Under the Gunn, or How Not to Be a Mentor

I fully set aside enough time to watch 90 minutes of show, only to discover that those 90 minute episodes were only for the beginning? The auditions, if you will. Whatever, sounds good. Sadly, what does not sound good is the feeling that the arbitrary, producer-dictated judging is in full effect. (click for more)

Top Chef 1/29/14--"Maui Wowie" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: a two-part Quickfire involving amuse bouches for Gail and vegetables for Tom. Carlos won the whole thing and also a car which made Nicholas look pissed. Then everyone was supposed to use what they’ve learned to make a dish that could possibly be served in all of Emeril’s restaurants, if they win. This is the last challenge before the finale so of course everyone freaked out a lot. Shirley won, because she’s on a roll. Carlos and Nicholas were the bottom, but Carlos was sent home. Boo. (click for more)

Under the Gunn episode 2

The second group of designers still had six hours to make an outfit, but this time they had to race for fabrics. It's not a bad twist but it does allow for more variety in the outfits. I also think this group had a different vibe since they knew for sure two of them were going home. The first group didn't know how many of them would be out. More thoughts under the cut. (click for more)

Top Chef 1/22/14--"Leaving New Orleans" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: the chefs made po’ boys and were all yelled at for sucking. Eventually guest judge Roy Choi gave Shirley the win and immunity. Then everyone was supposed to make a dish that represented a turning point in their career, for Jon Favreau who is making a movie about a chef who has lost his voice and is sucking. Isn’t that a crazy coincidence? Stupid show. Anyway, cooking, Nicholas being a dick to Carlos because he tried to be smart and say “do whatever you want, don’t touch my pots” and then freaking out when the pots got moved. If I was Carlos, I would hear “do whatever you want” and go OK! And then ignore the rest of his talking. Then Nicholas burned some quinoa which was nice, because he tried to claim someone messed with the oven on purpose. Except for the clip where the camera clearly showed him not checking the temperature on the oven. Shirley won again. Brian was sent home because I guess Nicholas is just better? Sometimes the jerk is obviously talented so you know they’ll stick around for a while, but I just don’t see that level of talent from Nicholas. (click for more)

Under the Gunn is pretty good

DianeP asked me if I was going to talk about "Under the Gunn", and I said I probably wasn't. It's nice to have a break, and I was expecting it to be exactly like "Project Runway" in terms of everyone having a sob story and the producers interfering all the time. However, I did finish the first episode and it's not bad, actually. I watched Tim Gunn on "The Daily Show" and what he said made it sound like we were supposed to have another season of "Project Runway" but we have this instead. He said that he and Heidi have a secret pinkie swear pact that neither one will do a season of that show without the other one. So they went to Heidi and she said "I'm busy", and they went to Tim and he said "I'm not doing it without Heidi." So they...made a brand-new show without Heidi. I'll put the rest of my thoughts under a cut in case you haven't watched it yet (you can get it streaming on Lifetime's website). (click for more)

Project Runway All Stars 1/16/14--"Reunion" summary

Previously on Project Runway: Seth Aaron won the whole thing. So yay? I guess? I find that I’m kind of sad that Korto didn’t win but on the other hand, I really don’t care that much. Guess it’s a good thing we’ve got a break coming. (click for more)

Top Chef 1/15/14--"Po' Boy Smackdown" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: the Quickfire featured Jacques Pepin, which was cool. He created a fish dish with a lot of technique and then made everyone try to replicate it, which resulted in plenty of fail. Nicholas won, and gained immunity. Then the chefs were divided into two teams of three, to cook the same ingredients in different cuisine styles. French vs. Spanish. The Spanish team ended up doing the best overall, and Nina won. The French team only seemed to have one week link: Nicholas. While Shirley and Stephanie made the best dishes of the evening, they were on the losing team. Nicholas had terrible dishes, made worse by the fact that his team warned him and he ignored them. The judges suggested he give up immunity and quit but Nicholas refused, so Stephanie was sent home. I mean, he’s entitled to keep the immunity he earned but that doesn’t mean he’s still not a jerk. (click for more)

Project Runway All Stars 1/9/14--"Are U.N. or Are You Out" summary

Previously on Project Runway: I missed last week’s episode due to travel and DVR being stupid. But it wasn’t super exciting. Everyone had to make a dress for a specific line, taking into account the price point and stuff. Remember the first All-Stars season when Mondo made that dust ruffle pillowcase and everyone said they loved it? Same challenge. Seth Aaron announced at the beginning of the episode he hasn’t won a challenge yet, so it was seriously no surprise when he won. At least his dress was fine. Korto and Chris were the bottom, so naturally they had to take all their clothes from the previous challenge and make something new. Like Korto was not going to the finale. I bet what happened was the guest judges hated her dress and wanted her gone, but that doesn’t fit with the decided narrative of the season, so they had to make another challenge to declare her safe. You didn’t see any of the guest judges after this last surprise challenge, did you? Anyway, Chris is eliminated so it’s Korto vs. Elena vs. Seth Aaron for the finale. (click for more)

Top Chef 1/8/14--"Oui Si a Challenge" summary

Previously on “Top Chef”: I’ve missed an episode! I was out of town and couldn’t get to the episode. Then when I got back the DVR had malfunctioned so I didn’t have it. Plus, weather and travel disasters so I just said forget it. Anyway, new episode on New Year’s Day. John Besh was heavily involved. For the Quickfire, everyone made crawfish etouffee and Shirley won immunity. The Elimination challenge was catering for some party, each chef making a dish that highlighted at least two different kinds of seafood. Before that, though, everyone got to go to John Besh’s house for dinner, which was fun and looked delicious. Stephanie won the day with her fried oyster. Carrie made fritters from her nice fresh fish which ruined it, so she was sent home. (click for more)