I felt bad for her, I really did. But the thrill is gone! You done me wrong, PR. And it's not me: It's you.

Anyway: Here's what happened last night. Carol Hannah cried. She was comforted by the Aryan arms of Logan.

Carol Hannah cried some more, and was comforted by Christopher.

Later Carol Hannah bucked up and put on some mascara.

Tim Gunn had a mothertrucking meltdown. Don't make Snagglepuss angry! Or he will exit! Stage left!

Here's Althea's show. She said that she was inspired by sci-fi movies of the '50s and '60s.

I thought her show was more '80s.

Or '90s.

Carol Hannah's show was basically just stuff she wanted to wear. Here are the notes I took last night:
yawn
baggy satin
preggo top
bottle brush dress
cleopatra sea anemone

Irina was inspired by New York, and the armor a woman needs to protect herself in this city. Although I found her distasteful as a "character" on the show, her collection had some really nice coats and was more cohesive than the other two. Still, was it as good as collections by Kenley, Leanimal or Christian Siriano?

In the end, judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Suzy Menkes agreed that Carol Hannah's collection had "impeccable tailoring" but was not cohesive and had too many ideas. The panel thought that Althea's collection was "plugged in to the street" and that she "knows what's cool," but Irina's "edgy" "armor" made her the winner. I was watching with a friend who declared, "this is terrible television." I sighed and agreed, but felt the need to point out: It didn't used to be like this!
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen. Adieu.

(Except the show returns in January!)

Apparently Tim had a "meltdown" during the Season 7 final runway show. He explains:

It was looney kajooney land, let me tell you. The backstage at Bryant Park is always crowded -you've filled the space to capacity, so we have a ton of hair people, makeup people, models, dressers and, because we couldn't have any of the designers revealed to the public at large, we had all 16 designers backstage. Thankfully we only had three people showing, and that's a record for us: It's always been at least four. That was the good news: There were no red herrings. Owing to the fact that we couldn't reveal to the audience who the finalists were, we wanted to tape their introduction before the audience came in. We had to do a pre-fashion show, and we taped the whole thing. Through the miracles of editing, it's going to look as though the designers are speaking to the audience, but there isn't one. We did the whole show; it was great. Then a volunteer at Bryant Park declared that the models should get out of their looks - it takes forever to get them into them, up over the head with the hair and makeup. I was distracted by something, then I'm paying full attention backstage and the models are getting undressed. I said, "Halt! What is happening here?" The head dresser said, "I'm getting them out of their clothes." "Why?" "Well, they're going to steam them." That's when I said, "I am about to lose it, and everyone's going to stay in her clothes! PERIOD."

Tim also defends Meana Irina. Sort of:

Every season prior to Season 6 has had a "villain." There really isn't one this season… this season there wasn't really a person for whom I have antipathy, like Kenley [Collins]. Blech. Before that, Victoria Hong, before that, Vincent Libretti. Irina is tenacious. She really wants it. We had a very long lunch with Irina and her family, and, oh my God, talk about the nut not falling far from the tree. Her mother was saying things like, "If Irina doesn't win, she better not come home," and I could say she's already a winner. Also, Irina was my student.

But! Tim Gunn thought that Ra'mon should have gone home!

I was absolutely confident that the Ra'mon [Coleman]and Mitchell [Hall] team would both go home, and the fact that Ra'mon won that challenge still has me spinning in my chair. I was horrified by what he designed — that neoprene horror. Nina [Garcia] had a filibuster in support of that look. The other judges were aghast, but she said, "This is the only look that is remotely innovative." Well, innovative it was; good it wasn't.

As for the judging in Season 6, Tim admits: "It wasn't good not having Michael [Kors] and Nina as much this season." And he hints that the Season 7 designers may be ingrates: "I will say that in Season 7 there are a number of designers who throw me under the bus." Plus, the Season 7 kids dilly-dally: "It's also the season of the sashay — no one other than me moves with any degree of urgency. No matter what, they sashay. I don't even have the adequate words to describe how mad and frustrated I would get: "We have to get down to the runway right now!" and they'd just kind of glide along through the workroom."

There are a lot more classic Tim Gunn quips in the piece, but let's end with his thoughts on the hoof-like Alexander McQueen shoe seen on the runway and in the Lady Gaga video:

"It not only looks ugly - I don't believe it's something you get used to and then think is pretty — it looks like the individual has a deformity. It looks like the devil's spawn. It's really horrifying."

'Project Runway': Tim Gunn Carries On (To Season 7) [LA Times]

Earlier: "I Took A Risk": Talking With Project Runway's Ra'mon

Those of us who are — or used to be — fans feel like we are being tortured as producers drag this shit out as long as possible. All of this happened so long ago, the fashion show pictures went up online in February, and it feels like this whole thing has taken FOREVER. Since there were three finalists instead of four, they could have condensed the finale into ONE show, but no, they are forcing us (ME) to watch two sloooow-ass episodes of this crap. Gah.

Rant over.

So, Tim Gunn went to visit each designer as she worked on her collection. Carol Hannah — living on Long Island — was first; she'd been inspired by the architecture of Duke University. Tim's "Can I be blunt?" was much-needed.

Tim saying, "I love a kitchen" made me realize that the reason I'm obsessed with him is because Snagglepuss was my favorite cartoon when I was a kid. Alright already. Heavens to Mergatroid. Exit. Stage left.

Tim Gunn in an apron!

Tim visited Irina in Manhattan next, and her floofy, snippy dog Princess basically snubbed him. How dare you snub Tim Gunn?!?! Something is not right in this house.

When I saw this, even though I was watching TV by myself, I said out loud: "Are you kidding me? Project Runway is NOT ABOUT screenprinted T-shirts!" I wrote in the notes I was keeping: "WTF."

