Dooce’s Recap: I Think It’s Going to Screw Him in the End
“The road out of here is paved with torture,” says Casey to kick off this week’s episode. I think she may be even more of a poet than Vern. And then BOOM, Courtland walks through the door alone, thrilled out of his mind. DOUBLE ELIMINATION! They all knew it was coming at some point or another, and now that it’s over, there’s nothing left to worry about. Except the rest of the competition!
The designers show up to the set of a Sears photo shoot where Genevieve introduces them to this week’s guest judge, John Gidding, host of Curb Appeal: The Block and Harvard-trained architect.
The challenge is to design a kitchen for a Sears catalog cover featuring Kenmore appliances, and each team will be judged on their single best professional photograph. And because Emily is a prop stylist already by trade, she is sent over to the red team which is now made up only of Courtland. They then have to choose a themed basket to inspire the design of their kitchen. Blue team chooses the French basket, red team chooses the Italian basket, and each designer must pick an item out of the basket to inspire their own touches on the room. It’s too bad Nina isn’t around, because I hear all good murals are inspired by cheese.
Emily chooses garlic for her inspiration, and Courtland chooses the Parmesan cheese, not insignificantly because it’s so Italian. I think he’s reiterated his love of Italian, what, four or five times already this episode? We get it. You love Italian. But are you someone who loves Italian who can also design a kitchen?
Back at the blue team Michael chooses the escargot shells, Casey the bread, and Alex surprises everyone by going with the corkscrew to represent function in the kitchen. “I think Alex’s corkscrew is a screwy choice,” explains Michael, “and I think it’s going to screw him in the end.” The poetry, it is everywhere.
Emily and Courtland agree to go with a modern/traditional style with a subtle Italian flair, with a medium-toned wood cabinetry, granite that resembles marble somewhat, and walls with an Old World Venetian feeling. Does this mean faux finish? Oh, Courtland, do I need to remind you how I feel about faux finishes? I do? Okay, first, eat that entire wedge of Parmesan cheese. Next, turn around in circles for five straight minutes. Finally, aim for the wall when that cheese comes right back up.
The blue team has chosen a really warm wood for the flooring, and they disagree about which direction the planks should be laid. Alex is a bit fed up with Michael’s constant doubts and says that if he could, Michael would try to find something wrong with each of his decisions. Casey agrees with Michael and says she values his input more than Alex’s. Suddenly, I really want to hug Alex.
After choosing appliances, the blue team returns to their room to see that the floors have been installed, and Casey suggests sanding the furniture to reflect the aged finish of her bread. And then we’re given an earful on how much better Michael likes working with Casey than with Alex because I guess Alex hasn’t really stepped up to the plate? Except, wait a minute, he took over for Michael when he was injured two episodes ago, and HE IMPRESSED THE JUDGES MOST LAST WEEK. What are you talking about?
Over at the red team Emily is worried that everything is going to read the same color, all beige and boring, so she goes online and orders a ton of colorful food. Then she starts to cover a stool with fabric and plastic, and explains that she grew up Mormon: “We sewed all our own clothes, canned all our own fruits and vegetables, refinished all our own furniture.” It’s that industriousness and resourcefulness, she says, that really influenced her to become a stylist. Interesting. Because I grew up Mormon, too. And that same industriousness and resourcefulness directly influenced my love of reality television.
Blue team finds their cabinetry and countertops installed the following morning, and WOW. We could stop right there and that would look better than some of the challenges so far. Alex is left to tile the backsplash, his first time tiling ever, and he savors the experience of learning. Sears delivers the appliances, and here’s where I think Alex is in trouble: He says his vision is complete, that the appliances represent the corkscrew. I think the judges are going to nail him for this because it isn’t really design. It’s just ordering appliances. My tip to Alex: Play up your new mad tiling skills.
Back at the red team, Courtland is applying paint with plaster, and the fauxing isn’t looking so bad this week! ALSO! ATTENTION BROMSTAD: Courtland mentions his fiancé. A SHE. So he’s NOT playing on your team. A bit of a tangent, BUT AN IMPORTANT ONE, NEVERTHELESS.
