Super-Model Ronnie gets waxed                               Runway's Team Fierce leader Christian

 It was quite a week of drama on our favorite model and fashion reality shows---Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Project Runway, and Make Me a Super Model. There were challenging challenges, bickering, flickering romances, makeovers, ego clashes, winners and losers. And almost all of this could be seen on each of these shows.

 Let's start with Janice Dickinson. Okay, we have a bone to pick. We like this wacky drama here but it doesn't need a cliffhanger every week in the absence of a "you're in, and you're out"  competition. Besides there really isn't much suspense. Whatever episode-ending drama occurs that threatens Janice it always gets resolved, mostly in her favor. For  example, this week the Rufskins jeans photo shoot (with the straight male models all oiled up and looking trashy) went on in spite of there being alcohol on the premises. And we are tired of "Model For Jesus" Michael. His holier-than-thou attitude is tiresome. 

  There was a new client SensiClear (an acne product) that was looking for models with skin problems that he could put on a 4-week regimen and show the results. First Janice had a casting call then decided to use her own models--oh the tears! The poor girl that Janice likens to a younger version of herself was the teariest.

  Then there was romance, of sorts. Janice's son Nathan is dating Traci who has been berated by the model maven in the past for weight issues. The couple went out on a double date to a water park with JP and a his blind date they set him up with---fellow model Rodrigo. Uh-oh--troubled waters ahead. You see, Rodrigo is a former Chi Chi Larue porn star who may be up front about it now in the press, but probably was not so frank in getting in the agency or with JP---yet that is. They had a great time on their date so it looks like this will go somewhere. Maybe then the truth will come out. We know Janice doesn't like her models dating (although she did hire a gay couple this season) and she certainly was quick to put out the flames of Traci and Nathan's affair this episode. She talked to Traci and told her to cool it. Whether Nathan, who's kind of cute in a goofy sort of way, finds out about this intervention will make for more drama we're sure.

 Project Runway continued to put the designers through their paces. Their models were brought out with some over-the-top hairdos and the designers were instructed to create an avant-garde clothing design to match their models. The design  did not have to be functional or necessarily wearable and they had two days to do it. Once they got their models they designers were randomly put into four teams of two. Christian & Chris, Rami & Sweet P., Kit & Ricky, and Victorya & Jillian. From there the teams had to pick leaders and decide on which of their two models to use. Only two teams really got the idea of avant-garde and went for it. Plus, in the middle of it they were all instructed to use their discarded model and create a SECOND design--a ready-to-wear outfit inspired by their avant-garde design.  
                      
                       Chris & Christian's fabric fantasy            Victorya & Jillian's severe equestrian

  We saw where this was going right from the start. Rami and Sweet P had real conflicts. Rami, who we normally like (and want to see shirtless!) was a nervous control freak and again had to use his "draped" look for his design. Sweet P didn't have much input other than to create the read-to-wear dress---which came out better. Kit and Ricky got along fine, but they were working from a bad design concept. Then there were the perfect pairs. Victorya & Jillian worked well together in spite of both of them having "time issues" with every challenge. They went for a neo-punk, equestrian outfit that suited the "faux-hawk"/horse mane hairdo of their model. Both are serious and not particularly likable or witty for that matter.

 The match made in designers' heaven was that of Christian & Chris. They used 45 yards of fabric to create a design that was truly-avant-garde and has to go down as one of the best to make its any down the runway. Team Fierce wowed the judges who literally had to contain themselves in the evaluations. There was one look that Nina Garcia had when asking the model to turn around that was priceless. The judges were impressed by both Victorya & Jillian and Christian & Chris but in the end they made the latter the winner (which included a photo-shoot for Tresame that winds up in Elle) We've gotten to like Christian. Sure he;s full of himself and his talents, but he's also got some great lines too.

  The other two teams got raked over the coals for their designs, neither of which made the criteria for avant-garde.  But Kit's design was lacking in so many areas that she was eliminated. Rami's design was more chic, but he should have thanked Sweet P for HER design which probably saved him.  And thank goodness crybaby Ricky wasn't in the bottom two--although it looks like he turns on the waterworks next week.

         
           Dominic's charming attitude                                  Ben & Ronnie get makeoverrs
     
   Make Me a Super Model has really grown on us fast. Of course, the main attraction for us was (and is) the often half-naked,handsome and well-built (in most cases) guys. Unlike other reality/competition shows the contestants are not creating something like a clothing design (Project Runway), a gourmet dish (Top Chef), a hairstyle (Shear Genius), or an interior design (Top Design). Instead they're selling themselves which sounds tawdry on the surface but  is fascinating to watch. What you don't see in terms of a creative process you do see in the interaction between the competitors. Another difference with MMASM is that because the viewers decide on who gets eliminated, what you see on TV is much more current. And we're sure audience reaction has played a role in how the show is progressing.

  Tyson Beckford must not have gotten much praise from the audience (he certainly didn't get it from us) so he must have been told to tone down his arrogance and lighten up because he was not as visible in the second episode. On the other hand Dominic didn't seem to take criticism well. By being spared from elimination (the voters cast off the equally pompous Sarah) Dominic felt vindicated but unwilling to make changes. This didn't sit well with his fellow models who find him negative and unsociable (we agree).

   The show's main focus this time around was giving the models makeovers. They all got new hairdos while the guys had to endure the painful ritual of body waxing. Some makeovers were drastic. Katy (who had been in the bottom three last time) was turned into a vibrant redhead, Holly's signature bob became an ultra-short 'do, and Jacki was softened up considerably. Of the guys, openly gay Ronnie was polished up the most and it had the effect of transforming him inside and out. The models fates were left up in the air---literally. They were put into harnesses and had to pose hanging from wires. Ronnie and Jacki really shined. The runway show featured the models in outrageous glam attire (kinda ugly if we say so) and makeup.. Some had fun with it, others clomped around. Katy and Dominic wound up again the bottom three with Ben, the cute but stiff prison guard. More on him in a bit.

             
                                      Our favorite Ronnie on the high wires, his portfolio pic and his catwalk

 There seems to be a major problem facing the contestants this season----the judges. Tyson, Niki Taylor, Cory Bautista, and Jennifer Starr are not in sync when it comes to advising the models. All four judges want to be like Tim Gunn but they're all giving different advice--the reaction to Holly's new hair style was a perfect example of non-consensus. 

    
                 Ben's stiff discomfort                             Casey's Rocky Horror look                         Dominic's cowboy attitude 

     
            Frankie's Village People look                                     Jay's warrior look                                        Perry's harem look

 As for Ben, he and Ronnie are roommates, work out together and it was revealed  (in a table side game of "I confess" that dear Ronnie has a crush on Ben. It's sweet. Ronnie, in just a few weeks has really become endearing and a nice gay representative.  What's nice is that Ben is kinda sweet on Ronnie too--in a straight sort of way. Let's hope that Ronnie doesn't let his crush get in the way of his progress (he really has gotten lots of kudos)
or get his heart broken if Ben is voted off or rebuffed. It's certainly the most entertaining relationship on the show so far. But we think Dominic may get the boot--at least we hope so because he's a bit of prick.

 As for the rest of the guys Casey needs to loosen up too-he's got major attitude exemplified by his sucking in his cheeks. Frankie could have used a better haircut and needs to butch it up more. For a supposedly straight guy he's flaming! Perry is a little full of himself and he's got this "one look" way of posing. Jay is the same way. We'll see how this all plays out.