Who will invite them in?

Just a note about a TV act that shows up fairly often here in Japan. Very simple, really. Take a few TV talents (up and coming stars, or somewhat over the hill, usually) and plop them down in the middle of a small town. Typically one person. Now let them wander around a little, then ask to stay over at someone's house. Tape the whole thing, of course, which does mean that the people who are being asked and then sharing their house are doing it with a video camera, lights, and maybe a microphone somewhere in the background. But surprisingly, they do get turned down, and most of the people seem to forget the camera fairly fast.

Kind of heart-warming, really, to see kids playing with an aging star. Or the other day, the talent carried his guitar with him. First he ended up being invited to a local street festival. Then he climbed the hill behind the village and sang the sun down. After that, he walked around until he found someone who invited him in, fed him, and called up some friends for a jam session!

The ad at the end of the show hinted at a new variation. They had two young talents go out and find 10 people who would invite them to lunch at their house. So they are going to have a series of meals. Not sure how that will work, since people made dates for when the talents will come, and I'll bet they prepare a bit more than they can when someone comes knocking at the front door in the evening. But it should be interesting.

Can you imagine the Hollywood stars going out to small towns in the U.S. and asking to stay overnight? What kind of reception would they get?