The past few years, there is exactly one show that I consistently try to actually watch when it is on TV. That show is Project Runway.
I don’t necessarily mean I always watch it on my TV screen (I mean, if they are going to feature the episodes online, who is going to bother with cable?) I mean, rather, that I get so excited for new seasons that I keep up with the show while the eliminations are actually happening.
So imagine my surprise when I found out that a new season started last week! I think this calls for celebration. Why is Project Runway so fabulous? Well, for starters the hosts/judges/mentors are an all-star lineup. I can’t possible decide whether I like Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, or Nina Garcia best. I would have to say M.K. wins for his side commentary during Judging. Heidi wins for her outfits and German accent. Tim wins for… well, I think T.G. just wins at life.
I mainly watch the show because I find it fascinating to see what they will create each week. I am a sucker for shows where things are created in front of our very eyes- Top Chef, How its Made, cooking shows, even LA Ink.
But tonight’s post isn’t about the clothes. It’s about the contestants. So in honor of Project Runway season 9 (which I haven’t started yet, so no spoilers please!) here are a few of my favorite people from past seasons! Let’s start at the beginning:
Fashion: Turn to the Left!
season 1: Best overall contestant: Austin Scarlett (just as enchanting on his show with Santino last year) Most frightening contestant: The loathsome enigma that is Wendy Pepper Best reason not to trust a model: Morgan and her personality disorder
season 2: Best contestant: Santino Rice, if for no other reason than his T.G. impression (but a lot of other reasons too) Hottest twosome who probably aren’t interested in me, ahem: Daniel and Nick Most likeable: Chloe
season 3: Best foreigner: Uli and her “colors from Miami” Best execution of adult braces, ever: Michael Knight Strangest neck: Jeffrey and his tattoos
season 4: Best personality- tie: Chris March and his clothes made of hair vs. itty bitty Christian Siriano Contestant I liked a lot but can’t figure out why: Jillian
season 5: Most annoying but the only contestant I remembered: Kenley
season 6: Contestant who wins by default because I didn’t really watch the season: The guy from Minnesota, for state pride.
season 7: Jolliest contestant: Anthony Contestant I most wanted to either stop whining or get hit by a bike: Janeane
season 8: Utterly confusing yet oddly likeable: Casanova Worst contestant in history: Ivy Worst contestant who also has the worst lips: Gretchen Best portfolio of clothes, on the runway and his own: Mondo
Across all seasons: Best names: Casanova, Sweet Pea, Mondo, Peach, Ping
So there it is! Do you guys watch Project Runway? Do you like to watch shows where contestants make things and then get eliminated one by one? If nothing else, tell me you love Tim Gunn!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Meri
Ok, so I don’t normally watch it, but I love it when I catch it. What network is it on?! I might watch this season!
It is on lifetime now, but you can watch it on their website for free (usually a few episodes at a time)
Thursdays at 9/8 central
I love project runway! I haven’t watched the last couple of seasons, but once I start I get hooked every time!
I sort of feel like the characters make it- a few seasons sort of had lame contestants and i didn’t stick with them to watch more.
I’m not a Project Runway viewer (as I found out last week, my aunt is though). However, I agree: Tim Gunn rocks. I have no idea why I feel this way; I just do. I guess he just seems like an all-around cool and kick-ass guy 🙂
He seems very kind even though he is super funny and witty. And he has great catchphrases too 🙂
Ah, yes. He knows how to “make it work” (sorry, had to put that in there :P)
i’ve never watched project runway before but i love heidi klum. she has such presence. her beauty and character = so simple and clean, i love it!
She always seems so cheery and clean and happy. Plus I like her cheesy little jokes
Make it work! 🙂
I don’t usually watch that show, but I liked the season with Christian Siriano!
haha- you should look for the clip of Santino doing his Tim Gunn impression- its pretty spot on!
I so need to catch up on some of the newer seasons. I think after Kenley, I was just put out. What a bia!
good grief if she got defensive and almost started to cry one more time… I didn’t even watch much of that season because it was annoying. I hope this new one is good!
I think that show is a good show- I like Masterchef too. I’m a massive Chef Ramsey fan. I am so into fashion though but a lot of times the weird stuff they come up with is too much. They try too hard and it comes out sloppy or ugly. I know it’s couture but like, really? Anyway, I love the panel also.
Thanks for hopping over to my site I’m glad you like it.
Thanks for visiting! Sometimes I’m happy when the designers make weird things because then the judges comments are so funny, especially michael kors.
I have never watched that, but I do love Top Chef! 🙂
Shows like this type of formula are so addicting, I think! I used to watch Top Chef religiously, but got kind of put off by the last few seasons for some reason.
I love Project Runway, but Season 3’s the only show I’ve watched in its entirety. That makes me kind of sad.
I got some of the past seasons from the library, and occasionally watch them when they feature them on hulu
I’ve never watched Project Runway! I love America’s Next Top Model, though.
Oh me too- you better believe I’ll be posting about ANTM at some point during “TV month” here 🙂
Oh how I miss the Bravo days of PR. If there was a show of nothing but Santino impresonating Mr. Gunn I would watch it every day. I loved his show with Austin Scarlett, they were quite the duo.
Have you seen any of Michael Knight’s and Chris March’s appearances on the Real Housewives (Atlanta and NYC, respectively)? Its good to know they’re still thriving in the reality TV world!
I really liked that show too! I hope they have it on again! I thought they actually made a really charming and sweet duo- I liked their interaction more than anything they actually made haha
Oh, and I haven’t seen either Michael or Chris on Real Housewives- I haven’t seen those shows before. Were they on as designers or something?
I loved Michael Knight from Season 3! I was sad that he didn’t win. His clothes were fabulous!
They were- and although I didn’t love Jeffrey from that season, his clothes were pretty awesome.
I don’t make it a point to watch Project Runway, but I’ve definitely gotten into it during the all day marathons!
It really sucks you in 🙂 So do ANTM marathons or similar
I’ve never seen that show, but when I get to watch TV, I do love to watch where contestants make things and are then eliminated one by one. My favorite was this cake show. There were four or five different teams who made birthday cakes for these kids and one team won the prize for the best decorated/tasting cake (chosen by the kids). So much fun to watch! Although it made me crave a piece of cake 😉
<3 <3
I can’t believe some of the cakes they make! How do they even stay together with all of the fancy decorations??
I watch the show sometimes when there’s nothing else really on, the reason being my bf hates the show lol, I just like to watch the last 20 min to see their designs and what judges say about it!
Yeah, the end is the best. Sometimes I don’t even watch the judging and making of clothes, but I always pay attention to the runway!
I don’t watch Project Runaway, but one of my favorite sayings is make it work a la Yim Gunn,
He has a lot of good catchphrases and one liners 🙂
Or Tim, that works too. 😀
Yim, Tim… anything you call him he’s still awesome! I wish he were MY mentor!
Hmm…I’ve never seen Project Runway, but now I think I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Meri!
I didn’t ever really think I would be into it, and then one time I caught a marathon and got sucked in!