TV NEWS
Modern Family's Broken Step Was Improvised And Became A Running Joke
By SHANE O'NEILL
Ty Burrell’s Phil Dunphy became a fan favorite on “Modern Family” and showcased the actor’s improv skills, with one ad-lib in particular turning into a running gag.
The off-the-cuff moment of Phil tripping on a stair and saying, “Gotta fix that step,” evolved into a recurring joke, highlighting realtor Phil’s ironic struggle with his own home.
Initially, ABC executives were hesitant to cast Burrell as Phil, doubting his ability to deliver the character’s unique blend of charm and humor.
According to co-creator Steve Levitan, Burrell was always envisioned as Phil for the series, so he fought the network executives’ objections.
In a last-ditch effort to get him on the show, Levitan filmed a comedy sketch based on Levitan's life that featured Burrell as a dad accidentally hitting his son with a BB gun.
The hilarious sketch swayed the executives and led to Burrell’s casting as Phil and his eventual rise as one of TV’s greatest dads, earning numerous awards for his portrayal.