There can only be one Phil Dunphy. And as much as Draftfcb would like you to pretend Paul Hattery is the second-coming of TV’s ultimate patriarchal dweeb, it’s not even close.

Paul Hattery is the main attraction in Cox Communication’s unique commercial/sitcom campaign Home with the Hatterys–a fake show about a family of four struggling with slow download speeds and other telecom-related hijinks. The original spot (above) was supposed to run as a one-off commercial, but after a positive reception, Cox and Draftfcb turned the idea into an ad sitcom with one-minute “episodes.”

The initial premise holds some value, straddling the parody v. pastiche boundary for a mockumentary like Modern Family. But, with 11 episodes, there are only so many DSL gags you can sit through before the humor dries up. Stale writing does in Paul’s character; he’s just a shallow sketch of Dunphy, mostly a consequence of one-minute clips that rely on soft one-liners. Although, when he drills his wife in the face with a dodgeball, you might crack a smile.

Interesting side note: The Home with the Hatterys opening credits play for 20 seconds even though the episodes last a minute; the Modern Family credit sequence plays for 10 seconds, and the episodes run for 22 minutes. There’s probably a more efficient way for Draftfcb to use their time. Credits after the jump.

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