Watch Iran's pretty impressive frame-for-frame ripoff of Modern Family


There's this great sitcom out there. It's about a big family — an intimidating but loving patriarch, his nosy but loving adult children, their hapless but loving partners, and their bookish/angsty/naive but caring children. Oh man, what is it called?
Oh, I know, Haft Sang.
Sure, it sounds a lot like ABC's Emmy-winning comedy Modern Family. And it looks a lot like it, too. But, no, this is the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting's incredibly accurate, frame-for-frame ripoff of the American sitcom. The stage direction, props, and sight gags are all the same. Even the Iranian version of Alex Dunphy — Claire and Phil's nerdy middle child — looks eerily similar to the American actress, minus the head scarf, of course.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The one glaring difference? Surprise! Iran's Modern Family does not include a gay couple. Sadly, there is no Iranian version of Cam who debuts his and Mitch's newly adopted child in the style of The Lion King opening. (Clearly, a missed opportunity.) Watch the frame-for-frame comparison clip from YouTube user Sina Haghighi and see for yourself. --Lauren Hansen
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
Brazil has a scorpion problem
Under The Radar Venomous arachnids are infesting country's fast-growing cities
-
Why Rikers Island will no longer be under New York City's control
The Explainer A 'remediation manager' has been appointed to run the infamous jail
-
California may pull health care from eligible undocumented migrants
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After pushing for universal health care for all Californians regardless of immigration status, Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest budget proposal backs away from a key campaign promise
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read