If you’ve been wondering what your favorite Rosebud Motel tenants have been up to, you may be delighted to find out that Eugene Levy is making his way back to television. This time around, though, the Emmy Award-winning actor won’t be staying in a rundown motel with his hilarious family. Levy will host Apple TV+’s unscripted series The Reluctant Traveler, where audiences will watch as he travels throughout Costa Rica, Finland, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Portugal, South Africa, and the U.S.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Levy reveals that he initially told his agent he was not interested in hosting a travel show as he isn’t a fan of globe-trotting. The Schitt’s Creek actor and co-creator told the publication there’s not much about the experience that he enjoys, saying:
“It’s everything. It’s packing, getting through the airport, taking off your shoes, taking off your belt, pulling out your computer. By the time you get through that, you’re in a bad mood. And then depending on where you’re going, there’s a plane ride, okay, that can be pleasant enough. And then you get to your hotel, and listen, I love a good hotel, and when I travel, if it’s a great hotel, geez, I kind of want to stay there. I could spend a day in the hotel. I could go out and just find a cafe and sit down and watch people and have a lovely little repast. To me, that is an afternoon. But, usually, there’s a lot jammed into a day. We got to go here, we got to see this museum, we got to go to this, we got to see the river, we got to see the castle on the hill.”
A Different Kind of Travel Show
Levy eventually talked to Apple and tried to explain why he was not the man for the job, specifically mentioning that he did not have an “exotic palette.” His reluctance to be part of the project only made Apple more sure he would make the perfect host for the series. Levy eventually agreed, becoming The Reluctant Traveler. He shared his hopes for the series:
What’s more, it seems that hosting the series has shifted Levy’s perception:
“What I’m hoping is that it’s the kind of show that will not only appeal to people who are seasoned travelers, but to people who don’t necessarily travel that much, and, through me, they’re getting the experience that they might be going through themselves when they go on a trip,” Levy told Vanity Fair.
The Reluctant Traveler premieres February 24, 2023, on Apple TV+, and will include eight episodes. The show’s official synopsis reads: “Self-confessedly not your typical travel show host - he’s not usually adventurous or well-versed in globe-trotting, Levy agrees the time is finally right for him to broaden his horizons. Levy packs his suitcase with some trepidation but hopes his experiences might lead to a whole new chapter in life, even if it means confronting some of his long-held fears." The series is executive produced by Levy and National Geographic’s David Brindley.
“It’s really been an eye-opener. To say you’re not really keen on traveling, it’s not the greatest thing to say. It’s not something that’s impressing people. And now, I’m getting it," he said.
