Hit the Streets

I've never missed an episode of Project Runway but this whole season is just so painful; there have been so many decisions that have made the show so much worse, and in some cases almost unwatchable.

1) The judging (especially Roach) is just so snide and over-the-top rude. Hardly any of the judging process feels helpful or constructive or in the interest of making the designers improve their craft. It seems designed to instill drama and intrigue, and just feels gross and uncomfortable to watch.

2) The editing this season is... a choice. Long gone is any coverage of the designers' thought process about their design - sketching, time in Mood, selection of model, evolution of their garment. It feels like you barely get to see any designs until the runway, all of which seems to be cut in service of a shocking amount of 1:1 time with contestants droning on and on and on and on about their drama with other contestants. (All of which seems incredibly contrived.)

3) The lack of direction that Tim Gunn used to provide is so apparent. Designers seem left adrift, with maybe a passing comment from Christian, but again nothing that feels very constructive or thoughtful.

4) This show used to be right up there with Bake Off in terms of its wholesomeness and focus on craft and genuine relationships between designers, models, Gunn and the judges. Now, it seems more like Love Island or Love is Blind and the editorial and casting decisions have progressively made the show further and further removed from everything that made it great.

This episode Madeline was eliminated at the beginning, which I agree with her unconventional look was terrible and her inspiration look was probably one of the worst looks from project runway history although I will say I did like the waistband and the sleeves just not everything else so for this episode, the designers have to make streetwear looks and I will say I think everyone, but the bottom two did great and I do agree with Belania winning but Law decided to critique her story of her look first off. I thought everything about her story made sense with the look and the fact that law saying it was not Audrey Hepburn inspired is complete crap and it feels like he trying to get on her nerves so they can paint her as a person who doesn't take criticism well and who gets angry at criticism which first of all I did not see her get yell or start an argument, and I could see the anger on her face, but I could see her like really trying to keep it in to to not the producers get that narrative of her being the contestant that doesn't take criticism well. I don't know if it's the editing but every time she's angry at the criticism I feel it's justified and she behaves in a calm manner or at least as calm as you could be when you're angry I mean Law wasn't even constructive with the criticism of the story. The story was perfectly fine and he just says he hates it.(the story) and also it feels like the show is like giving weird double standards where the judges and Christian could be disrespectful and mean to the contestants, but when the contestants showed the slightest ounce of anger, they're straight up gaslit into believing that they are behaving worse in the situation or are invalidated, I am sick of this hypocrisy and I'm tired of how all the non-guest judges have acted even Heidi who seems to just turn a blind eye to it and not address when the other judges get too harsh.also the season they have a much quicker work time limit, and sometimes they start challenges immediately which of course is going to affect a mental health, and I saw that with Madeline when she pretty much felt defeated and ready to give up and honestly during the beginning of the last episode, I almost thought she was going to quit due to how stressful this competition is compared to over seasons Antonio being high I don't agree with I think Jesus had a stronger look although I will say I did like the shade he provided with calling that doll handbag, Nina, which she pretty much had that coming for saying that she doesn't know why he stayed here this long and I can see that all these contestants have been forced into a storyline of where they want their character to go. This is probably on its way to being the worst season of the whole project, runway franchise just based on how mean spirited and manipulative this season was.

Sigh..... Ok only three shows in and the good so far; Great to see Heidi and Nina, and Christian back! Long-time fan, definitely miss Tim, but most of the gang is back and Christian stepped up and has been/is a great mentor; he adds wit, insight, and chemistry. The talent of the designers has gone up every year and this group looks very promising.

Everything else: I made it through most of the Amazon offshoot "making the cut", and unfortunately, I see some of the worst elements of that series blended here--

Editing-yikes, so much fast cut editing, pace is unnecesarily brisk, it feels low budget and a chore to watch.

Music-- cartoonish/child-like loud vocal pop bumper music, totally distracting, does not support and blend the transitions in the show.

Judges-I love Rupaul's Drag Race, Law Roach shines there but in this context is just annoying, out of place and brings a throw-back 90's 00's Springer forced drama vibe, yawn, can't hit the mute button fast enough. Please pay Kors whatever he wants to bring in the chemistry to shore up this uneven mess on the panel. Another unnecessary element is waiting until the next episode for the reveal of the eliminated designer, out of charcter for the show, odd choice.

Hope the producers make adjustments, can't get past the Law Roach show, editing and ai generated trash pop.