Project Runway!

...Or my triumphant return!

So the premiere of Project Runway last night was a bittersweet moment in tv. Sweet because FINALLY the show is on Lifetime and I can watch it (i don't get bravo...) but bitter because now they're filming in L.A.. What is that about? My favorite part of the previous seasons (when i would camp out in my mom's apartment during marathons) was being able to watch them run around downtown and go in and out of Parsons. I can't deny that I felt a certain sense of superiority since I lived down the street from there for 9 months like 10 years ago (Rubin Hall '01!). But I am trying to focus on the fact that now I can watch the show in real time as opposed to a 12 hour stretch at the end of which I can barely remember my own name, let alone what show I'm watching.

Anyway, Project Runway did premiere last night. The designers moved into their fancy apartments, they did their champagne toast, where Heidi Klum pretends to be interested in all of their lives, and then they went on to their first challenge. The first challenge was the "Red Carpet Challenge," where each contestant needed to design a gown that would be worn on the red carpet, any red carpet. So after Tim Gunn (love him!) gave the designers their challenge he told them they had half an hour to sketch before their marathon fabric-buying session. At which point Ari (pronounced Airy, which is so fitting) proclaimed "What if you don't sketch?" Then she proceeded to wander around the work room doing handstands against the wall and "feeling the creative flow." She was bizarre.

And then of course there was the first breakdown of the show. Joey, who has tried out for the last 3 seasons, is finally here going for the win! But why didn't he make the previous three seasons? You might ask..."well, I know why I didn't make seasons 3 and 4. Its because I was a drug addict." So OF COURSE the show's first breakdown goes to the former meth addict without his usual "support system." He Wah-Wah-ed until Tim Gunn came out and basically told him to get over himself and get back to work. And what did Joey do? Made an amazing dress for the Red Carpet Challenge. A dress that Lindsay Lohan was salivating over by the end of the episode.

That's right, Lindsay Lohan made a guest judge appearance. Did you know that she designs clothes now? I can only imagine what her line looks like. I feel like its a lot about thongs and pasties, but who knows, maybe she's trying to turn over a new leaf. She did look like her old Hot self last night.

So in the end, Christopher, the no-design-school designer won the challenge, and Ari was out, after describing her red carpet look as something to be worn "at the 2080 vma's and she would also be accepting the Nobel Peace Prize the same night." Thankfully she's gone now, I'm not sure how much I could have handled.

And thankfully, as the fall season approaches, I've got something to blog about!

See you soon.

The Bachelorette Recap - Jake the Superhero

Hello faithful readers (all 4 of you :-)

So Jake was the superhero last night. Swooping in save Jillian from certain heartbreak from Wes. Jake flew in (literally, in a plane), showed up at Jillian's hotel, and informed this poor, deluded girl that Wes does in fact have a girlfriend. THEN, he shocked me by announcing her name: Laurel. It was easier to believe that the guys were making up this "girlfriend" when we were just using a title, but now, she has a name and I think more of an identity. She feels more real to me and I was hoping she would feel more real to Jillian. However, Jillian is too wrapped up in the fact that Wes is so charming and dreamy and such a "bad liar." What she is failing to realize, or internalize, is that Wes is a musician, a performer. He has to be a good liar in some sense. Sadly, try as Jake did, he and his broad shoulders and hands-on-hips superhero pose, couldn't save Jillian from Wes' idiocy and she decided to keep him and get rid of Jesse instead.

I kind of saw the Jesse thing coming. I was thinking that at the end of the hometown dates the ones that would be left would be: Michael, Kiptyn, Wes, and Reid (though Reid is obviously next to go). Unfortunately, Ed threw a wrench into the mix by showing up and clawing past the other guys for a second chance at Jillian's heart. I have to admit that I was a little touched by Ed's gesture and I do think he has a shot of being in the final. However, I think that him showing up was the worst for Michael, and I was really starting to enjoy Michael. He was the most genuine of the guys and the one who really I was rooting for the most. You could tell how much he loved Jillian and how pure his intentions were. In the back of my mind I was thinking that the age thing might get in the way, but after watching them with his family I really thought that he would make it through to the next round. That's why I think the return of Ed affected him the most. I'm pretty sure Ed took Michael's spot.

Here's my prediction for the order the guys will leave in from now on. I actually have two options. One: Reid then Kiptyn, leaving Wes and Ed in the final. Or: Wes then Reid, leaving Ed and Kiptyn in the final.

