The Prichett-Delgados: Jay, Gloria, Manny, Joe and Stella

[mad_typist]

When I first saw the character of Gloria, I thought her accent was a terrible stereotype. Then I heard Sofia Vergara in an interview and realized that that's her real voice. Having said that, now that MF is on in syndication, I've been watching old episodes, and Gloria's accent and general shrillness was a lot milder in the early days. Gloria has probably suffered the most as a character over the seasons in my mind.

Watching in syndication has also made me realize just how much Ed O'Neill has aged in the past couple years. Yikes.

[Eucrid]

I was going to post the exact same thing about Glorias accent after watching some old episodes last week. Its kind of ruined the joke now. I loved the old baby cheeses joke too.

[ari333]

"Vol-LUMP-uous"

"It's a doggie dog world."

"Don't give me an old tomato!"

[prican58]

I have a friend who's from Colombia from the same town, Barranquilla as La Vergara. She says Gloria's personality is an exaggeration of the way some women from there behave. They are very outspoken and very hot tempered. They don't neccessarily fly off the handle all the time but heaven help you if you are the object of their wrath. They get MAD! I believe it because I've seen my friend in action. Nice and sweet and all but when the fuse is lit, you better hide.

 

I love Gloria. 

[AriAu]

I knew I was watching too much Modern Family when I couldn't watch the World Cup games involving the team from Columbia (or reference any player from there) without saying it like Gloria! Made the family kinda crazy.

[parrotlover]

I really can't stand the character of Manny. I know Rico Rodriguez is a talented kid, but I just find the character to be so obnoxious, and my least favorite. I see a lot of online criticism for Lilly and Luke, but I like them. Manny is just too precocious for me.

[Shermie]

I find Manny a lot more palatable now that he's older. His old soul schtick was ridiculous when he was only 11, but as a teen it seems more natural. 

 

Gloria is annoying. I found her so cute and funny in the first season, and it's glaringly apparent now that they show reruns all the damn day. But as her hair gets lighter and her accent gets stronger (which makes no sense), she is almost unwatchable. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard and she is always so cranky. You would think a woman who does almost nothing all day would be more relaxed. 

 

Actually, almost everyone on this show seems to be whining or complaining or bitching about something in every episode. 

[kitticup]

I like Manny.  I really like Manny's and Jay's relationship.  Jay seems to have a closer bond with Manny than with Clare or Mitch -- probably because Jay has mellowed out and is no longer as type A and judgmental as Clare and Mitch are now.

 

Manny and Phil seem like the only genuinely nice people.  All the other characters are too willing to take advantage of others to get want they want, which often makes for funny TV but not nice characters.  There was a period where they were making Manny too afraid of everything and that didn't work for me.

[DrSpaceman]

I never got the Manny love in the first few season. They've toned it down recently though.

[dogfish]

"Baby cheeses"

[PWHCHCH]

I wouldn't complain if Manny disappeared and never came back.

[Ciarrai]

I fully maintain that Stella is the best character on this show. I have a French Bulldog myself, so I find her adorable.

 

I think Rico Rodriguez has gotten better as he's gotten older, unlike the actor who plays Luke. I used to find him insanely irritating, but I actually like the character of Manny now.

[BubblingKettle]

I can't figure out why the show retconned Manny's ability to speak Spanish. In early episodes, it was said that he did know Spanish (makes sense, since he lived in Colombia long enough for it to be his first language). A couple of seasons ago, they rewrote history, with Manny refusing to take Spanish class in school and saying he didn't want to learn the language. In tonight's episode, Gloria and her ex-husband argued in Spanish. When Jay asked Manny what they were saying, Manny just shrugged.  Can't figure out why the writers bothered to make that switch. 

[solotrek]

I can't figure out why the show retconned Manny's ability to speak Spanish. In early episodes, it was said that he did know Spanish (makes sense, since he lived in Colombia long enough for it to be his first language). A couple of seasons ago, they rewrote history, with Manny refusing to take Spanish class in school and saying he didn't want to learn the language. In tonight's episode, Gloria and her ex-husband argued in Spanish. When Jay asked Manny what they were saying, Manny just shrugged.  Can't figure out why the writers bothered to make that switch. 

If you don't use the language, you lose it. I had a friend who moved to the US when he was 10 from China and basically set out to Americanize himself as much as he could (refused to ever speak Mandarin). He doesn't even have an accent when speaking English.  By the time he got to college (~8 years later), he was struggling with the beginner (101) Chinese class he took.

 

I have a few other friends in similar but not as extreme situations. 

