Every season on Project Runway, we all eagerly await the group challenge, that reliable supplier of above-average drama. Designers clash, egos are bruised, and someone gets thrown under the Greyhound. But even after the past few weeks’ steady unveiling of Gretchen’s wench within, I wasn’t expecting this season’s group challenge to deliver such a knockout punch of mayhem. For the first time, I appreciated the 90-minute format because it allowed for an extended judging session that revealed, in detail, the molten hot evil bubbling inside the string bean–limbed narcissist from Oregon. And Tim’s impassioned smackdown of Gretchen in full view of her colleagues at the end of the show? Brilliance. One of his best moments yet.
That last night’s episode was so juicy is saying a lot indeed, considering how the story arc telegraphed the final outcome: the alpha dogs against the underdogs; Casanova’s meltdown and latest threat to quit; the lack of love for Michael C. Speaking of last week’s champ, which of his sadistic colleagues spiked his cocoa with crack and hoodwinked him into selecting Gretchen for his team? It couldn’t have been April. “Dumbass,” she told the cameras. “Do you want to hire Hitler? Seriously?”
One could argue that the comparison was a tad hyperbolic. Then again, Gretchen played the role of ruthless dictator to a tee last night, assuming the team leader position (even though there wasn’t supposed to be one), hogging the easel, inserting herself into every single decision, and compiling a to-do list with lipstick (huh?) at 4 a.m. I’m not sure that engaging in Elaine Benes dancing (plus stupid singing) in the middle of Mood is a common trait among totalitarian rulers, but studies have shown that it makes EW.com recappers cringe. It also makes their cats flee the room.
Like many of you, I’ve been irked by the show’s strict adherence to one-day challenges. Ever since Runway moved to Lifetime, the designers have been hamstrung by absurd time constraints. This week’s was just laughable: a six-piece collection in a day? You gotta be shizzing me. And even the $1,000 budget wasn’t all that extravagant. Divided by six, it’s $166 apiece. Hey guys, go nuts with that extra 16 bucks!
The two teams of six had to choose both a fall 2010 trend (their choices: minimalist; 50s retro and ladylike shapes; menswear for women; military) and textile (gold; camel; leopard and cheetah prints; plaid; lace). Team Luxe (Hitler Gretchen, Michael C., Ivy, A.J., Andy, Christopher) went for menswear and camel, while Team Bad News Bears (April, Casanova, Mondo, Michael D., Valerie, Peach) opted for military and lace. At first Casanova exuded confidence, announcing that he felt like “a fish in the water.” But then Tim suggested that his lace top looked like it came out of his abuelita’s closet, and the guy flung himself into what Valerie dubbed a “major, major, major diva moment.” Feeling “lost,” he collapsed on the fainting couch, cursed up a storm, and complained that he couldn’t take the harsh critiques anymore. “I’m even getting fat,” he whined (hilariously). It took a bilingual pep talk from Valerie, some morale-boosting from Michael D., and some ego-stroking from his model to finally get the guy out of his funk. His supporters were far more patient than I would have been. My reaction? Come on, man! Strap on some huevos and quit this self-indulgent mierda!
In no time, Casanova was back in the workroom. His nipples poked perkily through his v-neck green sweater (which was kind of out of step with his Aladdin shoes and turban) and his sense of humor peeked through his self-pity: “Maybe I’m too old-fashioned for this show. I just can work with sluts and old ladies.” Like that, Team Bad News Bears was back on track.
Team Luxe, however, was lurching forward on a dangerous, combustive fuel found only in the wilds of the fashion world and known to scientists as back-stabbicus by vicious bitchicus. They made the boneheaded choice of each designer having a hand in all the looks, which ended up replacing any sense of individual style with a lukewarm bowl of camel-colored mush. Tim warned them that their collection was looking “ho-hum.” Yet it mattered not to them. As long as Gretchen was around to nag, dictate, and make self-congratulatory proclamations like “I feel like I’m in every [garment], even if I’m not the one sewing,” no one seemed to realize how spectacularly they had failed. These numskulls should have known better than to put their weight behind a combo as lethally staid as menswear and camel. (How groundbreaking!) At the very least, they should have sensed something was amiss when they had to draft their models to finish the hems. Is that even within the rules?
Though I wasn’t wild about all of the pieces in Team Bad News Bears’ collection, they could have sent one of their models down the runway wearing nothing but one of Valerie’s headbands and they still would have triumphed over Team (Not At All) Luxe. Michael D.’s elegant-edgy black lace dress made up for Mondo’s sad, mustard-colored leggings, while Casanova, of all people, was responsible for the chicest ensemble of the bunch. “I don’t know what happened to my taste,” he’d sighed earlier. Well, hermano found it. Heidi — who can only say Casanova’s name in an exaggerated come-hither voice — led Michael, Nina and serial Runway guest judge Georgina Chapman in praising the guy’s work. I agreed with them. (Their applause for Peach, on the other hand, I didn’t quite get. That blue skirt — huh? But good for her for not totally tanking for once.) Casanova’s win really was one of the most surprising turn-arounds on this show. His teammates rooted for him and I might have to do the same from now on…as long as he keeps da hos and grannies in check.
