In this week’s episode of The Curse, production on the (fictional) HGTV show Flipanthropy is underway. Or is it Fliplanthropy? I have seen it spelled both ways; in production notes provided to critics, the reality show is called Flipanthropy. But in closed-captions while watching The Curse, we see Fliplanthropy. Still, the mystery of this title is one of the least-confusing aspects of The Curse, which is really saying something.
Asher (Nathan Fielder) and Whitney (Emma Stone) are shooting the first episode of their TV show, with Dougie (Benny Safdie) behind the camera. A couple that plans to purchase one of Whitney’s passive homes, Dennis (Eric Peterson) and Lucinda (Nikki Dixon), stand outside the mirrored building. The first shot is taking so long that Dennis is swimming in his own sweat, and the pair have soured on Whitney, Asher, and their foolish project.
There’s tension on both sides of the camera. Whit doesn’t seem to trust anyone on the production crew. After goofing around with him, she asks a favor from one of the folks on the team, Remi (Oscar Avila). “Fuckin’ spoiled TV host can film her own TV show,” he responds. “You don’t appreciate us.” Whoa! He plays it off as if he were joking too, which Whitney says should be toned down a bit in front of the rest of the crew—but then she also says she was only kidding. A few moments later, as Whitney and Ash discuss important details about the Pueblo, Whit confronts a PA who she believes was recording her.
