With Groundhog Day arriving Wednesday, we salute Punxsutawney Phil

February 1, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

With Groundhog Day arriving Wednesday, we salute Punxsutawney Phil by recalling these five memorable TV characters named Phil:

•Phil Dunphy (“Modern Family”): Harassed hubby and dad (played by Ty Burrell), who always seems to come up just a bit short in whatever he attempts.

•Phil (“Murphy Brown”): He apparently had no last name, but the proprietor (Pat Corley) of the neighborhood bar where the gang from “FYI” repaired was always willing to lend an ear.

•Det. Phil Fish (“Barney Miller,” “Fish”): The ultimate kvetch, played by Abe Vigoda, who, contrary to decades-long chatter, is not dead at the current time.

•Sgt. Phil Esterhaus (“Hill Street Blues”): Wise desk sergeant (Michael Conrad) best known for his catchphrase “Let’s be careful out there” and for his off-screen death while making love to a fellow officer’s widow.

•Father Phil Intintola (“The Sopranos”): Neighborhood priest (Paul Schulze) who almost crossed the line with Carmela Soprano.