Do you think the fact that her parents gave their little princess "free rein" is maybe why Irina is so bitchy? Or do you think it's because her mother tells her she "has" to win it and she has "no choice."

Tim visited Althea in Ohio next, and we learned a lesson: People in sci-fi movies wear handknit sweaters.

Also, when Tim critiqued Althea's Edwardian wild west coat, Althea couldn't stop saying, "Yeah. Yeah." Even as Tim was saying, "This can't walk down that Bryant Park runway."

The only mildly dramatic moment was when Irina was informed that she could not use the Coney Island images since she did not create them. Duh. Also: Go away.

My favorite part about Nina and Michael visiting the designers was Carol Hannah saying, "I did not expect them to be here." Of course not! They have been missing all season. They don't even really recognize you guys.

My second favorite part about the Nina/MK visit was Irina initially saying, "Advice is always great." And then later, deciding to ignore Nina's extremely specific advice just for Irina.

The "surprise" was a surprise to absolutely NO ONE. Of course the designers had to make another look — it happens every season.

It was also not a surprise to see these kids, because former contestants always return. It was a surprise that Althea picked Logan, stealing sick-to-her-stomach Carol Hannah's man right from under her nose.

So even though Lifetime is, for some reason, making us wait another week to see the runway shows, the pictures have been up on line for months. if you're interested, you can see all the final collections here. Otherwise? See you next week for more of this bullshit, and we can finally say goodbye to the worst season ever.

Project Runway 6.13 Finale Pt. I + Final Collections [ONTD]

Blake Lively looks incredible. And that with a ball of tin foil around her neck, no small feat!


If Nina Garcia is the ultimate authority on style, and yet her proportions are obviously problematic - is it the rest of the world who's wrong? Philosophy.


Eleanor Ylvisaker's staticky dress reminds some of us to get legal cable one of these days.


Charlotte Ronson's ragamuffin glamourpuss is kind of adorable!


Starrett Zenko, clearly having fun with 80s glam.


Diane Kruger too, except for the "fun" part, which is impossible when one can't breathe.


As a frequent wearer of somewhat ridiculous, random and jaunty chapeaux, I must recuse myself from commenting on Lottie Oakley's (amazing) outfit.


Meg Braff: Hold my hand, it'll be over soon.
Claudia Overstrom: And no need at all to mention the war.


Jennifer Creel looks like she's about to make a run for it. Somebody man the doors.


It's actually really refreshing to see Leigh Lezark in something so soft and pretty - and she does Bright Young Thing so well!


I get what Lauren Santo Domingo's doing here, but there's always something slightly disconcerting about curtains opening over a crotch.


Helen Lee Schifter, a Vogue regular, clearly never has actual scabs on her shins like some of us with little boy legs, or she'd avoid tights like this.


When it comes to Ann Caruso, I must quote Singing in the Rain: "The sleeves are lined with monkey fur to lend a dash of drama."

[Images via Getty]

She's the classic "I'm not here to make friends" type on this show. And, in addition, she's a shit-talker. Although in this case, Christopher's dress did look like something an Amish woman would wear.

The challenge? To take $150 and create an ensemble inspired by a fabulous location. Christoper's dress was supposed to be Santa Fe, but it looked like Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Althea couldn't even wrap her mind around the Amish dress, saying: "If Christopher can put that garment down the runway and not get eliminated then… I don't know what's going on." And Christopher looked at his own damn dress and said, "Oh no."

(This is just a gratuitous shot of Logan.)

Meanwhile, Nicolas was supposed to design something inspired by Greece. "A person could definitely wear it in Greece," he claimed. Sure, or in New York, or Hong Kong, or on Mars! Endless possibilities.

Guest judge Milla Jovovich liked Irina's Aspen-inspired ensemble. It looked like it had a big vagina in the front, and another shaved pube triangle in the back. Michael Kors was right when he said "there's some sex involved."

Michael Kors felt that Nicolas was designing for Grease the movie, not Greece the country. But Olivia Newton John would never wear that hideous top!

While discussing Logan's disappointing "Hollywood" outfit, Michael Kors uttered the Quote Of The Day, and possibly YEAR: "They're clothes, they're not fashion."

Althea's St. Tropez look: Good, not great.

Gordana got some nice feedback on her Park Avenue/New York dress.

Twisted straps kept Carol Hannah's Palm Beach dress interesting and not the same old same old.

Milla Jovovich seemed personally offended by Logan's Hollywood look.

Irina's vagina: The winner.

Christopher actually stayed in the competition, despite this Mary Magdalene at the Mall look.

Nicolas was Auf'd. Even though he has three stars on his hand! I'm confused now. What is going on?

Milla is also distraught.

Christina Aguilera doesn't want to go to "that cavewoman place." She wants carats on her coochie, dammit!

But let's back up:

First, Christopher has to do his hair.

Okay so Bob Mackie, the "sultan of sequins," and Tim Gunn told the designers they had $300 and two days to create and "extravagant stage look" for Christina Aguilera.

Gordana was kind of stressed out, because her dress was falling apart as she made it. The perils of beading!

New mantra: "I just have to be Speedy Gonzales."

Christopher was working on some Lady Marmalade wackness and buttoned-up Tim Gunn had to tell him, "It should be super sexy slut." Dude. If Tim Gunn doesn't think your outfit is slutty enough, you are in trouble.

Tim thought that Shrin's dress looked like "Guinevere meets Vampira." Shirin was all, "You don't like anything about it?!?!" Tim said: "No." Uh-oh!

Meanwhile, Gordana was putting an old-world hex on her garment.

BREAKING: Irina is a bitch, according to the bitchiest person on the show.

My favorite erroneous statement of the episode: "A bustier and sparkle panties — you can't ask for anything more."

