‘New Normal’ looks familiar

McClatchy Newspapers

Ryan Murphy’s new stab at comedy arrives Tuesday on NBC in the form of “The New Normal,” a comedy that pretty much rips off “Modern Family” with a touch of acidic Archie Bunker (this time essayed by a grandmother in the guise of Ellen Barkin).

“When I was growing up, I remember with my family one of the most memorable times that I would have with my parents was watching ‘All in the Family,’” says Murphy, “and being young and hearing people talk that way and then having a discussion about, ‘Was that good? Was that bad? What was that?’ So I like that about the show. I think people will talk about some things that the characters say, obviously, but I think that’s a good thing.”