Million Dollar Listing LA - General Discussion

[dleighg]

10 minutes ago, Grrarrggh said:

More like MDL isn't interested in having more than one women per programme.

me thinks it's that women can't be "wild and crazy guys" and expect to be respected in the business. Can you imagine one of them dressing up like a (what was it? a lion? Ryan), filling a room with balloons, doing high kicks a la Fredrik, without being thought a complete idiot? So they want enough "characters" to fill the hour, and more than one woman will be "boring."

[Surrealist]

5 hours ago, Stan39 said:

Excited the show is coming back. Not excited that we were all right and Fredrik is more prominent in this series. If they were going to add someone I wish they promoted Tracy’s assistant, Erika. She’s taking her own listings, but she’s in a serious relationship and maybe less interested in being on TV 🤷‍♂️

 

https://people.com/home/watch-fredrik-eklund-clashes-million-dollar-listing-la-agents-season-13-trailer/

So what we're saying is I'll probably be deleting this show from my DVR as well? 

[Jess14]

I’m not for the drama between the brokers. It’s boring. I’m really hoping that article is overblown, especially since the actual trailer only shows Fredrik in an argument with Altman.

I like Fredrik, but I feel like after he had mellowed out some, he’s been playing up the ridiculousness on both the last 2 seasons of MDL LA and NY. He needs to chill.

[Marley]

Fredrik to me seems like he’s so high on himself he’s playing up his quirks even more which makes it really annoying to watch. I don’t even really want him on the NY one so having him on this one too sucks. I guess there’s always FF.

[Surrealist]

On 8/10/2021 at 4:56 PM, Marley said:

Fredrik to me seems like he’s so high on himself he’s playing up his quirks even more which makes it really annoying to watch. I don’t even really want him on the NY one so having him on this one too sucks. I guess there’s always FF.

Maybe Derek will decide they should live in Hawaii because it'll be great for the kids.

Then they'll move there. 😂

 

[Marley]

Derek bugs me too lol. Just something about him.

[greyflannel]

On 8/12/2021 at 3:23 PM, Marley said:

Derek bugs me too lol. Just something about him.

He comes across a bit cold to me. Maybe he's uncomfortable with the cameras.

[Surrealist]

4 minutes ago, greyflannel said:

He comes across a bit cold to me. Maybe he's uncomfortable with the cameras.

I think he's gorgeous, but I used to wonder the same.

I suspect Derek isn't as much a fan of the cameras. I don't blame him. I think that's probably why he comes across as cold.

[Surrealist]

Josh Flagg Joins Douglas Elliman

Fans hoping for more drama won't have to wait very long, he shares, as the new season, which premieres Thursday, September 2, is like none other, he promises.

"This season has more drama in it than any other season I've seen," he shares. "And I say that every year, because it gets more interesting and more entertaining, but this truthfully is the first time I've ever seen half the cast members really get on with each other. Like, we're really in each other's faces," he says.

SIGH.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I don't need drama with the cast fighting.   I just watch for the spectacular houses.    All of the cast have some houses that I like, some I don't, and all of them are ridiculously overpriced.  

My favorite parts are touring the houses, and selling them, not pointless fighting that's only for the show.  

Edited September 1, 2021 by CrazyInAlabama

[sugarbaker design]

4 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My favorite parts are touring the houses, and selling them, not pointless fighting that's only for the show.  

Same here.  In fact, it's why I've favored LA, the agents seem like friends and not rivals, for the most part.

[Surrealist]

6 hours ago, sugarbaker design said:

Same here.  In fact, it's why I've favored LA, the agents seem like friends and not rivals, for the most part.

I suspect that Fredrik becoming a full-time LA cast member is why producers felt like they had to go back to the drama b.s. I'm not looking forward to this season.

Edited September 1, 2021 by Surrealist

[Surrealist]

It's only the first episode. While I know Fredrik started to annoy me on the NY show, so far he's behaving like the Fredrik I enjoyed early on the in other series.

Edited September 3, 2021 by Surrealist

[CrazyInAlabama]

David and James having to clean up the house before the showing with Fredrik's client is so funny.    

I love Josh Flagg, and Bobby, and Tracy's dog.  