Do you see what I see?

Do you? (Click here if you don't know why this is noteworthy!)

Highlights of the runway:

Everyone liked Althea's gorgeous, hourglass-enhancing gown.

Nicolas' Ice Capades number was the one I thought Xtina would chose. Crotch-centric!

But Carol Hannah won the challenge, with an inky feathered and sequined black gown.

Christopher's outfit wasn't even as good as Lady Marmalade.

Besides, Christina wore a bikini bottom in that video — Mya rocked the boyshorts.

Alas, no one liked Shirin's scary witch costume. Shirin was Auf'd.

Any last words, Nina?

Earlier: All Project Runway posts

More runway images at MyLifetime.com

What were you doing before the show?
Before the show I was employed by Target, designing Mossimo Black Label for almost five years. I left that job to participate in season 6. After we finished taping, I had some questions about what I wanted to do next. I took some time to reflect. Then I was offered the opportunity to come work for Kohl's as one of their designers, so that's what I'm doing currently, as well as a myriad of other things — one of which is my own clothing label, Ra'mon Lawrence. I just showed by Spring 2010 collection in New York. I'm also doing a couple of collaborations… I really am a busy guy right now.

When did you start designing?
I started designing in 2001 — I went to the Art Institute in Chicago and entered their fashion program — I was also studying performing arts at the same time…

What kind of performing arts?!?!
(Laughs) I was studying dance and theater and installation art.

Like Fame?
Pretty much! I'm a little obsessed with Glee right now...

Glee is so good.
It's one of my goals — to get on that show next.

So you're originally from Chicago, right?
Yes. Born and raised outside of Chicago —- I went to college at University of Iowa for four years; then went overseas for a few years, then came back to Chicago…

What do you think about Michelle Obama's fashion choices? She's a Chicago lady.
I love love love Michelle Obama. I believe we have not seen — at that level of a woman in power — we have not seen that type of gracefulness, effortlessly done, as she is doing right now.

I guess it goes without saying that you'd love to design for her.
Yes. In [my spring 2010 collection] there's a dress called Michelle and it is completely inspired by her. It's my dream to give it to her, and to dress her for future occasions. She's very aware of the idea that you can look fantastic, and do it on a budget — or a way that is economically responsible. You don't have to necessarily buy everything high end to have a look that is chic and well put-together. When you see her mixing labels like J. Crew with unknown designers — it's just really smart.

What made you decide to try out for Project Runway?
I was at Target at the time, and I was really a crossroads, thinking, okay, I've been there for a while, what would be the next thing that would challenge me? And I got a call from someone saying that they represented the show, and they'd come across my information. I thought it was a joke. I hung up a couple of times. But it seemed very cosmic, like the universe was saying hey, you've been looking for that next step; and here's this opportunity that anyone would kill for. I believe there were 10,00 people who auditioned for season 6 — so to be one of 16 out of 10,000? That's phenomenal. It felt like the right thing to do.

Did you know, when you were filming, about the Bravo/Weinstein/Lifetime drama?
While we were filming, I did know. I didn't know going into it; but right before — when they cast us, we were aware that there was an issue. But the severity of it? I don't think any of the designers knew… We thought oh, this might go in the can, or straight to DVD. It was always a quiet concern that we had. And then to finish taping the show and have a year pass — literally a year to the date of it airing was when we started taping. So interesting. And to sit around for a year and have this secret that you can't really talk about? We've all been really anxious about the situation.

You won the beach challenge with the dress that you dyed, and I really thought you did well on the dressing the model challenge — that blue dress with the big flower, and then — all of a sudden — you went home. I was shocked. Were you shocked?
I was utterly shocked. That's the best way to put it. And not only was I shocked, I think everybody was shocked. All the other castmates — and even some of the production staff — were like, what happened? I could sit around and theorize about it, but I will take ownership of the choices I made on the program. No one can say I was a person who was not a competitor… Everything that I did, I took a risk. I think the one thing that they kept harping on in every challenge was innovation. And I kept thinking, how can I push? How can I not be safe, how can I be innovative and stand out, with a point of view. And so I get that sometimes that can also be the thing that can be one's downfall. Which I think was, in the episode where I was Auf'd.

I think the other problem is that in the past, there's been more consistency with the judges. And [in this season] there have been a lot of guest judges. …It should be about, how is the person growing? And how can you still see that person's perspective coming through everything that they do? Because ultimately, everything that's shown in the competition should give you a visualization of what that person's line at fashion week would be like. And their potential.

(In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Epperson also talks about the weirdness of the judging this season, saying, "The judges are who the judges are. Starting with Lindsay Lohan being a judge. But then again, she's working with Ungaro, so she is kind of a genius." LOL.)

Do you keep in touch with anyone from your season?
Definitely. It's almost like being in this weird fraternity — or having an extended family. I talk to most of the cast. Christopher, Carol Hannah, Althea, Epperson and Logan — and Qristyl — those are the ones I speak to on a regular basis. Christopher and I are the closest. We actually have matching tattoos! If you go back and watch the show, you'll notice three stars on both of our right hands. We had this tradition with another cast member: Before every challenge, we would actually draw the stars on one another. I had a feeling, out of the three of us, that we were the strong competitors — I had a feeling we would be the top three. But if we weren't the top 3, then at least one of us should make it to the top. So it became a ritual that we went through and after the show we went and got them permanently tattooed.

What were your impressions of Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, MIchael Kors and Nina Garcia?
Mr. Gunn is the one people ask the most about. What you perceive of him, watching all the previous seasons, is truly who he is. I truly believe that he wants everyone to be the best they can be. He's really funny, with an amazing dry humor that I think is hilarious. He's lovable! Being around him, you understand why America has the reaction via television to him. He's great!

