“Modern Family” is whole again, as co-creator and co-showrunner Christopher Lloyd has returned to work on the ABC comedy after setting a new contract agreement with 20th Century Fox TV.
Details of the new deal were not disclosed, but Lloyd and the studio hit a speedbump last month as they sought to hammer out a new deal. When the “Modern Family” writing staff convened on May 27 to begin work on the show’s sixth season, one chair was conspicuously empty.
It’s understood Lloyd was seeking a shorter term than the four-year deals he has inked with the studio in the past. It’s not clear how the issue was resolved.
Lloyd went back to the studio lot on Thursday and resumed his role as co-showrunner, dividing up oversight of this season’s episodes with co-creator and co-showrunner Steven Levitan.
In a statement, 20th TV chairman-CEO Gary Newman welcomed him back.
“Chris is an incredibly gifted writer who — along with Steve — has created not just a hit series but one that is already considered a classic,” Newman said. “It’s a testament to their dedication and commitment that six seasons in, both he and Steve are still running the series and the quality of the episodes remains at an all time high. On a personal note, my relationship with Chris goes back a long time and I have great respect and admiration for him. I couldn’t be happier that he is staying ‘in the family’ — both literally and figuratively.”
(Pictured: Christopher Lloyd, second from left, with “Modern Family” stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen)