No sooner had Heidi named Team BNB the winners than Gretchen busted out a scowl that could make Tracy Flick feel inept. Backstage, Her Wretchedness complained that her team, not the BNBs, had shown the most cohesiveness. Now, I knew Gretchen, along with her assistant witch-in-training, Ivy, were deluded, but this was a seriously staggering display of cluelessness. The only cohesion that Team Luxe’s looks shared was a thundering echo of craptacular dowdiness. Only Christopher’s palazzo pants (with Michael C’s tailored top) failed to assault the eyes. From A.J.’s pathetic white shirtdress over burnt orange riding pants (blech!), to Ivy’s gray shorts and unfortunate Golden Girls vest (sorry, Bea), the collection was a massive milquetoast misfire that triggered Michael’s Metamucil face numerous times — and passed it on to Nina.
Gretchen, naturally, dominated the conversation with the judges, blabbing on about her team’s all-hands-on-all-decks approach and how there was no weak link. (Ha.) Melodramatic tears from multiple pairs of eyes flowed plentifully, and the Luxe-ers all behaved as if they were auditioning for a Lifetime movie of the week. “It’s like having a baby and someone saying it’s ugly!” sobbed Ivy. An equally histrionic Gretchen proclaimed, “We stand united!” Spare me. Who does she think she is? MLK leading the march on Washington?
If at first Gretchen seemed drunk on her own Kool-Aid, the unrelenting grilling from the judges sobered her up. In a matter of seconds, she went from passionately defending her team’s collection to calling it “crappy.” “It’s amazing how your tune has changed since we started this conversation,” Heidi noted. When Gretchen back-pedaled herself into an even deeper hole, saying she couldn’t pick a weak link because “everybody sucked,” I nearly yelped. (That also causes the cats to flee.) They all stubbornly refused to name anyone but pariah Michael C. as the faulty designer — despite Heidi’s repeated reminders that he had immunity. And though Ivy chimed in here and there (on the shortcomings of Michael C.: “I don’t know if it’s laziness or just ignorance.”), it was Gretchen whose deviousness was on full display. And none of her teammates spoke up to stop her steamrolling of the situation! She arrogantly instructed the judges to choose designers they want to see more from. She got belligerent. She behaved like a beast. Is it any wonder Heidi kept referencing S&M (whips, handcuffs) when discussing her?
It was no surprise that Christopher was safe, though I was shocked that Ivy ranked higher than Andy. How on earth did that happen? As for the bottom two, we all knew the sacrificial lamb had to be A.J. (Kinda fitting, since he wore his giant, pin cushion-y red heart not on his sleeve, exactly, but on his macho leather vest.) Yet I still relished watching the insufferable Gretchen squirm in the hot seat, then get that tongue-lashing from Tim backstage. “I have a few words for Team Luxe,” he said ominously. “I fundamentally do not understand your behavior and demeanor and affect on the runway. I don’t get it. I don’t know why you allowed Gretchen to manipulate, control, and bully you. I don’t understand it.” Oh, it was perfection. You tell ’em, Tim!
What do you think about last night’s shenanigans? Is Gretchen going down? Will Ivy’s “ah-ha moment” about her colleague’s black soul spread out to the others? Was Michael C. unfairly targeted? Did you laugh when Michael Kors claimed they don’t base their judging decisions on contestants’ past performance—right after Heidi mentioned how well Michael C. had done last week? Did you laugh as loud as my husband at Valerie’s vomit/diarrhea analogy? And speaking of the sassy sister, who can decode the mystery to her Laverne De Fazio-ish monogram fetish? Sound off! Your comments have been cracking me up lately!
Wow. Finally Gretchen was knocked down a notch. I can’t stand someone who sits high and looks low. Amazing how quick everyone on her team was to drink the purple Kool-Aid. Lol Gretchen sounded like a politician defended that sorry collection. So glad Tim called her out!!!! Great restraint shown by Michael C.
Yeah, they all promised not to name names, and look how long that lasted! Gretchen is just an awful, awful person. Her desperation was agonizing to watch. I could just imagine her sitting home last night watching that episode, and seeing how she behaved and how the judges saw right through her, and of course Tim Gunn’s perfect slapdown. And Ivy is just her Mini-Me. Her look was dreadful and she should’ve been gone. It was delighful to see their faces fall when the other team won. And I also lost a little respect for Christopher and Andy for “drink(ing) the purple Kool-Aid”
What I found interesting was, since Tim made those comments, Gretchen will have a harder time post-Runway to claim her villainy was due to editing.
I never really watched the debut season – is Gretchen the second coming of Wendy Pepper?
Gretchen makes Wendy Pepper look like frigging Tinkerbell. I SO want her to get a regular smackdown until they finally boot her ass off.
There was a designer named Gretchen,
Who thought her creations were fetchin’
But what made her famous
Was acting so heinous
She had the entire country retchin’
to Nia, I too was impressed by Michael C’s restraint during the judges. Gretchen said: “I would never throw anyone under the bus. I don’t have it in my soul”. I think what she MEANT to say was that she has no soul.
to chi: I for one am sick of you constantly hijacking other people’s blogs to promote your own. I wouldn’t visit that site if I was single and it was the last source of men in the world.
Amen RaRa. Sick of chi and others of their ilk too.
One of my favorite PR episodes ever. Team Military and Lace all the way!
I wish they would have sent Wretched home
.
I agree with you Pinky Shears, I was so disappointed that the judges didn’t send either Gretchen home or Ivy.They are both just awful in their egoed out ideas of themselves. I hope Tim also knows how unfairly everyone reacted to Michael C’s winning the week before. He deserved to win. I hope Gretchen or Ivy is gone SOON-Can’t stand either one of them.
