Project Runway: Comments on Part One of Season Finale

Wasn't happy that Rami won. And I think this was emphasized by the fact that I don't know that Rami should really be a part of this competition. Rami is clearly already established and a name and has celebrity clientele, which is really, to me, not what the show is for, I think of the show as launching an unknown. Chloe (Season 2 winner) had a store in Houston, but I think that's quite a bit different than having an LA studio with your name out front where you design (and have had your clothes on the red carpet).

Now, if I here one more word about Chris being a costume designer, I'm going to strangle someone. This also reminds me of something I dislike seeing on a competition like Project Runway. Best way I can describe this is to use America's Next Top Model as an example. On there, in the first few seasons when I watched, they have had a couple of plus size models in the running, but when it comes down to it, they always hold it against them that they are plus size models. Either you are willing to take a chance, which they did by choosing them for the final group, or they aren't, but once they are on there, I don't want to continue to hear about it in such a negative way. It never gives them a chance.

Also, I'm not sure why everyone is so freaked by the use of human hair. Hair extensions are not something uncommon anymore, and the judges in their blogs seemed to think they wouldn't have been as turned off it had been synthetic hair. If you know hair, really know hair, you can tell the difference between synthetic hair and human hair, and the synthetic does not lay as nicely. I wasn't creeped out by it, and think the use of it was overblown (and used as an excuse to justify not choosing Chris).

I've seen it said on the Bravo boards and its worth repaeting. I think they did this last show and the showdown between Chris and Rami, so they'd have a reason to pick Rami over Chris. Roberto Cavalli picked Chris, which means Chris should have been in. Remember in Season 1 when Nancy O'Dell chose Wendy's dress and she was therefore in? Well, same thing based on what they've done this season (guest judge, whether wearing the design themselves or not, gets final say), should have happened. If Chris was going to be who they put through to the final 3, then they could have done that in the last episode. Rami still would have gotten to do his collection and show, just not on the show, but they wanted him there bad enough to do all this. If you read the blogs on Bravo (Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn), its like they knew this ep was a little contrived and made excuses for not picking Chris, more so than overwhelming reasons for choosing Rami. Not happy about this.

I liked both collections but found Chris' more innovative. Also, thought it ironic that the judges raved over Rami's draped dress when that was him showing the same thing over again. That dress was gorgeous, but I expected it to be. That heavy jacket didn't work and that black dress didn't work with those side circles.

Still love Rami and wish him the best, but thought Chris should have been in the final 3 based on those 3 piece collections.

Eli Stone: Good, But It's No Ally McBeal

Maybe I'm the only one who isn't in love with the show. I really like Jonny as Eli, but with each episode, I become less attached to the show. First, I watched Ally McBeal from the first episode, so I don't like how similar it is, and the biggest problem with the similarity is that there's no comparison for which one is better.

The other thing that bugs the heck out of me is that there is a very, very unrealistic timetable and portrayal of court and court cases (autism groups were not happy with that pilot episode). It's turned me off how they show a employment discrimination case settling in 2 days. Give me a break! Now, I get that this show isn't completely set in what we think of as reality, but since everything but his visions are supposed to be believable, I have a hard time with this. They could make more time pass instead to make it fit within the constructs of a one hour drama, but instead they make it seem like a serious court matter settles in the same time it takes to get rid of a traffic violation.

This show may be best for those who did not watch Ally McBeal and are too lazy or cheap to buy or rent the DVDs. Ally McBeal was a phenomenal show. I don't see this rising to that level, and in part that is due to this show not being a brainchild of David Kelley, the writing isn't that quality.

At this point, the biggest problem with Eli Stone is that when regular programming resumes in April, this would in no way get me to bump something else from my schedule. But, I will probably continue to watch, though not necessarily on a regular basis, partly because viewing options are limited right now for someone who watches as little reality programming as possible, but also because I definitely enjoy Jonny Lee Miller. I love Dr. Kim and Eli's relationship. I love Eli's relationship with his assistant (Loretta Devine). And I like Eli and his brother. Also, I'm always happy to see Jack Bristow (Victor Garber from Alias) and Dr. Abbott (Tom Amandes from Everwood) gainfully employed.