This Sunday starting at 9/8c, tune in for the Design Star marathon. Watch all the designs and drama of the first three episodes again, and in honor of the long weekend, we have a poll for you.
Chelsey Bowen is a Decorating Editor for HGTV.com. She is a lover of style, whether found in well-designed rooms or the latest fashion runways. Her obsessions include magazines, cooking, estate sales and her puppy, Baxter..
Well…hate to pile on but…..I COMPLETELY agree. This format is cold and nothing that anyone interested in learning about design can appreciate. Vern comes across as a mean, grumpy old queen, Candace is giving Canadian Ice Queen and Genevieve is just there rocking her new nose job and collecting an extra check. NOT COOL. Where is CLive? Where is the TRUE inspiration that DS used to convey? Bringing in "proffessionals" into the competition may create drama but it isnt organic and inspiring at all. Not good HGTV, not good.
starstruck on July 4, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I'm sorry to add to the common thread – but hopefully, if enough of us say it… perhaps the network will listen. I understand the need for evolution but not all evolutions is good. And Design Star is proof of that truism. Selling New York! …. There are 49 other states and thousands of other cities that can't relate in any way to the New York lifestyle of millionaires. HGTV was exciting and addictive because it made you think, it made you want, it made you get up and go try something. You kept a pad and pen by your chair to write down ideas you liked so you could go back to the website and look again to determine if it would work for you…. could you change a color slightly? Could you learn something to help you work in the old clock your grandma left you (and you love) into a more fun and modern room? Did you ever think those three colors could look so fabulous together? Could you see something that would INSPIRE you? Yes you COULD and WOULD .. But now … not so much! Bring back the things that made it a "how-to" for the common homeowner. That's the HGTV we loved and couldn't get enough of! Now you can just sign me Frustrated in Florida!
I agree. How many of us have people we know who have a few millions to spend on a re-do or vacation house. I miss the 50.00 remake on a room, even the 500.00 room. This year seems sterile and not at all like other years.At least they did have a few times where there was acturally laughter!!!!!!! PLEASE leave all the millionairs at home to count their money, give us every day regular folks the kind of things we can afford.
JC Wolk on July 12, 2010 at 9:50 pm
No offense, but I think Vern is very arrogant, and controlling. I think he forces his views on the rest of the judging panel. I think some mistakes were made.
I agree with the others that this show is a flop this year. Vern is a talking head and Genevieve and Candice are bobble heads. They don't give adequate justification for their decisions. The show lost a lot of personality with Clive gone. But I really don't see why I am surprised by the lack of excitement this year…I see no talent among the contestants, but I've never noticed any talent in previous seasons. Let's face it, really talented designers are too busy doing work for their clients to participate in a show like this. I have watched in the past for the entertainment, not the design, but this season there isn't even any entertainment. It's just blah.
guest on July 5, 2010 at 3:08 am
I miss Clive! He brought warmth to the show. Vern is mean. I can honestly state that I think his own designs featured on his show are boring and unoriginal. I have never like Genevieve. Candace does nice designs, but it is evident that she is not hampered by budget constraints. Does anyone LIKE Nina or Courtland? They grated the nerves from the first challenge. I hope they are outta there soon. If not, my show idea is put them together and watch them fight, bicker, and yes…throw each other under the bus.
andib on July 5, 2010 at 4:41 am
I've been out of the country for a month and a half, so I'm trying to catch up by watching the marathon. The third challenge is now on, and I felt the need to say that it doesn't matter how good a designer is or how slick they are as a host, if they are obnoxious, I would NEVER watch their show if they won. Right now, I feel so strongly negative about Nina and her prima-donna behavior that I know I would never watch her show if she won. NEVER! Surely the judges have to factor that in.
Guest on July 5, 2010 at 3:14 am
Because others are commenting on the vapid line up of shows on HGTV, I would like to echo my agreement. I used to watch HGTV all the time. I realize that House Hunter type shows are cheaper to produce, but they are BORING. I stopped watching. Period. I caught the reruns of Design Star tonight (Sunday) because I wasn't here to see them before. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! I'm going to bed!
Guest on July 5, 2010 at 3:22 am
I agree with a lot of the comments that the show's format this year isn't working. Too much "teamwork" that stops any one person from showing what he or she can do. But my question is – why on earth did they start a 4-hour marathon at 9 p.m.? I am apparently one of the few people who is still watching, and here on the east coast, the newest episode doesn't start until midnight. Bad decision. Really bad. Great way to make sure your audience drop sot next to nothing for the newest episode.
RJ in SC on July 5, 2010 at 3:40 am
Hope you're not too mad when you find out there is no new episode?
Design Star has changed to mimic American Idol, same concept and I can't stand the team challenges, how can they tell after 2 challenges what each designer's style is. HGTV is now all about people buying and selling, real estate brokers showing off how much they make, I don't care about all of that, I miss Design on a dime, Carter can, Hammer Heads etc… show's I could learn from… I'm tired of watching people buy houses.
