Adorable Andy Cohen had a little hissy fit on his blog yesterday. Let's listen in, shall we?:
"Today, NY Post TV Critic Linda Stasi has a piece complaining that this season's designers on Runway are TOO TALENTED. Whaaaaayt? I often follow the old chestnut that if you don't have anything to complain about, then FIND something to complain about. Does Linda, too? Perhaps next season we'll consider a group of home-sewers to make the runway shows less interesting. (In truth, we have pretty much the same mix as we did in year's past, but Tim does consider this season's talent level to be the highest.)"
Isn't he cute when he gets indignant? Now lets see what all this fuss is about:
"DOES 'PROJECT' STILL HAVE ROOM FOR AMATEURS?"
"But it's turned into the Olympics - a competition for amateurs that morphed into a pro-preferred event. For my money, "Project" has gotten too high end - with real designers competing where beginners used to thread."
"The professional-quality competitors in the upcoming season range from a guy whose jeans made the cover of the Victoria's Secret catalog to another who dressed Jessica Alba for a recent red carpet walk. There's a lingerie designer and an active-wear designer.Still, I pine for the days of the desperate beginners. I wish they'd reversed things. Really, wouldn't you rather watch rank amateurs tackle $50,000 worth of fabric and laugh at pros trying to make designer gowns out of used tires and aerosol cans?"
"'Project Runway' is good to watch, but not as much fun as when it was just inspired wannabes with a lust for what they were doing."
Well, she certainly jumped the gun on that last sentence. How does she know whether or not this season will be as much fun as previous ones? On the other hand, Andy, doll, she has a point and we think you may have misread it. She didn't complain that this year's crop is too talented; she complained that they were too experienced - and that's a huge difference.
To be honest, we kind of agree. We had largely similar thoughts when we were first introduced to the new contestants. Will there be a Jay McCarroll among this group? A hungry, raw, untested talent? Will there be a Laura Bennett? A surprisingly polished and talented home sewer? Will there even be a Marla or Wendy Pepper? Someone who should have stayed home? Or a Lupe? A completely out-of-left-field whackjob?
Obviously, it's too early for us to say, but we were disappointed to see resumes that were so polished and accomplished. Would American Idol be as much fun to watch if every single contestant had already recorded an album?
It probably won't change the mechanics of the show because in past seasons, even the most accomplished contestants struggled under the constraints of the competition. But we can't help feeling that some of the charm is lost with such an experienced group vying for the prize.
On the other hand, we can pretty much guarantee that this year's crop is the most entitled bunch of bitches the show's ever seen and that should make for some delicious, delicious drama.
(Photos: Bravo/Mitch Haaseth)
56 comments:
yeah, i mean one of them has worked for mcqueen for god's sake. let's get real - this year's contestants are definitely already PROFESSIONALS. not up and comers trying to BE professionals. i agree with you gents. though i hope you're right about the drama!!
"On the other hand, we can pretty much guarantee that this year's crop is the most entitled bunch of bitches the show's ever seen and that should make for some delicious, delicious drama."
I. CANNOT. WAIT.
Bring it on. I'm sure the producers will have a great time with whatever group of contestants show up. I'm already buying the microwave popcorn in anticipation!
I have absolutely no problem with experienced designers being on the show if it means the output will be greater. I never want to go through the pain of watching someone like Starr crash and burn again.
I have to say that I was a bit surprised to find out that some of them had already shown at Bryant Park several times, BUT as you guys said, it probably won't change the mechanics of the show because even the most accomplished designers struggled under the constraints of the competition. I LOVE the drama! There's no fashion in the fashion world without drama.
It looks to me like Tim Gunn won most of the arguments when it came to casting this season. He has always been the voice for experience and talent over the dramatic characters who make good TV.
I think Andy was also trying to distract us by not pointing to the obvious spoiler regarding t he first challenge in this article. I know he can't be happy about that!
I can't tell you how absolutely crushed I felt to recognize PR's Robert Best in the documentary, "Unzipped," about Isaac Mizrahi.
Was Best one of Isaac's designers? His boy toy?
I thought Best was just a struggling unknown.
I'm tired of the pros competing on these shows. I mean, my Gawd! Guy Savoy actually won Top Chef this year (via his highly-paid sous chef, Hung).
One phrase:
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
This might be the best season yet. Nobody will admit that because it is so "unworthy" of professionals to be positive about anything.
