"Finale" is the
series finale of the
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
sitcom
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...
''
Modern Family
''Modern Family'' is an American family sitcom television series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan for the American Broadcasting Company. It ran for 11 seasons, from September 23, 2009, to April 8, 2020. It follows the lives of th ...
''. It aired in two parts, both on April 8, 2020 on
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
. The first part was written by
Steven Levitan
Steven E. Levitan (born April 6, 1962) is an American television producer, director, and screenwriter. He has created such television series as ''Just Shoot Me!'', '' Stark Raving Mad'', ''Stacked'', '' Back to You'', ''Modern Family'', and ''R ...
,
Abraham Higginbotham
Abraham Higginbotham is a writer, producer, and occasional actor for popular comedy series such as ''Arrested Development'', ''Will & Grace'', '' Back to You'' and '' Do Not Disturb''.
Career
Higginbotham began his career in television by submitt ...
, Jon Pollack, Ryan Walls,
Jeffrey Richman
Jeffrey Richman is an American writer, producer and actor.
Producer
* ''Uncoupled'' (2022): executive producer
* ''Modern Family'': co-executive producer
* ''Stacked''
* ''Frasier'': executive producer
* ''Charlie Lawrence'' (2003): executive pr ...
, Morgan Murphy, and Stephen Lloyd, and directed by
Steven Levitan
Steven E. Levitan (born April 6, 1962) is an American television producer, director, and screenwriter. He has created such television series as ''Just Shoot Me!'', '' Stark Raving Mad'', ''Stacked'', '' Back to You'', ''Modern Family'', and ''R ...
. The second part was written by
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd (born October 22, 1938) is an American actor. He has appeared in many theater productions, films, and on television since the 1960s. He is known for portraying Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the ''Back to the Future'' tril ...
,
Jack Burditt
Jack Burditt is an American producer and screenwriter who has worked on television shows like ''Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'', ''Frasier'', '' 30 Rock'', '' Last Man Standing'', ''Modern Family'', and ''The Mindy Project''. He won two Emmy award ...
,
Elaine Ko
Elaine Ko is an American television writer and producer.
Early life
Ko is a Korean American.
Career
Ko's TV career began on the sitcom '' Back to You'', where she was a writing assistant. From there, she was a staff writer on '' Do Not Distur ...
,
Danny Zuker
Daniel "Danny" Zuker (born c. 1964) is an American television writer and producer.
Biography
Born to a Jewish family, Zuker graduated from Syracuse University in 1986, where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He is best known for hi ...
, Vali Chandrasekaran, Brad Walsh, and Paul Corrigan, and directed by
Gail Mancuso
Gail Mancuso (born July 14, 1958) is an American film and television director.
Early life and career
Mancuso grew up in Melrose Park, Illinois. She is married to Brian Downs, a doctor, and divides her time between her homes in Valencia, Californ ...
.
Plot
Part One
With Haley (
Sarah Hyland
Sarah Jane Hyland (born November 24, 1990) is an American actress and singer. Born in Manhattan, she attended the Professional Performing Arts School before having small roles in the films '' Private Parts'' (1997), '' Annie'' (1999) and ''Blin ...
), Dylan (
Reid Ewing
Reid Ewing (born November 7, 1988) is an American actor and musician known for his role as Dylan in the ABC comedy ''Modern Family'' and as Charlie Plunk in the TV series ''Zeke and Luther'' (2009–2011).
Life and career
Ewing appeared in th ...
) and the twins still living at the Dunphys’, Alex (
Ariel Winter) having moved back in after quitting her job, and Luke (
Nolan Gould
Nolan Gould (born October 28, 1998) is an American actor known for his role as Luke Dunphy on the ABC sitcom ''Modern Family''.
Early life and education
Gould was born in New York City, the son of Angela and Edwin Gould. Shortly after his bi ...
) still there after not going to college, the house is overstuffed. Claire (
Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer (born March 3, 1970) is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom ''Modern Family'' (2009–2020), for which she received critical acclaim and six nominations for the Prime ...
) and Phil (
Ty Burrell
Tyler Gerald Burrell (born August 22, 1967) is an American actor and comedian. Burrell is best known for his role as Phil Dunphy on the ABC sitcom ''Modern Family'', for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor i ...
), uneasy with the number of people now living in the Dunphy household, have moved into Phil's recently deceased father Frank's (
Fred Willard
Frederic Charles Willard (September 18, 1933 May 15, 2020) was an American actor, comedian, and writer. He was best known for his roles in the Rob Reiner mockumentary film '' This Is Spinal Tap'' (1984); the Christopher Guest mockumentaries '' W ...
