Well-Suited: The Designers Try Their Hands at Menswear on "Project Runway"

After four seasons, it's hard to get the designers on Bravo's addictively compelling design challenge Project Runway all flustered during a challenge.

This group, especially seems completely jaded and underwhelmed by everything they encounter. And yet, last night's challenge--a first for Project Runway--had each of the designers floundering as they were forced to adapt while designing an ensemble for a TV personality.

Just what was so unexpected and difficult about the challenge? For something that really threw the designers and forced them to think outside their own experiences and comfort zone, they were tasked with creating an outfit for Tiki Barber to wear on Today. Yes, ladies and gents, it was menswear and it was not going to be pretty.

Still, I do have to say that I was rather impressed with some of the results though I immediately predicted that Carmen and crybaby Ricky would end up in the bottom two this week. (Is there anything that doesn't send Ricky into paroxysms of tears?) And the less said about Sweet P's monstrosity the better. I still don't understand quite what happened there?

But who made it work? Definitely Kevin, who stunned me with an incredible design that was totally unexpected; the color purple definitely worked alongside the structured vest and pants, along with a tie-and-pocket square combo that was understated yet still unique. Very well constructed with flair, though I am not sure why Heidi reacted so negatively to the design. (Not a fan of purple for Seal?)

Jack's design was also fantastic, though like Michael Kors, I would have liked to have seen him finish a third piece (whether jacket or vest) as it would have pulled the entire outfit together. Still, you can't fault the impeccable craftsmanship that went into his two-piece look, a combo of a grey pants with a subtle pink pinstripe and a striped shirt with a biased placard and pocket. I worried about the overabundance of stripes as these tend to look to "hot" or busy on a TV screen, but he managed to not only pull off the outfit but walked away with the top spot.

I also really liked Kit's design, which was subtle without being boring. Yes, the overall look screamed prep school but I thought that her choice to make the blazer with fleece elevated the design to something more unique and thoughtful. Nice silhouette and very, very comfortable and durable.

As for the bottom two, I was horrified that they actually put these clothes on their models and sent them down the runway. Ricky was insane to think that the judges wouldn't notice the pins sticking out of his jacket as they barely held the material together as the model walked down the runway. Tacky, unprofessional, and his design wasn't up to snuff. The tear-prone lingerie model is in way over his head at this point. He's on borrowed time.

As for Carmen, her inability to efficiently manage her time was what ultimately doomed her. It was interesting that she tried to make three pieces in the time allotted her but saved the most crucial piece--um, the shirt--to the last minute and ended up draping material around her model's neck in an approximation of a shawl-collar top that looked pathetically inappropriate. And, yes, that jacket did look like a Members Only Jacket. (Shudder.) It was only fitting then that the judges told Carmen that she was out. A sin like that cannot be perpetrated onto an unsuspecting public again.

Next week on Project Runway, the designers are separated into teams, leading to much angst, chaos, as well as a fair share of tears and recriminations, when they are tasked with transforming a fashion "don't" into a fashion "do."

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: China (CBS); My Name is Earl/30 Rock (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (FOX)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office/Scrubs (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); ER (NBC); Women's Murder Club (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Ugly Betty.

On tonight's repeat episode ("How Betty Got Her Grieve Back"), Betty attempts to put Henry out of her thoughts, Amanda distracts herself with junk food after discovering that Fay Sommers was really her mother, and Wilhelmina plots to use the recent events involving the Meades to her advantage.

8:30 pm: 30 Rock.

On tonight's episode ("Cougars"), Tracy is forced to coach an underprivileged little league team from rough neighborhood Knuckle Beach as part of his community service, but his decisions lead to anarchy; meanwhile, Liz is asked on a date by Jamie, the new coffee boy, who is 17 years younger than she is, and is urged by Jack and Jenna to go out with him.

9 pm: The Office.

On tonight's repeat episode from Season Three ("Back From Vacation"), Michael returns to work after his "all-inclusive" Jamaican vacation and an email containing a rather racy vacation photo of one Jan Levinson makes the rounds.

"This Isn't Just a Game, It's My Life": A New Season of "Project Runway" Kicks Off

Ah, Project Runway, how I've missed you.

The sartorial showdown launched last night on Bravo and I for one was absolutely glued to my television. As usual, production company Magical Elves did an amazing job at casting, editing, and producing this slick, sleek, and stylish competition series, invigorating the elimination process of professions (whether they be fashion designers or chefs) and turning a spotlight onto their creative process. In a word: bravo.

Last night's episode of Project Runway ("Sew Me What You Got") introduced us to the fifteen new designers who, unlike previous seasons, seem to be a wacky, slightly more out there, motley crew consisting of avant-garde marionette designers, over-the-top theatrical costume designers, and lingerie designers. It's a cluttered playing field and one that's filled with promise, even though I was pretty disappointed with several of the offerings on hand.

For the first challenge, the designers had 10 minutes to raid three tents in New York City's Bryant Park that were loaded with $50,000 worth of high-end fabrics and then assemble an ensemble back at the design studio that best exemplified their identities as designers. A pretty tough challenge on the one hand (how to sum up yourself and skills in one garment) but rather easy on the other hand (luxe fabrics instead of recycled materials).

Immediately, there were some standouts from among the pack. I was really impressed with the skills of 21-year-old Christian, who presented a gorgeous combination of a patterned voluminous jacket which showed off his construction skills and a draped skirt. The effect was stunning, bringing immense creativity and charm to fabrics that could have been rather dowdy; instead it was elegant, chic, and memorable, showing a creativity far beyond his years (and clearly showing the influence of McQueen and Westwood on his designs). Also loved the gorgeous smoke-colored dress that Rami designed, which was polished and extremely well-constructed, showing off his draping skills in a graceful and sophisticated design; it was absolutely stunning and I wasn't at all bothered by the rosette to which Michael Kors made an objection. It wasn't at all "M.O.B." (Mother of the Bride) to me at all and it was only fitting that he was named the winner of the first challenge, making the Jerusalem-born designer the one to beat.

Who else stood out? I like Kit (not just for the fact that she gave herself the moniker and alter ego of Pistol); her design--an asymmetrical patterned black dress with a crimson shouldered overlay and beaded finishings was stylish and funky. Just like Kit. I would have liked Victorya's design a hell of a lot more if she didn't have those bondage straps binding her model's arms at the shoulders; it spoilt a 1920's-inspired black cocktail dress that popped with a metallic silver flower motif. I also liked Steven's black tailored suit, which benefited from an eye-catching crimson deconstructed necktie and collar and sleeves that were seemingly lined in an iridescent red fabric. Very different than everything else out on the runway. Another good design: Jack's black-and-white patterned dress, accented with a pale blue. Reminded me slightly of last season's Uli, in a good way.

So who stood out in a bad way? I had no doubts of who would end up in the bottom two. Elisa's dress really was a train wreck. Yes, it showed immense creativity and a willingness to work outside the constraints of, well, reality but Heidi said it best when she said that her model looked like she was "pooing fabric." The train on the electric blue dress (evocative enough on its own without the embellishment) was about seven feet long and looked like a big pile of torn fabric had been glued onto the bottom of the gown. Her model literally tripped over it on the runway. (Ouch.) Not the best way to start this competition, but Elisa does seem WAY out there. Too much wow factor and not enough construction and skill to back it up. And I had no doubt that Simone would be the one going home. Her dress was amateurish at best and really did look like the model dressed in the dark (as Michael Kors offered); the pieces were extremely mismatched and not in an intentionally conflicting way. The just did not go together in any way, shape, or form. Worse was the terrible construction of the garment (she literally sewed her model into it at the last second), a major no-no in Runway Land. So in the end, it was fitting that we bid auf wiedersehen to Simone.

Next week on Project Runway ("Money Changes Everything"), the designers meet a fashion icon who becomes the focus of their next challenge. Make it work, people!

What is Going on With "Project Runway" Season Four?

For fans of Bravo's fantastic sartorial competition Project Runway, it's been a little bit of a frustrating summer. After all, we've been waiting for ages just for an official release date from cabler Bravo.

Then, there was a ray of hope just the other day. Heidi Klum had posted the below update about PR4 on her website, as reported here:

Project Runway Season Premiere-November 14th
Watch the new season of Project Runway beginning Wednesday, November 14th, only on Bravo (check your local listings). I consider it to be our best season yet!

And then, rather mysteriously, the message disappeared from her website. Curious.

Could Teutonic goddess Klum have spoken too soon? (Apparently, as Bravo requested she remove the erroneous launch date.) And when, just when, will Bravo then release any information (other than 4th quarter 2007) about when viewers will finally get to see Project Runway's fourth season?

Your guess is, sadly, as good as mine.

Heidi Klum Reveals Launch Date for "Project Runway" Season Four

It's been driving me mad wondering just when the hell Bravo's style competition Project Runway will be returning. After all, the space between last season (which wrapped in 2006) and next season has seemed interminably long.

Bravo claimed that the fashion series would return in "Fall 2007." But they've been saying that for quite some time now. Sure, we've got Top Chef and next month's Tim Gunn's Guide to Style to tide us over until then, but I'm hungry for some backstabbing and arguments about sewing machines now.

Worry no longer. Reality Blurred has the story. Heidi Klum, model, host/judge, and executive producer of Project Runway, has revealed via her website that Season Four of Project Runway will hit the airwaves on November 14th:

Project Runway Season Premiere-November 14th
Watch the new season of Project Runway beginning Wednesday, November 14th, only on Bravo (check your local listings). I consider it to be our best season yet!

I don't know about you but I've already marked my calendar.

Tim Gunn to Make It Work For "Project Runway" Season Four, After All

Like many fans of Bravo's catwalks-and-catfights reality series Project Runway, I could not imagine the show without erudite and dapper mentor Tim Gunn along for the ride. After all, while I love Heidi, Nina, and Michael, Tim is really the heart and soul of the sartorial series.

So I was overjoyed to learn today that Tim has signed on to return for the fourth season of Project Runway, along with Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors as the troika of over-critical judges who will destroy the dreams of more than a few would-be designers while casting one into the spotlight.

Harvey Weinstein made the announcement earlier today in a joint statement representing The Weinstein Company, Miramax, and Bravo.

"I am thrilled to make it official that I will be back in the workroom for season four of Project Runway," said Gunn in a statement. "We're in the midst of casting the designers now and I can already see that it will be another amazing season."

It's still under debate just when Runway-crazed fans will get to see Season Four, but insiders point to a June production start... and then there is the not-so-small matter of New York Fashion Week in September. Could Bravo still manage to get the series on the air for a Summer launch? Stay tuned.