Personally, I can't wait for the new season. I love watching the design process, from start to finish (and hope the editors included more of that than last season). Also love to watch them all in the sewing room---that produces some heated stuff.
All in all, I'm brimming with anticipation and I wish these doomsayers would just go away and let things fall where they may.
delilahboyd said...
I can't tell you how absolutely crushed I felt to recognize PR's Robert Best in the documentary, "Unzipped," about Isaac Mizrahi.
Was Best one of Isaac's designers? His boy toy?
I thought Best was just a struggling unknown.
I'm tired of the pros competing on these shows. I mean, my Gawd! Guy Savoy actually won Top Chef this year (via his highly-paid sous chef, Hung).
SO THAT IS WHY HE WON??? THAT SUCKS! Never thought Hung should have continued past the 3rd elimination round and was disgusted when he won the show! In other words, Dale was cheated because Hung works for Savoy? No wonder Coliccio looked pissed all season long! I would be too!
The more experienced designer has less to gain and more to lose.
Does that take away from our delight in the show? Probably not. I'm more than ready for the fun to begin.
I don't care whether they're experienced or not. I just hope that S4 is entertaining. Reason #1 to watch a reality show.
It doesn't seem like experience is a good predictor of success on PR. Robert Best, Keith Michael, Malan Breton, Emmet McCarthy -- all examples of experienced designers with impressive resumes who did not fare well in the competition. (OK, Emmet was a victim of judges on crack, but still, he didn't exhibit the confidence of some of the less experienced designers.) On the other hand, Angela, Vincent and Wendy Pepper all made it very far in the competition without either the skills or experience of some of their competition. It seems silly to get very worked up about it. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
The problem is that when an experienced designer wins it all, like Jeffrey, they collect the money, give a couple of interviews and go back to whatever they were doing and that's pretty much the end of it. No life-changing experience.
Fashion is a very difficult business, I think the show allows some very talented designers to have a platform. I enjoy watching them working against each other on national television.
Wendy Pepper should have never made the final three. A clear example that it's not just about the talent, it's about conniving, lying, kissing up to the judges, and having a cute ass.
If choosing more experienced designers means that we will not have to watch someone as limited as Vincent was, that's fine by me.
Yikes. Much of the appeal of PR (and Top Chef) for me has been the idea of a struggling artist getting the chance to show what he/she can do.
I love hearing them talk about showing at Fashion Week as though it's finding the Holy Grail.
I love the passion and the drive.
I also love the occasional Car Wreck walking down the runway!
I'm a hopeless fan of the talented underdog...
I don't know if I'll find experienced professionals as compelling...or entertaining.
- Reverse Snob?
FashionFanatic said...
"I have to say that I was a bit surprised to find out that some of them had already shown at Bryant Park several times"
They've already shown there???!! Then where's the person like Michael or Laura saying over and over, "If I can only get to Bryant Park!" How can you root for someone to go BACK???
delilahboyd said...
"I can't tell you how absolutely crushed I felt to recognize PR's Robert Best in the documentary, "Unzipped," about Isaac Mizrahi."
Robert talked about working for him right away, in that first show when they were all chatting on the roof.
Ted said...
Wendy Pepper should have never made the final three. A clear example that it's not just about the talent, it's about conniving, lying, kissing up to the judges, and having a cute ass.
Did Wendy have a cute ass? I don't recall anything cute....big maybe but not cute. LMAO.
That's the secret to winning on Bravo now--be the biggest, badest, bullshitter and WHAM! you will win--or at least make it to the final 3.
" Anonymous said...
If choosing more experienced designers means that we will not have to watch someone as limited as Vincent was, that's fine by me."
Amen to that!
If it means seeing a higher level of sewing then I'm all for it. It is painful and frustrating for me to watch wannabe-designers struggle with a sewing machine or serger! Let's also not forget that just because you are a designer doesn't mean you actually know how to sew. Regardless of how much experience this crop of designers has I can't wait to see S4!
I think it's a mixed group:
Experienced: Rami, Elisa, Simone, Kevin, Carmen, Sweet P....
Raw talent: Christian, Steven, Jack, Victorya, Chris...
I
Yikes, why would Andy get so worked up over anything written by Linda Stasi? Is he new in town? Everyone knows she's just a bitter imbecile. She's like a menopausal Ann Coulter sans the peroxide.
