Dooce’s Recap: Bromstad! Where are you, Bromstad?
It’s episode two of Design Star, and before the credits even roll I’m having a hard time not wishing that someone would accidentally spill their beer all over Nina’s head. Because then maybe she would stop using her mouth to dig her own grave.
Also, for a second there before they flashed the name Casey on the screen, I thought Reese Witherspoon had suddenly joined Design Star. How awesome would that be? GET YER STUBBORN SELF DOWN HERE AND GET ME SOME BROCADE.
This week! The first Design Star fashion show. Contestants are challenged to design an apartment based on the design of an outfit, and among the choices are an elegant evening gown, pajamas, suits, even a wedding gown. Nina grabs the evening gown, Courtland grabs a suit, and so on, until Genevieve drops the catch: two teams. Men vs. women. And every outfit chosen by each designer has to be incorporated into the design. That’s five completely different looks per apartment… um… Design Star? I think your rules are cute and all, but I think they may have a methamphetamine problem.
The guys all agree to work as a team and then immediately the scene cuts to the women. Specifically to Nina. She almost tackles everyone to take over the group, trotting out her credentials the entire time as if she is the only one with a working brain. UGH! Can’t we all just eat popcorn, tell ghost stories and braid each other’s hair?
The guys get Alex’s choice, the dreaded wedding gown, out of the way first, and decide to create a giant white headboard, all putting their ideas into the mix. Cut to the women who seem to be working a bit better together, until Nina’s mouth is all I’M A PROFESSIONAL, A PROFESSIONAL, A PROFESSIONAL, and already this is turning out to be Heather Wants Nina to be Quiet blog.
The guys next get their first glimpse at conflict when Michael starts to nitpick Trent. And then nitpick Trent some more. And then he uses the phrase “doesn’t think outside the box” and I cannot take him seriously ever again.
Tera decides that the inspiration for her part of the room is going to be the color of her outfit, and she suggests that they paint the bedroom walls yellow. Immediately the other women speak out against it, including Casey who says that color theory was one of her favorite classes in school. She describes yellow as an aggressive color, and then we cut to Tera saying, “Who cares about all this psychology crap?” Um, BROMSTAD! WHERE ARE YOU, BROMSTAD? I THINK I KNOW SOMEONE WHO CARES, TERA.
Nina then continues to punch everyone in the face to control the operation, not literally, BUT THAT’S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, while Stacey concentrates on her chair, her only contribution to the room. Everyone else is arguing about the yellow on the walls, and what do you know? Yellow apparently does turn out to be aggressive! What was that about psychology again?
Back to the men, and Courtland is painting stripes on the wall taking a color from every outfit. Alex can’t figure out how to use the power tools, and the other guys step in and help him work it out. Team work! Only thing missing is hair that is long enough to braid. But then, as we race toward the deadline, there goes Michael! Nitpicking Trent! And Trent’s thinking, dude, I’m about to put you inside a box.
Madness ensues as they add the final touches, and then BOOM, elevator door opens and out walks a menacing Vern Yip. Out for blood! Or maybe just a well-designed room!
First up, the men’s apartment, and since this is the first time we see the whole space, I have to say that I’m stunned at how well everything pulled together. Not that I was expecting a huge mess, but that’s a space I’d love to live in. Tailored like a suit, streamlined, linear. A dining room dotted with four different and modern, iconic chairs. The bedroom takes a tiny misstep in that what should be the centerpiece of the room — the wedding dress — really isn’t represented well. Which I’m not so certain is a bad thing.
Women’s apartment: Wait, that’s the mural Nina painted as a PROFESSIONAL? Sorry, the room isn’t that bad, but I can’t get past the mural. Am I picking on Nina? Yes. Do I feel bad about that? Absolutely not. Also, I’m not a fan of the blue velvet drapes, maybe because I grew up in Memphis and Graceland has already been done. And as far as the yellow bedroom goes, I love the gray wall! Maybe because it’s being beaten in the head by the yellow walls, and I want to kiss its wounds.
Judgment is passed down…and the men’s team wins! Courtland takes home top seat. Great move on his part with those stripes. This means the women maybe should have…oh wait. What do I mean, women. This means a certain someone should have just zipped it.
