Why a Mitch and Cam Modern Family spin-off wouldn’t have worked

It's so crazy to think that Modern Family is already celebrating 15 years! The show first came into our lives in September 2009 and ran for 11 seasons until April 2020. It's definitely one of the best sitcoms out there, and you know us fans would never say no to more. Perhaps a reunion episode? There's also the option of a spin-off. Though, I don't think that's the best idea.

In speaking with In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Cameron Tucker actor Eric Stonestreet shared that there was a potential for a Mitchell and Cam spin-off series that would have followed the couple's lives in Missouri after Cam accepted the coaching job, per TVLine. Of course their daughter Lily and new son, Rexford would be there as well. However, the idea only made it as far as a scripted pilot before ABC passed on it.

Stonestreet believes the sequel series would have been a "slam dunk" and is disappointed the network didn't want to follow through with the idea. And look, as much as I love these characters and the show itself, I unfortunately don't think a Mitch and Cam Modern Family spin-off would have worked. And here's why.

There's so many sequels and spin-offs that happen, and some of them have been successful. For example, the 1993 Frasier was a spin-off of Cheers that found great success. And now, there's even a revival of it with Kelsey Grammer reprising the lead role, and season 2 currently streaming new episodes on Paramount+. However, not all shows and franchises are this lucky.

The biggest example is the Friends spin-off, Joey. One could argue that Friends is perhaps still one of the most, if not the most, popular sitcom in history. Especially at the time when it was on air, it was crazy how many people tuned in! So you'd think that a sequel series with one of its lead characters, Joey Tribbiani, would work and be as successful. But it didn't, and unfortunately it was a huge fail.

I really think that comes down to the fact that actor Matt LeBlanc went from being in an ensemble cast in that universe, to just carrying the show, in a way, by himself. Because we'd gotten used to seeing him with an ensemble as that character. That's one of the reasons why Joey probably didn't work out. But it's a pretty major one.

So I think the same would have happened with a Mitch and Cam spin-off. Again, it would have been wonderful to see these two characters continue and for Modern Family to keep going in a way. Though I really think the series wouldn't have been able to find success on its own. And that's because Stonestreet and Mitch actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson were part of an ensemble cast too.

Yes, the couples/families would have separate storylines many times. But still. There was an overall Pritchett/Dunphy/Tucker feel to the show that made it wholesome. And a lot of times they'd come together during or at the end of the episode. It's hard to carry a series after viewers have seen it a certain way for so long. And so I think we would have had another Joey situation. And the characters and show of both Friends and Modern Family don't deserve that. Where do you stand?

All 11 seasons of Modern Family are streaming on Peacock and Hulu.