So personalities are really starting to shine through. And Spike is most definitely a butthole. Dale is still a sour personality. So is Lisa.
In fact, there are not too many cool personalities in this set. Stephanie seems the most likeable, we've definitely seen her talent shine, so I'll probably root for her.
The weak chefs are definitely shining through too. Nicky really needs to go, though I wasn't too upset by Ryan's PYKAGing. Apparently some women thought he was looker.meh.
And Dale's crotch grabbing was definitely declasse. I don't care what a party pooper Lisa was -- that's just not called for.
So this week's challenge was a lot of fun. I'm glad they got away from the team challenges for a change. Stephanie's looked yummy. So did (shudder) Dale's. And Richard's -- pate melt. mmm.
S was all about the Gayle Sayers and Refridgerator Perry sightings. I just vaguely remember Gayle Sayers as a character from Brian's Song (we had to learn in band on the piccolo).
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Project Runway news -- Oh, Dear
Hmmm. Project Runway may be moving to Lifetime Channel. What's up with that?
Sounds like a horrible idea to me. I associate Lifetime with victim-of-the-week movies. As some of the bloggers put it, are they going to swap out Heidi Klum for Blanche du Bois? Some bloggers are already noting that Nina Garcia and Michael Kors might not be returning.
Sounds like a horrible idea to me. I associate Lifetime with victim-of-the-week movies. As some of the bloggers put it, are they going to swap out Heidi Klum for Blanche du Bois? Some bloggers are already noting that Nina Garcia and Michael Kors might not be returning.
Top Chef 4.3-4.4
I haven't felt like live blogging. Sometimes you just want to savor something instead of having to think at the same time. Plus my live blogs just don't feel very witty or well written.
At any rate, I'm crushed that Memo had to leave last week. I was rooting for him because he was an interesting character in Bill Buford's memoir, Heat. Now I must get that book back from the sister so I can re-read those parts. I vaguely remember him being patient and helpful to Bill. He seemed the most "grown-up" of the people on this round, so that's probably why he was cut so quickly. Certainly it should have been Spike. But Manuel set an example of how classy a departure can be.
The talent pool must be strong this year. Richard Roeper commented that the judges seemed a bit nit-picky. Well, if all the food is good, then you have to be! and that must be a good position for the judges to be in. I loved the concept for this challenge and thought there was so much more the chefs could have done with it. Guess that's what happens when you're in panic mode.
I'm losing interest in Zoi. What a sore loser. Richard has been pretty classy and helpful to people, so what's with the cheap shots about that dish. Other cheftestants, iirc, have done wasabi and white chocolat before. OTOH, Andrew is also working on my last nerve. The insult on Dale, who --hello! -- just won the quickfire. then that oompaloompa thing. Thank goodness cooler heads prevailed. and then tapioca, balsamic caviar again? aren't you guys getting a bit one note?
Re the epi before that: all I can say is -- have none of these people ever heard of potato salad?
At any rate, I'm crushed that Memo had to leave last week. I was rooting for him because he was an interesting character in Bill Buford's memoir, Heat. Now I must get that book back from the sister so I can re-read those parts. I vaguely remember him being patient and helpful to Bill. He seemed the most "grown-up" of the people on this round, so that's probably why he was cut so quickly. Certainly it should have been Spike. But Manuel set an example of how classy a departure can be.
The talent pool must be strong this year. Richard Roeper commented that the judges seemed a bit nit-picky. Well, if all the food is good, then you have to be! and that must be a good position for the judges to be in. I loved the concept for this challenge and thought there was so much more the chefs could have done with it. Guess that's what happens when you're in panic mode.
I'm losing interest in Zoi. What a sore loser. Richard has been pretty classy and helpful to people, so what's with the cheap shots about that dish. Other cheftestants, iirc, have done wasabi and white chocolat before. OTOH, Andrew is also working on my last nerve. The insult on Dale, who --hello! -- just won the quickfire. then that oompaloompa thing. Thank goodness cooler heads prevailed. and then tapioca, balsamic caviar again? aren't you guys getting a bit one note?
Re the epi before that: all I can say is -- have none of these people ever heard of potato salad?
Miscellaneous
I've been working crazy hours and trying to get gym time in, so haven't really felt like blogging. We also just finished our kitchen, so it took a while to set it up. Then my friend J came to town on her way to London and Paris, so the weekend got sucked up with that. When the big conference is over this year, I'm going to c-h-i-l-l.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Top Chef 4.2
So I didn't get to blog last week because I was in California.
