Project Runway All Stars 12/19/13--"#Nina's Trending" summary

Previously on Project Runway: Time to design for QVC. The designers had to make a gown for the program director to wear to some party near the Oscars. Winner will have their dress sold, naturally. Viktor revealed to Elena and Seth Aaron (and the country) that he was HIV+. I’m not sure why it was now, but it happened. Zanna said green doesn’t sell magazine covers, and jewel-toned strapless gowns are boring. It’s not for a magazine, Zanna. Korto made a very simple maxi dress but with a bright orange skirt and she was the winner. She also made a dress that is very easy to manufacture, but it was pretty. Irina made a very complicated wedding dress, essentially, that fell apart on the runway. For once the judges actually took the dress falling apart into account and sent her home. I think other people had worse dresses but whatever. (click for more)

Top Chef 12/18/13--"Giving It the College Try" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: the Quickfire involved product placement, which is annoying but preferable to having the product placement in the Elimination challenge. Anyway, make something with coffee. Shirley won with coffee crusted tenderloin. Then everyone was supposed to make a dish they crave when they go “home”. The secret requirement today is “comfort food”. Nick made gnudi, the same way he makes them for his kids, and he got emotional about it. I think the judges remembered that because he won. Travis made biscuits and gravy, with jam, which might have been good if the biscuits were cooked. So he was sent home. (click for more)

Project Runway All Stars 12/12/13--"As Sewn on TV" summary

Previously on Project Runway: Everyone has to design for Marge Simpson. This meant everyone pretending Marge is a real person, to the point that Chris said his design was based on the fact that Marge was just a housewife and wouldn’t want anything too sexy. And then Isaac got offended by that. Sigh. Anyway, Irina made a very pretty purple voluminous thing and won. Jeffrey’s dress was poorly made and everyone seems tired of his tortured artist shtick so he was eliminated. (click for more)

Top Chef 12/11/13--"Like Mama Made" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: Restaurant Wars! Which I always enjoy. The people who have been winning were on one team, but of course that team crashed and burned. You can usually tell who will fail: either one team is clearly dysfunctional, or they both look sort of OK and then the “favorite” team will lose. Justin took over and was a jerk, but then Sara also failed at the front-of-house stuff. According to most sources I read she really should have made a ticket for the judges’ table, instead of just verbally telling Justin they were ready to eat. I’ve never worked in a kitchen so I don’t know. Anyway, in the end Sara was sent home for failing. Nick was a great executive chef and made a delicious dish and won. The judges also said Travis was better at FOH than Fabio, which I doubt. I mean, Fabio. (click for more)

TAR23, Recap Leg 12, 12/8/13

Welcome to Leg 12! Last time, on Let’s Chase a Runaway Vending Machine, teams raced from Indonesia to Japan.  Leo and Jamal caught a break by getting to Tokyo first, but then fell behind in building robots.  And Leo and Jamal were eliminated.  So, now our final three!  Tim and Marie, the formerly dating couple who never seem to let up on the bickering long enough to breathe; Jason and Amy, the dating couple from Boston who have managed six second place finishes in eleven legs; and Nicole and Travis, the ER Doctors and parents who seem to be melting as we speak. Who will win The Amazing Race 23? (click for more)

TAR23, Recap Leg 11, 12/8/13

Welcome to Leg 11! Last time, on That Skin Tasted Snakish, teams raced around Indonesia some more.  Leo and Jamal managed to stay on top of the back until falling behind at the egg boiling Roadblock, and then Double Bald Snarking in the Detour.  This landed them with the last Speed Bump.   Who will be eliminated. . . next? (click for more)

Project Runway All Stars 12/5/13--"Marge Madness" summary

Previously on Project Runway: the reason for the previous non-elimination became clear. The producers needed an even number so they could do this challenge in pairs. Everyone was supposed to be inspired by Bonnie and Clyde and the “glamour” of the 1930’s. I didn’t see much 30s inspiration but these types of themes never pan out anyway. Jeffrey won with a giant coat, which was cool but also a big boxy coat. Mychael created a jacket that didn’t work and was sent home. (click for more)

Top Chef 12/4/13--"Restaurant Wars" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: first, make hot sauce for an unintelligible musician. Then, butcher a whole hog and make dishes out of the whole thing. Actually the Elimination was cool. Brian won the first part, and Carlos won the second part. I was just surprised at how many people claimed to have butchered a whole hog before. Justin tried to cause some drama with the grill, and overcooked his pork, but in the end Louis went home. I guess he was boring? Had too many things going on? Because everyone said his pork was cooked perfectly so I don’t see why they would send him home over Justin and Stephanie who had flavorless pork belly. I mean, pork belly is delicious. Somehow making it flavorless seems more of a travesty. (click for more)

TAR23, Recap Leg 10, 12/1/13

Welcome to Leg 10! Last time, on Sugar Cane Can Totally Fit in a Taxi, teams raced around Indonesia.  Ally and Ashley managed to get into first place at the beginning of the leg, but in a series of poor decisions moved them quickly to last.  Nicole didn’t know what an octave was, and tried to cheat off Leo.  And after all that, Ally and Ashley were eliminated.  Who will be eliminated. . . next? (click for more)