The Untold Secrets of Modern Family's Iconic First Episode

Summary

Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow were considered for the roles of Phil and Claire Dunphy in the Modern Family pilot episode but ultimately turned them down.

Mitchell and Cam's adoption of Lily in Vietnam, as shown in the pilot episode, was not legally feasible back then because Vietnam did not allow same-gender couples or single parents to adopt.

To emphasize the collaborative nature of the show, the prominent actors of Modern Family collectively decided to present themselves as supporting actors for award nominations.

The Modern Family pilot episode introduced viewers to the Dunphys, Pritchett-Delgados, and Tucker-Pritchetts, showcasing their growth and conflicts over 11 years. This groundbreaking TV series, which debuted in 2009, revolutionized the way families were portrayed on screen. By normalizing the struggles and dynamics of three distinct households, Modern Family resonated with audiences at home.

Receiving critical acclaim, the series premiered its first episode in September 2009, captivating fans with the introduction of the Dunphy, Delgado-Pritchett, and Tucker-Pritchetts. Viewers met Jay Pritchett, the family's patriarch and father to Claire and Mitchell, who later formed their own families, thereby creating their own modern family units. The pilot swiftly encompassed each family's unique dynamics by showcasing the challenges of raising children, dealing with teenagers, and navigating new marriages. However, even after a decade since the initial airing, there are still numerous intriguing aspects about the Modern Family pilot that remain unknown to fans.

The Dunphy Family Could Have Been A Friends Reunion

Many actors were considered for roles in the first episode of Modern Family, a popular television show. Among them were Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow, who were both well-known for their roles in Friends. LeBlanc was offered the role of Phil Dunphy, but he didn't think it was a good fit for him. Similarly, Kudrow was considered for the role of Claire Dunphy, but she couldn't envision herself making the character her own. In the end, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen were cast as the Dunphys, and their performances became their most recognized roles.

Lily’s Adoption Was Legally Impossible

In the pilot episode of Modern Family, Mitchell and Cam bring their newly adopted baby girl home from Vietnam. A significant plot point revolves around Mitchell not having informed the rest of his family about the adoption. However, the legality of the adoption should have been a more significant matter of concern.

During the time the episode aired in 2009, same-gender couples and single parents were prohibited from adopting children in Vietnam. Therefore, Cam and Mitchell would not have been able to legally adopt Lily through official channels.

Modern Family’s Leading Actors Made An Award Show Pact

From the outset, it is evident that Modern Family is a show centered around its ensemble cast. The success of the show stems from the involvement of all extended family members in the storylines. Recognizing the importance of working as an ensemble, the original adult actors of Modern Family reached an agreement: instead of submitting themselves as lead actors, they would be considered as supporting actors. This decision was made to ensure that the entire cast supported each other on an equal footing and that everyone was recognized as a valued member of the team.

Although the exact timing of this agreement remains unknown, it was clearly in effect from the very first season of the show. All the acting nominations for prestigious awards such as the Primetime Emmys and the Golden Globes placed the adult actors in the series in the Supporting Actor categories. Throughout the show's duration, Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Ed O’Neil, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson all received acting nominations from esteemed ceremonies like the Critics Choice Awards, the Emmys, and the Golden Globes.

Julie Bowen Was Eight-And-A-Half Months Pregnant In The Pilot

Fans cannot help but wonder if Julie Bowen (who played Claire Dunphy) was pregnant during season 1 when they rewatch the pilot episode. In later seasons, Claire's wardrobe consists of more sweaters and shirts that deviate from her usual style, and she strategically conceals her belly in most scenes. In the pilot episode of Modern Family, Claire is frequently seen with cereal boxes, pillows, laundry baskets, or even another person positioned in front of her.

Interestingly, CheatSheet reports that Julie Bowen was indeed pregnant with twins while filming the show's pilot. Despite being eight-and-a-half months pregnant, Bowen auditions for the role of Claire numerous times, even shedding tears because of her desire for the part. People magazine reveals that Bowen initially believed she would not be chosen due to her pregnancy, but ultimately, she landed the role.

An Alternate Perspective

The families were aware that they were consistently being filmed, which left fans wondering if the reason behind documenting their lives would be revealed in the 11th season. However, no such announcement was made because the mockumentary style that originated in the Modern Family pilot was originally part of the show's concept.

According to New Jersey.com, the documentary's original purpose was to showcase the story of Geert Floorjte, a former teenage filmmaking exchange student who lived with Jay. He started filming everyone and eventually developed romantic feelings for the popular and likeable Claire Dunphy, which is why he remained involved for a long time. The intention was for him to form a friendship with Manny and bond over the documentary. However, the Geert storyline was ultimately abandoned by the writers, as longtime fans are aware.

Jay Could Have Been Totally Different

The role of Jay Pritchett, portrayed by Ed O'Neil, has become synonymous with his confident and strong performance on the show. Surprisingly, Craig T. Nelson was initially offered the role, as reported by Page Six. However, Nelson had requested a higher salary than what the producers were prepared to offer when the series began. Unable to meet his financial expectations, Nelson departed from the show and was later replaced by O'Neil. In the following year, Nelson took on the role of the Braverman family patriarch in Parenthood.

This Episode Is An Emmy Winner

The pilot episode of Modern Family was helmed by Jason Winer and penned by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd. It introduced viewers to each of the three families through separate mockumentary-style stories, eventually revealing their connection as extended family members, thus creating a more authentic and relatable experience.

The pilot of Modern Family achieved considerable recognition and acclaim, earning two Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing in a Series. Furthermore, the beloved actors from the show continued to amass numerous accolades and triumphed at multiple awards shows thereafter.