However, Tracy and her daughter talking about having to live in a rental that's not perfect is not appealing.    Not really interested in her younger boyfriend either.    Tracy's potential listng doesn't wow me.    The primary bathroom is just OK.  The primary closet seemed kind of narrow.   If Tracy's potential client thinks she'll get the higher price, I bet she's wrong. 

I love David and James tour of the tear down, rebuild that turned into a spec house.     Fredrik's introduction in the park is bizarre.      I wish they would stop with the drama story line, this show is fun to watch because of the houses, not the spats. 

 

[LennieBriscoe]

Josh Altman's children are adorable! And he looks like he's  lost weight. 

Edited September 3, 2021 by LennieBriscoe

[Marley]

I mean this show has always been fake but somehow it’s even more fake now. I don’t know about how I feel about it.

Does Tracy’s new sugar baby run his biz out of her home gym? Lol.

Also why is she calling herself a single mom. Did their dad peace out? She’s rich as fuck so idc lol.

Need more Flagg and Bobby pls.

Why did the deal have to be so secretive? Did I miss something?

Altman seems to get better every season. I used to be so annoyed by him but I enjoyed him this episode.

Fredrik did not just show up in LA tho. So that whole ending thing was kind of stupid.

These rich fucks getting even richer and haggling over money is pretty gross tho but there’s nothing else to watch really lol.

Fredrik is less annoying on this one then the NY one. So far.

Edited September 3, 2021 by Marley

[UsernameFatigue]

I have forgotten how much I hate Tracy's voice - it is like chalk on a blackboard to me. I am not sure why she is surprised that her boyfriend gets along with her daughters. Aren't they closer in age to him than she is? And what was up with his man boobs when he was in her home gym? Was he wearing some kind of undergarment that made him look like a B cup? Weird. 

I love that Josh Flagg has seemingly adopted Tracy's dog. So cute. And also love his friendship with Altman. 

I am enjoying the return of MDLLA for the houses alone. I get bored with the condos on MDLNY, so happy to see houses and yards again. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

The house Fredrik's clients were buying was a secret because the developer/builder had built the house for his family's forever home, and then was selling it if the price was right.   The seller/developer hadn't told his wife he was selling their home.  So, Fredrik did the usual thing about secrets, blabbed to one person at a time, and so all of the cast knew about the sale, and James, David, and their seller were ticked.   

I suspect the secret of the house sale, and James and David cleaning up the kid's stuff in the house, was all for the storyline, and not legit.    I wish they would just show me the homes, and stop it.     

However, I love that Josh Flagg was getting Tracy's dog, and keeping him for a week at a time.      They live right down the street from each other, and since Tracy is renting, I'm guessing it's so the dog doesn't damage the house.     If Tracy doesn't realize her dog is gone, then she's too busy to have a dog.    Adorable dog, and still pretty much a puppy. 

Edited September 3, 2021 by CrazyInAlabama

[LennieBriscoe]

I don't much care for the  creepy Tracy Boy-Toy storyline. 

Apparently TPTB have decided that Fredrik is the real star of the franchise, what with showing him in NYC, LA, and Sweden. So that weird "Spy vs Spy" scene with James and David was just part of the drama! 

[Surrealist]

4 hours ago, LennieBriscoe said:

Apparently TPTB have decided that Fredrik is the real star of the franchise, what with showing him in NYC, LA, and Sweden. So that weird "Spy vs Spy" scene with James and David was just part of the drama! 

How will the Joshes feel about this? I associate MDLLA with them.

[UsernameFatigue]

10 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

   

However, I love that Josh Flagg was getting Tracy's dog, and keeping him for a week at a time.      They live right down the street from each other, and since Tracy is renting, I'm guessing it's so the dog doesn't damage the house.     If Tracy doesn't realize her dog is gone, then she's too busy to have a dog.    Adorable dog, and still pretty much a puppy. 

I assumed it was just for the storyline, and that Tracy pretended that she didn't know the dog was gone. But I really hope that Josh keeps the dog. If none of the family members, including her children, care that the dog is gone for a week or more whenever, they don't deserve to have the dog.

[Pine]

BRAVO must know that people are now really sick of fighting, and friction.  We just want to relax and see beautiful homes.   

[Bossa Nova]

Agree with everyone above: I am glad this show is back. It's a welcome tonic to the awfulness of all the Housewives shows - particularly with the New York Housewives having just ended. I am still nauseous from the season.

