Strangers on a Treadmill (13 Oct. 2010)

Mitchell and Claire agree to break some embarrassing news to each other's significant others, Jay makes a fool of himself at what he thinks is a quinceanera, and Haley helps Alex try to make a popular friend.

Director:

Scott Ellis

Writers:

Steven Levitan (creator), Christopher Lloyd (creator),

Stars:

Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Ed O'Neill	...	Jay Pritchett
Sofía Vergara	...	Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
Julie Bowen	...	Claire Dunphy
Ty Burrell	...	Phil Dunphy
Jesse Tyler Ferguson	...	Mitchell Pritchett
Eric Stonestreet	...	Cameron Tucker
Sarah Hyland	...	Haley Dunphy
Ariel Winter	...	Alex Dunphy
Nolan Gould	...	Luke Dunphy
Rico Rodriguez	...	Manny Delgado
Reggie De Leon	...	D.J.
Luis Jose Lopez	...	Bartender
Lexi Medrano	...	Little Girl
Laura Leyva	...	Julio's Wife
Marcus DeAnda	...	Groom

Storyline

Claire and Mitchell enlist each other's help in trying to spare their significant others from embarrassment - Cameron from his unfortunate wardrobe choices, and Phil from his joke-ridden speech for the realtors' banquet. Meanwhile Jay tries to prove a point to Gloria by attending a quincea-era thrown by one of his employees, and Haley gives Alex sisterly advice on how to be cool.

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Plot Keywords:

los angeles california | quinceañera

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Levitan / Lloyd, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Quotes

Cameron Tucker: Stop talking. I just need some time for this wound to become a scar.
Mitchell Pritchett: I'm sorry I got Claire involved, but - and this is not a criticism - but sometimes you can be a little sensitive about your appearance.
Cameron Tucker: Well, this *is* a criticism. Sometimes, you can be insensitive about everything.
Mitchell Pritchett: Oh, my... I just... Cam, I just feel like our relationship's strong enough to survive a little candor. I mean... look, you could tell me if there's something about me you'd like to change.
Cameron Tucker: [without missing a beat] ...
[...]

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Connections

References Antiques Roadshow (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Modern Family"
(uncredited)
Composed and Performed by Gabriel Mann

User Reviews

Embarrassing moments

How many times have we felt a relative, or a good friend, whom we feel is not up to doing well in front of others? Take Phil, Claire knows, deep down, he is not funny enough to host the annual real estate award ceremony. He is funny, but not that funny. She is afraid he will make a fool of himself the night of the awards presentation.

How about Mitch. His partner Cam has decided to embark on a physical program. Cam decides to wear bicycle shorts that show plainly his manhood to everyone that happens to be nearby. Mitch feels mortified, but knowing how sensitive Cam is about things of this nature, he prefers to keep it inside. Even Claire feels his brother's lover has no concept about the way people avoid looking at him.

Meanwhile, at Jay and Gloria's they are preparing to go to a 'sweet fifteen' party. Gloria feels Jay will do everything wrong in front of her Spanish friends. As a matter of fact, Jay and Gloria walk right into an engagement party at the same banquet hall instead as in the party for the young woman.

Dany Zucker and Elaine Ko wrote the funny screenplay. It rings true in the way it tackles the subject of embarrassment for the three family units. Scott Ellis making his third appearance in this sitcom keeps things going at an excellent pace. The creators know a lot about families and the quirks that are just too embarrassing for many of the members who hate to see their loved ones ridiculed. Instead of confronting the issue head on, some people feel they should step aside, not realizing the damage created by not telling it like it is.