We’re all familiar with tough guys giving their fists names. Like Death and Destruction. Or Masher and Blitz. It’s become such a cinematic cliché that even funny guys do it. Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock. Or Ron Burgundy in Anchorman.
But leave it to the Emmy-winning Modern Family to come up with the best combination ever.
On last night’s episode, Haley gets ripped off by a guy who is supposed to provide her and her friends with fake IDs. So Jay, Phil and Cameron go all vigilante running out to the car to track the thief down and get her money back.
Mitchell tags along to make sure nothing untoward happens. When Cameron yells, “Shotgun” to claim his car seat, a terrified Mitchell screams, “No weapons!”
Anyway when they get to the guy’s house in Covina, Phil gets out of the car holds up his fists and promises to give the kid a taste of “England Dan and John Ford Coley”,.
That’s it. Comedy perfection. A reference that’s both so obscure, so inappropriate and so very Phil. Nicely played. Modern Family.
Unfamiliar with England Dan and John Ford? Take a listen to their biggest hit, “I’d Really Like to See You Tonight” from 1976 (see video below).
From this moment forth, I am referring to my own knuckle sandwiches as Brewer & Shipley.
Read more Dave on Demand or follow him on Twitter @DaveOnDemand_TV
how did you bear to listen to this? or were you too bewitched by his rolled hair.— drubi- Dan Seals...."England Dan" was Dan Seals (brother of Jim Seals from "Seals & Crofts").....He became a very successful songwriter, singer and performer on the country music seen and had several "crossover" hits as well. He died a few years ago from cancer of some sort.— FasterEddie
- "Scene" ...not "seen"......my apologies!— FasterEddie
- Dave, that last sentence was one toke over the line.— J H
- I hope the writing on Modern Family continues at the high level it is at. I also loved it when Manny asked to be home schooled and Gloria asks him if he wants her to learn him english.— Servo
- Brewer and Shipley? You old stoner, you.— Tatts
- Dave, you forgot about Radio Raheem's fists, "Love" and "Hate".— Tyrone Biggums
- I didn't get the reference at first but, when he followed up with CSNY, I figured they were from some 70's one-hit-wonder groups. I had no interest in this show initially but, someone recommended it last year and I've been hooked ever since. Definitely some of the best comedy writing on "free" TV today.— GreenOrangeRedBlueBlood
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