Heidi Klum's Project Runway
Fashion Designers Compete, Drama Wins
Reality TV may be horrible, but that doesn't mean the occasional guilty pleasure doesn't pop up. Project Runway is a very smoothly produced show, though the cynical viewer will wonder how much it's really manipulated--specifically, how the show is edited to maximize drama, never mind the creative challenges or artistic endeavors supposedly at the show's center.
Project Runway Drama
In season 1, an article appeared by Vanessa Riley, a contestant eliminated fairly early on due to her attempt to be noble, that cast the show in a very negative light. Despite her public reaming from fellow castmates during the reunion episode, there was certainly some truth and insight to what she said. What doesn't the audience see? Castmates are frequently interviewed and seem to eagerly offer disparaging remarks about their fellow competitors--as the seasons have progressed, this hasn't stopped. There's often a token drama queen (often male, gay or straight) and the thing everyone dreads in life: assignments of teamwork, which seems to make the mix that much more volatile.
True Personalities and the Magic of Editing
Surely with 12-15 people in a competition, there is always bound to be drama, hurt feelings and backstabbing. What's interesting to watch, however, is how the show appears to decide to show certain people. It's very crafty in its cutting, and while it may make for compelling viewing, it also must be devastating to watch as a contestant after the fact. Often, the way a certain person may come off is completely reversed in the final episodes, which take place well after the previous shows are shot. (Season 1 was so adoring of Kara Saun until it cast her in a somewhat nasty light during the final competition, whereas in Season 2, the seemingly-arrogant Santino became lovable and endearing.)
A Reality Show That is Great on DVD
Watching on a weekly basis might be tedious--this is a great series to blow through on DVD, it maximizes the drama. It might also be one of the only acceptable "reality TV" type shows: the talent on the show gets noticeably better with each season and the creativity of the challenge itself is always engaging to watch. This is very clever television--it starts with a creative idea (even if one couldn't care less about fashion, it's still fun to watch people create a finished outfit in 1-2 days) and then kicks it up ten notches with the most stress possible--time and material constraints and interpersonal drama.
The Staple Cast of Project Runway
Heidi Klum is host, judge and executive producer of the show. The other two regular judges, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are both charming and honest--they are notoriously tough on the contestants but not outlandishly harsh. A third judge always sits in, ranging from a Hollywood celebrity to a fashion world icon to former contestants. Last but not least, there's the show's favorite, Tim Gunn, the mentor for all the contestants. Gunn is famous for his "Make it work!" and "Carry on!" catchphrases, and he is adored by audiences and castmembers alike.
Where Is Season 6?
The unaired season 6 was filmed in Los Angeles rather than New York for the first time. A lawsuit between Weinstein Co and NBC Universal regarding contracts kept the show from being aired, though as of April 1, 2009, the lawsuit has been settled and it has been agreed the show will air on Lifetime rather than Bravo. Since Season 6 had not started airing, the three finalists still showed their collections at Bryant Park in February 2009, but they were not allowed to appear onstage and their identities remained anonymous to maintain the surprises in the show.
One can only hope an air date will be released soon...so far, "summer" 2009 is the only rumor.
Heidi Klum, Project Runway
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