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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2008 - 10:08:41 AM
Property panic
By Daniel A. Kusner - Life+Style Editor
Jun 11, 2008 - 3:18:52 PM
Already thought Jeff Lewis was the Queen of all Super-Freaks? The neurotic, watchable house-flipper is back — as home sales decline
Without watching “Flipping Out,” one would think the reality show would be sad. The series follows Jeff Lewis, a gay, obsessive-compulsive mogul who buys expensive homes and fixes them up.
Lewis is a “flipper” who constantly flips out. He issues meticulous details to a coterie of helpers: The house manager and house assistant fret over the four bottles of coffee creamer that must always be stocked in the fridge. His executive assistant listens to instructions about transferring breath mints from one container into another. And when little things go awry — like the onions found in his Mexican lunch! — watch out.
But “Flipping Out” isn’t sad.
Between the emotional meltdowns, there are incredible high-end renovations. And Lewis seems quiet aware that he’s the Queen of Unnecessary Drama — who can’t help it. Rosie O’Donnell was so charmed by his crazy antics, that she religiously blogged about Lewis last year.
But if you thought last season was intense, Season 2 looks even scarier.
With the California housing economy in the toilet, Lewis takes a consulting gig to pay the bills — which means he’s not the boss. And the stress about having so many assistants leads him to install a hidden surveillance camera.
This week, Dallas Voice caught up with Lewis via e-mail. Tune into Season 2, which starts airing on Tuesday.
Some homo-homeowners represent by hanging a Pride flag or laying out a rainbow welcome mat. If you were designing the Ideal Gay-Proud Homestead, how would you get the idea across? Wouldn’t the topiaries, Jonathan Adler pillows, Persian cats and matching Range Rovers make it pretty obvious that it is a gay household? The rainbow flag would be overkill.
What are you most proud of from last season’s “Flipping Out?” I’m glad I chose to be honest about my financial worries and problems. People related to it. It is often comforting to know that other people are going through similar situations.
Rosie O’Donnell is one of your big fans. Have y’all met? Rosie and I had dinner plans months ago — when she was in L.A. shooting “Nip/Tuck.” She had to cancel last minute because the shoot ran over. I still would love to have dinner with her, but we have not rescheduled.
So much renovation is about demolition — getting rid of the old, brining in the new. When flipping, how eco-conscious is your aesthetic? Just in the last year, I have begun to use recycled materials and energy efficient equipment. Until recently, being “green” just meant paying twice as much.
“Flipping Out” usually depicts you under intense situations and snapping at people. Is that what you’re like when you’re blissfully in love? I have become a very different and much more relaxed person outside of work. I am an intense guy and take my work very seriously. I have learned not to run my relationships like I do my business.
You have three personal assistants and a maid. Is that overkill? I always wondered why it took so many people to run my home-office. With the help of a nanny cam, I found out why. Viewers can expect some staff changes and restructuring in Season 2.
Real estate development is about creating a lifestyle. What about the other end of that spectrum? If you could choose how you’d like to kick the bucket, how would you like to go? I would hope it would be quick and painless. However, because of my bad karma, I will most likely die in a manner similar to a scene in the movie “Saw.”
GAYDAR ALERT —
Texan on ‘Design Star’
College Station resident Michael Stribling, pictured, is one of the contestants on “Design Star,” HGTV’s “Project Runway” for interior decorators. The 23- year-old loves Cher, “Golden Girls” and Vogue magazine, and describes his aesthetic as “frat-boy chic.” The new season started airing last weekend.
Tune in Sundays at 8 p.m. for new episodes.
These articles appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 13, 2008.
 |
| BIG DEBUT: Jeff Lewis stars in the new season of “Flipping Out,” which premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Bravo. |
Without watching “Flipping Out,” one would think the reality show would be sad. The series follows Jeff Lewis, a gay, obsessive-compulsive mogul who buys expensive homes and fixes them up.
Lewis is a “flipper” who constantly flips out. He issues meticulous details to a coterie of helpers: The house manager and house assistant fret over the four bottles of coffee creamer that must always be stocked in the fridge. His executive assistant listens to instructions about transferring breath mints from one container into another. And when little things go awry — like the onions found in his Mexican lunch! — watch out.
But “Flipping Out” isn’t sad.
Between the emotional meltdowns, there are incredible high-end renovations. And Lewis seems quiet aware that he’s the Queen of Unnecessary Drama — who can’t help it. Rosie O’Donnell was so charmed by his crazy antics, that she religiously blogged about Lewis last year.
But if you thought last season was intense, Season 2 looks even scarier.
With the California housing economy in the toilet, Lewis takes a consulting gig to pay the bills — which means he’s not the boss. And the stress about having so many assistants leads him to install a hidden surveillance camera.
This week, Dallas Voice caught up with Lewis via e-mail. Tune into Season 2, which starts airing on Tuesday.
Some homo-homeowners represent by hanging a Pride flag or laying out a rainbow welcome mat. If you were designing the Ideal Gay-Proud Homestead, how would you get the idea across? Wouldn’t the topiaries, Jonathan Adler pillows, Persian cats and matching Range Rovers make it pretty obvious that it is a gay household? The rainbow flag would be overkill.
What are you most proud of from last season’s “Flipping Out?” I’m glad I chose to be honest about my financial worries and problems. People related to it. It is often comforting to know that other people are going through similar situations.
Rosie O’Donnell is one of your big fans. Have y’all met? Rosie and I had dinner plans months ago — when she was in L.A. shooting “Nip/Tuck.” She had to cancel last minute because the shoot ran over. I still would love to have dinner with her, but we have not rescheduled.
So much renovation is about demolition — getting rid of the old, brining in the new. When flipping, how eco-conscious is your aesthetic? Just in the last year, I have begun to use recycled materials and energy efficient equipment. Until recently, being “green” just meant paying twice as much.
“Flipping Out” usually depicts you under intense situations and snapping at people. Is that what you’re like when you’re blissfully in love? I have become a very different and much more relaxed person outside of work. I am an intense guy and take my work very seriously. I have learned not to run my relationships like I do my business.
You have three personal assistants and a maid. Is that overkill? I always wondered why it took so many people to run my home-office. With the help of a nanny cam, I found out why. Viewers can expect some staff changes and restructuring in Season 2.
Real estate development is about creating a lifestyle. What about the other end of that spectrum? If you could choose how you’d like to kick the bucket, how would you like to go? I would hope it would be quick and painless. However, because of my bad karma, I will most likely die in a manner similar to a scene in the movie “Saw.”
GAYDAR ALERT —
 |
Texan on ‘Design Star’
College Station resident Michael Stribling, pictured, is one of the contestants on “Design Star,” HGTV’s “Project Runway” for interior decorators. The 23- year-old loves Cher, “Golden Girls” and Vogue magazine, and describes his aesthetic as “frat-boy chic.” The new season started airing last weekend.
Tune in Sundays at 8 p.m. for new episodes.
These articles appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 13, 2008.
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