Only Real Modern Family Fans Can Score Over 80% On This Quiz
- by D_Faraci
- – on
- in Movies and TV
As the ninth season of Modern Family begins, it is impossible to argue against just how big of a success the series has been. With a cast filled with top-notch talent and a writer's room staffed with some of the funniest people around, week after week, Modern Family has been able to be both a heart-warming family show and a series that consistently subverts sitcom tropes and breaks barriers.
Audiences have watched as Manny and Luke have traversed the perils of high school. We've seen Cameron and Mitchell do their best to raise Lily. We've seen Claire take over her dad's business, and Alex go off to college. We've watched Haley struggle with finding her place in the world, and Gloria enjoy knowing that she has found hers. We've enjoyed Phil's hobbies, from trampolines to magic to raising ducks. We've watched Jay sneer at his kids and grandkids while spoiling his dog. And all the way we have laughed and cried with them. After all these years, we see bits of ourselves in the characters.
With nine years of stories, there's a whole lot of bits and bobs that fans have seen, but only die-hard fans will remember. This quiz will not only test your knowledge of the Pritchetts and the Dunphys on-screen lives but some of the behind the scenes aspects of the series as well. Are you ready? Then start answering these questions about Modern Family!
What does the company that Jay built specialize in?
Jay Pritchett, the chieftain of the Pritchett/Dunphy clan, didn't grow up wealthy, but he built his own company and turned it into a multi-million dollar business. A few years ago, Jay retired and handed the business to his daughter Claire, and while he found it difficult to step away at first, these days he loves spending his days not working. Golfing is a much more fun way to spend the day, especially if it includes some scotch. What was the business that Jay built?
Who was Haley's first love?
Since the start of the show Haley has gone through a few relationships, but none of them have lasted as long, or have been as upsetting to her parents, than her first love and high school boyfriend. He played guitar, wasn't even close to smart, and seemed to always be around, even when he clearly wasn't wanted. While he and Haley broke up and got back together a few times, it looks like the relationship is over for real now - the last time we saw this character, we learned that he had married a lawyer.
What is Phil's job?
Before Claire started working at her dad's company, Phil was the breadwinner at the Dunphy home, and while he loves a good joke, he was always serious about his work, at times even stressing over it, which is not something he does often. With his relaxed personality, people quickly feel comfortable around Phil, which is a big help in his work. He is also a hit with divorcées - something that Phil is pretty much oblivious to, but has bugged Claire in the past. What is Phil Dunphy's job?
Where did Cameron grow up?
Of the Pritchett/Dunphy clan members, Cameron is something of an outsider. His overly dramatic ways tend to make him hard to deal with, and his stories about growing up are so unlike anything the rest of the family has experienced that they have trouble connecting with him. Perhaps this is why Cam and Gloria have formed such a strong bond. While they have lived very different lives, Cam and Gloria both come from worlds that the rest of the family can't even begin to imagine. Where did Cameron grow up?
What business did Gloria start?
Gloria grew up in Colombia, and while she isn't very open about her past, it is clear that her life wasn't easy, and her family may be into some seriously illegal stuff. She left Colombia and moved to America where she struggled for years, working as a cab driver and raising her son Manny alone. After she married Jay, Gloria quickly adapted to a better life but it took time to convince Claire and Mitchell that she wasn't a gold digger. Recently, Gloria started her own business, what is it?
What is Cameron's clown persona called?
Ever hard to pin down to any one thing, Cameron seems to have a connection to anything that people can think of. He sings, he dances, he plays football, he acts and, much to the dismay of his loved ones, he even dresses up like a clown from time to time. And as with everything else in his life, Cameron takes his clown persona seriously, protecting the name and reputation of his clowning life as he would Mitchell or Lily. What is Cameron's clown name?