Loved Casanova’s line about not knowing what happened to his taste – I literally laughed out loud.
And here that he won & his team was so supportive after his meltdown. The other team was/is clearly deluded.
Or Poison Ivy. Holly crap on a cracker that was only ugly outfit. s, let’s take a size 2 model and put her in a size 22 blouse so her boobs look like they’re sagging to her waist. Then add forget over-sized PLEATED shorts — because you can’t revist the 80′s enough. And top it with ill fitting leggings and a vest that looks like it was made from car wash chamios
Great show but as usual, the editing pretty much gives away what’s going to happen. I wish they could keep it more even balanced throughout so there is more guessing on our part at the end of the show.
I agree. One of he best episodes ever!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this team challenge – different drama than the usual and a tongue-lashing from Tim. We thought Michael C. was clever in picking Gretchen and the other self-proclaimed best as he had immunity and could watch them all take each other down. Still, Ivy made it past AJ???
Great, now Gretchen is the new scapegoat for the show. She’s not the only one who put on Mike C’s name- almost everyone else did, and most of her team spoke badly of him to the cameras. And, hello, Ivy (who had he aha moment) was not forced by gretchen to do that god awful get up she did. While Gretchen should take responsibility, she didn’t force the rest of her team to make the decisions they did. and they were happy with everything until they lost. She’s a great villian- i’m not arguing that point- but it’s not just her fault her team lost.
Thank goodness someone else here realizes that. When Tim belittled Gretchen I was amused for the show and said internally “Go Tim” But i still felt bad for Gretchen. She didn’t force her team to listen and when she pulled out her list they all said “perfect” and she asked like 3 times “is everyone ok with this” she had a weaker team and they didn’t even try to amp up their talents. I totally agree Gretch needed a knock of her horse but some of her teammates need to grow some balls and act like they’re talented enough to be there without following her like she is fabulous. iT DOES make for an interesting show tho..
Particularly scary to me is how much people loved watching Gretchen get punished and proclaim this to be their favorite episode. Agreed that Gretchen is a villian, but she’s not the first. Why are people SO happy that she got slapped?
Gretchen didn’t get punished and she didn’t get slapped. She wasn’t even sent home. Boo hoo that she was told a few things. Gretchen is a “know-it-all” and it is entertaining when she gets a reality check. Don’t exaagerate.
Get real, Ashley… Gretchen has clearly split the contestants between those who are on to her antics and those who, thanks to her early wins, think they’ll ride her coattails. Tim – as usual – is spot-on. She’s a narcissistic know-it-all who glories in having everyone follow her every word.
AJ may have been auf’d but at least he refused to throw Michael C under the bus. That showed more class than Gretchen could ever muster…
Gretchen…is that you?
And she isn’t a scapegoat for the show because she threw her team meat under the bus. She is just a witch
People are defendikng Gretchen. Are you kidding me. She clearly orchestrated the entire collection, tried to take credit for mastermidning it, until it was deemed garbage, then threw her entire team (especially poor Michael C.) under the bus. Sure others on her team (particularly Ivy) made very poor decisions and choices, but Gretchen simply experience some karma. And still her “smack down” was nothing compared to the wicked, hateful condescension she dishes out to others on the show. Did many of us experience schadenfreude? Hell yeah.
Gretchen? Is that you?
Lets not forget at the start of the episode how NO ONE in the house was happy Michael C won. They ALL thought his piece was the worst and expressed that he was lacking skills. Now I’m sorry, but the way they all turned sympathetic towards him at the end was FAKE.
I don’t think Gretchen is a bully because of all the bossing around she did during the task…it was her behavior after the runway. She was rude to the judges and just plain didn’t know when to shut up. I think she is extremely talented, but wish they would have sent her home. She completely deserved Tim’s comments. Perfect end to the episode.
I have to agree Ashley. Gretchen was not professional on the runway – her reach far exceeded her grasp – but she was a team player. She wanted to be a leader, and no one called her on it. She let people use their own designs, and the first thing she said when asked who should go home was, “we’re a team.” or something like that. It took some serious prodding to get her to point of Michael C.’s shortcomings. I too felt a little bad for her at the end, like it’s her fault everyone agreed with her. I know she’s not really nice, but few of them are, right?
Tim was berating the team, not Gretchen. He obviously felt they should not have let her make all the decisions. She didn’t force her viewpoints on them – they could have said “no”, but were either intimidated by her or insecure. I think that’s what got Tim riled up.
It’s not just Gretchen’s behavior during the challenge and during the judging. go back to any prior episode and you will see how she sits in judgement of all the other designers – making her proclamation about who is good and who isn’t. She sits in judgement and acts as if she is the chosen one. I initially liked her, but since ep 2 I have been waiting for her to get taken down a few pegs.
to Jam: Gretchen’s “We’re a team” speech was to prevent the others on her team from mentioning her name as the one responsible for the disasterous line and the person who should go home. Everything about her is concerend with Gretchen. She is mean-sprited, and arrogant without reason. She made a couple of nice outfits, but she is nowhere near as talented as contestants from seasons past. She’s not all that great. People like her are dangerous to be around. They can suck you up into their self-promoting schemes and will turn on anyone who has something they do not or who stand in their way.
