October 13, 2013

2 things about "Project Runway" that were changed to suit Tim Gunn.

"First, he insisted that the designers make their own clothes (the original plan had been for a roomful of seamstresses to sew the competitors’ patterns), and second, he argued that the workroom should close every night so as not to become a competition of endurance rather than talent. (It was planned as a 24-hour work space.) 'Some people can survive on four hours of sleep like Martha Stewart, and others are frail flowers who need nine,' he argued. (The change also gave the added tension of a clock ticking away, as the hour that the workroom had to close increasingly neared each night.)"

Link.

10 comments:

vza said...

Should that be TWO in the title?

Ann Althouse said...

Thanks. Corrected.

David said...

"“But there was a new flavor of it this season that was really quite unpleasant,” [Gunn] added. “The level of anger and acting out and grumpiness was really beyond the pale. I will be blunt. I did not want to see them. They were just not pleasant.”

I have an idea for a new show: "Assholes on Parade."

No theme. Just a bunch of assholes being what they are. Why not cut to the essence of the genre immediately.

zefal said...

Thanking Mood was my idea. Forced to watch the show on vacation with some people. I swear!

MadisonMan said...

I think his two changes make for a stronger program.

He seems like a nice guy on TV. And the story may corroborate that.

carrie said...

I love Tim Gunn and thank you for posting the link to that article.

michaele said...

I enjoy watching the show but diagree with Gunn's assertion that this is "the most talented group ever". I found them fairly weak as a group although the final should have a couple talented contenders. The two most offending assholes were evenly divided between gay and straight and it's been a relief to have that negative energy gone. I miss Michael Kors although Zac Posen tries to fill the snarky humor gap.

Ann Althouse said...

"I miss Michael Kors although Zac Posen tries to fill the snarky humor gap."

I hate when the judges all say the same thing, especially when it includes a 4th judge who is a celebrity and who isn't going to say anything critical.

"I would wear that right now!" Blecch. I hate when some starlet says that. "I would wear that on the red carpet."

Christy said...

Love Gunn, haven't seen more than 15 minutes of the show, but have bought a couple of Project Runway patterns. Interesting design details, but construction instructions were inadequate and missed finishing details. I suspect an inexperienced sewer couldn't cope. Do the judges get up close to examine the outfits, or do they only observe the runway? A wonderful dress worn 15 minutes on a runway may not stand up to hours of real life. I can easily see why winners on the show may have a difficult transition to a professional career.

Anyhow, I imagine the show would have devolved into a nasty blame-the-seamstress bore without Gunn' s changes. Some pretty pictures cannot be constructed. Ask any builder.

Ann Althouse said...

This season, the judges started doing an up-close inspection.