PostModern angst?
In its eight-season run, Modern Family has won more than its share of Emmys, Golden Globes and various Very Important Accolades. But could we soon be living in a post-Modern world?
Drama has been brewing behind the scenes on the ABC sitcom, with negotiations for a ninth season at the core. The network and 20th Century Fox TV are angling for a new licence fee and the cast’s contacts are up for renewal.
Co-creator Steven Levitan, however, is optimistic. At a panel for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences panel last week, he said the show was in the initial stages of mapping out Season 9 storylines.
“In about a month or so, the writers will regather and we will sit down and we will start the season with a big, ‘What now?’ ” he told Variety.
At any rate, transition of some kind is in the air for Modern Family, which also airs on City in Canada.
Wednesday ’s episode sees Phil and Claire (Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen) struggle to adapt to life as emptynesters. The May 17 season finale tosses up graduation caps as Manny and Luke (Rico Rodriguez and Nolan Gould) say goodbye to high school.
“That’s a reality — we can’t escape that,” Levitan said. “We’re not The Simpsons, where everybody can stay young forever and nobody ages, so it forces our show to change.”
BACK TO BLACK
Orphan Black, Canada’s sci-fi darling, will return to Space on June 10, the network has announced. The upcoming fifth season will be equal parts thrilling and dark, with each of the sisters confronting their individual pasts.
Space teased the premiere episode with some spoiler-y tidbits. (Stop reading now if you want to remain unspoiled.)
“In the season opener, The Few Who Dare, a wounded Sarah, desperate to rescue Cosima, gets off the island and reunites with her family, journeys into the island’s interior, only to discover a mysterious village — the beating heart of the Neolution agenda,” reads a statement.
“Meanwhile, a recovering Cosima reunites with Delphine and begins investigating the secrets of the Island under the watchful eye of Rachel, who is now firmly in charge at the right-hand of the 170-year-old founder of Neolution, P.T. Westmorland.”
Orphan Black has won a Peabody Award, multiple Canadian Screen Awards and an Emmy Award for star Tatiana Maslany.
Viewers can catch up on the series via Space.ca, Space GO and On Demand.