And the other women are agreeing with me, calling her a bully, even to her face. And her response is basically this: If you let me bully you, then it’s your fault I’m a bully. Huh? What? In front of the judges she says, and I quote, “Because I fall into the leadership role, I think that I self-sacrificed a little bit by trying to get everybody in.”
OH NO SHE DID NOT.
And thank you, Vern, for telling her that it’s not an acceptable excuse. I knew I liked you, Vern! And the line of the night, from him to Tera who said she was inspired to paint the walls yellow because of her outfit: “It’s not about matching it. This isn’t Garanimals!”
And because there is justice in this Universe both she and Nina end up in the bottom two. Tera’s host presentation is pure Southern charm as she gives a bear hug to the mannequin wearing her outfit. Nina’s is forgettable, although it does flow well and she showcases both rooms. The judges whisper, confer and then announce that yellow is the death of Tera who has up to this point pretty much said that she was taking that decision to the grave. And as she exits, she still defends the yellow. The yellow! The yellow! Wait, I mean, the horror! The horror!
WHAT?!! I can't believe they sent Tera home! I was SO hoping the judges would pick up on the fact that Teri said "we designed" during her presentation, and Nina kept saying "I designed". Ummmm Nina this was a GROUP effort? She's gonna stay for awhile because she creates tension and that's entertaining. Oh well!
I so agree with you, she called the team…MY team…hello! Its the girls…she sure is staying because she knows how to compete, I hate to say it, as much as I hate her guts….I like watching her walk over Emily…she just let all the girls have their voice over her and turn her around as they please(well, NINA)!
Sweety, you need to have you piece represent…don't let anyone telling you what to do or how to put your work…its team work, but your individulal style to input along the comptetion/team effort. You better get on BOARD or Go HOME!….its between EMILY(she needs to gain confidence) & NINA(to have respect to her peers)
I agree too. I mean she has 250+ commenting on her attitude and design skills. Personally I think she could be a good designer if she took other people's opinions, and not just her own. But she would also have to lose the attitude.
What is with the judges??? Tera was the only good thing in the woman's section tonight. Sad.
Goodness Joan what were you smoking while watching this? Tera was just one small step down from the boorish Nina. Smug and self satisfied isn't talent. It's EGO.
Boy did the judges screw up tonight. As much as I like Vern and Candice, where was their good sense tonight? Nina is horrible and her work tonight was horrible. Tera made valid points about color palette and was WAY better on camera than that B**** Nina. Send Nina home. She's absolutely ruining this show. Not sure I will watch again until she's out of there.
I AGREE! I was disappointed to hear the judges say that personal dynamics would play no part in their decision. This episode was all about personal dynamics. And so is audience appeal. Do they actually think that I would watch a show featuring a designer like Nina, who has used every trick in the book to undermine her design partners? I was also offended by her "I designed" line in her video. I don't know about everyone else, but I have to LIKE the designer to be entertained by his/her show.
These are the same judges who selected the pig Antonio last year. Perhaps they are looking for a female version. I really question whether these three judges have any clue as to what the viewers want.
Hear hear! I refuse to watch Antonio, and I would remove any show where Nina was the designer. Can you see her in your home?
Me: I really dislike mid-century modern and I hate Ikea stuff.
Nina: We will buy everything from Ikea to give you the mid-century modern look with a contempary edge.
Her tossing Michael under the bus last week,because she failed to communicate to him what she would like in her space. Her boorish behavior in the guise of *leadership*, and her pathetic attempts to excuse her lack to any kind of design. Three strikes…SHES OUT!
I am seriously not liking Nina she is a total Biotch. I mean really she thinks she is already a star and will step on anyone's toes. From the first episode when she threw the guy under the bus on her design style, I knew that hefer would be the one to hate.
Nina's "mural" wasn't a good representation of her dress, and her presentation wasn't that great. She should have gone home. Letting Nina continue on is making me think about how they kept on letting Antonio through last year, even when he didn't deserve it. I'm getting a bad feeling about this.
Ok, look people, I dislike Nina as much as everyone else, but Tara completely missed the boat. The exercise was not about matching colors or even just making the space look good. It was about translating the spirit and vibe of the fashion design into the room design. If you can't understand that then you're not a real designer. Tara didn't get it. I applaud these judges. They know what they're doing.
As far as Antonio. He's a brilliant bad-a** designer. Far more fun to watch than all these cookie cutter designers out there. I'm glad he got picked last year.