And tired of the New York Million Dollar Listing. Don't want to see high rise tricked out white boxy condos anymore. Craving real house porn with beautiful homes, yards, gardens, sunshine and glamour.

Don't like Tracy's new 26 year old boy toy - especially in her home around her 14 year old daughter. Wonder what her ex thinks about that - plus the daughter was being filmed. Often divorces on these reality shows, result in the ex saying "no" to any child under 18 being filmed. Can't blame them. David Beador is one (Shannon's ex on the OC wives). 

Of course, Tracy is allowed to date a younger man, just like an older man with a young woman. But it seems beneath her. I am disappointed in her. Its undignified and emotionally immature.

Still love the quirky and interesting, Josh Flagg. I wish he and Bobby a happy life together.  Glad he and Altman are really becoming friends. I think Altman has lost some of his off-putting cockiness, since he has gotten married and become a father. He is more likeable. He literally smiles more. 

Frederik's children are beautiful. 

Edited to add:

As are Altman's children ! Cutie pitooties !

(just saw the beginning of the show which features them !)

 

Edited September 5, 2021 by Bossa Nova

[Grrarrggh]

1 hour ago, Bossa Nova said:

Agree with everyone above: I am glad this show is back. It's a welcome tonic to the awfulness of all the Housewives shows - particularly with the New York Housewives having just ended. I am still nauseous from the season.

I don't mean to sound rude but why do you still watch Housewives if it's so horrible? I've always wondered what the draw for the Housewives and Kardashians was as I've never felt a scintilla of interest in either and more than a bit of disgust toward both.

[KHenry14]

One thing I noticed....I would much rather live in the homes shown on MDLLA than in the NYC show

[Surrealist]

2 hours ago, Pine said:

BRAVO must know that people are now really sick of fighting, and friction.  We just want to relax and see beautiful homes.   

Hear, hear. I loved the shift away from the drama and focus on house porn.

Fredrik didn't bother me much in last night's ep, but I hope the return of broker drama isn't directly related to the fact he's now on the LA show.

 

Edited September 3, 2021 by Surrealist

[Surrealist]

1 hour ago, Bossa Nova said:

Of course, Tracy is allowed to date a younger man, just like an older man with a young woman. But it seems beneath her. I am disappointed in her. Its undignified and emotionally immature.

I agree with you. I like Tracy, and know not everyone does, but this current boyfriend seems beneath her. She's an accomplished broker, etc. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but it's just awkward.

I still love Bobby. He's sweet. He seems to keep away from the drama.

I've never minded Heather. And I'm shocked that I actually like Josh Altman now. He's mellowed a lot over the years.

 

 

[SilverLake0315]

For everyone saying Fredrik wasn’t as annoying as he usually is… wow. He must be horrific on the NY show because I couldn’t *stand* him in this episode. 

[oakville]

4 hours ago, Surrealist said:

How will the Joshes feel about this? I associate MDLLA with them.

Flagg is the most interesting agent on the show. He is very confident of his real estate  skills & his relationship with his late grandma was the best part of the show.

Fredrik is immature & shouldn't be gossiping about his real estate deal with James & David.

 

 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I suspect the story of Fredrik gossiping about the sale that the developer/seller didn't want known, was just a TV story line, and not real. 

[Surrealist]

48 minutes ago, SilverLake0315 said:

For everyone saying Fredrik wasn’t as annoying as he usually is… wow. He must be horrific on the NY show because I couldn’t *stand* him in this episode. 

Initially, I liked Fredrik on MDLNY, but over time, he became a bit insufferable. Then it came out he admitted to having substance abuse issues, so maybe that's why he was coming across like an ass.

He had his moments last night, but he didn't come off as bad as he used to be before I quit watching the NY show.

Edited September 3, 2021 by Surrealist

[Stan39]

Not sure if I felt bad for the Jack being kidnapped or for the other dog that I guess isn’t good enough to kidnap? Lol. 
 

Last night was a good start and I’m glad the drama was at a minimum. Like others said, Fredrik isn’t as insufferable as I expected and even the drama with James and David wasn’t anything major, didn’t really distract from the homes, and was clearly just a storyline. 
 

Did anyone else laugh out loud that Altman started the show out AGAIN in the Bird streets!?! Sometimes this show makes it seem like that’s the only part of town with real estate. At least they showed several different properties and kinds of houses. I got so sick of the big white boxes. Also surprised to see Altman show a house not wearing a suit and also NOT overacting when talking about his deals. 
 

