The main storyline of Wednesday night’s episode of "Modern Family" has Phil going crazy over the release of the iPad and his family trying everything in their power to get one for him. The plot brought lots of laughs, the blowing out of virtual candles on his birthday cake, and ended with Phil stroking and confessing his love to his new iPad.

Everyone thought that the iPad paid for its starring role in, but Apple and ABC are saying otherwise. There was no paid product placement, but Apple did allow the show to access the iPad for the filming.

Despite the money that ABC lost out on without getting paid for the storyline, I thought it was refreshing to see pop culture so integrated into the show. Let’s face it. It is a little annoying seeing big stickers over Apple computers and Coke cans turned away from camera so the brand is not “recognizable.” When we all tuned in on Wednesday, we laughed because we knew someone who would go just as crazy as Phil on Saturday’s iPad release. Not only did it get people talking about the iPad, it got people talking about "Modern Family"! More TV shows should learn from this and embrace brands, not try to mask them or make ones up.

Watch the episode here:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/136819/modern-family-game-changer#s-p1-so-i0