) RV parked in the driveway. After they are caught out, they host an intervention with Haley, Alex, Luke and Dylan, stating that someone needs to move out as the house is too crowded. The kids are offended, but even as Luke pleads to Phil's emotional side using their close friendship as a pawn, Claire asserts their position. They tell them they have 24 hours to decide, and leave for Mitch and Cam's housewarming party.
Mitch (
Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam (
Eric Stonestreet
Eric Allen Stonestreet (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for portraying Cameron Tucker in the ABC mockumentary sitcom ''Modern Family'', for which he received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporti ...
), now settled into their new house with their new baby Rexford, are hosting a housewarming party. Ronaldo (Christian Barillas) arrives to set up, but as Mitch shows him around, Cam receives a call, informing him that the coaching job he was rejected for in Missouri is now open again, giving him a dilemma. He tells Ronaldo that he is not taking it, as Mitch is too happy in their new house, and says he will keep it to himself. However, Ronaldo spills the secret and Mitch finds out. Mitch firstly reacts positively in front of everyone, but then he walks away and swears to Claire about the situation.
Gloria (
Sofía Vergara
Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara (; born July 10, 1972) is a Colombian and American actress and model. She was the highest paid actress in American television from 2013 to 2020. ) is preparing to say goodbye to Manny (
Rico Rodriguez) as he is leaving to travel the world, and she and Joe (
Jeremy Maguire
Jeremy Maguire (born August 10, 2011) is an American child actor. He is most known for playing Joe Pritchett on the sitcom ''Modern Family'' from 2015 to 2020. In 2017, Maguire made his film debut in the drama film '' I'm Not Here''.
Career
M ...
) go to Colombia for the summer. Jay (
Ed O’Neill) has bought a hideous housewarming gift for Mitch and Cam and organized Joe's haircut, leaving Gloria feeling left out and not needed. As Manny prepares to leave, she feels she is not the go-to person in the house that she once was now that she works as a realtor. As they arrive at Mitch and Cam's party, she says she hates the gift and misses Joe's old hair.
Phil and Claire return from the party emotional that Mitchell will probably be leaving for Missouri and decide they no longer want to sleep in the RV. They agree that they love their crazy household and will tell the kids they can stay. However, when they enter the house, Haley and Dylan inform them they have found a place to live, which is cheap because they know the owner. Next, Alex, who earlier met with her new co-worker Arvin (
Chris Geere) and shared a kiss, tells them that they are moving to Switzerland together for work. Then, Luke arrives, telling Phil and Claire that he has been accepted to the
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon (UO, U of O or Oregon) is a public research university in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1876, the institution is well known for its strong ties to the sports apparel and marketing firm Nike, Inc, and its co-founder, billion ...
and will also be moving out. Upset at this news, Claire emotionally says ‘I'm going to miss this’ to Phil, to which he replies, ‘Me too’.
Later, in the karaoke room, Cam apologizes and Mitch says that he will leave for Missouri, and they inform Lily (
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
Aubrey Frances Anderson-Emmons (born 6 June 2007) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on ABC's ''Modern Family''.
Personal life
Anderson-Emmons is the daughter of Korean American Amy Anderson and Kent Em ...
) before singing a duet of "
Endless Love" by
Diana Ross and
Lionel Richie.
Gloria confesses to Jay that she feels guilty about working and like she is no longer needed, to which Jay tells her she should not because he never did, and that she will always be needed by him, Joe and Manny. She is comforted by this.
The next day, the family gather to send Mitchell and Cam off, with Jay saying he is upset as ‘both
issons are leaving’. As the family hug goodbye, they are informed that Mitch and Cam's flight is delayed. Dylan then arrives at the door. He is excited because he thinks the family remembered his birthday. Unenthusiastically, the family says "Surprise!"
Part Two
As Mitch and Cam's flight is delayed further, the family agree to meet later to say a proper goodbye. During this waiting period, Mitchell and Claire retrieve their old skating trophy and share a sibling moment, dancing to “
Hungry Like the Wolf
"Hungry Like the Wolf" is a song by English new wave band Duran Duran. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Colin Thurston for the group's second studio album ''Rio'' (1982). The song was released on 4 May 1982 as the band's fi ...
”, their skating song. Also, Phil misunderstands Jay as Jay attempts to learn Spanish, and as Jay asks for a spoon, Phil attempts to spoon him and they share one last embarrassing moment. Gloria and Cam share an emotional goodbye as he recites a poem to her, which she is not as upset by as he expected. Alex and Haley play one final prank on Luke, then share a heartwarming moment where they agree to always be there for each other as siblings. Joe humorously prepares Manny for his travels. Jay informs Gloria he is coming with her to Colombia and is learning Spanish. Luke and Manny share a final cousin/uncle love moment. Claire and Phil get emotional about the kids leaving and Phil tells her that they have to ‘leave the porch light on’ to ensure that they will always come back. They agree they will go on an RV road trip now that the kids have gone.
