You may have sensed that muted excitement in the streets this morning – everyone on their way to work, in their unseasonably light clothing, with a bit of a spring in their step. They know that the sooner they make it through this day, the sooner they can head back to their homes, kick back and completely absorb the premiere of the fourth season of Project Runway. Television shows age quicker than dogs though, and I can’t help but think that this is the season when we start to think that it might be time to take the old girl out back and put her out of her misery.
Now I’m not rooting against Project Runway. In fact, I came on board long after most. Skinny Andy Warhol-ish guy completely frightened me off from watching the first season, and it took a well-edited Santino clip reel that showed up mid-second season to prompt me to give the show another chance. I’ve really only had one good year of watching it – a lot less than most. So while Project Runway should still feel fresh, all of Bravo’s copies (most of them sloppily executed) are kind of souring me to the original.
Bravo has developed a bad habit of putting all of their eggs in one basket. They think, oh, people love this basket! So they make the basket last an extra month and interrupt its development with poorly placed, self-congratulatory reunion specials and delay resolution for so long that viewers are running on sheer frustration and not actual suspense. There’s also the matter of casting. Where it used to be the biggest draw of these shows, the last few groups of Bravo competitors have been much flatter than we’re used to. (I had to fight to like most of the folks from the last season of Top Chef. Hung as a villain? Please!)
It’s not like I’m not going to watch every episode this season. I’ve already picked my favorites based on their headshots (Simone & Kevin), and competition aside, I’d tune in just for Heidi Klum’s pretty smile and Tim Gunn’s fatherly comfort. I just kind of wonder how much of this season will be must-see TV and how much will just feel obligatory.
I see they’ve filled the usual “man in vest with tattoos” spot. Thank God.
Ha! He’s one of my favorites! My other favorite was kicked off immediately.