Candice’s Recap: Episode 6
Guest judge Dina Manzo with the Design Star host and judging panel.
Here comes the wedding episode! And this week we’ve got the tough (but uber-glamorous) Dina Manzo. I’ve heard that she really knows how to throw a party, so that makes her the perfect panel member for this challenge.
The challenge: Create a beautiful wedding reception in 24 hours. This is a toughie to break down because it was a team challenge. However, there were definitely some standout moments of fabulousness — and then those not so stupendous.
I’m going to start with this week’s winner, because Mark continues to impress. After a glorious job on his kitchen last week, he came back with an imaginative skateboard wall design for the groom’s lounge. How does he think up this stuff? I really want to spend a little time in his brain and see what else is in there. Not to mention the fact that he was responsible for all the brilliant lighting in the space as well. Come to the front of the class, Mark: That report card has all A’s on it.
Mark's Skateboard Wall
Kevin, let me stand up and applaud you. You stuck to your guns and were in all of your kitschy-chic glory with the groom’s lounge furniture and accessories. Way to not bow down to peer pressure from Karl. But you got lucky, too — one wrong ottoman, and Mad Men could have turned into The Brady Bunch. Overall, nicely done. And I’ll pay you a dollar to stand on that chair and sing, “Three … three magazines” again. Thanks for the giggle. You’re like the best Sesame Street episode ever!
Kevin's '60s-Inspired Groom's Lounge
Kellie and Meg floated around the middle, but both were able to show their strengths, which was challenging considering everyone was working on the same space. The hanging canopy was beautiful. And, Kellie, you were so smart to know that bringing the color up to the ceiling was the right way to define the dance floor. (Yes, Karl does deserve kudos for the installation, even if he had to do his own shout-out.)
Orange Ceiling Decor and Glamourous Victorian Chandelier
The cake looked like a wedding cake should, the flowers were pleasant and I agree with Dina that the scaling was off on the centerpieces. But hey, that’s why you’re not florists. Meg adding flowers to Cathy’s sweethearts’ table when she could have let the bus back up over her was a class-act move. I vote Meg Most Valuable Player of the Wedding Challenge. Actually, Cathy could learn a thing or two about being a team player from Meg — or anyone else for that matter.
Flowers by Meg and Table Settings by Cathy
Moving to the back of the class: Karl, Karl, Karl, what happened to you, darling? Yes, you did a wonderful job with the hanging canopy, but it just seemed like your heart wasn’t in this challenge and you simply gave up. I know I just let Kellie and Meg off the hook for not being floral designers but your arrangements were pitiful. I think you just skated by on this one, so make me proud next week and bring it!
I agree with Dina that Leslie took a ride on the crazy train this week. That sign-in table was just c-r-a-z-y. When did Roman columns become Victorian or even Mad Men? And to top them with a tablecloth straight from Xanadu? Wait, I’m having roller-skating flashbacks from high school. Leslie, you always manage to create something beautiful that surprises me in a good way and this time you made some very odd choices. I know part of it had to do with Cathy’s constant badgering but I wish you could have gone to your happy place and found some inspiration.
Leslie's Sign-In Table
And finally, dear, sweet Cathy. I know you have been published in multiple bridal magazines (“Three … three magazines!”), but this just wasn’t your week. I completely agree with the panel that the sweethearts’ table was the low point of the room — and it was the most important part! It just didn’t feel special. It looked and felt generic, and, Cathy, you are anything but. This was your week to go but I’m sure I’ll see you in a national magazine soon.
Next week the designers are helping someone get HGTV’d. I can’t wait!
What did you think of the wedding challenge? What questions do you have about episode 5? Tell us in the comments below and the Design Star producer will answer your most-asked queries on Wednesday.
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had that exact thought when I saw this!! Glad to see her gone!
Yea! Cathy is GONE!! No more bossy no it all.
I mean know it all
Thank God, the judges FINALLY saw through Cathy. I have know some arrogant, self-centered people in my time; but I think she is the ABSOLUTE Icon of arrpgance. I am not a designer but in my opinion Cathy should have gone the first week. I almost stopped watching because of her. Glad now, that I didn't.
My thoughts exactly, I'm soo glad she is gone. She was so full of herself but unable to get the concept "teamwork"!
They finally got it right!
I've always said karma strikes back when you least expect it. So happy when the judges called her out and she couldn't talk her way through this one. Now to see the final episodes without having to look are her or hear her smarmy remarks. If you ever noticed, whenever they were all lined up before the judges, Cathy always stood farther away from the other designers….fitting as she didn't derseve to be in their presence. I said good luck to those that remain and I am thinking now it's Kellie or Mark to win but I like everyone left, except not much for Kevin. Oh well…..can't wait til next week and so glad that Cathy has left the builidng!!!!!!!
