Game Changer (Modern Family)
"Game Changer" | |
---|---|
Modern Family episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 19 |
Directed by | Kevin Sullivan |
Story by | Vanessa McCarthy Joe Lawson |
Teleplay by | Joe Lawson Alex Herschlag |
Production code | 1ARG21 |
Original air date | March 31, 2010 |
Guest appearance | |
| |
"Game Changer" is the nineteenth episode of the first season of Modern Family and the nineteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on ABC on March 31, 2010. The episode's teleplay was written by Joe Lawson & Alex Herschlag from a story by Vanessa McCarthy & Joe Lawson. It was directed by Kevin Sullivan.
In the episode, it is Phil's birthday and Claire wants to buy him an Apple iPad, excited about buying him a good gift for the first time but she meets some difficulties till she manages to get one. Meanwhile, Mitchell wants to toughen up and Cameron hears a neighbor's marital difficulties over the baby monitor. Cameron tries to help his neighbors not to get a divorce and is pleased when he succeeds. Jay faces off with Manny and Gloria over chess.
"Game Changer" received positive reviews but was criticized for excessively promoting the iPad. The episode received an 18-49
Plot
It is April 3 and
The night before Phil's birthday,
Meanwhile, Claire comes home without an iPad. However,
In the end, Mitchell and Cameron listen to the couple talk about how Cameron must be an angel, but Cameron quickly turns it off when the couple realizes that he may have been a creepy pervert.
Production
The episode was written by Joe Lawson & Alex Herschlag, Joe Lawson's third writing credit and Alex's first writing credit. It was directed by Kevin Sullivan.[1]
The episode includes guest stars Kevin Fry-Bowers as the security guard at the Apple Store, Jason Antoon as Clark, Whitney Claire Kaufman as Sarah, Tyrel Jackson Williams as Little Phil, Harrison White as the postman and Zak Boggan as the kid outside the batting cage.[2] Although the iPad was prominently featured, Apple Inc. did not pay for product placement within this episode.[3]
Reception
Ratings
In its original American broadcast, "Game Changer" came second in its timeslot after
Reviews
The episode received positive reviews.
Robert Canning of IGN gave the episode an 8 saying it was "impressive" and "though "Game Changer" lacked creativity when it came to storylines, the likeability of these characters kept the tone fun and made the episode enjoyable."[6]
Lesley Savage of Entertainment Weekly gave the episode positive review saying: "It’s the little things that make this show so clever.".[7]
Donna Bowman from The A.V. Club gave the episode an A−, saying "Even though there were funny moments in the other two stories, Phil's journey from excitement to near-catatonic resignation ("honey, it's okay, I don't feel things anymore," he reassures Claire) to euphoric rebirth was brilliantly played"[8]
Joel Keller of The TV Squad criticized the episode for product placement of the iPad saying "Look, I'm not an Apple hater; I love my
References
- ^ "Game Changer Writers, Directors, and Crew". TV.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ "Listings: Modern Family". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Flint, Joe (April 1, 2010). "'Modern Family' gives some free love for the iPad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 1, 2010). "TV Ratings: Human Target Up; American Idol Down; "Minute" Repeat Is Strong for NBC". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 6, 2010). "TV Ratings Top 25: Dancing; "Idol" & "Lost" Top Weekly Broadcast Charts". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
- ^ Canning, Robert (April 1, 2010). "Modern Family: "Game Changer" Review". IGN. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Savage, Lesley (April 1, 2010). "'Modern Family' recap: Brought to you by the iPad". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Bowman, Donna (April 1, 2010). ""Game Changer" : Modern Family". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ Keller, Joel (April 1, 2010). "'Modern Family' Was One Long iPad Commercial Last Night". TVSquad. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
External links
- "Game Changer" at ABC.com
- "Game Changer" at IMDb