What the Hell Happened to Project Runway's Jeffrey Sebelia?

Oh, Jeffrey. You won Project Runway 3, despite allegations of cheating launched at you by pregnant nemesis Laura, making a fellow contestant's mother cry, and a general air of self-entitlement spurred on by a mixture of cockiness, success, and a variety of neck tattoos. So, what's become of you since the camera stopped rolling?

I'm not the only one who's been wondering what former Project Runway contestant Jeffrey Sebelia has been up to since he won the fashion reality series' top prize, including $100,000, a Saturn, and a mentorship with Macy and I.N.C.

In fact, New York Magazine's Amy Larocca has an extremely candid interview with Sebelia in this week's issue, in which he admits that he's broke and his next gig is fact designing costumes for the upcoming live-action Bratz motion picture. That $100K grand prize went to paying off a huge debt for his clothing line (that would be Cosa Nostra, which once dressed Gwen Stefani, most likely in her pre-L.A.M.B. days); by the end of the interview, he's scrounging for $3 to pay the valet. Ouch.

And as for the persona he embodied over the course of the season, it was definitely as pre-thought out as his designs. "I thought I'd start out really dark and annoying," Sebelia tells Larocca. Furthermore, according to the New York Magazine piece:

Sebelia wasn’t surprised he made the callbacks nor that he was picked as one of fifteen contenders on the show. His plan was to be the Santino of Season 3. Being a jerk had paid off for his friend, who’d made it to the finals, and Sebelia knew that a hated reality-show star was more valuable than a popular one. “I was fully prepared to be in front of the cameras and say outlandish things and make people snicker,” Sebelia says.

Hmmm. Since the filming, Sebelia's fallen on hard times: the breakup of his relationship with girlfriend Melanie (the mother of his son Harrison), the repayment of Cosa Nostra's massive debt, and a gradual distance from the judges and producers of Project Runway.

And that mentorship with Macy's that was promised as part of the Project Runway prize package? According to Sebelia, it was "slow to begin."

So how is Sebelia paying the bills nowadays? “I’m almost afraid to admit what I’m doing, but it’s costumes for a movie,” he tells Larocca. “It’s a live-action movie for the Bratz... Yeah, those slutty dolls.”

It's a little frightening to think that the winner of Project Runway would be reduced to such circumstances, but it's not as though previous winners Jay McCarroll or Chloe Dao have since made huge splashes in the fashion world since their turns on the Project Runway catwalk. Still, given Sebelia's drive and innate talent (his final runway show really was stunning), I am surprised at how things have turned out for him.

Is it Karma? Does putting on a spiteful and arrogant persona on a nationally televised reality show make people less likely to take you seriously as a designer and businessman? Or is the prize at the end of the catwalk just really not all that much in the end?

You decide. But regardless, it's a hell of a profile and a no-holds-barred glimpse into Sebelia's world.

Casting Couch: Tim Gunn to Make it Work on "Ugly Betty"

Project Runway host/mentor Tim Gunn might not be confirmed for the next season of the sartorial challenge series, but he is due to pop up in an unlikely place: Mode magazine.

ABC has announced that Gunn will guest star on Golden Globe-winning comedy Ugly Betty during February sweeps in not one, but two (yes, two!) episodes. Gunn will play a Fashion TV correspondent covering a grand scandale that breaks during the Mode Fashion Week runway show, beginning February 1st.

The February 1st installment of Ugly Betty that introduces Gunn's character will also guest star American Idol's Katharine McPhee, playing herself. Or better still, herself as a celebrity guest at said Mode runway show.

Also said to return in that February 1st episode: Christopher Gorham, who plays Henry, the object of Betty's affections. Will Betty be forced to choose between Henry and Walter? It is February sweeps, after all, but if Gunn can teach Betty one thing, it's to come to a decision and, well, make it work.

Like I wasn't going to say that.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Armed & Famous (CBS); Friday Night Lights (NBC); Beauty & the Geek (CW); According to Jim/According to Jim (ABC); American Idol (FOX; 8-10 pm); Wicked Wicked Games (MyNet)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Deal or No Deal (ABC); One Tree Hill (CW); The Knights of Prosperity/In Case of Emergency (ABC); Watch Over Me (MyNet)

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Medium (NBC); Primetime: Basic Instinct (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Beauty & the Geek.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for Beauty & the Geek. It might not be the most original or thought-provoking reality TV series on the air, but this "social experiment" from "Ashton Kutcher" always makes me chuckle. On tonight's episode, the geeks get makeovers (a little early, no?) while the beauties have to auction off their newly made-over teammates at a cattle auction. Did I say cattle? I meant... Oh, nevermind.

8 pm: Armed & Famous.

Maybe hell is freezing over, but I am tempted check out this new reality show on CBS, in which D-list "celebrities" including Erik Estrada, La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, and others undergo police training to become reserve officers (guns and all!) in Muncie, Indiana.

10 pm: Top Chef on Bravo.

On tonight's episode, there's a challenge that looks to be "shocking," but what we really want to know is what Cliff and the others do to a sleeping Marcel... a "prank" that transforms what the remaining chefs looks like. Gee, do you think they cut off Marcel's bizarro hair? Tune in tonight to find out.

Sartorial Snag: Could Tim Gunn Not Be Back for "Project Runway"?

Say it ain't so. Could Tim Gunn not be back for the next installment of Project Runway?

It's a chilling thought and, while it might pale in comparison to the real troubles of the world today, it's one that gives this Runway obsessive a bit of a difficulty breathing. (Rest assured, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and--say it with me--Nina Garcia are all locks for next season.)

This week's edition of industry bible Entertainment Weekly has the story. According to the article's writer Nisha Gopalan, Bravo--the style-hungry network behind Project Runway--is champing at the bit to get started on the fourth season of the sartorial challenge. One speed bump in the road to Season Four just happens to be Tim Gunn himself.

Whah? You'd be right to ask that, especially given that I can't imagine a single episode of Runway sans Gunn, much less an entire season. While Gunn's not commenting one way or another, he's a busy guy as the chair of the fashion design department of the prestigious Parsons School of Design. Previous seasons have been filmed around Gunn's schedule, most notably during the breaks between semesters. (No school vacation for him.)

But waiting for Gunn to become available would mean pushing the start of production to sometime in May 2007. And that would mean waiting for a summer premiere of Season 4, quite a long wait for Runway devotees. For me, Gunn is the heart and soul of Runway and I'd rather wait even a full calendar year for another season of the show with walking lexicon Gunn intact than get a Runway with someone else as the host. (I hear Katie Lee Joel is available.) In all seriousness, it's Gunn's reserved but complimentary approach to mentoring the designers that gives the show its depth and personality. Who else would get all choked up right before the end of the season and the Bryant Park fashion shows?

A spokesperson for The Weinstein Company, the studio behind Project Runway, made the following statement: "As we have in past seasons, we will find a way to work around everyone's schedules, and are confident the team will be back."

Hmmmm. Let just hope that they're able, in the words of guru Tim Gunn himself, to make it work.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS); 1 vs. 100 (NBC); WWE Friday Night SmackDown (CW; 8-10 pm); America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC); Justice (FOX); Wicked Wicked Games (MyNet)

9 pm: Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy (FOX); Watch Over Me (MyNet)

10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Law & Order (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Doctor Who on Sci Fi.

It's the second season of Doctor Who, with the latest incarnation of the Doctor played by the talented David Tennant. On tonight's episode ("Love & Monsters"), an ordinary man becomes obsessed with Rose and the Doctor, putting his life and countless others at risk.

8 pm: Hardware on BBC America (11 pm EST).

It's the US premiere of Britcom Hardware, starring Martin Freeman of the original UK version of The Office, taking place at a small (you guessed it!) hardware store. On tonight's episode ("Naked"), Mike is annoyed by the new staff uniforms and must fight off his girlfriend's mother's, er, advances when she comes to visit.

8:30 pm: Black Books on BBC America (11:30 pm EST).

It's the third season of the scathingly sarcastic Black Books, one of my favorite Britcoms. On tonight's episode ("Elephants and Hens"), Bernard and Manny decide to write their own classic children's book while Fran spends a hen party weekend with some friends from school and must try her best not to fight with them. This being Fran Katzenjammer we're talking about, that's a rather pretty high request.

9 pm: Battlestar Galactica on Sci Fi.

On tonight's episode ("The Passage"), Baltar discovers what D'Anna is really doing with the Cylon resurrection technology while the Colonial Fleet faces starvation when their food-processing machinery is contaminated. But wait, what's on that planet over there?

9 pm: Spaced on BBC America (Midnight EST).

If you missed it the first time around (and I don't know why you would do that to yourselves), BBC America is giving you another shot at catching the first brilliant and hysterical season of Spaced, written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson as Tim and Daisy, two 20-somethings so down on their luck that they pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat... On tonight's episode ("Gatherings"), Daisy and Tim decide to host a party a their new flat... only to have to compete with a much better party going on upstairs. Well, Dais, you really weren't going to win anyone over with that homemade tinfoil mirrorball.

9:30 pm: Peep Show on BBC America (12:30 am EST).

Starting tonight, BBC America is reairing the second season of the so-painful-it's-hysterical Britcom Peep Show. On tonight's episode, Mark, still despondent over losing Sophie, makes a new friend at the office, while Jeremy meets an old friend, one he used to bully, who invites him to work on his latest indie film.

Jeffrey Rocks the "Project Runway" Finale

I never, ever would have seen this coming. Throughout this season of Project Runway, I was really rooting for Michael Knight to take home the top prize at the end of the day. But had you told me that the winner of Project Runway 3 would have been Jeffrey, especially after the fiasco with Angela's mom and the accusations of cheating, I would have laughed in your face.

And yet, here we are. Jeffrey Sebelia, he of the wackadoo hair and giraffe neck tattoos, has been given the couture crown and named the ultimate winner of Bravo's addictive fashion competition. It's been quite a rollercoaster ride these past few weeks and I'm actually more than a little sad that the season has come to a close now.

I had a feeling that Jeffrey would be allowed to show his collection at Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park... and stay in the competition. Just a hunch. Even if producers pulled a fast one and made him present but still eliminated him, I think that would have been a little extreme. After all, how much are you really able to tell from receipts? Tim Gunn is happily able to tell Jeffrey that, following an exhaustive investigation into Jeffrey's accounting, he's been exonerated of all wrong-doing... but he still went over budget and the white leather shorts for which he doesn't have a receipt and the wigs will have to go. (Which is fine, because I *hated* the wigs in the first place.) Wasn't it adorable how weepy the normally stoic Tim got when he brought the designers together for their final gather 'round? I wish we could have seen his reactions to the designers' collections in Bryant Park, though. That would only have been fitting.