Baby Lily Was Portrayed By Twin Siblings

Filming with a baby can be extremely challenging, as there are strict labor regulations in place to limit their working hours. To overcome this, many filmmakers opt to cast twins or triplets to portray infants and toddlers. For instance, Modern Family enlisted the services of twin babies Jaden and Ella Hiller to play the role of Lily. However, after the twins' parents noticed that their children were not enjoying their time on set, they decided to replace them with actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons. It proved to be an exciting experience for fans to witness Lily's transformation over the years, as Anderson-Emmons continued portraying the character from the third season until the show's conclusion.

Two Networks Turned Down The Pilot

Despite winning two Primetime Emmys for the pilot, it's astonishing to consider that there were networks who lacked interest in Modern Family. Armed with the screenplay, the creators of Modern Family presented the sitcom to NBC, CBS, and ABC.

As per IMDb, NBC declined the offer due to already having shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, both employing a mockumentary style. Fandom highlighted that CBS rejected the pilot, citing unpreparedness for the series, leaving ABC as the next option. Fortunately for them, the sitcom emerged victorious.

Haley And Phil’s On-Screen Connection

After hiring Sarah Hyland and Ty Burrell as Haley and Phil Dunphy, the creators conducted a screen test at Steven Levitan's home. Initially, the studio had concerns about casting Burrell in a previous project for Levitan, as he lacked fame in the industry. Burrell, a stage actor from New York, had stayed in Los Angeles for pilot season after coming for another project. However, when Levitan and Lloyd wrote the pilot for Modern Family, they had Burrell in mind for the role of Phil, albeit uncertain if the network would approve his hiring.

According to EW, Levitan and Lloyd organized an on-camera test that resembled a low-budget filming of the pilot. This allowed Burrell to authentically portray his character in the sitcom setting instead of an audition room. The strong connection between Burrell and Hyland, along with their chemistry, impressed network executives and producers, firmly establishing their suitability for the roles. Burrell's exceptional portrayal of Phil's humorous philosophies on Modern Family ultimately propelled him to become everyone's favorite TV dad.

There's A Cosmic Twist To An Episode In Season 4

Haley informs Phil and Claire in the first episode about her new boyfriend Dylan, causing a dilemma as he is a senior while she is a freshman. Being an overprotective and controlling mother, Claire is uneasy with this situation and insists on meeting Dylan before allowing him into their home. Once the introductions are made, the couple retreats to Haley's bedroom. Claire becomes anxious and comes up with an excuse to enter the room and keep the door open, using Haley's laundry as a pretense. Interestingly, in season 4, Haley's character development expands as she finds herself in a similar situation, feeling the need to intrude on Luke's room when he has a girl over on New Year's Eve. This moment pays tribute to one of the many memorable scenes from season 1 that is referenced later in the show.

The Dunphy And Pritchett Households Looked A Little Different In The Pilot

Diehard fans noticed a subtle change in the Dunphy household following the pilot episode of Modern Family. In each subsequent episode, there is an office located to the right of the door, next to the stairway. However, in the pilot, there is simply a solid wall in that spot. Prior to Haley's romantic involvements with Andy and Dylan, the apple of her eye was Dylan, who can be seen walking up to her bedroom where fans can clearly observe the solid wall.

Another household that experienced noticeable alterations is that of Jay and Gloria. In their initial interview, the staircase and living room furniture appear different compared to the later episodes. The set design teams made these modifications after the release of the pilot in order to enhance camera movements and facilitate smoother filming. Typically, pilots are shot on location, and sets are constructed specifically for the show once it has been confirmed for a series.

A Camera Man Makes An Appearance

The pilot episode of Modern Family is a must-watch for fans who enjoy seeing how much the family has evolved over the course of 11 seasons. However, it is important to note that this episode was also created with the intention of selling the show to a network. As a result, there may be occasional oversights in the editing process.

Modern Family is filmed in a mockumentary style, which means the families are constantly being followed and filmed as they go about their daily lives. Like any TV show, there are bound to be a few mistakes throughout the series. In the pilot episode, there is a brief moment where eagle-eyed viewers may spot a cameraman in the reflection of the mirror near the Dunphy family's staircase. This blunder quickly reveals that the man in question was actually part of the production team, as he was dressed differently from the other individuals in the scene.

Eagle-Eyed Viewers Noticed Which Airline Mitchell And Cam Were On

Mitch and Cam's relationship as a couple remained unknown to their fans until Cam accompanied Mitchell on their flight back from Vietnam, where they had just completed the adoption process for their baby, Lily. Being an openly gay couple who had just welcomed a new addition to their family, Mitchell couldn't help but feel the judgment and hear derogatory comments from fellow passengers. In an attempt to address the issue, he stood up and delivered a heartfelt speech about love and acceptance. Ironically, it turned out that nobody on the plane had actually been homophobic to begin with, thus causing the speech to backfire.

In the midst of this impactful scene, one fan took to Twitter to point out that the markings on the plane were reminiscent of the airline WestJet, a fact that was later confirmed by the airline on the same social media platform. WestJet is an American airline that operates flights worldwide. However, as of 2023, their website only offers flights to Japan as an Asian destination.

The Show Was Almost Called My American Family

According to USA Today, the original title for the show when it was pitched to NBC was My American Family. The concept involved a connection between the families and a documentary filmmaker, Geert Floorjte, who would consider the Pritchett-Tucker-Dunphy-Delgado extended family his own "American family." However, during the development process, the documentary filmmaker was removed and the title was changed to Modern Family. This decision allowed the show to focus more on the unique personalities and relationships of the characters without revealing who was filming the family. The success of the show primarily stems from these captivating characters, making the choice to change the title to Modern Family a fitting reflection of its core essence.