The family gather to finally say goodbye. They take a group selfie, hug, and then cannot let go. Phil tries to set an example and be the first to pull away, but immediately rushes back, claiming ‘It was awful’. The family cries as Haley explains how it is Mitch and Cam now, but eventually everyone will be separated. Jay says it is hard to say goodbye as ‘not everyone gets to have what
hey
Hey or Hey! may refer to:
Music
* Hey (band), a Polish rock band
Albums
* ''Hey'' (Andreas Bourani album) or the title song (see below), 2014
* ''Hey!'' (Julio Iglesias album) or the title song, 1980
* ''Hey!'' (Jullie album) or the title s ...
have’.
As Jay's speech plays over the end of the episode, it is shown that Haley and Dylan have moved into Mitch and Cam's old apartment. A montage is then played of mirrored images and references to the first episode, with Mitch and Cam on the plane eating cream puffs with their kids, Phil and Claire working on the calendar for their RV trip like they did to ‘shoot Luke’ in the pilot, and Jay and Gloria watching Joe play football like they did Manny, but this time neither of them can get out of their chairs to stand up. As Jay's speech ends the episode, saying that the comfort of your family is important and that ‘that's what helps
imsleep at night’, the lights turn off in each respective house, but at the Dunphys’, the porch light is left on, signifying the family will always return.
In the ending credits, emotional music is heard as the camera pans through various photos of the 3 different families over the years. In the final shot, the camera focuses on the family portrait from the
season one finale of all three families laughing together.
Production
Development
The episode's titles were first announced on
Instagram by
Eric Stonestreet
Eric Allen Stonestreet (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for portraying Cameron Tucker in the ABC mockumentary sitcom ''Modern Family'', for which he received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporti ...
and Justin Mikita.
Casting
On March 26, 2020, it was confirmed that
Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banks (born Elizabeth Irene Mitchell; February 10, 1974) is an American actress and filmmaker. She is known for playing Effie Trinket in ''The Hunger Games'' film series (2012–2015) and Gail Abernathy-McKadden in the ''Pitch Perf ...
would return as Sal and that
Chris Geere would return as Arvin. It was also confirmed that Christian Barillas, Matthew Risch, Rory O'Malley, Rodrigo Rojas, and Charlie Trainer would appear as Ronaldo, Jotham, Ptolemy, Stefan, and Charlie, respectively.
Critical reception
Many articles were published at the time of the show's ending citing it as the final version of the typical American sitcom of the 1980s to 2010s period, such as ''
Cheers'', ''
Friends'', and ''
The Office
''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries.
The original series o ...
''. ''
The Telegraph
''The Telegraph'', ''Daily Telegraph'', ''Sunday Telegraph'' and other variant names are popular names for newspapers. Newspapers with these titles include:
Australia
* ''The Telegraph'' (Adelaide), a newspaper in Adelaide, South Australia, publ ...
'' posted an article saying, "This isn't just the end of Modern Family – it's the end of the sitcom as we know it."
Ratings
The episode was watched live by 7.37 million viewers.
Reviews
The reviews for the episode were generally positive. Diane Gordon of
TV Guide
TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news.
The company sold its print magazine division, TV Guide Magazine LLC, in 2008.
Corpora ...
was extremely positive, stating that "Like most of its best episodes, the ''Modern Family'' Finale felt like a warm hug". She went on to say that "The genius of ''Modern Family'' is that it ended as it began: with the families growing and changing, while maintaining their close bonds and sense of humor. The show that felt like a warm hug each week closed out their run with a well-crafted episode that didn't feel like a permanent goodbye, but instead like a 'see ya later.' One can't help but think about where these families will be in five years. Let's hope we'll get to find out - it's sad to think this is the last time we'll see these lovable characters."
''
IndieWire
IndieWire (sometimes stylized as indieWIRE or Indiewire) is a film industry and review website that was established in 1996. The site's focus was predominantly independent film, although its coverage has grown to "to include all aspects of Holl ...
'' gave the finale a C+, stating "What the ''Modern Family'' finale ultimately proves is what we’ve all known for years: The show should’ve ended years ago, when it was better equipped to tie together all these subplots, characters, and themes. Now, we’re left with an ending that doesn’t really want to be an ending. Maybe that’s enough (for) the casual family audience, but I have to believe modern viewers demand more."
The episode received a B+ grade from Kyle Fowle of
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
, who stated "there’s something that’s satisfying in just how low-key it is. The finale doesn’t necessarily shoot for outsized emotions. Instead, it makes things personal. It’s a finale that suits Modern Family as it is in 2020; a show that’s settled into old age... This is a finale that’s both tidy and unfinished, and that feels just right".
References
{{Modern Family
Modern Family episodes
American television series finales
2020 American television episodes