Makin' it work

I am not planning to recap Project Runway this season - although there appears to be NO shortage of bizarre characters - but let's just talk real quick about last night.

First off, I miss Bravo. I know that the show is the same, etc, etc, but Bravo is cool and trendy and fabulous, and Lifetime is the home of movies that I watch on the couch when I'm sick. For what it's worth, I also miss New York City and Parsons, although I'm sure FIDM student Lauren Conrad is pleased about the move to LA.

Also, did the challenge seem a bit vanilla? A red carpet look and a $200 budget? Where was the trip to the grocery store? The race across Bryant Park? An insanely small budget or major plot twist? The task at hand was rather boring to me, which made the lack of quality that came out of it even more disappointing.

Heidi and Tim are still my favorites. Michael and Nina Gaarrrcia never disappoint, either. Lindsay Lohan, while looking strung out and spray tanned, actually impressed me with her strong point of views, although i just about DIED when Qristyl (actually her name - I didn't just decide to run my finger down the top row of my keyboard) said that her red carpet dress would be worn by someone like Miley or Lindsay to the VMAs. LiLo's deadpan face was priceless.

This season was cast for the first time by the folks who cast Real World, and oh. my. gosh., can't you tell? Whereas in the past, it takes a good 3-4 weeks to master all of the characters - and they are characters, because there's no way real people like this exist in the world - and remember who they are, I think that every single person last night made a unique impression in some way. I'm concerned about the level of talent, though, because it seems that personality took precedence over skill and/or taste. We'll see how it goes... I have no doubt that it will be plenty entertaining, but will we really get the next Christian Siriano?

Nevertheless, some of the most memorable crazies of the night were...

• Johnny, the ex-crystal meth addict. I use "ex" in the loosest of ways. He made me nervous.
• Malvin, the creepy androgynous dude (I think he's a dude?) with the out of control hair. He also made me nervous.
• Ari, who doesn't sketch and instead does handstands while dreaming of space/soccer ball diaper dresses.

On another note, there are actually two designers from Charleston and one from Savannah - I hope the South represents! Although based on Carol Hannah (now that's a Southern double-name if I've ever heard one)'s ramblings on being blond and Southern and stereotyped and then forgetting what she was saying mid-sentence, my expectations are rather low.

For all my complaining, I'm still super excited about the season, as the bones are the same and it's one of my all-time favorite shows. We'll make it work.

Auf wiedersehen!