Modern Family: Was Phil being a creep to Gloria plain bad writing? Explored

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Modern Family is counted among the greatest sitcoms of the 21st century. The Pritchett, Dunphy, and Tucker dynamic never fails to tickle the audience’s funny bone. The life lessons that come along the way are the cherry on the cake.

However, among all the hilarious and heartwarming moments, there is one plot point that does not go down well with fans: Phil Dunphy’s crush on his stepmother-in-law, Gloria Pritchett.

Though Phil, played by Ty Burrell, is an adorable character and a loving husband to Claire, played by Julie Bowen, his unhealthy obsession with Gloria, played by Sofía Vergara, in the initial seasons leaves some viewers irked.

Though the creators have used it as a comedic device numerous times, the fact that they are related only makes the matter worse, as fans believe Phil’s behavior toward Gloria is creepy. Some have even attributed this storyline to bad writing.

The Phil and Gloria plot might not be a morally correct arc, but it is certainly not bad writing. Instead, the creators developed their bond over the years and gave it a platonic dimension in the latter seasons of Modern Family.

Phil being a creep to Gloria in Modern Family is not bad writing

Phil’s obsession with Gloria is not bad writing on the part of Modern Family creators. Instead, it is an inherent part of the realtor’s character. Phil is known for his childlike innocence and lets his intrusive thoughts come out without any filter, which often lands him in awkward situations.

No doubt, his crushing over his stepmother-in-law can gross out some people, but the show portrays it as a light-hearted fascination, where Phil never crosses a boundary. Gloria’s breathtaking beauty is admired by not only men but also women in the show, and Phil happens to be one of her admirers.

However, how he expresses his admiration is debatable. His crush on Gloria is highlighted several times. At one point, he ‘feels’ her dress when he calls him ‘Phil’ in her signature accent. At another, he is lost for words while getting an incredibly cozy haircut from her.

And who can forget the classic ‘Don't be disrespectful, Luke. Anyone could do it with Gloria’ dialog when Luke asks how could his grandfather get her pregnant at this age. Phil might come out as a creep, but in his heart, he is just a child who likes the shine and glitter of Gloria.

Some fans believe that Phil is being unfair to his wife, Claire, by crushing over her stepmother. However, Claire is well aware of Phil’s fascination. She feels jealous sometimes but knows her husband would never cross a line.

Meanwhile, Gloria mostly ignores Phil’s advances. She is relaxed around him and does not feel creeped out by his actions. This is because she is used to male attention and is also aware of Phil’s innocence.

Phil’s crush on Gloria is toned down in the latter seasons of Modern Family

While Phil’s Infatuation with Gloria comes out strongly in the initial seasons, it is toned down in the latter seasons of Modern Family. As the character grows over time, his dynamic with Gloria also changes.

In season 5, episode 2, the two try to star in a commercial together, and there is no romantic tension from Phil’s side at this time. In the final season, they get into a professional partnership as Gloria interns under Phil as a realtor.

Hence, Phil’s crush on Gloria fades away with time, and Modern Family creators get rid of this not-so-liked arc of the show. Ty Burrell, who played Phil Dunphy, talked about how his character’s bond with Gloria changed over the years. He said in an interview with The Huffington Post:

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“This doesn’t really happen in sitcoms very much, because most of the time you don’t really want the characters to grow. If the characters grow, you lose the whole situation that makes them funny in the first place. Over the years, they’ve become sort of pals in a way.”

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