We've had a few days to digest the tasty first course of Project Runway season four and are happy to report that the Bravo reality series is back in top form. The way things go in these reality series, we'd be foolish to try and predict at the stage who we think will come out on top so we'll hold off on that for now. While we won't go into a summary of the first episode we have a few observations that are not spoiler free. So if you haven't seen the first episode yet please get to your VCR, your DVR, or turn on Bravo--you can bet it's being re-broadcast upteen times.

  First the contestants. This is a pretty diverse crowd both gay and straight. Again, we have an interesting mix of working designers and aspiring designers coming from various areas of fashion. We expected this. We also expected to see some  "types"  that have appeared on previous seasons. While every season of every reality series does have its standouts, the producers do often cast similar types to fill the "roles" and Project Runway is no exception. For example, the lone straight dude here is a Jeffrey Sebelia (season 3 winner) type although a bit more showy macho (more on him later). And the first challenge was pretty straightforward and constructed in a way to let the designers show who they are. We won't tell you who was eliminated just in case.

 Here are the standouts--so far:
 
 No other way to put this ---Elisa is the whacko.  She's a lesbian from New Mexico via Texas with a penchant for new age-esque avant garde style. We'll be surprised if she lasts but there is talent there, if she can manage to get more disciplined.

 Sweet P has a fascinating background. Former member of an all-girl motorcycle club, was in the underground club scene and worked on a sleepwear line. Definitely colorful without being too coo-coo (at least so far)

 Christian is as flamboyant as his looks but his design (at least this episode) style is very accessible. He worked for "Queen of Punk Fashion" Vivienne Westwoopd which would accoiuntfor his personal style .He too has
lots of one-liners and semi-bitchy remarks ---something EVERY reality show should have.

 Jack was profiled here a few days ago, so we can't add much except that he's a lot more humorous than his profile. And he has the hunky/handsome thing going for him---we haven't seen this on previous seasons.

 Rami is also pretty hunky and as you'll see very talented.  He's another working designer and seems successful already (you should see who HE has designed for!) . His motivation? Not quite clear yet. We liked him although he does have a tinge of haughtiness going on. And he is good-looking in a sort of beefier Alan Cummings sort of way. But according to his MySpace page, he's "in a relationship". His page also has a few other nuggets--he's been on Tyra Banks' show and is a Strangers With Candy fan (good for his point score here!) 

 

 So --what happens next? A top designer guest judes next week and this person't appearance is billed as groundbreaking...hmmm.