Why did Alex take a year off from college
There is no arguing that Alex Dunphy is the smartest character on Modern Family, and like her mom Claire, she is highly competitive. The combination of the two parts have made Alex someone who can be difficult to deal with; she is often sarcastic (also like her mom) and somewhat condescending to others. Still, when the time came and Alex went off to college, she didn't stay long. Why did Alex come home and take time off from school before the end of her first semester?
What class did Phil want Luke to take that Luke was against
During the early years of Modern Family, Phil and Luke were about as close as a father and son could be. Luke was the Robin to Phil's trampoline loving Batman, joining him for every misadventure and cheering his dad on. But as time went on, Luke started to become his own man, and the differences between him and his dad became clear when Luke refused to attend a special class, going against Dunphy tradition. What was the class Luke wouldn't go to?
Who did Manny have a crush on?
Something of an old soul, Manny prefers the good things in life - a nice coffee, a good meal, a fine wine, the opera. These things have made Manny's high school life difficult; he never really fit in with any of the other kids, although his cousin Luke was always trying to help him in all things teenager. For a long time there was only one girl that Manny crushed on, and while he did his best to hide it from others, it was pretty obvious. Who did Manny have a crush on?
Where was Lily born
The adopted daughter of Cam and Mitchell, viewers have watched Lily go from a cute little kid to a sarcastic pre-teen who is doing a better job raising herself than her two dads are doing. While she is an overall nice person, Lily does have an angry side. In many ways, with her mix of sarcasm and drama, she is the culmination of her two dads, but her independent streak makes her stand out from them. What country did Cameron and Mitchell adopt Lily from?
What pre-school does Joe go to?
The newest member of the family, Joe has quickly learned that pretty much nothing will be about him and uses that to quietly get the things he wants. So far, the things Joe wants are... concerning. He's killed at least one chicken and has shown a tendency to come up with devious plans. Joe's parents, Jay and Gloria, still want Joe to have the best of things, so they send him to one of the best pre-schools. What is it called?
What is Claire's favorite holiday?
Claire is known for being a bit of a stick in the mud: she constantly overthinks things, is strict about rules, and tends to worry about everything. With a husband like Phil, she doesn't have much choice but to always be the stern one. Still, there is one time of the year where Claire lets her hair down, where she really gets into the fun of the season. In the usual Claire way, she tends to overdo it, but in this case, no one really minds. What is Claire's favorite holiday?
What is Jay's dog's name?
Jay Pritchett isn't very good at expressing his feelings to his family. He struggled to accept his son's sexuality, isn't a fan of hugs, and often separates himself from the rest of the family during gatherings that he put together (he's a complicated guy). The one thing in the world Jay has no problem showing affection for is his dog, and while Gloria isn't a fan of the little pooch, she has come to accept that it makes Jay happy, so she tries her best to deal with it. What is Jay's dog's name?
What was Haley's weatherman boyfriend's name?
Claire and Phil went through a lot of worry when Haley started dating a local weatherman who was closer to their age than her's. While Phil came to accept it pretty quickly, especially after the weatherman got him on the news, Claire was never comfortable with the relationship. Haley became uneasy with it herself when she realized that her boyfriend's daughter was almost her age, and in the end, the couple broke up. What was the weatherman, played by Nathan Fillion, named?
What is Claire and MItchell's mother's name?
Well before the series starts, Jay's first wife, the mother of Claire and Mitchell, is out of the picture, though she does show up from time to time. A poet, she left Jay to find herself - although both she and Jay admit that the marriage was already over well before she left - and for the most part, she has a troubled relationship with the family. Most notably, she often tries to physically attack Gloria, though oddly, she has a very good relationship with Gloria's son Manny. What is her name?
Why is Phil afraid of clowns?
One person who really doesn't like Cameron's clown persona is Phil, which considering Phil's love of trampolines, cheerleading, and magic, is pretty surprising. Still, there is a good reason for Phil's fear of clowns, and it goes back to a traumatic moment from his childhood, one that would surely leave a mark on anyone. While he doesn't like to talk about it, Phil will has brought up this nightmarish moment from his life a few times. Why is Phil afraid of clowns?
