Damn Producers!

While I am a huge fan of Bravo's reality tv shows, the network is definitely one of the guiltiest when it comes to the producers making decisions based on casting rather than talent. It's a shame, because they commit this sin in the first episode on a regular basis, sending home someone who could have been a contender in favor of some freak that will provide good television. The premiere of the new season of Project Runway was no exception.

I can definitely see that the talent on this show is increasing because the new competitors are amazing designers. The show has responded to this increased talent by creating an initial challenge that allowed the designers to showcase their visions. In a departure from the tradition of initially creating designs with unconventional materials (remember the frenzy of ripping the apartments to pieces to create outfits?) the contestants were given thousands of dollars worth of luxury fabric to create a design that expressed who they are as designers.

This season's freak showed herself immediately by kneeling on some of her fabric in an effort to cover it with grass stains. You see, she wanted to incorporate natural elements into her design. Sadly for us, though, we ended up not getting to see the grass stained fabric. Instead, she created a beautiful form-fitting dress with a train comprised of shredded fabric - a long, long train of shredded fabric that tangled around the legs of her model almost to the point that the poor girl tripped on the runway. In all honesty, it is a testament to the talent of that model that the girl stayed upright - I hope Tyra was watching, because her next reality tv appearance should be on ANTM.

Now, a sane person would think that this free spirit would have been booted quickly, but no, the producers wanted to provide us with a freak to watch for a few weeks. Instead, a lovely designer who didn't manage her time well was the collateral damage. One snotty comment from the snooty Michael Kors and the girl was packing her things next to a stoic Tim Gunn. Come on, Bravo - give a girl a chance!