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Million Dollar Listing LA: “We’re the original!”

Since the US property porn show began in 2006 there have been other clones -and its vocal stars are here to remind you.

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Property agents from Million Dollar Listing LA were guests of Binge at an event in Sydney last night.

Josh Flagg (left), Josh Altman (centre) and brother Matt Altman (right) attended the media event at Soho, in Pyrmont, hosted by Binge Executive Director, Alison Hurbert-Burns.

The three have recently finished shooting their 14th season of the series, whose clients buy and sell in the swanky Hollywood, Malibu and Beverly Hills neighbourhoods.

Since the show premiered in the US on Bravo in 2006, there have been other property porn contenders, but Flagg, who has been with the show since 2008 said, “We’re the original show. We’re the first reality show on selling real estate. And then of course, years later, other people wanted to follow and do shows of their own. But, you know, we’re the original one. And I think people really like that. We’re really selling houses, whereas other shows – I’m not gonna mention the names of them- but those shows are just based on people that I think might be licensed, but I don’t think they do any real estate.”

The show has also spawned three spin-offs based in New York, Miami and San Francisco.

Matt Altman, who is a recurring regular as one of the show’s agents said, “Since our show came out, they were able to put a group together of real estate all-stars in our industry, all on the same show. That’s difficult to do. And I also think that maybe they started by being successful and then it’s tough to juggle both. We shoot 10 months a year, multiple times a week, and to be able to succeed in business selling houses, while doing the show, is not easy.”

“The majority of the houses we sell aren’t featured on television. The majority of the really, really expensive houses generally want to keep their privacy and whatnot. It’s usually us coercing the people that you see on TV and begging them to to film with us!,” said Flagg.

Josh Altman, who has been with the show since 2011, also reiterated that striking a balance between work and filming commitments was challenging.

“I remember when when the show came out, I was like, ‘I’m not going to show any of my personal life. It’s gonna be all business, all good deals, all closings,’ right? And then at some point you realise if you don’t let people into your real life, your home life, your marriage, your kids everything, they lose interest. So that’s , when we decided, ‘Alright, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this 100%.’ We opened it all up,” he recalled.

“I remember it my wedding’s been on, my first date, the birth of my daughter, there was a camera in the delivery room. It’s crazy! But the cool thing is, now I can show my kids who are three and five …. by the time they’re done watching the show, they’ll be 20.”

A date for Season 14 is yet to be confirmed stateside, and consequently in Australia.

“Stay tuned for a big announcement from Bravo. We’re gonna leave it at that right now. We’ll see what happens.”

Million Dollar Listing LA S9 – S13 are now available on Binge.

2 Responses

  1. What relevance does an American property show have in this country other than to rub peoples noses in the fact they are able to afford such extravagant lifestyles, whilst people in this country are living in cars with their children. This is cruel TV at its best. Why do these tv stations put on such rubbish but I guess anything goes when it comes to ratings.

  2. I’ve seen a few episodes of the New York version. It’s a winning formula. There are the high stakes amounts, which have been a drawcard for shows like game shows. The cast and characters are interesting, and the lifestyles too. And it isn’t dumbed down like other American reality shows. You don’t feel stupid watching it even though it can get a bit eccentric at times. There is practical information for marketing and selling real estate and the art of negotiating, and getting the best deal for everyone involved.

    The show is an example of taking good elements and creating something successful.

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