I have no idea how this show originated. Was it organically-Beth called Fred and said "Hey, bud, let's combine our diverse talents and make some serious cheddar"-or was it just some producers brainstorming at a local pub about the most unlikely pairing of TV talent-"Ellen & Jerry Springer? Ru Paul & Jerry Seinfeld? Bethenny Frankel & Fredrik, you know, that Scandinavian real estate guy in New York with a smile like the Grinch"?
However it came about, it is an interesting show, the combination of two type-A personalities. Bethenny has been successful at many ventures. She has a sailor's mouth, few inhibitions, and a mind like a manic adding machine. Frederik knows the NYC real estate market inside out, has a passion for the deal, and possesses a quirky combination of meanness and frivolity. Together, they're a quirkfest.
This is not just another flip show. Yes, they buy and resell real estate, but the show is mostly about the dynamic conjunction of their two personalities. He is emotional. He gushes. She, despite her public displays of abandon, is a cool customer with an eye to the bottom line that's like a compass that never wavers from north.
This show is obviously not for everyone. It's reality television. It's often over-the-top with emotional outbursts. Not everyone cares about flipping buildings, no pun intended. I find it appealing to watch two alphas try to learn from each other. In his moments with his husband and their mini-dogs, Fredrik is even more whimsical and cute than usual. Bethenny, despite her eye-on-the-prize mentality, can be disarmingly sweet when she refocuses on personal dynamics.
Like going to a stock car race, this isn't just about the driving, it's about the collisions. And watching the drivers hug afterwards.
