Bravo's Project Runway A Runaway Hit As Three Cut Out And Split This Week

Fashion competition meets reality television extravaganza Project Runway is hitting its stride and an impressive one at that, becoming the Bravo network's most watched show and No. 7 among all basic cable programs, according to Media Life magazine.

The key to the best reality shows on television is suspense derived from a goal that is desperately desired by interesting, passionate, and talented people. Who cares if Paris Hilton breaks her cell phone and kicked out of the redneck ranch, or when the Surreal Life crew can't agree on who starred in the bestest '80s sitcom before taking a coke-fueled career nosedive. Sticking rich or famous people together or in a wacky situation may sound great in a (coke-fueled) TV exec pitch meeting, but reality television history it does not make.

I think that's a great part of the reason why shows like The Apprentice and The Contender and Project Runway and even MTV's Making the Band are amongst my favorite programs. Looking at the subject matter of those shows (corporate real estate and wheeling-dealing, boxing, fashion, and music recording), they couldn't be any more different. Personally, I couldn't care less about fashion (to my family's chagrin) and only have a passing interest in boxing and high stakes business affairs.

But those shows work, and work tremendously well, because the people involved want to win badly, with far more than money on the line in many cases. In the case of The Contender, which is having a great second and more sports-focused season on ESPN right now, the competitors are world class athletes who are putting their real world boxing records and careers on the line every time they step into the ring. And in the case of Project Runway, now in its third season, the aspirants are talented fashion designers with an opportunity to truly make a big name for themselves.

That's not "reality television" in my view, that's real drama.

And strangely enough, I do get caught up in the fashion-y bits. For example, I thought it was clear this week (attention: spoilers ahead!) that Laura had redeemed herself and clearly put together the best garment in the black-and-white competition. Therefore, it was satisfying to see her earn the victory and, with it, a restored sense of confidence. Vincent and Angela, who returned for a one-week shot to win their way back into the competition (a nice wrinkle based upon their both having won once each before being ousted), were clearly not quite up to the increasingly elite competition. Sadly, the good-natured Kayne was exposed as well, and he left the runway with what looked like a mix of sadness and relief, rounding out the third elimination.

Article Author: Eric Berlin

Eric Berlin is the publisher of Online Media Cultist. He's also prone to referring to himself in the third person in author bios in an attempt to make it look like someone Less Important wrote it for him.
Contact: dumpsterbust@gmail.com

Visit Eric Berlin's author page — Eric Berlin's Blog