The Kiss (Modern Family)

Last updated
"The Kiss"
Modern Family episode
The Kiss (Modern Family).jpg
The moment after Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) avoids Cameron's (Eric Stonestreet) kiss
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 2
Directed by Scott Ellis
Written by Abraham Higginbotham
Production code2ARG04
Original air dateSeptember 29, 2010 (2010-09-29) [1]
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Old Wagon"		Next →
"Earthquake"
Modern Family season 2
List of episodes

"The Kiss" is the second episode of the second season of the American sitcom Modern Family and the 26th episode overall. The episode aired September 29, 2010. [1] It was written by Abraham Higginbotham and directed by Scott Ellis. The episode also featured guest starred Aaron Sanders as Jeremy, Alex's love interest. The episode serves as a response to a criticism for the first season that Mitchell and Cameron never kissed.

Contents

In the episode, after Claire finds flirty texts from a boy on Alex's phone, she asks Haley to give her advice. Haley tells Alex to kiss the boy, which makes her go up to the boy, and asks him in front of his friends, embarrassing him. Mitchell is having trouble kissing Cam in public and Gloria makes a meal of traditional Colombian food to honor her recently deceased grandmother.

"The Kiss" received generally positive reviews with many praising the subtle nature of the kiss. According to the Nielsen Media Research the episode received a 4.6 rating/13% share in the 18–49 demographic, going down from the season premiere, but still becoming the highest-rated show on Wednesday and the second highest-rated scripted program after Glee .

Plot

At the Dunphy house, Claire (Julie Bowen) "accidentally" reads Alex's text messages to a boy named Jeremy and asks Haley (Sarah Hyland) to talk to Alex (Ariel Winter) about them, while Phil (Ty Burrell) helps Jay with his printer. Haley gives bad advice to Alex, saying if she does not kiss the boy that people will think she is a lesbian. Alex runs to Jeremy's house to tell him about her feelings and asks him to kiss her, before realizing Jeremy's friends were behind the door and heard everything. She proceeds to run home and learns that Claire went through her phone, making her furious.

Meanwhile, Gloria (Sofía Vergara) starts cooking traditional Colombian meals in honor of her recently deceased grandmother, which Jay (Ed O'Neill) makes fun of. After realizing that Gloria is upset Jay decides to help her cook, whereupon Gloria uses tricks to get revenge on Jay.

While shopping for a new shirt, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) rejects a kiss from Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) prompting a confrontation about Mitchell's problem with public displays of affection. Mitchell retaliates by commenting on Cameron's neediness.

Soon the whole family comes together to honor Gloria's grandmother, but the party turns south when Mitchell avoids another kiss from Cameron. The family then realizes that Mitchell's aversion to kissing in public is due to Jay being emotionally closed off. Phil then runs down the stairs after printing a picture of Gloria's grandmother for Jay. Jay's response provides more evidence as to why Mitchell will not show PDA. In order to stifle their criticism, Jay kisses Mitchell and then Claire, with Mitchell and Cameron kissing in the background.

After the party, Claire finally tells Alex the truth about her past. Alex is still initially angry, but her attitude softens when she and Jeremy decide to wait before kissing. The episode ends with an epilogue by Gloria.

Production and broadcast

"The Kiss" was written by Abraham Higginbotham and directed by Scott Ellis. It is Abraham Higginbotham's first writing credit as he is part of the new writers who joined at the beginning of the production season. [2]

The episode guest starred Aaron Sanders as Jeremy, the boy Alex likes. [1] Abraham had previously worked with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the short lived sitcom, Do Not Disturb . [3] It was also the fourth episode made and was filmed during late-August. [4] The episode originally aired September 29, 2010. [1]

The episode addresses criticism the show had garnered for the lack of physical affection exhibited by Cameron and Mitchell in the first season. In response to the controversy, producers released a statement that a season two episode would address Mitchell's discomfort with public displays of affection. Executive producer and co-creator Steven Levitan has said that it was "unfortunate" that the issue had arisen, since the show's writers had always planned on such a scene "as part of the natural development of the show." [5] Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cameron, says the episode isn't "driven by anything political or motivated by a movement." [6]

The episode was rerun on October 1, 2010, the Friday after its original airing. [1]

Cultural references

When Alex works up the nerve to tell Jeremy tha she is attracted to him, she says, "I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking for him to like her", before realizing to her embarrassment that it is a line from the film Notting Hill , which she nonetheless calls an "underrated movie". [7] Cameron makes up a game called "kiss buggy", a parody of "punch buggy". [8]

Reception

Ratings

In its original American broadcast, "The Kiss" was viewed by an estimated 11.877 million viewers and received a 4.6 rating/13% share. [9] This means that it was seen by 4.6% of all 18- to 49-year-olds, and 13% of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. This marked a twelve percent decline in the ratings from the season premiere, "The Old Wagon". [9] Despite this, the episode became the highest-rated show on Wednesday and the third highest-rated episode of the series so far. [10] "The Kiss" was the most-watched scripted show for the week of broadcast among adults aged 18–49, and the twenty fourth most-watched show among all viewers. [11]

Reviews

"The Kiss" received generally positive reviews from critics.

