January 16, 2008
Last summer, Bravo announced the renewals of the hit series Top Design and Shear Genius, which means that both shows will be returning for their sophomore runs this year. Late last week, the network kicked off the nationwide casting calls for Top Design, while auditions for Shear Genius is set to begin on Sunday, January 20.
The first casting call for Top Design took place at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. According to atlantahomesmagblog.com, aspiring contestants began showing up at the center as early as 11am, although the day's event did not start until 1pm. By the end of the day, almost 100 designers were interviewed for the chance to be on the show.
December 6, 2007
During last night's episode of Project Runway, Bravo announced that their new reality series, Make Me a Supermodel, will premiere on Thursday, January 10 at 10pm. Make Me a Supermodel is a reality competition series (it does not, despite the title, involve extensive plastic surgery) that pits both male and female wannabe supermodels against each other in a competition to see who has the most supermodel potential. The winner receives $100,000 and a modeling contract. Although it may sound like a blatant rip-off of America's Next Top Model (it still kind of is), the big difference is that the competition is co-ed and will have viewers vote on the outcome, as opposed to the eliminations being decided by a panel of judges. In addition, Bravo also announced that they've green lit second seasons of both Top Design and Shear Genius.
April 12, 2007
Originally aired on Wednesday, 04/11/2007
Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5)
Episode Overview: The final challenge to determine the Top Design allows the final two designers, Matt and Carisa, the chance to let their true style show.
Episode Highlights:
- The designers get their final challenge instructions, and they will finally have enough time, budget, and creative freedom to really “wow” the judges.
- Despite their differences in the past, Carisa and her carpenter Carl manage to pull together for the final challenge.
- Although they have more resources, there are still significant logistical challenges for the designers to overcome.
April 6, 2007
It's Goil, "like gargoyle," as he himself likes to put it. Goil Amornvivat, the Yale-educated architect brought this sense of humor and unique sensibility to his time on "Top Design," and made it all the way to the final four. He took time from his busy schedule to answer BuddyTV's questions about his experiences on the show and his future plans. He also offers some additional insight into his design ideas for some of his rooms featured on the show.
April 5, 2007
Originally aired on Wednesday, 04/04/2007
Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5)
Episode Overview: Matt, Carisa and Andrea all compete for a spot in the final two in a relatively straightforward challenge to create luxury on a budget.
Episode Highlights:
- The designers are charged with creating a luxury living room inspired by an Elle Décor cover, but have limited funds.
- Carisa and her carpenter Carl argue and eye-roll their way through another challenge.
- The rooms are judged and the final two are selected.
Recap:
The final three designers have been selected and are all focused on getting through this challenge and down to the Top Design final two. Andrea Keller is surprised that Carisa Perez-Fuentes is still in the competition, thinking that her design style has been pretty consistently one-note. Carisa, on the other hand, is surprised that Andrea is still there, thinking with her architecture background, she has been struggling to show a truly finished room.
March 29, 2007
Originally aired on Wednesday, 03/28/2007
Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5)
Episode Overview: The final four compete for a spot in the final three and for a spread in Metropolitan Home magazine as they design a luxury hotel suite.
Episode Highlights:
- The designers get to take a field trip to the Viceroy Hotel and judge the judge: its designer is Kelly Wearstler.
- It might seem like a repeat, but it’s not: Carisa has problems again with her carpenter and Goil has problems with keeping his cool.
- A carpenter has a nasty encounter with a saw.
March 23, 2007
Originally aired on Wednesday, 03/21/2007
Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5)
Episode Overview: Five designers are left and they are free, finally, to work alone on this week’s project: designing a chef’s table for a mystery guest.
Episode Highlights:
- As the designers head into the final stretch, they at last have the chance again to work solo to show their design style.
- Carisa Perez-Fuentes and Goil Amornvivat continue to be a little frazzled as they pull together their looks.
- The mystery judge makes his appearance, and it’s a face familiar to Bravo viewers.
Recap:
There are just five designers left and the big question is: do we still care?
March 15, 2007
Originally aired on Wednesday, 03/14/2007
Episode Rating: ** (2 stars out of 5)
Episode Overview: The remaining six designers have to work as a team (again?!) to plan and design a party tent for this week's product placement.
Episode Highlights:
- Top Design continues to test my patience by having the designers yet again work in a team AND work on a project that is just totally boring.
- Carisa and Michael carry on the friction that was established in last week's episode.
- Goil has a little meltdown.
Recap:
This week on Top Design, Todd Oldham tells the designers that they will be creating a party for Bicardi Limon, and, once again, they will be working in teams. Matt Lorenz says he is completely over working in teams. Hear hear: I'm over watching the designers work in teams. With only six people left, why do teams? It makes it difficult for the home viewer to really see any one individual's strength and style. And the intra-team conflicts just make nearly every contestant seem unlikable, so I feel totally indifferent as to the outcome.
Honestly, I'm getting to be a little over Top Design in general. I'm usually willing to give Bravo pretty wide latitude with their reality shows, but this one is turning into a snoozer. So let's just get through it, I guess.