ABC's Modern Family was hilarious right from the start, and is seriously one of the best comedies we have in television history. For a lot of sitcoms, it takes a while for them to get the groove, usually taking the first couple of seasons to do so. But not this one, it was great from the very beginning. With that being said, did you know there was the potential for a spin-off that ABC passed on?
As Entertainment Weekly reports, after the show ended its 11-season run in 2020, there was a sequel potentially in the works that would have focused on fan-favorites Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam Tucker (Eric Stonestreet). The story would have followed them as they embarked on their new journey moving to Missouri for Cam's dream college football coach job along with their kids, Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) and new son, Rexford.
Stonestreet revealed that Modern Family co-creator Chris Lloyd and a couple of writers had written "a really great script." But ultimately, ABC "said, no. They just said, we don't want to do it." This led to "hurt" feelings from Stonestreet, which of course makes complete sense. The actors were on board to do it, as well as the OG co-creator. Why would this happen?
What doesn't make sense is the fact that the network passed on this opportunity in the first place. I know this happened back in 2020, but even if it's been five years later, it just still doesn't make sense that ABC wasn't on board. Especially with the massive success of Modern Family, this would have been the perfect opportunity to continue to capitalize on that.
I mean, it is possible I guess that perhaps they saw what happened to Friends and its sequel series, Joey. Since it aired right after the original comedy ended, it just didn't work given the character went from an ensemble cast to starring by himself. Though with the potential Modern Family spin-off, there was Cam and Mitchell, as well as their kids. They're familiar characters and none of the actors would have starred alone.
Plus just look at how many reboots, revivals, and sequels ABC, as well as basically all the other networks and streamers, are doing now. For example, the Scrubs reboot has just gotten the green light at ABC. And so many more have gotten the treatment in the last few years. It really feels like we don't even have many fresh new ideas anymore. It's all revivals and spin-offs. Which again, takes me back to my original point.
I can't believe ABC passed on the Modern Family sequel series, and as a fan, I'm still very salty about it. It would have been perfect and had all the right elements to ensure it would be a success. What a true shame. And as for maybe now, even if the network did change its mind, I think that ship has unfortunately sailed.
All 11 seasons of Modern Family are streaming on Hulu and Peacock.
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