TV Blog Buzz: Looking back at TV in 1998; exploring the ‘Modern Family’ kitchen

Remember what the state of TV and pop culture was 15 years ago? New York magazine’s Vulture blog has been revisiting the late ’90s with a series of looking-back features http://vult.re/I5gphC including an interview with one of the biggest stars of that year, James Van Der Beek, aka Dawson of “Dawson’s Creek.”

“I went from signing my first autograph in 1998 to, literally two weeks later, being rushed by an angry, screaming mob of teenage girls — girls getting crushed against barricades, and (me) being shoved in the back of a cop car to escape the melee. Literally, two weeks after signing my first autograph. That’s what I think of when I think of 1998,” says Van Der Beek.

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Apparently one of the biggest trends in TV today is watching it away from home. So says Slate magazine, which takes a look at how the drama “Scandal” inspired fans to launch big viewing parties at bars across the U.S. “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones” and “Mad Men” are cited as other shows that have been popular for communal viewing. http://slate.me/1aW8ABC

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For decor trend watchers who enjoy scoping out the work of set designers on big TV shows and movies, Entertainment Weekly has a close up look at the Dunphy’s “Modern Family” kitchen, which is actually built on a soundstage. Almost everything about it is real and functional, including all the appliances, says set designer Brian Kasch. Except for one thing. http://bit.ly/1iBSZ1u