The entire cast of Modern Family spent an hour having coffee with the Television Critics Association over the summer. I ended up hanging out with Ed O’Neill for about 40 minutes. He was wearing a nice shirt like Jay wears on the show, and still gave off a fatherly vibe to the people gathered around to hear his stories.
CraveOnline: Do you imagine any possible world where you’re more known as Jay than Al?
Ed O’Neill: [Laughs] I didn’t think about that one. I don't know. I think Al’s kind of an iconic character. Maybe Jay will be, I don't know. I hope so.
CraveOnline: What makes you laugh the most on the show?
Ed O’Neill: Again, it’s hard to say.
CraveOnline: I won’t hold you to one thing, but just to talk about things.
Ed O’Neill: Well, the first thing I remember really, really laughing behind the scenes was Ty. It was a scene where the underwear was falling on him, where Sofia was throwing the underwear and it was all over him. I was watching on a monitor and just the look on his face, it was pricelessly funny to me. Then things Sofia would do would crack me up. The gay couple is great, hilarious.
CraveOnline: Have you suggested any moments from your own family?
Ed O’Neill: Yeah, the thing that happened with Fizbo the clown at the gas station happened to me. That was a real life thing. I told the producers and then they used it with Erik.
CraveOnline: How long ago was that?
Ed O’Neill: It was about three weeks before we shot the episode.
CraveOnline: Did the person who hit you with his car recognize you?
Ed O’Neill: I think eventually he did and then he sort of stopped talking.
CraveOnline: I also love the clothes you wear on the show. Who designs those shirts?
Ed O’Neill: It’s kind of Steve Levitan’s idea. Steve’s one of our producers because he dresses like that, expensive shirts, like this.
CraveOnline: It really struck me when Jay covers for Manny’s dad. Do you agree that’s better for the child than just letting the kid realize his dad is unreliable?
Ed O’Neill: Well, first of all, it doesn’t matter. My opinion doesn’t matter at all anyway, but I would think that there’s a time that you let a child slowly discover that this is not the best parent. He doesn’t have the best parenting skills. But I think the boy is still so in love with his dad that you don’t want to mess with that. And also, the idea that we’re not done with this guy. We still have to interact with him and maybe he’s going to come around a little bit as he gets older.
CraveOnline: Is there anywhere you can go that you’re not recognized by everyone?
Ed O’Neill: I was in Africa once. I was in Kenya. I got off the plane and I thought, “Africa…” Some guy in a dashiki said, “Mr. Bundy. Oh my God, it’s you.”
