SEASON PREMIERE

SEASON THREE OPENS WITH A SPECIAL HOUR OF "MODERN FAMILY," TWO BACK-TO-BACK EPISODES THAT WILL TAKE YOU ON THE OPEN RANGE AND THEN BACK TO THE OL' HOME FRONT

"Modern Family" returns for its third season with a special one-hour event on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first part of the hour, entitled "Dude Ranch" (9:00-9:30 p.m.), our favorite family decide to don their cow boots and hats and head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for some fun and adventure in the great outdoors. While vacationing on Lost Creek Ranch, they try their hands at a little cattle herding, skeet shooting and horseback riding; there are also some big firsts, a huge surprise and an actual face off between Jay and a foe - a cowboy named Hank! In the second half of the hour, entitled "When Good Kids Go Bad" (9:30-10:00 p.m.), Mitch and Cam plan a nice evening with the whole family to break the happy news that they're looking to adopt another child. However their parade is rained on when they realize Lily may not take well to another baby in the house. Meanwhile, Claire and Jay are each consumed with proving a certain point.

"Modern Family" stars Ed O'Neill as Jay, Julie Bowen as Claire, Ty Burrell as Phil, Sof�a Vergara as Gloria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Nolan Gould as Luke, Ariel Winter as Alex, Rico Rodriguez as Manny and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily.

Guest cast for "Dude Ranch" include Tim Blake Nelson as Hank, Reid Ewing as Dylan and Matthew Gumley as Jimmy.

Guest cast for "When Good Kids Go Bad" include Annie Tedesco as Laura, Amanda Musso as Attractive Woman and Laurel Coppock as Miss Elaine.

"Dude Ranch" was written by Paul Corrigan, Brad Walsh, and Dan O'Shannon, and directed by Jason Winer.

"When Good Kids Go Bad" was written by Danny Zuker and directed by Michael Spiller.

"Modern Family" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's Selected HD Format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

For more information on "Modern Family," visit ABC.com.