Quick impressions from last week and boy is it hard with 16 people. Of the guys, Erik may look like someone you wouldn't meet in a dark alley but is a big softie, Ryan is arrogant, Andrew gets my vote for most likely to go postal. I also want Bret and Jermaine to come by and say hello, mate, to Mark.
The women seemed stronger talents this time, but still didn't make that much of an impression as far as personality -- except maybe Stephanie with her shaking hand, her Yoda backpack and sweet smile when she won. About the couple: I wish they'd explain how that's supposed to work considering the no noogie rule.
Going to the Green Market! Since the meat was frozen you'd think that the chefs would come up with vegetarian type dishes, but they seemed pretty determined to get that protein in there.
Mark was definitely getting marked as a winner or a loser with forgetting his bag of lettuce but he seemed to pull it off. Didn't sound that appetizing and I guess they must have been at the market when peaches were in prime because a lot of people seemed to incorporate them. Mark seemed to follow the Anthony Bourdain decree from Kitchen Confidential: butter and then some more butter. Guess it's a winning ingredient.
What I'm liking about Richard is he takes risks. though eucalyptis sounds kind of gross. And Wylie Dufresne wasn't impressed, despite the molecular connection. Wylie looks more a mad computer geek figuring the best way to hack into Microsoft than a superstar chef. Figures he's a molecular gastronomist, though he seemed fairly humble about the whole thing.
Vultures, Lions and Bears, oh my. And penguins and gorillas too. But beets and lions, really? Not in the wild, surely, even if that's what the zoo feeds them. and what is up with insisting on protein when gorillas are vegetarians? I know gourmet chefs tend to be down on vegetarian dishes, but come on.
Looks like a lot of macho buttholes this year. Dale is a charmless, too intense Hung. Well, Hung was pretty intense too, but he had a goofy side.
Manuel is so low-key. Is he holding back? Apparently Bill Buford of Heat fame worked with him at Mario Battali's Babbo's and says he should take it home. He doesn't seem to be standing out so far.
I wish the editors weren't so obvious. Valerie, Stephanie and Nikki were getting the loser edits. Argh, the women on the bottom again. It was looking hopeful last week when three of the four winner noms were female and three of the four loser noms were male.
Andrew seemed downright mellow this ep. Maybe he didn't drink as much coffee. But I would have voted for Mark. Fresh anchovies, mmmmmmmmmm. Learned to love them in Spain, especially hot off the grill. Still hate the canned kind, except with judicial use in puttanesca sauce. On pizza? quelle horreur, to S's dismay.
Quick impressions from last week and boy is it hard with 16 people. Of the guys, Erik may look like someone you wouldn't meet in a dark alley but is a big softie, Ryan is arrogant, Andrew gets my vote for most likely to go postal. I also want Bret and Jermaine to come by and say hello, mate, to Mark.
The women seemed stronger talents this time, but still didn't make that much of an impression as far as personality -- except maybe Stephanie with her shaking hand, her Yoda backpack and sweet smile when she won. About the couple: I wish they'd explain how that's supposed to work considering the no noogie rule.
Going to the Green Market! Since the meat was frozen you'd think that the chefs would come up with vegetarian type dishes, but they seemed pretty determined to get that protein in there.
Mark was definitely getting marked as a winner or a loser with forgetting his bag of lettuce but he seemed to pull it off. Didn't sound that appetizing and I guess they must have been at the market when peaches were in prime because a lot of people seemed to incorporate them. Mark seemed to follow the Anthony Bourdain decree from Kitchen Confidential: butter and then some more butter. Guess it's a winning ingredient.
What I'm liking about Richard is he takes risks. though eucalyptis sounds kind of gross. And Wylie Dufresne wasn't impressed, despite the molecular connection. Wylie looks more a mad computer geek figuring the best way to hack into Microsoft than a superstar chef. Figures he's a molecular gastronomist, though he seemed fairly humble about the whole thing.
Vultures, Lions and Bears, oh my. And penguins and gorillas too. But beets and lions, really? Not in the wild, surely, even if that's what the zoo feeds them. and what is up with insisting on protein when gorillas are vegetarians? I know gourmet chefs tend to be down on vegetarian dishes, but come on.
Looks like a lot of macho buttholes this year. Dale is a charmless, too intense Hung. Well, Hung was pretty intense too, but he had a goofy side.
