Jay

There's so much to like about ABC's award-winning new sitcom 'Modern Family' that it seems almost curmudgeon-like to complain. Nevertheless, you have to wonder where in the world 'Modern Family' is located. No, not the place; it's clearly Southern California. No, it's the economy. 'Modern Family' resides in an economy unaffected by the recession. Everybody is doing well. Nobody's worried about paying the mortgage, or – God forbid – facing foreclosure. Things are going so well in 'Modern Family' world that the entire clan is heading to Hawaii for a family vacation.

Wow, remember when your family could afford to fly off for a holiday? It was probably some time around the turn of the century ... 2000. Maybe 'Modern Family' is in a time warp because they're all checking into the Four Seasons Maui. It'll be the May 12 season finale, so tune in if you want to live vicariously.

Gidget did it. Elvis had a special there. 'Lost' calls it home. CBS is even bringing it back with a modern take on 'Hawaii Five-O'! Well, the Dunphys, Jay and Gloria, Cam and Mitchell are the latest. That's right, 'Modern Family' is going to Hawaii. It's not a permanent relocation.

At the Paley Festival on Friday night in Los Angeles, 'Modern Family' executive producer Steve Levitan revealed that that show is being filmed next week. He explained why the family is all going native, saying, "Jay thinks that he and Gloria are going by themselves for this romantic getaway, and she surprises him by inviting the entire family."

OK, it's not going away immediately, a la Smith or Kidnapped, but after the next two episodes, Traveler is gone for good, and this news comes from the creator himself.

Creator/producer Dave DiGilio has been keeping a blog over at TVGuide.com, and he reveals that the network has let the contracts of the actors on the show lapse and that the next two episodes of the show (the show returns July 11) mark the end of the series. And while it's not the final final decision on the show, when the creator of a show says it's true, that's definitely a sign. Though it's not like they didn't see it coming, after the show was put in as a summer replacement, the episodes cut, etc.

He also gives some cool behind-the-scenes scoop of epsiode "The Reunion."

Traveler is a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Sure, the premise looked intriguing and I'm a sucker for conspiracy/good guys on the run shows, but I had this feeling that ABC pushed it to the summer for a reason and it might be one of those shows that worked better as a long miniseries than a multi-season thing.

But it's quite good, and if they can find a way to continue it that would be great (hey, Richard Kimble was on the run for several seasons). Creator David DiGilio has posted a note at the IMDB thanking fans for watching the show and giving a few hints on how you can let ABC know you want the show renewed.

DiGilio is also keeping a blog at TV Guide where he answers a lot of questions from viewers.

[thanks to Savan for the tip]