All this Fashion Week talk has me singing the Project Runway blues. I know Bravo’s trying to cheer me up by releasing details about its new fashion-contest series, but it’s not really working.
Isaac Mizrahi and Kelly Rowland will be cohosting and judging The Fashion Show, whose title could use a little work. It’s…pretty on the nose, guys. Fern Mallis, "fashion luminary" and senior vice president of IMG Fashion (and occasional guest judge on PR), will be the other judge. To quote Bravo’s release: "The Fashion Show follows professional designers as they strive to make their mark in the dog-eat-dog world of fashion and compete for a chance to have their designs sold for the mass retail market. The designers will face off in challenges and have their fate determined not only by the professional judges, but also by a studio audience. In the end, the winner will have their designs available for sale by a major retail outlet." Ooooh, involving the studio audience. I can only assume this will be either America’s Funniest Home Video–style (vote with a gizmo at your seat) or Showtime at the Apollo–style (vote by applause). Given that Isaac Mizrahi apparently thinks peanut M&Ms are vegan, maybe the judges can use all the help they can get.
Part of me wants to say, "Yay, bring on the clothing contests — the more the merrier!" This sounds totally acceptable, and Bravo is the Play-Doh Fun Factory of creative-type reality shows. But I am profoundly unable to get psyched about this. I just want to scream, "You’re not my mommy fashion competition!" and run away. Give it to me straight, snapcracklePopWatchers: Is The Fashion Show going to make it work? Or are we looking at next season’s glaring Don’t?
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I think half of your lack of excitement IS due to the awfully generic title (it’s like they’re not even trying to be creative) andd the other half has to do with the fact that this show has the particularly strong “Project Runway knockoff” stench, since the show is obviously bracing itself for if it officially loses PR to Lifetime (if it hasn’t happened already).
When “Project Runway” became a hit, it was the first of its kind on TV. The reason it’s hard to get excited for this one is because it’s a ripoff that personifies how uncreative TV has become (exemplified by the stupid title).
Also, honestly EW…you guys have to get on this spamming problem that’s been running rampant the last couple of weeks in the comments.
Spam sucks and whoever lilypie is needs to DIAF.
The title is boring but I can’t get excited about Kelly and Issac being judges either. In fact, I can’t figure out why the heck Kelly is a judge at all. I’m also not to sure about having the audience vote. On the one hand, it makes sense if the goal is to market to the masses. On the other hand, do we trust the masses to vote for the best design instead of the cutest contestant?
It doesn’t matter if it works or not. Bravo will give it several seasons. Point in fact: Top Design, Shear Genius, Make Me a Supermodel — these shows have absolutely zero water cooler factor (no one’s talking about them because no one’s watching them). Add The Fashion Show to the list. And Kelly Rowland??? I don’t think wearing Tina Knowles’ awful stage costumes gives her any fashion cred.
isaac mizrahi rocks anything he touches. i even miss his talk show. but kelly (my bff’s dad has banned me from making good music) rowland? – that’s just sad.
I think that this is going to be a GREAT show. I cannot wait to watch!! I look forward to seeing some design talent that has already been noticed by the public (if I read that right???). These contestants should already be refined!!
I just don’t understand the whole Kelly Rowland thing. I mean, what exactly does she do in fashion? Where did I miss that?
I just don’t understand the whole Kelly Rowland thing. I mean, what exactly does she do in fashion? Where did I miss that?
The show is HORRIBLE. Isaac is not compelling as a judge; Kelly is not either.
BORING copycat, as expected.
Isaac, just go back to being a designer and try to get another talk show up and running… this doesn’t work.
I have to find Tim on wifetime to “make it work!”
Yet another episode with the horrible co-host Kelly Rowland. I want to slap her attitude right out of her. What makes her give the contestants such an attitude as if she is better than she is. THEY know more about fashion than she does! Someone remind me why she is on this show,…
I cannot STAND Kelly Roland! Her attitude is a bore, and um, excuse me, what does she know about fashion? LOVE Issac Mizrahi. Please get a new co-host!
This show is really bad, Kelly has never done anything in the fashion industry! What gives her the right to talk fashion and have that fake attitude. The show could never replace Project runway, the designers can’t even sew. Project Runway has given us a education in fashion 101, but the Fashion show is definitely Middle School!
I love this show as much as project runway. the only part I don’t get and don’t like is Kelly Rowland. I am sure she is a very nice person, but not a fit for this particular show. Need someone more affliated with the industry. TFS is great.
Kelly Rowland is SOOOO incapable of saying anything worth hearing…
must find a replacement!!