Halloween (Modern Family)

"Halloween"
Modern Family episode
Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) trying to take off the Spider-Man costume he wore at work
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 6
Directed by	Michael Spiller
Written by	Jeffrey Richman
Production code	2ARG09
Original air date	October 27, 2010
Guest appearance(s)
Justin Kirk (Charlie Bingham) Matt Besser (Jerry) Amir Talai (Dale)
Season 2 episodes
2010–2011 "The Old Wagon" "The Kiss" "Earthquake" "Strangers on a Treadmill" "Unplugged" "Halloween" "Chirp" "Manny Get Your Gun" "Mother Tucker" "Dance Dance Revelation" "Slow Down Your Neighbors" "Our Children, Ourselves" "Caught in the Act" "Bixby's Back" "Princess Party" "Regrets Only" "Two Monkeys and a Panda" "Boys' Night" "The Musical Man" "Someone to Watch Over Lily" "Mother's Day" "Good Cop Bad Dog" "See You Next Fall" "The One That Got Away" ← Season 1 Season 3 →
Episode chronology
← Previous "Unplugged" Next → "Chirp"
List of Modern Family episodes

"Halloween" is the sixth episode of Modern Family's second season and 30th episode overall. It was originally broadcast on October 27, 2010, on the ABC network in the United States. The episode was written by Jeffrey Richman and directed by Michael Spiller and was based on an idea by cast member Eric Stonestreet.

The episode follows Claire's love for Halloween, which leads her to transform the Dunphy residence into a haunted house for trick-or-treaters. Cameron cannot shake a childhood trauma related to the holiday and Mitchell has a terrible day at work. Gloria acts weird after Jay and Manny tease her about her accent.

"Halloween" received mostly positive reviews from critics. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Halloween" became the most viewed episode of the series and tied for the series' highest rated episode among adults between ages 18 and 49. It later became the second highest rated show for the week as well as the week's highest rated scripted program.

This episode received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, and won for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Michael Spiller. Jesse Tyler Ferguson was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in this episode.

At the Dunphy house, Phil (Ty Burrell) learns that his neighbor, Jerry (Matt Besser) has had a divorce. Phil is initially sad for Jerry, but soon fears that the same thing might happen to him and his wife, Claire (Julie Bowen). Phil soon assumes Claire's concentration on completing the haunted house is a sign that she no longer loves him. He soon does the opposite of what Jerry did that caused the demise of his marriage, like being spontaneous, with all of Phil's attempts failing.