Last Night: Project Runway "Back to New York"

From the tweets and status updates I've seen, it seems that most people who watched Project Runway last night did so because their DVR picked it up for them. No one seemed to know the show was coming back, myself included. I only found out last Friday while driving home from LAX... Lifetime has a giant billboard over downtown L.A. "Oh! Project Runway is starting?! ...and it's in NYC again?! Cool! I think I will like that better. The L.A. season was boring!"

It's true. After last season, the only reason for watching last night was for my loyalty to Heidi and Tim. And Christian and Santino. And Uli. And Daniel V. And Michael Kors. And Nina. All the greats. They're the reason I loved Project Runway. Oh, and of course... New York City. So, that being said, I had to give it another shot. Last year's transition to Lifetime was a messy one; it broke the spirit of the show for everyone I think. But this is a new year: 2010 - Runway back in New York. Even though we don't get our beautiful Bravo graphics surrounding it, (I definitely hit play when I saw a Bravo promo last night, just out of habit, thinking the show was about to start. Wonderful placement everyone!), I'm feeling better about this season already.

It feels good to be back at the Atlas. And the cast already seems much more interesting. I loved how they went about introducing everyone, up on the roof, having them describe their style. It was a good way to set the tone, and lead us into the first challenge. The designers seem like a very serious bunch, forward thinking and very passionate about fashion, texture, shapes, color. Plus, a lot of them are just great looking characters. "High 5 for bangs!"

To start off the first challenge, they had a 3 minute dash for fabric in the park. My favorite, Ping, "got all the ugliest fabrics", but I still felt good about rooting for her. She's a physical therapist and a designer from Taiwan. Really can't go wrong there. Love her.

So the designers attempted to create their "this is me" looks. Tim went around the room and gave his usual critiquing. Some designers listened, and others did not. They'll learn.

So far Janeane is the most annoying - what a cry baby. And that's a bummer because she is Leanne's friend. And I loved Leanne. (click to read her blog post about Janeane.) But tears aside, Janeane was impressive. She started all over 2 hours before time was up and created a really cute every day outfit that I would love to wear.

The other surprise: Emilio Sosa and his adorable dress. He went from being not even close to finished - and with a very confusing looking project on his hands - to winning the challenge. His dress was so cute. Guest host Nicole Richie loved it too.

The first episode was a successful one in my book. The cast is great, the challenge was interesting, the time constraints kept me on the edge of my couch. Unlike last season I was actually excited to see the final products, and didn't get up to clean my kitchen mid show.

It's gotta be the worst to get kicked off first on Project Runway, but what's even worse is getting kicked off my TiVo season pass list after your first episode. Tim and Heidi, you'll be happy to know, you're IN.

what to watch tonight: Thursday the 14th.

It's my favorite night of the week. NBC's Thursday night line-up is always great... until late night that is - Poor Conan - and Poor Leno - why did NBC have to go about this in such a horrible manner?? Anyway! It's definitely time for some new 30 Rock. (Also, look out for the SNL promos; I saw a really funny one last night touching on the Leno/Conan war.) ABC has new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. I'm not so into those shows anymore.. but if you watch, please let me know how it's going! More exciting... Project Runway starts tonight on Lifetime. This time they're giving NYC a shot. Hopefully it's better than the L.A. attempt last fall. I really want to like it. I do. And last but not least, after Real Housewives of Orange County, our favorite guy, Andy Cohen is back with his Watch What Happens Live show on Bravo at midnight. I hope he comments on the fact that we are watching his show and NOT some other people's. Ha. Mazel. Have a great night everyone!

TONIGHT'S PREMIERES:
GSN: Carnie Wilson: Unstapled at 8p; Hidden Agenda at 8:30p
A&E: The First 48 at 9p; Manhunters at 10p
Food Network: Ace of Cakes at 10p
FX: Archer at 10p
Lifetime: Project Runway at 10p; Models of the Runway at 11p

LAST WEEK'S PREMIERES:
VH1: Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew at 10p

TiVo SEASON PASS:
Bravo: Real Housewives of Orange County at 10p (watch for a sneak peek at the next season of Real Housewives of NYC!); Watch What Happens Live at 12a (second season starts tonight with Tamra from RHOC and Jeff Lewis)
NBC: 30 Rock at 9p and 9:30p

what to watch tonight: Wednesday the 13th.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