That being said, does experience really count for anything anyway? I mean, Vincent was presented as an experienced designer and helloooooo: It seemed like his experience was designing paper dolls in the sunroom at Bellvue. Same goes for experienced junkie Jeffrey. Yawn. An ass. THAT exprerience ruined that season.
Some of the most experienced people are the biggest idiots. Experience means squat. And what experience? You don't think reumes are padded? Bowing to the supposed experience of others brings out nothing but the ordinary; those who stifle creativity by saying, 'I've always done it this way.' And as for already showing in Bryant Park, well, so has Nicky Hilton. Nuf said.
They can cast for experience if they want to. But just STOP casting for looks & ruthlessness. Those are not the 'qualities' that make me want to watch.
--Gotham Tomato
Is that middle-aged woman in the knee socks one of the 'experienced' ones?
--Gotham Tomato
"menopausal Ann Coulter sans the peroxide."
Too funny Gothamtomato!
"yeah, i mean one of them has worked for mcqueen for god's sake."
My question is... if Christian is only 21 and just graduated from school in 2006, he probably doesn't have THAT much experience. I'm willing to bet that his "working for Vivienne Westwood and Mcqueen" were actually internships (which usually only last 3 months).
Not that he isn't talented, just that I wouldn't call him a seasoned professional yet.
Before they were complaining that the winners were too inexperienced and never did anything or became anything after they won. now they're too experienced. meh.
Whatever. They're still going to weahter the insane challenges.
And frankly, a more experienced winner will get more out of the prize. The inexperienced wannabes just can't parlay the title into a career. Too raw, too green. Maybe that's why this year, they chose more experienced designers.
After the disastrous, stomach-churning backstabbing of Season 2, TOP CHEF also picked more experienced chefs for Season 3. I'm still watching that on Canada's Food Network (I know the competition's over on Bravo!) and let me tell you, it's way more fun to watch people who don't spit in each other's face... actually, who don't spit into the same contestant's face out of sheer, unadulterated envy.
Wendy Pepper never should have made Bryant Park, and the fact that she started a line of 'Mother of the Bride" outfits afterwards, proves it in my humble opinion.
Whatever. They're still going to weahter the insane challenges.
And frankly, a more experienced winner will get more out of the prize. The inexperienced wannabes just can't parlay the title into a career. Too raw, too green. Maybe that's why this year, they chose more experienced designers.
After the disastrous, stomach-churning backstabbing of Season 2, TOP CHEF also picked more experienced chefs for Season 3. I'm still watching that on Canada's Food Network (I know the competition's over on Bravo!) and let me tell you, it's way more fun to watch people who don't spit in each other's face... actually, who don't spit into the same contestant's face out of sheer, unadulterated envy.
Wendy Pepper never should have made Bryant Park, and the fact that she started a line of 'Mother of the Bride" outfits afterwards, proves it in my humble opinion.
I just have one thing to ask the producers:
Please! More model drama!!
I missed that last season.
Re: Top Chef. I was glad they didn't show all the conniving and backstabbing, but it certainly didn't look like Hung was well-loved. At least there were no felonies committed this year (or blaming the black guy).
Personally, I love seeing overconfident people fall on their faces (remember Keith?), meglomaniacs from Mars (Vincent or Santino), hell, even actually talented people having a bad day (Malan, Andrae, Allison). That's more fun than a no-talent wannabe like Wendy Pepper or a hopeless neurotic like Starr.
Perhaps they want controversy every week, and are trying to generate it by aufing someone genuinely talented every week. No more Bradleys or Starrs or Staceys or Heidis other cannon fodder. (Although I did love Bradley's interviews.)
btw, sorry for calling Keith a person. I meant asshole.
S3 of PR had one major problem: too many trash to fashion challenges. I want to see them make clothes, not pick through their apartments AND a recycling facility in the same season! One per season is more than enough, but if they feel that experience requires they work with trash, then I say boo to experience. But I honestly don't think it has to mean that. I think they need to find better challenges that consistently use FABRIC!
I also find it confusing when the judges go haywire over a perfectly sewn dress or the opposite...it's not Project Seamstress! Does Michael Kors do the sewing himself at this point in his career? And at what point did he stop doing the sewing? Shouldn't that tell you something about how highly sewing skills should be lauded in what this competition is advertised as?
" Anonymous said...
