(Photo: ProjectRungay)
Andy Cohen, Bravo's Senior Vice President of Production and Programming shared his thoughts on this week's New York Magazine story here.
"I can't let the article sit on stands without jumping into the fray and saying how proud we are of our shows and of everybody who competes on them."
"I am not saying everybody who competes or wins is going to turn into a superstar. But there are notable success stories out there from a galaxy of former contestants. Emmett McCarthy has a boutique on Elizabeth Street and a home shopping deal; [...] Chloe Dao's Houston store has expanded and she's selling on QVC; Michael Knight has a jewelry line (!); [...] Not to mention Kara Janx, Kara Saun, Malan Breton..."
"I wish the article talked about how much the producers and crew sweat to death making everyone look great and take home a weekly paycheck for the privilege, not a chance for a hundred grand or to hawk a cookbook. And the shows rock as a result."
"By the way, I thought the article was pretty good and fair... Until I got to what I think is a slam regarding the fact that nobody on these Bravo competish shows are allowed to sex it up together."
(Photo: Getty Images)
Also, Ted Allen, of Queer Eye and Top Chef fame, had some things to say too. Money shot:
"He's whiny, he's immature, he's catty — he's really kind of a jackass, whether he won Project Runway or not."
Mrowr! Go read the whole thing.
42 comments:
I loved Andy's response to the writer's mention of the fact that the contestants can't have sex with each other during the filming. When I read the original article, I thought this was a completely weird non-sequitur, and wondered to myself why she even mentioned it. Was it a slam against Bravo? Are you telling us that because the contestants can't watch TV or use their blackberries that the only other recreation would be having sex? How about reading a book every now and then?! Anyway, loved Andy's retort.
And Ted Cohen's rebuttal about Jay was awesome. I can remember on Kathy Griffin's show, back in Season 1, they had her "meet" Jay at one of her stand up gigs in New York. It was completely staged by Bravo, but entertaining, nonetheless. After they "met," Kathy said Jay was an A**hole.
Maybe he's a jerk, but he's very entertaining. That's probably true of 99% of people in Hollywood.
Andy Cohen's gay?
"I am not saying everybody who competes or wins is going to turn into a superstar. But there are notable success stories out there from a galaxy of former contestants. Emmett McCarthy has a boutique on Elizabeth Street and a home shopping deal; [...] Chloe Dao's Houston store has expanded and she's selling on QVC; Michael Knight has a jewelry line (!); [...] Not to mention Kara Janx, Kara Saun, Malan Breton..."
Exactly. The article did not present both sides of the story.
Thank you for the link, guys!
" Anonymous said...
Andy Cohen's gay?"
Of course he is. A guy that good looking would never be straight. I mean, he IS too good looking to be a network executive.
But seriously, does EVERY great looking guy have to be gay???? Can't you guys have some pity and throw one back over to our side once in a while??
--Gotham Tomato
I also thought Ted's comments about Jay were funny, and I'm sure accurate. But I also think it is those jackass qualities that factored into his being cast in the first place. All reality shows cast for dramatic conflict.
And I liked Andy's response to the sex aspect of the article. I thought that mention about not being allowed to have sex during filming was odd too. I mean, seriously, they don't get any sleep as it is. And how annoying would it be, with so many cramped in those little apartments, if they had to deal with roommates hooking up as well.
--Gotham Tomato
Didn't Keith and Kayne hook up?
Being a nice person, great business person and a talented artist are not necessarily qualities that go hand in hand. Jay is extremely talented and apparently difficult to get along with.
As a designer, I think he is far more talented than Chloe who does design clothing that is "pretty but unremarkable" (from the article).
I would imagine that there are designers who show in Paris and Milan who are jackasses, horrible with finances and still talented.
Bravo's problem is that they pimp these shows as if they are going to discover the next sucessful genius. Then it doesn't happen.
Here ya go (Mychael Knight Fine Jewelry):
http://missfitstyles.blogspot.com/
2007/06/mychael-knight-fine-jewelry.html
"The most annoying, condescending thing that friends, fans, journalists, and people from my previous life would do," he remembered, "is tap me on the shoulder and say, 'Enjoy the ride.' As if the five of us weren't completely aware that fame can be a fleeting thing. It was like, fuck you. Enjoy the ride being an accountant."