As far as Heidi, Michael and Nina, we don't get as much exposure to them. But Heidi is insanely beautiful and very funny. And very upbeat, but at the same time, she is very much a businesswoman. Michael has these one-liners and he's entertaining. And if you can look past some of the cruel and harsh things that he can say, there is a truth there, that, if you're smart enough to want to be better, you'll listen to and hear. Nina has an amazing poker face! You're always like, what is she thinking? But when you're around her, she is so sweet.

Overall, your experience was good?
Absolutely. Win or lose, Project Runway doesn't define me. Who I was beforehand is who I was after. But I'm stronger now, having gone through the experience. There's a little bit more confidence. And also a different view on how to take my design to the next level. So I can't say that the experience wasn't worth it, because it truly was. I'm having all these opportunities! We probably wouldn't be sitting here talking right now — but one day, we would be talking — it's kind of put me on a fast track. I'm super busy, and a lot of it is good! And a lot of it is based on having had this opportunity to put myself out there as a designer.

How can people keep up with you?
They can visit my website, they can find me on Facebook, and they can follow me on Twitter. Keep an eye out! Hopefully this is not the last you see of me, not just as designer but as a television personality.

Will you be dancing ?!?!
That might be part of it!

Maybe guest appearance on Glee?
That would be great! Or since I am a self-confessed Trekkie, maybe my love of that will get me in the next JJ Abrams movie!

RamonLawrence.com [Official Site]
'Project Runway Talk': Epperson Dishes On Dubious Judging ... And Lindsay Lohan! [EW]

Earlier: Project Runway: Ra'mon Gets Robbed
Related: All Project Runway Season 6 posts

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Then, when Ra'mon needed some support or encouragement, Mitchell said, "In our relationship, I can't always tell you that you're perfect." Excuse me?

The challenge was to create a surfer girl inspired look. To find out about this challenge, the designers had to be driven all the way to the damn beach, where they encountered Tim Gunn in sunglasses and flip-flops.

Channeling James Spader in Less Than Zero?
Possibly.

Personally, I miss the wacky challenges, like making a dress out of corn husks or crafting a wrestling outfit. Red carpet and beach wear? These are what are known as "gimmes."
Also: Doesn't that second dress from the left seem very similar to the beach-inspired number Ra'mon designed, below?

At some point it was revealed that in addition to a fun beachy look, the deisgners would need an avant garde look as well. Here's how they reacted to that news:

The "beach scene" really threw some people off. Take Nicolas for instance. To him, "beach" meant "lace garters".

His teammate tried to rationalize: A seawoman! Like in that mermaid movie! And she's fallen on hard times! So she has to to be a hooker! In the '80s!

Behold: Seahooker.

Ra'mon started to design some kind of wetsuit, which freaked the hell out of Tim Gunn. "I fundamentally don't get it," he said. He was pissed.

So Ra'mon had, like, five minutes left, in which he put on a garbage bag...

Dyed some neoprene...

Blowdryed his fabric...

And whipped up a little cocktail dress, which won the whole damn thing. Summer from The O.C. said she would wear it "with alterations."

Meanwhile, Team Older Black People were fighting on the runway.

Heidi Klum was amused.

Nina Garcia was not amused.

Ra'mon's teammate slacker Mitchell was eliminated, and rightly so.

He admitted: "I didn't try hard enough." Did you try at all?!?!?

Any last words, Mitchell?

Tim Gunn was worried when Malvin described his jodhpurs as "chicken thighs," but he should have been more worried about the "egg" part of Malvin's top, which was not flattering. At all.

Here's the side view:

My boyfriend saw this and made a comment about dumping/placenta, and if you throw in "Ace bandage," that seems fairly accurate. Malvin is the perfect example of a designer who is into design but not fashion that women can wear. Or would want to.

Just a note: Rebecca's belly did not look anything like those pillows the models were wearing.

Mitchell made some giant shorts, which he found simply hilarious. Clothing in big sizes is always knee-slappingly funny. FAT IS SO FUNNY.

Heidi, Nina, Rebecca and guest judge Monique Lhuillier (filling in for Michael Kors) did not find the jumbo shorts amusing. Nina scolded Mitchell, saying his model was "a mess." MItchell's excuse: "I had some difficulties with the shorts." Right, it was so difficult to laugh about them and have your fellow contestants each stand in one leg.

The judges were also not impressed by Malvin's egg/chicken ensemble. "I don't think any pregnant woman wants to be thought of as a chicken," Heidi said, quite rightly. "I don't want to look like an egg," Rebecca agreed. Nina declared the design "bizarre."

Of all the dresses on the runway, I really liked Shirin's, and she was declared the winner.

But! I also really liked what Louise Brooks Black created.
Flirty retro-chic, in a sophisticated color, with lots of well-thought-out details.

Even though Mitchell's FAIL shorts FAILED, he was safe for another week.

But Malvin? His egg was cooked.
Auf Wiedersehen, Malvin! Oh, what's that? You have some last words you'd like to share with us? Okay.

[Sketch and runway images via MyLifetime.com]

• Lindsay Lohan left her phone in a New York deli. When she came back to retrieve it an employee wanted to check the security tape to make sure it was hers, which made Linds freak out and call the cops.