But onto the collections. I was really worried about Michael's collection from the glimpses we got last week and, sadly, those fears were extremely justified. I really don't know where Michael went wrong and completely lost the plot. His collection was inspired by a confluence of the 1970s and safari and nearly every piece just looked wrong on the runway. Yes, the cuts were beautiful and the construction was amazing and, as Michael Kors reminds us, Michael understands a woman's body. But the fabrics and colors were outright garish and the safari theme taken far too literally with too many loud animal prints and glaring metallics, along with hideous magenta and orange designs. But it was the styling that put it all over the top. Michael had succeeded throughout the competition for his elegant, sexy designs, but the collection he presented nearly toppled over the line of questionable taste, appearing trashy and hypersexualized. I was really, really disappointed. Michael was obviously a crowd favorite, but as soon as the first model walked out, I knew that there was no way Michael was taking home the top prize.

Laura's collection was visually stunning and definitely indicative of Laura's design aesthetic but there weren't really any surprises there. I did want that "wow" factor that proved that Laura really pushed herself to do something different while still remaining true to herself as a designer. The construction and immaculate beadwork were simply stunning and there were several pieces that were incredibly beautiful but the entire collection had a sort of old world, Hollywood in the 1940s look to it that didn't really seem suited for evening wear for this day and age. (Did not care for the turtlenecked gold dress at all.) That said, I thought that the black lace dress was staggeringly gorgeous as was the flapper-inspired short dress with the feathers. Her feathered and furred jackets and shrugs added a little more glamour to the collection, but it wasn't enough to put her in the top two. Especially when compared to the work presented by Uli and Jeffrey.

I was blown away by Uli's collection and pegged her as the putative winner when I saw her designs on the runway. Like Michael, she chose a safari theme, but it was much more toned down than Michael's overt collection. Instead, Uli selected some detailing--like bone pieces on the belts and dresses--that echoed that safari sensibility without throwing it in the viewers' faces. I thought that Uli really pushed herself outside her comfort zone. While there were some remarkable pieces that utilized the sort of patterns that Uli has become famous for, much of her collection was restricted to a more neutral color palate, yet each of the garments had a vibrancy and verve that was unexpected, given the colors. I loved the mini dress with bone detail and the beautiful silvery looks that she presented, from the dresses to the separates. My jaw dropped when the model walked out in the billowing and psychedelic yellow-and-brown print halter dress and then pulled it off to reveal matching swimwear beneath. It was an awe-inspiring moment and totally unexpected from Uli. The finishing touch, a shimmery green print dress, worn with dashing style by model Nazri, was the cherry on top and summed up everything fun and free about Uli's design sense. A brilliant collection, from start to finish.

And, finally, there was Jeffrey. I would have to agree with the judges that Jeffrey's collection showed the most innate innovation out of the four presented. There was a real rock and roll sensibility fused with something elegant and light. And he presented what really felt like an entire collection, a line of clothes that would suit every mood and occasion, from swimwear to evening wear and everything in between. Overall, there was a sense of cohesion and connection between the pieces and a sense of story. Jeffrey said his influence was kabuki and noh ghost stories and there is a real haunting quality to a number of the pieces. However, I did not care for either of the blue dresses he presented. The shorter one seemed boxy and wasn't flattering on the model at all, making her appear squarish and squat; the longer blue dress was too free-form and bland next to his more stylish pieces. I simply adored the green and white zipper-dress, worn by the winning model Marilinda. It was beautifully constructed and Jeffrey was incredibly innovative with the zipper details. A gorgeous piece that many established designers would have killed to make and which shows off Jeffrey's potential to the fullest. I thought his collection was just amazing and such a departure from the more rough-and-ready influences of his earlier designs.

So there you have it. I never thought I'd be saying the winner of Project Runway 3 is Jeffrey Sebelia, and yet that's just what happened. Do you agree with the judges' verdict? While I was rooting for Uli last night, I do have to say that I am happy with the outcome. I thought that Jeffrey presented an amazing collection and, while I have no love for Jeffrey as a person, one can't deny that he has some real skill and talent as a designer. But I have hope that all four of this season's finalists go on to some really exciting careers in the fashion world. Something tells me this isn't the last time we'll be seeing Jeffrey, Uli, Michael, or Laura.

Next week on Project Runway -- wait, there isn't a next week! But come back here on Friday to discuss the premiere episode of Bravo's other addictive reality seres, Top Chef!

J'Accuse!: Allegations of Cheating Rock the Season Finale of "Project Runway"

I'm really torn by last night's episode of Project Runway, the first of a two-part season finale that sees the final four designers--Michael, Uli, Laura, and Jeffrey--present their collections at New York Fashion Week. Getting to show a collection at Bryant Park is a huge feat and an entry to the rarefied world of fashion. Let's just hope all four designers actually get there now.

I'm speaking of course of Laura's decision to inform Tim Gunn (and by dint the show's producers) of her belief that Jeffrey had outside help above and beyond that dictated by the rules set out by the producers for this challenge. They were given two months and eight thousand dollars to create twelve pieces to present on the runway. It's an arduous task, regardless of the timeframe, but all of the designers managed to assemble their collections and put the finishing touches on their outfits in the studio in New York.

Laura believes strongly that Jeffrey's outfits show a craftsmanship and finishing that he had heretofore never displayed on the show and she believes that, while the designs, fabrics, and aesthetic are all Jeffrey Sebelia, he had assistance with the actual sewing of the pieces. It's a serious accusation and, as Tim says, extremely difficult to prove. I'm not really sure where I stand on the issue. If Jeffrey cheated and they can prove it, he should definitely be disqualified and eliminated from the competition. However, if he didn't cheat, I feel really bad that he's being dragged through the mud on this occasion. While Michael and Uli are also suspicious of some of the finishings and the gorgeous leather jeans (at least from afar), Laura takes her accusations to the level of personal vendetta. I wish that she had confronted Jeffrey herself before taking her suspicions to Tim and allowed him to defend himself before an investigation was launched.

While Tim says that on Project Runway, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the onus is definitely on Jeffrey to prove his innocence as Tim catalogues each of his collection pieces, asking if he did the work himself on each of them. (He admits to sending two pieces out for pleating, but it's not certain whether that's allowed or not.) Having collected the receipts from each of the designers (why did the cameras hold on Jeffrey while he took so long to hand them in?), Tim says that the producers take these investigations very seriously and will be going through Jeffrey's receipts to double-check the veracity of his statements. But... what would the receipts show? Surely, if someone were stupid enough to cheat, they wouldn't be even more stupid to turn in receipts showing payment for work done by someone else. Am I missing something here?

While I am not a fan of Jeffrey as a person, I do feel bad in this situation. That is, if he is innocent of any wrongdoing. While the other designers may not have noticed from challenge to challenge (being so busy working on their own designs), Jeffrey always seemed to finish the task early and way ahead of schedule. So there is precedence to support the fact that he actually finished the garments before the deadline. He also does this professionally, for a living. He's used to making lots of one-off garments for (celebrity) clients on deadline and, call me crazy, but I think it's entirely possible that he made these himself. Especially since he seemed to be ahead of everyone else (save Laura) during their two-month design period and had the strongest vision ahead of time of what he wanted to do.

Putting aside the aggravated accusations, let's instead focus on the sartorial statements made by the Final Four. First off, I am extremely nervous about Michael's collection. No longer restricted by the challenge rules, he seems to have lost focus of what made his designs stand out from the rest of the pack; they were always sleek, stylish, filled with energy and comprised of separates that were beautifully constructed and eminently wearable. But his urban safari theme made me a little concerned when Tim visited him in Atlanta and even more so when I saw the gold sequined pockets on that white shirt. That is the exact opposite of the design aesthetic we've seen so far from Michael Knight on Project Runway and I was hoping for more from him. I can only hope that the rest of the collection is more "cohesive" and expressive of his talents and vision than that one piece. Because, based on that garment, I don't think Michael can win this competition... and that depresses me.

I think that Uli's use of the safari theme is more thought out and better executed than Michael's and she's played up her strengths (diaphanous dresses and bold patterns) while also veering away from the tried-and-true approach that marked many of her designs this season. I absolutely loved that skirt that Tim focused on in Miami (it was gorgeous and so not typically Uli) and it was great to see her try something outside her comfort zone a bit. The bone detailing on the belt was a beautiful touch and the pieces we've seen so far could have all come out of the closet of the same woman. There's a distinct theme, but it's not so overt as to make one blanch, but it does link all of the pieces together.

I was very impressed with Laura's collection from what we saw in New York (and, damn, her simply amazing Manhattan loft apartment), which utilized some of her stylistic trademarks (deep, plunging V-necklines, anyone?) but had a real charisma and spark, especially since she trashed the chartreuse nightmare to which Tim reacted so violently. Some of her hemlines were a bit long and I thought that the red dress, with its inner detailing, was a little plain, but I can only hope that she was able to bring some youth and vitality to her gorgeous designs. Much of that will come from the styling of the models and accessories but I thought she did a particularly fantastic job, especially given the fact that she's pregnant with five kids running around her. If she manages to keep the designs fresh and young, she could win this competition.

Finally, there's the beleaguered Jeffrey who, despite accusations to the contrary, managed to create a gorgeous collection of rock and roll pieces, including a Japanese Kabuki woodblock-inspired line of hotter-than-hell dresses (I loved the blue-and-yellow zipper dress), leather jeans, and halter dresses. Very Vivienne Westwood-meets-Harajuku. His collection definitely showed a singular vision and it was upbeat, inspired, and fun. All of his designs will show well on a runway... if he can make it to Bryant Park, that is. Laura's accusations definitely shook him and he didn't respond with his normally aggressive/defensive attitude, something she even remarked upon. While the pieces weren't as finished as Laura believed (Uli found some very messy seams), the allegation is out there and I know that everyone will be keeping a very close eye on the garments until the situation is resolved. Me, I hope he does get a chance to present his collection as it's so drastically different than those created by the other three designers.

In the meantime, we'll have to wait for next week's Project Runway season finale to find out if Jeffrey does get to show his collection or not. (Something tells me he will.)

Next week on the season finale of Project Runway: it's finally here, the moment we've all been waiting for as the designers present their collections during New York's Fashion Week. Who will take home the prize as the winner of Project Runway? I'm already breathless with anticipation.