It will be interesting if this show gets into any bidding wars for properties to reflect what’s going on in real life. The clients on this show all think they’re brilliant businesspeople, it would be nice to see some of these people put in a low ball offer and lose out because 50 other people put in bids over ask with no contingencies, etc. 

[oakville]

2 hours ago, Stan39 said:

 

 

Did anyone else laugh out loud that Altman started the show out AGAIN in the Bird streets!?! Sometimes this show makes it seem like that’s the only part of town with real estate. At least they showed several different properties and kinds of houses. I got so sick of the big white boxes. Also surprised to see Altman show a house not wearing a suit and also NOT overacting when talking about his deals. 
 

 

I wouldn't want to live in the Bird Streets. Altman admitted that it is difficult to navigate driving up the hills due to the construction & narrow streets.

I went to LA for work many years ago & couldn't believe how there was so much traffic congestion.

[MsTree]

11 hours ago, Grrarrggh said:

I don't mean to sound rude but why do you still watch Housewives if it's so horrible? I've always wondered what the draw for the Housewives and Kardashians was as I've never felt a scintilla of interest in either and more than a bit of disgust toward both.

Not answering for poster, but in general the HoWives are a train wreck, and many just can't look away. I only watch Beverly Hills due to the outrageous scandal of an attorney (husband of a howife) embezzling millions of dollars from orphans & badly injured people.

As for the Kardashians 🤢🤮  Never saw it, never will.

[Grrarrggh]

9 hours ago, MsTree said:

Not answering for poster, but in general the HoWives are a train wreck, and many just can't look away. I only watch Beverly Hills due to the outrageous scandal of an attorney (husband of a howife) embezzling millions of dollars from orphans & badly injured people.

But doesn't that just help the asshole husband?? 

[Stan39]

9 hours ago, MsTree said:

Not answering for poster, but in general the HoWives are a train wreck, and many just can't look away. I only watch Beverly Hills due to the outrageous scandal of an attorney (husband of a howife) embezzling millions of dollars from orphans & badly injured people.

As for the Kardashians 🤢🤮  Never saw it, never will.

I’ll admit, a few years ago I broke down and watched some of the Kardashians. To be honest, watching it now after all the other reality shows it’s pretty tame. I get that people hate it because it started a lot of reality trends, is fake, and can be annoying. But it’s also almost quaint compared to the Bravo shows. For one, they actually like each other and don’t aggressively fight like on Housewives. And there’s usually some message about family or working hard, compared to shows like Below Deck that seem to thrive on showing how incompetent people are. 
 

Not saying it’s great or even that I could keep watching, but I think there’s actually way worse stuff on TV now. 

[Bossa Nova]

21 hours ago, Grrarrggh said:

I don't mean to sound rude but why do you still watch Housewives if it's so horrible? I've always wondered what the draw for the Housewives and Kardashians was as I've never felt a scintilla of interest in either and more than a bit of disgust toward both.

Although MsTree answered you well, I will add to that answer briefly. We also have to not talk too much Housewives here as this is not the proper forum. The mods will understandably veer us away from the topic.

Like many, I was a longtime Housewives viewer and fan. It started as enjoying their house porn, fashion oggling, interest in other lifestyles elsewhere in the USA, cool trips, and a little drama all centered around women generally in my age group (as opposed to the younger Kardashians). Over time, my interest has waned, dropping various franchises one by one. Now in 2021 left with only interest New York, Bev Hills, SLCity. After the NY awful season that just ended, I may drop that one as well. 

Currently Bev Hills (still airing) has some juicy issues going on. Check it out. It airs Wednesday nights on Bravo. And there's still some gorgeous southern California house porn !

 

 

Edited September 4, 2021 by Bossa Nova

[Surrealist]

16 hours ago, oakville said:

I wouldn't want to live in the Bird Streets. Altman admitted that it is difficult to navigate driving up the hills due to the construction & narrow streets.

I went to LA for work many years ago & couldn't believe how there was so much traffic congestion.

I kept wondering how much farther he had to drive. It seemed as if that neighborhood was neverending. I think I would get queasy too trying to get through it. So many turns.

Edited September 4, 2021 by Surrealist

[lynxfx]

So is saying "master"bedroom no longer PC or something? I noticed that everyone kept saying "primary" or "main" bedroom now.

