Before we are accused of abandoning our old standby for some new trophy show, let me say, that’s not true. We’ll still be watching. We’ll just be watching in private. When a living thing is on its last legs, it’s time to honor it in an intimate setting and not makes it a public spectacle. The public spectacle can wait for when its lying in state.

See you in a few weeks… or maybe not.

But… isn’t a brand what these contestants ultimately want? Aren’t they here to build their own brand? Yes, but shouldn’t a brand come after creative evolution? Shouldn’t the brand be the icing on the creative cake? While I griped last season that there was not enough “personality”, I get the feeling that this season there may be nothing but personality. I’m probably wrong and hope I am. I know there is talent there. Stella, for all of her hard rock look and talk of “leatha”, does seem like she has creative substance behind the packaging. Blayne, however, with his “girlalicious” and other pre-written tag lines, feels contrived to me. I feel like he’s selling me Blayne and not what Blayne can bring to the design world.

For as much as I love snark and love the clashing of crazy personalities, I realize what I really want to see this season is pure, unbridled creativity, creativity with total disregard for the “fame outcome”, and that includes the challenges the producers bring to the table and even the snippets that come out of Tim Gunn’s mouth. I don’t want more PR soundbites merely for the sake of bites. I want a creative meal. I want honest expression. I hope this season of PR does not rest on its laurels and I hope the contestants are truly more concerned with being true to their inner muse than they are with their outer package.

That being said, snark will no doubt continue this evening as we live-blog yet another potential creative explosion. Sandra Bernhard is tonight’s guest judge… did I say snark?? Join Claire and me, below in the comments. Live-blogging starts at 8C/9E.

But enough about Fashion Week, for tonight has nothing to do with it. No, tonight is the beloved Reunion Show! Yes, everyone is invited back to vent their spleen and if the promos are correct, some venting has indeed been done and I’m not talking about the back of Tiki’s jacket! Victorya looks as though she came loaded for bear. It’s not all about hate and regret though as the fan favorite is also declared and will given a sizable check. I think my money’s on Sweet P with Chris a close second. Either way, we’ll no doubt be dishing tonight.

Join us down below (10E/9C) for one of the few remaining episodes of Project Runway’s Season 4! The reunion episode is never one to be missed… besides, we’ll get one more chance to see Ricky cry.

Bravo and the cable guide are not saying much about this week’s episode other than mentioning something about “surprise models” and “fantasy outfits”. I was kind of hoping since they knew this episode would be running the day after Giga-Tuesday, that they had caught election fever and would have to design new ensembles for politicians in the running, but network teasers point in the direction of lady wrestlers. Yes… lady wrestlers.

It could be interesting. I’d pay good money to see if Rami can drape spandex and make it look sophisticated. I predict that Christian will throw a fit. Ricky will cry. Jillian will continue to be whacked on tranqs and Chris will design a wrestling costume fit for a drag queen.

All in all, my money’s on Sweet P for this challenge. Her earthy mellowness will connect with the softer side of the lady wrestlers while the biker chick portion of her soul will no doubt bring something fit for a brawl.

See you down below!

While this season promised more experienced designers and therefore tougher challenges, I am suddenly remembering that experience is not always what makes this show great; it’s the mixture of personalities. It’s the creative clashes, the humor, the hissy fits. We’ve had few. Last week came the closest when our favorite “love to hate” designer, better known as Christian, was teamed with his nightmare client, a teen girl with more ego and demands than his own. This young girl had prom dress visions of lace, ruffles, and more lace. Her dress started taking off in the direction of a parade float only to turn into something that looked more like a root beer float. I almost felt sorry for Christian, that is until he threw his client under the very float he designed. He was supposed to be the professional. He should have led her, difficult though she may be, but at least we had some tension!! At least there was some drama! Up until now, our drama has consisted of real life tragedy: Jack’s having to leave or Elisa’s story of how she clung to and then started a new life. And let’s not forget Ricky’s non-stop tears. I’m tempted to suggest that Ricky only work in moire silk, a fabric known for its watered appearance.

On tonight’s episode, designers must create outfits based on various hairstyles. It should be interesting… could be challenging. Last week’s teaser hinted at life emanating from the contestants. I might even go so far as to say they were showing spunk! We still have 8 designers left. There’s still time for this season to snap out of its stupor. Be there when it happens!

Live-blogging of Bravo’s Project Runway continues tonight down in the comments.
9/10pm

So, lick your holiday wounds and join us tonight as we resume Project Runway live blogging! It may be a new year, but it’s the same drill… Project Runway on Bravo at 10Eastern/9Central. We’ll be chatting and dissecting down in the comments.

