Modern Family 1x08

At the Dunphy residence it’s Phil and Clair’s wedding anniversary. Phil is stoked to cover Clair in presents, but Clair only got him self-made coupons for free hugs. She’s so embarrassed that she pretends the coupons were only the beginning. She manages to get some guy from Spandau Ballet (guest star Edward Norton) to perform for Phil at their home. “Phil loves Spandau Ballet. That song ‘True’ was playing in the car the first time we kissed. It’s our song,” Clair enthuses to the audience. “I never liked Spandau Ballet,” Phil confesses on the couch when his wife isn’t listening, “Our entire marriage, I never once mentioned Spandau Ballet. Am I even pronouncing that right?” Bonus point for Phil and penalty point for Clair. How can she not know what to get her husband?

Meanwhile Jay has his grandchildren over for a sleepover with all the usual family traditions. They have Sloppy Jays, “which is really Sloppy Joes, made by Jay,” and watch western movies. Pretty girl Haley obviously would rather spend the night with her boy Dylan at the party three blocks away. Jay has been there before with Clair, so he anticipates all her moves and even catches Dylan in the bushes. He loves westerns and rather skip the party. Poor Haley. For their part Mitchell and Cameron left Lily with Gloria, so they can have a night out with another adult, their wild friend Sal (guest star Elizabeth Banks). Sal’s all boobs and laughter all the time, until they mention Lily. She thinks they should kill her. Okay, I’ll admit, this one was worth a few chuckles.