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The Worst Episodes of Modern Family

Every episode of Modern Family ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Modern Family!

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The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is a wonderfully large and blended family. They give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Modern Family Season 9 Episode 2 - The Long Goodbye
    6.2/10(2050 votes)

    #1 - The Long Goodbye

    S9:E2

    Phil and Claire realize that Alex may be more self-sufficient in college than they give her credit for when they drop in for a quick visit. Meanwhile, Manny is determined to avoid a long tearful goodbye after Gloria and Jay move him into his college dorm. Finally, Mitch may have accidentally accelerated a planned renovation, and Hayley gets an unexpected opportunity when she befriends a wealthy female member at the country club.

    Director:James Alan Hensz
    Writers:Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh

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  2. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 20 - All Things Being Equal
    6.3/10(2445 votes)

    #2 - All Things Being Equal

    S8:E20

    Gloria, Claire, Haley, Alex, Lily, Luke and Manny are equally committed to showing their support for gender equality and the women's movement in very different ways. Meanwhile, Jay and Phil are at odds on how their parking lot attendant, Joan, should be running their lot, and jealousy ensues when Pam prefers Mitchell's help over Cam's with her baby.

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writers:Christy Stratton, Ryan Walls

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  3. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 14 - Heavy Is the Head
    6.4/10(1939 votes)

    #3 - Heavy Is the Head

    S8:E14

    Despite their lofty hopes, Phil and Jay's property investment might turn out to be a bust, forcing Phil to rethink his original dream. Meanwhile, Cam lands in the hospital due to a head injury and refuses to have an MRI thanks to a traumatic incident with a well when he was a child. Determined to finally impress Claire and keep her from re-gifting her birthday present, Gloria surprises her with a day of luxury at the office. However, after Claire had to implement some rather harsh budget cuts at work, a massage at her desk may not be sending the right message.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Danny Zuker

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  4. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 22 - The Graduates
    6.4/10(2076 votes)

    #4 - The Graduates

    S8:E22

    Manny's father, Javier, shows up for his graduation and takes him out on a wild night of celebration, and then Jay steps in to pick-up the pieces. Meanwhile, the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is getting ready for Luke and Manny's big day and dealing with the emotions that come with seeing your kids grow up and leave the nest.

    Director:Steven Levitan
    Writers:Jeffrey Richman, Jon Pollack

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  5. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 4 - Sex, Lies & Kickball
    6.4/10(1976 votes)

    #5 - Sex, Lies & Kickball

    S9:E4

    Jay's best friend, Shorty, is back from Costa Rica and stays at the house so they can catch up and reconnect. However, Shorty is spending more time with Gloria and seems to be avoiding Jay. Meanwhile, Alex is ready to shed her good-girl image and is going to prove to Claire that her relationship with Ben is definitely a sexual relationship.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writer:Abraham Higginbotham

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  6. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 6 - Ten Years Later
    6.5/10(1963 votes)

    #6 - Ten Years Later

    S9:E6

    Claire is determined to make up for her less-than-joyful mood at Jay and Gloria's wedding by throwing their tenth-anniversary party. As part of the festivities, Phil is going to perform a magic trick featuring Gloria appearing out of thin air in her wedding dress; that is if Gloria can still get into it!

    Director:Fred Savage
    Writer:Danny Zuker

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  7. Modern Family Season 10 Episode 3 - A Sketchy Area
    6.5/10(1944 votes)

    #7 - A Sketchy Area

    S10:E3

    Phil stumbles into an exciting new career after dropping by Luke's college. Claire deals with her dad, and the merger of Pritchett's Closets with a tech-savvy, hipper company. Mitch's new high-profile case as an assistant district attorney is marred by an unflattering courtroom sketch by the resident artist.

    Director:Jeffrey Walker
    Writer:Elaine Ko

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  8. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 11 - Sarge & Pea
    6.6/10(2055 votes)

    #8 - Sarge & Pea

    S8:E11

    Cam is incensed that an anonymous and rude parent robbed him of a precious Lily moment during her recent dance recital. While he and Hayley visit Alex at her coffee shop the next day, he thinks he recognizes the culprit and goes to extremes to uncover her identity, and give her a peace of his mind. Meanwhile, Jay, Claire and Mitch attend a family wedding and unexpectedly run into Dede at the reception. Afraid their parents are going to once again make a scene, Mitch and Claire devise a plan to keep them apart. Finally, Phil and Gloria are on a college tour with Luke and Manny, and have very different ways of getting the boys ready to head out on this new adventure and also learning to let go.