Valerie on July 5, 2010 at 3:57 am
I think this season is more like a cheap ripoff of The Apprentice. Vern is Donald Trump, and Genevieve & Candice are the two assistants/judges Trump has with him. The group challenges, where a member of the losing team goes home (even if a member of the winning team is the worst) follows The Apprentice format. They even have the overly dramatic music, and the incredibly stupid move of having the losing team bring their suitcases to the final judging. (Whatever reality show producer who thought up the suitcase thing is a moron.)
You mentioned Carter Can. Where is Carter? He usually hosts the HGTV Green House, but this year they have Jamie Durie.
I don't like Durie's show The Outdoor Room. It follows the new HGTV mantra to have everything overly dramatic. The format is: the home owners tell Jamie about a place they like; Jamie travels to that place no matter where it is; Jamie comes home with lots of ideas; his design team claims Jamie is crazy and his design won't work; the design comes out beautifully. Nice gig that Jamie has, getting HGTV to pay for him to vacation in India or Australia in the name of "research." Gee it's too bad that there isn't a way for Jamie to reseach different places without having to travel there.
What do you mean by sparks? If its bad than Nina what a miss, if it's good than I need to see more.
Carrie Martin on July 5, 2010 at 4:11 am
I'm so disappointed with 'Design Star' this year. Waited for it to come on and what a waste of time it is! We don't get to see very much of the actual designing…..all the focus is on those stupid, nasty little camera bits with one designer criticizing one of the others. The emphasis is definitely on the strife between the players and design is merely a backdrop for this nastiness. That's HALF of every show……..the other half is the judge's 'comments'.
The show went downhill last year when we all knew from day one that Antonio was going to win no matter how bad his designs were………the judges seemed to simply love his 'machisimo' and bent everything to make him the winner. Unfortunately, they also decided NOT to let the fans vote at the end………thus ensuring THEIR choice.
This year, it's looking to me like it'll be Nina. She's got that brassiness that these judges seem to admire. The show itself though is BORING and it's really too bad that barely half of the show is dedicated to watching the contestants design. I really don't care if they bring it back next year. What a shame that a great show has been ruined!
Kris on July 5, 2010 at 4:42 am
Even with the judges' preference for Antonio last year, and that the audience couldn't vote on the winner, the show was still fun. People were coming here to actually discuss the designs and whether or not the judges got it right.
This year they took away all of the fun from the show. It is dreary and boring.
Because of Antonio's jerky attitude, I don't even know if he is talented or not. I go into complete shut-down mode when someone is rude, inconsiderate, and unpleasant. I watch for design, not drama. Call it boring, but if that's what the people want, Mark Burnett has shows on other channels!
Well…hate to pile on but…..I COMPLETELY agree. This format is cold and nothing that anyone interested in learning about design can appreciate. Vern comes across as a mean, grumpy old queen, Candace is giving Canadian Ice Queen and Genevieve is just there rocking her new nose job and collecting an extra check. NOT COOL. Where is CLive? Where is the TRUE inspiration that DS used to convey? Bringing in "proffessionals" into the competition may create drama but it isnt organic and inspiring at all. Not good HGTV, not good.
I'm sorry to add to the common thread – but hopefully, if enough of us say it… perhaps the network will listen. I understand the need for evolution but not all evolutions is good. And Design Star is proof of that truism. Selling New York! …. There are 49 other states and thousands of other cities that can't relate in any way to the New York lifestyle of millionaires. HGTV was exciting and addictive because it made you think, it made you want, it made you get up and go try something. You kept a pad and pen by your chair to write down ideas you liked so you could go back to the website and look again to determine if it would work for you…. could you change a color slightly? Could you learn something to help you work in the old clock your grandma left you (and you love) into a more fun and modern room? Did you ever think those three colors could look so fabulous together? Could you see something that would INSPIRE you? Yes you COULD and WOULD .. But now … not so much! Bring back the things that made it a "how-to" for the common homeowner. That's the HGTV we loved and couldn't get enough of! Now you can just sign me Frustrated in Florida!
Your post is excellent!:D
I agree. How many of us have people we know who have a few millions to spend on a re-do or vacation house. I miss the 50.00 remake on a room, even the 500.00 room. This year seems sterile and not at all like other years.At least they did have a few times where there was acturally laughter!!!!!!! PLEASE leave all the millionairs at home to count their money, give us every day regular folks the kind of things we can afford.
No offense, but I think Vern is very arrogant, and controlling. I think he forces his views on the rest of the judging panel. I think some mistakes were made.
amen!
I agree with the others that this show is a flop this year. Vern is a talking head and Genevieve and Candice are bobble heads. They don't give adequate justification for their decisions. The show lost a lot of personality with Clive gone. But I really don't see why I am surprised by the lack of excitement this year…I see no talent among the contestants, but I've never noticed any talent in previous seasons. Let's face it, really talented designers are too busy doing work for their clients to participate in a show like this. I have watched in the past for the entertainment, not the design, but this season there isn't even any entertainment. It's just blah.