This one's a nail biter, folks!

I'm starting to think I should have called this blog "Come On Jillian dot com." Summer tv is really not worth the energy it takes to sit upright and finish a review!

But I will bring myself to review NYC Prep tonight as I mourn the hiatus of Gossip Girl!

thanks for reading!

-lara

Bachelorette Recap - Why Jake Went Home...

First of all, keeping a blog about tv during the summer is pretty challenging since nothing is new except for the stuff that no one watches. If you see something I might like, pass it along!

So Monday night on the Bachelorette was a big night for Jillian and the boys. They spent the whole episode on a fancy train. I think that they did this just so that they could have a shot of one of the guys left by the side of the train tracks as the train pulled away (poor Robby). I don't know about you, but I learned two things about Jillian this week: she doesn't like younger guys, and she doesn't like guys who tell her exactly how they feel to the point of desperation. Jake poured his heart out to Jillian, who promptly sent him packing as she did when Mike did the same thing a few weeks ago. I am sad that Jake was sent home, though even I can admit that the chemistry between them that was there on their first date has definitely dwindled. I think that he is actually "too perfect" for her. She needs someone a little bit scruffier, which is why I think that Kiptyn is definitely the front runner right now. And if its not Kiptyn it would be Wes, though I can't bring myself to acknowledge the possibility that Wes could be the one that Jillian chooses.

Wes showed his true colors to the camera on Monday night by talking about how he's "already made it through 6 episodes" and he can "taste the fame." I'm really hoping that after this show is done Wes is forced to march himself back into obscurity where he belongs. He is such an asshole, but at the same time he is playing his cards perfectly. He's not giving Jillian too much which is just making her want him even more. I mean, even Chris is like "Jillian, do you think Wes is here for the wrong reasons?" read: Jillian, he's here for the wrong reasons. But no, Jillian thinks he doesn't know how to lie and definitely cares for her. She needs to get it together quick, because by the looks of the boots in the final episode, this nasty cowboy has the possibility of riding off into the sunset with Jillian in tow.

Scenes for next week look especially dramatic (which probably means that they're going to be especially anti-climactic). Jake reappears to tell Jillian that Wes is the one with the girlfriend. Why Jake doesn't say that Wes is just doing the show for his carreer is beyond me. I think that would be equally offensive to Jillian, but no, they are fixating on this possible girlfriend who may or may not exist. Its so obviously a ploy from the producers and it makes me want to scream at the tv a little bit.

I think Michael is the next to go since he is so young and its obvious that she doesn't want that in the long term. After that, we'll just have to see.

Check back tomorrow for my review of the new season of The Real World (i'm telling you, its slim pickings!)

-lara

My new BFF

LAUREN CONRAD!!

I was totally one of about 600 people at the Barnes and Noble in TriBeca this evening to get my copy of L.A. Candy signed by Ms. Conrad herself. I got to tell her that I was a big fan and then babble unintelligibly (is that a word?) for about 10 seconds before Sam reminded me to move along and "have a good night." (thanks, Sam).

Anyway, here's one of the best pictures I got of her before she signed my new favorite book.

Check back tomorrow for my recap of the recap of The Duel II (also known as the reunion, or time when everyone gets to have fights on the air that they would never have off the air).

night!

-lara

The Bachelorette Recap - Come on, Jillian!

It took me a second to remember today who Jillian sent home last night. It was Mark, the most nondescript of the bunch. This of course makes my prediction about Tanner last night incorrect (its alright, i'm cool with being wrong), but I really felt like she would get rid of him after his blatant lie from last week. Also, I thought maybe at the end that Jillian was finally getting sick of Wes. Its really interesting because when I see her interact with Wes it does seem different than the other guys. It looks like she is way more into him than he is into her and he's giving her just enough bait to keep her chasing him, but in the end, he really just wants to be famous. Hopefully Jillian will catch on to this sooner rather than later. Of course, if she does end up with Wes we'll be reading about their break up in Us Weekly after like a week leaving her at square one. So, Come On, Jillian!

Ed also caused drama last night by heading out early. He said it was because he needed to get back to work and that his boss was putting pressure on him. I guess I can believe/understand work responsibility, but at the same time, Ed looked more calm and comfortable saying good bye to Jillian than he did at any other point on the show. This just makes me wonder if he was really just looking for a way out and used work as an excuse. By that same token, Jillian was all emotional about him leaving, but I think that maybe that was more about the pressure of the situation getting to her than that she felt like she could marry Ed. I definitely think that Kiptyn or Jake or even Michael are more her speed. Ed seemed much more detached and distant. Hopefully she won't be torn up about him for too long.

