Cory Nichols, Iota Lambda/Longwood 2008, and his wife Colleen, were recently featured on the Home and Garden Network’s television show, “House Hunters.” The program follows couples/families in their search for a new home with the aid of a realtor. Each program features three properties and one of the properties is selected by the buyer. In the final segment of the program, the couple/family provides a tour of their new home after they have settled in.
When the Nichols began their search for a home, Colleen wrote an application to the “House Hunters” production company, and shortly after the couple was selected to do the show.
“As to why we were selected I cannot for sure say,” said Cory. “I would guess that our age, our budget and the stylistic difference between our apartment and our house were all contribution factors.
The Nichols decided to do the show because it sounded like fun and it was a great opportunity to do something that they would remember for a long time. There was also a small financial incentive. Like anything, there were pros and cons to participating in the program.
“For the pros, it was a fun, once in a lifetime opportunity, we gained knowledge about TV and production of a show, and it was highly entertaining,” said Cory. “For the cons, the filming schedule was busy, and it was frustrating at times during the filming,” he said.
Overall, the Nichols’ were happy with the way they were portrayed.
“Keep in mind that over 20 hours of footage turns into 24 minutes of TV. There were entire story lines that were filmed and were completely absent from what aired,” said Cory. We constantly thought about what makes good TV and what the producer/director was trying to accomplish,” he continued.
For the Nichols it was an experience they enjoyed and would encourage others to try a similar experience with a television/reality show.
“I think that you should always do things that are outside your comfort zone,” said Cory. “It certainly isn’t for everyone, but I do not know when else I will be on TV – probably never,” he added.
Luckily, the celebrity status hasn’t been too over bearing for the Nichols.
“The amount of attention received the night the show aired was unbelievable,” said Cory. “Due to social media, I had friends from middle school who I had not talked to in 15 years, grade school teachers, family and friends commenting and tagging me and my wife. I heard from many brothers who I had not heard from in awhile,” he said.
It is no surprise that so many brothers were trying to reach Cory - he was the Colony President at Longwood when Iota Lambda Chapter was officially installed in April 2007.
Since graduation, Nichols has remained involved as an alumnus of Iota Lambda in various capacities and is seeking to maintain relationships of Iota Lambda alumni - especially the bonds of the men that chartered Theta Chi at Longwood.
“We are having our first annual golf trip for the brothers of the chapter this year and I look forward to making that a tradition. It is easy to stay in touch as a brother when you are all in the same town, but as we all continue to grow up and relocate, it becomes more and more challenging to stay close,” said Nichols. “That is why I think it is important to plan trips and generate an annual schedule that gives us a chance to get together,” he said.
Good Luck to you and Colleen in your new home, Brother Nichols!
Check out HGTV's website for future airings of this episode.