# Modern Family season 8

The eighth season of the American television sitcom Modern Family aired on ABC from September 21, 2016 to May 17, 2017. This season was ordered on March 3, 2016. The season is produced by Steven Levitan Productions and Picador Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television, with creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd as showrunners.

## Cast
### Main cast

* Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett
* Sofía Vergara as Gloria Pritchett
* Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
* Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
* Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett
* Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
* Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy
* Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy
* Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy
* Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado
* Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily Tucker-Pritchett
* Jeremy Maguire as Joe Pritchett

### Recurring cast

* Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy
* Winston Duke as Dwight
* Nathan Fillion as Rainer Shine
* Brianna Askins as April Shine
* Joe Mande as Ben
* Dana Powell as Pam Tucker

### Guest cast

* Stephanie Beatriz as Sonia Ramirez
* Celia Weston as Barb Tucker
* Ernie Hudson as Miles
* Christian Barillas as Ronaldo
* Martin Short as Merv Schechter
* Andy Daly as Principal Brown
* Robert Costanzo as Earl Chambers
* Joely Fisher as Maggie Braithwaite
* Kelsey Grammer as Keifth
* Shelley Long as DeDe Pritchett
* Elizabeth Banks as Sal
* Peyton Manning as Coach Gary
* Victor Garber as Chef Dumont
* Rob Riggle as Gil Thorpe
* Jane Krakowski as Dr. Donna Duncan
* Charles Barkley as himself
* DeAndre Jordan as himself
* Faith Prince as Lorraine
* Niecy Nash as Joan
* Reid Ewing as Dylan Marshall
* Benjamin Bratt as Javier Delgado
* Lindsey Kraft as Joey
* Jackie Seiden as Dr. Elaine Kolchek
* Sedona Fuller as Betty Kolchek
* London Fuller as Janice Kolchek
* Nakia Seacrest as Vice Principal

## Production

Modern Family was renewed for an eighth season on March 3, 2016, with several other ABC shows. Sofia Vergara shared a photo on Instagram of the cast doing a photo-shoot for the eighth season on July 26, 2016. The table read for the season occurred the same day, with filming beginning shortly after. The Hollywood Reporter announced on August 4, 2016, that Castle-alum Nathan Fillion had been cast in a recurring role of three episodes as the weatherman Rainer Shine. It was also announced that Martin Short will appear in a guest role in the third episode of the season as a promotional maven. A promotional poster was released on August 23, 2016. On September 26, 2016, Variety reported that Modern Family would feature the first openly transgender child actor on network-television. The 8-year old actor Jackson Millarker appeared in the second episode of the season as Lily's playmate Tom. "The Hollywood Reporter" reported on November 7, 2016, that Peyton Manning will guest star in the 12th episode of the season. "Manning will play Coach Gary, baby Joe's sports tutor, whom Gloria (Sofia Vergara) brings in to help teach Joe how to throw and catch. When Coach Gary also starts doing things around the house, Jay (Ed O'Neill) is left feeling a bit emasculated." Kelsey Grammer guest-starred in a January 2017 episode of the series, portraying Cam's ex-boyfriend Keifth. The Hollywood Reporter reported that NBA stars Charles Barkley and DeAndre Jordan will guest-star in a late January 2017 episode, playing themselves. The source stated "For their part in the show, Barkley and Jordan will be attending a charity basketball game that Phil (Ty Burrell) has been training all year for in an attempt to redeem himself after a disastrous turn at the previous year's game. When they both start getting a little too involved, Phil tries to not buckle under the pressure."

