I didn’t have time to recap the premiere of Million Dollar Listing LA last week so I’m just going to start with the second episode. It’s weird watching episodes of two different MDL franchises with the exact same sort of staged fights. I really try to suspend disbelief on the MDL franchise, but as we know the more seasons the show has, the more scripted they become.
David & James
The Brits are having a fancy private buyers office in their breathtaking Hollywood home and a bidding war is already happening. Unfortunately, Josh Altman has decided to show up to be a shit disturber. Josh is saying the house is over priced right in front of the clients. James takes Altman on to the balcony for a little chat. A very loud argument ensues and James throws Josh and his client out. Josh passes out his cards on the way out to all of the buyers. So nasty, so rude.
The next day at the office, James is upset at himself for losing his temper. They are down to one offer on the house. It’s for $5 million. The list price is $5,750,000. The buyer won’t budge and the seller want budge. Eventually, the seller comes around but the buyer has bought another property. It’s a thirty day listing and the Brits are in a tizzy. Then the seller cancels the listing. David and James have a huge fight because James agreed to a thirty day listing without consulting him and spent a boatload on photography and the real housewives style dinner party.
David is building a house for himself and his girlfriend. They met a year and a half ago while dining with other people at nearby tables. Cute story.
Josh Flagg
Flagg is living in the Four Seasons for a bit. When I get rich, do you think the Four Seasons will let me bring Banjo? Josh doesn’t want to go back to his old house because his grandmother didn’t like him living there. Josh wants to sell the old house. His partner just wants to go home. I will not be letting Banjo lick the cheeseburger that I am about to eat. UGH.
Flagg wants to gut Edith’s penthouse and remodel and move in there. His boytoy partner is not really down with the plan. Josh gets a few quick check offers and soon a buyers frenzy occurs. His house really is well-designed.
There is a staged storyline about some ancient Chinese horse statues. They are supposedly worth about $50K each. The boyfriend wanted to keep them but Flagg includes one in his $2 million sale.
Josh Altman
Josh and his eternal fiancée , never a bride, Heather lay in bed while he tells her of the kerfuffle with James. He refers to the event as a brokers’ open. It was not a brokers’ open it was a private dinner for several interested buyers. He says James had an unnecessary hissy fit. Altman is delusional. Meanwhile, he has promised to sell a client a house within 24 hours and I believe we are on day two.
Josh goes to take his client, Rob, to see some new properties. I hate white kitchens. I have one now. Never again. Rob likes the Brits’ house. He tells Altman that maybe those British guys can find him a house. Eventually, he finds Rob a house he likes for $3,350,000. But the seller is iffy about selling. I was expecting this house to be out of his price range. The price seems low to me even with the tacky pink neon crap on the wall. Eventually, the sale goes through.
Meanwhile, Heather is burning sage in the house. And they sage each other. I don’t think that is going to help your situation, Heather.
I thought Altman was a horse’s behind at the dinner party for potential buyers. I don’t know anything about real estate ethics. However, Josh must have been stepping over some line.
I just can’t help myself, I am crazy about Josh Flagg. His including one of the Chinese horses seemed like a half hearted way to avoid alienating anyone while making the sale. Even if scripted, I believe his affection for his grandmother is genuine.
The Brits seem to me a bit over their heads. I hope they catch up because I really like them.
I love this show and am so glad you’re recapping it, Tamara.
I wish someone would explain to me the “scripted” parts of reality shows. Are all cast members involved and in the know?, or just a few?; is there an actual script? And if the shows are “scripted”, why are they scripted so badly, ie Below Deck? Or is it all of the above? I’m just really curious and not savvy about this stuff. Thanks.
I would not be surprised if those horses came from Edith’s penthouse…..they may well be worth that much
OK, nevermind. I googled my question. Very sorry to waste your time and space. Forgive me.
I love this show and adore everyone except Altman, of course, because he is just too rude and horrible. My favorite moment was when the little dog was humping Heather’s arm. Poor English guys!!! They can’t get a break and now they are mad at each other again and it’s all that effing Altman’s fault! I hate the British guy’s new house. Did everyone see the No McMansion sign outside it? Idiots are tearing down beautiful old houses in Los Angeles and building these monstrosities. Two of them went up on my parent’s street. Flagg’s boyfriend is creepy and what does he do? My hair dresser is across the street from the Four Season’s. Let me know when you ship comes in, TT, and I’ll walk over and ask about Banjo. I did sneak in there once and looked around. Nice digs. Thanks, for the recap, TT.
The no McMansion sign was hilarious! Talk about welcome to the neighborhood. The house looks beautiful to me though. Josh was such a jerk at the party. Does he know ANYTHING about public relations? Shades of Nene and Brandi. HA!