Catfights and Michael Knight: The "Project Runway" Reunion Special

I am usually not a fan of reality series reunion specials, especially when they happen before the show's actual finale. Most of the time they feel extremely anti-climactic and how can you look backwards when you haven't even yet reached your destination? Putting that aside, I was completely engrossed and entertained by last night's fantastic Project Runway reunion special which managed to be both irreverent and informative. Can I just say how much I love Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn? They are definitely up there with Phil Keoghan as my favorite reality TV "hosts," especially because Tim and Heidi allow themselves to be so outspoken about their feelings.

Last night was no exception to that as Heidi and Tim welcomed back all 15 contestants from this season of Project Runway (including Alison, whom I've missed terribly). And while it was great to see some familiar faces and some not so familiar ones (I was wracking my brain to even remember Stacy), you could cut the tension in the air with a pair of shears. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

So what were the notable moments from last night? First and foremost, it had to be the return of Runway exile Keith, who was kicked off the show after other contestants discovered verboten pattern making books under Keith's bed. After the discovery, the designer disappeared for several hours (another no-no) to use the Internet. Both issues were enough for producers to eliminate Keith from the competition and it fell to Tim to break the news to Keith, who promptly "rolled over like a puppy," according to Tim. Keith, on the other hand, had a completely different version of the events, claiming that he was never aware of any restriction on bringing fashion or pattern books with them (all of the other designers--and Heidi--chimed in to contradict him) and he claims that the books were taken from him when he arrived at production... and then they mysteriously reappeared underneath his bed, without his knowledge. It seems clear that Keith is implying some hanky-panky on the part of the show's producers, a fact that has Tim up in arms as he says their integrity cannot be impugned. He also claims that he needed to get away from the Sturm und Drang created by the books' discovery and told a PA that he was leaving and was pointed to the door. Again, Tim refused to accept that as even remotely possible and Uli claimed that the designers couldn't so much as go to the bathroom unaccompanied by production staff. So what really happened? We'll never know but I simply can't believe Keith's version. Sorry, dude.

Typically, there was a significant amount of time devoted to feuding contestants Angela and Jeffrey and the whole issue of Jeffrey's treatment towards Angela's mother was brought up again and rehashed. I do think that Jeffrey handled the entire situation poorly, but hearing from Laura that the other mothers basically took a back seat and let the designers do whatever they wanted without any interference made me change my opinion somewhat of the entire affair. Did Jeffrey mistreat Angela's mom? Certainly; he should never have talked to her--or as Robert pointed out, any client--that way. But she was also the model for this challenge and should have voiced her objections or opinion far earlier than she did. It was a stressful situation all around and both sides were clearly hurt and affected by the other. Still, under no circumstances could I see Angela and Michael becoming "good friends" in another environment, as Angela asserted. I just don't think so.

I've always known that Vincent is absolutely effing crazy, but it was never more apparent than last night, from his attack of Tim Gunn for smearing him online (whah?) and his description of his fellow competitors as "amateurs," a designation he refused to withdraw or apologize for. He's clearly "delusional" (thanks, Laura) if he thinks he has more talent in his entire body than many of these designers have in their little toes and he's clearly a narcissist with delusions of grandeur and far too much adoration for himself and his lousy designs. I just never realized what a complete diva he is and much heap loads of praise upon which ever producer decided to show us his venom-spewing tantrum over his laundry, an obscenity-laced display of such childishness that went on for way too long and was directed, not even at whichever poor PA made the mistake of having his $130 shirt fluffed and folded, but at one of the show's producers. Are you completely mental? While I am excited to see where many of this season's designer's careers go, I hope that Vincent (and his 401K) crawl back into whatever dank hole he climbed out of. His entire personality is just reprehensible.

On a lighter note, I was ecstatic to see that the fan favorite prize, complete with a check for $10,000 presented by judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, went to Michael Knight, whom I called way back in Week One as my favorite. I think if he doesn't make any mistakes he's got this competition in the bag. And, as an aside, how adorable are his new braces? I'm still rooting for Michael to take home the top prize and cannot wait to see him present his collection during Fashion Week.

Next week on Project Runway: it's Part One of the season finale as the final four contestants (Michael, Uli, Laura, and Jeffrey) prepare to present their collections. Meanwhile, in a stunning twist (if Uli won't say it, I will), Laura accuses competitor Jeffrey of cheating! Shock, horror! Find out what happens next week.

Final Four Designers Play Peek-a-Boo on "Project Runway"

After two weeks, we finally got our final four showdown on last night's Project Runway. Or did we?

In a rather (un)expected twist, the final four contestants--that would be Michael, Uli, Laura, and Jeffrey for those of you asleep by 10 pm--went head to head in a challenge that tested their creativity and sense of self, only to discover that none of them would be auf wiedersehen'd by Heidi and they would all present collections at New York's Fashion Week in Bryant Park.

And thank god it turned out that way because I was more than concerned that Michael was going to be the one booted after he seemed to spend the majority of Day One still sketching and trying to figure out what he was doing. Big mistake on his part to select a gown for presenting to the judges (especially when the prize was an actual page in Elle magazine with the winning design photographed by a top fashion photog). Everyone--especially Michael Kors--knows that Michael's strength is in his sportswear and specifically in his ability to create flawless separate pieces that are pulled together with flawless styling and accessories. (Just look at what he did during the recycled challenge to see what he was able to accomplish with garbage!) Don't get me wrong: the aubergine peek-a-boo evening gown wasn't ugly or trashy. I really liked the braiding of the straps, even if the peek-a-boo was a little OTT. It just wasn't Michael and didn't represent him as a designer at all. And that was the real crux of the assignment in the first place. Lucky for us (and especially me as I am a huge Michael fan), he was able to slip by elimination because of his potential and past performance. But if ever there was a week to really wow the judges--while staying true to yourself--this was it.

The one designer who really grasped this concept was Uli, who initially made me very nervous last night. Let's call her the (Not So) Good German. I was horrified at first that she would steal model Nazri from Michael (who's had her the entire competition), but I do have to give her credit for being gutsy enough to do just that. After all, Project Runway is a competition (lest we forget) and there has to be a certain amount of gamesmanship involved. Why shouldn't she snag Nazri, after all? Uli made up for the steal, in my mind anyway, by feeling so guilty about it afterwards. (Michael was pissed!) But then she sort of meandered into off-the-wall territory by starting to create YET another diaphanous printed Miami Beach dress that has become synonymous with her name. Once she had Jeffrey try it on and he was flying about the studio using the dress as wings, I realized that I did agree with Uli: it looked like a housedress. Ouch.

Fortunately, Uli came to her senses and started from scratch, turning in a blue patterned dress that ultimately was shorter with a much more sleek and tailored silhouette than we're used to seeing from Uli, complete with a v. flattering skinny peek-a-boo, bead detailing, and a off-kilter use of the pattern she selected. Nazri looked amazing and Uli hit the nail on the head: it was still her design aesthetic but it was turned up to the nth degree. And it wowed the judges, who gave her the top prize: a first look fashion photo in Elle. Brava, Uli. It was urban, but not Miami or LA urban. Even her photograph--depicting model Nazri playing with a street band--captured the essence of both her design and her sense of self as a designer; it was fun, and completely represented her chosen buzz words of "fun, life, and adventure."

I actually quite liked Laura's design, a plunging v-necked soft pink dress with metallic beadwork and overlay. It was sleek, elegant, and even a little provocative; had Nazri worn it I think that it would have looked completely stunning. But the judges felt that it was too in keeping with her previous designs, too similar, too familiar, too much of what they'd expect from Laura. I thought it was perfectly constructed and fantastically styled. I really did like it. And even Heidi admitted that she would wear any one of Laura's designs. But Laura definitely does have that evening cocktail aesthetic and, while beautiful, it does seem like she could have created this outfit any other week. Given a completely blank canvas to work with and no restrictions (other than budget, of course), Laura could have done anything, yet played it a little too safe. Yes, she altered the hemline on the dress to make it more youthful and it did have a sexy confidence to it, but it wasn't enough to push her to the top. Still, I'd be very curious to see what Laura's full collection will entail.

I was completely baffled by Jeffrey's design this week. He attempted to step outside of his rocker sensibilities to focus instead on his softer side, his "romantic side," by bringing us a red, white, and blue dress that, um, defies description somewhat. It had a soft velvety bodice-cut top, a weird red ribboned belt, and a sack-like skirt that reminded me of those turn-of-the-century hobble skirts, only a little more loose. Still, it looked like a cinched sack of a skirt and the look just did not coalesce in any way, shape, or form. Plus, his selected photograph showed his model in a rickshaw and made the dress look dowdy rather than the "provocative" design he envisioned. I didn't care for it in the least in the sketches, I cared even less for it in the photograph, and I thought it looked ridiculous on the runway. (Was anyone else thinking it resembled a patriotic Snow White? Or was that just me?)

Ultimately, none of the final four designers were air kissed and auf'd by Heidi and all managed to squeak by to get the opportunity to present their collections during Fashion Week. (I've managed to avoid that spread in Entertainment Weekly that showcases some of their collection pieces, but if you're not as spoiler-phobic as I am, check out this past week's issue.) I can't wait to see the runway shows and I am ready to see these four vastly different designers present four completely diverse collections. Make it work, designers.

Next week on Project Runway: Those of us on the edges of our couches for those collections will have to wait a little longer as next week bring us the ubiquitous Bravo reality show reunion episode. See Jeffrey accuse Angela's mom of deliberately deceiving him about hating those judicial robes he designed her! (Wait, that was a dress?) See Keith attempt to defend his actions! See Vincent explain his predilections for becoming aroused by his own designs! It's the reunion show that's got it all!

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); 'Til Death/'Til Death (FOX); Desire (MyNet)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Celebrity Duets (FOX); Fashion House (MyNet)

10 pm: Shark (CBS); ER (NBC); Six Degrees (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

Was I the only one let down by Earl's lackluster season premiere episode last week? On tonight's episode ("Jump for Joy"), the owner of a strip club (guest star Burt Reynolds) will lend Earl money if he can convince Catalina to work there. Catalina? Oh wait, remember Nadine Velazquez and how she used to make an appearance on this show every now and then? Well, the producers have finally remembered her too.

8:30 pm: The Office.

On tonight's episode ("The Convention"), Michael, Jan, and Dwight head to Philadelphia for an office supply convention and Michael attempts to throw a party in his hotel room. Knowing Michael's track record with parties of any kind, it's going to be a lonely night in Scottsville.

