Kelly Cutrone is like Yoda

The Hills spin off The City premiered tonight with 2 episodes. I'm already a fan. The city, the energy and the fashion has suckered me in. Whitney as the only "sane" one on hills has always been one of my favourites. She does seem a bit out of place in her bright yellow dress in "all black" New York. However, the action comes fast and furious with her socialite co-worker and 2 feuding boys.

In episode 2, Whitney explains to her old boss Kelly Cutrone about her 2 boy problems and which guy to trust... Kelly sagely tells her, "Maybe you can't trust both of them." Damn she's smooth.

Whitney leaves The Hills for The City

I'm pretty excited about this spin off from The Hills. Whitney is by far my favourite gal on The Hills. She's the rock that LC relies on but now she's going to be on her own in the Big Apple. The show is shot in the same incredibly cinematic way The Hills is.

Whitney is going to work for People's Revolution but in their NYC offices. We'll get to see her life as she adjusts to new work, friends and of course love.

In The Hills, Spencer and Heidi are the key antagonists. In the trailer they introduce a coworker named Olivia. She gives Whitney a dirty look when they first meet. I already get the sense that this will be an epic battle. Doing a quick Google check this Olvia Palermo is some sort of NYC socialite. Apparently, she's hated by everyone. This bodes well for the show! As we all know The Hills wouldn't be the same without Heidi and Spencer's douchebaginess.

The trailer looks awesome. I can't wait till Monday, December 29th!

Why are the men of "The Hills" a$$holes?

Watching the latest episode of The Hills is like having your teeth pulled, reattached and then pulled again. Justin-Bobby is such an a$$hole. The men are all jerks and the girls are so stupid for wanting to be with them. I remember being as young as these girls but I don't recall ever wanting to hurt myself so much or as often. What's even more disappointing is how Doug, Brodie and Frankie were encouraging JB to be a jerk.

Speaking of jerks, Spencer was also in fine form tonight. I thought he hated women but apparently his jerk attitude extends to men too.

Next Top Model back in LA

What the hell? It was just last season when I applauded ANTM's move to New York. Now they're back in LA. I can only hope that they move back to NYC mid season. If they don't, they better get a kick ass trip to Paris or Milan.

The real pity is that the field of models this year is one of the strongest groups, maybe the strongest cycle of ANTM. Instead of Tyra's typical cliche casting preferences this year we don't have a unrealistic ratio of girls. The spread is much more in line with the real demographics of America. This cycle even includes (I think all of) reality TV's first pre-op trans-gendered contestant, Isis. Honestly, after the first episode I've only thought of her only as a girl.

Isis

What’s up with Lauren’s Hair?

I just finished watching the last episode of the Hills. What’s up with Lauren’s hair? I've noticed in this and the last episode too she’s suddenly has that crazy cat-lady look. She sounded sick and maybe that’s why she’s looking out of sorts. However, she is on a hit TV show and I’m certain MTV can afford some make-up and hair people.

On a side note… I don’t know which is worse; watching Spencer be bitchy at Heidi’s sister Holly or Lo at the White Tie Affair show.

Way to be a jerk Spencer.

Lo, it's called music.

This is called multi-tasking in the power-bitch world

Tonight's episode of the Hills had this little gem of a phrase, "This is called multi-tasking in the power-bitch world." Kelly Cutrone utters it to Whitney while casting male models. The sneaky boss, she's actually setting up Whitney with cute model Alex. Now if I could only find the right moment to use this line...

Project Runway is Pinoy

The Project Runway franchise not unlike the Next Top Model shows are going everywhere. The Australian PR has already shown that the formula works down under. Well I stumbled across a version from the Philippines. Who knew!?!? Well fashion exists everywhere so why not?

Here are the links on youtube: Project Runway Philippines



PS. Pinoy is a term Filipinos refer to themselves, not unlike the way us Canadians are Canucks.

I will not watch America's Next Top Model Cycle 11

I will not watch the new season of America's Next Top Model. I will not watch. I will not watch. I will not watch... Who am I fooling? I'm gonna watch and hate/love every moment of it.

Season 4 of the Hills fast approaching

I really shouldn't be so excited about the new season of the Hills but I am. Airing August 18th the new season promises new guys (for everyone apparently... 'cept Lo), running mascara, Brody and Spencer/Heidi drama.



Even during this trailer I found myself getting mad. Lo being apathetic, Audrina still with Justin Bobby, Lauren thinking she's friends with Stephanie all were cringe inducing. Thankfully the angel that is Whitney is still sane.

Project Runway went cheap on Tim Gunn's pay

I can't imagine a Project Runway without Tim Gunn. His "make it work" and congenial attitude are integral parts of the show. So it's amazing to hear in a recent gossip article that Tim was paid nothing for Project Runway season 1 and only a $2500/episode fee for the second season. In my mind Tim is the show. He starts and ends every show. I would daresay he's more important than all the judges including Heidi. It's to Tim's credit that he saw the bigger picture and didn't quit after season 1. He's such a big part of what makes Project Runway a great show.

