Who’s the Most Popular REALTOR® on TV? - Arizona REALTOR® Voice

In case you missed the “Modern Family” episode that aired on May 4, Phil Dunphy (played by Emmy Award winning actor Ty Burrell) revealed some of his latent REALTOR® expertise.

Gloria & Phil on ABC's MODERN FAMILY

When one character sarcastically asks, “What are you, some kind of real estate agent?” Gloria
(above left) answers on Phil’s behalf, “No, he’s a REALTOR®! There is a difference somehow.”
Watch a clip or view the full episode at no charge with an approved cable provider.

Phil tells Gloria, “I’m not just a real estate agent, I’m a REALTOR®. I’m a member of a national association, a brotherhood – sworn to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. That’s what this ‘R’ [on his lapel pin] stands for…I know everything there is to know about real estate.”

Even so, this exposition wasn’t enough to please some REALTORS® who were quick to post on Facebook. One said it was a wasted opportunity and wished Gloria’s had said, “He’s a REALTOR®…and a professional!”

If circus showman Phineas T. Barnum was right and “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” then further explanation may not matter, but could be forthcoming as NAR’s integration deal with ABC-TV evolves. Until then, there are two companion commercials under the banner of “Phil’s Osophies”.

Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) waxes philosopically in a series of REALTOR® commercials. Burrell sits by a fire with a REALTOR® pin on his coat lapel. After a long pause he says, “Silence. A REALTOR® knows it can be one of the most powerful tools in a negotiation…” In another commercial he begins, “A slow homebuyer is a no homebuyer…” Both spots end with the graphic GET INSIGHTS and Get Realtor®.

“Modern Family” wasn’t the first television program to feature a REALTOR®. In 2006, Jeana Keough appeared on “The Real Housewives of Orange County”, but left fearing that the controversial show might hurt her business.

Wall Street Journal Reporter Candace Jackson later reported, “Bravo says the brokers who have appeared on [shows like “Million Dollar Listing”] have all seen an increase in business. Networks and show producers also note they receive an overwhelming number of inquiries from agents who want to be on TV.”

Question is, can a comedic actor improve REALTOR® awareness better than or despite real estate reality TV?