It has been a full year since we had the best commenting session ever about the finale of last season. If you missed my recap that is fine, but if you missed the comments in the episode I called Avoiding the Death Position, you need to go now. With all the crap going on in the world today, you one thing you can do is avoid sleeping in the death position!
I am super excited for season ten of Flipping Out to begin tonight. Can you believe it is the tenth season? I just added it to the black bar at the top of every page today. In case you don’t know, you can click on all of those titles and go directly to all the posts for that show! I do have a problem though. This show airs at the same time as the Big Brother live eviction show. To make matters worse, it is double eviction night. I know how ridiculous this sounds, even the Big Brother folks hanging with me in recaps hate the show. But I have THE CRAZY and apparently part of that is loving the show that I have watched without missing an episode for the past NINETEEN seasons. I was like 21 when I started watching. Shut up.
So my point, and I do have on is that because the second HOH comp tonight will probably be an endurance comp shown live on the feeds, that is where I will be tonight. The good news is that I have something much better for you than one of my boring recaps tonight. My new BFF, Shira Weiss (which I pronounce in my head in the Rocky Horror Picture Show way, don’t tell her that.) Has two great interviews with Jeff Lewis and Jenni Pulos that I am stealing bits from. Then we can talk about the show here. So, YAY for great solutions to time management problems!
Let’s start with excerpts from Jeff’s Interview.
We start off the new season with you right before Monroe’s birth and it is HECTIC. Can you tell me the ways in which fatherhood has allayed some of your anxieties? Conversely, how has being a parent made you more anxious?
There’s a lot of stuff – as you know. I find myself running ragged at the weekend. I’ve never seen so much laundry connected to one person. It’s really overwhelming so even though we have help, I’m doing laundry, cleaning, picking up toys and organizing. I can’t have this turn into a day care center. I can’t do it. I can’t live that way! (Laughs) I think I am a little traumatized by my brother because his kids completely take over his house, so I’m trying so hard not to have my house be my brother’s house that I’m working double-time!
There’s this balance we are all trying to strike. When to react, how to tone down reactions and when to just let things go.
What about when you tell people 17 times not to do something and then they do it? So, yesterday I lost it. There’s this brand new house we just spent a fortune framing. I told the contractors not to cut a single hole…Sure enough, holes are cut after saying multiple times not to cut anything. So now they’re afraid of me. Unfortunately, there are times you have to be feared and I absolutely HATE being that person. I’d rather say something once and have people follow those directions. (laughs) Even now, I’m getting upset thinking about that.
We see you working on Lea Black’s new Hollywood Hills residence. How did you meet the former RHOM cast member?
As I’m talking to you, I’m actually staring right at her house because she lives across from me. There’s no stress for me working with Lea. We have dinner, drinks and go out. She’s become a good friend to me. I met her because Jenni invited me to one of her epic summer parties and we totally clicked. She’s very friendly and welcoming and we’ve hung out a lot this summer.
How has Gage been dealing with his moods? There were jokes last season about how he handled his emotions when things got difficult.
Gage is one of the most amazing hands-on dads I’ve ever witnessed. He’s so nurturing and the primary caregiver. I take his lead and he tells me ‘get this,’ ‘get that,’ ‘do this.’ He’s so confident and comfortable that I just let him make most decisions. For major decisions, we consult each other, but really he’s a natural. I fumble and question things. I think he’s a lot better with moods. I’m from a loud family and I’m used to screaming and yelling. He, on the other hand, gets stressed while I’m more lax because kids are going to cry and scream! It took us a solid 7-8 months to adjust to fatherhood and how it’s changed our lives and we did have a little trouble with it in the beginning. I was not properly warned by friends!
During the first 6 months I thought I was failing and took it very personally when I couldn’t make Monroe happy or stop crying. Seeing your kid happy is all you want as a parent and now that she’s happy, I feel like we’re succeeding!
As much as I wanted to steal this entire interview, Shira Weiss (Weissssssssssssssssssss) would not be my friend anymore if I did that. So I must INSIST that you click here read the rest of the interview. I learned how to get a great hotel room upgrade, how he is dealing with Zoila’s retirement, what happened with him and Bethenny Frankel after WWHL, the growing pains he is experiencing as a father, and a lot more. Seriously, you do not want to miss this interview!
