As a gamer who’s spent countless hours rewinding and replaying sitcom scenes to dissect every line and laugh, I can say with confidence that Adam DeVine’s journey on Modern Family is a tale as intriguing as the show itself. The awkward first day of filming between DeVine and Sofia Vergara, followed by a strict warning from executive producer Steve Levitan, is a humbling reminder of the unpredictability that comes with improv in the world of sitcoms.
Although it’s been four years since “Modern Family” concluded its run and is widely recognized as one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, fans haven’t quite moved on from their longing for what Adam DeVine’s character Andy Bailey might have developed further. When the star from “Pitch Perfect” joined the ABC series in Season 5 as Jay and Gloria’s male nanny, or “manny,” and later an assistant at a real estate firm, he swiftly became a fan favorite, particularly during his romantic arc with Haley. However, things didn’t always go smoothly, as DeVine experienced a challenging first day on set with Sofia Vergara under the watchful eye of an executive producer who issued a strict directive.
On “Modern Family,” DeVine was a regular from Seasons 5 to 7 and had a brief cameo in Season 9. It’s been 11 years since he first appeared on the sitcom, but he clearly remembers the beginning of his journey. He recently talked to People about his time on the show, sharing memories of what co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan said to him about the dialogue.
On “Modern Family,” the dialogue moved swiftly and the show was tightly scripted. When I joined the team as an actor during season 5, Steve Levitan – one of the creators and producers – expressed that they wanted me to bring a fresh perspective. He suggested I might have opportunities for improvisation, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
In some productions like shows and movies, improvisation is used, making certain scenes appear more authentic. For instance, the popular sitcom “Modern Family” was known for its humor and relatability, so it’s not shocking that creator Steve Levitan suggested improvising to add a fresh twist even after five seasons. However, this approach doesn’t always yield the desired results, as Travis Cloer, an actor, shared his experience of how things quickly turned sour and the negative response he received from Sofia Vergara.
Initially, I responded with a casual ‘Alright.’ In the opening scene, I stepped in and spontaneously interacted with Sofia Vergara. I recall her face showed no reaction, and she glanced towards the producer area where all the production team sat. She then inquired, “What?” She seemed puzzled as my actions were not according to the script since they were improvised.
On his initial day, DeVine’s actions felt incredibly out of place and contrary to the impression he aimed to create. While improvisation is sometimes common in certain productions, it doesn’t suit every show. The veteran from “Workaholics” also recounted another piece of advice given by Levitan after the incident, serving as a valuable lesson:
Steve comes over to me and was like, ‘Hey, remember when we said you could improv? Let’s not do that anymore. Let’s stick to the script.’ So I think it taught me just the fast pace of sitcom acting and how it’s kind of a different beast and super fun to do.
Given Adam DeVine’s multi-season run and near permanent on-screen romance with a key character, his debut day didn’t leave a negative impact, which is positive. Furthermore, he gained valuable insights about sitcom dynamics and likely became adept at the do’s and don’ts of scripted comedy acting as he spent more time on the show.
DeVine probably applied lessons from his training in the Pitch Perfect spinoff, Bumper in Berlin, which streamed on Peacock. However, despite an initial renewal for Season 2, the series ran for just one season only. Although Modern Family notes had a lasting influence and made him realize that improvisation isn’t always the best approach, his initial uneasy day didn’t seem to hinder his future in the show. Fortunately, fans with a Hulu subscription can catch his appearances on Modern Family.
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2024-10-15 00:07