ABC renews “Modern Family” for second season!

Another day at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena. It’s ABC day so we’re seen the cast of Lost (minus Matthew Fox – drat!) and the cast of the new shows The Deep End and Happy Town.

ABC’s Entertainment President Steve McPherson announced that three comedies that debuted this fall have been renewed: Cougar Town, The Middle and, best of all, Modern Family!

The best part of Modern Family is there are two gay dads played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.

Compared to the days when two men in bed on Thirtysomething caused threats of advertiser boycott 20 years ago, it’s amazing that there has been little or no controversy about a gay couple being part of this family comedy.

“We haven’t had much pushback on it,” creator Steve Levitan told me last month. “There’s always a fringe element that before the show came out, you know, ‘let’s boycott ABC,” and it was probably like 20 guys in a cellar someplace.”

Mitchell Pritchett (Ferguson) and Cameron Tucker (Stonestreet) were introduced to audiences in the first episode bringing home their adopted baby.  Mitchell’s dad, Jay Pritchett, is played by Married With Children alum Ed O’Neill.

Check out my ABC report over at HollywoodNews.com