Since I started writing this blog, a number of interesting things have happened to me. I was asked to be part of the Human Library, I’ve had several job offers, my ramblings have been used in someone’s thesis, and I’ve discovered that a ridiculous amount of people out there search for naked Latvian men and ladies every day.
But the other day, I got a message that really blew my mind – yep, even more than the people who search for ‘mammies sexy’ and ‘a women with eyes of an ex tray’ and somehow end up on my virtual doorstep.
So here it is:
Hi Linda,
I am casting producer for an American television show about people buying homes abroad. I came across your blog and wanted to reach out to see if you might be interested in participating in an episode of our show.
House Hunters International tells the story of people who have picked up and moved to an exotic foreign location to pursue a new life abroad. Being on our show is a lot of fun for our participants and is a great way for them to document their search for a new home.
We are casting people who have already bought/rented a home or are currently looking for a home in a new country. If you or anyone you know meets these qualifications please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Rebecca Kurland
rebeccakurland@leopardfilms.com
At first, naturally I think, I felt insanely flattered. Then I noticed the name of the company – Leopard Films. Hmm, was this all some elaborate ruse based on my feelings about leopard print? But no, the website exists and seems genuine.
So, of course, I did what any shy and retiring Irish girl would do. I turned it down. Partly because I don’t think cameras following me would be particularly entertaining viewing for anybody, and partly because of the word ‘exotic’. It’s not the first word that springs to mind when I think of Latvia. Erotic, maybe, based on some of the search terms I get, but exotic?
As close as I want to get to the Hollywood lifestyle. (I wouldn’t mind getting a little closer to Johnny Depp though…)
Plus, a lot of Latvians are quite horrified that I share my views on the internet, so I can only imagine what having me on their TV screens would do to them…
And so, I’m opening the floor to all of you lovely readers, who I’m sure live far more glamorous and TV-friendly lives than I do. If you’re interested, or if you know somebody you think might be, feel free to email the lovely Rebecca.
It sounds like a fantastic opportunity, but this expat is far more comfortable behind the scenes.
Expat Eye on Latvia 
Leopard films … had so much potential.
I know – could have been the start of a whole new career for me… 😉
OMG, I love that show and would love to see the housing market in Latvia! I would totally do it, if only I could move somewhere exotic (I believe my definition is much broader than yours).
I never made it as far as San Diego unfortunately, but to me that’s much more exotic! I’m amazed I’ve never heard of this show before! So many people seem to love it!
Well I suppose it’s all perspective. San Diego is an awesome place, but I guess I wouldn’t call it exotic…I see what you mean when you said the same about Latvia.
Yeah, I guess you just get used to wherever you live!
I got a very similar e-mail about 2 months ago. I shared it with my wife, who looked at me horrified. That was all it took, turned it down. Actually worked in LA with those who are in the film industry, Thinking about it I move overseas to get away from that kind of cr_p so, know it was the right decision.
Yeah, wouldn’t be my scene either! I used to work in advertising so some experience of the whole thing – just not worth it!
Jealous. A couple of years ago we were plotting a 2 year move to Pueblo, Mexico with Mrs. G’s work. In our search for an apartment, we contacted House Hunters International (big fans of the obviously stage show) and they never responded. Our dreams of those 15 minutes of fame died and the move never happened.
What a sad story! Maybe if you’d been considering a move to Eastern Europe or Russia – a lot of people this end seem to have got the same email I did! Russia, Latvia, Serbia… any of those appeal to ya?
Maybe her company can move us to Lithuania just so we can be on the show.
Now you’re thinking! You’re determined to get to those beaches somehow aren’t you?!
How’d you read my ulterior motive?
The Wandering Open Book 😉
Is it safe to visit?