Don’t comment if you didn’t watch the show. Gretchen DID dictate the ‘winter short’. Not to defend Ivy, but they were completely G’s idea, as were those hideous 2-tone riding pants, and virtually every piece of that dowdy collection. .
As for Michael C., Gretchen did go the extra mile and announce to A. J. that she was going to kill him (Michael C. ) at Mood, where she shrieked at him like a Harpy the entire time they were there.
Gretchen may not have forced her team to go along with her scheme, but she managed to manipulate them into giving her ownership of the entire collection, and then managed to manipulate them again into not outing her for their loss.
Just because the rest of Team Luxe were so sheepish does not excuse her deplorable behavior.
I watched it twice. It’s excruciating the second time. Gretchen didn’t get half grief she deserved. Despicable. It took virtually NO prodding to get her to start stabbing people in the back. She, who was egging on the creation of the “grampa sweater” turns around and is baffled that things are looking Grandma. I usually cut people slack for producers editing them into looking bad, but she makes the Antichrist look like a saint. And your little dog too, Ivy.
Knocked down a notch? The judges threw her off a cliff and then Tim stabbed her in the heart with his pinking shears. It was GREAT! I knew they would never send her home so the only thing that could have made it better was to say goodbye to “wicked witch in training” Ivy.
LOL!! I couldn’t agree more. One of my favorite PR moments ever!!
True, it was a great “reality TV” moment for someone who has had it coming for a couple episodes now, especially when she’s spent so much time sniffing out other people’s “student work”. But while Gretchen is laughable, Ivy is just downright self-delusional. Her “talent” matches her ego in no way whatsoever.
I actually had to rewind Tim’s brilliant speech to Team Luxe three times. It was awesome to see him bring Gretchen down to the level she is really on – which is just another designer on Project Runway
I think it was awful of Gretchen to throw Micheal C under the bus when they all agreed not to name names. Team Luxe should have sent Gretchen out in front of the judges with her lips sewn together they may have faired better.She has tried to dominate everyone since she came on strong in the first two episodes but all she has managed to do is make herself look like an ass. I love project runway but I was really hoping gretchen or ivy would leave last night.
I was cheering Tim on when he called her out at the end. If they really were judging on a week-by-week basis rather than a cumulative basis, Gretchen would have been the one to go home this week. The entire collection sucked and she didn’t even try to hide the fact that she’d had a hand in virtually every outfit. Of course, none of her outfits – even the two that won challenges – have appealed to me at all….
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As for Michael, his outfit wasn’t even close to the worst one in their collection, and his other work hasn’t been all that bad. I’m not sure why the other designers keep dumping on him. Obviously, they were out of touch with what the judges wanted on the hat challenge, since so many apparently thought Christopher should win when he came incredibly close to losing. It makes sense, then, that the outfit they didn’t like would take the top spot.
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Anyway, I’m ready for Gretchen and Ivy to be off my screen now. Please? Thank you!
How awesome was it when Georgiana Chapman gave him props.
Ads for pedophilia on here and no one notices? Geez, delete the above post ASAP people!!
Sorry RaRa, not you. I’m referring to chi.
I assumed as much. Thanks for chiming in as well! Can’t believe the website doesn’t cull these nuts.
Sorry, this was directed at Libby Fri 08/27/10 6:45 PM. Sometimes “Reply” doesn’t work as intended.
Come on people, project runway has truned in to such drama. Only reason Tim Gun came out and jumped on Gretchen was to start drama on the show. Project Runway producers are manipulative. At the point of not wanting to watch the show because of that crap drama the producers are trying to stir when the show should be about fashion design. Not hurtful crap
I disagree, Lauren. Tim seemed genuinely disgusted with Gretchen’s behavior, and even more frustrated with her team members for not shutting her down on the runway. I’ve never seen Tim so upset and I think his comments were totally appropriate. Andy and Chris should be ashamed of themselves. AJ at least stood up for himself and for Michael C….who, in my opinion, didn’t show restraint. That was the reaction of a doormat, not a classy guy. Tim felt compelled to say what every member of Team Luxe failed to say to Gretchen. Go, Tim!
I agree. I think Tim made that speech BECAUSE he saw his show slipping toward reality drama madness. The disgusting thing about that episode is that everyone on team luxe fell in line with Gretchen’s “vision” and no one else’s point of view was represented. A cardinal PR sin!
As much as I don’t like Gretchen, I think she’s actually talented. She is a rotten person (hey, that’s what we see on TV) and it was awful the way they all treated Michael C. I was Surprised at Christopher and Andy’s behavior.
We knew Gretchen would be like this. Seeing her defending herself on the runway was just so uncomfortable to watch. The one I can’t stand at all is Ivy. They should’ve given her the boot.
Gretchen did talk way too much, but I don’t think she forced everyone to say that Michael C. was the weak link, because he was the weak link. So if they’re not editing to make Gretchen look bad, are they editing to make MC look pitiful? I think people are just enjoying Gretchen’s grandiose behavior, which is nowhere near as evil as other “villains” have been.
You’re right, Gretchen is not nearly as naughty as Satan.
Here is what I want to happen to Gretchen: I want her to win every challenge UNTIL they get to the point where everyone will at least show a decoy collection. Then cut her — don’t let her even show a decoy collection. Make it hurt.
