'Modern Family' stars reunite in WhatsApp ad discussing blue vs. green text bubble users
Some of the stars of "Modern Family" reunited to address one of the most pressing topics affecting families today: green text bubble discourse.
In a commercial for instant messaging platform WhatsApp, actors Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson seemingly reprised their roles from the beloved sitcom.
The ad shows Phil (Burrell), Claire (Bowen) and Cameron (Stonestreet) in a living room discussing a photo Haley (Sarah Hyland) sent. When Mitchell (Ferguson) asks to see the photo, Phil accidently slips that it's "in the group chat," sending everyone into an immediate panic.
"You started a family chat without me? Shame!" Mitch says.
Cameron assures him that it's not because of him but his new phone, with Claire citing "blurry photos" and "weird likes" that appear when Mitch sent a text to their old group chat.
WhatsApp shows divide between blue vs. green bubbles
The ad discusses the divide between iPhone users (or "blue bubble" people) and Android users ("green bubble" people). A message sent from an iPhone to an Android appears as a green text bubble instead of blue ones sent to fellow iPhone users.
The commercial discusses a common frustration users have texting someone with a different type of phone as they're often unable to use the same features like sending iMessage reactions. The ad concludes with a house painter telling all four of them that they should communicate via WhatsApp so they can all access the same features.
A recent WhatsApp survey reported that 58% of Americans consider themselves "blue bubble" people. About 52% of survey respondents say they have a close friend or family member they don't speak to as regularly because device differences.
"Additional results also reveal bubble-based opinions that seem to widen existing gulfs, such as how some iPhone users see Android users as budget-conscious and in turn iPhone users are seen as status-conscious," the company said in a news release.
'Modern Family' cast reunited last year
The WhatsApp commercial isn't the first "Modern Family" reunion since the Emmy-winning series ended in 2020.
Sofía Vergara, who played Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, shared multiple photos and a video of several actors from the show together in an Instagram post in November.
"So lucky to have worked with this people for 11 years??. I love and miss u all guys!!! #modernfamily" Vergara wrote in the post caption.
"Modern Family" aired on ABC for 11 seasons and 250 episodes, winning several Emmys, including best comedy series four different years.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Modern Family' stars reunite in WhatsApp ad poking fun at text bubbles