The photo crew shows up at the blue team, and Casey informs them that they’re a good hour and a half away from being ready. The place is still a mess, the tile still needs to be grouted, and the photo crew just sits there on their hands waiting. Whereas, over at the red team when their photo crew arrives Emily is quick to begin art directing. She has them get an image on the screen immediately so that she can arrange objects in an optimal way for a photograph. I think this is her expertise shining through.
The judges show up to give their opinions on the rooms. Red team: Their photo is perfect for a cover shot. It showcases the appliances, feels warm and familial and all the materials work well together. The blue team’s kitchen is inspiring. The client would want to use their appliances, and the design showcases the family in a vibrant way. Because both kitchens are so fantastic this week, there isn’t a losing team. Of the remaining designers, Casey most impresses the judges. She gets to go back and relax at the apartment while everyone else has to tape host presentations. She should take Alex’s corkscrew with her and toast herself on a job well done.
Back at the judges’ studio, they tear into Emily for not editing out the clutter. They tell Courtland that he was too literal with the color of the faux finish. Michael is goaded into saying he doesn’t trust Alex, and then blasted for creating an incoherent story. And I’m right: They tell Alex that he didn’t do any designing this week.
Bottom two? Alex and Emily. Alex’s presentation is comfortable and informative, but lacking a bit in personality. Emily’s is brimming with personality and charm. I’m betting everything that Emily gets to stay, because that presentation was just so cute. And unanimously they send Alex home. I know a hug probably wouldn’t have helped with judging, but surely he could use one now.
For real Michael needs to go! What a rude, impersonable person! He will NOT be a person to win respect for HGTV! PLEASE do us all a favor and eliminate him!
They may not—- think about it- David B although personable- Is openly gay and very confident and is the most successful of all the past DS. HGTV may be seeing Michael's arrogance as confidence. Personally, the drama queen of it all is not my idea of a design show personality. Let the design speak-for Michael- I/m not sure his is speaking well beyond average.
Can't believe Alex was eliminated. Evidently morons are judging the designs and are so biased its not even funny. Michael was rude, arrogant and condescending. He never allowed any of the other designers to design or have input into the kitchen project. He should have been sent home. It was obvious Vern, Genevieve and the Harvard Grad did not watch the episode that our group watched!! We've had enough of design star we won't be watching any more, we're done!
I totally agree!!! Need new judges. I will not watch again
Agree- loved Alex, he should not have been axed!- Michael- so over him
The whole concept of the show goes beyond the design component. The judges always make it clear that it all boils down to how thy present their space on camera. He didn't do as well as the others. Plus, his inspiration was not seen in the room. You pick a cork screw…you need to somehow showcase it. And, his host presentation was weakest. I felt Alex was the one who needed to go this week.
Correct. Nice guy but hey… it was his time.
I have never wrote on a blog before this, but I had to after watching this episode. This really pissed me off. I completely agree that Michael is rude and condescending. I would never watch a show that he is on. Alex should not have gone home this episode. This season feels like they chose people not for there talent but instead because they were a bunch of pretty faces. It is not suprising that no one is standing out as a great talent. HGTV really messed up this time around!!!!!!!
Let me join you in saying I have never written a blog before and came to this HGTV website to see how I could get my two cents in. I thought about doing this when I could no longer stomach Nina, and this Michael person is indeed her male equivalent. They have boiled it down to the least talent from what I can see but this year's assortment of personalities certainly do not have the heavy weight design talent of a David Bromstad from 3 or so years ago. Alex has a shining starlike personality and face, but his mild manner allowed this to be the end of the road to a TV show for him. He will go on to GREAT THINGS. HE HAS A BIG HEART AND A GREAT AURA AND YOUTH IS ON HIS SIDE. This competition is really something to look back on and say you've done in your lifetime. DON'T FEEL BAD ALEX! KEEP ON GOING. YOU WILL ALWAYS ENCOUNTER NINA'S AND MICHAELS in this world. Remember that.