[biakbiak]

Also, do we know that Manny lived in Colombia? When he was going to visit Colombia they went to the courthouse to get a copy of his birth certificate which would indicate he was born in LA.

[BubblingKettle]

Also, do we know that Manny lived in Colombia? When he was going to visit Colombia they went to the courthouse to get a copy of his birth certificate which would indicate he was born in LA.

In some episode, Gloria said that he went to Pablo Escobar Elementary School in Colombia. I think there were other references, but I can't remember them.

[readster]

At this point in time, I think the writers don't even know how long Manny was in Colombia. I can get the entire "Use it or you lose it" because I've known many friends of mine who were like that. However, its become pointless now. There were even episodes where Manny referred to being told he was great at his old Colombia elementary school until Gloria revealed it was a lie. She just told him he was like that when he couldn't even tie his shoes until almost 1st grade. Its not funny its kind of pathetic and you would think Javier would have had a problem with Manny not knowing their native language. Of course, Javier in season 1 was a not show and apparently a deadbeat and now he is something I look forward to seeing. I agree on all points, Gloria has two kids who are in the US and Jay is no spring chicken. He dies they would all be in trouble in one form or another. Loved the airport scene between Jay and the TSA worker.

[anna0852]

I had the impression Manny was born in the US (for some reason I keep thinking Miami) and there aren't any citizenship issues with him. 

 

As far as Javier being upset that Manny no is longer a fluent Spanish speaker, well I would say that vanishing for four years while on a diaper run pretty much means he get no say anymore.

 

I'm having trouble understanding how Manny lost the language though. Clearly Gloria speaks Spanish in the home and I'm willing to bet that prior to her marriage to Jay, there was little English spoken in the Delgado household. I would think that Spanish was actually Manny's first language, even if he was born in the US. Even today a lot of first generation immigrants kids (kids born here to foreign parents) start off speaking their parent's language and their first long exposure to English would be going to school around 5-6 years old.  Gloria married Jay when Manny was on the cusp of middle school. Even if he was speaking English at school all day, he's going to come home and converse with his mother in Spanish. At this point of his life, Manny would have had to work to lose Spanish. 

Edited May 7, 2015 by anna0852

[evilmindatwork]

I had the impression Manny was born in the US (for some reason I keep thinking Miami) and there aren't any citizenship issues with him. 

 

As far as Javier being upset that Manny no is longer a fluent Spanish speaker, well I would say that vanishing for four years while on a diaper run pretty much means he get no say anymore.

 

I'm having trouble understanding how Manny lost the language though. Clearly Gloria speaks Spanish in the home and I'm willing to bet that prior to her marriage to Jay, there was little English spoken in the Delgado household. I would think that Spanish was actually Manny's first language, even if he was born in the US. Even today a lot of first generation immigrants kids (kids born here to foreign parents) start off speaking their parent's language and their first long exposure to English would be going to school around 5-6 years old.  Gloria married Jay when Manny was on the cusp of middle school. Even if he was speaking English at school all day, he's going to come home and converse with his mother in Spanish. At this point of his life, Manny would have had to work to lose Spanish. 

 

Honestly, I think this is a lack of continuity. I think in the early seasons Manny spoke Spanish and spent his early years in Colombia. I wouldn't be surprised if his English is better than his Spanish but I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't speak, or understand, Spanish at all.

Edited May 10, 2015 by evilmindatwork

[AriAu]

Can we change the title of this thread so that it says Fulgencia or at least F U Pritchett.

[candall]

I saw Ed O'Neill's movie Dutch this week and remembered thinking, when it came out:  "Hey, that schlub from Married With Children (which I hated) is a good actor and quite the likeable guy!"

 

Oh and look, I still think that.  Jay's the only character I like all the time.

 

I think Gloria's a nightmare, but if Jay's happy with the molecule of consideration she tosses him every blue moon, I'm okay with it, too.

[mansonlamps]

I've been watching old episodes lately and it's really jarring how much Jay has aged vs Gloria. They looked like a much more realistic May / December couple in the beginning, now they look like sugar daddy/ golddigger. I don't know if Sofia Vergara's stratospheric popularity and likely increased budget for stylists has anything to do with it or just Ed O' Neill aging badly.

[seacliffsal]

Just saw Sophia in the movie Soul Plane and realized it is possible for her to speak without yelling or an exaggerated accent. I would enjoy her character so much more if she would do the same in this show.

[mansonlamps]

Just saw Sophia in the movie Soul Plane and realized it is possible for her to speak without yelling or an exaggerated accent. I would enjoy her character so much more if she would do the same in this show.

