Out in Reality TV: May 2008 Archives

The great thing about working the red carpet at the GLAAD Awards is you get enough interviews to last for weeks! I've got quite a few more still in the can but have to be stingy and put them out at a rate of about one a day - hope you don't mind.

One of the people I spoke with was Jeff Lewis of Bravo's "Flipping Out." I had only seen the first episode of the show, admitted that to Jeff, and just had to wing my way through our conversation. I know he's a house flipper who is always a bit on edge shall we say.

Here is our little chat:

Q.There's a second season of the show coming up I hear. What has it been like to be yourself on TV and to have that be embraced by viewers. People think you're interesting at the very least, right?
A. Well, I think I've become the poster boy for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and I actually am proud of that because I think it has shown the general public that you can still - I don't like to use the word suffer because I don't feel like I'm suffering from OCD - but because I do have this disorder, I still have been able to channel it into a very positive and lucrative field. I don't really view it as limiting because in a way it has been such an asset for me and it's helped me take my product to the next level because I see things that people don't see because of the OCD.
Q. Do you ever watch the show and cringe, just say, 'Oh my God!'
A. There has been several moments where I wish I could hit rewind and take it back. And usually - and this again is one of the symptoms of OCD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disporder) - I do sometimes have trouble controlling my temper but I've been working on that. I'm in therapy every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and I really feel like at this moment, I have much more control over my reactions and my anger. So it's really been very beneficial, the show.

Q. You're able to see yourself.
A. Absolutely. Unfortunately, it had to be that dramatic, to see myself in front of that many people and cringe like you say in order for me to want to improve myself. Which I've been doing.

Q. Are you already filming the second season?
A. We are already filming it, i think we have another 6-7 weeks. It's supposed to air in the summer.

Q. Anything different from the first season?
A. Yes, this one actually is a little different. I think this will, believe it or not, top last season because it's been difficult. We;ve had to adjust to a changing (real estate) market and I have employees and I still have to generate business so we are branching out into other forms of business. We have been forced to find other ways to survive and I think the viewers are really gonna enjoy watching it and going along with us on this struggle.

Q. So how's your love life?
A. Uh, it's been a little slow to be honest. I've been working a lot. It's a little slow.

Here is a bio of Jeff from the show during which he talks about his background:

Good thing Jack Mackenroth is a good sport. I had what seemed to be one of those Joan Rivers red carpet moments at the GLAAD Awards when I said, "Here's Jack from 'Workout." He chuckled and corrected me. In my defense, I knew which show, it just came out wrong.

Jack, 39, got as much attention for his design skills as for his studly body during his time on the show which was sadly cut short when he had a health crisis (a potentially dangerous staph infection). But he's fine now and looking as terrific as ever.

I asked him what he's been up to and what life has been like for him post-"Runway: "I have so many projects going on, it's been a great experience overall.Any exposure on TV is amazing. I'm designing, I'm here in LA meeting with networks and pitching show ideas and seeing where it all goes."

What kind of show, Jack? "Can't saaaaay."

Jack filmed a scene for the "Sex and the City" movie that has him kissing another guy on the streets of New York. This is where he met star Sarah Jessica Parker who did a guest-stint on "Runway" this past season.
"I've actually seen her at an event since then and chatted with her a little bit," he said. "She's great. We're BFF's!"

Jack has not yet seen the movie, out May 30, and doesn't know if his cameo made the final cut.
"It took 12 takes," he confessed.

So, did he keep messing it up on purpose?
"No, he was straight so he kept messing up. It was good, By the time we were done, I told him, 'Now you've officially kissed a boy.'"

Does he enjoy being a TV heartthrob?
"I don't mind. No. I don't think I am but thank you for saying so. Hey, in a few days I'll be 39 so I'm just rocking it out."