Yep, she was talking too much. I was waitig for someone to tell her to STFU. BTW, I think the show is scripted. There’s no way that Casanova, who was threatened to quit b/c he counldn’t take the criticism from Tim & turned around and won (his design was terrific) & the show kept showing the talks too much woman over and over, as if she was going to win, yet, she was not (and I was happy). I like the older contestant best. She seems sweet.
That’s called clever editing. The producers knew Casanova won the challenge beforehand, so they built a rise from the ashes story around it, through editing, not scripts. Guaranteed, the designers have similar breakdowns ALL THE TIME, but we’re not privy to it for time or other factors. Artists are temperamental folk, and when you factor in the time crunch, and the pressure to be the best, naturally that will lead to some serious couch time à la Casanova more frequently than we know.
Ivey runs a close second to Gretchen in the “contestant I can’t stand” contest – and she has since day one. I missed the first 1/2 hour, but when I saw the team dynamics, I thought it was perfect. Team Luxe was all the “We’re Fabulous Just Ask Us Cause We’re On TV” crowd and Team M&L was the group that would just make the clothes and get on with life.
Loved, loved, loved Tim having his Kat Deeley moment in the the green room at the end. It was nice to see someone on the panel stand up for the other contestants… I just wished he would’ve saved a bit for Michael C’s sake too – regardless of his immunity, it was still pretty douchey for all of them to throw him under the bus like that.
Good call on the “Cat Deeley moment!” Totally agree.
I don’t get the “Cat Deeley” reference. Can someone clue me in?
@SarahLou: This season on SYTYCD, the judges (esp. Mia Michaels) were being very harsh and downright rude to Adechike in his Bollywood routine. Claiming he incorporated his own style into it and due to this, it wasn’t fun to watch. Cat Deely called them on their BS saying that wasn’t it just recently they PRAISED Jose for incorporating his style into a routine and it was a joy to watch.
SarahLou
Cat Deeley, the host of “So You Think You Can Dance”, has a reputation for standing up for contestants when the judges are being unfair or when there are other shenanigans.
In this case, Tim Gunn stood up for what he perceived as an injustice that wasn’t being addressed.
Actually, Cat was reminding the judges to be both fair with their judging, and to explain their criticisms better. Mia wasn’t particularly harsh when a contestant didn’t bother to learn the style that they were assigned (especially when they were full capable of it). AdeChike was given Bollywood, not Afro-jazz – and either way, it wasn’t done well. Tim Gunn was addressing *contestants* for inexplicably (and self-destructively) bowing to the alpha-felmae of the group. Totally different. Finally, Michael C is completely incompetent and should have been pointed out. What I find ridiculous is that the PR judges can’t even be bothered to do their jobs, and have to press the contestants to do their work for them. Stupid, and it constantly degrades my view of them as professionals.
@Tarc – When judges on any reality show ask contestants to “pick who should go home,” I’ve never seen that as the judges asking the contestants to do their jobs for them. Rather, I think the producers have the judges ask the question as a way of provoking conflict and manipulating contestants into providing “water-cooler” moments. It’s all part of the ratings game.
I hear ya, but, for me, Ivy is the undisputed winner in the “Contestand I Can’t Stand” contest.
Yes, Gretchen is horrible and I pumped my fist along with everyone else when Tim smacked her down…however, the rest of her minions also deserve scorn for listening to/bowing down to her!
Ivy, on the other hand, is a sycophant and she’s NASTY. Other than the “laziness or ignorance” comment, I HATED when she insinuated that Michael C. might coast on the challenge because he had immunity.
I used the work “sycophant” last night, too. Gretchen and Ivy felt very high shcool/Mean Girls to me. I was praying for Ivy to get the boot. Her outfit was awful, and I think that look was all hers (not assembled from pieces created by the team). Golden Girls vest!
Talk about REALLY throwing someone under the bus – Ivy’s snarkiness had to be the worst! Gretchen is arrogant, but Ivy is downright beyotchy.
And sorry, but Ivy is the WORST designer on the show – every week her matronly garments are a bore and a half. Her and her Golden Girls vest should have gotten the boot last night and if I were the judges I’d have gone with a double elimination. Sorry, but Gretchen is by far the most deluded and yes, I’ll say it, retarded designer this series has ever had on.
not to mention, her designs are boring and awful
I agree so much. Ivy is such a piggy little squealer, I am so incredibly excited for the day she goes down in flames which I am praying is next week.
I agree. At least Gretchen can back her s$%# talking up. Ivy claims to be this great designer and she hasn’t done anything so far. Gretchen may be mean but her team let her tell them what to do and none of them had the balls to stick up to her. Don’t get me wrong I totally dislike Gretchen but its in her nature to take charge and tell people what to do. Everyone else should have understood that and knocked her down a peg. But thats why I love Tim, cause he did it for them!
last night’s show reminded me of a pack of dogs.When one dog is injured the rest will turn on him. That is what happened to Team Luxe , they all turned on Micheal C instead of the one person who took charge of everything,Gretchen. They should have sent her butt home.
Ivy’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
SO TRUE, Amy. God that woman’s voice makes me cringe.
You knew that Gretchen wasn’t going to go because it isn’t really a designing contest, its a tv show. Of course they can’t send the head witch home, it makes for great tv!
I am surprised that they didn’t send the sycophant Ivy home though. She’s a pale sister at best and the witch doesn’t really need a syncophant. Maybe they kept Ivy because of the drama that will happen when Gretchen turns on her the way a witch will inevitably turn on her anyone around her. Stay tuned…
I thought Ivy’s outfit was Golden Girls meets Robin Hood. Vomit.