HGTV needs to pay attention to this blog very carefully. This disappointment with the judging of the competition is an overwhelming factor when it comes to how we spend our cable TV dollars. Why should anyone continue to watch this, unless they like thrillers movies, A LOT! There are some people on here who are watching so carefully that they have it itemized as to why people like Michael should be thrown out on this ear. Alex stepped in and finished Michaels project when he nailed his finger in one show…and what was Michaels comment this week. "Alex is a good pair of hands to have around but he is no designer" or something to that effect. LAUDY MISS CLAUDY!! THOSE ARE FIGHTIN' WORDS! Michael watch out. No one will watch you or listen to you on HGTV or any other form of media. You are the worse kind of human.
Don't worry, Michael will never get a show
Never say never; the judges are unpredictable. They liked the mural Nina did for the music challenge and most comments on it here were it was childish. I didn't see this one– shark week was on– and after this it's not worth the space on the DVR. I
Totally agree! I watched Shark Week and after reading the recap and blogs and sure I made the right choice. Wake up HGTV.
I totally agree, michael needs to go Alex has the most personallity of the 12. I do not like this season. It is ridiculous. let them design……
I TOTALLY AGREE! Michael is rude! He doesnt shut up and just keeps talking… like no one one else exists but him. Are the judges seeing this? apparently not! why they eliminated Alex and not Michael is beyond me! Why they would allow someone like Michael to continue in this contest is baffling also! Do they really want an arrogant and insulting type of character to be a part of their HGTV family? Don't they see the process during the taping of these episodes?… do they see whats going on before they make these decisions? I assumed they do. And yet Michael's bad attitude doesn't seem to bother them. I'm appalled that our esteemed panel of judges would actually allow this kind of behavior and condone it by letting Michael stay on board! Where is the justice here???!
I read somewhere that the judges do not get to see the process, only the finished product. I think this is a big mistake, and that they should get to see all that goes on to create the designs. After all, that is what HGTV shows are all about, the process leading to the finished design, so this is an important aspect to judge as well.
Michael is so unprofessional and rude. If he does win, and god forbid he does, i'd never watch such a miserable cutthroat host!
i totally agree. dont like him at all
The judges are wrong!!! Don't they see the show? Michael is an **** and overwrote Alex. Alex asked several times, very politely, to give input and Michael would not ONCE listen to him. During the photo shoot he was concerned about the products………"We don't have time" I would watch Alex, he is young, fresh and sweet. His team members…… I will not watch their show if they win.
Sometimes it makes the viewers wonder, if the judges see how the team relate to each other. Can you imagine Michael boss his staff around on his own show…..YUK!!
I too, am not a blogger, but I was so frustrated by the way Michael treated Alex that I had to respond. I would never watch a show if Michael were the host. It's the whole person that counts, and Michael showed himself to be a total jerk! Bring Alex back and make things right!
I know you feel bad for Alex but the judges did make the right choice this time.
Could not agree with you more. Michael is obnoxious and does not play well with others – can not imagine how difficult he might be to work with on a TV series – Casey, of the three really outshines the other two – but why she had to jump on Michael's bandwagon to run down Alex is a question I have. Remember Alex won the last competition and his cityscape in the firehouse competition was well received by the judges. Casey, if she is calculating – though I don't know that she is – might see Alex as greater competition than Michael –
Hope Michael is next to go – would love to see him and Courtland on the same team. I wonder who would survive. Will there ever be a individual competition???? Before the final two.
I know, I don't care who wins now. Alex was the only one I liked. And MIchael is a Bitch! Everyone needs to vote for alex as fan favorite! I can not understand how dan and julie are in the lead.
I am doing just that. he is very personable….
The heavy hand of Mark Burnett was so evident. They foretold Alex's elimination throughout the show. Alex was my favorite, but his corkscrew was not present in the design. He could have added pendant lights with a twisting design, or cabinet hardware, or even some candles.
I still think given Emily's profession she should have gone home, but as much as I likeed Alex, i couldn't see him as a show host.
I so agree with you. They obviously have their minds made up who they want to win … and contrive winners and losers and who to let go to make that outcome happen. These two kitchens were nowhere NEAR the same quality. Alex was not allowed to set up one picture, even though he asked several times! It's been a dull and boring season and, even though I've been a fan and watched everything from Season 1 on, I'M DONE!
Agree, I watch HGTV everyday and its also about liking the designer and how his personality is presented. Alex was charming, warm and honest. Mike is annoying and I would not watch a show with him as host.
