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Season 3 – Modern Family

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – Modern Family Sep 2011 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Told from the perspective of an unseen documentary filmmaker, the series offers an honest, often-hilarious perspective of family life. Parents Phil and Claire yearn for an honest, open relationship with their three kids. But a daughter who is trying to grow up too fast, another who is too smart for her own good, and a rambunctious young son make it challenging. Claire's dad, Jay, and his Latina wife, Gloria, are raising two sons together, but people sometimes believe Jay to be Gloria's father. Jay's gay son, Mitchell, and his partner, Cameron, have adopted a little Asian girl, completing one big -- straight, gay, multicultural, traditional -- happy family.
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Modern Family — Season 3

Modern Family — Season 3

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Modern Family settles into a well-oiled groove, consistently delivering inspired farce and making it look effortless.

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Critics Reviews

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Alan Sepinwall HitFix Nov 6, 2018
Enough good material in each episode to serve as a reminder of why this is one of TV's better comedies. Go to Full Review Maris Kreizman New York Magazine/Vulture Nov 6, 2018
Not all that surprising and a little sentimental, but charming nonetheless. Go to Full Review Marc Snetiker Entertainment Weekly Nov 6, 2018
O'Neill has really been the MVP this season, and this could be his year to finally nab an Emmy or Golden Globe -- although the promise of a pregnant Gloria stands to give O'Neill an even better year next season! Go to Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures Nov 7, 2018
4/5
It was about escalation in the first season. In this third season, it's about staying on top of that energy. Go to Full Review Dyanamaria Leifsson TV Equals Nov 7, 2018
The new Lily is adorable and hilarious, so she's a great add to the cast... Overall, this was a great return for Modern Family. Go to Full Review Zac Oldenburg CinemaBlend Nov 7, 2018
Modern Family threw out some real stinkers this year and sunk to levels the show had never dared go to in seasons past. The season as a whole I would easily deem a creative failure. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Max W @MaxthorWoo Jul 19, 2026 Modern Family Season 3 continues to deliver a potent mix of humor, chaos, and genuine heart; it consistently pushes its beloved characters to profound and deeply moving heights. See more Ed R @JustcallmeER Nov 15, 2024 Brilliant comedy! Top notch! See more Brian D @Brianwd2 Oct 28, 2024 74%. 10/14/24. Didn't like it as much as the first two seasons, but took breaks and didn't watch super closely. See more Kelis F @RT93631521 Feb 21, 2024 A great show to watch and even rewatch. The comedy is great and the love of the family makes it heartwarming. See more Lasse L @RT62932725 May 5, 2023 A slightly weaker season than previously lacking any truly great episodes. See more Jakey B @RT00961171 Nov 15, 2022 Another brilliant season, just hits all the right notes. Keeps itself funny and smart but never loses sight of genuine drama and makes it feel so real. See more Read all reviews
Modern Family — Season 3

