The ending of Modern Family was always going to be an emotional affair for viewers.
While the dip in quality after its first few seasons meant the show was never going to threaten the funniest sitcoms of all time, no other series of its ilk could match the way it mixed humour and sentimentality.
More often than not, this was done so potently that audiences didn’t know whether to laugh or cry first. So they usually just ended up doing both simultaneously.
'Modern Family' was so popular with both critics and audiences alike primarily because of its impeccable ensemble
The same can't really be said for its two-hour finale, as these episodes ended up stirring many more tears than belly-laughs. For in its final instalment, its loyal viewers of more than a decade watched a hefty portion of Modern Family's characters move on to pastures new.
All three of Claire and Phil’s children finally left the nest, as Alex suddenly revealed that she had a new job, and maybe even a boyfriend, in Switzerland, while Luke announced that he was going to study at the University of Oregon, and Haley, Dylan and their new-born twins moved into Mitchell and Cameron’s house.
That was because, after repeatedly being delayed, Mitchell, Cam, and their own two children, Lily and Rexford, finally flew out to Missouri, where the latter had secured his dream job as a football coach.
Their bon voyage included the most heart-rending moment of the two episodes, too, as Jay told the pair, "Both my sons are leaving," which immediately left Cam – as it probably did viewers at home – on the verge of tears.
It feels right that this trio of characters would be given the most memorable moment of Modern Family's conclusion.
Not only was Eric Stonestreet's performance as Cam praised throughout its run, so much so that he has picked up two Emmy Awards for his efforts, but when Modern Family debuted back in September, 2009, it was its depiction of Cam and Mitchell and the relationship between Ed O'Neill's Jay and Sofia Vergara's Gloria that made it stand out.
Which was all the more important because, ahead of its airing, Modern Family was in need of some originality. Shot in the hugely popular mockumentary style of the era, which had already been perfected by The Office and was being used by fellow 2009 TV debutant Parks and Recreation, too, Modern Family had a lot to prove.
But by the end of its hugely successful first season, everyone had forgotten about these comparisons. Instead, Modern Family drew acclaim for being one of the first ever shows on a major American network to depict two male characters adopting a baby girl and building a loving family.
At the same time, Jay quickly blossomed into one of the most adored father figures on TV. Even though he was tough, dismissive, and somewhat manipulative, his undying love for every single member of his family was always present.
By the end of the series, despite their huge age difference, his marriage with Gloria even felt stronger and more loving than either Claire and Phil’s or Cam and Mitchell’s.
That's not to say that either of those dynamics were weak or held Modern Family back. In fact, during its first three seasons, when the show was at its peak, Modern Family was so popular with both critics and audiences alike primarily because of its impeccable ensemble.
Every member of all three families was hilarious, while the show only seemed to improve when these characters crossed over or they all came together.
Unfortunately, like pretty much every other sitcom that begins with a younger cast, the older the kids got, the less funny Modern Family became. It also didn't help that the arrival and success of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime meant that it was losing more and more of its appeal to their seemingly never-ending rush of new shows.
Yet, because of its cast and the love that was at the heart of each of its episodes, Modern Family managed to endure. Some viewers just couldn't resist growing old with the Pritchetts.
Luckily for them, there’s every chance that the show could return in some fashion in the future. There has already been talk that Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Stonestreet could return for a Mitchell and Cameron spin-off.
Something that series co-creator Christopher Lloyd hardly downplayed, when he recently told Hollywood news site Deadline: "It does present a possibility for us. Will that happen? I'm not sure. But we would be probably dumb to not explore it."
The potential spin-off wouldn't be short of guest stars, too. Not only because it wouldn't make sense if the rest of the family didn't travel to the Midwest every chance that they could to see Mitchell and Cameron. But the affection and bond between Modern Family's cast was so genuine that every single one of them would jump at the chance of a reunion.
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
