Given the popularity of Modern Family, why has the hit comedy not gotten a spinoff yet? It is the question that is undoubtedly on many minds as fans await the comedy’s eleventh and final season this fall. Well, it is not for lack of interest or trying. ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke says that she has had to step back on the idea, although it has merit.
Speaking about the status of a potential Modern Family spinoff, she gave this anecdote. On how talks with Modern Family co-creator, Steven Levitan, have been going, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said at TCA:
I get smacked down every time I bring it up to Steve Levitan, so I’m going to stay quiet for a little while. They’ve just started production on the final season — I was at the first table read last week, which was so great, and I’m going to let them focus on that.
Speaking to Deadline, she also said that she is aware that the Haley Dunphy storyline seems like a good fit for a spinoff. More on that in a minute, though. Based on the sounds of things, the focus is on bringing the original ship home before launching the successor -- a strategy that makes sense.
The final chapter will help shape the show’s legacy. Modern Family is currently already in production for Season 11. Earlier this year, ABC announced the beloved comedy would be ending at the end of the 2019-2020 TV season, with the bright side being another season currently lies ahead.
There is a good reason to hope that a spinoff will eventually come to fruition. Modern Family co-creator Christopher Lloyd has not ruled out the possibility in the past. The show’s primary goal is finishing up the still-airing series right now though, although it has been laying the potential groundwork for a spinoff.
In Season 10, Haley (Sarah Hyland) found out she was pregnant. She and boyfriend, Dylan (Reid Ewing), eventually learned they were expecting twins. The couple later got married and welcomed a little boy and a little girl, thus setting up the potential for them to have their own Modern Family spinoff. One replete with potential guest spots from the original cast.
While the ratings for Modern Family’s previous season were a bit rougher than they have been previously, the show is still much-loved. ABC is clearly interested in keeping the family on television. Already getting sentimental with an iconic callback in the Season 10 finale, fans should likely expect even more emotions in the final season.
Still, there is something to be said for saying “goodbye,” knowing you will say “hello” to a familiar face soon after. If Modern Family does not end up at least attempting a Haley Dunphy spinoff, I will be shocked. How else will Sarah Hyland’s dream storyline for Haley get to happen?
Of course, it would not be the first time a popular show left the air without a spinoff in place. The chance for Modern Family to do like The Big Bang Theory and already have one in-place has sort of expired. Maybe the ABC comedy can get a spinoff on the air before The Big Bang Theory launches another spinoff. Until then, enjoy the original!
Modern Family Season 11 premieres Wednesday, September 25 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. While you anticipate the final season with bittersweet resolve, check out this summer’s premieres.