Manuel is so low-key. Is he holding back? Apparently Bill Buford of Heat fame worked with him at Mario Battali's Babbo's and says he should take it home. He doesn't seem to be standing out so far.
I wish the editors weren't so obvious. Valerie, Stephanie and Nikki were getting the loser edits. Argh, the women on the bottom again. It was looking hopeful last week when three of the four winner noms were female and three of the four loser noms were male.
Andrew seemed downright mellow this ep. Maybe he didn't drink as much coffee. But I would have voted for Mark. Fresh anchovies, mmmmmmmmmm. Learned to love them in Spain, especially hot off the grill. Still hate the canned kind, except with judicial use in puttanesca sauce. On pizza? quelle horreur, to S's dismay.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Project Runway 4 Final Finale
What happened to our self-confident Sister Christian? And he's actually saying nice things about Rami's and Jillian's clothes?!!
It won't last, I predict.
Tim is right. Christian is overdesigning things -- a sign of youth and insecurity. And why in hades didn't Rami submit that gown with the interlocking lace for the walkoff last week? That looks absolutely stunning.
Here's Jillian, being whiny and overthinking things again. It shows how much self-doubt exists in the female of the species. Sweet P, who looked like a radical, was full of self doubt too.
Oh, the avuncular Uncle Daddy Tim. I want him as my lifetime teacher/mentor. One of the blogs posted this fabulous walkoff between Tim and Christian. His posture never flinched or slouched. Until Heidi tickled him.
Wonder what time they had to be there. 4 a.m.? 3 a.m. ? And I wonder how late the judging went?
Group hugs galore!
Sister Christian has leprachaun feet!
And he hairsprays his own hair in the midst of the stress over missing and late models.
I really, really, really liked Jillian's collection. I love her jackets and her tailoring. I want to own one of her jackets. There were a couple of looks I didn't get, but overall, good job. Hated her music. It must have been hard for the models to walk to.
Rami's was very elegant, surprise, surprise. The two dresses with the interlocking weaving were stunning. And that black gown that Nina criticized last week for the saddlebags did move down the runway like liquid.
The first thing you think when Christian's stuff went down the runway is monochromatic much? Geez, black on black on black. But it was, as Kevin put it, pretty mind-blowing and edgy. He did edit those feathered pants and plucked the feathers at Tim's advice.
So I guess it depends on what the judges want: wearable, elegant or edgy?
This was really the best runway finale they've had. Before, I've had a sense of disappointment and letdown. I liked all the collections this time.
Workmanlike is the kiss of death. Bye Rami! Huh, Jillian is the first one out. I would have guessed Rami would be first out.
Christian looks ready to cry even before they announce the winner. And he wins. His reaction is surprising given his portrayal through out the show.
You're uber-fierce, Heidi tells Christian. Quote of the day.
It won't last, I predict.
Tim is right. Christian is overdesigning things -- a sign of youth and insecurity. And why in hades didn't Rami submit that gown with the interlocking lace for the walkoff last week? That looks absolutely stunning.
Here's Jillian, being whiny and overthinking things again. It shows how much self-doubt exists in the female of the species. Sweet P, who looked like a radical, was full of self doubt too.
Oh, the avuncular Uncle Daddy Tim. I want him as my lifetime teacher/mentor. One of the blogs posted this fabulous walkoff between Tim and Christian. His posture never flinched or slouched. Until Heidi tickled him.
Wonder what time they had to be there. 4 a.m.? 3 a.m. ? And I wonder how late the judging went?
Group hugs galore!
Sister Christian has leprachaun feet!
And he hairsprays his own hair in the midst of the stress over missing and late models.
I really, really, really liked Jillian's collection. I love her jackets and her tailoring. I want to own one of her jackets. There were a couple of looks I didn't get, but overall, good job. Hated her music. It must have been hard for the models to walk to.
Rami's was very elegant, surprise, surprise. The two dresses with the interlocking weaving were stunning. And that black gown that Nina criticized last week for the saddlebags did move down the runway like liquid.
The first thing you think when Christian's stuff went down the runway is monochromatic much? Geez, black on black on black. But it was, as Kevin put it, pretty mind-blowing and edgy. He did edit those feathered pants and plucked the feathers at Tim's advice.
So I guess it depends on what the judges want: wearable, elegant or edgy?
This was really the best runway finale they've had. Before, I've had a sense of disappointment and letdown. I liked all the collections this time.
Workmanlike is the kiss of death. Bye Rami! Huh, Jillian is the first one out. I would have guessed Rami would be first out.