I just have one thing to ask the producers:
Please! More model drama!!
I missed that last season."
Agreed, I missed that too; stop feeding them, giving them some coke or stopping giving them coke, we want model drama, we want another Morgan.
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I watch the show for the drama, the entertainment and of course the clothes. You gotta have more than clothes otherwise it becomes boring. I don't want to watch people sewing for an hour.
Can you imagine if people voted for the best design like they vote for the best singer on American idol?
It's a great chance to showcase their talent to a nationwide audience no matter how experienced or successful they already are.
The reason why I love PR is because of the fact that it isn't a show about people starving eating bugs on some far off island, it's a show about talent, passion, people trying to make it in the fashion industry. I love it.
" GothamTomato said...
Is that middle-aged woman in the knee socks one of the 'experienced' ones?
--Gotham Tomato"
Hahahahaha. I don't understand the knee socks either, but P is sweet.
I'm excited about the high level of talent. I watch for the clothes - not the famewhores. In fact, it's the idiot hacks like Santino, Vincent, Angela, Wendy, who ruin this show for me. I'm sick of all their screechy drama and hysterics. No, thank you! And good riddance!
Bring on Season 4!!
I'm in the camp of "please bring back the wannabes". Have a different show for the people who have already been to Bryant Park. Go back to this being a show about struggling designers getting a chance at the big time.
I watch *despite* the drama and hysteria. What wants to watch people sewing for an hour? I do. I was utterly fascinated by Uli making a "German housedress" and dismantling it and starting from scratch the next day... and WINNING.
Another thought about the model drama (or lack thereof): When the designers got to choose their model each week it really was 'a competition for you models too,' as Heidi says. The better ones are chosen first to the anguish of their steadies; the ones no one would rather commit to are eliminated. Incentive to win? Maybe not, but a nice bonus.
Yes, after a few weeks there seems to be a partnership, but all that means is that designers are happy with their choices. And really, how much time did it take to pull the buttons from the bag? It could go even faster without the dramatic prolonging of the suspense.
Hope Laurie
Yeah. What you guys said. Everyone already HAS a good deal of experience. But......
The number of years of experience may add an "Oh Sh!t!" factor to a particular challenge-
And we can always hope to see a challenge consisting of three paper sacks, a tampon and some spray paint. Because THAT would piss off people who are considered professionals.
How am I gonna wait for a MONTH????
Boo @ model drama. They're obnoxious. And we already have another show for model drama.
I'm excited for the new saeson. I don't really have a problem with there being experienced designers on the show. Their resumees are superior. If they were applying for jobs, they would have got them, and so when they applied for the television show, they got on.
Season one's Kara won so many times because she had good time management skills and lots of experience. It gave her an advantage...
Now they are on more of an equal playing field.
Less drama, more fashion for me, please : )
I expect a lot from this group. They have a lot of experience and should be able to produce great things.
I heard that season four will bring you more drama than ever, so be prepared, folks.
Doesn't mean shit. They still need to get down and dirty and make a frickin ball gown from burlap potato sacks..... as a matter of fact I suspect the higher up on the fashion ladder you go, the less actual hands on stuff you have to do (hence Laura's suspicion last year that Peanut was capable of the kind of craftsmanship he showed up with at Bryant Park).
Entitled bitches? Marvelous! November cannot get here soon enough......
Apologies if these have already been mentioned:
Beaded Wonder
Sequined Sage
--Amy
I an going to watch the first couple. If it looks like a farce like last year... no more..
Seasoned veterans??? Maybe! But, perhaps their overconfidence will get the better of them and they'll go in to melt down.
Kara Saun, Chloe, Jeffrey, etc. were established to some degree . . . On the other hand, Daniel Vosovic seemed to be a perfect fit (IMHO) with his talent, but little real life experience. Same for Michael Knight . . . lots of talent, but they need some direction.
I want to avoid the likes of a Wendy Pepper or Vincent . . . neither of whom deserved to make it as far as they did. Jay had potential and won S1, but hasn't pulled it all together . . . yet
I can do without Zulema, but would love to see another Austin Scarlett . . . and I never got enough of Uncle Nick, Laura, and Allison.
Let the games begin!
just regarding the "would American Idol be as fun if every contestant had already recorded an album?" question: the contestants on Rockstar INXS all had extensive experience, and that was an extremely entertaining singing reality show.
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