Modern Family: Season 3

2011
24 episodes

As the extended Pritchett-Dunphy clan faces an uproariously unpredictable array of family vacations, holiday hassles, troublesome in-laws, and surprising secrets, they still somehow manage to thrive together as one big, loving family a even as they drive each other absolutely insane!

Season 3 of Modern Family premiered on September 21, 2011 and has 24 episodes, from "Dude Ranch" to "Baby on Board". The last episode aired on May 23, 2012.

Where to watch Modern Family

In the United States, you can stream Modern Family on Hulu, Peacock and YouTube TV. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is on streaming services in 64 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1Dude RanchAired September 21, 2011
While vacationing on Lost Creek Ranch, the three families try their hands at a little cattle herding, skeet shooting and horseback riding. There are also some big firsts, a huge surprise and an actual face-off between Jay and a cowboy named Hank.
- 23m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Brad Walsh, Dan O'Shannon and Paul Corrigan
Guest stars
- Reid Ewing Dylan Marshall
- Matthew Gumley Jimmy Scrivano
- Tim Blake Nelson Hank
Episode 2When Good Kids Go BadAired September 21, 2011
Mitchell and Cameron plan an evening with the whole family to break the happy news that they're attempting to adopt another child. However, things go wrong when they realize Lily may not take well to another baby in the house. Meanwhile, Claire and Jay are each focused with proving a point.
- 22m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Jeffrey Richman
Guest stars
- Annie Tedesco Laura
- Laurel Coppock Miss Elaine
- Fred Willard Frank Dunphy
- Amanda Musso Shopper
- Adam Devine Andy Bailey
- Dana Powell Pameron Tucker
Episode 3Phil on WireAired September 28, 2011
Jay's relationship with the dog irritates Gloria. Phil and Luke try to master the tightrope. Cameron starts a juice fast.
- 22m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Danny Zuker
Guest stars
- Jenica Bergere Janet
- Justin Kirk Charlie Bingham
- Lusia Strus Officer Blevin
Episode 4Door to DoorAired October 5, 2011
Jay helps Manny with a school fundraiser. Claire petitions for a stop sign at a busy intersection. Phil and Luke try to create a viral video. Gloria searches for Stella.
- 22m
- Directed by Jason Winer and Chris Koch
- Written by Bill Wrubel
Guest stars
- David Cross Duane Bailey
- Jordan Feldman Olson
- Bob Levitan Eco Neighbor
- Michelle Anne Johnson Adoption Official
- Robin Krieger Jewish Neighbor
- Michael D. Cohen Odd Neighbor
- Murray Gershenz Elderly Neighbor
- Paleigh Knight Blanche
Episode 5Hit and RunAired October 12, 2011
Gloria tries to help Jay and Manny with their problems but both are unreceptive. Claire considers running against Councilman Duane Bailey. Cam and Mitch are the victims of a hit-and-run accident.
- 23m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Elaine Ko
Guest stars
- David Neher Peter
- Samm Levine Josh
- David Cross Duane Bailey
- Michael Yurchak Bruce
- Lily Mae Silverstein Daughter
Episode 6Go Bullfrogs!Aired October 19, 2011
Phil takes Haley to visit his alma mater. Claire goes out with Mitchell and Cameron. Gloria and Jay may have to broach a delicate subject with Manny.
- 23m
- Directed by Scott Ellis
- Written by Abraham Higginbotham
Guest stars
- Jordan A. Nichols Ben Ford
- Gilles Marini Julian
- Andrea Savage Holly
- Artemis Pebdani Bethenny
- Trisha Paytas Plastic Surgery Girl (uncredited)
- Rico E. Anderson Policeman
- Mandi Kreisher Co-Ed
- Cory Knauf Darts Player
Episode 7TreehouseAired November 2, 2011
Gloria persuades Jay to commit to a night of salsa dancing after seeing how much his friend Shorty and his girlfriend do together. Meanwhile, Cameron makes a bet that he can get a woman's phone number at the bar, and Phil builds a tree house for Luke.
- 23m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Steven Levitan
Guest stars
- Leslie Mann Katie
- Craig Zimmerman Crispin
- Kevin Hart Andre
- Jennifer Tilly Darlene
- Chazz Palminteri Shorty
- Jessica Makinson Waitress
- Alex Quijano Club Guy
Episode 8After the FireAired November 16, 2011
The Pritchetts rally for a good cause after a neighbor's house burns down, but there's a downside to their Samaritan intentions when Jay throws out his back, Cameron takes on a moving truck, and some donated toys fall into the wrong hands.