Have you ever seen the Looney Tunes cartoon with Spike the bulldog and the terrier that follows him around doing his bidding? That’s what I’m reminded of with Gretchen and Ivy. Ivy follows her around like a puppy dog – they’re both annoying and I’m surprised their heads fit through the doorway with those big egos of theirs.
AHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Perfect! Absolutely perfect! “Hey Spike! Did ya see!? I did it for ya Spike! I did! I did!”
That’s a perfect analogy. Let’s hope Gretchen and then Ivy go very soon.
Absolutely! Ivy is tightly tied to Gretchen’s apron strings. Reminds me of Sir Simon Milligan and Hecubus from The Kids in the Hall. Evil!
Perfect!
Heh, I was thinking Jafar and Iago, but that works too.
Great analogy! I’ve been referring to them as “Grrr-retchin’ ” and “Ms. Fluids” (as in I.V., after her passing-out-in-the-hallway episode).
Really, the judges picked the lace and military team. I am seriously doubting their tastes. As a matter of fact, I’d never touch, buy, or wear Michael Kors’s products. It was that bad!!
Gretchen, PLEASE just let it go.
Good one, Nia! John C – Didn’t Seth Aaron win last year’s season with Military-inspired looks? And it seems like we also saw that in a previous year, but I can’t recall who it was. Some of Michael Kors’ stuff is not my taste, but I have seen some garments that I really liked.
Missy, ur random spanish words when talking about Casanova… please never stop bc it kills me every single time. Im so glad Casanova is still around bc as a fellow puertorican… he cracks me up like no other. Hes such a diva and usually i hate people like that and Im sure I would if i had to work with him or anything but I just find him so amusing. Perfect reality show material.
As for the judging… I couldnt have asked for more. The drama that the losers team brought on the runway… I was like a leech last night, absorbing every moment and relishing it and when it was all over… all I could do is step back and give a satisfactory sigh because I was so full that I started to get the itis. It was amazing, amazing, amazing.
so agree with you. usually fast forward thru much of show but had to watch every minute. and tim! omg, as they say.
Paco, you win for my favorite comment on this board.
That Tim Gunn take down of Gretchen at the end was spectacular. It’s like he pulled the veil over everyone’s eyes. Her interview where she complained she wasn’t manipulative and just wanted to help (voice cracking) was so irritating.
Totally agree about her voice cracking. I almost started laughing.
I felt like b*tch slapping her. You just threw Micheal C. under the bus and then backed up and rolled forward several times and YOU feel hurt?
Al, I prefer the “reverse class ring” slap but I’m totally with you.
Christmas came early for me when Tim called out her Wretchedness in front of everyone. GO TIM GUNN! I rewound that scene three times & watched with a huge smile on my face. Ivy, her lap dog, & the rest of the team who threw Michael C. under the bus & didn’t speak up when Gretchen changed her tune and said everyone sucked should be ashamed of themselves too. Seriously-who does Gretchen think she is? She’s in the same boat as everyone on the show – a contestant. Gretchen is giving Kenley a run for most hated & self-important PR contestant ever.
YAY TIM GUNN!!!! FINALLy we get someone called out. SOOOOO satisfying. Gretchen GO HOME!!!
Tim Gunn made my life better last night! But I have to say the Kenley and Wendy Pepper will always be the worst people to ever hit the PR set. Gretchen is almost there. I would put Ivy in there, but she’s just an evil sidekick that will be forgotten soon.
“Gretchen is giving Kenley a run for most hated & self-important PR contestant ever.” I believe Gretchen has won this title by a landslide.
I can’t wait for the Kenley & Gretchen show, or should that be Gretchen & Kenley
It’ll be on next year right after “Austin and Santino” LOL
At least Kenley was Kenley all the time. Gretchen reminds me more of Wendy, who pretended to be everyone’s wacky older aunt and then shocked everyone by throwing Austin under the bus and proceeded to Machiavelli her way to the finale. Gretchen’s “helpful” advice is about as innocuous as a pit viper.
What I loved was her “it’s not my fault AJ chose to make a shirtdress! He could’ve chosen to make *any* kind of shirtdress!”
LOL I loved that too! Ridiculous.
What she really said was even worse. “A.J. said he wanted to make a shirtdress. It didn’t have to be a boring shirtdress. He could have made . . .”
SO MUCH B.S.! Even with her last remark she shoved a teammate under the bus. What happened to “I feel like I’m kinda in every [garment], even if I’m not the one sewing”? And “Guys, I want this collection!” So many times during Team Luxe’s grilling by the judges, Wretched did NOT have to keep opening her pie hole. She couldn’t NOT TALK. Absolutely astounding and pathetic. Kudos to AJ for sticking to his word and not trashing his teammates in front of the judges.
The problem with people like that is they do think they’re really “Just helping”. We have a Gretchen at work, who thinks she’s just making the group better, and that we all would be so much better off if we just followed her rules.
Also known as “narcissism”.
I couldn’t believe Gretchen’s monologue after Tim gave her team a-talking-to, “it really hurt.” Hurt, Gretchen? Like how Michael C. felt after you pounded on him (again and again)?
I was happy to see her get smacked down too. Gretchen has deserved this for a while. It’s and her teams absolute smugness that makes me sick. Ivy is a cruel and mean girl but Fretchen is cruel, mean, smug and wraps it all up in being “helpful”.
