Modern Family Review: Snow Ball (Season 8 Episode 9)
Well, watching Modern Family Season 8 Episode 9, “Snow Ball,” isn’t exactly a chore, but it doesn’t really resemble anything fun, either. With an episode titled “Snow Ball,” a little Christmas cheer is expected, but instead the episode focuses on a high school dance—with an $8,000 budget. There are some hilarious lines in the episode and a couple of funny moments.
But “Snow Ball” is a letdown after the cleverness of “The Alliance” or last year’s excellent Christmas episode, “White Christmas.”
Surprisingly, the episode is not overstuffed with every character but relies on its old crutch—the Phil and Jay plotline. Seriously, it was used in “Grab It” three episodes ago and was already wearing thin. This time around, Gloria, Claire, Phil, and Jay are all signed up to be chaperones at Luke and Manny’s school dance, the Snow Ball.
Jay just wants to stay at home, drink scotch, and read a book about a crooked sheriff, so to get out of it, he says that he and Phil are going to have a “guys night.”
The look on Phil’s face is pure joy at Jay’s suggestion and admittedly, quite funny. However, we all know how this story goes, so everything that follows is not only predictable, but boring. There are some quick bits that are humorous, but that can be credited to the strong performances by Ty Burrell and Ed O’Neill, rather than the writing.
Claire and Gloria’s plotline isn’t any better. They don’t seem to do much except try to play matchmaker with Principal Brown and annoying PTA mom, Marjorie. There are missed opportunities all around.
For one, the guest stars, Andy Daly and Vanessa Bayer are majorly underutilized. They have a nice—and funny—moment towards the end of the episode, but really, both of these guest stars could have done so much more with their comedic chops.
The unlikely pairing of Gloria and Claire should have elicited more jokes because they aren’t two characters we see together all the time. But they are like wallflowers at the dance—off to the side and never hitting the dance floor.
Mitch and Cam are also at the Snow Ball, and their plots are the most entertaining of the episode. Cam braces for the impact of the football team’s prank and in the meantime exhibits some great physical comedy.
Mitch on the other hand, is unnerved to be back in high school and sees himself in a student who has been bullied for wearing a bow tie. Mitch expects the bully, Damien, to be a football player and then realizes that Damien is gay.
There is a great dynamic between Mitch and Damien, although if Claire had teamed up with Mitch, the exchanges would have been funnier and nastier.
Cole Doman, who plays Damien, hurls insults like a pro, and hopefully he’ll pop up again. He is a bright spark in a somewhat dull episode.
There is another subplot involving Manny and Luke, which makes sense because it is their dance. However, their storyline isn’t funny. Why couldn’t they have dates? Once again, we see them in their typical roles—Luke the Dummy and Manny the Strange.
They didn’t even interact with any of their family members who were at the ball, not that that would guarantee any laughs.
Overall, “Snow Ball” is an average episode with a couple of chuckles, some enjoyable moments, and a whole lot of lost opportunities. Here’s to hoping for better episodes in 2017!
Quick Bits
- Cam to Mitch: “Don’t make me regret marrying outside the Big Top.”
- Yay, Leslie Kwan Collins made another quick appearance.
- Where does one buy a butt ugly sweater set like Gloria and Jay’s?
- Principal Prince Brown—what a name!
What did you think of this episode of Modern Family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.
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Nora Williamson
Nora is pop-culture obsessed and has been since she was six years old-- writing stories about going to Hollywood premieres and dating Christian Slater. Her current favorite shows include House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, The Walking Dead and black-ish. She is a sucker for TV shows with forbidden love, bad boys and of course, a Big Bad. Nora may also be the only person on the planet who loves Fear the Walking Dead.