PaulaO

I think everyone agrees that Austin wuz robbed in the Nancy O'Dell Grammy challenge. Granted, his design as a bit too flowy but how could Wendy Pepper's dress have won????? I think we all agree that Wendy Pepper was the designer we love to hate, although I did like her final collection with the autumnal colors. The bathing suit challenge completely skeeved me out when the models had to wear the suits to a party and that old leach columnist drooled over 16 year old Melissa.

I have spent waaaay too much time thinking about past seasons! My favorites for the first 5 seasons (i.e., the ones I would want to have a drink with) are: Austin from Season 1, Andrae (Andre?) and Uncle Nick from Season 2, Laura, Kayne and Robert from Season 3 (so shoot me, that was a righteous season), Chris March from Season 4, and Korto from Season 5 (the season I am currently watching and to me this is when they started casting for personality). I never understood how Christian won Fan Favorite when clearly he was an obnoxious little twerp. At least he wasn't mean like Jeffrey or Wendy Pepper (the one we all love to hate, although I did like her final collection). Vincent (season 3) was tolerable because he clearly had mental issues. Angela was just in her own world, but she did listen to Michael and Laura on the team Macy's challenge, toned it down, and won. I still find her whole spiel about the British art camp Jubilee Jumbles (during the dog challenge) to be the wackiest justification for a "giant bag of Skittles dress" ever. I consider Keith Michaels (season 3) another bag of the douche variety.

I've started re-watching Season 5 and cannot believe the level of stupidity. The first challenge was the unconventional materials challenge (they shopped at Gristedes just like S1E1) and most designers took tablecloths and shower curtains, then expressed incredulity when Tim said the judges will penalize you for using something similar to fabric. Suede actually said "I never thought about what I would use in an unconventional materials challenge." Have you never watched the show???? You had 4 seasons to figure this out. Blayne and Stella were the most untalented designers ever. Blayne because he came up with cr@p and Stella because she couldn't see outside her leatha box.

Jay's Chrysler Building dress from Season 1, Jillian and Victorya's avanet garde coat from Season 4 (I cover that coat), Korto's seat belt coat from Season 5. Andre's gutter water dress from Season 2 (Inspiration).

I lost all interest in this show when Anya won. I've always suspected there was producer bias and her win proved it. So what have been your favorite designs that didn't win their challenge? Season One Jay and his Chrysler building dress is my first pick. Second was Season Four Jillian and Victorya's avant garde coat. I covet that coat.

Cooper (blonde boy from Arkansas) looks exactly like Jackie Cooper (child star of the 20s and 30s, etc.) I'm assuming the name is just a coincidence. I normally don't get into the Teen Tournament, but this one is really good. I think because none of the contestants have an attitude--they just seem like nice, normal teens.

I enjoy the Teen Tournament because the kids are so freakin' smart. I was smart in high school but not as smart as these kids. The games are easy for me because I'm 57 years old and know old stuff, but I'm a dummy when it comes to pop songs and fashion and technology. Despite being raised Baptist, I had no clue to Monday's FJ. I learned something from Cooper! (and it's obvious now, but I was totally blank).

There hasn't been much on tv lately so I've doing a PR marathon. I own seasons 1-4 so I started from the beginning. I never really cared for Jay's designs until I watched the show about 5 times. Now I can see the thoughtfulness and creativity behind his designs. I still cannot figure out Wendy Pepper. She did crap during the season yet I think her collection was really good. Kara Saun's collection was derivative and really more ready to wear. Anyway, I still love the previous seasons but haven't watched the last 2. I might tune in this time just to see a big old train wreck.

I always loathed Ted even back during the original airing (shows how old I am). That said, Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcaster's School was one of the classic episodes. Lone student: "How will the class average be determined?" Lou Grant "We'll be grading on a standard bell curve."

Tom K. was a total jerk. When he started his story about wanting to make a documentary about sweatshops I thought "good for him" Then he made the comment to Alex and I thought "what a douche." It was rude and unnecessary. It's universally recognized that Alex makes smarmy comments but what Tom said was just mean. From then on I rooted for Larissa, who was not one of my favorites during her original run, but I figured she could give Roger Craig a run for the money. I don't think Russ has a chance of making it to the semi-finals.