"Evelyn Harper, Realtor"

The Dean of
TV Realtors

I find Ty Burrell's charactor on "Modern Family" to be more believable ("Phil Dunphy, Realtor").

But for the record, easily the longest running TV realtor would be Evelyn Harper on "Two and a Half Men," played by the wonderful Holland Taylor (also Tom Hanks' boss on the show where he got his start, "Bosom Buddies").

While I don't know anyone in the business who reminds me of Evelyn, one episode actually did anticipate a real-life home Seller's nightmare: their Realtor using their vacant home for -- shall we say -- "trysts" (see, "Did real estate agent play while owner was away?" in the Star Trib this Summer).

On "Two and a Half Men," the guilty parties were Alan Harper and his girlfriend, and the situation was (predictably) treated humorously rather than as the felony it really is.

"Phil Dunphy," (TV) Realtor

"Modern Family" & the Housing Market -- or,
"Why is Ty Burrell wearing my blue button-down shirt?"

You can't get back on the horse until you fall off.

--"Phil Dunphy," Modern Family

In the closing weeks of 2010 -- 4+ years into the worst downturn since the '30's -- a prime-time TV show has finally alluded, humorously, to the punk housing market as seen through the eyes of a Realtor and his family (or at least, Hollywood's take on a Realtor and his family).

In this week's episode of "Modern Family," ten-year old(?) Luke Dunphy asks if he and his siblings will have to get jobs because his Dad's real estate business is down.

Later in the episode, holding a toy electronic organ, he asks his parents, Phil and Claire, for directions to the "black market" so he can sell it and use the proceeds to help the family make ends meet.

They then have to explain that that's not exactly what "selling organs on the black market" is all about.

Slack Business

And while it's not a major plot line, at least twice in the episode, Phil Dunphy is shown fielding phone calls from clients who are cancelling their afternoon of showing appointments.

Phil professes to be happy for the free time, which allows him to be home with his sick wife and daughter (and to hunt for the source of the chirping smoke alarm).

The cancellations also afford him an opportunity to show his resolve and positive attitude.

"What do I always say?," he quizzes Luke.

"You can't get back on the horse until you fall off," Luke dutifully answers.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Dunphy's don't appear to be in any real financial jeopardy; near the end of the episode, stay-at-home Mom Claire gives Phil a supportive hug -- and everything appears to be all right again.

Out here in the real world . . . it helps to have a spouse or Significant Other with a steady, full-time job -- preferably one with health care benefits.

P.S.: So, exactly how do you depict a slow housing market in a compelling narrative format?

Unfortunately, many of the attributes -- listings that don't get showings, negotiations that start miles apart and seem to span years, etc. -- don't translate very well.

Realtors in Modern Culture

"Modern Family" Realtor

Think of doctors in modern culture, and what comes to mind?

Characters from sitcom's and movies like "ER," "House," "Scrubs," and, if you're old enough, "Marcus Welby, M.D."

For lawyers, the list would include "Law & Order," "Boston Legal," "LA Law," and "Allie McBeal." (OK, I'm dating myself).

Now, when you think of Realtors, who do you think of?

Drawing a blank?

So am I.

About all I can come up with is Paul Rudd's character in "I Love You, Man," and the creepy, repressed Annette Bening character from "American Beauty" (I'm omitting Mamet's "Glengarry, Glen Ross" because it dealt with commercial real estate).

To that list, add the uncool "cool" Dad from "Modern Family."

I only saw the pilot last night, so it's too soon to say if his job selling real estate intrudes on any plot lines.

As they say, "stay tuned."

P.S.: the dearth of Realtors on TV and cable is especially puzzling given all the reality TV programs devoted to real estate ("Flip this House," "House Hunters," "Sell This House," and on and on -- none of which, as a practicing Realtor, I find watchable).