“Let’s not do that anymore”: Sofia Vergara’s Stronghold on ‘Modern Family’ Was No Joke When 1 Actor Was Asked to Change His Original Plan

SUMMARY

• Adam DeVine’s attempt at improv during his first scene with Sofia Vergara on Modern Family led to confusion, prompting producers to ask him to stick to the script.
• The show’s tightly written, fast-paced humor left little room for deviation, making improv challenging for the cast.
• Sofia Vergara’s portrayal of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett stood out for its authenticity and charm, solidifying her as a cultural icon.

Modern Family is a sitcom that the audience cherished for years, thanks to its witty humor, beautiful moments, and unforgettable characters. Among them was Andy Bailey, essayed by Adam DeVine, who brought an easy-going persona to the screen and soon became a recurring member of the show. 

Ty Burrell in Modern Family | 20th Century Fox Television

He had an on-and-off romance with Haley Dunphy, played by Sarah Hyland, which slowly became a fan-favorite subplot. And even though the cast seemed to get along quite well, there were some awkward moments behind the scenes. One of them involved DeVine and Sofia Vergara, so let’s take a look at what exactly happened.

Improv gone wrong on Modern Family: a moment between Adam DeVine and Sofia Vergara

Adam DeVine in Modern Family | 20th Century Fox Television

Adam DeVine joined Modern Family in its fifth season when a lot of characters and routines had already been established. As per his interview with People, he was encouraged to be fresh and bring an unpredictable energy to the set. The creators wanted him to do improv and keep people guessing, but here’s what happened instead: 

He did as told in a scene with Sofia Vergara, but was immediately asked to stick to the script. It was the actress’ genuine confusion that prompted the producers to step in and say, “Let’s not do that anymore.” This incident highlights just how precise the show was because the scripts happened to be so tightly packed with fast-paced humor that there was barely any room for the actors to deviate. 

Sofia Vergara on Modern Family: The endearing Gloria Delgado-Pritchett

Sofia Vergara in Modern Family | 20th Century Fox Television

DeVine’s experimentation with improv was short-lived, but Sofia Vergara continued to have a stronghold on the show with her well-rehearsed lines. The actress, who already had to juggle between having an exaggerated Colombian accent and a larger-than-life persona along with proper comedic timing must have found it difficult to continue in an unplanned scene.

It’s known that English wasn’t her strongest suit back then, so it’s possible that she relied heavily on the script, and wasn’t comfortable with doing improv in a language that was not native to her. But Vergara’s Gloria Pritchett was a standout character, as she brought authenticity and charisma to the role. 

Her success on Modern Family opened the doors to countless opportunities, and Gloria became a cultural icon. Critics and fans, both appreciated her ability to bring depth and humor to a character that could’ve easily been reduced to a one-dimensional stereotype. 

You can watch Modern Family on Hulu or Peacock.

Written by Sonika Kamble

Articles Published: 437

Sonika thrives on her passion for cinema, artistic expression, and philosophical exploration. Every medium of storytelling intrigues her, and she can’t help but dissect the layers to unravel the deeper meaning behind an arc or a scene. She finds contentment in playing chess, vibing to background scores, and penning the next chapter of her book. Sonika is driven by the idea of being a dutiful and responsible human who dedicates herself to a task, regardless of the outcome—a principle she’s committed to upholding at FandomWire.