot of time with friends they sometimes repeat something, but each repetition is relevant to whatever topic is at hand, so it is okay. That makes the book a little less formal but also a lot more personal. Much like the show itself.

The review copy I have doesn't have the photo inserts, but from images I saw of those photos, I can't imagine them doing anything but add to the strengths of the book.

For the record, I am a casual fan of the show. I missed a lot of episodes, but caught most of them. I didn't especially make time for it but when I had time it was one of the things I enjoyed. So while I probably wasn't as tuned in to many of the stories in the book as a big fan would have been, I think even familiar stories will seem new since you will be hearing each from multiple perspectives. And for me as a casual fan, this was a great way to first hear them.

Highly recommended for both diehard and casual fans, as well as those who simply enjoy television history and show production.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Goodreads First Reads. ( )

Even though it's been years since I've watched a Modern Family episode, I enjoyed this book so much it has motivated me to binge watch the entire series. It reminded me how much I loved those early seasons and made me question why I stopped watching in the first place.

This book is similar in style to the Live From New York book about Saturday Night Live. For the most part the bulk of the material in this book is directly from the mouths of the cast members and crew. I personally love this format and even though the book clocks in at 500+ pages it doesn't feel like such a long and heavy read as a typical nonfiction book. The book covers how the show got it's start, the casting process, and goes into detail about specific episodes among other things. My guess is this will be the most definitive book about the show ever written and should satisfy both die hard and casual fans of Modern Family.

If you are expecting to get a lot of gossip and dirt about the show, you might be disappointed as for the most part the cast and crew truly did like each other and got along pretty well. The only drama was between the two co-creators and once they decided to each take on half of the episodes that greatly reduced the number of interactions and therefore arguments between them. Frequent guest star Shelly Long is discussed a bit by the people who worked with her but it was done in a respectful way. I don't think the lack of mudslinging and juicy gossip make this a less interesting read. To be quite honest it is refreshing to know that this group of coworkers really did consider themselves a family and continue to hang out with each other away from the show. It says a lot about who they are as people.

If you are fan of the show and/or like learning about the ins and outs of how a tv show is made, you will most likely enjoy reading this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review! ( )