Fun to have the show back. I'll never understand the sellers that agree to appear on the show, especially when they behave in a very unflattering way. No self awareness? Purely acting and played up for the cameras?  

 

[Medicine Crow]

7 minutes ago, lynxfx said:

So is saying "master"bedroom no longer PC or something? I noticed that everyone kept saying "primary" or "main" bedroom now.

Fun to have the show back. I'll never understand the sellers that agree to appear on the show, especially when they behave in a very unflattering way. No self awareness? Purely acting and played up for the cameras?  

 

Apparently so ... Master is not PC any longer!!!

[MsTree]

14 hours ago, Grrarrggh said:

But doesn't that just help the asshole husband?? 

Not if he goes to jail. Google Tom Girardi (or Erika Girardi) for the whole sordid scandal.

[dleighg]

6 hours ago, lynxfx said:

So is saying "master"bedroom no longer PC or something?

yeah, it was a pretty recent change, at least in society in the main. See this article from last summer: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/realestate/master-bedroom-change.html

[CrazyInAlabama]

I prefer to call the main or primary, the "Bill payer's suite". 

 

I'm so glad this show is back.   I really love seeing the wide range of overpriced condos, and homes.  

Edited September 5, 2021 by CrazyInAlabama

[readheaded]

12 hours ago, Medicine Crow said:

Apparently so ... Master is not PC any longer!!!

My 21 year old son and I were talking about why language changes and why it should. What seems like a "PC" change can be an important to reframing internalized and outdated cultural norms. "Master" bedroom has sexist and racist roots.

Here's more info for anyone interested:

An article on language and culture: https://news.stanford.edu/2019/08/22/the-power-of-language-how-words-shape-people-culture/

Edited September 5, 2021 by readheaded

[CruiseDiva]

1 hour ago, readheaded said:

"Master" bedroom has sexist and racist roots.

YMMV, but I think that's as silly as Fredrik is insufferable.

[Stan39]

18 minutes ago, CruiseDiva said:

YMMV, but I think that's as silly as Fredrik is insufferable.

Yeah, it seems pretty clear from the article above that it DOESN’T have sexist or racist roots. Interesting article and glad they researched it to figure out where the term came from. I guess it didn’t matter in the end as people decided it was still offensive even though it was a random marketing term coined in the 1920s. 

[dleighg]

1 hour ago, Stan39 said:

Yeah, it seems pretty clear from the article above that it DOESN’T have sexist or racist roots.

I'm not sure that's precisely true. Just because it came about as a marketing term in the early 20th century, doesn't mean that the same word would be chosen today, given its connotations. So why not change it to "primary," which is just as, if not more, "explanatory."

[Stan39]

2 hours ago, dleighg said:

I'm not sure that's precisely true. Just because it came about as a marketing term in the early 20th century, doesn't mean that the same word would be chosen today, given its connotations. So why not change it to "primary," which is just as, if not more, "explanatory."

I’m not sure I understand your logic here. You’re argument is that the term has racist and sexist roots, that’s your language. “Roots” means the word was founded with that intention in mind. Based on that article the word was not chosen with racist or sexist undertones. To say that a term has its roots in something because today’s connotations means something else isn’t fair or accurate. If you want to change the name I’m fine with that, but unless you find any evidence to support it actually originating or being used with racial or sexist undertones I’m not really sure what you’re arguing. You want the term to have meant something for the past 100 years because now we view it differently?

Anyway, I think the article also points out there are greater (and still more direct) examples of racism in the housing market. Redlining is a prime example. I get it, we’ll just say “primary bedroom” from now on and it’s fine. It just seems odd and superficial to focus on words that don’t mean what people think they do rather than address actual issues in the market. 

[Grrarrggh]

I would hazard to theorise that if you conducted a survey of 1 million Americans in the years 1900-2021 over 95% would link the word "master" to a man in charge or someone who enslaves people. No matter what Sears wants to claim. 

[Stan39]

22 minutes ago, Grrarrggh said:

I would hazard to theorise that if you conducted a survey of 1 million Americans in the years 1900-2021 over 95% would link the word "master" to a man in charge or someone who enslaves people. No matter what Sears wants to claim. 

So your unsubstantiated theory holds more weight than historical data? Ok.