I’ll let you know next week when I move in! Had a bit of a panic about it all last night and considered staying in this place but gave myself a stern talking to 😉
I got the same message two years ago. Different lady, same company. I love the show and was so excited at the prospect. We were even looking at houses in Serbia at the time. I even chatted with a lady in NYC for about 30 in on the phone talking logistics. Long story short. it never happened, But, I did find out you only make about a thousand bucks, it is shot in three days. and of course you probably know the rest. it is all very reality show staged. Even though it is the same plot every time. I still like seeing homes around the world. heck, I still like checking out friends homes here in Serbia. It’s fun. and exotic in a non-raunchy way. 😉
Wow, kind of exciting that you were thinking of doing it though! You’re far braver than I am! I’m not sure an Irish chick looking at 1-bed flats in Riga would make for such entertaining viewing though! Well, the flats might be quite entertaining but not in the way you’d expect 😉
I am sure you would be entertaining enough. Americans love to hear the accent alone! But being camera shy is a serious issue. But it would be could to see you on the show to be sure! Communist block style architecture or not!
I’m not that entertaining in real life 😉 Although I could have got all kitted out in leopard print just for the laugh!
Don’t forget the platforms!!
Platforms, schmatforms – I’m going full on 8-inch stilettos!
Break a leg! 😉
Haha! I’ve having a devilish time finding someplace that will work for me for the next few months in Jakarta but certainly wouldn’t expose all my whinging and pickiness to a TV audience. So yup – with you on turning down. 🙂
Speaking of odd offers.. I’ve already been asked to do a voice over in Jakarta for an agency’s pitch project. Say what??
Ooh, I’ve got one of them coming up as well! First I have to edit it and then record it! I’ve done a couple of short ones before but this one is an hour-long instructional video on packaging – I think 😉 You may as well give it a go! It’ll be a bit of fun if nothing else! They just needed a native English speaker?
look at you! all famous and stuff. fun! i’ve never seen the show, but it’s pretty big in the states. we know 2 couples who moved from the US to brussels that were on it. apparently, it’s awfully inconvenient…the choosing of the homes is staged and the waiting to move in for filming is annoying. so, good move on your part…from what i’ve heard.
Yeah, I just want to get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible! And I’m an awful actress – and I get cranky if someone points a camera at me 😉 Supposed to have a ‘viewer’ traipsing through this flat tonight – we’re on Latvian time though as they’re late. But I made sure the place smells of a nice home-cooked dinner – beans on toast 😉
Great great great ………….. Hey Linda ! I wrote them and lets see what will happen ……….. but in case …………. they won’t be disappointed ………….as your blog is already quiet expressif about Latvia’s descriptions 😀 ahhhhhhhhhh LATVIA ………….” If you don’t see it, you don’t believe it, and when you see it, you can’t believe it either” 😀
Ha ha ha, you should write the slogans for the Tourist Board here!! 🙂 Brilliant!
It would make a great episode, tell them yes but ask for lots of moooonnnneyy
I still don’t think it would be worth it! Would you do it?!
Erhhh!
No
🙂
Haha that’s pretty cool! I love House Hunters International, but it would be a bit odd to actually participate in it.
You should go for it!
And by same, I naturally mean safe!
Ha ha, I got that! I don’t think it’s UNsafe… just a bit, um, developing!
What do you mean your new neighbourhood isn’t same? Get on this show and get them finding you an exotic, leopard themed house!
Ah, that was a very tempting proposal, but I’d turn it down too. Gee, i don’t even like being photographed much, and actually speaking to the camera… I’d better climb somewhere high and hope to not die from fright 😉
But this made my mind rolling, and I’ve already pictured you in some leotard or similar number showing TV viewers around some pink apartment 😀
Oh, by the way, I wanted to share with you some pictures from the apartment which was on sale a few years ago and which went literary viral our here, and which could shame that pink one you’ve come around to dust. Just go for the pictures, and you might find yourself surprised to learn that pink walls are like nothing 😉 http://www.lrytas.lt/-12627733631261527206-kriz%C4%97s-apimtoje-rinkoje-ir-keturi%C5%B3-kambari%C5%B3-butas-su-fontanu-vilniuje-nuotraukos.htm
OH MY GOD! That is hideous!! I’m tempted to revisit the pink flat now!! Did anyone actually take it?!