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 167 | 1 | "A Tale of Three Cities" | Chris Koch | Elaine Ko | September 21, 2016 (2016-09-21) | 8ARG01 | 8.24 |
| In New York, the Dunphy family decides to stay a few days longer, with the parents and the kids each lying to the other about prolonging the vacation. In Missouri, Mitchell faces some discontent from Cam's family due to his treatment of Cam's comatose grandma. In Mexico, Gloria clashes with her sister over the hot sauce business, leading to Sonia kidnapping Manny. ||||||||
| 168 | 2 | "A Stereotypical Day" | Ryan Case | Vali Chandrasekaran | September 28, 2016 (2016-09-28) | 8ARG03 | 7.41 |
| A Black family moves in across the street on the same day Jay happens to be installing new security cameras, leading Jay to go to extreme measures to ensure he is not seen as a racist. Meanwhile, the Dunphy family takes advantage of Alex when she becomes sick, which leads to her skipping a semester at Caltech. Mitchell and Cameron reevaluate their views of each other as open, non-judgmental, supportive parents when Lily calls an openly transgender boy a weirdo. ||||||||
| 169 | 3 | "Blindsided" | Jim Hensz | Christy Stratton & Danny Zuker | October 5, 2016 (2016-10-05) | 8ARG02 | 6.97 |
| Luke decides to run against Manny for student council president. Claire becomes his manager while Jay and Gloria help Manny. Now that Haley wants to create her own company, Phil introduces her to an eccentric marketing expert, while Cameron decides to house his star football player without consulting Mitchell. ||||||||
| 170 | 4 | "Weathering Heights" | Gail Mancuso | Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh | October 12, 2016 (2016-10-12) | 8ARG04 | 7.50 |
| Phil gets to meet his weatherman hero (Nathan Fillion) when he is on the local news in a real estate segment, but later regrets the decision to introduce him to Haley. Meanwhile, Jay tries to help with Manny's video application to Juilliard and Lily tries to get rid of Cam's football player who's living with them. ||||||||
| 171 | 5 | "Halloween IV: Revenge of Rod Skyhook" | Chris Koch | Stephen Lloyd | October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26) | 8ARG06 | 7.38 |
| Luke's Halloween party isn't the monster bash he dreamed it would be and is at risk of being the worst party of the year. Sensing trouble, the rest of the Dunphys realize all his party needs is a visit from Rod Skyhook, a little promotion, and some adult supervision to get it started. Meanwhile, Cam faces off with his Halloween nemesis and, when Jay finds out that Manny is going to a party at the home of an old enemy, he enlists him in his revenge scheme. ||||||||
| 172 | 6 | "Grab It" | Beth McCarthy-Miller | Jeffrey Richman | November 9, 2016 (2016-11-09) | 8ARG05 | 7.23 |
| Jay's country club, his favorite place in the world and only refuge, may be losing some of its charm when Phil considers becoming a member. At the Dunphy house, Claire mistakes her influence on Alex's life choices, and Gloria seeks refuge from her sons. Meanwhile, when Cam doesn't give Mitchell the full story on what his play is really about, it really puts Mitchell in the spotlight. ||||||||
| 173 | 7 | "Thanksgiving Jamboree" | Steven Levitan | Jon Pollack & Chuck Tatham | November 16, 2016 (2016-11-16) | 8ARG08 | 7.33 |
| Cameron spares no expense for his Thanksgiving jamboree; Haley tells Phil she'd rather spend the holiday with her new boyfriend; Jay works to keep his blood pressure down; Alex and Dwight get closer. ||||||||
| 174 | 8 | "The Alliance" | James Bagdonas | Andy Gordon & Ryan Walls | November 30, 2016 (2016-11-30) | 8ARG09 | 6.81 |
| Phil, Cam, and Gloria have a secret meeting, while Luke helps Jay at his club and Haley chaperones Rainer's daughter. ||||||||
| 175 | 9 | "Snow Ball" | Beth McCarthy-Miller | Christy Stratton & Stephen Lloyd | December 14, 2016 (2016-12-14) | 8ARG10 | 6.81 |
| Luke and Manny are in charge of the winter dance, Claire and Gloria want to mellow out a PTA mom, Phil tries to spend time with Jay, and Mitch confronts a bully. ||||||||
| 176 | 10 | "Ringmaster Keifth" | Jim Hensz | Vali Chandrasekaran | January 4, 2017 (2017-01-04) | 8ARG11 | 7.57 |
| Cameron reunites with his ex-boyfriend, a former ringmaster turned concierge played by Kelsey Grammer. Phil learns that his father is dating his childhood babysitter and Jay and Gloria decide on a guardian for Joe. ||||||||
| 177 | 11 | "Sarge & Pea" | James Bagdonas | Abraham Higginbotham | January 11, 2017 (2017-01-11) | 8ARG07 | 7.59 |
| Cam is helped by his nieces in seeking revenge against a mother who, according to him, deprived him of a beautiful moment at Lily's dance recital. Phil and Gloria have different visions for Luke and Manny's future college lives. Mitch, Claire, and Jay meet Dede at a relative's wedding. ||||||||