What business venture did Cam and Claire go into together
Before they got regular jobs, Cam and Claire were stay at home parents, and it was kind of driving them nuts that their spouses went out each day while they stayed home. To deal with their need to do more, Claire and Cam decided to go in together on a business venture, and while Phil and Mitchell were less than supportive of it, the plan worked out pretty well. What was the business venture that Cam and Claire took on together?
Where did Claire and Phil meet?
Claire and Phil Dunphy are almost exact opposites. Claire is analytical and exact, while Phil likes to just go with the flow. Claire is, if we're being totally honest, very intelligent while Phil is not all that bright. While Phil loves magic, Claire prefers peace and quiet. That they have stayed married for so long - something that Claire's dad Jay can't believe - can be attributed to one thing - true love. Where did Claire and Phil first meet?
Which of these isn't a job Haley has worked?
While Haley isn't known for her smarts, she is pretty knowledgeable about some very specific things, and since she left college, she has used her knowledge to get some very specific jobs. Haley's main skill, like her father, is her personality - people like her and want her to like them, and she uses this to make her life easier, both in her jobs and in her daily life. Of the jobs listed below, which one isn't a career path Haley considered?
Who plays Gloria's sister Sonia?
Gloria and her sister Sonia have a troubled relationship. The problems started when Gloria purposely stole Sonia's chance to move to America, then continued when Gloria kind of but not on purpose stole Jay from Sonia (Jay meant to hit on Sonia by giving her a pie, but Gloria thought it was for her). Still living in Colombia, Sonia is angry at the life that Gloria leads, the life that she believes should have been hers. Over the years we've seen less of Sonia, mainly because the actress is a regular on another series. Who is the actress?
Which former President of the United States said Modern Family is his favorite show?
Modern Family is such a big hit that in a time when Republicans and Democrats couldn't be further apart, one thing that both parties appear to agree on is that this is a great show. One former President in particular has sung the series' praises, going so far as to call it one of his favorite TV shows ever. The question, obviously, is which of the five living former Presidents of the United States is it that speaks so highly of Modern Family?
Who was originally offered the role of Jay Pritchett?
Before being cast as Jay Pritchett, Ed O'Neill was best known for playing Al Bundy on the hit Fox series Married... With Children. When Modern Family was first advertised, some people wondered if viewers would be able to separate O'Neill from his iconic sitcom role of the 80s and 90s, but those concerns proved unwarranted as nine seasons in, it is hard to see a connection to the characters O'Neill has played. Still, Ed O'Neill wasn't the first choice for the role. What other sitcom star was offered the part?
Which Married... With Children cast member appeared on Modern Family?
Before Modern Family, Ed O'Neill starred on the hit series Married... With Children. The show ran for ten seasons before being canceled by Fox in a move that shocked not only fans, but everyone who worked on the show. When Modern Family began, people quickly started to wonder if any of O'Neill's Married... With Children cast members would make an appearance, and sure enough one of them did in the show's fourth season. Which of O'Neill's old co-workers was it?
Who turned down the role of Phil Dunphy?
It may be hard to imagine anyone else playing Phil Dunphy, but Ty Burrell wasn't the first choice for the role. Originally, producers wanted a different actor, but he turned the role down (something he has openly admitted was a career mistake). While Burrell has made the role his own, winning two Emmy's for his work (so far), it is hard not to wonder if the original choice would have worked out as well. Who was the person the producers offered the role to?
Which of these SCTV alums hasn't appeared on Modern Family?
Over the years, Modern Family has had a number of amazing guest stars, including all three stars from Workaholics, Nathan Lane, and Elizabeth Banks, but one classic comedy series has had a number of it's cast appear on the series. SCTV was a Canadian sketch series about a low budget local TV station and the people who worked there - kind of like a Saturday Night Live with a continuing plot. The cast included, among others, the four names below. Three of them have appeared on Modern Family, one of them hasn't. Which one hasn't?