- 22m
- Directed by Fred Savage
- Written by Danny Zuker
Guest stars
- Michael Eric Reid Abraham
- Kiva Jump Cindy
- Tyler Alexander Mann Nerd
- Josh Latzer Trucker
Episode 9Punkin ChunkinAired November 23, 2011
When an old neighborhood kid returns to town as a hugely successful internet billionaire, it gets Phil thinking of what could have been. Jay feels Manny could use a little dose of constructive criticism, and Cameron is offended when Mitchell questions the authenticity of his colorful childhood stories.
- 23m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Ben Karlin
Guest stars
- Josh Gad Kenneth Ploufe
- Aaron Krebs Andy
Episode 10Express ChristmasAired December 7, 2011
The Pritchett clan decide to celebrate Christmas a little early (and in a hurry) so they split up to gather the holiday trappings as Mitchell, Alex and Lily hunt for a tree, Gloria and Luke fetch the ornaments, and Claire and Haley shop for the gifts. Meanwhile, Phil and Manny buy the groceries and Jay and Cameron stand by to wrap presents.
- 22m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Cindy Chupack
Guest stars
- Ron Roggé Craigslist Guy
- Eric Petersen Tree Salesman
Episode 11Lifetime SupplyAired January 4, 2012
Phil contemplates the worst, after missing a call from the doctor. Elsewhere, Javier, Manny's biological father, pays another visit to take his son to the horse races, Mitchell wins an environmental law award, creating a competition between Cam and himself on who has the better trophy, and Gloria tutors Haley in Spanish.
- 23m
- Directed by Chris Koch
- Written by Bill Wrubel and Jeffrey Richman
Guest stars
- Philip Baker Hall Walt Kleezak
- Don Lake Dr. Sendroff
- Steve Tom Chip
- Benjamin Bratt Javier Delgado
Episode 12Egg DropAired January 11, 2012
Jay and Claire take control of their kids' school projects from Manny and Luke, while Haley and Gloria help Phil with a real estate presentation. Elsewhere, Cam and Mitchell meet with a potential birth mother.
- 23m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Brad Walsh and Paul Corrigan
Guest stars
- Zoë Jarman Lindsay
- Jonathan Kehoe Audience Member
Episode 13Little Bo BleepAired January 18, 2012
Claire prepares for her debate with Duane Bailey. Mitch and Cam try to clean up Lily's language before her turn as a flower girl. Jay blames Stella's strange behavior on Gloria.
- 22m
- Directed by Chris Koch
- Written by Cindy Chupack
Guest stars
- David Cross Duane Bailey
- Johnny Ray Meeks Man at Debate
- Carol Abney Woman at Debate
Episode 14Me? Jealous?Aired February 8, 2012
Phil's preoccupation with a business opportunity blinds him to his new partner's inappropriate behavior around Claire. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria may regret letting Mitchell and Cameron be their temporary house guests when their home is being fumigated.
- 22m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Ben Karlin
Guest stars
- Greg Kinnear Tad
- Alexis Fowlkes Annie
- Phil Hendrie Booker Bell
- Barbara Dodd Ellen
- Carolyn Morse Kara
- Michael William Arnold Tad's Son
- Cole Bernstein Tad's Daughter
Episode 15Aunt MommyAired February 15, 2012
Phil and Claire go overboard with drinks, and divulging personal information, on a night out to celebrate the sale of a house to Mitchell and Cameron's friends.
- 23m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Abraham Higginbotham and Dan O'Shannon
Guest stars
- Joseph Bonilla Leon
- Rodrigo Rojas Stefan
- Colin Hanlon Steven
Episode 16Virgin TerritoryAired February 22, 2012
It's a day of disturbing realizations when Mitchell manages to ruin one of Jay's proudest golf moments, Phil overhears something that may forever change how he sees his little girl, and Gloria stumbles upon Claire's dangerous little secret.
- 23m
- Directed by Jason Winer
- Written by Elaine Ko
Guest stars
- Will Greenberg Dr. Goodall
- Jack Laufer Frank
- Ernie Hudson Miles
- Marc Vann Stan
- Tim Monsion Walter
- Jess Allen Claire's Friend
- Hollis Robinson Miranda
Episode 17Leap DayAired February 29, 2012
Mitchell feels pressured to make Cameron's birthday extra special. People start to question Jay's manliness, and the girls interfere with Phil's leap day plans.
- 23m
- Directed by Gail Mancuso
- Written by Danny Zuker