Is the world ready for a disabled model?

That's the question that the new "Britain's Missing Top Model" reality TV series asks. I applaud the British for making some of the most interesting and entertaining TV on earth. I love all their cooking shows, reality series and I'll even watch a Top Gear episode with my partner. However, a disabled modelling reality competition... oh come on!

When I first saw this show I couldn't quite believe that there could even be a show on the topic. I'm all for everyone getting a fair chance and all that but a top model missing an arm/leg, deaf or in a wheelchair? It even seems more far fetched when fully abled girls who win the America's Next Top Model can't become Top Models!

I've watched the first two episodes and it's been pretty disappointing so far. It's not particularly entertaining. Ultimately even if any of these girls weren't disabled it'd be a stretch for them to become a Top Model. Being a model is really like being a freak. They're all freakishly tall, thin and have odd proportions about them. I think some can definitely do some modeling but not at it's highest levels.

The series do show that disabled people are no different than anyone else. As expected when you put 12 women living together there's going to be cattiness and these girls are no different. Sophie the girl in the wheelchair is resenting the deaf girls because they don't have an obvious disability. In her mind she thinks being deaf is not any different from being French! Oh yeah the bitches are out!

Alex over Catherine in Britain's Next Top Model

Catherine on the left and Alex on the right

It's official, all my favourite girls on the various Next Top Model shows around the world have come in second. Jennifer beat Janina in Germany's NTM, Demelza beat Alex in Australia's NTM and now Alex (another one) beats Catherine in Britain's NTM. By all accounts Alex isn't a bad pick for BNTM. She's certainly better than glamour girl Stephanie or insincere bible thumper Rachel. I was just hoping my horse would come in!

Australia's Next Top Model is Demelza!

Demelza beat Alex this past Monday in Australia's Next Top Model. I'm a bit disappointed as Alex was much more edgy and hard working. Demelza's past behaviour is real big turn off too, her bullying of Alamela is unforgivable (I hear she is still denying she bullied Alamela hours after winning... so all that video of her doing it is fake!?!?). Unlike most of Australia, I'm not buying her new found maturity! She'll always be that catty beeyatch we saw thru most of the series.

Alex on the right and Demelza on the left

Australia's Next Top Model is a strange version of Next Top Model franchise. I've watched all the previous seasons and they tend to position the show and it's contestants to fight with each other. Focusing more on the relationships in the model house than the fashion. There's not much of focus on the catwalk (until this finale) and as you would expect there's a lot of photo shoots with lots of sun influence. So I find it amazing that despite all that, they can still have 2 finalists as strong as they have. Demelza will likely be very successful if she can work hard and avoid self destructing in her own hubris. Go Alex, I'm rooting for you! You aussies stop snickering, I know what rooting means for you down under!

Look Tyra! If a country of 21 million can come up with 2 decent finalists for their version of NTM, why can't the American version produce ONE top model? America's had 10 seasons and Australia 4. The math is against you!

The lovely Alice Burdeu.

I'm not even counting Australia's last year's winner Alice Burdeu who is probably NTM (any version) most successful winner. Working for Louis Vuiton, Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabana and doing it in fashion's holy trinity of NYC, Milan and Paris certainly puts any of America's winners to shame. Only Britain's NTM is as laughable (I do love Catherine though). However, I'll still watch them all... for purely research reasons of course!

Whitney wins America's Next Top Model, suckage continues

First off, I love Whitney and all her campyness but to be America's Next Top Model.... oh come on! Her size is an issue but when every other photograph has her with a "sex" face, it's hard to take her seriously. In the finale tonight her runway walk was so over top with her arms swinging crazily. I could tell at the panel that Paulina was against this choice. Ultimately what Tyra wants, Tyra gets.

Tyra, made a calculated decision to pick Whitney. Not because she was going to be the America's Next Top Model (none of them ever had a real chance). Tyra knew a choice like this would generate more press than Anya every would. Tyra at the end of the day doesn't just demand attention she needs people to love and respect her.

Let's not forget this show is called "America's Next Top Model". The reality of the industry is that Whitney on the runway in that lovely Versace Dress would never make the casting for a Versace show. I'm not going to argue if it's fair or not but it's reality and that's where ANTM fails as a show. It's not a reality show about finding the next girl to be the Next Top Model from America. It's stale Jello pudding that's been served up to the audience as Crème brûlée. Oh come on! Not only does it not give us the truth it completely dumbs down what is a complex and huge industry with wishful thinking. It's Cycle 10 and I'm pretty sure us viewers can handle a bit more truth and complexity.

This is just another glaring example of how Tyra Banks and crew is at odds with the fashion industry. It's probably due to Tyra having to balance her ultra nice TV persona with that of the real fashion world. Unfortunately the audience loses. The real fashion world is a nasty competitive place. It's more true in the modeling than any other fashion arena. Tyra is cheating us viewers by not actually seeking out America's Next Top Model and portraying how hard it really it is.