• By the time the police showed up the situation had been "diffused." The deli worker said he had no idea who she was. [TMZ]
• Kate Gosselin has been spending her weekends away from the kids with bodyguard Steve Neild... and his wife. A source says his wife Gina, "is one of her closest friends, so she and Steve invited Kate to spend the first weekend she had to be away from the kids as a way to show their support."[Radar Online]
• In yet another interview, Kate Major said of Jon Gosselin, "I don't have a lot of respect for him. I think he handled the situation very poorly. He did not act like an adult or a grown man or a father. And it's just sad. I think the fame has just gone to his head and he's on some bachelor romp... You cannot treat people (that way). It's not fair to me, it's not fair to Hailey, it's not fair to his ex-wife, his kids or anyone else involved in the situation." [CBS News]
• Police searched the San Diego hotel where Ryan Jenkins and Jasmine Fiore were staying two days before she was found dead. The hotel's general manager doesn't think she was killed there because the walls are thin and there were no disturbances reported, but they may have gone to a poker party at a nearby Hilton on the night she died. [TMZ]
• Sources say Jasmine Fiore was strangled after midnight last Friday and surveillance videos show Jenkins leaving a hotel with a suitcase that may have held her body. He is seen leaving the hotel with other luggage but Jasmine never left. The car he left in and her cell phone have not been found. It seems the text her friend received from her phone that said "suck it" was sent long after she was dead. [TMZ]
• The producers of Megan Wants A Millionaire say they were not aware of Ryan Jenkins' record when he was cast on the show and would have never let him on if they did know. A statement from the company said that they, "did have in place what it thought was a thorough vetting process that involved complete background checks by an outside company for all contestants on its shows. Clearly, the process did not work properly in this case." [People]
• Jasmine Fiore's former fiancé Travis Heinrich says that she was hiding a phone line from her husband because he'd go through her texts and that she told him a month ago she was "in over her head" and didn't know how to get out of their relationship. Heinrich says he saw Jenkins hit Flore in the arm so hard that she fell backwards into a pool. [People]
• Commercials for 1-800-YES-GIRL featuring Jasmine Fiore are still running on TV, but the company says they pulled the ads in January and they shouldn't be airing on any station. [TMZ]
• A judge denied Nadya Suleman's petition to block outside guardians from overseeing her children's finances. The judge recommended the Department of Social Services investigate the matter. [Radar Online]
• Katy Perry yelled at airport security personnel going through her five suitcases after a 26 hour journey from Australia to Scotland. She says, "I swear, I never feel more like cattle than when I have to go through airport security. They hate their lives and they hate us for sure. By the last flight, the third time going through security, I lost it on a security person." [Daily Express]
• Miley Cyrus was seen kissing her Australian co-star Liam Jemsworth in an airport in Tennessee. [Daily Express]
• Yesterday Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie took Maddox and Pax to a local pet shop to buy gerbils, goldfish, and a cactus. On Wednesday they took Shiloh and Zahara out to lunch and both girls wore stick on tattoos. [Us]
• Penelope Cruz says she's going to reduce her workload, fueling speculation that she's pregnant. She says: "I realised I was measuring the years going by according to whatever the films were I was working on, the countries I was shooting in. I was a total workaholic. I think that's what I needed to do then. Now I can work, but I'm not on movie sets the whole year. I can say no until there is something I really need to do." [Daily Express]
• In light of Susan Boyle's mental breakdown this year's X Factor contestants will be given psychological tests before appearing on the show. [The Sun]
• Heather Locklear is in talks to reprise her role as Amanda Woodward on the new Melrose Place. [People]
• Carrie Prejean is in talks to compete on season three of The Apprentice. "Carrie really wants to do it," says an insider.. "[Donald] Trump keeps going back and forth over it, he doesn't really care either way." [Fox News]
• Carrie Prejean's lawyer says she will not be on Celebrity Apprentice explaining, "they couldn't work it out with her schedule." [TMZ]
• Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Pulp Fiction has plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving. He was driving when his car hit a telephone pole, injuring his wife and killing a passenger. [Hollywood Reporter]
• LeAnn Rimes was questioned by police about her involvement with a hit-and-run in Brentwood and then went to hang out with Eddie Cibrian. A source says she rear ended a car stopped in the left turn lane and no one was injured. [TMZ]
• Michael Jackson's burial has been delayed again. Now it will take place on September 3. Joe Jackson says the family requested August 31, but that day was too problematic because that's when schools reopen. [TMZ]
• La Toya Jackson is in talks to appear on the British show Strictly Come Dancing. A source said, "La Toya would be a great name to have on the show - if she chats about Michael live on TV, or dedicates an emotional performance to him, it will make for fantastic viewing." [The Mirror]
• Megan Fox will host the season premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 26. [Life & Style]
• Rosie O'Donnell addressed her marital problem in a poem describing her encounter with a TMZ reporter. She wrote: "read off his cheat sheet/'and u and ur wife... he said ...whats up with that'/marriage is hard i told him/when u r married 12 years/ lemme know how it goes /it aint easy" Also according to the poem, she saw District 9 last night and is sad the summer's almost over. [ONTD]
• One Tree Hill actor Antwon Tanner is facing 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to selling Social Security numbers. [Newsday]
• Director David Yates has picked the spot where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two films. Also, Jamie Waylett, who plays Crabbe and was convicted of marijuana possession will not be in the film. [MTV]
• Milla Jovovich and her fiancé, director Paul Anderson, are getting married on Saturday. "It's going to be small," she says, "It's just going to be family and close friends. And it's at our home and it's going to be kind of Havana/Cuban, like very California-Spanish feeling. It's going to be nice." [People]
• Moving to Lifetime didn't hurt Project Runway's ratings. The season premiere had 4.2 million viewers, making it the network's biggest premiere ever as well as the biggest Project Runway premiere ever. [E!]
• At the link Daniel Vosovic and Korto Momolu talk about the results of the Project Runway All Star Challenge. If you still have it Tivoed, there are big spoilers. They say of Chris March: "You don't understand, we thought there was a health issue. He slept for probably half the time. You know how much of a slap in the face it is to all of us who are scrambling to get our collections done? He slept for probably half the time... It was insane! I guess he just knows how to execute an idea really quickly." [People]
• Daniel Vosovic says Nina Garcia is his favorite judge because, "She just has a way of cutting through the [foolishness] like no one else. As an editor it's her job to look and be aware of what everyone else is doing. I think that perspective is something that not all the judges have, which is what makes the entire panel great. I think that as an editor she's just really good at what she does and her feedback is just so spot-on." [L.A. Times]
• Hilary Duff says since she's been working on Gossip Girl, "Everyone's been really, really gracious to me and sweet to me... I'm a huge fan of the show. They called me and said come on and do a few episodes. I jumped at the chance." [People]
• Robin Williams says of his three adult children, "I'm so proud of them in different ways, but have they always been cherubs? No, but that's been part of the process. And am I the 'world's greatest dad?' Not at all, I'm a work-in-progress, but I love them." [Reuters]
• When asked about her boyfriend Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfriend said 'Things end. Things end. And we're in a weird business. We're surrounded by just strange people, strange influences,." Now he's reportedly been caught making out back stage with one of his co-stars in a London play. 'One of the cast walked in on them - and it didn't look like it was part of the play,' says the source. 'It was just the two of them and they looked quite surprised to have been disturbed. [Daily Mail]
• Jane Lynch, who played Julia Child's sister in Julie & Julia, said of working with Meryl Streep, "I did my best to hold it together inside, because you're working with someone who is not only a legend, but somebody who has been a hero of mine for a long time. So you kind of have to let that go and just do your job. ... We were shooting in a restaurant in Brooklyn, and we were waiting for the light so we could cross into our trailers. And she slipped her arm in mine and we crossed the street together, and I - aaach! - it was wonderful." [AP]
• RHONY's Bethenny Frankel blogged about last night's episode of RHOA saying, "Kim hit the skids for me by bringing or even associating with Michael Lohan. I once hosted a panel with him and Nene hilariously said it right when she said, 'Michael Lohan, how random is that?' Michael Lohan is a termite whose own daughter won't associate with him. He has leeched onto Jill Zarin and Jon Gosselin and now has moved to Atlanta. What an embarrassment. I cried when Nene said for him to get his ass back to Malibu. Unfortunately, he probably can't afford Malibu. His last name might as well be Ho-han. That man is a press ho, and coming from me, that's a pretty big statement." [E!]