Tera was one of the best designers there…this show is bad. Hopefully it will get another season so they can go back to the original format with paint cans, clive pearse, and good judging.
It is bad on every single level, which is amazing because I liked all the other seasons… and I will not be watching it anymore.
Vern is an AWFUL judge and has turned me off for this season.
I agree. I was really looking forward to this season and am very disappointed. Vern is being portrayed as a "bully" and rewards Nina for the same type of behavior. Candice and Genieve appear to be weak and just following Vern's lead. All are awesome designers in their own right and have always appeared to be strong people without being offensive. The producers may be able to produce Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice but are really missing the mark on what HGTV audiences want. They are not doing these designers any favor. The judges are setting the bar very low on future design stars!
I really hate to agree, but I also am very disappointed in this season. I have loved every season but the childish drama is so unprofessional, it is a complete turn-off. I have come to expect class and grace from HGTV and I hope the producers go back to the winning format.
There is a reason most of us HGTV addicts are not watchers of Apprentice or Survivor. Very soon we will no longer be watchers of Design Star.
I agree, what is up with turn it into a design Apprentice?
The Clive quote, "Your Show has been Cancelled" is missing as well as He is from this show as well as Design Star. And did you notice the mainpage lists all previous winners except last season's Antonio. They were FINALLY going to have a winner with a DIFFERENT show but it seems HGTV just wants more of the same. Seriously, when I turned to the episode I kept looking for Donald Trump because it is obviously now produced by the same team. They even use the same NY shots and music as the Apprentice. And, it looks like they will quickly weed out the very few designers that are not from either NY or Calif. BORINGGGGGGGGG
Nina has to fill the role as the villain. She'll stay at least a few more weeks.
Agreed. The villain aspect may be the only thing to spice up this season. But frankly, what show could Nina actually host? "Sabotage Design"? "Design Diva: I do what I want"? "Designing without Scruples"?
Really? Do they really need a "villain"? Don't you think this whole "I hate you so much, I'm just going to keep watching until you go" thing is getting a little old? They have someone like this every time and it's starting to seem like they staged. I don't know if I even want to watch anymore. I already know exactly what's going to happen anyway. Nina will go within the next three or four shows, and someone like Casey or Alex is going to win- everything is basically the same every season. Design Star is not doing good.
How about Designing Drama? Real Designers of New Jersey?
I so agree with you all this years format is off also they need to go back to old style. also they need to wake up and pay attention.
Mr. Yip needs to check out this web site: http://www.workplacebullying.org/.
Who (what?) will be Nina's audience?
Yeah, you are right. The judges are doing a terrible job, and I hate this new format. I think that should go back to the way it was before they got new judges WHO DECIDE WHO WINS!!!! I'm still so p.o'd about that.
Would I want Nina to design a space for me? No thank you. I think her superior, I'm the best, bulling don't question me attitude would allow no discussion between her & her client. It is her" my way or the highway attitude " that comes thru loud & clear. Please spare us all from the "Miss know it all designer.
It's not just her attitude. It's that she so far hasn't shown anything to justify her attitude.
unfortuneately in the world of design there are clients who want a big, even obnoxious performance from their designers. I don't understand it, but it's out there.My big issue is that people like that make me sick, not entertained.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! iF THEY KEEP LETTING NINA GET AWAY WITH HER BAD ATTITUDE AND BULLYING i'M NOT SURE I'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH! LET'S HOPE THEY CATCH ON TO HOW MUCH OF A DESIGNER SHE'S" NOT"
Now there is no reason to watch the show. They just let the best designer go. What a joke!!! If this isn't confirmation that this show is rigged I don't know what is!!!!
I think Nina should have gone home first, but I think Tera's inability to accept some critisim from the judges did her in. She stuck to her yellow and argued with the judges about it. That sends a message that she is unwilling to learn and grow as a designer. The only thing I can say about Nina….she took the beating from the judges and at least acted like she was accepting their critiques. It probably didn't help her either when she threw Stacy under Courtland's bus.
I definitely agree that Nina should have gone home first, but Tera really believed in her design and that is why she stuck with it. Tera did not allow Vern to bully her!
I so looked forward to the start of Design Star, now, I feel sorry for all the contestants who are there to design and show their hosting skills.