10 pm: Six Degrees.

Six strangers discover that their lives are seemingly connected in the latest drama from producer J.J. Abrams. On the drama's second episode ("What Are the Odds?"), Carlos takes on an attempted murder case while Mae stays in New York to work for Laura, who starts a job working for an interior designer.

Recycled: Repeat Adventures in the Rag Trade on "Project Runway"

I hate repeats.

So imagine my frustration when I realized that my beloved TiVo was correct after all (as were several of you Televisionary readers): last night's Project Runway was not an original episode, despite no warning the week before from Bravo. Le sigh. I've been looking forward all week to the final four, but alas. We'll have to wait yet another week for the first Kayne-free installment of Runway.

I already miss the guy.

Since it was a repeat this week, I thought I'd take the opportunity to take a look forward, if you will, at our final four contestants, whom it seems will be presenting their individual shows at Fashion Week at Bryant Park in New York City. A certain reality series producer associate of mine tells me that the current theory is that this year's final four will indeed be a final four and that there won't be the red herring of the past few seasons with the three finalists and the auf'd fourth giving shows. Heidi herself seems to be supporting this with her cryptic comments about a game-changing twist (ugh, not another one) and saying that this season, they are committed to a final four. Hmmm... Looks like there might be an even bigger challenge than just a runway collection challenge...

So who's still in the running to take home the couture crown?

First up: my personal favorite of the bunch, Michael Knight. I think that 99% of Michael's designs have been gorgeous and wearable and then show really poise and vision. I loved the Harlem-meets-the-Hamptons jet-setting ensemble he created for himself, the Pam Grier outfit he did a few weeks ago, the coffee-filter dress he created in Week One, the recycled bustier, wrap, and skirt from the trash challenge, last week's black-and-white dress... the list goes on and on. He even attempted to do hand-sewn rouching in the Paris couture challenge, even though that's what got Malan eliminated way back in Week Two. He's brave, confident without being arrogant, and has the best sense of how to dress a woman for a variety of moods and occasions. Plus, I feel that he's retained the best sense of self in his designs while also proving that he's versatile and comfortable working in a variety of style, even with severe artistic constraints. If he doesn't take home the top prize, I will throw something expensive and tasteful at the television.

Next up: Uli Herzner, whose mind-blowing use of fabrics and patterns has made her an instant hit in my household. Her style is so contemporary and wearable, with flattering and fun silhouettes that would look amazing in any climate. However, many of her designs are a bit too whimsical for cities other than Miami, Los Angeles, St. Tropez; can her playfully relaxed style work in New York or London? Many have criticized her for basically sticking to the same design most weeks and switching the patterns a bit, but she does so beautifully every time. She is an absolute genius and I can see her line being instantly successful among a certain clientele that wants breezy cocktail dresses and doesn't shy away from bold, provocative patterns. But can she get the judges past their preconceived notions about what they claim is her one-note design aesthetic?

Then there's Jeffrey Sebelia who's rock and roll sensibilities are notoriously hit or miss. Jeffrey has the distinction, week to week, of either ending up in the top of the pack (he won two back-to-back challenges) or at the bottom, a rare stylistic syndrome that constantly confuses and bewilders me. When he's on (as in the jet-setting or couture challenges), it really works. His yellow plaid couture gown was in keeping with his design principles but also seemed completely at home on the runway, with a gorgeous and daring cut and bold color that was definitely different from his other designs. But can he design clothing that's less rock and roll and more elegant? Is his style too easily pigeon-holed?

Finally, there's Laura Bennett. I've been sort of back and forth about Laura in recent weeks as she seems far too often to be designing primarily for herself. There's a very vintage 1940s element to her work without any real sense of modernity or conscious effort to update these designs for mass appeal. And her outfits are often far too simplistic for my taste (the For Nuts Only dress, for example). That said, her construction is always faultless and her updated Roaring Twenties cocktail dress from last week showed a youthfulness and playfulness that had been lacking in many of her ensembles. While I love her style and the sort of return to classic Katherine Hepburn silhouettes and shapes, can she do something really modern and head-turning? Can she step outside herself and design something that would be really different and daring?

Ultimately, I hope that the final three contestants are Michael, Uli, and Laura. But I am already jittery with anticipation at the thought of seeing runway collection shows from all four of the remaining designers. As a group, you couldn't pick four designers with less in common, both in terms of history and personality as well as style and vision. It's promising to be a fight to the finish but I've got my fingers crossed that Michael comes out on top in the end.

Who do you think should win this installment of Project Runway? And which unlucky contestants will receive the final air kisses and auf wiedersehen's from Heidi?

Before I leave you, special thanks go out again to "Christine Fortune" for filling in for me on the weekly Runway update last week; she delivered a fun, fierce, and fashionable fill-in for our favorite reality fix.

Next week on Project Runway: the final four contestants go head to head (really this time, I promise!).

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); 'Til Death/Happy Hour (FOX); Desire (MyNet)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Celebrity Duets (FOX); Fashion House (MyNet)

10 pm: Shark (CBS); ER (NBC); Six Degrees (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

It's the season premiere of My Name is Earl! On tonight's episode ("Very Bad Things"), Earl takes Joy's side when she and Darnell have a fight. Ouch. Something tells me this will not end well for Darnell or Earl.

8:30 pm: The Office.

It's the third season premiere of The Office! On tonight's episode ("Gay Witch Hunt"), Michael outs grouchy and gay Dunder-Mifflin employee Oscar, while the audience learns what's happened to Jim and Pam since that kiss. Yes, that kiss. Here's a hint: it's dealt with in the opening scene. Let's just say that there aren't wedding bells for anyone in this ongoing love triangle...

10 pm: Six Degrees.

Six strangers discover that their lives are seemingly connected in the latest drama from producer J.J. Abrams. Read my original review (way back when in June) here.

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Continuing tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's episode ("Mr. Right"), how exactly did a young woman and her lover die from a single bullet while laying together in a hotel room? Find out tonight.

Just When You Thought it Was Safe to Go Back on the Catwalk: Two Contestants Return on "Project Runway"

Hello there Televisionary readers. Christine Fortune here filling in for Jace while he’s jet setting in London (lucky dog). Not to worry, I am equally as obsessed with Project Runway and there certainly was a lot to talk about in this week’s episode, so let’s get to it!

It was down to the final five…that is, until my runway nightmares became a reality as both Vincent and Angela returned to the catwalk. In a frightening twist, these two fashion failures were allowed to compete in this week’s challenge as an extra bonus for having won previous challenges. And, because of this, three people would be going home. The other designers received the bad news while attending a L’Oreal “party” (they were the only ones there) and were not happy when confronted with Vincent and Angela’s smiling faces. As Kayne so delicately put it, “It’s like cockroaches. You step on them once and they still keep crawling around.”

Cockroaches or not, all designers were given the task of creating a cocktail party outfit comprised only of black and white fabric. And to make the challenge more difficult, every piece of fabric they bought had to be used. This led to some rather, um…interesting uses of fabric such as Vincent’s awkward cape/scarf, or Jeffrey’s thigh high faux leather tights. Michael, always the star, made a beautiful purse out of his scraps while Uli cleverly (if not totally successfully) contorted hers into a necklace.

And then there was Angela who decided to “line” a purse with her extra fabric, which, apparently, is design speak for stuffing the scraps into a bag where no one can see them. Watching her dispose of the offending fabric reminded me of a kid trying to hide brussel sprouts under a napkin. Very classy. Luckily, the judges called her on it and I watched with glee as she wriggled under their disapproving gaze. Her Cruella DeVil-inspired cocktail dress (complete with leather shrug and Edwardian collar) thankfully did not make the cut and she was forced to take the design walk of shame for the second time.

Also facing the firing squad for the second time was Vincent. How he ever won a challenge or stayed in the competition as long as he did is one of the great mysteries of all time. I was beyond relieved when the judges tore apart his yawn-inducing dress with the too short skirt and too long cape (or whatever that was). But even after being eliminated twice, Vincent was still sure of his abilities, mumbling something about “making beautiful music.” Music? Did he think he was on American Idol?

But the real surprise of the runway was Laura who, after having an array of difficulties on this particular challenge, walked away with the top prize. The judges were impressed by her fresh, youthful-looking dress and commended Laura on breaking away from her more mature-looking designs. I agree that the dress was a diversion from her normal tailored fare but I think that first place should have gone to Michael whose hip, modern design happened to be the only white dress in the showcase. As judge Michael Kors noted, his model looked gorgeous from head to toe.

I would have been happy saying auf wiedersehen to just Angela and Vincent this week but, unfortunately, someone else had to go. Surprisingly, it came down to Kayne and Jeffrey, both who were chastised for being too repetitive in their designs. It was Elvis vs. Gwen Stefani and, sadly, The King lost. The judges were impressed that Kayne had toned down his design this round but it was too little too late. I will definitely miss Kayne and his amusing commentary, which he continued right up until the very end with, “I’m not a bitch. I just play one on TV.”

Now there are only four contestants left on Runway. Let's just hope that no more cockroaches crawl out of the cracks.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS); My Name is Earl/My Name is Earl (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); 'Til Death/Happy Hour (FOX); Desire (MyNet)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office (NBC; 9:20-10 pm); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Celebrity Duets (FOX); Fashion House (MyNet)

10 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); ER (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl/My Name is Earl.

Two back-to-back episodes of My Name is Earl tonight, presenting both the beginning and end of the comedy's first season. On the first episode tonight ("Pilot"), Earl has an epiphany which prompts him to stop his stealing, cheating ways after he wins the lottery and is promptly run over by a car. (Karma.) Afterwards, it's the first season finale ("Number One"), in which Earl tries to cross off the first item on his list, only to discover that he owes all of his lottery winnings from the guy he stole $10 off of.

9:20 pm: The Office.

It's the second season finale of The Office ("Casino Night"). You know, the one in which Dunder-Mifflin throws a charity casino night, Michael is torn between Jan and Carol, and, oh, there's something about a certain kiss...

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Continuing tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's episode ("Big City, Small World"), a drive-by shooting leaves an innocent bystander dead.

Au Revoir, Vincent: "Project Runway" Finally Comes to Its Senses

Was I the only one whooping and hollering last night? I swear I could hear similar cries of excitement emanating from other houses in my neighborhood around 11 pm last night. For those of you who failed to catch Runway last night, what I've been praying for has finally happened.

