This fall’s funniest new comedy now boasts one of this fall’s biggest casting coups: Edward Norton!
Sources confirm to me exclusively that the two-time Oscar nominee has closed a deal to guest-star on ABC’s uproarious mockumentary Modern Family.
In the November episode, Norton will play the bassist of a famous band whom Claire (Julie Bowen) hires as an anniversary surprise for husband Phil (Ty Burrell).
What’s Norton’s Family connection? (C’mon, you knew there had to be one.) He and Burrell are longtime friends (the two co-starred in an Off-Broadway revival of Lanford Wilson’s
Burn This and in the second reboot of The Incredible Hulk). Also, rumor has it Norton watched the Modern Family pilot and loved it to the point of obsession. We’re talking watching it multiple times and memorizing every line kind of obsession.
You can see what all the fuss is about when Modern Family debuts Wednesday, Sept. 23.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sylvain Gaboury/PR Photos
I am curious about this show, but not in an entirely good way…I understand that a television remake of the movie “Parenthood” is the works – is this actually it? It which great, great, I think this I a fresh interesting take on the whole thing. If not, um, doesn’t it seem a bit of a copy cat version of that show only mockumentary style?
No this isn’t the ‘Parenthood’ remake. ‘Modern Family’ is on ABC and ‘Parenthood’ is on NBC. ‘Parenthood’ stars Maura Tierney, currently being treated for breast cancer. I look forward to both shows but worry about ‘Modern Family’ because it’s on ABC. After abandoning the likes of ‘Pushing Daisies’ and ‘Samantha Who?,’ I can see ‘Modern Family’ getting axed after only 2-3 season’s. I have lost SO much faith in ABC and kind of hope they have a bad start to the new season. To me, that is what they get for how they treated many shows last season.
I don’t care which network Modern Family is aired on because it is a surefire hit. I was able to view a preview of the pilot and it was fantastic. I doubt even fickle ABC will drop it (and Ed Norton guesting on it certainly will help convince them to hang on tight to this show)!!
I got to see the preview of this show, courtesy of EW, and I thought it was hilarious. Watch it, especially when you see the Lion King reference, I about died.
You forgot to say that Parenthood has been pushed back until the spring because of Maura Tierney’s breast cancer treatments.
Ty Burrell and Edward Norton also starred in Burn This together off-Broadway.
He’s one of my favorite actors so I’m happy to hear this! And I’m glad he liked the pilot, because he has great taste.
I saw the pilot (thanks ew!) and I thought it was hysterical!!!! i am eagerly awaiting the upcoming episodes until ABC decides to cancel it
I wanted to see Pilot, but my EW code didn’t work. And it hadn’t expired yet. I’m sad. The 23rd is a long ways away.
I personally think this is excellent! Edward Norton is actually incredibly funny (I mean, have you seen “Keeping the Faith”), but he always takes these dark, serious roles. I’ve been waiting for him to let the funny out for SO LONG! This news makes me want to watch the show now, where I was totally on the fence before.
I love Norton and i can’t wait to see Modern Family… i hope it will be the new Arrested Development.
I was already planning on watching this show, but now it has become must-see TV, knowing that Norton will eventually appear.
Thanks to EW I got to see the pilot, too, and I watched it several times. Not sure if my comment posted correctly–I’m as skilled with a computer as Burell’s character is with a . . . never mind–don’t want to spoil it. The pilot was very funny, well written, and provided good character development for a half-hour pilot! Knowing Norton obsessed about it says good things about him AND Modern Family. I hope the show does well.
Ed Norton is the greatest actor ever, can’t wait!!!
Am I the only one that disliked the pilot? I thought this show was so ridiculous. I mean, the head in the bannister and the cream-puff joke, alone, killed it for me.
I saw the pilot too thanks to EW. Personally I didn’t like it and def was not planning on watching it, but Edward Norton is my favorite actor so I may have to watch one more episode.
Learn to spell your insults correctly. They’re more effective if you seem somewhat intelligent.
I was lucky enough to be one of the people chosen to preview Modern Family – it was hysterical and warm, relateable, and cringe-inducing all at the same time. Life viewed from many angles of one big dysfunctional family who look alot like mine.
I adore Ed Norton even more for his great taste in television and hope it gives it the hype (and viewers) it so richly deserves!!
like others have said, thanks to EW, i got to watch the pilot and i watched it with my friends and we all thought it was HILARIOUS! we will definitely be watching when it debuts later this month. can’t wait to see what norton brings to it.
Modern Family is one of the best comedy pilots I’ve seen in years. (Community on NBC is also spectacular). I’ve been saying “Why the face?” for months and I look forward to the rest of the world understanding why it’s funny. Burrell is genius on the show! Look forward to Edward.