Qantas and One&Only Hayman Island welcome Modern Family to Australia
I love Modern Family. I mean, I REALLY love Modern Family. It makes me laugh from my belly. And it’s the kind of show that makes me laugh in the middle of the night, when I remember something ridiculous that Cam said. Ha! Luckily, I am not alone in loving this peculiar bunch – there are many people like me, chuckling away to themselves on sofas all over the land…
Modern Family is one of the largest critical and commercial hits of the past decade. The recipient of four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Television Series… so, you can clearly see – I have excellent taste.
Recently, Modern Family, who are part of the Twentieth Century Fox brigade, joined forces with Qantas Airways and One&Only Hayman Island to film an (HILARIOUS) episode of their much adored show, in Australia. Just a few months ago in February, Qantas Airways flew the cast and crew from LA to Oz for a Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker (you know it’s going to be funny) vacation down under, (mate.) This is the very first time the show has filmed an episode outside of the US in its five seasons of production…
Last night, I found myself at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden to meet the teams behind this inspired collaboration and to (most importantly) view the Australian Modern Family episode. I arrived at the event slightly bedraggled as I’d been running (when I say ‘running’ I am completely lying – I was walking. Or crawling..) around at press shows all day… but as the immaculately dressed Qantas air hostess welcomed me with a cocktail and a MINI BURGER, I found my tired self vanishing in a puff of One&Only magic and I quickly relaxed into their sparkling world of luxury and loveliness in the Forest room of the gorgeous member’s club…
The ‘Modern Family in Australia’ episode is expected to be watched by more than 100 million people globally afters its initial domestic and international run and via syndication. The episode premiered in the US and Canada on 23 April 2014, in Australia on 27 April 2014 and you lucky lot in the UK can catch it on Monday evening at 8.30pm on Sky1 and Sky1HD… and take it from me – it’s brilliant. I absolutely loved it.. and so did everyone else, if the much popcorn spluttering was anything to go by…
Whilst the majority of filming took place in Australia’s cultural capital of Sydney, the cast and crew were also whisked off to experience the soon-to-open One&Only Hayman Island, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, as part of the filming. The exclusive preview of One&Only Hayman Island comes ahead of the official opening on 1 July 2014, following a multi-million dollar transformation. That is a lot of pennies. Bet they have a big piggy bank…
One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence. Set in some of the most beautiful locations in the world, (Maldives, Mauritius, The Bahamas, Cape Town, Los Cabos etc) each resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture and an unrivalled level of energy and hospitality – they need a new word for luxury. It just doesn’t quite cut it…
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is delighted with the partnership. He’s a clever chap is Mr Joyce – he knew that there could be no better way to showcase the wonders, magic and uniqueness of Australia as a holiday destination on a global stage, than to present the cast of Modern Family having a rollicking time at the Great Barrier Reef, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and staring at all the boobs on Bondi Beach. (Luke and Manny. Obvs.)
“This exposure will no doubt make Australia top of mind for Americans and other potential visitors, looking to plan their own family vacation.”
“We’re grateful to the folks from One&Only for their hospitality on Hayman Island,” said Steve Levitan, co-creator, and executive producer of Modern Family. “After our hectic shoot in Sydney, it was perfect to wrap things up at such an exotic, beautiful and private place. It was an experience we will always remember.”
So don’t forget to tune in on Monday night and have a giggle. This episode has got everything and everyone. Sun, Sea, allergic reactions, boobs… oh, and Phil may or may not get punched by a kangaroo.
Modern Family in Australia airs in the UK on the 26th May, 2014 at 8.30pm – Sky 1 & Sky 1 HD
One&Only Hayman Island opens 1st July 2014
Qantas operates twice daily services from London Heathrow on the Qantas A380 to Sydney and Melbourne.
