Kris Connor/Getty Images; Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesThis, we love. Modern Family boss Steve Levitan confirms to us that Britney Spears has indeed asked to come on the hit ABC comedy, but that’s not all: The likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt could also be on board!
Levitan hints that some other “big stars” have asked to guest star, and the names may surprise you…
“Quite a few really impressive people have come to us,” Levitan hinted to me at last night’s Paley Festival honoring the series. When asked if one of them might be George Clooney, Julia Roberts or Brad Pitt, Levitan’s eyes lit up all crazy and he couldn’t stop himself from uttering: “You’ve gotten...you’ve hit on a couple!”
Zing! So wait a minute, is Modern Family really turning down stars like Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears and George Clooney?!
“We just want to wait until it’s the exact right role for the right person,” Levitan explains. “[They are] not turned down, we’re just waiting for it to be right.”
He also specifically says of Britney that her camp called up to ask right at the end of the season, so it was too late for this year. As for next season, “Who knows? If the right thing comes along. If we use someone like Britney Spears who is just such a presence, we need to make sure that it’s OK for us and works within our show. That there’s some fresh take on using her in the show.”
Levitan adds: “It’s very flattering that any big stars want to come on our show.”
Levitan also reveals he is hoping to take Modern Family to Colombia for an episode or two next season. “When you think about places the show should go, it makes sense. So Gloria [Sofia Vergara] can meet her family and introduce her family to our family. Sofia said the president of Colombia will roll out the red carpet!”
Sofia will get more fanfare next month in New York City when she hosts Saturday Night Live. “When they called up to ask, I thought somebody had canceled!” she tells me. “I’m so honored…and now I’m getting nervous. I’m feeling a little bit of pressure.” A few of the castmembers are flying out to support her and sit in the audience.
Also coming to Modern Family: A “tragedy” that Levitan hints will be “heavy stuff.” And Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet reveal there is “forward movement” with the adoption storyline. Jesse says Mitchell’s getting a uterus, and Levitan jokes, “It’ll be attached outside like a kangaroo pouch.” On a very special Modern Family, y’all!
Check out our exclusive video interviews above and below for more scoop from Steve, Sofia, Jesse, Eric, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen.
Do you fans think Modern Family is cray-cray for passing up on Brad, George, Julia and Britney? Or do you agree with Levitan they should wait for the right time? Our prediction: The series finale of Modern Family, whenever it may be, could have a ridiculous cameo lineup.