The 'Modern Family' Phenomenon

Feb. 18, 2011— -- At a time when the traditional family structure of a mother, father and children describes less than 25 percent of American households, fans have embraced "Modern Family," the hit TV sitcom that follows the lives of three zany Los Angeles families.

"People were sort of hungry for a family comedy that had some heart to it," said the show's co-creator Christopher Lloyd.

It can be hard to keep track of the extended "Modern Family" tree, which centers on patriarch Jay Pritchett who is married to the much younger Gloria and is helping raise her son Manny. Jay's daughter Claire is married to Phil Dunphy, who are raising a brood of three; Jay's son Mitchell and his partner Cameron have an adopted baby girl, Lily.

"It's one big straight-gay, multicultural, traditional, happy family," said Rico Rodriguez, who plays loveable son Manny Delgado.

In just its second season, the Wednesday night ABC show has already done big things, like redefining what family means.

"We've seen pretty strict stereotypes about what functional nuclear families look like and 'Modern Family' shakes up that equation and it makes it clear that we can have all kinds of families in this country," said Johanna Blakley, a guest lecturer at University of Southern California on media and entertainment.

The show has received an outpouring of support from gay families for bringing a gay couple into millions of Americans' living rooms each week.

"We have so many gay fathers and lesbian couples that are coming up to us and saying, 'Thank you for being on TV,'" said Jesse Tyler-Ferguson, who plays Mitchell. "We don't take it lightly. It's really special."

"Good Morning America" conducted a search for real-life modern families -- families whose lives may mirror those of the sitcom's characters -- and received over 1,000 entries. Families of many nationalities, ethnicity and color told "GMA" about the new modern American family -- one big beautiful mosaic. Click here to read their stories.