If you want to be really entertained watch Germany's Next Top Model. The first cycle was a near carbon copy of the American version. Fortunately with the efficiency and drive for excellence you'd expect from Germans they quickly changed the format and made it a real competition that not only is accurate but utterly entertaining. Catch English subtitled episodes on youtube. Here's the current season 3 episode 1.

Heidi Montag on Letterman

Oh Heidi...



PS. Sorry for the lack of posts. It's been a busy time!

Over the Hills

OMG! Since I'm in full Hills mode, this is so funny. It's senior citizens replaying the fight at the club scene at Les Deux.

The Hills, beautiful Paris and french guys smoke a lot!

We finally get to see Lauren and Whitney from The Hills hit Paris. The episode was a bit disjointed. There were lots of holes in the story line. Like all of the sudden Whitney is unhappy with Teen Vogue and wants to become a stylist. Where did that come from? It's good for Whitney as Teen Vogue actually fired both of them in December.

In this episode Lauren's romance was a bit forced. I heard from gossip sites that MTV were calling madly all over town looking for someone to become a love interest. That interest is Matthias the guitar player in a band Audrina knows apparently (a little to convenient). He tries a bit of whirlwind seduction. He's a nice enough looking boy but it was awkward at best. The real star of the episode was the city of Paris. The city is my personal favourite place and seeing the girls frolic made me miss it even more.

Every frenchman I've ever known smoked like Chimney. These guys are no different.

Yes, I enjoy smoking and making come hither faces at Lauren.

Best parts of the show was when Matthias took Lauren site seeing on his Vespa. Poor Lauren, not only would she die of a severe brain hemorrhage if she fell off (since her helmet clearly was only half on her) but her Alberta Ferretti gown (the second one, she ruined the first one with an iron) was being crushed to death while she had to cling to Matthias in the wet slick roads of Paris.

The Eiffel tower, I can't think of a more stunning sight.

Notre Dame Cathederal

Champs Elysees

The Hills is back on tonight

Another staple of my reality TV world is The Hills. This semi-faux show has been a favourite of mine for some time. Apparently this really isn't a new season but a continuation of season 3. Think of it as an extra add on but set in Paris. Both Lauren and Whitney have been whisked off to Paris to participate in shows with Teen Vogue. The city of lights, Paris Fashion Week and Whitney all make it a must see for me.

The blogs and gossips sites say much of the show is staged. Even Lauren's Paris romance was called up to fit the bill. The last episode aired showed a teaser of Lauren riding around on a scooter through the heady night time sights of Paris. The always great visuals make it near impossible to be truly an unscripted reality show.

I agree the show is not real. However, I find myself enjoying the show regardless of it's authenticity. I can't wait to see what happens!

PS. Oh yeah, all men Lauren surround herself with suck! That means you Brodie!

Apple Bottom Jeans on Next Top Model

Apple Bottom gave away some free wares to the girls on America's Next Top Model tonight. It's so timely as we've started receiving our Apple Bottom stock for the store just recently.

The would be models got Apple Bottom tops, jeans and shoes (I didn't think they made shoes). I'm getting suckered into enjoying the show again. The fashion reality aspect of the show still sucks but the cat fights are awesome!

Claire and Dominique show us what an "Apple Bottom" is!

Fatima and Allison trade Apple Bottom insults.

Catching up with Skins, Project Runway / Catwalk and Make Me a Supermodel

Skins Season 2 aired in the UK this past week. The intense stories and characters continue and if the first episode is any indication this is going to be another great season. Watching this first episode was like returning from summer break in High School. So happy to be with everyone again and looking forward to the future.




Project Catwalk Season 3 has been out over a month now and I just realized it. Yes, I'm a crappy fan. However, it gave me a chance to have a 5 episode marathon. The contestants seem more talented and less first-year fashion school. There are still those types but the addition of a couple of Canadians (Jasper and Chelsey) has me rooting for the Canucks!

The final 3 week turned out to be final 4 week on Project Runway. Sweet P was really the weakest person left. However both Chris and Rami was doing their tired old schtick again and I wouldn't have been sad if either of them left. It was the right decision to have them both work on collections and have them pick the final contestant in NYC before Bryant Park. Next week is the reunion show. Victoria looks really pissed off. She probably should have made it to the finals if not for her arrogance. I can't wait to hear what she has to say.

Finally America has voted Katy off Make Me A Supermodel. She was virtually in the bottom 3 every week and survived so often that I thought there was a conspiracy. The show has been super entertaining for me. It's odd that there's more boys than girls in the house. Which of course the exact opposite of the the modeling world in real life. I think Ronnie, Casey and Frankie will likely go home in the coming weeks. Shannon, Holly and Perry are favourites to go to the finals.