On last night's premiere of Project Runway, we met many new characters. Like Johnny The Recovering Meth Addict, who was feeling hopeless and ready to quit. Tim Gunn fixed him up right quick!

We also met Ari, who's a little loopy.

Here's Ari doing a handstand:

When the contestants were given 30 minutes to sketch, Ari said, "What if we don't sketch?" Here's the look Epperson gave her at that moment:

While watching the episode last night (and furiously typing, for the liveblog), I was just enjoying being back in the PR world. Tim Gunn! Heidi Klum! Mood! But now, in the cold light of day (and now that the beer buzz has worn off) I realize that this first episode was actually very disjointed. Why take the contestants to the Emmys red carpet? Just because they could? It doesn't seem to have the WOW factor of taking them to the supermarket or the paper factory or whatever, as in previous challenges. And what does Lindsay Lohan have to do with the Emmys? Not a damn thing. In addition, LL didn't really add much as a guest judge.

Here's what Lindsay looked like when she liked something:

Here's what Lindsay looked liked when she didn't like something:

Here's what Lindsay looked like when she was unsure:

Here's Nina Garcia's face when that see-through toga nightie went by:

Here's what Heidi looked like through the whole runway show:
She's just happy to be there!

Of all the dresses on the runway, I really liked Irina's, even if it was a little safe, a little Carolina Herrera, a little Oscar de la Renta. It was gorgeous!

I also really liked Chrisopher's dress — a mix of girly and edgy, romantic and tough. Christopher won the first challenge, so this was the winning dress.

The losing dress? The "space suit from outer space" "disco soccerball" "halter diaper" made by loopy — but clearly, uh, creative! — Ari.
Bye Ari!

[Images via MyLifetime.com]

I went out and had a couple of beers. And now I'm gonna have a burger. And I'm gonna watch some FASHION, dammit! Let's do this.

11:00
Well that was fun. Thanks for playing, folks. Tim Gunn hugs!

10:58
Sheer nightgowns beat geodesic disco soccerballs every time.

10:57
Qristyl is safe, as is Ra'mon.

10:56
Johnny Meth: Safe.
Christopher won the challenge!

10:50
Lindsay is strangely lackluster, no?

10:48
Ra'mon is safe, obvs. Johnny Meth is gonna be okay. Everyone loves Christopher.

10:46
Did Ari say Nobel Peace Prize? AND DID LINDSAY GET SNIPPY????

10:45
Nina is not amused by Ari.

10:44
Qristyl is getting ripped apart. Heidi and Michael like Matthew's dress, and so does Nina. And so do I!

10:43
LINDSAY IS FROWNING.

10:42
No to Logan. No to Nicholas.

10:40
I like Christopher's and Louise's and the blonde lady who sent an old Hollywood dress out first. And Shirin. And Irina, though it's not made for someone with boobs. Boo on Ari. Sorry.

10:38
RUNWAY SHOW!!!

10:37
Michael! Nina! LINDSAY!

10:32
"I do not care what state of repair or disrepair people are in."

10:31
Wait. His model will be NUDE? Or wearing a toga?

10:30
Runway show day already! Will there be a last-minute twist?

10:24
Tim Gunn's pause for Qrystal's dress: Hilarious.

10:22
"Cruise line cocktail waitress."
And
"What's it gonna look like?"
"I don't know what you mean."

10:21
"No one can describe what I do." Yes, the vocabulary does not exist. That's it.

10:21
Tim Gunn's hugs are made of Unicorn sighs.