Eric Stonestreet who plays Cameron called the episode "smart and perfect". [6]

Joel Keller of TV Squad gave the episode a positive review naming "Phil squeal-gasped like a girl when Jay asked him for help with the printer." the best moment. [12]

Donna Bowman from The A.V. Club called it a "pretty solid episode" giving it a B. [13]

Lesley Savage of Entertainment Weekly stated "Tonight's episode brought on the laughs ("Slap the chicken!"), but it also managed to be touching without leaving us feeling queasy". She also named Ed O'Neill the best part of the episode. [14]

James Poniewozik of Time liked the main plot and its subtle nature, but wished "the rest of the episode around it had been stronger". [15]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix praised the fact that the kiss was in the background comparing it to better than the "ghoulish" episode of Cougar Town . [16]

Tom Maursad of The Dallas Morning News stated in his review "the episode was full of really funny moments". [8]

Matt Roush gave the episode a positive and praised Cameron's pratfall calling it "perfect slapstick". [17]

Related Research Articles

Family Portrait (<i>Modern Family</i>) 24th episode of the 1st season of Modern Family

"Family Portrait" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the first season of the American family sitcom television series Modern Family and the twenty-fourth episode of the series overall. It originally aired on ABC on May 19, 2010. The episode was written by Ilana Wernick and directed by Jason Winer. It guest stars Kobe Bryant and Sean Smith.

"Earthquake" is the third episode of the second season of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) American sitcom, Modern Family and the 27th episode overall. The episode originally aired October 6, 2010. It was written by Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh and directed by Michael Spiller. It guest starred Nathan Lane as Pepper Saltzman and Vic Polizos as a plumber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Old Wagon</span> 1st episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"The Old Wagon" is the second season premiere of the American sitcom Modern Family and the 25th episode overall. It was aired on September 22, 2010. The episode was written by Bill Wrubel and was directed by Michael Spiller. The episode is also Wrubel's first credit as co-executive producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strangers on a Treadmill</span> 4th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Strangers on a Treadmill" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American sitcom, Modern Family and the 28th episode of the series overall. The episode originally aired on October 13, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was written by Danny Zuker and directed by Scott Ellis.

Unplugged (<i>Modern Family</i>) 5th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Unplugged" is the fifth episode of the second season of the ABC sitcom, Modern Family, and the 29th episode of the series overall. The episode originally aired October 20, 2010. It was written by series co-creator Steven Levitan and directed by Michael Spiller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manny Get Your Gun</span> 8th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Manny Get Your Gun" is the eighth episode of the second season of the sitcom, Modern Family and the 32nd overall. It originally aired November 17, 2010 on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was written by Danny Zuker, from a story by Modern Family co-creator, Christopher Lloyd and was directed by Michael Spiller.

"Mother Tucker" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American sitcom Modern Family, and the 33rd episode of the series overall. It originally aired on November 24, 2010 on ABC. The episode was written by Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh and was directed by Michael Spiller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regrets Only</span> 16th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Regrets Only" is the 16th episode of the second season of the American sitcom Modern Family, and the series' 40th episode overall. It aired on February 23, 2011 on ABC. The episode was written by Abraham Higginbotham and directed by Dean Parisot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Monkeys and a Panda</span> 17th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Two Monkeys and a Panda" is the 17th episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Modern Family and the 41st episode overall. It was originally aired on March 2, 2011. The episode was written by Carol Leifer and directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone to Watch Over Lily</span> 20th episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Someone to Watch Over Lily" is the 20th episode of the American comedy television series Modern Family's second season, and the 44th episode overall. It was originally aired on April 20, 2011. The episode was written by Bill Wrubel and directed by Michael Spiller.