    Director:James Bagdonas
    Writer:Abraham Higginbotham

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  9. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 19 - Frank's Wedding
    6.6/10(2021 votes)

    #9 - Frank's Wedding

    S8:E19

    Frank Dunphy's Roaring 20s-themed wedding day is finally here, and to get into the spirit, Phil gets the Dunphy clan to show up in costume. Once Claire and the kids realize they are the only ones dressed-up, they feel it's time for a “funny” intervention with Phil. Meanwhile, Jay has mastered the art of saying no, but soon realizes that if you say no too many times, people stop asking; and Cam is in for a big surprise when he finally stops hiding behind Mitchell and stands up to his sister Pam.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Andy Gordon

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  10. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 21 - Alone Time
    6.6/10(2032 votes)

    #10 - Alone Time

    S8:E21

    Everyone deserves a little alone time now and then, so when Mitch and Jay separately seek out a much-needed retreat from the family and end up at the same resort, it becomes clear just how “related” they really are. Meanwhile, Phil and Claire can't seem to really enjoy the empty-nester life, and Cam, not knowing what to do with himself while Mitch is away, drops in on Gloria's to lend a hand.

    Director:James Alan Hensz
    Writers:Abraham Higginbotham, Danny Zuker, Stephen Lloyd

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  11. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 5 - It's the Great Pumpkin, Phil Dunphy
    6.6/10(1935 votes)

    #11 - It's the Great Pumpkin, Phil Dunphy

    S9:E5

    Phil and Claire still want to celebrate Halloween in a big way, but it seems no one shares their same enthusiasm making them wonder if maybe everyone is right. Over at the Pritchett's, Mitch and Cam are frustrated by how long Jay is taking to finish their kitchen remodel, which forces Mitch to finally stand up to his dad. Meanwhile, Gloria's hospitality is wearing thin when Cam oversteps his boundaries as a house guest.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Jon Pollack

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  12. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 17 - Royal Visit
    6.6/10(1801 votes)

    #12 - Royal Visit

    S9:E17

    Haley's brilliant astrophysicist boyfriend comes to meet the family, setting Claire and Phil off in a competition about which one of them is smarter, making Alex feel self-conscious about her dim but handsome firefighter boyfriend, Bill. Mitch and Cam go on a yoga retreat, but when Cam finds out his dream team, the Kansas City Royals, is having spring training next door, he can't resist sneaking out.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writers:Jeffrey Richman, Jack Burditt, Jessica Poter

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  13. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 22 - Clash of Swords
    6.6/10(1845 votes)

    #13 - Clash of Swords

    S9:E22

    Mitchell sneaks out to “Hero-Con” with fanboy Phil, dressed as their favorite characters from the show “Clash of Swords.” It's great until Phil commits the ultimate fan faux pas. In a clash of another kind, Gloria's dinosaur party for Joe is ruined when her nemesis, Dr. Donna Duncan, upstages her with a far bigger and better party right next door.

    Director:James Alan Hensz
    Writers:Elaine Ko, Stephen Lloyd

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  14. Modern Family Season 10 Episode 11 - A Moving Day
    6.6/10(1731 votes)

    #14 - A Moving Day

    S10:E11

    Claire and Phil aren't convinced that Haley and Dylan can make it on their own as they move them into their new apartment before the baby arrives. Meanwhile, Pameron gets out of prison early and has a bone to pick with Mitchell.

    Director:Iwona Sapienza
    Writers:Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh

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  15. Modern Family Season 10 Episode 12 - Blasts from the Past
    6.6/10(1742 votes)

    #15 - Blasts from the Past

    S10:E12

    Phil and Claire decide to take a cycling tour through Italy before they become grandparents, and Dylan introduces them to his mom who has an interesting past. Meanwhile, Cameron and Mitchell discover some interesting reading material in Lily's room and decide to confront her about it, while Gloria and Jay discover their respective great uncles may have fought on opposing sides of a war.

    Director:Fred Savage
    Writers:Stephen Lloyd, Vali Chandrasekaran

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  16. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 7 - Thanksgiving Jamboree
    6.7/10(2142 votes)

    #16 - Thanksgiving Jamboree

    S8:E7

    It's going to be a Thanksgiving jamboree at the Pritchett-Tucker home this year and Cameron has spared no expense. While Phil tries to get used to Rainer Shine dating his daughter, Hayley has to break it to her dad that she would rather spend the rest of her holiday with her new boyfriend than stay for the traditional family football game.

    Director:Steven Levitan
    Writers:Chuck Tatham, Jon Pollack

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  17. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 13 - Do It Yourself
    6.7/10(1970 votes)

    #17 - Do It Yourself

    S8:E13

    Feeling empowered after his successful do-it-yourself project, Phil convinces Jay to co-invest in a property he has always wanted to develop. Meanwhile, Claire's new obsession with a TV chef and her new love of cooking Sunday dinners hasn't been as tasty as she thinks. Haley is the family's only hope to add a little spice to the situation. At the Pritchett-Tucker house, Cam and Mitchell see that the family is too reliant on technology, so they attempt to teach Lily the importance of hard work, which ends disastrously. Back at the Pritchett's, Jay feels replaced when he sees Gloria has hired Coach Gary to coach Joe and serve as a handy man.