10:20
I know the answer to that question, by the way.

10:19
Why would they cast the guy in the throes of sobering up?

10:16
Oh but I like Qrystal too even if spelling her name gives me an aneurysm.

10:15
Tears already. Early faves, anyone? I am watching Louise, Epperson and Malvin, and not because they all have interesting hair.

10:13
If Tim Gunn says innovation is key, you better bring it!

10:12
"I don't sketch. I just try to meditate."

10:11
There's a Mood in L.A.? Who knew.

10:09
Emmys Red Carpet… this was… when? Dumb lawsuits keeping the show from airing so long.

10:07
Louise Black and Malvin should have a hair battle.

10:06
I love you Tim and Heidi. Why are you in L.A.? Sob.

10:05
Woodland fairies are blonde and from the South, that is what I have learned.
Epperson is 49!! Love it. It's never too late.

10:03
A tent. Water purification. Am I hearing correctly?

10:02
Malvin wins best hair.

Also: "I don't call it plus size. I call it plus sexy" is a great soundbite.

10:01
"Crystal meth."

10:00
It's starting! All guys so far.

9:59
If there is a cuter pregnant person than Heidi Klum, don't tell me about it.

9:57pm
Crap. I wanted to watch the all-star challenge later, at my leisure. Now I know Korto is sad. Boo.

Some fans are worried about the ads that Lifetime has produced, reports Jim Farber for the NY Daily News. Instead of bitchy, campy snippets of designers arguing, the Runway spots, Farber writes, feature the contestants "bathed in tender light and serenaded by Yanni-soft music." Farber says that some bloggers are crying that "Lifetime is going to KILL" the show.

But the judges of PR — Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum and Michael Kors — have confidence in the core concept. In roundtable conversation, Klum tells Newsweek: "I think so many people are afraid of us moving to L.A. But honestly, I've always said that we can shoot Project Runway on the moon, because we're sort of in our own Project Runway world." And Gunn adds: "We were only there for a couple of days and I was reminded that before World War II, Hollywood was really the center of American fashion."

One thing that Lifetime is definitely doing right? A first-ever two-hour special Project Runway All-Star Challenge, which airs August 20. Fan faves Santino Rice, Daniel Vosovic, Uli Herzner, Mychael Knight, Jeffrey Sebelia, Chris March, Sweet P and Korto Momolu will come back and compete against each other for a $100,000 cash prize.

But as Farber points out, PR's former network, Bravo, is "finely attuned" to "the nuances of greed, vanity and false pride"; whereas Lifetime is "rigidly sincere." We'll have to wait and see whether PR is as bitchy and addictive as we remember… or if the new network (and the California sun) have mellowed its message.

'Project' Revamp: Leaving Its Edgy Bravo Home, Will 'Runway' Be The Letdown Of A Lifetime? [NY Daily News]
Auf With Their Heads: The ‘Project Runway' Roundtable [Newsweek]
'Project Runway': We Catch Up With 8 All-Stars [EW]

Project Runway's move from Bravo to Lifetime prompted a year of lawsuits, which finally ended with a settlement last month. (Project Runway's sixth season will begin on Lifetime on August 20, and Bravo's ripoff of its own flagship series debuts tonight at 10 p.m.) The show follows the same basic concept as Project Runway, with 16 designers competing in a weekly challenge, fashion show, and elimination, but there are a few tweaks to the formula. The show is judged by designer Isaac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child, and Fern Mallis, a senior vice president of IMG Fashion who appeared as a guest judge on Project Runway. There will be one main challenge every week, in addition to a Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge, judged by the magazine's Special Projects Director Laura Brown. Mizrahi and Rowland perform Tim Gunn's role in addition to hosting and judging, taking a tour of the work room during the challenges and offering their thoughts. The designers are competing for a chance to see their designs sold in a not-yet-named major retail store, and to win $125,000. A team of fashion insiders will vote on the runway show at the end of each episode, then the judges will decide who is eliminated. Viewers will vote on the final winner.

Critics say the judges don't have the chemistry of Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors. Unlike Tim Gunn, Isaac Mizrahi's comments are more mean than constructive and Kelly Rowland's fashion credentials are dubious. As for the contestants, it seems they were chosen because they fill certain Project Runway stereotypes, not because they are great designers. At the end of the first episode, one group of designers presents Hammer pants as a wardrobe staple, and Mizrahi tells the contestants, "you all let me down." Still, three months is a long time to wait for more Project Runway and The Fashion Show may help tide fans over. Below, the critics judge The Fashion Show.

Variety

Talk about a cheap knockoff. Bravo's look-alike replacement for Project Runway is what Christian Siriano would call a hot mess. By raiding the production closets of shows like The Biggest Loser, The Fashion Show attempts to jazz up the old business model with the idea of real life, real people, real fashion. Problem is, making the fashion more accessible also makes it a lot less, well, fashionable and, inevitably, much less fierce. There's just not that same level of drama when designing a standard blue blazer.

Even delightfully entertaining host Isaac Mizrahi seems slightly aghast at the designs, often unable to mask his horror. If Tim Gunn was diplomatic, Mizrahi is just melodramatic. His signature sign-off of "Bah-bye darling" seems rather harsh even by Heidi Klum's gruff, auf Wiedersehen standards. Still, he totally eclipses bland co-host Kelly Rowland, whose credentials in fashion seem rather nebulous. The two, along with Fern Mallis and a weekly guest judge, weigh fashion show votes to pick a winner and loser. Mallis, a popular judge from Runway, adds practical, relatable advice and some much-needed clout.