Just when I had begun to lose faith in Project Runway (shock, horror!), Heidi and the other judges finally auf wiedersehen'd Vincent last night. It was about time that this 401K-cashing space cadet be punished for his sartorial crimes, even if it should have happened a few weeks back. I'm still smarting over the fact that uber-talented Allison was booted and Vincent managed to make it this far, despite landing in the bottom 3 nearly every week... I may have cried foul, but I'm happy to see that the judges have finally snapped out of whatever hypnotic trance they've been under to cut the unfashionable chaff from the wheat.

This week found the contestants still in Paris, operating out of the dubious Parsons Paris school. (I'd have to agree with commenter Brock who couldn't help but notice that the location seemed about as authentic as Malan's accent.) So I was curious after last week's jet-setting task, what this week's challenge would be, considering the Parisian location. And, lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised that the producers at Project Runway would once again raise the stakes: the designers have two days (gasp!) to create a couture gown before presenting their designs on new models at a party thrown by designer (and guest judge) Catherine Malandrino.

I have to say that given the time crunch involved (two days for couture?!?), I was rather impressed with most of the designs. (Notice I said "most.") I thought that hands-down the two most beautiful and creative designs were those done by Jeffrey and Uli and I had a feeling that one of the two of them would be crowned the winner (though I was really rooting for Uli). In a Project Runway first, Jeffrey, who gained immunity from last week's win, also won this week, the first time a designer with immunity has won two challenges in a roll. It looks like Jeffrey has finally found his groove, a real feet after the debacle with Angela's mom. So what was the winning design? Jeffrey's gown was a yellow plaid rock-and-roll-meets-royalty number that was exuberant and whimsical without being outre. I was a little worried when I saw the pattern he chose, but I was blown away by the results. While the styling was pure Jeffrey, it showed a real departure from the color palette he normally chooses. The game just got a little more fierce as Jeffrey is beginning to look more and more like a real contender. (Plus, he's guaranteed a spot in the final four now.)

I was really hoping that Uli would win this one. She keeps seeming to come thisclose to winning, only to end up with the runner-up spot. I thought that she too departed from her usual stylistic preferences and designed a gorgeous pale aubergine gown with hand-done braiding and beadwork that completely fulfilled the brief: it was couture detailing of the highest standard with a fantastic attention to detail and even Heidi agreed that it was the dress she would have worn. I think it was really smart of Uli to stay away from the pattern combinations that she's famous for and instead create a monochromatic sheathe that didn't look block-like at all. Instead, it was a flawlessly beautiful and flowing gown that was both high fashion and not too cerebral. Brava, Uli.

Then there were Kayne and Michael. I was seriously concerned that one of them would be auf'd this week, after their performances. I wanted to love Michael's electric blue gown and really admired the fact that he challenged himself by doing all of the ruching by hand on the bodice, but he lost track of time and the end result was unfinished and messy (you should have learned from Malan!). I think that folding those "rabbit ears" in on the bodice made a HUGE difference and made the gown look a hell of a lot more polished and streamlined. Still, I was so upset that his model was hit with eggs on the way to Catherine Malandrino's party (held on a boat on the Seine, natch); I wanted to smack that kid with the eggs.

And Kayne? I actually really liked Kayne's design, even if it was a little "Vegas," as Nina put it. I actually thought that the structure of the corset was stunning and I loved how the lacing went to the side rather than straight down the back. And unlike some of the gowns, it looked flawlessly fitted on both the Parisian and American models. That said, the applique on the corset was far too busy (it could be seen all the way from Vincent's orbital platform in space) and did detract from the gorgeous ombre skirt. Had he toned it down (most of the judges' complaint, I think), I think he would have ended up in the top of the heap rather than in the bottom three...

I think it's time for Laura to go. Her construction is always meticulous but her designs are always too dated and not modern enough. While I love her 1940s influence, she needs to take that influence and make it seem fresh and new rather than just old and tired. Her design was really quite blah: long black wool dress with long sleeves (I'm glad Catherine called her on that) with a low-cut front and back deep V accentuated with a lace collar that to me looked a little over the top in Paris and then completely dull in New York. (Shipping the gown had crushed the collar and taken away all of its height and theatricality.) Given that the collar was the showpiece against which the gown was just the background, Laura should count herself lucky that she made it through this week's gauntlet unscathed.

And that brings us to Vincent. I'm still baffled as to how he's made it this far on Runway. His designs are simply awful and kooky; there's nothing beautiful or elegant or even creative about any of them. They're simply thrown together and then thrown down the runway. Did anyone else think it was weird that Vincent was basically harassing Catherine Malandrino? The style-impaired designer became downright sycophantic as he kept complimenting Catherine for every facet of her being, from her hair to her shoes, and would not shut up. (Catherine's later comment on his gown: "No, no, no, no." Gotta love it.)

I can't even describe Vincent's design: a messy silk meets granny's sofa combo with ugly sleeves and a weird Angela-esque floret design on the back that seemed an attempt to conceal some design flaws. To me, he should have been eliminated purely based on the fact that he GLUED everything together in a couture challenge, which went completely against the entire spirit of the challenge. But fortunately his design was so god-awful, so unflattering and weird, that the judges didn't even need to invoke a technicality to eliminate him. Au revoir, Vincent, and don't let the door hit you on the way out...

Whew. I feel better now.

Next week on Project Runway: with the competition narrowed down to the final five contestants, the pressure is cranked up on our designers but for a teary Laura, it looks like it's all a bit too much. Come on, Laura, you made it through the Parisian couture challenge three months pregnant; this can't be much worse than that!

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); NFL Football/The Challenge (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); 'Til Death/Happy Hour (FOX); Desire (MyNet)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Sports Action Team/Wacked Out Sports (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Fashion House (MyNet)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Dateline (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Continuing tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's episode ("Nothing Sacred"), a dealer of Islamic art is found dead. In a car. Under water.

Farm-Raised Cuckoo Bird Angela No Jet-Setter on "Project Runway"

Okay, so I was wrong about the challenge this week having to design outfits for Delta Airlines flight attendants... but I was right about the Delta Airlines part. I loved the looks on the designers' faces when they were told to get the eff off the runway, pack their bags for an unknown destination, and get to the airport in their newly minted ensembles... to see how well the "jet setter" outfits they designed would hold up after they stepped off that other runway. Classic and clever.

Even better that they ended up in Paris, one of the world's fashion capitals (if not THE fashion capital) though half of me was hoping they'd end up somewhere truly un-exotic and mundane. You know, completely take them out of their element altogether and force them to dress the people of St. Olaf or something. To really see if they can design for the runway and the masses. But I'll take Paris any day, as they were all so excited to be there. Even if I did think it was so completely mean-spirited to fly someone across the Atlantic, have them pull up to Parsons Paris, get eliminated and then fly right back to the States. Runway producers, you are cruel!

Speaking of eliminations, it had to happen eventually as Project Runway nemeses Angela and Jeffrey finally faced off both on the runway and in the studio, after last week's disastrous pairing of Jeffrey with Angela's mom in the challenge. (Could the producers have picked two less matched people than the two of them?) Eye rolling and name calling ensued, but it was all rather too tame compared to what I thought would happen. Point to Jeffrey for mentioning Angela's "weird, sad eyes." Though I do have to sort of admire Angela for not sinking to his level. As much as I don't admire her skills as a designer, she has managed to pretty much avoid getting dragged into the fray. But it was at Parsons Paris that the dreaded twosome ended up on completely opposite spectrums. Angela's "jet-setter" design consisted of messy brown linen shorts that were creased and wrinkled by the time she stepped off the plane, complete with hideous granny florets on the bum, a classic kooky Angela top, and some ill-matched boots. A disaster by all accounts.

Jeffrey, on the other hand, had the winning design with a rock and roll outfit that looked like it cost thousands of dollars more than the $75 budget they were given: a gorgeous purple jacket that looked like sumptuous leather, paired with a fish eye t-shirt, and tighter-than-tight pin-striped pants with some sort of crotch detail that seemed vaguely dangerous after one too many drinks. I was really torn between his design and Michael's: a hip-hop Harlem-meets-the-Hamptons ensemble that was as comfortable and wearable as it was stylish, consisting of a modern take on the classic white button-down shirt and *amazing* white seersucker cargo pants that were classy and cool at the same time. Plus, he looked impeccable, even after trans-Atlantic travel. (Hard-to-please Michael Kors even loved it; he's turned into quite the Michael fan.) In the end though, I am glad that Jeffrey won as his outfit was not only perfect for him, but also stylish and fashion-forward.

I really liked Laura's dress as well, which was more of a departure for her than usual. It wasn't 1940s at least and the knotting was very beautiful. Plus it held up well, once she moved the knot to the front. And I have to give her credit for being so game about the whole thing, despite being pregnant. Meanwhile, what was with the judges giving Uli such a hard time about her dress? I thought she looked amazing and comfortable and very stylish. They pointed out that her outfit would look great in Miami, LA, Hawaii, or St. Tropez but not really anywhere else. But wasn't the entire point of the exercise to design something for a jet-setter? And aren't those popular destinations for the Paris Hilton set? Color me confused, because I didn't really understand what the judges wanted then. Uli was stylish and her patterns beautifully balanced and while she doesn't always deviate from that sort of breezy aesthetic, her stuff is consistently gorgeous and wearable.

Oh, Kayne. Where to begin? You need to tone down the pageant queen within a little bit and stay away from the whole Dollywood influence because the judges outright HATED your design this week. I want you to make to the final three, but you're not going to have a shot in hell unless you stick to couture and not country.

Finally, I am still baffled as to why Vincent is still there. This week, he took off his pants to copy them into a pants pattern and created the most boring outfit I've seen on Project Runway thus far. (Yes, even more boring than poor Robert Best's designs.) His jet-setter ensemble consisted of black pants and a charcoal grey v-neck shirt that looked like something he picked up at the GAP on the way to the airport. And was it just me or did the top seem oddly ill-fitted. It kept bunching up at the shoulders and was very unflattering. Yet somehow, guest judge Francisco Costa from Calvin Klein called Vincent's design an "intellectual" response. Um, excuse me? Did I just hear you correctly? I'm completely gobsmacked. How is his laziest design yet an intellectual response to the jet-setting task? Am I the only one baffled as to why the judges seem to be coddling him?

Yet it was only fitting that it was sketch-phobic Angela who was the one to be sent packing (literally) back to the States. I've never been a fan of her designs and she's managed to crest by so far because there were other weaker designers. But besides for her "whimsical" florets, was there anything that she'd done that stood out as being original or visionary? I can't think of anything. (And side note: what was up with that extended exchange between Jeffrey and Vincent about Angela coming in to smoke and waking Michael up?) Fortunately, guest judge Catherine Malandrino wasn't too impressed with Angela's sloppy "Holly Hobby" design and sent her home.