Watch earlier seasons. Her voice was quieter and her accent less exaggerated before she became the hottest thing o on the planet.

Edited January 3, 2016 by mansonlamps

[VCRTracking]

Watching the early seasons I'm shocked how young Ed O'Neill looks compared to now.

[modernfamilylover1]

What does Gloria do?

dont say she was a taxi driver and hairdresser, because that was her previous occupation. now that shes married to jay she doesnt do that anymore

and before you say she has to take care of a baby, im asking what she did from 2009 to 2013..  what did she do for those 5 years. 

before you say she cleans the house, They have a maid so she does not keep the house. Jay complained about the maid in one episode

she has a son but he's in school for 8 hours a day. what does she do during that time? ive seen her go to the gym, go to the spa for a massage, go shopping, and get drinks with her friends.

The only "job" i seen her do is basically cook the occasional pie or chicken, and serve dinner..

 

so what does she "do"


 

[mansonlamps]

She married a rich guy so she can do as she pleases.  Her husband thinks she's enough of a trophy that he's willing to support her in that manner.

[modernfamilylover1]

18 hours ago, mansonlamps said:

She married a rich guy so she can do as she pleases.  Her husband thinks she's enough of a trophy that he's willing to support her in that manner.

so what does she do.. her hobbies?

[stcroix]

She makes hot sauce.......

We never see her with friends, that might be funny.  I think we're supposed to just think she's a Hot Trophy and that's enough. 

[AnnaRose]

What does she do?   Spend most of the day primping and admiring herself in the mirror?  That's my guess.

[readster]

Complaining about things. Trying not to admit she is wrong, trying to make Manny feel like he is king of the world, when she knows he isn't and even telling him. Apparently trying to raise a kid with a father and spending lots of money on things and hating the dog she encouraged Jay they should own. 

[CleoCaesar]

She's a trophy wife (yes yes she and Jay love each other, fine). She doesn't "do" anything. She gets her hair done. She gets manicures. She gets pedicures. She gets massages. She goes to the spa. She goes shopping. She goes to yoga.

[Sparger Springs]

Why does she love Jay?  Take away Jay's money and he is awful human being no one would want to be around.  Gloria is a gold digger plain and simple. She might not realize it but that's what she is. 

[readster]

As I said from the recent episode. The entire family has really become a family you just don't want to know. Gloria is so two-faced with Manny about saying how he is a gift to the world and then turn around and telling him she has lied about him being so gifted. Yet, what does Gloria do all day? She spends money, uses products to keep herself looking "hot" and caving into "cliches" on how to raise kids now. Joe at least comes across as a normal kid, he takes things literlly from his parents. Gets into trouble without thinking first since he's 4. Manny keeps doing things and expecting the family to care and really no one does. Instead of getting a hint and just going: "Well, I like who I am." He pours it on everyone and then Jay comes across as an asshole who belittles Manny. Instead of the former stepfather who while annoyed, came to love Manny as one of his own. Also, why does everyone buy Jay and Joe hate Stella now? Gloria and Manny wanted to keep the dog and then it was too much for them? Stella never did anything to the point where they should act that way. She just wants attention like any other family pet and knows she can get it. Yet, Gloria acts like Stella is out to murder her. 

   Then you have the flip flop between Manny is a jealous older brother, to wanted by girls and then back to: "Why does no one like me?" Then speaking Spanish to: "I forgot because I like French better." He's a great place kicker on the football team to being the worst? I mean come on. Pick a Manny writers and stay with it. The entire Prichard Family has become a bunch of self-absorbed assholes and its not funny, its just odd. 

[Tiger]

That one episode where Gloria cut hair at her old salon had so much story potential.  They didnt need to show her working in every episode, but occasionally giving her work stories would have been and done so much for the character.  

Part of the problem too is that Sofia, and her real life husband, have both obviously had some odd work done on their faces recently.  Her face use to be so expressive and now its just strange looking.

Edited October 8, 2016 by Tiger

[ljenkins782]

Been watching some earlier episodes on regular TV lately and I'm noticing such a difference in Gloria's voice in the earlier days. It almost seems like Sofia Vergara's natural accent faded over the years and now she's laying on a very thick, fake version of it that's painful to listen to. 

Quote

Why does she love Jay?  Take away Jay's money and he is awful human being no one would want to be around.  Gloria is a gold digger plain and simple. She might not realize it but that's what she is. 

Super old post, but to this, I say why does Jay love her? Take away her looks and would he be with her? 

Even if they do have things in common, they would never have discovered those things if he wasn't after her looks and she wasn't after his money at the start.

Edited August 1, 2018 by ljenkins782