The L.A. Times

Hosts designer Isaac Mizrahi and singer Kelly Rowland (ex-Destiny's Child) are not exactly your new Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. (Rowland's fashion credentials come from having looked at and worn a lot of it — and fair enough.) They are peppy where the Runway hosts were contained and tend to steal focus from the contestants. And unlike Gunn, whose role as disinterested mentor allowed him to love all players equally, Mizrahi is both an involved commentator and a judge, a mixing of duties of which I'm not sure I approve. (When Gunn was brought in as a substitute judge for last year's Runway finale, it seemed very wrong.)

The New York Times

Isaac Mizrahi is the host and lead judge instead of Heidi Klum, which is a little like giving the Grace Kelly role in To Catch a Thief to Rosie O'Donnell. There is no avuncular Tim Gunn acting as mentor to the 15 designers; instead Mr. Mizrahi and his co-host, Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, inspect the workroom where the designers are frantically cutting and basting. They don't hand out helpful tips or encouraging words; mainly they exchange eye rolls and dismissive comments. (Mr. Gunn's exhortation, "Make it work," became famous; Mr. Mizrahi leaves the room with a less inspiring motto, "Keep pluggin'.")

Mr. Mizrahi, who can be very funny as well as flamboyant, is mostly a scold here. Ms. Rowland is not exactly nurturing, either. "Is that supposed to be like that?" she asks Haven, 29, a contestant who is struggling with a misshapen fold on her blouse. "No, it's not supposed to be like that, Kelly," Haven replies, barely concealing a bristle.

Instead of acting as the mercurial designer's more tolerant foil, Ms. Rowland tries to keep up with Mr. Mizrahi's venom - without his verve.

The Hollywood Reporter

The show, the contestants and even the judges (who have almost no chemistry) are almost entirely without flair. Fashion plods through the paces but never seems to gather a real momentum, and there's little spontaneity or a true clash of creative wills: the contestants just seem to get on one another's nerves.

On the other hand, examining fashion with a more serious attitude leads to informative, interesting discussions. The runway segment of Fashion puts outfitted models on display before a room full of industry leaders, and producers seek out feedback from top names. During the runway examination, contestants provide a play-by-play on their fashions; later, when called on the carpet, they're articulate and insightful as to their design motivations and theories. In those moments, Fashion raises the bar for fashion reality.

The Washington Post

The show would be so much more hahaha, and so much more interesting, if we hadn't seen these contestants before. Merlin's costumes and smack-worthy comments seem far less outlandish when you realize he's pretty much just a Christian Siriano/Jay McCarroll hybrid. And Fashion's Kristin, with her flaky eco-inspired designs and what looks like a dreamcatcher in her hair — didn't Elisa and Sweet P (Runway Season 4) have that shtick covered? The contestants of Fashion sometimes act as though they auditioned not to be fashion designers on a reality show, but rather to fill the specific shoes left behind by Runway contestants. You can almost picture them backstage, doing rock-paper-scissors to determine which one of them will be "the offensive contestant," which one will be "the contestant who wears a headpiece bigger than Milwaukee."

The Chicago Sun-Times

Project Runway is ingenious at casting. Will we ever forget Santino? Christian Siriano? Or Kenley Collins, last season's finalist who was so combative that she has since been charged with throwing her cat at her ex?
Tough to top. But The Fashion Show just may do it. So far we have a men's underwear designer who calls himself "the pantychrist"; a Siriano look-alike who mumbles something about how he only works with squares and rectangles, and Merlin, who has an impenetrable accent, at least one red cat suit and a collection of astonishing hats. "The world is controlled by bitches, that's what I believe," says Merlin. I think.

The Daily News

Mizrahi also doesn't seem to be from the pep-talk school of hosting. At one point in tonight's show he informs the assembled group that "you all let me down." ... In Mizrahi's defense, tonight doesn't suggest these contestants are quite ready to revolutionize fashion. It doesn't take a professional to know that if a dress is so painfully tight even a wispy model can't comfortably wear it, it's probably not going to score in the shops. But as viewers, we're less interested in the destination than the ride, and this one starts out feeling like fun.

The ep begins by introducing you to the three "new interns." Ashley, from DC, is an aggro bitch; Talita, from L.A., is a diva with long legs, long hair and a chihuahua named Chanel; Samantha is the wide-eyed noob from Wisconsin who's never seen the big city. Ashley claims they "decided to live together" so she "found an apartment online." (It's a pretty big SoHo one-bedroom. They have a bunkbed.) Far more interesting are the characters we meet at Marie Claire magazine: Joanna Coles, the quippy, brisk editor-in-chief; Zoe, the hard-working, long-suffering shopping editor; and, of course, Nina Garcia, of Project Runway fame. Where the interns were obviously chosen for their personalities and camera-friendly looks, the mag staff all seem sleep-deprived and stressed out, although they each swear, "I love my job." About 22 minutes into the episode, Coles sends Samantha to pick up a dress and we see her — you guessed it — running in heels.

The best part of the episode was toward the end: At a party to celebrate Nina Garcia's arrival at the magazine, there's word Lindsay Lohan has arrived but may not walk the red carpet because there's no poster of her cover displayed. Somehow, Joanna Coles magically convinces LL to pose for pictures and gets what she calls her "money shot." Meanwhile, Samantha from Wisconsin is hanging out at the party — she's supposed to be working — and she's not wearing any shoes, which infuriates the other interns. (Clip above.)

Between The Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty and Stylista, this show seems the most realistic, coming from someone who has worked in magazines. Which is not to say that it's not completely preposterous: The interns are clearly just for TV (Joanna Coles herself said they never intended to hire these women) and there's a lot of cheek-kissing and not a lot of actual working. That said, there's a sick pleasure in watching these "interns" — who think they're "perfect" for the job despite having zero fashion magazine experience — find out how painful running in heels can be.

Subject: "You Have to Watch This..." [Fashionista]