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Spiller

Director

Chris Koch

Director

Gail Mancuso

Director

Bryan Cranston

Director

Fred Savage

Director

Jason Winer

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 21, 2011 Dude Ranch The family takes a vacation on a ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Jay faces off with a cowboy. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 21, 2011 When Good Kids Go Bad Mitch and Cam bring the family together to announce their plan to adopt another child. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 28, 2011 Phil on Wire Jay's relationship with the dog irritates Gloria; Phil and Luke try to master the tightrope; Cameron starts a juice fast. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 5, 2011 Door to Door Jay helps Manny with a school fundraiser; Claire petitions for a stop sign at a busy intersection; Phil and Luke try to create a viral video; Gloria searches for Stella. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 12, 2011 Hit and Run Gloria tries to help Jay and Manny with their problems, but both are unreceptive; Claire considers running against Councilman Duane Bailey (David Cross); Cam and Mitch are the victims of a hit-and-run accident. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 19, 2011 Go Bullfrogs! Phil takes Haley to visit his alma mater; Claire goes out with Mitchell and Cameron; Gloria and Jay may have to broach a delicate subject with Manny. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 2, 2011 Treehouse Gloria insists on a night of salsa dancing with Jay; Cameron goes too far when Mitchell and a friend challenge him to get a hot woman's (Leslie Mann) number; Phil builds a tree house. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 16, 2011 After the Fire After a fire destroys a neighbor's home, the whole family tries to help by organizing a community drive. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 23, 2011 Punkin Chunkin A former neighborhood resident, now rich and successful, returns for a visit; Jay thinks Manny needs constructive criticism; Mitchell questions the authenticity of Cameron's colorful childhood stories. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 7, 2011 Express Christmas The family puts together a quick Christmas celebration when they realize they won't be together on the actual day. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 4, 2012 Lifetime Supply When Phil misses a call from his doctor with test results, he immediately assumes the worst; Javier stops by to take Manny to the horse races; Mitchell's winning of an environmental law award sparks a competition. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 11, 2012 Egg Drop Claire and Jay's competitive streaks lead them to take over their kids' school projects; Phil asks Haley and Gloria to help him with a presentation; Mitch and Cam meet with prospective birth mothers. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 18, 2012 Little Bo Bleep Claire prepares for her debate with Duane Bailey; Mitch and Cam try to clean up Lily's language before her turn as a flower girl; Jay blames Stella's strange behavior on Gloria. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 8, 2012 Me? Jealous? Claire thinks Phil's new business partner (Greg Kinnear) is blatantly inappropriate, but Phil doesn't notice; while their house is being fumigated, Cameron and Mitchell stay with Jay and Gloria. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 15, 2012 Aunt Mommy After selling a house to Mitch and Cameron's friends, Claire and Phil plan a celebratory dinner; overindulging in drinks leads to over sharing. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 22, 2012 Virgin Territory Mitchell ruins one of Jay's proudest moments; Phil overhears something about one of his daughters; Gloria accidentally discovers Claire's secret. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 29, 2012 Leap Day Mitchell feels pressured to make Cameron's birthday extra special; Jay's manliness comes into question; the girls interfere with Phil's leap day plans. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 14, 2012 Send Out the Clowns Cameron runs into his estranged ex-clown partner (Bobby Cannavale); another real estate agent (Ellen Barkin) snags a listing that Phil was trying to land; Jay and Gloria are suspicious when Manny makes a new friend. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 11, 2012 Election Day On Election Day, the family does some last-minute campaigning for Claire; Claire experiences technical difficulties during interviews. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 18, 2012 The Last Walt Claire tries to help Luke cope with the death of a neighbor; Phil and Alex spend some time together; Haley throws a party without permission; Cameron's father visits. Details Episode 21 Aired May 2, 2012 Planes, Trains and Cars Phil buys a car without consulting Claire; Jay is on a mission to get to his high-school reunion with Gloria and Manny; Lily loses her favorite toy on a train. Details Episode 22 Aired May 9, 2012 Disneyland When the family travels to Disneyland, Phil struggles to keep up with Luke; Claire is stunned when they run into Dylan; Cam and Mitch must curb Lily's new penchant for running. Details Episode 23 Aired May 16, 2012 Tableau Vivant Gloria and Jay bicker while trying to order lunch at a diner; Claire and Cam have different theories on how to discipline kids; Luke accepts an award under false pretenses. Details Episode 24 Aired May 23, 2012 Baby on Board While Gloria helps Cam and Mitch pursue an adoption opportunity, Jay and Manny baby-sit Lily; Alex attends her first prom; Haley makes a shocking announcement about her plans for the future. Details

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Modern Family — Season 3

Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family View more photos

Season Info

Director
Michael Alan Spiller, Chris Koch, Gail Mancuso, Bryan Cranston, Fred Savage, Jason Winer, Steven Levitan
Executive Producer
Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd
Screenwriter
Bill Wrubel, Paul Corrigan, Cindy Chupack, Elaine Ko, Danny Zucker, Jeffrey Richman, Ben Karlin, Abraham Higginbotham, Steven Levitan, Brad Walsh, Dan O'Shannon
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG (D|L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 21, 2011
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