Christian looks ready to cry even before they announce the winner. And he wins. His reaction is surprising given his portrayal through out the show.
You're uber-fierce, Heidi tells Christian. Quote of the day.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Project Runway Finale Part 1
We come to it at last, the end of our days...er sorry, channeling LOTR. PR is definitely not a geeky obsession, so must switch gears. craaaaaannnk. striiip. ruuummble. hum.
ooo. look at rami being so manly putting his own big huge suitcases into the taxi trunk.
Christian is literally living that episode from Flight of the Conchords where Bret moves into the janitor's closet. Those pants he proposed as his finale outfit make me think of goofy versions of the Magic Flute. Or maybe Big Bird. Follow Tim's advice and edit, Sister Christian.
Jillian has a great view but a bland place. But obviously she was making good money at Ralph Lauren's -- and she gave up the job. That jacket is really great though. Her mother took a fortune teller seriously? Really? I think Jillian needs to work on deepening her voice. It's just too flat and little-girly.
What's up with the cold sore on Tim's lip? One of the many travails of wintertime.
On to Rami and sunny LA. His mother looks like Jillian. hmmm.
It looks as though Rami did listen to Tim and edit his outfits a lot judging from the spoiler pictures I saw of his show. Those coats look well-made but amazingly bulky. You'd have to be 6 feet tall, but not a Nicole Kidman kind of tall. More like a Queen Latifah kind of tall to carry off those coats.
Oh Chris. Human hair, really? I'm with Tim, my gag reflex was kicking in. eww. ick. squick.
Human hair trailing in your food as you try to eat dinner. Lovely.
Campaign commercial subtly added by friend of Chris. That apartment is wild.
Note that Christian didn't introduce Tim to anyone. What's that about?
You know, that housewife from Housewives of New York is pretty annoying and they show the promo ad ad nauseum. Yeah, I never want to live in the suburbs either, but there's nothing wrong with anyone who does. Some of my favorite people live in the 'burbs. Tastes differ.
Only Rami has to fly in. The NYCers rule this season.
All huggy and kiss-kiss. Unlike other seasons.
I think Chris's designs move better than Rami's. But still, they're like Charles Addams illustrations come to life. Especially the "velvet condom" was very Morticia.
Rami's model looks a bit uncomfortable in that blue coat. The headbands look like something for babies.
The polka dot dress is very pretty. And drapy.
Chris, Sissybear to the end. what a sweetheart. The judges don't have any guts.
ooo. look at rami being so manly putting his own big huge suitcases into the taxi trunk.
Christian is literally living that episode from Flight of the Conchords where Bret moves into the janitor's closet. Those pants he proposed as his finale outfit make me think of goofy versions of the Magic Flute. Or maybe Big Bird. Follow Tim's advice and edit, Sister Christian.
Jillian has a great view but a bland place. But obviously she was making good money at Ralph Lauren's -- and she gave up the job. That jacket is really great though. Her mother took a fortune teller seriously? Really? I think Jillian needs to work on deepening her voice. It's just too flat and little-girly.
What's up with the cold sore on Tim's lip? One of the many travails of wintertime.
On to Rami and sunny LA. His mother looks like Jillian. hmmm.
It looks as though Rami did listen to Tim and edit his outfits a lot judging from the spoiler pictures I saw of his show. Those coats look well-made but amazingly bulky. You'd have to be 6 feet tall, but not a Nicole Kidman kind of tall. More like a Queen Latifah kind of tall to carry off those coats.
Oh Chris. Human hair, really? I'm with Tim, my gag reflex was kicking in. eww. ick. squick.
Human hair trailing in your food as you try to eat dinner. Lovely.
Campaign commercial subtly added by friend of Chris. That apartment is wild.
Note that Christian didn't introduce Tim to anyone. What's that about?
You know, that housewife from Housewives of New York is pretty annoying and they show the promo ad ad nauseum. Yeah, I never want to live in the suburbs either, but there's nothing wrong with anyone who does. Some of my favorite people live in the 'burbs. Tastes differ.
Only Rami has to fly in. The NYCers rule this season.
All huggy and kiss-kiss. Unlike other seasons.
I think Chris's designs move better than Rami's. But still, they're like Charles Addams illustrations come to life. Especially the "velvet condom" was very Morticia.
Rami's model looks a bit uncomfortable in that blue coat. The headbands look like something for babies.
The polka dot dress is very pretty. And drapy.
Chris, Sissybear to the end. what a sweetheart. The judges don't have any guts.
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