Not sure about that, but this was like a joke of the year at the time 🙂 Unfortunately, I could not locate the news piece with more pictures of this flat. you should see the KITCHEN 😀
There was another hilarious ad at around the same time, only for an old and battered VW Golf. Only difference being that while the flat is (or was) hideous and like everyone laughed out loud at it, the ad for the car was really cute and humorous. A guy wrote down all the defects down, but with such a good sense of humor, that it was thumbs up. He even put a real goat into the car to show how good it was for transporting animals (or mothers-in-law).
HA ha, how cute! Always good to have a goat handy when you’re trying to sell a car! 🙂
Seems animals are essential for a good ad, especially cute ones 😀
Brilliant! That’ll keep me smiling through the rest of the day!
Or you should look for a local equivalent in Riga 😉 THAT could make a full TV reality series on its own 😀
I reckon the agents would catch onto me fairly quickly! But I love the idea!!
Oh my!!! Suddenly the pink flat looks positively normal!!
I’ve never seen anything like it! 🙂
Ahh haaa! I love the huge picture in the toilet…. 🙂
I like how all of Sylvester the Cat’s friends have left him to his crazy flat 😉
🙂 How is your new flat?
Still in the old one at the moment. Need to wait until the money comes through from England before I can sign the contract and move into the new place. Will probably be Monday/Tuesday. Which is perfect as I have to work both days 😉
Such is life. 😦
Yup. Not much I can do really!
Leopard films does sound rather like an “exotic” TV company. Maybe that’s why they wanted someone in Latvia… porno shoes, leopard print, etc etc
Maybe you should do it – put Bid-Gosh on the map once and for all! You’d look great in leopard print… 😉
While that may well be true, sadly, I have already found a flat. There’s always next year. 😉
It’s definitely ‘interesting’, isn’t it?!
*shudders*
Interesting! I got this e-mail as well at the start of the summer — they must be running out of locations if they’re talking to people in Russia/Latvia. I really love watching House Hunters International, and I’m not sure I want it to be tainted by huge Soviet blocs.
I’d never heard of it before but I can’t really imagine anyone thinks of Russia or Eastern Europe as exotic! Still, you never know I guess!
Ooh, how flattering! I probably would have turned it down as well though. Being on TV for all the world to see? No thank you!
“A women with eyes of an ex tray” conjures up some odd images…
I know. Most of the time I can kind of figure out what people are trying to say but this one is a mystery to me! 🙂 Yes, I wouldn’t fancy being on TV either. Too much time in the gym to prepare for a start 😉
It would only be worth it if they could promise to help you get the flat of your dreams 😉
Seemingly the place I am moving to is in a bit of a dangerous area. I might be an exsplat soon 😉 But hey, you take your chances right?!
Hmmm … I don’t like the idea of you living in a dangerous area. Those kind of chances you shouldn’t have to take. (I’m channeling your mother 😉 )
You really are! She would say exactly the same thing! If she knew – but she’s always worrying anyway 😉 It seemed alright to me. Bit deserted maybe. But I’m sure it’s fine. Just one of those ‘up and coming’ areas that everyone will want to live in in a year or so but was terrified of before!
You’re not making me feel better 😉
My new junkie and hooker friends could make for some interesting posts though! 🙂
Aaargh!
🙂
Oh, how exciting! Even if you’ve had to turn it down. Something like this happened to me a few months ago, and I didn’t go for it either, but it sure is nice to be considered. Your blog’s really working for you in so many different ways, it’s all very heartening 🙂
It’s nice not knowing what’s going to happen! Some days it’s people giving out about stuff, other days you get the chance to be on TV! All very exciting 😉
That is very flattering, exotic, erotic leopards aside. Think I’m the same as you though, much more comfortable behind the scenes. Also, is it really horrifying that you share your views on t’internet? Haha, I am soooo intrigued to see Latvia after reading your blog! 🙂
Ha ha, some people think it is. LV would be a bit of a culture-shock for you after Mexico I think! There’s definitely a TV show in that! 🙂