Well, if you’re ego is that inflated, having someone take a giant nail to you might cause you to crack. And I don’t understand why so many of us seem to think that the sole person responsible for every mean comment this entire season has been orchestrated by Gretchen – no one like Michael C.’s outfit last episode. And this episode he was genuinely confused about his tailoring, and the team was rightly peeved.
He had immunity. Let him have one sucky outfit. If the rest of the collection had been worth anything, they would have been fine. Heidi as much as said it was idiotic to abandon their own work to help Michael C, and she’s not exactly a rocket scientist.
LOVED the recap. I especially enjoyed Gretchen being taken down several notches. Go Tim! You really showed her who’s boss. And they were all douches for throwing poor Michael C under the bus like that. They deserved to be taken down many pegs. I’m glad the underdogs won this challenge.
Agreed! Great recap and great episode! Loved seeing Gretchen get hers!!!
I was appreciative when Heidi pointed out to Gretchen (and the others) when they were criticizing Michael C’s abilities that he won the challenge last week and obviously showed a lot of talent and skill. Maybe he doesn’t know how to create Gretchen-inspired looks, but that doesn’t mean he can’t sew.
Yet he really didn’t deserve to win – it was a shock to practically every designer backstage. The judges were downright getting on my nerves. When they saw no one was going to budge and give names, they kept pushing for drama. And when Heidi mentioned that Michael C had won, I had to laugh, because none of the designers agreed with that decision.
Usually, in reality shows, the producers encourage smack-downs for viewer interest and drama, but last night, you could tell that Tim’s words were completely his own, and very heart-felt–that’s why I like him so much–he’s always real. Unfortunately,it seemed to go right over Gretchen’s head–she didn’t get it.I thought that Michaels outfit and Christophers pants were the best of their sorry group–and I can’t stand Ivy.
What’s with the editing this year? I can who’s going to be in the bottom 3 as soon as the first braggart breaks out their “I’m so fabulous” speech. And any one who claims, on air,to want to quit never does.
And while it’s hard to sew with tire marks up and down your back, Michael C. does need to learn how to sew. Why is this not a requirement fot this show? Why aren’t these designers coming in with this skill set?
Tim was the high point of the show. Maybe it was even a wake up call for Gretchan (“I only wanted to help”). —Nah. Go Tim!
They are designers, not dress makers. Some people sketch, some sew, some drape.
You must be new to reality shows. That editing convention where the people talk about how super excellent they are and then are in the bottom or how worried they are and then win is pretty prevalent on all of them.
It’s not that MichaelC or AJ can’t sew. It’s that they don’t sew *in Gretchen’s Style.*
Actually, they quite literally don’t actually have the technical skills to be on PR, and shouldn’t have been selected.
I agree with Tarc on this one. Even I know (and I can barely sew a hem!) that a cowl neck needs to be cut a certain way, otherwise it’s just a neck tube.
I disagree with michael C winning last week and I agree with the harsh assessment of his skills. Though not the scape-goat way it was delivered.
To be on PR you should have the basic sketching/sewing skills – you don’t have a seamstress team to help out! Oh wait, yes you do – models!
Tarc, are you getting tired of starting every single comment with “Actually?”
ooooh!! Marcus, you can be on a reality show! That was a good shot of drama.
But I agree about people that start off every sentence with “actually” or pepper their sentences with “like” or constantly use “quotes” for like, “everything”. Actually, it “irritates” me a great DEAL!!!
That’s not true, someone quit last season.
But she didn’t claim to want to quit on-air. She did it quietly, and it was a surprise. Barb said, “any one who claims, on air, to want to quit never does,” and she’s right.
Right, but the point was she kept it to herself until she quit. She didn’t talk to the other designers about it.
Not only that, but the one who quite – Maya – clearly had the chops. She later said in interviews that she personally felt she was not ready. Up until that point, she’d been regularly in the middle of the pack, if not higher.
For someone who frequently escapes the Bottom 2, Ivy sure has alot of mouth. It’s amazing. Some call it confidence. I like to think, using Ivy words, of course, that she’s either “…lazy or ignorance”. Then, to consistently be the lap dog of Lt. Gretchen is just sad. Not only her but everybody else on that team not named Michael C. It saddens me that these contestants (clearly, over the age of 25) are acting like complete middle school children. Equipped with the bully (Gretchen) all chiding the “loser” (Michael C.). Unbelievable.
I’m glad that Team Luxe failed woefully. I understand what they were trying to do but everything was just WRONG. The worst item, to me, belonged to Ivy. Not only did she do that horrendous long vest but she styled it incorrectly. I did prefer Lace/Military. Granted, there were a couple of pieces that almost dragged the team down (April). But the better pieces (Cassanova, Peach) saved them. Oh, Cassanova. The queen of quips. “I’m even getting fat!!!” SMH. Oh, Timm Gunn! Bless you for putting the flex move on Gretchen.
Viv, you are so right. Everything they did was styled badly. Here are models with rail thin bodies covered in layers of fabric and vests. When the last outfit came out (that red number) I thought that the model was pregnant. Tim’s take down of Gretchen has to be one of the all-time great moments of reality TV. It’ll be a long time before I delete this episode on the DVR.
I said the same thing! I’ll probably watch it a couple more times before I delete it. GREAT TV!
Okay, what is SMH?
