A new family moved into the Modern Family neighborhood on Wednesday night — and that show’s creator is not too happy about it.
“Thanks for giving us this award before Empire premiered,†joked Steve Levitan as he accepted his honor from the Family Equality Council for Modern Family’s groundbreaking portrayal of a nontraditional gay family at the Council’s annual gala on February 28.
His show, which is produced by 20th Century Fox Television, airs on ABC, and it’s been getting pummeled by Empire, the new Fox family drama that recently moved to the same day and time slot as Modern Family. Last Wednesday, Empire scored a whopping 13.9 million viewers and a 15 share, while Modern Family lagged behind it with 9.32 million viewers and a 10.
“I’d like to thank Dana Waldman, Gary Newman, and everyone at 20th Century Fox Television for their continued support,†Levitan said diplomatically to that studio’s execs, who were sitting in the audience at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. “Now please move Empire!â€