I get what you are saying but I just love each of the characters so much, and the writing. I also have been following the career of the creator and star, Quinta Brunson for YEARS since she started at Buzzfeed. I just am so proud of her and this project and how it got everyone so excited to watch network TV again. 

Wow thank you for speaking up because I was too shy to say this before but: I did not like Abbot Elementary, at all. I watched the first two episodes and thought it wasn't funny and the "winks" to the camera were not believable at all!! So I'm with you -- enough with the mockumentaries, for now

OK two things. 1) YES. Modern family was not modern at all! Thank you for that and I know that's not the point of this post but YES. 

2) totally AGREE! Haven't seen Abbott yet, but I do think it seems like too easy of a fall back! I did love the office and think that it was fantastic, obviously that's not an original thought. But sometimes just because you can, doesn't mean you should! 

I just started Abbott Elementary, and while I'm loving the first few episodes, I was bummed to see that it's a comedy that, once again, uses the mockumentary trope.

I loved mockumentary-style back when it was used in Christopher Guest's movies, and both the UK and US versions of The Office broke serious ground when they brought it to TV. But then, by the time Modern Family used it (why would a documentary crew be following this family that is not really all that modern?), it started to feel a bit stale. And that was all the way back in 2009.

At this point, it just feels a little bit lazy — breaking the fourth wall with your characters makes it easier for audiences to see their true thoughts, yes, but it also lacks nuance. But, mostly, it takes me out of the premise of the show, because all I could ever think is: who is funding this documentary, and who are they making it for?

The mockumentary trope has to die