Mothers Day (<i>Modern Family</i>) 21st episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Mother's Day" is the 21st episode of the American comedy television series, Modern Family's second season and the 45th episode overall of the series. It originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on May 4, 2011. The episode was written by Dan O'Shannon & Ilana Wernick and was directed by Michael Spiller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Cop Bad Dog</span> 22nd episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"Good Cop Bad Dog" is the 22nd episode of the American comedy television series Modern Family's second season and the 46th episode overall. The episode originally aired on May 11, 2011, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was written by Abraham Higginbotham & Jeffrey Richman and was guest directed by former child star Fred Savage. It guest starred Lin-Manuel Miranda as Guillermo, the Grocery Store worker who tries to convince Jay to invest with him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">See You Next Fall</span> 23rd episode of the 2nd season of Modern Family

"See You Next Fall" is the 23rd episode of the American comedy television series, Modern Family's second season and the 47th episode overall. The episode originally aired on May 18, 2011, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was written by Danny Zuker and directed by Modern Family co-creator and executive producer, Steven Levitan.

"Dude Ranch" is the third season premiere of the American sitcom Modern Family and the 49th episode overall. The episode originally aired on September 21, 2011, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and ran back-to-back with "When Good Kids Go Bad". The episode was written by Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh & Dan O'Shannon and directed by Jason Winer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Good Kids Go Bad</span> 2nd episode of the 3rd season of Modern Family

"When Good Kids Go Bad" is the second episode of the American sitcom Modern Family's third season and the 50th episode overall. The episode originally aired on September 21, 2011 on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and ran back-to-back with "Dude Ranch" in a one-hour timeslot. The episode was written by Jeffrey Richman and directed by Michael Spiller.

"Go Bullfrogs!" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American sitcom Modern Family, and the series' 54th episode overall. "Go Bullfrogs!" first aired on October 19, 2011, on ABC. The episode was written by Abraham Higginbotham and was directed by Scott Ellis. It featured guest star Gilles Marini as Julian.

"The Cold" is the third episode of the sixth season of the American sitcom Modern Family, and the series' 123rd episode overall. It originally aired on October 8, 2014. The episode was written by Rick Wiener & Kenny Schwartz and directed by Jim Hensz.

"Haley's 21st Birthday" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the American sitcom Modern Family, and the series' 130th episode overall. It originally aired on December 10, 2014. The episode was written by Abraham Higginbotham and directed by Alisa Statman.

"Summer Lovin'" is the season premiere of the seventh season of the American sitcom Modern Family. It aired on September 23, 2015, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The premiere is directed by Jim Hensz and written by executive-producer Abraham Higginbotham.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Episode Title: (#2ARG??) "The Kiss"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
  2. ↑ Susman, Gill (June 7, 2010). "Ed O'Neill Discusses 'Modern Family's' Future". TV Squad . Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Fall TV Press Tour: What Has Jerry O'Connell Disturb'd?". TV Guide . July 14, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  4. ↑ Rizzo, Carizzo (August 26, 2010). "More Manny for Modern Family's Second Season". TV Guide . Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  5. ↑ Guider, Elizabeth (2010-08-28). "'Modern Family' actors practicing gay kiss". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  6. 1 2 Snierson, Dan (September 29, 2010). "'Modern Family': The cast and producers talk about the long awaited 'Kiss' episode, big Emmy win, and Dream episode". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  7. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (September 30, 2010). "Modern Family Recap: Slap the Chicken, Kiss Your Lover". New York . Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Maurstad, Tom (September 30, 2010). "What We're Watching: Modern Family". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  9. 1 2 Gorman, Bill (September 30, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Better With You, The Middle, Modern Family, Survivor, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: LA Adjusted Up; Cougar Town, Whole Truth Adjusted Down". TVbythenumbers. Archived from the original on October 2, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  10. ↑ Gorman, Bill (September 29, 2010). "TV Ratings Wednesday: Law & Order: LA Opens Solid; Hell's Kitchen Steady; Entire 2nd Week NBC, ABC & CBS Lineups Drop". TVbythenumbers. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  11. ↑ Seidman, Robert (October 5, 2010). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football', 'Glee,' 'Two and a Half Men,' 'Dancing with the Stars' Top Week 2 Viewing". TVbythenumbers. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  12. ↑ Keller, Joel (September 30, 2010). "'Modern Family' Season 2, Episode 2 Recap (VIDEO)". TV Squad . Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  13. ↑ Bowman, Donna (September 29, 2010). "MODERN FAMILY "The Kiss"". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  14. ↑ Savage, Lesley (September 29, 2010). "'Modern Family' recap: Pucker Up and Say 'Ha!'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  15. ↑ Poniewozik, James (September 30, 2010). "Modern Family Watch: Lips Service". Time . Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  16. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (September 30, 2010). "'Modern Family' - 'The Kiss': PDA's are A-OK". HitFix. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  17. ↑ Roush, Matt (October 1, 2010). "Matt's TV Week in Review". TV Guide . Retrieved October 6, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.