“If you’re trying to win a popularity contest, you’re in the wrong business, Sarah.” – Jeff Lewis
Ah, Jeff Lewis is back for Season Five of Flipping Out.
He’s a little older, a little wiser… but essentially he’s the same ambitious, neurotic, snarky, meticulous, and occasionally vicious guy we’ve come to hate/love over the years.
There are some changes in this new season of Flipping Out. Jeff’s office/home has moved from the longtime Valley Oak, which he’s trying to sell, to West Knoll. I don’t know about you, but I don’t live in a world where houses are referred to as words other than… house. In any event, Jeff is pleased if for no other reason than he can now keep a closer eye on housekeeper Zoila in the new smaller digs.
Gage, who handles Jeff’s business affairs, is a new addition to the office. The 40-year old Lewis explains that he is also dating Gage, 15 years his junior and his employee, “because I really respect all boundaries that way.”
Trace and Sarah are still being brought along in the home design firm, and of course Jeff has his questions and concerns about each. They are too meek, like mice, says Jeff, and he particularly has it out for Sarah to be “a b—-” to clients to help check their expectations while getting tough with contractors to finish work on time.
Speaking of getting tough, Jeff himself gets called out – and literally, he gets called a dick – at a cocktail party in San Francisco which is being held for him ahead of a speaking engagement the following day. The dick caller, Lisa from California Home and Design, is upset that Gage (with Jeff’s prior blessing) had cancelled out on a brunch being held the following day with 20 VIP clients. It’s clear that a theme of this season is that Jeff is a super busy guy with a lot going on and he’s going to have challenges handling it.
Well, that’s the theme of every season of Flipping Out, I suppose, and yet we keep coming back for more.
After Sarah doesn’t live up to Jeff’s expectations in managing Chris the contractor and crew at Marlo’s house redesign project in Studio City while most of the team is in San Francisco, Jeff and Gage discuss Sarah’s future at the firm.
Gage suggests that she’s a sweet girl but not cut out for the gig. My take: Jeff thinks of his employees as dysfunctional family members that he needs to abuse and cajole and mold into what he needs… even if it’s painful and takes many years. So I’d be very surprised if he fires her.
More thoughts on “New Kid on the Block”:
- “I would actually prefer to be sitting where Sarah is just so I can have my own space and be further away from crazy.” – Trace
- “He makes me want to get more botox.” – Jeff on Gage
- “Keep it gangster.” – Zoila
- “If you’re trying to win a popularity contest, you’re in the wrong business, Sarah.” – Jeff
- This show is a reminder that dealing with clients can be hell. One might say so much as to make you flip out (get it?).
Some stats and info about Flipping Out, “New Kid on the Block”
TV SHOW – Flipping Out
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 5, Episode 1
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – Bravo
CAST – Jeff Lewis, Jenni Pulos, Zoila Chavez
GENRE – Reality TV, Docuseries, Trashtastic TV
This review was originally published on TV Geek Army.