Once again, the designers had to base their designs on some ridiculous premise, this time a basket of French or Italian items…why can't these designers just be allowed to design with their own talents rather than to try to make their designs resemble some cheap souvenir, a musical instrument, a flower, or a fashion outfit? This season has been absurd….then we see nothing but team work design, which is impossible when you have people like Michael who thinks he's the end-all to all interior design. I liked Alex and would have liked to see his design work without the constant nagging from Michael. I'm not saying he would necessarily have the talent to win this years competition, but the team work thing has gotten old. It's past time to see some individual work. I hope next year, they will get rid of all the teaming and just let each designer stand on their own. I'm almost to the point that I don't care who wins…and that says alot considering how much of a fan of Design Star I am…..Please redesign the format next year!!! No gimmicks please!
I agree wholeheartedly. Michael is not fun to watch, at all. After Alex saved him when he punctured a hole in his finger you would think Michael would stop undermining Alex. I'm very disappointed in the judgines this week and generally I love them and agree with their viewpoint – but this was a BIG mistake!!!
Actually, the only things I like are David and Heather's blogs after each episode, because they are so right on, as well as funny.
I too agree that Michael is RUDE! He was very bilittering to Alex and for Michael to say, "Alex is only good for his hands"! I felt offended…so, I think HGTV needs to evaluate this because if it's about who the audience will watch, the judges got it wrong and Michael design style isn't all that! Because, if Michael gets it–I'm cancelling my cable subscription! For Real!!!!
I am very disappointed with this episode. I will not be watching any more. You really missed it!! I have also changed my opinion of the Judges. I wiill not be able to connect the "positive" vibe that i use to have of them.
Goodbye!
I actually felt the same way. I will not be watching the show any longer. I understand this is a competition, but Michael and Casey totally disrespected Alex. It was totally un-called for.
However, Alex stood firm in his quite ethical beliefs and didn't bad mouth them, and they were doing him. I believe Alex had a lot of potential that we didn't get to see. I understood Alex's perspective that a kitchen has to be functional, that's why he chose the screwdriver. Yes, perhaps he could have added more flair, but he wasn't given the opportunity considering he was getting ganged up on.
Totally agree. Alex is a team player did his job and wasn't sloppy. Its funny I once heard one of the Judges say sometimes the appliance are the STAR of the kitchen (Gen said it a while back on trading spaces). But on the same note I felt that this years competitors lacked vision and skill. Also they were sloppy. Did you see what they designed for trump! YUCK! I haven't seen one space this season that I would want for my home. They all need to look some place else to make a living. But Alex has LOADS OF POTENTIAL
I absolutely agree. I haven't seen any one of star quality on this show since season one's David Bromstad, not just the talent of David but the personality, genuine kindness and ethical treatment of competitors. Courtland and Michael have some talent but their so arrogant and mean spirited that I would NEVER watch them in a show! Dan was my favorite, you can grow in talent with time, experience and exposure (like Alex) but that internal design of who you are as a person is not easy to fake or change after a certain age.
Well, you judges got it all wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You elminated the person who had better ideas than the other two on his team. They ignored every suggestion he had. You should have elminated the stager who did the most horrible job on this photo shoot and she is the one who should have nailed the challenge. But, of course, I think HGTV has picked only one qualified judge in the bunch at that is Candace Olson. Genevieve and Vern are low on the totem pole of really good designers. When I think of good designers, I think of Dan Carithers and Jacqueline Lanham. They are designers (well Candace is, too), but these other two have been elevated to a position for which they are not qualified, thus the result tonight. HGTV, get it right next year. Get Candace two fellow judges who are true designers and not second rate decorators!!!
I totally agree, I do not think Genevieve is qualified to even have a show on HGTV let alone be judging anyone else's work! And yes, once again…wrong, wrong, wrong choice on who went home! Pretty sure the "judges" are on drugs and must be pretty good ones…HEY guys you need to share! Especially if the drugs will sooth my stomach and keep me from throwing up after watching Michael!!!
