Great example! I love "New Girl". Contrasting Nick and Schmidt and how Nick transforms largely through his homo-social relationships is a great way to demonstrate the "New Man" model. Early in the show Nick was portrayed as soft when they reflected on his behavior around his break up with his last girlfriend, I suppose this was to show how his vulnerable side was just below the surface.
In answer to your question, I do feel that though traditional gender roles have shifted there is still imbalance. I have observed many women who try to do the career and family balance. It looks like a lot of work and they often seem completely run down. I'm not sure how much of this is due our gender roles needing to find more balance or if this is an issue of the financial and societal structure we live in now, but it certainly doesn't seem easier than it has been in the past.