Brian Peeler: Hello.
Us: Hello Peeler.
Us: First off, congratulations on your recent nuptials.
BP: Thank you.Us: So, do you read the Bravo boards?
BP: I have read the message boards. There are a lot of haters there. People are like he’s a douche, prick, they are mean. Once, someone made a bad comment about Doug. I got so mad. I responded. They didn't post my reply though. I waited the 24 hours it takes to get it approved but it didn't make it I guess.
Us: People are brave at their keyboards.
BP: Right. If they got a problem with me, they know where I'm at. I'm at 35 Wilshire from 8am until 9pm.
Us: Are you portrayed accurately on the show?
BP: Yeah, I think so. You don't get to see the nicer side of me.
Us: We got to see more of you this season. Do you think it was because of your friendship with Doug?
BP: Laura Alverez is the producer and let the audience see the real me. She wasn't like our producer from season 1. She liked to stir up drama and made me a meathead. I'm really easy going.
Us: Are you close with any of the other trainers?
BP: I was close with Doug. He was like family. We hung out. He was my girl-gurl. I am close with Andre, Jesse too I guess.
Us: Do you get fans coming up to you, recognizing you?BP: Yeah, all the time. People do think they know me when they see me and that’s ok. I'm very personable and friendly. If it wasn't for the fans, I wouldn't be anybody, know what I mean? I'm very approachable. I also used to be a ladies man. I met my wife about a month before the show but before that, there were 3-4 women a week in my bed. There were no complaints though. They knew what they were getting into. I wasn't looking for a relationship.
BP: Right.
Us: What do you do other then training?
Us: Wait a minute, a flight attendant?
BP: Yeah, they had a program where you didn't need a 4 year degree to get your flying time in. I also modeled in Miami. I decided Hollywood was where I needed to be. I have been here about 3 1/2 years now.
Us: You're very funny. We saw Zen try her hand at stand up. Have you ever thought of giving it a try?
BP: I am a comedian. I will have you pissing your pants. I should charge people for a work out when I get them laughing. That’s $135 an hour. But I'm not comfortable trying to be funny..I'm very competitive. I drive the fastest cars, fastest motorcycles. I can't be put on the spot and be funny. It doesn't work that way for me. Stand up comedy or theatre is not my thing.
Us: Is there anything about the show you would like to see changed?
BP: Less drama.
Us: Lesbian drama?
BP: Lol, Less drama.
Us: Speaking of lesbian drama, how real was the Rebecca/Jackie fling?
BP: It was real. Rebecca was like how can I get more face time and it was Fuck Jackie. So she did.
Us: So Jesse was right when he said that about Rebecca on the show?
BP: Yes.
Us: When will you be shooting season 3?
BP: We start shooting in Oct. But I'm not sure who will be there. I'm going to have to go Omorosa to stay and get more face time.
Us: Why wouldn't you be on the show?
BP: Jackie had trainer tryouts and she hired two trainers, Agostino and Chris (we couldn't find any information on the new guys) and we are not sure what they are going to focus on. We think the seasons focus will be on SkyLab.
Us: How did you hear about the show? Did you already work for Jackie?
BP: No, I was a trainer somewhere else. I had tried out for a documentary then six months later I get a call saying I had got the show for Bravo. I was like Bravo? What’s Bravo? I had never heard of it or watched it. So I was like Ok, Bravo, a predominately gay network, that’s fine. I'm no homophobe. Lol, Doug and I went to gay clubs, and Doug would be like " We are like gods, lol" It was amazing. You remember the house, where we had Doug’s birthday party at? That was Doug’s place. He lived with the creator of Desperate Housewives. It doesn't pay nothing though, being on Work Out.
Us: You don't get paid for being on the show?
BP: We get paid but it isn't much. For season 1, we got $350 per episode. For season 2, we got $500 per episode.
Us: That’s it!?!
BP: That’s it. That’s why reality shows are so popular. They are cheap to make. I'm a SAG actor and with the minimum pay per week, we should be getting $3000-6000 per week with the hours we put in. The shows budget was $1.96 million. That’s nothing.
Us: Wow, that’s terrible. Does the exposure help you get clients?
BP: Not really. I’ve not had a lot of extra people to train since the show. I charge $135 an hour. Jackie charges $400 per hour. People want Jackie. It’s a 70-30 split with Jackie and I pay a $15 gym fee. People want to see, not work out. I get more people from Myspace wanting to work out then I get from people who watched the show. I am a teacher and I care about my clients. If you don't plan on taking care of your body where do you plan on living for the rest of your life? I want to teach them to take care of themselves.
Us: I think I would ask for a pay raise.
BP: I am. If they don't want to then I'm going to try for my own show. Right now I'm locked in, no training anywhere else. Something I want to try to do is workout videos on the web. It will be $10 a month for six videos and four new ones added a month.
Us: That’s a great idea for people like me who can't get to you or your gym.
BP: Right. It would be basic stuff you can do at home.
Us: Tell me about Jesse.
BP: Jesse is Jackie’s puppet, Rebecca too. Jesse puts on a show, its who he is.
Us: Was Mimi as bad as she seemed on TV?
BP: There is a reason people are the way they are with Jackie. Mimi painted a picture of Kate and I kissing. I have that picture. She was all right. Jackie was edited to look better. Jackie has a lot of issues I think. She’s kind hearted but I think issues with her dad and other stuff have affected her. I’ve tried to get to know Jackie but she doesn't return calls. Jackie and I are competitive too. Jackie was like I can take any girl away from her. No, you can't.
Us: Do you watch any TV?
BP: Yeah, I like Prison Break, Greys Anatomy, House, Entourage. I was watching Real Housewives of Orange County before we got our show. I watch Kathy Griffin but I can only take her for a little bit.
Us: Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans?
BP: I'm gay.
Us: Well, your wife will be upset to hear this.
BP: Just kidding. No, I want to thank them and let them know to feel free to approach me. I was getting ice cream for my wife a few days ago and I could hear this girl going "is that the guy...?" and her friends were like go ask him but she wouldn't. Go ahead and ask me, I don't mind. I'm not psycho. I will not turn on you.
Us: Some people wouldn't want to be approached, that their "private life" was being imposed upon.
BP: My Private life is in private, at home. When I am in public, it’s not my private life. Also, don't forget to check out my website, http://www.brianpeeler.com/.
Us: Thanks for calling Peeler. Feel free to contact us if you ever have the anything you'd like to promote or to tell your fans.
BP: OK, will do. Maybe tell Bravo we need more then eight episodes.
US: Well, we started a petition at our Top Chef blog to get Ted Allen on TC full-time and it worked. Maybe we could do the same for you?
BP: Hell yeah, do a petition. Do a petition to get me my own show, lol.
Us: We will get that petition started Peeler, good luck.