I miss Clive! He brought warmth to the show. Vern is mean. I can honestly state that I think his own designs featured on his show are boring and unoriginal. I have never like Genevieve. Candace does nice designs, but it is evident that she is not hampered by budget constraints. Does anyone LIKE Nina or Courtland? They grated the nerves from the first challenge. I hope they are outta there soon. If not, my show idea is put them together and watch them fight, bicker, and yes…throw each other under the bus.
I've been out of the country for a month and a half, so I'm trying to catch up by watching the marathon. The third challenge is now on, and I felt the need to say that it doesn't matter how good a designer is or how slick they are as a host, if they are obnoxious, I would NEVER watch their show if they won. Right now, I feel so strongly negative about Nina and her prima-donna behavior that I know I would never watch her show if she won. NEVER! Surely the judges have to factor that in.
Because others are commenting on the vapid line up of shows on HGTV, I would like to echo my agreement. I used to watch HGTV all the time. I realize that House Hunter type shows are cheaper to produce, but they are BORING. I stopped watching. Period. I caught the reruns of Design Star tonight (Sunday) because I wasn't here to see them before. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! I'm going to bed!
I agree with a lot of the comments that the show's format this year isn't working. Too much "teamwork" that stops any one person from showing what he or she can do. But my question is – why on earth did they start a 4-hour marathon at 9 p.m.? I am apparently one of the few people who is still watching, and here on the east coast, the newest episode doesn't start until midnight. Bad decision. Really bad. Great way to make sure your audience drop sot next to nothing for the newest episode.
Hope you're not too mad when you find out there is no new episode?
Design Star has changed to mimic American Idol, same concept and I can't stand the team challenges, how can they tell after 2 challenges what each designer's style is. HGTV is now all about people buying and selling, real estate brokers showing off how much they make, I don't care about all of that, I miss Design on a dime, Carter can, Hammer Heads etc… show's I could learn from… I'm tired of watching people buy houses.
I think this season is more like a cheap ripoff of The Apprentice. Vern is Donald Trump, and Genevieve & Candice are the two assistants/judges Trump has with him. The group challenges, where a member of the losing team goes home (even if a member of the winning team is the worst) follows The Apprentice format. They even have the overly dramatic music, and the incredibly stupid move of having the losing team bring their suitcases to the final judging. (Whatever reality show producer who thought up the suitcase thing is a moron.)
You mentioned Carter Can. Where is Carter? He usually hosts the HGTV Green House, but this year they have Jamie Durie.
I don't like Durie's show The Outdoor Room. It follows the new HGTV mantra to have everything overly dramatic. The format is: the home owners tell Jamie about a place they like; Jamie travels to that place no matter where it is; Jamie comes home with lots of ideas; his design team claims Jamie is crazy and his design won't work; the design comes out beautifully. Nice gig that Jamie has, getting HGTV to pay for him to vacation in India or Australia in the name of "research." Gee it's too bad that there isn't a way for Jamie to reseach different places without having to travel there.
When I saw the previews I was so excited. I liked Jamie from Victory Garden and I LOVE outdoor spaces.
I cannot stand this show! Nothing makes any sense? The gloss over the design and construction so badly, but are sure to show somebody getting upset.
I want to see the spaces a year later. If the homeowner keeps it that way, a year later all the plants would have created a thicket.
How about building a maze in the backyard? I can just see it.
The house goes on the market and the buyer wants a credit to remove the maze and plant grass so that the kids have someplace to play.
What do you mean by sparks? If its bad than Nina what a miss, if it's good than I need to see more.
I'm so disappointed with 'Design Star' this year. Waited for it to come on and what a waste of time it is! We don't get to see very much of the actual designing…..all the focus is on those stupid, nasty little camera bits with one designer criticizing one of the others. The emphasis is definitely on the strife between the players and design is merely a backdrop for this nastiness. That's HALF of every show……..the other half is the judge's 'comments'.
The show went downhill last year when we all knew from day one that Antonio was going to win no matter how bad his designs were………the judges seemed to simply love his 'machisimo' and bent everything to make him the winner. Unfortunately, they also decided NOT to let the fans vote at the end………thus ensuring THEIR choice.
This year, it's looking to me like it'll be Nina. She's got that brassiness that these judges seem to admire. The show itself though is BORING and it's really too bad that barely half of the show is dedicated to watching the contestants design. I really don't care if they bring it back next year. What a shame that a great show has been ruined!
Even with the judges' preference for Antonio last year, and that the audience couldn't vote on the winner, the show was still fun. People were coming here to actually discuss the designs and whether or not the judges got it right.
This year they took away all of the fun from the show. It is dreary and boring.
the show has become "heavy" it actually drains me to watch.
Because of Antonio's jerky attitude, I don't even know if he is talented or not. I go into complete shut-down mode when someone is rude, inconsiderate, and unpleasant. I watch for design, not drama. Call it boring, but if that's what the people want, Mark Burnett has shows on other channels!