Only six contestants remain from the original fifteen and the competition is only going to get more fierce as we narrow it down to the final two. Who will be the next to go? I can only hope it's Vincent, but the judges seem to disagree with me on this one..

Next week on Project Runway: the designers remain in Paris while part of their challenge (is it another shocker?) involves attending a party, only to find themselves pelted with eggs by unhappy locals. Everyone's a critic...

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Celebrity Duets (FOX; 8-10 pm); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office/The Office (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

On tonight's repeat episode ("The Bounty Hunter"), Earl's ex-girlfriend (guest star Juliette Lewis) returns to town to exact some revenge against Joy for making Earl leave her. Can anyone say, Catfight?

8:30 pm: The Office.

On a repeat episode ("The Dundies"), it's that time of year again as Michael forces the Dunder-Mifflin employees to suffer through the annual office awards ceremony at a local Chili's restaurant.

9 pm: The Office/The Office.

Wow, NBC, two more episodes of The Office tonight! I might just have to add you back on my Christmas card list. On the first episode ("Take Your Daughter to Work Day"), Michael becomes friends with Toby's five-year-old daughter and the gang learns about Michael's past as a "child TV star." Afterwards, it's the "Conflict Resolution" episode where Michael takes on responsibility of conflict resolution from Toby and causes all sorts of chaos in the office.

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Continuing tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's episode, a corpse found at the city dump is identified by some rather unusual undergarments. Seriously.

The Fix Is In: Vincent Has the Winning (Yes, Winning) Design on "Project Runway"

Project Runway has always had that certain sniff of authenticity. Unlike other reality shows, it seems important to the judges (and one would imagine the producers) which contestants actually have talent and which ones just don't have what it takes.

But lately things have gotten a little, um, ugly on the supposedly "reality-based" fashion competition. Last week, Allison was kicked off the show without an iota of consideration about the consistent work she'd done every other week (unlike Robert who had been kept in the running because the judges saw his "talent") and then this week? Vincent wins this week's competition?

Am I alone in thinking what the hell is going on over there?

The fact that Vincent won this week makes me completely irate for several reasons. First, Vincent can't seem to design his way out of a crap-festooned paper bag and his designs are consistently off-the-wall or entirely lazy, showing no imagination, reach, or skill. His dress, designed for Uli's mom, was a bland-and-boring rendition of a black dress with a hideous beige lapel-style collar. In no way did it even warrant being on the same runway as the amazingly gorgeous printed tunic Uli made for Kayne's mom to wear; not only does Uli have an eye for pattern (because she does) but her design was so instantly wearable and casually elegant that Kayne's mom lit up from inside as she was walking down the runway. The judges appeared to *LOVE* the design and instantly began talking about Uli's genius and skill. And then they went and awarded the top prize, not Uli (nor to Michael, whose reversible shirt-dress was a clear runner-up to Uli for me), but to... Vincent?

The decision to crown him the victor seems to come from left field. It seemed such a forgone conclusion that Uli would win that I actually fell off of the couch when Vincent's name was called. (Uli seemed pretty shocked too. Was it just me or did she seem pretty close to tears after the announcement?) Uli's outfit was not only flattering, it was age-appropriate, stunning, and wearable by a "real woman," the very definitions of the challenge. Vincent's design was okay, certainly not his worst, but it didn't come close to capturing the essence of Project Runway.

Vincent's win last night also means that there's a 99 percent certainty that he'll have immunity next week, which means it's going to be another two weeks before he even has the opportunity of getting booted off the Runway. Here is a designer who consistently lands in the bottom 3 week after week and who was saved from elimination at the expense of a more talented (if less "controversial") competitor (read: Allison). Vincent's sole purpose seems to be that he makes the series more "wacky" and "offbeat" and less "predictable."

I keep asking myself: why has Vincent somehow managed to squeak through elimination time and time again? I happened to pause my TiVo during the show's closing credits last night and read the statement that was printed there: "The judges considered both their scores and input from the Producers and Bravo in reaching their elimination decisions."

Um, excuse me?

The producers and Bravo wouldn't want Vincent to continue to stick around, would they? It almost gives credence to those rumors floating about the internet for the last few months about the final three. So to recap: Allison is gone and Vincent wins. In Hell, someone just reached for a designer parka...

I was also stunned last night by Jeffrey's casual cruelty to Angela's mom last night. Granted, he didn't choose her as his model (his name was called last) and her inspirations/guidelines were mind-numbingly boring but at no point did this Ohio housewife ever deserve to be treated in that fashion. Jeffrey humiliated and belittled her on national television, with her daughter standing a few feet away, and then blamed her for his loss. Yes, the colors she mentioned would have been hideous but what he designed for her was so inappropriate and unflattering (and looked like judicial robes, in fact) that he should have been called out for it. (I don't disagree with the elimination, however. Robert has been consistently lackluster every week and it was well past time for him to be sent home.) But to treat this woman--someone's MOM for god's sake--this way was completely inexcusable, even if you are an ex-junkie with a penchant for "layered" clothing. And to tell the judges that she discussed being "body-conscious" as part of the brief? Complete and utter lies. I wanted to smack Jeffrey upside the head for his behavior and boorishness last night. He far exceeded Project Runway exile Keith in that department. (And where did Jeffrey's tears come from upon Robert's dismissal? That was... odd.)

So, Laura is pregnant with her sixth child? Did anyone else think that was totally bizarre? Besides for the way that it came out, that is. I still can't imagine her having a brood of five sons at home and managing to look as pristine as she does, but six? Six kids? In this day and age? Even her mom was a little shocked, to say the least; she didn't seem so keen to be made a grandmother a sixth time over. I'm actually surprised that Jeffrey didn't make a comment, upon learning of Laura's state, about her bitchiness stemming from an excess of hormones... but then again, Jeffrey proved that he's not above making moms cry at the drop of a hat.

Not to sound like a broken record, but can I just say again how angry I am about Vincent winning? It just seems to me, on a show that so prides itself on the stringency of its rules and regulations, that the fix, as they say, is in.

Next week on Project Runway: another "shocking" surprise for the designers as they are tasked to design something for a trendy jetsetter (my guess: flight attendant uniforms, heh) while Jeffrey and Angela finally have that showdown that Runway's editors trick us into believing is going to happen each week.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); The Simpsons/Malcolm in the Middle (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office/The Office (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Malcolm in the Middle/The Simpsons (FOX); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

On tonight's repeat episode ("Dad's Car"), Earl tries to give his mom a long overdue Mother's Day present but she instead asks him to do something nice for his long-suffering dad (guest star Beau Bridges).

8:30 pm: The Office.

On a repeat episode ("Michael's Birthday"), Michael takes all of his employees ice skating to celebrate his birthday but the event coincides with the day that Kevin is due to receive news if he has skin cancer. What a downer, Kevin, today's supposed to be about Michael.

9 pm: The Office/The Office!

Wow, NBC, two more episodes of The Office tonight! I might just have to add you back on my Christmas card list. On the first episode ("The Secret"), Jim is forced to pretend to be Michael's best friend after telling him about his crush on Pam. Afterwards, it's the "Drug Testing" episode where Dwight finds a smoked joint in the Dunder-Mifflin parking lot and everyone is under suspicion.

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Continuing tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's episode, a skull is found buried underneath a city road and a grandmother is stabbed on her 81st birthday. Again, shouldn't that day have been about HER? That's all I'm saying...

Allison Wrongfully Trashed on "Project Runway"

What. The. Hell.

I'm often bemused or surprised by who gets eliminated in reality show competitions but I'm not usually as shocked and appalled as I was watching last night's Project Runway.

Apparently, consistency doesn't mean anything in this Runway race nor does consistently quality work. Every designer has a fiasco or two (Kayne, my dear, I am looking at you this week), but to boot Allison over Vincent? Hello, VINCENT? He of the garishly gauche basket-hat? And the one-dimensional nursery school craft project dress this week? Who kept interrupting the judges to insist that his model's walk--sorry, hobble--down the runway was a turn-on? Who quit his job and cashed in his 401K to wind up in the bottom three nearly every week? Um, consistently?

Enough questions. Here's a statement: I am seriously annoyed. I thought that the judges were extraordinarily cruel to Allison this week whose design was far superior to Vincent's white "sheath" sack dress. Did it make her "zaftig" model look large? Yes. But was it so unflattering and so unworthy of being up on the runway that it discounted everything that Allison has done to date? I don't think so. Especially since "talent" was what kept Robert Best in the running last week when his Jackie O. atrocity nearly got him auf wiedersehen'd. Why do the judges' perception of talent save some designers and not others?

It makes my blood boil.

I think that Allison has an extraordinary amount of ability and came thisclose to winning that one challenge against Uli (another favorite of mine, BTW). It makes me angry that she's off the show but the aforementioned Clown Prince of Couture and sketch-phobic Angela are still in the running. I'm just baffled. That said, I was happy that Kayne didn't get the boot this week as I am usually a fan of his designs and he's just freaking hilarious on the show. I loved the scene with him and Robert where they trashed the suddenly more-uptight-than-usual Laura.

Speaking of which, what is the deal with Laura? Her "For Nuts Only" dress was prettily elegant, if a little understated, and she hasn't really bothered me to date, but she seems to have seriously gotten under her fellow contestants' skins. While I am sure that Kayne and Robert rail on everybody, they seemed particularly catty about Laura, whose comments to Kayne about not understanding most of his fashion choices, sweetie, were so off-base and inappropriate as to be funny, especially given the fact that most weeks Kayne ends up towards the top of the pack. Even funnier was Vincent's quip to "stick some Harry Winston's up your nose" to Laura, even if I don't quite follow the non-sequitur. Up her nose? How... very specific. Nor do I follow why Laura was suddenly attacking Vincent when Allison walked out (even if I do agree with her); not the appropriate time or place to confront Vincent about his model's walk. Color me confused.

