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Ringmaster Keifth is the tenth episode and mid-season premiere from Season 8 of Modern Family, it has aired on January 4, 2017.

Plot Summary[]

Trying to recover from his Thanksgiving debacle, Cam decides to treat the family to a New Year's Day feast. After realizing that Cam's recent attempt is also a complete fail and in order to salvage their meal, Mitch uses a "concierge gift card" that he received as a Christmas gift. Cam soon discovers that the concierge who is on his way to save the day is none other than his ex-boyfriend, Keifth (Kelsey Grammer), a former circus ringmaster who left him without saying goodbye. Meanwhile, Phil's dad, Frank arrives with his new girlfriend, who happens to be Phil's childhood babysitter, which sets him on a confusing tailspin. Finally, Gloria and Jay have to decide who should take care of little Joe if something should ever happen to them.[1]

Episode Description[]

The family gathers at Jay and Gloria's for the New Year, although Haley and Alex don't stay long as they head to a music festival. Stella nearly kills them both by causing the barbecue to fall into the hot tub Jay and Gloria had just got out of, and the two decide to get their affairs in order in case the worst happens. 

When they discuss money being set aside for Manny's college tuition, Gloria reveals she has had it set aside for years (although it also doubled as getaway money if she needed to leave the town quickly) but can't remember where she put it. As they search the attic, Jay finds a videotape Gloria had prepared to use to frame him for her murder (which she had created after their first big fight and forgot about it). The two discuss who should take care of Joe should they both die. They discuss allowing Phil and Claire and Mitchell and Cameron to raise him, and both couples have positive and negative points that lead to them being unable to make a decision. In the end though, Manny steps forward insisting that if the worst happens then he'd want to raise his brother. Gloria realises the bag she'd left the money in has been taken by Haley to the music festival. She contacts her, and a very nervous Haley and Alex walk home trying not to think about the $40,000 they have on them, which eventually causes them to burst into tears.

Phil and Claire go to a theme park to test a new attraction, but Phil chickens out at the last moment and feels guilty. Later, Frank shows up and reintroduces Phil to Lorraine, his ex babysitter whom he plans to propose. After a talk with his dad, Phil finally makes the attraction but faints during it and becomes a laughingstock again for his family, while Frank proposes happily to Lorraine.

Meanwhile, Cam wants to make up his failure at Thanksgiving and decides to roast a pig. Mitch uses his gift, an e-concierge which creates a reunion between Cam and Keifth, the concierge, an ex Mr Loyal who also happened to be Cam's first crush who left him without a goodbye. Keifth finally admits his coward behavior and in a very poignant scene, says farewell to Cameron.

Main Cast[]

(The characters striked out do not appear in this episode)

  • Jay Pritchett
  • Gloria Pritchett
  • Manny Delgado
  • Joe Pritchett
  • Claire Dunphy
  • Phil Dunphy
  • Haley Dunphy
  • Alex Dunphy
  • Luke Dunphy
  • Mitchell Pritchett
  • Cameron Tucker
  • Lily Tucker-Pritchett

Guest Starring[]

Trivia[]

  • Luke does not appear in this episode. Lily appears but has no dialogue.
  • Alex is revealed to have a nut allergy.
  • This episode was broadcasted exactly five years after Lifetime Supply.
  • This marks Lorraine's first appearance as well as the first 2017 episode.

Continuity[]

  • Frank Dunphy's 9th appearance. He became a widower in "Goodnight Gracie."
  • This is the second episode which takes place at New Year's moment. First, was New Year's Eve.

Cultural References[]

  • Kelsey Grammer also played on Frasier, an another Levitan production. His character left without a goodbye in the season 2 first episode, and by the end of the show, his TV father married his former babysitter.

References[]

Gallery[]

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