TONIGHT'S PREMIERES:
TV Land: High School Reunion at 10p
TNT: Leverage at 10p

LAST WEEK'S PREMIERES:
Syfy: Ghost Hunters International at 9p
Planet Green: Big Chef Takes on Little Chef at 8p; Conviction Kitchen at 10p
FX: Nip / Tuck at 10p
TLC: Tailgate Takedown at 10p

TiVo SEASON PASS:
Bravo: Launch My Line at 10p
ABC: Modern Family at 9p; Ugly Betty at 10p

OTHER NEW EPISODES TONIGHT:
ABC: Cougar Town at 9:30p
CBS: The New Adventures of Old Christine at 8p
FOX: American Idol at 8p
MTV: The Real World at 10p

what to watch tonight: Tuesday the 12th.

TONIGHT'S PREMIERES:
FOX: American Idol at 8p

LAST MONDAY'S PREMIERES:
NBC: The Biggest Loser (Couples) at 8p

TiVo SEASON PASS:
Bravo: Tabatha's Salon Takeover at 10p

Oxygen: Bad Girls Club at 10p

The Bachelor: Episode 2 Recap a la Ashley & Jenn

hold tight, friends, there was a lot to make fun of in this episode!

The Bachelor drama continued last night in all of it’s cheesy glory. The girls invited on the first group date were Christina (who Ashley think looks like Winona Ryder), Rozlyn, Corrie, Gia, Ashleigh and another brunette girl who had absolutely no camera time and therefore was not important enough for us to remember her name. The fun date? A photoshoot for InStyle. Unfortunately for Christina, she wasn’t feeling the love of the camera. In fact, she would have preferred to be taking a math test…sad…but her monologue was pretty witty and fun so we thought there was some hope for her. Rozlyn, however, was so comfortable during the photo shoot that she lifted her leg up and bared her hoo ha (a sign of things to come apparently…).

How incredibly uninventive to invite the two girls in the house that are pro models to go on a date where they’re featured in a photoshoot spread for InStyle. “uh, so I guess you’ve done this before, huh?” compelling television.

After the photo shoot, the party moved to the very cliché Jacuzzi. A little surprised to see it so quickly in the season but hey, is there any reality show that doesn’t have a Jacuzzi party? Ashleigh was the first to make the move into the water with Jake and all the other girls soon followed. Christina then took Jake aside for some one-on-one time, where she proceeded to make completely incoherent statements and giggle about how much she liked him. Unfortunately, Jake wasn’t a fan of tipsy Christina. Drunk girls in bikinis, man, enjoy it! Poor thing, I’m pretty sure she knew she had sealed her own fate, so she went to take another shot. Then Rozlyn stole Jake away to the roof where she put on her game face and aggressively made the move to make out with Jake. And by game face, we mean some very psycho eyes that Jennifer likened to the villain in a Lifetime movie. We guess Jake likes Lifetime movies because he gave her the rose.

Meanwhile back at the Bachelor pad, the rest of the ladies received a letter at the door along with a diamond necklace. Crazy Michelle decided she wanted to wear it, thinking that the first person to put it on would get the first date…wah wah wah...another one of her hallucinations. Luckily she had taken her Prozac that day because when they announced the first date was with Ali, she didn’t have an episode. Well, at least not on camera…yet.

The first one-on-one date with Jenn’s pick, Ali, makes her really seem like a front runner. Very sweet. Jake decided to help her conquer her fear of flying by taking her out on a private plane. Jenn received a text message from Heidi Cramer re: Jake's pre-flight check. Swoon. That swoon was quickly interrupted as they ascended into the air with the song “On the Wings of Love” playing…ugh. In Ali’s profound words, we both had to “throw up in my stomach.” At dinner Jake gave her the rose, despite the unsightly claw clip in her hair that we took offense to…seriously, you’re wearing an insanely gorgeous diamond necklace and you can’t even get a hair clip with rhinestones? After dinner they ran to a private concert by Chicago and danced the night away. That “throw up in my stomach” feeling came back quickly as the song “You’re the Inspiration” was played. Jenn received a text message at that moment from Steve Shewey who wisely noted that they might as well just call the show ‘Cheesy Songs and Cheating Sluts.’ word.