I LOVE Ted Allen.
I love them both!
I'm sorry, but Jay is a mess!
Andy raises some very good points. Jay comes across as a bitter queen, as usual. Thanks for the links!
Didn't Andy mention something about Santino and Andrae hooking up?
"I am not saying everybody who competes or wins is going to turn into a superstar. But there are notable success stories out there from a galaxy of former contestants. Emmett McCarthy has a boutique on Elizabeth Street and a home shopping deal; [...] Chloe Dao's Houston store has expanded and she's selling on QVC; Michael Knight has a jewelry line (!); [...] Not to mention Kara Janx, Kara Saun, Malan Breton..."
I know everyone hated Top Design but Matt has opened his own business and is coming out with a furniture line (he also has his spread in the new Elle Decor) and Eric K's business has grown and he is coming out with his own furniture collection. The people who go on these shows to use them as a springboard do well, the ones who want success handed to them fail. Plain and simple
btw used to love Jay. Now I think he is a douchebag.
I don't know why everyone keep mentioning Jay and what an asshole he is blah blah blah aren't we forget UberAsshole Santino? he's the one trashing everyone and the show ALL THE TIME.
The NY Mag article was very one-sided. And for good reason. Look at the debate it has sparked. Look at how many people are reading it. If it was another run-of-the-mill feature about PR, a lot of people would have glanced over it and moved on.
The article even has coverage on Bravo's website now thanks to Andy Cohen. Smart reporter.
With all these people dissing Jay nowadays, I can't help but think that somewhere in the Virginia backroads, Wendy Pepper is smirking.
P.S. I heart Ted Allen. He's the one Queer Eye guy I never get tired of.
connie said...
Exactly. The article did not present both sides of the story.
Because success does not sell magazines. Failure and its (usually media created) salaciousness makes for much better copy.
Emma P.
NY magazine hates Bravo. They have never written anything nice about the show. Take everything that they say with a grain of salt.
Great articles. Thanks! Jay really needs to clean up his act. His behavior is anti-social.
There's been a lonnnnnng hiatus and we're talking about the show.
Mission Accomplished!
-- desertwind
I agree with Ted Allen. Remember what Fern Mallis said about treating people with respect? Perhaps Jay should heed that advice.
Since the show ended, Jay called Heidi a "bitch", he sniped at Tim Gunn, he's made several derogatory comments about other designers, he's always rude, catty and nasty to everyone.
Jay McCarroll is a foul-mouthed catty queen. He is an ugly little man inside and out.
Andy said: "I think, of the piece is that "success" after competing on Bravo shows is not a given."
He's absolutely right! It's their responsibility to make it happen and continue to make it happen.
Anonymous said:
"I would imagine that there are designers who show in Paris and Milan who are jackasses, horrible with finances and still talented."
As a big for-instance, take Karl Lagerfeld. The man is intelligent enough to have good people around him to manage the financial part of it, and at this point in his life, he's no longer an a-hole, he's a curmudgeon. A gloriously talented curmudgeon.
I love what Emmett has said, which (paraphrasing) is that he used the show to help him go where he wants to be. It's not as entertaining to read about, but the man designs beautiful clothing, has great people working with him and keeps his eye on the prize. I admire that in him, and in other contestants who have their goals in mind.
And I love to watch Santino, Jay, Zulema, Wendy, and all the other "bad guys". They are great entertainment. And if they manage to become successful, I'll say bully for them. There's only one contestant I really disliked, and I'm not namin' names.
I thought it was a bit suspicious that Chloe Dao went unmentioned in the earlier article (other than the snipe by Santino about how no one wanted to interview her after the show -- to which I say 'haha, who's laughing now?')
I think people are being a bit hard on Jay, though. He just strikes me as a temperamental artist who doesn't moderate his thoughts so much, be they good or bad... given the pressure that's on him to succeed and all the people watching his every move, I think his behavior is understandable, if not particularly laudable.
I think the comment about the designers not being allowed to have sex has to do with MTV's "The Real World" where all they do is have sex with each other.