I'm so disappointed in their decisions. I agree that
Alex shouldn't have relied on the appliances to show off the
cork screw, however, he was doing all the backdrop and every suggestion
Michael took out or took away, even the last shot. Michael is very full of himself as was
Nina. Good luck next week! Alex is the only one who had multi talent.
I'd watch you Alex! Your a great personality that is warming and I only wish you the best
Diva is a great word for Michael. Too bad he shows none of the talent most divas display. Certainly hope he is next to go…
Alex, was eliminated, I am through. I thought the idea of using the cork screw was excellent. He was the only one thinking out of the box of all the designers. He was clearly the underdog and I was rooting for him from the beginning. His show or idea designs that got him to the competition was something different for HGTV. Now all we can expect from the remaining design stars is what we see as the norm at HGTV. No new design ideas. I might as well watch everyone else’s show because I don’t expect anything new other than what is already on HGTV. I am done!
I'm with you. I don't think I can stomach another show with Michael and the idea that Casey won for doing nothing more than backing up Michael and helping to tear down Alex, makes me even angrier.
This is how you know this show is RIGGED from the get-go. Not wasting my time on this stupidity anymore.
Well, HGTV, I'm glad that for once this episode wasn't awkward and painful to watch! The kitchens looked beautiful (who cares if the counters were a bit crowded – the overall designs were great).
The only thing we can hope for now is that maybe, just maybe, we can see an individual challenge NOT inspired by some random object (loaf of bread, corkscrew).
And Vern, thanks for not being completely evil tonight!
Perhaps the excessive clutter got in the way of showing off the appliances and reduced the feeling that it was an efficient kitchen. Warm cozy does not add up to clutter. Emily should have reduced the amount of stuff and this is her area of expertise! She should have gone before Alex did – though Michael should have gone before anyone else – his strenght seems to be running down others.
Ha! I agree on Vern. I don't even care if he was being phony nice this week — it was much more relaxing than watching his nasty antics in previous weeks.
The only thing awkward about the episode was the treatment of Alex. If anyone had earned a little credit with his teammates, it should have been him. He won the previous week's challenge and bailed out his team (particularly Michael) and got them the win the week before that. Of course, that's not the show's fault. I just hope they get Michael out of there next week.
Agreed about the individual challenge… i hate all these group challenges that cause so much drama and don't allow them to showcase their true design talents. It just becomes a soap opera instead of a design challenge. I haven't seen anything thing this year that has been impressive.
Also, I have to disagree with everyone liking Alex.. he has been in the background the whole season and I didn't really think his pillow last week indicated true design talent but merely arts & crafts skills. It definitely wasn't worth showcasing him as the most impressive… or wait.. maybe it was just because he actually did something they liked that they finally said something positive about him.
either way… I'm disappointed in the the show this season. I hope HGTV is picking up on the criticism that they are receiving.
Never missed an episode and this is the worst group of finalist I have ever seen. Good luck HGTV in getting viewers to tune into their inspirations for my home or anyone else.
You are so right ! Who chose this group of minimally talented people in the first place? I loved the actual thought of DS but maybe this show has finally jumped the shark. Maybe it's the real reason Candace is out taping her own show.
okay done with this show… this show is so fake and bias its ridiculous… on to the next .. Michael should have been eliminated tonight but I guess they need a drama queen for whatever ratings they think their getting. BOOOO….. HGTV
We Love you Alex….!!!
I agree
yeah
I don't know what ratings Michael would earn. I would never watch a show he hosted.
I guess DS finally got tired of having to send in crews to re-do real kitchens when the contestants didn't finish–this is actually a pretty good alternative, though the constant product placement this season is getting a little wearing.
I'm sorry to see Alex go, especially after he managed to get the backsplash tiling that's haunted other seasons right, but he did do less designing this week than usual.
What's with the judges changing the rules mid-challenge this year, though?
yeah, he finally 'broke the d.s. curse! and anyway, so the kitchens were both fabulous, so inreturn… both teams have to go to elimination. What????
I know. I mean, someone had to go because someone always has to go, and at this point, everyone's on the block. But the backsplash curse is reversed!
didn't look finished in the photo
Totally agree with you about t he kitchens, the product placement and changing the rules mid stream! The judges should be fired for constantly changing the rules to suit who they want to get rid of!