I have never been able to figure out what Heather sees in Josh Altman, he is an arrogant asshole. How he still has clients is beyond me, you would think his behavior would get him black balled.
I also adore Josh Flagg, his relationship with his grandmother was so sweet, one of the realist things i have seen on t.v. His partner Colton can be a bit of a wet blanket, but he also keeps Josh grounded in a way. They are very good for each other. I like the Brits, but James can be a bit like a pissed off terrier to me sometimes and that is annoying. He is fast to anger and and easily falls for Altmans crap.
Weird. I could have sworn I answered Donna’s question. Maybe it went to her in an email. I can’t really reply on email anymore and I keep forgetting. If I reply I think it goes to a random commenter in the chain. So if you go an email from me about the scripted stuff that is why.
Basically what I said was that while there are not real scripts, Josh Altman was sent to the dinner by production (not because his client was invited) to fuck with the Brits. I think most of the closings are real.
The Colton kid was told to say he wanted to keep the horses and the buyer was told to say he wanted them included in the closings. OR it’s possible the buyer really did want them and after the closing they had Colton film the scene saying he wanted to keep the horses.
@The Real Deb…. what Heather sees in Altman is dollar signs. Duh! 🙂 Someone has to pay for all that plastic surgery.
Thanks for your answer TT, it was better than I got off of google. Much appreciated. I did check my e-mail, just in case, but I did not see anything there, fyi. Love you & love your site!
God, i had hoped it wasn’t that. He is such an ass. She deserves him then
Hey TT! I sent a hello email but I see it’s giving trouble? Anyways, great recap and thanks for entertaining me with this fab site. MWAH!
Due to moving, i havent had TV for a week! TT what a lifesaver this site has been.
Hey Edith had the penthouse, i dont blame Josh Flagg for wanting to live there. Edith was an inspiring, classy lady who truelly made the most of her opportunity in the US. Plus we have her to thank for polyester, laughing at the God awful thought of leisure suits! Im sure thats one fashion trend that wont be repeated.
Eternal fiancé! Luv it TT! never a bride, plastic surgery…ur soo good just so good!!
About heather altman(not)!
I just love Josh Flagg, his boyfriend reminds me of this little (Christmas)elf I had as a kid, and still put out each year! But, he does seem really good for Josh. Found his Grandmother to be fascinating, elegant, and such an impressive lady. The relationship he had with her was such an endearing quality it actually made me really sad.when she died last year. I even get a kick out of his arrogance! I hope we get to see what he does to his grandmother’s place! That’s the perfect place.for him.
Altman, I find to be absolutely loathesome- such a pretentious prick, can hardly bare to hear his voice! The Brits aren’t bad, somewhat comical, but I love how the one is such a nut over his dogs! They are adorable dogs. (but, then I’m kind of the dog version of the “crazy cat lady”, tho! Kinda live for my english mastiff and bulldog!)
I’ve enjoyed this show since it started. I try to pretend I don’t know about the scripted part! Anyone remember, in the first years, that ridiculous kid(was he another Josh? Can’t remember his name) he spent more time on his personal grooming than 3 teenage girls! Wonder whatever happened to him…I liked Madison, too(probably because of his dog too!)
Chad. He and his girlfriend called each other “Cake”. He was HILARIOUS.
Chad-thats it!, Thanks, memory barely works anymore!
Was Chad the germaphobe? Made his gf put everything in plastic ziploc bags and had that stupid hair cut
Yes! Had forgotton the germaphobe part, too! I just remember being floored he had a “girl”friend! Probably that hair did not help!
Heather and Altman need to breakup asap, their storyline has never been interesting, and Flagg and Colton should have broken up a long time ago.
Love the LA guys. Didn’t like Altman at first but he’s grown on me. I always get a kick out of his shenanigans. But how ridiculous was the scene with Heather just coincidentally in the bed in full makeup/lashes and freshly blown out hair. Fakety fake as those balloons on her chest.
I was surprised to see the late Bijan’s son was Flagg’s buyer. Guess he wants some TV time, too. I wonder if he works for the Bijan store? If he inherited a good chunk of the store and his dad’s estate, he is pretty wealthy.
You’re right – this show is feeling a lot more staged than in the earlier seasons.
I personally like Josh Altman, people do not like other very successful people. He is no more obnoxious than Josh Flagg, who by the way keeps capitalizing on his grandmother’s name and accomplishments. His boytoy is weird. What is wrong with Heather and Josh if they want to wait awhile before getting married? I think Josh has a lovely family and I love his brother I thing they make a great team. He also sells more that Flagg, so somebody likes him in LA>