| 178 | 12 | "Do You Believe in Magic" | Gail Mancuso | Jon Pollack | February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08) | 8ARG15 | 7.34 |
| Claire decides to hire a magician to help her bring Phil some wonder on Valentine's Day. Cam and Mitch encourage Haley and Sal (Elizabeth Banks) to stand-up to their men with unexpected results. Jay discovers his habit of showing preferential treatment to Joe over Manny has its limits and Alex finds out that Ben, Claire's assistant, has a crush on her. ||||||||
| 179 | 13 | "Do It Yourself" | Jeffrey Walker | Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh | February 15, 2017 (2017-02-15) | 8ARG12 | 6.92 |
| Jay is talked into investing in a property with Phil and also has to deal with Gloria's hiring of Joe's handyman baseball coach (Peyton Manning) who seems like he's gunning to replace him. Claire and Haley go to a culinary lesson given by a big chef (Victor Garber). Mitch and Cam try to teach Lily about hard work, resulting in a wasp attack and a disfigured face for Cam. ||||||||
| 180 | 14 | "Heavy is the Head" | Ken Whittingham | Danny Zuker | February 22, 2017 (2017-02-22) | 8ARG14 | 6.65 |
| Phil has to rethink his plans when his investment goes wrong. Gloria tries to surprise Claire with an amazing birthday, but Claire's announcement of cutbacks at work doesn't mix well with Gloria's fancy pampering. Cameron, still haunted by a traumatic childhood incident, refuses to have an MRI. ||||||||
| 181 | 15 | "Finding Fizbo" | James Bagdonas | Abraham Higginbotham & Chuck Tatham | March 1, 2017 (2017-03-01) | 8ARG16 | 6.41 |
| Phil plans Frank's bachelor party and meets his soon-to-be step-brother. Manny asks Haley, Gloria, Alex, and Claire to tell him what they honestly think of his play, while Alex wants to bail to meet with Ben. Cam discovers what happened to his Fizbo costume. ||||||||
| 182 | 16 | "Basketball" | Jim Hensz | Elaine Ko | March 8, 2017 (2017-03-08) | 8ARG13 | 6.49 |
| Phil volunteers to play in a charity basketball game in order to redeem himself after the previous year's event turned disastrous. Two NBA players, Charles Barkley and DeAndre Jordan, also attend, putting him under pressure. Also, Claire has a big secret to hide from Jay, who fears Joe doesn't respect his authority. Gloria and Donna Duncan's rivalry returns with interesting results. Mitch and Cam give Haley advice for her relationship with Rainer. ||||||||
| 183 | 17 | "Pig Moon Rising" | Chris Koch | Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh | March 15, 2017 (2017-03-15) | 8ARG17 | 6.12 |
| Mitchell accidentally knocks over Cam's pig's ashes and devises a cover-up in order to avoid telling him. Secrets drive everyone to an elaborate web of quid pro quo. ||||||||
| 184 | 18 | "Five Minutes" | Gail Mancuso | Elaine Ko | March 29, 2017 (2017-03-29) | 8ARG18 | 6.79 |
| A look at 300 seconds in the lives of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan includes Mitch and Cam hurrying to catch a flight for which they prematurely took sleeping pills, Haley and Rainer reevaluating their relationship at dinner before his birthday cake arrives, Phil and Claire meeting Alex's new boyfriend, and Manny trying to find a parking spot at the movies while Jay and Gloria argue. ||||||||
| 185 | 19 | "Frank's Wedding" | Beth McCarthy-Miller | Andy Gordon | April 5, 2017 (2017-04-05) | 8ARG19 | 6.25 |
| Frank Dunphy's wedding has a Roaring '20s theme, so Phil gets his family to show up in costume, but Claire and the kids realize it's time for an intervention with Phil when they're the only ones dressed up. Meanwhile, Jay comes to regret mastering the art of saying "no" and Cam finally gets the courage to stand up to his sister Pam, albeit causing Pam to go into labour with a baby boy. ||||||||
| 186 | 20 | "All Things Being Equal" | Michelle MacLaren | Christy Stratton & Ryan Walls | May 3, 2017 (2017-05-03) | 8ARG20 | 5.65 |
| Gloria, Claire, Haley, Alex, Lily, Luke, and Manny show support for gender equality and the women's movement in their own ways; Jay and Phil butt heads over their parking attendant; Cam feels jealous when Pam prefers Mitchell's help with the baby over his. ||||||||
| 187 | 21 | "Alone Time" | Jim Hensz | Abraham Higginbotham & Stephen Lloyd & Danny Zuker | May 10, 2017 (2017-05-10) | 8ARG21 | 5.71 |
| Phil and Claire have difficulties adapting now that their kids have supposedly left the nest. Jay and Mitch go to the same retreat, while Cam helps Gloria get over an illness. ||||||||
| 188 | 22 | "The Graduates" | Steven Levitan | Jon Pollack & Jeffrey Richman & Chuck Tatham | May 17, 2017 (2017-05-17) | 8ARG22 | 6.20 |
| The whole family gets ready for Luke and Manny's graduation day. Javier picks up his son and takes him to a strip club. Phil and Claire have to deal with the fact that Luke has grown up and Mitch and Cam learn that Lily might be precocious. ||||||||

## Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Modern Family season 8 :
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "A Tale of Three Cities" | September 21, 2016 | 2.6/9 (9) | 8.24 (24) | 1.7 | 4.12 | 4.3 | 12.35 (+65%) |
| 2 | "A Stereotypical Day" | September 28, 2016 | 2.3/8 (14) | 7.41 | 1.7 | 4.15 | 4.0 | 11.56 (+74%) |
| 3 | "Blindsided" | October 5, 2016 | 2.2/8 (12) | 6.97 (24) | 1.6 | 3.78 | 3.8 | 10.75 (+73%) |
| 4 | "Weathering Heights" | October 12, 2016 | 2.4/8 (12) | 7.50 (25) | 1.6 | 3.90 | 4.0 | 11.40 (+67%) |
| 5 | "Halloween 4: The Revenge of Rod Skyhook" | October 26, 2016 | 2.3/7 (13) | 7.38 | 1.8 | 4.20 | 4.1 | 11.58 (+78%) |
| 6 | "Grab It" | November 9, 2016 | 2.3/8 (12) | 7.23 (23) | 1.6 | 3.87 | 3.9 | 11.10 (+70%) |
| 7 | "Thanksgiving Jamboree" | November 16, 2016 | 2.2/8 (12) | 7.33 | 1.6 | 4.08 | 3.8 | 11.41 (+73%) |
| 8 | "The Alliance" | November 30, 2016 | 2.2/8 (12) | 6.81 | 1.6 | 3.89 | 3.8 | 10.70 (+73%) |
| 9 | "Snow Ball" | December 14, 2016 | 2.0/7 (11) | 6.81 | 1.7 | 4.10 | 3.7 | 10.91 (+85%) |
| 10 | "Ringmaster Keifth" | January 4, 2017 | 2.4/8 (5) | 7.57 (19) | 1.6 | 3.99 | 4.0 | 11.56 (+67%) |
| 11 | "Sarge & Pea" | January 11, 2017 | 2.3/8 (6) | 7.59 (12) | 1.7 | 3.95 | 4.0 | 11.54 (+74%) |
| 12 | "Do You Believe in Magic" | February 8, 2017 | 2.3/8 (5) | 7.34 (18) | 1.6 | 3.99 | 3.9 | 11.33 (+70%) |
| 13 | "Do It Yourself" | February 15, 2017 | 2.0/7 (5) | 6.92 (21) | 1.6 | 3.74 | 3.6 | 10.66 (+80%) |
| 14 | "Heavy is the Head" | February 22, 2017 | 2.0/7 (9) | 6.65 (24) | 1.6 | 3.78 | 3.6 | 10.42 (+80%) |
| 15 | "Finding Fizbo" | March 1, 2017 | 2.0/7 (5) | 6.41 | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | "Basketball" | March 8, 2017 | 1.9/7 (6) | 6.49 (21) | 1.6 | 3.99 | 3.5 | 10.48 (+84%) |
| 17 | "Pig Moon Rising" | March 15, 2017 | 1.9/7 (8) | 6.12 (24) | 1.5 | 3.63 | 3.4 | 9.76 (+79%) |
| 18 | "Five Minutes" | March 29, 2017 | 2.1/7 (8) | 6.79 (21) | 1.4 | 3.50 | 3.5 | 10.29 (+67%) |
| 19 | "Frank's Wedding" | April 5, 2017 | 1.9/7 (6) | 6.25 (25) | 1.4 | 3.32 | 3.3 | 9.57 (+74%) |
| 20 | "All Things Being Equal" | May 3, 2017 | 1.7/6 (7) | 5.65 | 1.5 | 3.67 | 3.2 | 9.32 (+88%) |
| 21 | "Alone Time" | May 10, 2017 | 1.6/6 (8) | 5.71 (25) | 1.3 | 3.32 | 2.9 | 9.03 (+81%) |
| 22 | "The Graduates" | May 17, 2017 | 1.7/6 (6) | 6.20 (17) | 1.5 | 3.49 | 3.2 | 9.69 (+88%) |