But wait! There’s more! And it’s better than doubling your Ginzo knife order or free shipping. Shira Weiss (Weisssssss) also interviewed Jenni Polus and it is super fantastic too!
At the beginning of this upcoming season, we see that Jeff and Gage (his partner) are very stressed out, about to become dads as Baby Monroe is due (via surrogate) in mere weeks. What was going through your mind at that hectic time during filming?
You see in the first episode that they are frantically trying to get the house done to a point where it would be good for Monroe. Life changes as a parent and you’re not number one anymore, so they’re realizing that to work out of the home where there will be a baby, certain things have to be in place. There is a lot of tension, but I understand it – even the second time around (as a mom of two). Those weeks leading up to delivery, you just want everything to go well. If you have the tendency to worry, which I do as well, you handle things in a certain way. Jeff handles things by going ahead with construction and knocking the house down! Gage deals with emotions more internally. You will see when the baby comes how their whole lives change and it’s so wonderful that it’s caught on this show. In this case, it’s so beautiful that they opened up that part of their lives and it was captured for the show. You literally see a shift in their world.
You’ll also see that a lot of things happen that were not expected. As you’re watching, you’re thinking ‘can one more thing possibly happen?’ Then something else occurs…and that’s life. The viewers will be on pins and needles saying I can’t believe this.’ Our show is very authentic so you’re going to get the most heightened moments for sure.
Those keeping up with the blogs and listening to Radio Andy know that Zoila Chavez (Jeff’s beloved, adored and funny housekeeper) has retired. However, in the first episode we aren’t given an indication about this. I don’t know when this will be revealed, or if it will be revealed during this season. Do we get to see any major changes in Zoila’s role? Also, what is her relationship like with Baby Monroe?
Zoila is very much there for Monroe and you’ll see that. There is a lot that evolves this season. Jeff’s mom died when he was young and there’s a real love there with Zoila. You’ll see things will change and she’s still very much a part of his life, but it’s emotional. There is a theme of rebirth and things changing. This is the richest season we’ve ever had because of real life changes. So many things are shown that people can relate to in all aspects. We see thing like how work dynamics change as we become parents and this is a season that really is all encompassing. You’ll also see some moments that are difficult. If you left the show for a year or even more, you can come back. This is the year.
Jenni opens up to Shira Weiss (Weissssssssssssssss) about how she REALLY felt about going through all her fertility issues on camera, her flourishing rap career, and what she does when Jeff goes off on his employees like he does on Vanina this season. Be sure to read the entire interview with Jenni here.
A huge thanks to Shira Weiss for sharing these fantastic interviews with my readers!
Live feeds are down until after Friday night’s special episode. 🙁
Thank you. I’ve been searching for what I saw somewhere regarding the hours of feeds being down.
TT, I decided to start watching this show. I think it’s time to revamp my show line ups, and I think this could be a great one to start watching. Looking forward to.
So technically, I could have recapped Flipping Out but I love this post more.
Jeff and Gage’s faces in the delivery room were EVERYTHING. I felt like it was their first look at a vagina and it wasn’t really the best time to see one all up close and person when the baby comes out.
I can’t believe he is going to keep on renovating the house with the new baby there.
I really thought Gage would be the one holding it together but he is a ticking time bome!
Jeff has that Ramona Singer thing where they think people they hurt should just get over it. Only with Jeff, he eventually feels bad.
And my final thought may be inappropriate or make it seem like I am against gay adoption but I am not. Monroe apparently screamed for three straight months. My first thought was she is crying for her mother. I’ve never thought about that before.
I am for all types of families, but as a mother of 2 (1 currently still a baby) I couldn’t help but think the same thing. I was the only person who could calm my baby down from the moment she came out, it amazed all the seasoned nurses who could normally shush and swaddle a baby to sleep. Only I would do for first couple of months. Not all babies are like that, but it’s sad to think if she was crying out for her (surrogate) mama. They know a lot more than we give them credit for.