The dates were run-of-the mill Bachelorette dates involving jumping off of mountains and flying in planes. Michael definitely won her (me?) over last night with his hopeless-romantic-puppy-dog thing. Its obvious that he has a serious crush on her and could definitely worship the ground she walks on. He would also be really fun for her to be with. I think he would allow her to be more her "crazy" self, while Kiptyn or Jake would bring out the more serious side of her and allow her to be more grounded. The show is really just going to come down to what she values more in herself. I think it is only a matter of time before its down to those three, or at least Kiptyn, Jake and someone else. But I think that Tanner is too worried about the other guys, Robby is too young, and the rest are too boring. We'll just have to see.

Next week (and in the future...), Wes starts to show his true colors and someone can't "perform" (read: get it up) on an overnight date. This show keeps getting better!

Next up: The Duel II Reunion show. Maybe CT will try and kill Adam again. Or Jen and Rachel will make out. Either way, see you then!

-lara

p.s. if you're reading, let me know what you think. post a comment, become a follower, let me know you're out there :-)

Recap in the Morning

I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the show. I suggest you do the same :-)

recap tomorrow.

-lara

The Bachelorette 6/15

I'm calling it:

tonight Tanner is out, like he should have been last week.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Chris Hansen has to stop. he is way to excited about her pain and tears.

i think that Jillian is just in a really emotional place overall, which is the only reason that she is this upset about Ed.

The Bachelorette 6/15

This whole saying good bye to ed thing is totally a sign of whats to come when she actually has to lose just that she cares about. thats going to get messy.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Ed tells Jillian he has become attached to her. Is she a puppy?

I think that Ed is using the job as an excuse to leave. I don't think he's into her in the end. I think that he would use any excuse to get out. I mean, Jillian is all upset and he just looks tired.

am i in a negative mood tonight?

The Bachelorette 6/15

Jillian hits the hot tub...again.

Jillian, have you not learned your lesson about these shows and hot tubs...

here we go.

Jesse's body language is way off. he's hardly looking at her and she's like all over him and he's just leaning against the wall. Maybe he's cold. Maybe he's not that into her. I'm not really buying it Jesse. Try harder, stupid.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Quote of the Night:

Jillian on her voice: it sounds like i've been drinking whiskey since i was born.

awesome.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Jesse's hesitation about whether it is too soon to be in a relationship is not so good. Also the fact that he needed to be "selfish." When someone tells you that, you run, run far. I also am not sure if you can not need to be selfish in the span of 6 months. I would definitely not give him the rose. I don't think he's ready Jillian...

The Bachelorette 6/15

I'm curious about why Jillian and Jesse did not make out more on the glacier. I would think that would be an effective way to keep warm.

That is not a date I would want to go on...too cold.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Jillian's love of the snow is kind of adorable. I wonder if she has forgotten Jesse is even really there...

The Bachelorette 6/15

They have graduated from helicopters to ski planes? This girl needs to keep her feet on the ground, it will make her life so much easier.

The Bachelorette 6/15 - Is it Ed?

Ed is not having girlfriend problems. he's having work problems. hmmm.

Jillian should just send him home now. We know its not going to be home.

and i love how Jillian is shocked whenever anyone tells her she looks nice.

The Bachelorette 6/15

i hope that Jillian is questioning if the guys are just telling her what they think she wants to hear, because all of their answers are eerily similar.

OMG for a second, I thought that Reid was selling everyone out! But then I realized he was messing around. I wonder if Jillian's heart stopped for a second too.

The Bachelorette 6/15

Ok, Jillian wants Kiptyn so bad that i think its actually unfair to the other guys.

The Bachelorette 6/15 - Wes!

Tanner totally bribed Jillian! He just wanted a rose and told her something that would force her to give him a rose. That is beyond messed up!

Tanner thinks Jillian needs to watch out for Wes, which is totally right. At least she is confronting him about being in the show for the music. I really don't believe him when he says that he's here for the "right reasons." he just doesn't seem genuine...I don't understand why she is so attracted to him. I guess its the bad guy thing...

OH, there we go! HE JUST ADMITTED THAT HE'S THERE FOR PUBLICITY. WHAT AN ASS!