I was really torn between the final two designs, which couldn't have been more different. Michael's ensemble was gorgeous and instantly wearable and he made good use out of the recycled materials, transforming each of them into something approaching organza and taffeta. Michael's recycled bustier, wrap, and skirt looked simply stunning on model Nazri, his good luck charm. Jeffrey used newspaper and magazine paper to created a jaw-dropping painted effect dress that actually moved on the runway and seemed to achieve the closest approximation to fabric than any of the other designers (most designs looked stiff on the runway) and created a trompe l'oeil belt which wowed Michael Kors and Co. but left me a little cold (I'd rather have seen him create an actual belt out of some scraps). Still, it was a tough decision to choose between these two very different designs... and I couldn't believe I was actually rooting for Jeffrey a little bit. But in the end, the top spot went to Michael for the second week in a row and rightfully so. (Plus, seeing Jeffrey's attitude afterwards made me happy that he didn't win. Again.) So bravo, Michael Knight.

But even up against Vincent's terrible sack dress, it was poor Allison who got the sack, so to speak. I'm really going to miss her as she added a little youthful femininity to her designs and did not deserve to go home so early in the competition. Especially when there are others who should have gotten Heidi's double-kiss-off a long time ago already.

Next week on Project Runway: another "shocking" challenge for the designers while Angela reaches her breaking point with the tantrum-prone and tattooed Jeffrey. Quelle surprise.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); The Simpsons/Malcolm in the Middle (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); America's Got Talent (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Malcolm in the Middle/Fox Fall Preview (FOX); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

On tonight's repeat episode ("O Karma, Where Art Thou?"), Earl helps a newlywed couple go on their honeymoon by filling in for the groom at his fast food job, where he has to contend with his boss, Big Bully Numero Uno, played by guest star Jon Favreau.

8:30 pm: The Office.

It's "Viewer's Choice" time, meaning get onto NBC.com and vote for your favorite episode. Will it be the one where Michael burns his foot on a George Foreman grill ("The Injury"), Michael's trip to New York City ("Valentine's Day"), or the climactic Jim-and-Pam kiss ("Casino Night")? Everybody wins!

9: 30 pm: Fox Fall Preview on FOX.

Tune in to this sneak peek of new and returning Fox series and try to guess which of your new favorite programs will be cancelled after only a few episodes!

10 pm: Murder City on BBC America.

Premiering tonight on BBC America: a 2004 Brit mystery series starring Amanda Donahoe (L.A. Law) and Kris Marshall (My Family) as pair of terribly mismatched police partners. In tonight's premiere episode, when an 18-year-old girl goes missing from her bedroom, Luke (Marshall) uses complex mathematic equations to trap a murderer while Susan (Donahoe) is forced to trust a clairvoyant.

Michael Finally Gets Some Love on "Project Runway"

Every now and then on a reality TV show, there's a contestant who is so fantastic, so amazing, that you can't help but root for them, even if the judges seem to be looking the other way. One of those is Project Runway's Michael, whose designs are consistently beautiful but never seems to get any acknowledgement from Heidi, Nina, and the other judges.

Until last night, that is, when the 28-year-old, German-born designer presented a fabulously modernized look for icon Pam Grier, complete with magenta hot pants. (I kid you not, they were outrageously beautiful. Even Diane von Furstenberg thought so and she "wore a lot of hot pants" back in the day.) I've had my eye on Michael Knight as a dark horse competitor since Day One, when his model sashayed down the runway in a provocative dress made entirely out of coffee filters. It was a sight to be seen and even these jaded eyes couldn't help but take notice of Michael's skill.

But still, while he was consistently placed among the majority of the "in" candidates, none of Michael's designs ever got selected to be in the top 3, which always baffled me. Don't get me wrong. I love Kayne and Allison and Uli as well, but Michael has a certain je ne sais quoi. His designs are always tasteful, always beautiful, and completely wearable (well, for some women, anyway). And he has consistently remained true to himself "as a person and as a designer," refusing to get dragged into the petty catfights between Jeffrey, Laura, and Angela (whose "Audrey Hepburn" was okay, if a little predictable), focusing instead on the competition on the catwalk.

Then there's Bradley. Or as I like to call him, Major Tom, the spaciest space cadet on reality television who seems one bobbin away from a pot-induced high at all times. Is he insane? Baked? Or just really, really fried from too much pot? Bradley is always frazzled, always moving at a glacial pace, and his designs are usually really, really sloppy. (I'm still stunned by his near-victory two weeks ago when he slapped some fabrics together and threw his model down the runway. Talk about luck.) Last night, he presented a look for "Cher" that was, um, disastrous from start to finish. A silver lame-like top seemed as spacey as Bradley, with a completely misguided fringed white pant that was sloppy and unfinished. (And what was up with the crotch?) It had zero to do with Cher and nothing to do with style. It was an embarrassment and far worse than poor Malan's tree stump dress that got him booted in Week Two.

As for the other bottom 2? Vincent is not long destined for this competition and I am constantly amazed at how he keeps squeaking past elimination. His "Twiggy" dress was a monstrosity and even returning judge Michael Kors (there he is!) couldn't help but be horrified by the messy pockets on the dowdy dress. Plus, you don't refer to a still-very-much-alive-and-on-America's Next Top Model, um, model in the past tense. Not cool. I've been really disappointed in Robert these last few weeks. He showed such promise at first but now he's consistently ranked at the bottom of the pack. What happened to that beautiful robin's egg blue fabric he purchased? Why on earth would he take Vincent's linen for an outfit inspired by Jackie O? Such questions remain mysteries as no one called him out on these shocking sartorial choices.

While I'm still pondering those imponderables, I am really overjoyed that Heidi, Michael, Nina, and Diane von F. bestowed notice on Michael. As long as he keeps his act together and stays focused on the prize, he could win this. But if Kayne stays out of Pageantville, USA, he could give him a run for this money. And don't discount Allison or Uli either. Both of them have had some amazing near-victorious and/or victorious designs these past few weeks.

The field is still wide open and I am loving every second of it.

"Project Runway" airs Wednesday nights at 10 pm on Bravo.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); The Simpsons/Malcolm in the Middle (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); America's Got Talent (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Malcolm in the Middle/The Simpsons (FOX); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

On tonight's repeat episode ("The Professor"), Earl accidentally destroys a bus stop sign but gets distracted by a beautiful college professor (guest star Christine Taylor) and karma takes revenge on poor Earl. It's one of my favorite episodes and it's got Christine Taylor and bees. What more could you ask for?

8:30 pm: The Office.

On a repeat of The Office ("Dwight's Speech"), Dwight turns to Michael for advice when he is asked to give a speech at a big sales convention. Asking Michael for advice on public speaking? Isn't that a bit like asking Project Runway's Keith for lessons on ethics?

9 pm: Iron Chef America on Food Network.

If you missed this repeat episode of Iron Chef America, featuring Bobby Flay being challenged by last year's Hell's Kitchen runner-up Ralph, here's your opportunity to catch it. You know you want to.

Pattern Recognition: "Project Runway" Evicts One Designer

And then there were ten...

My instincts told me that the Project Runway evictee would be menswear designer Keith, a man as renowned for his innate abilities (that halter dress from episode 1 was stunning) as much as his constant "bending" of the rules (to wit: getting the Mood fabric store employees to give him a discount on materials). And while I'm glad that the reason he was booted by the series' producers had nothing to do with that scandal involving his design portfolio, I was surprised that Keith would actually keep fashion "how to" books laying around the flat, along with those damning pattern books. Especially if even being in possession of those verboten items is enough to get you dismissed from the show.

Guru Tim Gunn is right; a show like Project Runway lives and dies by its reputation. Without its integrity, Runway would be another vapid reality show and the show can't be seen allowing one designer to have a major advantage over the other contestants. Even if Keith claims that he never used the pattern books, the mere fact that he brought them into the competition shows that he had a real disinterest in adhering to the rules of the series. And what was with Keith's disappearance to use the internet, another Runway no-no, all about? While Tim said that the incident happened off-camera (though really, it's a reality show; when are cameras ever not rolling?), I am very curious to know what he used the internet for exactly. Something tells me that Keith wasn't checking his email...

I'm still flabbergasted by the fact that Angela actually won a challenge, but I'm going to assume that it was because she had the uber-talented Michael (a real dark horse at this point) and Laura on her team. And because she didn't put those damned twee rosettes of hers all over the outfit. (In Angela's case, less is always more.) The outfit itself, designed for INC, was actually really stylish, a wearably sleek ensemble that could be sold as separates or worn together. But I was actually rooting for Allison and tattoo-clad Jeffrey to win the challenge, especially as they were dealt a severe blow by losing their team leader on this challenge and had to work twice as hard to finish his design. (Not that Keith seemed to do much work when he was there, as shots kept showing him laying on the table "supervising" Allison and Jeffrey.)

There was no doubt in my mind that it would be poor Bonnie who would be auf wiedersehen'd. The girl finally came into her own in this episode (I've forgotten she's existed in the last few episodes altogether), only to get the boot in the end. But her design was so atrocious and lacking in any redeeming qualities that it was an easy decision for the judges to make. Thank god Uli had immunity. I don't want her going anywhere.

Was it was right that Keith was kicked off the show and made a "laughingstock to all [his] friends"? Was Kayne right in being the one to swing the axe? And better still: where the hell is Runway's third permanent judge, Michael Kors? He appeared in the very first episode of the season and his seat has been filled by others since then. (Not that Vera Wang isn't a welcome addition.) To me, Kors' continued truancy is the real mystery of Project Runway... That and whether Bradley is really, really odd, or just really, really stoned all the time.

But that's a discussion for another day.

"Project Runway" airs Wednesday nights at 10 pm ET/PT on Bravo.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); That '70s Show/That '70s Show (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); America's Got Talent (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: My Name is Earl.

On tonight's repeat episode ("Barn Burner"), Earl makes up for burning down a barn as a child by building a pen for the Right Choice Ranch's new ostrich. Heh, ostrich.

8:30 pm: The Office.

On a repeat of The Office ("Valentine's Day"), Michael visits Dunder-Mifflin corporate headquarters in Manhattan and inadvertently blabs about his "relationship" with Jan to everyone there. (As if you thought he wouldn't.) But that elevator kiss between Michael and Jan? Priceless.

10-11 pm: Garth Marenghi's Darkplace on Sci-Fi.

Two back-to-back episodes of this wacky 2004 British import, which purports to show a failed 1980s horror/sitcom set in a hospital. It's Kingdom Hospital meets... Little Britain. In tonight's first episode ("Hell Hath Fury"), the hospital chief is savagely beaten with a ladle and, while everyone's thoughts turn to an escaped mental patient, objects begin to move around of their own accord. (Spooky!) On tonight's second episode ("Skipper the Eye Child"), a long dead something from the past is reborn in the hospital. All this and "interviews" with series creator/star Garth Marenghi and producer/co-star Dean Learner. Hilarious.