As someone who’s been obsessing about planning a celebration to make my 30th birthday memorable, this week’s episode of Modern Family really hit close to home for me, as Mitchell tried to plan the perfect party for Cam’s 40th extravaganza. The fact that Cam’s birthday happens to also fall on Leap Day was like extra icing on the cake.
It was especially hilarious to me that every time Mitchell said it was the big 4-0, Cam quickly said it was the big 1-0, as he’s only had ten actual birthdays occurring once every four years. I wish I had a Leap Day crutch that I could fall back on and say, “I’m not really going to be 30 tomorrow.” If your birthday only came once every four years, how would you go out of your way to mark the significant milestone?
Apparently, Mitchell’s answer to that question was going to be a fabulous Wizard of Oz-themed party with everyone in costume, down to the flying monkeys and a customized pair of ruby slippers for Cam to wear. When he decided to switch plans to a boat party instead at the last minute, I was really disappointed. I love The Wizard of Oz and that was a themed party I really didn’t want to miss. I’m greener than the Wicked Witch of the West that I didn’t think of the idea first.
When the menstrual cycles of Claire, Haley and Alex all synced up and they cried while watching the commercial with Sarah McLachlan for the shelter rescuing animals who had been abused, I about lost it. I couldn’t help but think of that photo campaign that recently swept Facebook that said “Hi, I’m Sarah McLachlan and I’m about to ruin your whole fucking day.” Absolutely priceless, though maybe a tad clichéd. At least I don’t think I act that badly when it’s my time of the month.
My favorite quote of the night:
Phil: “I give up! Yeah, I made a mistake today but only because the three of you ganged up on me like when the Wolfman, Dracula and Frankenstein show up in the same movie except this wasn’t awesome!”
I’m in complete agreement with Phil on that one. Monster cross-overs are truly awesome in the movies, but would not be so much fun in real life. Maybe I should’ve planned a classic Universal monsters-themed party. Hmm, that gives me an idea for next year. And in case you’re wondering what I decided to do for my birthday, it’s not as sweet as the shots of Cam riding amusement park rides as if he really were ten. Since I can’t afford an actual trip to Las Vegas, I thought I’d do the next best thing and go to a local Vegas-themed restaurant/bar and rent out their “Rat Pack”-themed room for me and my guests. Maybe next year I’ll have a bigger budget to plan those monsters or flying monkeys.
Other stand-out quotes from the episode:
Phil: “Come on boys! Wake up, it’s Leap Day not sleep day! I love Leap Day!”
Claire: “It’s kind of a big deal in the Dunphy house. This year we even got Manny involved.”
Phil: “You’re given this gift of 24 extra hours, you can’t waste it at work or school. You have to do something extraordinary, something shocking.”
Claire: “This year, the entire family is taking a trapeze class.”
Phil: “How extraordinary is that?”
Claire: “It was my idea.”
Phil: “How shocking is that?”
Claire: “I can be spontaneous every four years.”
Mitchell: “A month after the most devastating twister to ever hit Cam’s hometown, I throw a party based on gay cinema’s most famous tornado.”
Phil: “I heard rumors … yeah we all had. That females living and working in close quarters could eventually get on the same cycle, but I always assumed that was a story designed to keep women out of the submarine corp. … It happened. Satan’s trifecta. The day I most dreaded had fallen on the day I most loved.”
Phil: “The first rule of dealing with the cycle is you never mention the cycle. You tiptoe around it. The woman’s actually taken great pains to hide the monster she’s become. But if you acknowledge it, that brings the monster forth.”
Mitchell: “OK, everybody follow the birthday flag!”
Cam: “What’d you call me?”
Luke: “Eww, it smells like puke married poop and had the ceremony in my nose.”
Manny: “You paint with words.”
Clacked by Kim Tibbs
on Mar 01, 2012 @ 08:11 EST5EDT
I literally howled with laughter when they all went into the bathroom and Luke was COVERED in the fake blood. LMAO, oh man. Too funny.
This episode was great. “You’re monster-ating!”