15 unconventional TV couples that probably shouldn’t have worked
By Sundi Rose
Jay Pritchett and Gloria DelGado — Modern Family
The remarkable age difference is seemingly the most unconventional thing about these two, but that’s probably not even in the top five reasons why the are an unusual match. These two couldn’t be farther from each other in temperament or personality, yet somehow, they remain one of the more successful couples on the list.
Gloria is spontaneous and passionate, and is often swept up in the immediate emotion of a situation. She acts on every impulse, feels every feeling out loud, and has few inhibitions when it comes to the people she loves. She’s about as vibrant and charismatic as they come.
This isn’t to say that Jay isn’t charming in his own way, but without Gloria, he’s the beige Oxford shirt of humans. He’s grouchy and persnickety, and he is often annoyed or put out by the enormity of Gloria’s reactions to, well, most everything.
Their backgrounds are wildly different as well. Gloria comes from a less-than-cosmopolitan area in Colombia. As a result, she’s acquired a certain set of skills that she (thankfully) doesn’t have to employ very much in her life with Jay and the family. Gloria can probably skin a goat, sketch the Central American topography, and disassemble a Glock. She’s multifaceted.
Jay, on the other hand, was married to an unstable, psychologically abusive woman for many years, and he also acquired a certain set of skills. He’s adept at emotional avoidance, intense pessimism and habitual complacency. Despite this, however, they are one of the most loving, fun couples on TV today.