Missing is some of the old charm. Missing are some of the goofy creations that arose from people not being fully polished in their craft. I was bemoaning this fact to a fellow blogger last week, wondering if Project Runway had become a victim of its own success. He felt that no, this change, this upping of the ante, was a good thing, now they could truly embark on some difficult challenges where only a seasoned professional would know how to handle it. Last week’s challenge was particularly hard and did indeed take a skilled, experienced person to tackle it, or in Victorya’s case, someone willing to throw a teammate under the bus. It was fun to watch. There are still plenty of personality clashes… another reason Project Runway is so fun to watch. As I’ve said before, you can’t put that many creative egos in one room and not watch someone go, BOOM!

Tonight’s episode promises plenty of tears, plenty of ego, and plenty of drama as one contestant’s unexpected departure is announced. Join us here tonight in the comments as the live-blogging of Bravo’s Project Runway (10E/9C) continues!

Join Claire and me as we track the exciting momentum and find the much sought after answers to the questions that have been plaguing us all… Will Ricky EVER NOT CRY? Will Ricky ever go hatless? Will Elisa realize not everyone wants their polymorphic clothes imbued with her spittle?

The answers to these questions and more will be revealed here tonight at 10 Eastern/9 Central time.

Yes, the live blogging continues! Claire and I will both be down in the comments so please follow the action there!

9:01 Alright, a designer who can make an outfit out of salad ingredients! Snag? Did you hear that?

9:04 We already seem to have a lot of pros in this season… not too many Wendy Peppers who are designing out of their basements.

9:05 Accidental Fashion Designer?!?! She’ll be fun.

9:06 Mean P?? I want to see Mean P come out.

9:07 Claire- Sweet P is indeed the oldest. I’m not sure how old Mean P is. And yes, let’s hear it for the Chicago boy!

Oh! Ricky’s intense. Ricky’s already fragile.

9:10 It’s getting brutal already! They have to use the tents to make the apparel. Ah… the tents are loaded with supreme textiles. Get ready for the grab-fest!

9:12 I bet Mean P is the one hitting the tents while Sweet P watches.

9:13 Mmmm. Grass stains as a fabric dye. Could work, could be scary. I hope none of them use blood.

It’s a commercial… where’s Blue Girl?

9:17 We’re back! Make it work!

9:18 Simone should be interesting. She’s really into historical, handcrafted items. Of course Elisa will be interesting as well. She’s obviously dancing to her own drummer.

9:20 Jack… former swimmer. Yes, you can tell. Nice lats.

9:22 Christian is the youngest of the group. He’s 21. I wonder if this will be too much. This is a pretty experienced group.

9:24 Oh my! Elisa has an Austin Scarlet wedding dress going on there.

9:25 They’re all so well-behaved yet. Just wait… just give a few shows… they’ll all be in the fear box!

9:28 I hope Elisa sticks around. She’ll be fun.

9:30 Knock the judges socks off! In other words, DON’T BORE NINA!!!

9:35 Elisa “intuitively” felt she should chop off parts of the dress… I think you could see that more than sense that, but then again, I’ve never measured someone by laying hands on them.

9:37 Lots of commercials… there seem to be more commercials now that this is a commercial success.

9:40 Will Elisa’s model trip?!?!

9:42 Jillian’s dress was shaped the same as her hair. I wonder if she’ll continue this theme.

9:44 Snag, I don’t see offal, but there’s some awful.

9:46 Christian’s outfit kind of reminds me of a Lollipop Guild member…

9:47 Uh-oh. Nina’s looking bored! Oh, and Michael’s on a tear. Who’s going? Simone or Elisa?

9:47 Ricky’s going to cry.

9:49 And Elisa hangs herself…

9:50 Pooing fabric!!!

9:51 Elisa’s legacy will be the “Pooing Fabric Dress”! AHHHHHHH!!!!

9:55 more commercials… and more… and then some more….

9:56 And one of you will be OUT! But first… the winner… Rami!

9:57 Choo Choo Charlie is IN! We’re down to Simone and Elisa…

9:58 And… Simone is out! Elisa lives to poo another dress another day! Poor Simone. She sounded like she had promise. Elisa will probably add more colorful commentary though.

Ok- they’ve all played nice. Next week the gloves come off! They always do.

Join us next week for Project Runway: Live-Blogging! Claire will be your hostess up top and I’ll be serving drinks down in the comments and remember… DON’T BORE NINA!

Season 4 promises harder challenges, more drama, and I’m guessing bigger egos. What started out as a television show that gave anyone a chance to show at Olympus Fashion Week in NYC has now become a way for already proven professionals to up their ante. Competition is getting tighter, tougher. There will still be underdogs, but the professionals who want to take it to the next level promise to add a stiffer competition to the mix.

I love it for the creativity and the snark. Come join us and add your own! Really, how can you resist a show where one of the contestants says if he were a fabric, he’d have to be leopard!

Live-blogging starts promptly at 10/9c!

Stop by! Live-blogging starts promptly at 10/9c.