So Much Hate?
Shaking My Head
@RaRa: SMH = Shaking My Head
salt my hashbrowns
Suck my heinie.
ViVi I totally agree with you 100%
Cheetah and Leopard as ON TREND???? WTF? When are they EVER on trend for anything other than garrish fastion statements? And LACE??? The M&L team had some awesome looks but who would wear LACE like that? The most disingenuous moment of the night was Kors stating they don’t take past garments into consideration. LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR. If that were true, Emilio would have gone last year after that hideous pink string and washer slut-kini! Oh Michael you are such a liar.
If I had an awesome body, I would totally wear some of that lace stuff. Unfortunately, I am short and stocky and it would look reeeeally grandma-esque on me…but I thought at least 3 of those outfits were totally hot. To each his own!
Thank you for mentioning that, AcaseofGeo. I snorted at the TV when that particular phrase came out. Because it is so obviously not true.
InStyle magazine had a whole fall spread of Cheetah and Leopard prints that are supposed to be hot this fall. IMO, they’re ugly.
Kick-a$$ recap Missy, but my 80 year old mom’s comments summed it up best last nite: “Why is that plain girl (Gretchen) being so mean to that nice boy (Micahel C)” and “What!?!” after everything Casanova said.
I love your mom!!
JN’s mom FTW!
This comment made my day!!!
I love your mom!
Guessing she does not live in NYC, then.
LOL. Your mom is fantastic.
LOL! That’s awesome!
LOL. My 83 y.o. mom won’t watch this without me so I can translate (and not just Casanova). She’s been hissing every time Wretchen (sic) talks.
Love it! Your Mom should do voice-over commentary for the show, like Science Fiction Theater!
that would be funny, but I believe it’s Mystery Science Theater 3000
Plain girl..ha ha, I love it! Especially after the drag queen look last week.
I had pretty much given up on this season – until last night’s episode. It was high drama all around…and Tim coming in and delivering his withering attack on Gretchen was brilliant!
I didn’t think it was possible for me to love Tim Gunn more, but I do. My mother questioned whether he was even allowed to say that to the contestants (she thought it violated game-show rules or something), but he is there to be an adviser, and boy did he advise!
The models sewing the garments seems like MUCH more of a gray area.
Agreed. I was waiting for a team disqualification when I saw that, although their unfair advantage didn’t help them win.
tim’s comments at the end were right on. gretchen needs to get over herself. micheal c needs to wipe the tire tracks off from the bus. casanova wow what a turn around and peach you go girl.
now team luxe i like their collection but i like neutrals and the 1940′s and 30′s but some the pieces were a little undone. team m&l collection was nice if you looking at a magazine not for the real world. why do all the judges wear black season after season especially micheal kors are they in mourning . how can they judge when they do not like to wear color and i was shocked when nina rebeled and wore some color but now she is back to black. micheal must of put his foot down.
IIRC, someone asked M Kors a few seasons ago why he always wore black and he said, I think, that way he doesn’t have to think too much about what to wear. Right? A clothing designer who doesn’t want to think about what to wear? Go figure.
It is kind of like how some chefs don’t want to cook at home. They get enough of it at work every day.
Eh. While Michael Kors has never been my favorite designer, a lot of couture masterminds stick to black or appear to give little thought to what they wear. Coco Chanel was famous for loving only three colors in her personal closet: black, white, beige (navy blue was a novelty during summer). Karl Lagerfeld, too, has his “look” of black skinny suit, leather driving gloves, etc. Even the late, great Alexander McQueen rarely wore anything besides broken in T-shirts and jeans.
Which brings me to my favorite Nina quote of the evening. To Team Luxe : “The colors are…………….GHASTLY!”
The timing of that cracked me up.
@Tracy: Holy crap, have you never heard of punctuation marks? Capitalizing new sentences and proper names? Even if you comments were interesting it makes one so unwilling to read, because it is really hard on the eyes.
As far as your questioning their suitability to judge a designing contest because they do not wear color????? – what the F?? First of all, Kors is the only one that seems to live in black or grey (which is totally his prerogative, BTW), Nina and Heidi often wear colors, as the mood strikes them. Keep in mind that Nina is preggers, so maybe she feels a little self-conscious and black seems like a best option for now. And second of all – what the F??? Since when one has anything to do with the other? This notion was so ridiculous it made my head spin…
I’m constantly amazed at how poorly dressed many of the contestants are, as well as Michael Kors. [I think Valerie wears cute outfits, but she's the exception].
We have seen MUCH worse in years past. There was one designer (it may have been Stella, but at least it was during Stella’s season) who wore bumble-bee striped leggings every day. Yikes!!
I love Tim Gunn. That is all.
I can only think it was far worse in person that what we saw on TV. It was shocking to see Tim do that. Not that it wasn’t deserved but he’s so classy that Team Luxe must have really pushed his buttons.
Good point. I’m going to have to check out the extended judging videos on the website.
I went to the PR site this morning, and while I haven’t watched the extended judging yet, I have watched Gretchen’s 2 minute take on the episode, and (to no one’s shock) the woman is completely delusional…and also doesn’t understand what “backpedaling” means, apparently.
I like Tim, but he talks like a Kindergarten teacher…LOL.
I loved Tim’s school teacher/angry parent tone to them all. He is so awesome and so RIGHT!
Tim is the best of any of the judges/evaluators on ANY reality show.