Netflix’s reality television hit “Selling Sunset” has accumulated millions of fans over the past five years and recently expanded the drama series from LA to Orange County. The debut spinoff, “Selling the OC,” was released on August 24, 2022 with an eight episode cut and high hopes to appease fans hungry for real estate drama.
“Selling the OC” follows The Oppenheim Group as they open a new real estate office in Newport Beach with all new agents. Twin brothers Jason and Brett Oppenheim are both seen on the screen of “Selling Sunset,” running the office. However, only Jason is in charge of running the Newport office, and he is the only twin featured in the new series.
The first episode starts with a massive $106 million house in Laguna Beach that can accumulate $3 million in commission for the agent that sells it. The house features oceanfront views, a dramatic spiral staircase, a master bedroom with an adjustable sunroof, eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and amenities such as a fitness room with a waterfall. The show is already luring viewers with an over-the-top mansion.
Right off the bat, the show highlights the tension between the dynamic duo, Alexandra Jarvis and Alexandra Rose and the rest of the group. Or as Jarvis would like to say, “We’re both eagles. Eagles fly alone, and birds fly in flocks. And they’re a bunch of birds.” Adding onto the show’s uniqueness and humor, there are quite a few similes said in this season that will have viewers questioning their sanity.
As expected, all these people are glammed up and hot. “Selling Sunset”’s glam became more important to the girls as the seasons went on. Their fame grew and so did their extravagant hairstyles and color-coordinated outfits. Adhering to their predecessors’ iconic style, “Selling the OC” stars seem to be following the same pattern.
Out of the 11 agents, only four of them are male, and it certainly brings an extra twist of drama into the mix. Towards the middle of the season, one of the female agents, Kayla Cardona, takes her drunken flirting a little too far on a night with the crew. She tries to persuade Tyler Stanaland — who is married to American actress Brittany Snow — into kissing her, saying “no one has to know.” Once the other girls find out about it, all hell breaks loose, and it becomes everyone against Kayla.
Back in the first episode, Jason throws a launch party at the office to network with clients and introduce the environment, but this is when the drama unfolds. Insults are tossed around, shade is thrown and it all goes down with glasses of champagne and stilettos. In an interview with People magazine, Jason states, “I think there’s just a lot more drama and interpersonal issues between the agents [compared to “Selling Sunset”]. They find themselves in an office working together, but I don’t know if they necessarily would’ve chosen each other as friends.”
As the episodes go on, drama between the girls intensifies and leaves viewers to question: What about the real estate? Where’s my big shiny dream house?
As much as viewers are watching the show for office drama, they are also itching to see the inside of these million dollar real estate properties that hug the coasts of California. So far, this season showcases a lot less negotiation with clients, property showings and work-related competitiveness, and a lot more cat fights, flirting, gossip and skinny dipping.
Not only does the group of agents have a party at the beach, but UK-born agent Polly Brindle ends up running into the ocean topless for all her coworkers and the cameras to see after losing a bet. Polly said in an interview with Yahoo Sports, “It was a very collaborative, fun, funny experience with us all … I was a model for 20 years. I’m not afraid of my own body, you know?”
This group of people is not afraid to show some skin and bully each other out loud, which is a great twist compared to the backstabbing side conversations and “I’m better than you” persona that “Selling Sunset” has. With less class and more sass, viewers and fans are all here for it.
Michelle Julian is a Contributing Writer for the fall 2022 quarter. She can be reached at mjulian1@uci.edu.
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