Hey guys, thanks for keeping us continually posted on the aftermath. It's hard to say if I'll ever be as interested in future contestants as I was with the past year's...I'll follow them as long as you do!
I have loved Ted Allen for quite some time now (everyone should own his cookbook), but now I love him so much more for "Fuck you, enjoy the ride being an accountant."
Ted Allen is gay?
" Anonymous said...
Andy Cohen's gay? "
" wannabe said...
Ted Allen is gay?"
Are T & L gay?
Ugh Andy Cohen. Can't he just go away?
But please, bring on all the Ted.
Vera,
I, too, have Ted's cookbook. It's a treasure.
His retort today made me love him all the more.
Is it weird that I've always had a little crush on Ted Allen?
"I used to like him, when I first met him. He was asking for advice about how-do-I deal-with-the-sudden-fame bullshit. And I gave him the phone number of one of my guys at William Morris, who I really like. And the next thing I heard about Jay McCarroll is that he was talking shit about the five of us behind our backs. He’s whiny, he’s immature, he’s catty — he’s really kind of a jackass, whether he won Project Runway or not.”
Assuming this really happened, Jay needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.
Love the blog!
I loath Andy Cohen. Loath him I say! I culd write for hours on the many ways I loath him but I will just say that I LOATH HIM more than any Senior Vice President of Production and Programming who uses his position to make himself a faux wanna be celebrity.
I like Ted Allen. He's always reminded me of Phil Hartmans SNL sketch "The Anal Retentive Chef".
Gregg
I adore Ted Allen. If he was straight, I'd marry him tomorrow.
See, I ADORE Andy - I think he's funny and hot - and couldn't care less about Ted.
From today's NYDaily News- Rush & Molloy column:
"Reality-TV fashionista Jay McCarroll says he punk'd New York magazine this week when he told the writer of its "Fame Over" cover story that he'd been homeless since his turn on Bravo's "Project Runaway." Turns out McCarroll has an apartment at 72nd and Riverside — and since the story ran, he can be spotted on YouTube, cavorting in the street wearing a T-shirt that reads "homeless." "It is what it is," McCarroll told us of the article. "I was just having fun.""
Not sure what to think him anymore.
--Gotham Tomato
" GothamTomato said...
"It is what it is," McCarroll told us of the article. "I was just having fun."
--Gotham Tomato"
Yes, he's been "having fun" for like what? for the past two years now?
I guess Big Mac and salad-dressing dresses pay well.
I used to love Jay, but now he just seems like he's no better than Santino, the world's biggest no-talent media whore. (ok, Paris, but then Santino.) He was just having fun? I hope this time he cashed Bravo's check. I agree with the poster above who said mission accomplished, we're all talking about it in the off season.
It looks like this is never going to end.
From the NY Mag:
"We'll chose to believe the version enshrined in her voice mail, reported in the magazine, and detailed by McCarroll himself. Don't believe us? Take a look at the transcript, after the jump.
New York: Where do you live, Jay?
McCarroll: I haven’t been living anywhere for two years. I always sleep at other people’s houses. I sleep here if I’m drunk. It’s a good halfway place if I have to do work the next day.
New York: Is there a shower here?
McCarroll: No, just a bathroom. But the reality is, I have it good compared to other designers. A lot of this gets lost: I was on this path already, and I feel like so many designers in New York have this same exact thing, and it’s acceptable. The unsung heroes of Project Runway are the people who work at Mood. Because they’re all designers too, and they’re struggling just like me, and I’ve become friends with them, and I’ve had them all over here [his studio], and they’re like, “Wow, this place.” And I’m like, “Yeah, but you have an apartment! I don’t have that.” I have to keep conveying to all these other designers: I’m equal to you. It’s hard for everybody. It's hard for every designer. Unless you’re Proenza Schouler and you’re cute and Anna Wintour happens to like you."
Read the entire article here.
Bettie said...
It looks like this is never going to end.
From the NY Mag:
"We'll chose to believe the version enshrined in her voice mail, reported in the magazine, and detailed by McCarroll himself. Don't believe us? Take a look at the transcript, after the jump.
Thank you for the update, Bettie!
XO
T&L
Way to go, Jay. You keep refusing to pull your head out of your own ass. You'll be lucky if your clothes ever see the light of day.
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