    Director:Jeffrey Walker
    Writers:Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh

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  18. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 3 - Catch of the Day
    6.7/10(1959 votes)

    #18 - Catch of the Day

    S9:E3

    Phil's convinced he is going to have a day of bad luck after failing to successfully complete his daily superstition. However, Claire is eager to make it to a concert and has no time for his silly notion. Meanwhile, Mitch is certain that Cam is undermining him during their kitchen renovation, and Jay is determined to get Gloria to admit she was in a car accident.

    Director:Fred Savage
    Writer:Jeffrey Richman

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  19. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 9 - Tough Love
    6.7/10(1870 votes)

    #19 - Tough Love

    S9:E9

    After leaving his real estate firm to strike out on his own, Phil decides a solo camping trip in the wild will be just what he needs to boost his confidence. Meanwhile, Mitchell's plan to teach Cam a lesson in gullibility and Lily a lesson in responsibility backfires.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writer:Stephen Lloyd

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  20. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 10 - No Small Feet
    6.7/10(1860 votes)

    #20 - No Small Feet

    S9:E10

    When Claire lands a big opportunity for Pritchett's Closets, Jay expects a little validation for his contribution; and Pam's ex-boyfriend Bo shows up and Mitchell sees this as the perfect opportunity to get Pam out of the house. Meanwhile, Luke and Alex stumble upon a successful online business that finally gets them on their feet.

    Director:James Bagdonas
    Writers:Ryan Walls, Matt Plonsker

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  21. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 13 - In Your Head
    6.7/10(1982 votes)

    #21 - In Your Head

    S9:E13

    When Luke goes missing after a night out in a sketchy neighborhood, Manny, Phil and Gloria team up to track him down. Meanwhile, Haley is desperate to land an interview with the creator of a popular lifestyle website and interrupts Alex during one of her college classes. Alex's professor, Arvin Fennerman, then proceeds to try and give Haley a piece of his mind.

    Director:Steven Levitan
    Writer:Jack Burditt

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  22. Modern Family Season 9 Episode 19 - CHiPs and Salsa
    6.7/10(1772 votes)

    #22 - CHiPs and Salsa

    S9:E19

    When Haley hears that her loopy boss is looking for a product with the magical properties of peppers, she tries to gain favor by convincing Gloria to sell her salsa to NERP; Mitchell gets Cam the police ride-along he's always dreamed of.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writers:Paul Corrigan, Bill Wrubel, Brad Walsh

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  23. Modern Family Season 10 Episode 18 - Stand By Your Man
    6.7/10(1699 votes)

    #23 - Stand By Your Man

    S10:E18

    Dylan and Luke are really impressed with Bill's tales of heroism and survival as a firefighter, which make Phil feel emasculated. To impress the guys, he invites them over for a little male-bonding moment that goes terribly wrong.

    Director:James Alan Hensz
    Writers:Bill Wrubel, Jeffrey Richman, Jack Burditt

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  24. Modern Family Season 11 Episode 9 - The Last Christmas
    6.7/10(1915 votes)

    #24 - The Last Christmas

    S11:E9

    Cameron is hoping to keep everyone happy for their annual Christmas dinner as he hides and prepares for his big interview for a head coaching position out-of-state. Meanwhile, Haley is excited to be finally be reunited with wine and Mitchell is suspicious of Cam’s holiday trip to visit his family in Missouri.

    Director:Jeffrey Walker
    Writers:Abraham Higginbotham, Jon Pollack

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  25. Modern Family Season 8 Episode 16 - Basketball
    6.8/10(1998 votes)

    #25 - Basketball

    S8:E16

    After choking at last year's charity basketball game, Phil has been training all year to redeem himself. However, when NBA stars Charles Barkley and DeAndre Jordan attend the game and start making bets, Phil tries to not buckle under the pressure. Meanwhile, Gloria has to step-up at Manny's school when her nemesis, Donna Duncan, tries to shame her for her lack of support at the school. Finally, Claire does whatever it takes to keep a work mistake secret from Jay, while Jay's concerned that Joe doesn't have a healthy fear of him at all.

    Director:James Alan Hensz
    Writer:Elaine Ko

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Long Goodbye" is the worst rated episode of "Modern Family". It scored 6.2/10 based on 2050 votes. Directed by James Alan Hensz and written by Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh, it aired on 10/4/2017. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "All Things Being Equal".