As much as it might pain some to hear, the US makes the best sitcoms in the world. But to be fair, and to balance out the comic karma, they also make some of the worst. And quite frankly, a lot of dirge in between. But their cream can whip the arse off the best the rest of the world can offer.

As everyone knows the best written comedy in recent(ish) years was The Larry Sanders Show. Fact. There was nothing like it at the time and there’s been nothing like it since. Arrested Development, despite being short-lived, was a true tour-de-farce that, surprise surprise, Middle America just didn’t get. And although it’s a remake of our own classic show, The US Office has surpassed the original in terms of character development and is also undoubtedly a funnier show.

Although it’s only on its first series, Modern Family is already showing signs that it’s a serious contender to join this very exclusive list.

In terms of its premise it’s hardly original. The US in particular has been churning out sitcoms involving families for years: The Bundys (Married With Children), The Flintstones, The Addams Family, the Conners (Roseanne), The Simpsons etc. Each dealing with the highs and lows of family life. Modern Family is no different. Where it shines however is in its execution.

Oh. My. God. This make-over from the This Morning team has gone too far!

Simply put Modern Family is like a live action version of The Simpsons but with The US Office humping its leg. Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) has two children Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Claire is married to well-meaning hubby Phil (Ty Burrell) and they have three children. Mitchell lives with his larger than life partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and they have adopted a baby girl Lilly from Vietnam. Jay himself has remarried the younger Gloria (Sofia Vergara) from Columbia, who has a young sensitive son Manny (Rico Rodriguez II) from a previous marriage.

A documentary camera crew follow them around, recording their various trials and tribulations. Again, it doesn’t sound all that different from shows that have gone before it. Where it strikes a chord and the funny bone is with its truly witty writing and genuinely warm performances. Jay’s family is clearly not perfect, but as we all know by now, no family is. Many of their exploits are born from scenarios we can all relate to, thus making them even more amusing. And as Homer has put it once or twice in his time, it’s funny because it’s true.

The show has a really big heart, but thankfully it has a big fat belly full of laughs to match. What’s more, it’s produced by Back to the Future’s Doc Christopher Lloyd, which on some peculiar flux capacitor level makes it that little more enjoyable.

This first series has deservedly won a clutch of Emmy’s stateside, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and it’s easy to see why. Modern Family hasn’t re-invented the family sitcom, but has turbo charged it beyond belief. If it’s been a while since you’ve laughed out loud watching TV, then you need to invite this family around asap.