It’s the sound of your voice. Monroe heard Alexandra’s for 9 months and missed it.
There is a natural separation anxiety that can occur. Recording the mother’s heartbeat and voice helps.
I totally forgot about the best joke of the night.
After Jeff calls his grandma and tells her the baby name they chose, she doesn’t like it. She said people will call her “Mo.”
In his talking head, Jeff deadpans, ” My brother named his child Pepper.”
I don’t know why but that cracked me the fuck up.
I absolutely love this show and always have. Jeff Lewis is the only Bravo celebrity I would ever want to meet. His love for animals makes me like him even more. So happy this show is back. This is another Bravo show that seems to have months and months between seasons.
Happy happy Jeff, Gage and crew are back. Guessing tonight’s episode was setting up for the season, saw Zoila in the background.
I know I’m in the minority’s but went from really liking her to not being able to enjoy the show with her on it. I also did not like how Jeff did not stand up to her for Gage. Gags became almost a Saint how he tolerated her comments.
Jeff doesn’t stand up for his employees to clients and that is not good. It must feel horrible to know your boss talks about you negatively to clients you still interact with. How difficult her day must be.
Gage is a mess, assuming he will get it together. Must be difficult to be a gay man that sincerely cares about so many small details in this situation.
Hope he acquires the ability to let go of things he can’t control. Raising a child there is so much that he will never have control of.
TT, your comments came up as writing, just sarcastic then. I don’t know about a baby missing it’s Mom they never knew. The egg Mom or the Mom that carried the egg/baby, just curious how you are thinking.
I will assume they bought the best baby mattress as my DIL did. They are hard and would be uncomfortable for most adults. They are beyond firm which I like. My Grandson also slept very little,(compared to my 3 babies) on that board they call a matteress!
It’s called a safe bed to prevent baby suffocation, no bumber pads, nothing soft in that crib allowed. Okay I get it but do not expect a baby to sleep well on it. Honestly feels like concrete.
I pointed it out to her after a few months of little sleep. She added foam under the sheet, helped a little but. I finally suggested she put him in bed with her for a few months. She did and they finally slept a little more.
TT I’m not joking, the new baby beds are unbelievably hard.
Also some babies need holding, rocking to sleep, they just do.
Oops – “sarcastic” is auto correct. New phone does not know me yet. Guessing there are more auto correct words in there also. Sorry.
As usual, I have no idea what you are trying to say.
Babies live inside their MOTHERS for almost 10 months, That is a bond.
Being whisked away to live with two men could be JARRING to a newborn.
I’ve had a couple kids and was told the baby becomes very familiar with voices they hear consistently outside the womb and look for those voices after they are born. So I thought maybe Monroe would have been sort of looking for her mom’s voice and that’s why she was hard to comfort for 3 months.
Exactly ALL babies born through surrogacy like go through this. I just never thought of it before. It must be terrifying for the baby to be torn from the birth mother.
Maybe it would be easier if the birth mother was around for a while? Particularly with two male parents….
Myself and my 2 younger siblings were not born via surrogates but were taken from our “birth” moms immediately, we’re all adopted. We were in various foster situations and my brother was in an orphanage in Korea for 16 months before being adopted by my parents here in the USA. I don’t know about myself, sorry I don’t remember I was only 6 weeks, but my brother at 16 months (when I was 5) and my sister at 5 months (when I was 10) had only a a few weeks adjustment to a completely new family situation. My parents were warned my brother may need a very long time to adjust, we look very different than him, spoke a different language, etc. He took about a month my Mom says at most. Babies are resilient.
Colic is my guess. Holy moly, my baby was inconsolable for a couple of months and then it was gone.
I still giggle about the season with the sexually inappropriate assistant.
Yep, colic is my guess too. My 2nd baby had it for the first two months and I was a stay-at-home mom with lots of help from my own mother. If someone else had been watching my child, I swear I would have thought they were abusing him because He. Was. Inconsolable!!!! My mom, who raised five kids, and the doctor said, “it’s colic, he’ll get over it.” And, eventually he did.
TT, are you going to continue to recap? Miss your recaps of this show.