Yip, et al, are looking for DRAMA in the contestants contrary personalities instead of looking for the best designer/host.
This is so disappointing.
Tara? The "best designer"? Gimme a break. She couldn't take any more creative inspiration from her fashion design than the color. That's a shallow designer.
Courtland worked so hard to make his team a team effort. He didn't worry about his designer outfit. It was represented. His effort was in what could he do to help the team. YAY! I'm so glad he got picked as the #1 best this week. See? NICE does pay off.
I'm so bummed that Tera got sent home! What a bummer! She has a wonderful balance of being nice to everyone, cooperating with even the "evil Nina", and also standing up for what she believed. I loved the yellow and navy. Color IS an inspiration from fashion. So??? NICE didn't pay off this time.
Let's face it… The only reason Nina is still there is that it makes for good TV ratings. Casey and Stacy are just blah beige contestants. Why are they still there? Oh well, there's always next Sunday.
Keeping Nina could also turn off viewers. I don't want to watch a ripoff of the Apprentice.
Taking the color alone as inspiration from the fashion is a shallow as you can get creatively. She's NOT a good designer if she could not draw any more creativity from her outfit.
I'm glad Tera and Nina were in the bottom 2. Nina is a bitch and Tera became her lap dog in the last episode. Did you see how she tried to attack Emily and throw her under the bus during the elimination? While I can't wait for Nina to go, I'm not sad Tera is gone either. Hopefully Nina will be gone next week.
I'm finding the judges, in particular Vern and Candace, to be ridiculously rude. It's one thing to critique, which I find Genevieve doing, but another to say humiliating things. It makes me uncomfortable to watch.
I think Tera was sent home b/c Nina's more of a drama player, which makes the networks smile. Ridiculous.
I would have sent Emily home. Week two of being bad, and week one having NO concept whatsoever. While I do like her; I'm not seeing her design star quality.
Boo on the mean judges, tho. Glad you guys are successful and on tv, but these contestants are professionals too! Geez.
They have totally ruined Design Stars!!!! Does this show now remind you of a cross between "The Apprentice" and a soap opera???? What is with all the focus for the show being on just the drama between contestants?? Hardly any of the true design work is being shown. Hey this is not ABC NBC or even FOX network, so why do we need to transform a great show with good mass appeal to the followers of HGTV, into some kind of Reality TV Drama Game Show????
I'm sorry but Vern just can't translate into being Donald Trump from Apprentice with his Billionare, I don't care if you like what I say attitude? And what with Candice Olson morphing into Leona Helmsley, with the rude, stuck up, better than anyone else attidude? I mean come on people, what the H E Double hockey stick is going on with this show???!!!???
IF something is not broke, don't come in with new and not improved ideas to try and get those that might be viewing the WWF progams to turn the channel to HGTV for some fake and phoney attitudes and drama king and queens to get some ratings.
I agree with everything you wrote. There is something wrong when the show is only half way through and the designs are done, and the rest is judging. Actually it's more about building fake tension about who will lose, than judging. The awful music, the suitcases, the constant reminder that the prize is your own show. Ugh! This show has really gotten bad.
I agree with you wholeheartedly!!! I couldn't believe how mean Vern was. What I love about Vern is his great big heart and the new direction of the show has him not even cracking a smile. The whole thing is really off track. I'll keep watching because I love the show no matter what but am very disappointed.
Love your comment, TimothyC. You are so on point.
My thoughts exactly and making Vern "mean" is not only a misdirected idea but he is not convincing in the role. So sad that this has turned into drama design stars instead of showing us some creativilty.
I also noticed when reviewing the designers portfoilios that they are not exactly well chosen for the task. Some photos of the designer's work show a level of expertise others don't. All the work is nice but only a few are really professional.
It seems to me the show developers decide the "roles" the designers play and have scripted the show – so stereotypical- nina – the mean girl, Micheal , the control freak, Courtland the nice guy(victim), Emily the cry baby etc etc.etc. So so so so dissapointed HGTV.
Being from Texas does not make you an idiot-or country. We have some major industuries that the people up North come to our wonderful state to make a great living. Maybe Tera messed up by following the color scheme but less face it – no one had much say so–with Nina-I wished she would have stayed. We really don't know what any of these ladies can do on there own or men. First they had to design for a co-contestant-and then as a team.