Flipping Out Star Jeff Lewis And Assistant Jenni Pulos Open Windows On Season Two

By Julie Zied
Fancast.com

Tonight Jeff Lewis, the obsessive-compulsive realty reality star returns to TV for the second season of Bravo’s Flipping Out. The 38-year-old multi-million dollar house flipper and his assistant - or as she says “CEA, Chief Executive Assistant” - Jenni Pulos sat down for an interview to discuss the show.

Were there any moments from last season you wished hadn’t been put on TV?
Jeff: The worst by far, was when Monkey got acupuncture. I should have taken him myself, and it’s so painful to watch it over and over again, especially when Talk Soup was playing it, and it was up on Youtube. It’s horrible to watch your cat being tortured over and over again.

Anything else?
Jeff: Well there are some more regrets…some behavior I wasn’t proud of, and I’ve been working on changing. I’m also really trying to create less stress.

Jeff, how do you feel about your OCD becoming such a huge focus of the show?
Jeff: I never thought being obsessive compulsive would become a major plotline, it wasn’t something we’ve ever even discussed. Recently I have been in therapy and we’ve talked about medication, but I didn’t really want to start or try any medications cause I’m really fearful of side effects. I’m trying to cope, if the stress is too much I find that I act out. This season Jenni feels like the OCD is becoming worse.

Jenni, how do you deal with that stress?
Jenni: I really believe in the expression ‘Bloom where you’re planted,’ thats how we get along!

Jeff, how are you trying to change?
Jeff: I’ve cut out at least 8 people out of my life over the past year. People are being replaced, and as a result we [the business] are being more productive and professional, and I’m not having to micro manage. I was suspicious midway through this season that there was work not getting done, and I installed a nanny cam and discovered some pretty revealing things. Let’s just say there aren’t going to be the same people working for me!

Do you guys ever watch any home shows on TV and think about how you’d like to re-do them?
Jeff: I re-do everyones home in my head. I watch Cribs and a lot of other home-related, celeb shows, and I will say this: just because they have money and celebrity, it certainly doesn’t buy taste.

Anyone in particular?
Jeff: I don’t want to get in trouble!

What about you Jenni?
Jenni: I definitely have some, like, transmitted house-flipping disease…I cant walk into a house anymore and not think to myself ‘oh, they should take down that wall and turn it into a closet,’ or something.

When you guys aren’t working, what are you watching on TV?
Jenni: I love Curb Your Enthusiasm, and I will admit that I have watched A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila…it’s a guilty pleasure!

Jeff: I love Lost, Weeds, and Gossip Girl!

Jeff, will we get to see you go on any dates this season?
Jeff: I’m just now starting to date again. I’m not trying to have the cameras follow me on just any date, if i were with someone who was longer-term, then maybe. But this isn’t Work Out, no one is going to follow me on first or second dates. And to be honest, right now my personal life is real dull. I’ve been the crazy destructive magnet for 38 years, so i’m trying to draw in the right person.

What makes the right person?
Jeff: I look for honesty and integrity, sense of humor, work ethic, and I cannot stand cheap people. Basically if I could just clone myself…kidding!

[Watch clips from Flipping Out here on Fancast]