Ep 17. Ty Burrell Fears Sudden Death While Eating Spicy Wings

Ty Burrell, the comedic actor known for his role as Phil Dunphy in the hit sitcom Modern Family, is the latest guest to take on the spicy challenge known as Hot Ones. As he sits down with host Sean Evans, Burrell is visibly nervous but determined to conquer the fiery wings.

The first hot sauce, a relatively mild concoction called Secret Aardvark, doesn't present much of a challenge to Burrell. He takes the heat in stride, chatting amicably with Evans about his love of barbecue and his experiences working on Modern Family. However, as the sauces get hotter and hotter, Burrell begins to feel the burn.

At one point, Burrell mentions that he has a fear of sudden death, which seems especially relevant as he chokes down the spiciest sauce yet. Evans asks him how he handles the anxiety of being on a popular TV show, and Burrell reveals that he sometimes has to take a break from acting in order to decompress.

Despite the heat and the nerves, Burrell manages to keep the conversation flowing and his sense of humor intact. He laughs about the fact that he's drinking milk ("I haven't had milk since I was a baby!") and tries to describe the sensation of the hot sauce with a mix of metaphors and sound effects.

As the interview nears its end, Burrell reflects on his time on Modern Family and the challenges of balancing comedy with drama. He also offers some advice to aspiring actors: "Be open to the idea that success is not always what you think it is."

By the time Burrell has finished the last wing, he's feeling the effects of the spice. His face is red, his eyes are watering, and he's a little bit hoarse. But he's also smiling and laughing, proud of himself for making it through the challenge.

In the final moments of the episode, Evans congratulates Burrell on his performance and thanks him for being such a good sport. And as Burrell continues to gulp down milk and water, it's clear that he's not just a talented actor, but a brave one too.