Ty Burrell is basically the king of the "lovable, slightly dimwitted dad" energy. We all know him as Phil Dunphy, the man who made "puns" and "peerenting" a lifestyle. But honestly, if you haven't seen his work on Key and Peele, you're missing out on a completely different, weirdly intense side of his comedic range.
It's one of those things where you’re scrolling through YouTube at 2 a.m., and suddenly, there’s the guy from Modern Family wearing a Third Reich uniform. It’s jarring. It’s also hilarious.
The Hans Muller Role: Science vs. Common Sense
In the world of sketch comedy, some guest spots are just a quick "hello," but Ty Burrell on Key and Peele actually gave us a recurring character that perfectly showcased how well he plays "confidentially stupid." He played Colonel Hans Muller, a Nazi officer who is convinced he has the ultimate scientific methods for rooting out people in hiding.
The joke, of course, is that his "science" is completely absurd.
In one of the most famous sketches, he’s trying to find "the blacks" using things like beets and cat toys. He treats it with this grave, intellectual seriousness that only Burrell can pull off. You’ve seen that face before—it’s the same face Phil Dunphy makes when he’s explaining the "trampoline rules" to Luke. Except here, the stakes are a bit higher, and the context is way darker.
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Why the Contrast Works
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are masters of high-concept satire, but they need a "straight man" who can play the absurdity for real. Ty Burrell doesn't wink at the camera. He doesn't act like he's in a comedy. He plays Colonel Muller as a man who genuinely believes that jingling a bunch of keys or offering someone a root vegetable is an infallible genetic test.
Most people don't realize he appeared in more than one episode. He actually showed up as the Nazi Commander/Colonel Hans Muller in two different spots:
- Season 1, Episode 3: This is the "Dueling Magical Negroes" episode (though he's in a different segment).
- Season 4, Episode 2: The "Parole Officer Puppet" episode.
The fact that they brought him back three years after his first appearance tells you everything. The chemistry was there.
More Than Just a Guest Spot
There is this weirdly cool connection between Modern Family and Key and Peele that fans love to point out. If you’re a die-hard fan of the Dunphy household, you might remember an episode where Phil actually mentions watching Key and Peele.
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It’s meta. It’s a "glitch in the Matrix" moment.
Think about it: Phil Dunphy is a fan of a show that stars a man who looks exactly like a Nazi colonel he presumably encountered in another life? Okay, maybe I'm overthinking the sitcom multiverse. But the reality is that the comedy world is small. Both shows were peaking around the same time, and Burrell’s inclusion in the sketch series was a bridge between mainstream network TV and the more "alt" world of Comedy Central.
The "Not Funny" Irony
There’s a great story Ty Burrell tells about his early career. After his first audition for Modern Family, some of the executives reportedly said he "wasn't funny."
Imagine that.
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Watching him on Key and Peele, it’s clear those executives were just looking at him wrong. He’s not just a "joke" teller. He’s a character actor who happens to be funny because of how deeply he commits to the bit. Whether he’s a zombie survivor in Dawn of the Dead (where he was actually a total jerk) or a delusional Nazi scientist, he brings a specific type of intensity that makes the comedy land harder.
Actionable Insights for Comedy Fans
If you want to see the best of this collaboration, don't just search for "Phil Dunphy." You need to look for the specific sketches that let Burrell play against type.
- Look for the "Nazi Census" sketch: This is the gold standard for Ty Burrell on Key and Peele. Pay attention to his facial expressions when he thinks he’s "caught" someone.
- Check the Credits: Burrell isn't the only Modern Family connection. Rob Riggle (who played Phil’s rival Gil Thorpe) also had a legendary run on the sketch show.
- Rewatch Season 4: His return in the later seasons shows a more polished version of the character that really leans into the "Colonel Hans Muller" persona.
The takeaway here is pretty simple: Ty Burrell is a lot more versatile than the "Cool Dad" trophy suggests. Seeing him trade lines with Key and Peele is a reminder that the best comedy comes from people who aren't afraid to look absolutely ridiculous while staying completely in character.
If you’ve only seen him tripping over the "loose step" on the Dunphy stairs, do yourself a favor and find the Hans Muller sketches. It’s a masterclass in deadpan absurdity.
Next Step: Head over to YouTube or Paramount+ and search for the "Key & Peele Nazi" sketch to see Ty Burrell's "scientific" methods in action for yourself.