Back at the house it was time for another date card. The lucky ladies were: Vienna Sausage, Elizabeth the Nanny, Kathryn, Jessie, Ashley (who is in desperate need of some Crest whitestrips) and another girl, who like before, was not important enough to remember. They went to Six Flags Magic Mountain. At the park, Elizabeth bared her soul in a letter to Jake just like a 12-year-old girl and proceeded to read it aloud to him. She fancies herself a writer, that nanny. She basically told Jake that she’s not going to let him kiss her until she’s the only one left…it sounds like more a punishment for her than Jake in my opinion (man, he's pretty) and if I were him I would've sent her packing right then and there. Who signs up to go on a dating show and refuses to kiss? Really. But, apparently Jake loves the crazies and gave her the rose. During their private fireworks show she brought out the female mind games and asked Jake if he wanted to kiss her…it kind of takes the romance out of it if you have to ask, plus you’re not going to let him so why be a tease?

Apparently everyone has something to reveal to Jake in this episode. Vienna dropped her bomb on him, telling him she was engaged to her pastor’s son at 17, broke that off, eloped with a stranger, and was divorced 4 months later. We barely got to see Jake’s reaction before he was stolen away by another girl. We’ll have to stand by for more details on that. Tenley chickened out during the perfect opening to tell him she’s divorced too. Everyone’s got baggage on this flight.

In yet another crazy act by Michelle, as she’s at home without any date time with Jake, she decides to pack and leave the show. Which is very surprising because she was so previously obsessed with him. Silly us, it was just an act of desperation before her meds kicked in. She ended up staying and getting some time with Jake at the cocktail party.

And now to the scandal. I was a little disappointed by this, but maybe because it’s been all over the media all week. During the cocktail hour, Chris Harrison pulls Rozlyn aside and looks like he’s going to crack a smile and laugh hysterically at the stupidity of it all. He keeps cool though, and tells Rozlyn she needs to go pack her bags due to her “entering into an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.” Yadda yadda, the staffer’s been fired, this has never happened before in the history of the show…blah blah. The only time you ever hear that she hooked up with someone on the crew was in speculation from the other girls, but hey, it’s a competition, right? And, a not-so-reality show that needs ratings…we get it. As a not-so-fit security man escorts Rozlyn upstairs to pack her makeup products and ball gowns, Chris breaks the news to Jake, who is obviously very disappointed. It’s hard to tell if he’s really disappointed – he got a pretty steamy makeout sesh out of it and so there was probably just the disappointment of not getting more before she got the boot. I have a hard time believing that he was really heartbroken. After all, it’s like what, the second day he’s known the girl? But we saw her in the bikini. We get it.

So, Jake asks for his rose back which is unfortunate because it probably would have sent crazy Michelle packing, but with this scandal already over in episode 2, we need some of the crazies around to keep the show entertaining. And so it continues...

This episode was a build up to that scandal so we don't see much changing in our picks. Next week should be more telling.

There was a lot to make fun of this episode and we'd love to know what made you cringe and laugh. What did you think of the scandal? Who are your front runners?

- Ashley & Jennifer

what to watch tonight: Monday the 11th.

And we're back! Not only am I back from my Cabo San Lucas vacation, but all of our favorite shows have returned with new episodes as well! Not bad... There's a LOT! (How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Fringe, Accidentally on Purpose, Intervention, The Big Bang Theory, Castle, and CSI: Miami all have new episodes tonight.) For this week, I'll be including what premiered last week in this week's lists, just so we can get back on track. We've only missed one episode so far so I think we're still in alright shape to get hooked. And... today's highlight is... The Bachelor! As you may have noticed, I posted a review by my friends Jenn & Ashley - probably the most avid Bachelor / Bachelorette viewers I know. Hopefully they will grace us with their weekly thoughts. And I'll be putting in my 2 cents as well. I have a major love / hate relationship with The Bachelor series, so staying true to NOT So Guilty TV - by definition - I'll definitely be watching.

TONIGHT'S PREMIERES:
Travel Channel: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations at 10p
VH1: Fantasia: For Real at 10p; Let's Talk About Pep at 10:30p

LAST MONDAY'S PREMIERES:
ABC Family: The Secret Life of the American Teenager at 8p; Make It or Break It at 9p
Planet Green: Emeril Green at 8p; Blood, Sweat, & Takeaways at 10p

TiVo SEASON PASS:
ABC: The Bachelor at 8p
Bravo: Chef Academy at 10p; Finale at 11p (back to back new episodes)