Guest stars
- Kali Rocha Party Planner
- John DiMaggio Boat Captain
- Alex Schemmer Jorgen
- Robert Chester Smith Scarecrow
- Frank Maharajh Micky
- Harris Markson Davy
- Rodney J. Hobbs Trapeze Guy
Episode 18Send Out the ClownsAired March 14, 2012
The funeral service for a beloved clown mentor reunites Cameron with his estranged ex-clown partner, Lewis. Phil is serious about landing a very important listing, only to get trumped by a notorious bulldozer of an agent, Mitzi Roth. Manny has a cool new friend, which makes both Jay and Gloria suspicious.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Levitan
- Written by Bill Wrubel, Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman
Guest stars
- Chris Dollard Bubbles
- Guilford Adams Chuckleberry
- Joe Childs Mourner
- Bobby Cannavale Lewis
- Ellen Barkin Mitzi Roth
- Jonathan Emerson Stan Larkin
- Nancy Linari Patti Larkin
- Dash Dobrofsky Griffin
Episode 19Election DayAired April 11, 2012
Claire's race for town council comes to a head on Election Day as the Dunphys make phone calls for votes and Mitchell and Cameron take to the streets to campaign, while the candidate endures technical problems during some last-minute interviews.
- 23m
- Directed by Bryan Cranston
- Written by Ben Karlin
Guest stars
- Philip Baker Hall Walt Kleezak
- Stephanie Faracy Dottie
- Melinda Page Hamilton Sandy
- Frank Wood Reporter
- John Vickery Cecil Van Gundy
- Margaret Welsh Laurie
- Asif Ali Technician
Episode 20The Last WaltAired April 18, 2012
A visit from Cameron's father features an awkward dinner for Jay and Gloria at Mitchell and Cameron's house. Meanwhile, Claire helps Luke face the death of an older neighbor, Phil and Alex have a father-daughter bonding experience, and Haley throws a party without permission.
- 23m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Dan O'Shannon
Guest stars
- Stacey Travis Kim
- Mandy McMillian Francine
- Barry Corbin Merle Tucker
- Malcolm Foster Smith Delivery Guy
- Julian Works Sam
- Chip Sickler Diner Patron
Episode 21Planes, Trains and CarsAired May 2, 2012
Phil buys a car without consulting Claire. Jay is on a mission to get to his high-school reunion with Gloria and Manny. Lily loses her favorite toy on a train.
- 22m
- Directed by Michael Spiller
- Written by Brad Walsh and Paul Corrigan
Guest stars
- Kevin Hart Andre
- Eric Edelstein Mechanic
- Joseph Bonilla Leon
- Joe Rowley Pilot
- Matt Lowe Guy in Car
- Scott Ferrara Salesman
Episode 22DisneylandAired May 9, 2012
When the family travels to Disneyland, Phil struggles to keep up with Luke, Claire is shocked when they run into Dylan, Jay and Gloria disagree about what are sensible shoes for the day, and Mitch and Cam must contain Lily's new affinity for running.
- 23m
- Directed by James Bagdonas
- Written by Cindy Chupack
Guest stars
- Reid Ewing Dylan Marshall
- Sarah Baker Twins' Mom
- Matt Prokop Ethan
- Frank Romeo Dapper Dan #1
- Eulis Kay Dapper Dan #2
- Nathan Joseph Shrake Dapper Dan #3
- David Hershwitzky Disneyland Guest (uncredited)
Episode 23Tableau VivantAired May 16, 2012
Gloria and Jay bicker while trying to order lunch at a diner. Claire and Cam have different theories on how to discipline kids. Luke accepts an award under false pretenses. Phil has a hard time firing Mitchell from his temporary job at the real estate agency. The entire family participates in Alex's living art display of Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving painting.
- 23m
- Directed by Gail Mancuso
- Written by Bill Wrubel, Jeffrey Richman and Elaine Ko
Guest stars
- Beth Grant Maxine
- Matt Roth Skip Woosnum
- John Viener Matt Keneally
- Mike Madrigal Luke's Teacher
- Angela Oh Realtor #1
- Lisa Long Realtor #2
- Laird Macintosh Realtor #3
Episode 24Baby on BoardAired May 23, 2012
Gloria's bilingualism comes in handy on Mitchell and Cameron's quest to adopt another child. Meanwhile, Jay and Manny help Lily get ready for a dance recital. Alex goes to her first prom, and Haley announces her future plans, which come as a shock to her family.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Levitan
- Written by Abraham Higginbotham
Guest stars
- Reid Ewing Dylan Marshall
- Terri Hoyos Abuela
- Elena Tovar Juanita
- Albert Marrero Jr. Ranch Hand
- Samantha Ressler Dance Teacher
- Edward Finlay Padre
- Christina Ochoa Nurse
- Joe Metcalf Michael