Thank you Thank you Thank you I couldn't take another week or her.
Me either!
My EXACT thought! My husband thought I was insane to be cheering for a reality tv show when Cathy got booted off, but he's never taken the time to watch Design Star.
Horray She is gone. Enough said.
:p
good one! couldn't say any better!
Ain't it so!! I just wish the judges could watch the episodes as we do and see how she hampered other people's designs! With her gone, no telling what Karl and Leslie can do without her! As for the wedding challenge — I'm sorry, but I don't know how they pulled it off at all. The time they had to do that challenge in was ridiculous. I also don't think designers should be faulted if they don't know how to design flowers! They are NOT florists!!
Thank GOD!!!!!! Cathy is gone!!!!!! I am not sure how she made it this far!!!! She is not a team player. Anyone that is not willing to work in a group will defintely be standing alone!!!!!!!!! Thank GOD!!!!! they sent that WITCH BACK TO BROOKLYN ON HER BROOM!!!!!!!
That is exactly what I thought when the episode was over!!
Good riddance… I am so glad I don't have to 1) see her weird eye rolls and movements (what the hell was up with that?) and 2) hear her BS self-praise in every single episode….
Cathy… you were on way toooooooo long.
Cnico, Are you living in my mind? That's exactly what I said everytime I saw the popeyed fool (LOL)
Hooray! She was the worst person I think I've ever seen on television!
Last night my husband and I tuned in just in time to join in the farewell. Redemption at last. I ended up watching the entire episode later last night just so I could relive saying "goodbye" to Cathy. Does she have a clue as to how she comes across?
I was singing the same thing myself, then saw others use the catchy phrase on the forums!!! Yea, Cathy is gone! I can't beileve Candace was being so nice, unless there is a side to Cathy nobody got to see-not!!! Vern was right to call her out for never taking responsibility when things did not go her way, should have also said "does not play nice with others". Good riddance! Maybe now we can watch some real designers in action.
About time! She has like 55 video's on youtube and her "style" and "taste" is awful. I can't believe she was even chosen to be on the show.
It's great that Cathy is gone, but she shouldn't have been there in the first place. Since HGTV has seen fit to add to her media resume her spot could have gone to someone who would have given more to be recognized. She brought the whole validity of D.S. in question and ultimately did more harm than good.
I agree. I thought the purpose of design star was to find an undiscovered talent. By the way speaking of talent — someone should have brought that up when Cathy mentioned several times that she was in 3 — did you get that "3" – magazines for her wedding designs. I wanted to shout you may have experience, but that doesn't mean you have TALENT. Thank goodness she is gone and the other designers with talent can shine! Ding dong the witch is dead — and I have gone from TV for ever,
every season they have the obnoxious one. They stay for awhile, but get booted halfway thru
You beat me to it! Ding dong, the witch is dead Witch, old witch, the wicked witch Ding dong, the wicked witch is dead!
One more time!!!!! Second verse same as the first!!!!!
Thank the heaven's!!!! She is gone, I would like to have seen those 3 weddings that were published in a magazine, maybe it was a local town crier…
Know let's get down to designing….
Was Cathy black???? I was so taken aback by her rudeness, bitchiness, boasting, and NO TALENT that I didn't notice her color!!!
Glad Cathy is gone, who ever she was teamed with she made there life terrible. She works on everyone brain. She may have been on tv, published in magazines, etc, but this is now. What you can do today. Love the show. I discovered HGTV while recuperating from surgey and was house bound for two month. Thanks
YES! I actually clapped when the ego-maniac got the boot!
I agree, this woman was making me nauseas! Now we can reLly enjoy!!!!!!
LOL…THAT was EXACTLY what I was singing last night!
EXACTLY!!!
Ditto!!!!
The exact thing I was thinking, she cannot design her way out of a paper bag and as if that was not bad enough she was unpleasant ti watch and I am sure to work with.
I thought the extra same thing…when they said they would not be producing her show, I clapped my hands and said "Yes, yes, yes!!!" She should have been gone weeks ago but at least they got ride of her!!!
Cathy is gone. GREAT ! Thank you, just not soon enough. Being paired with Cathy has taken it's toll, on everybody with that misfortune. Should HGTV be apologizing ?
Mark – He has been thinking outside of the box and done a nice job showing it off.
Meg – Appears to be listening and growing.
Kellie – Seems okay, but what is she showing off screen that we don't see that makes her likeable ?
Karl – Could do it. He's shown it, but has he been too messed up by being paired up with Cathy ?
I could watch any one of these people if they had their own show. Now I can enjoy watching Design Star again, with Cathy being gone.
Yippee! My daughter and I literally screamed, jumped and clapped. We were both about to stop
watching the show if she wasn't eliminated. We felt bad for Leslie, I think Cathy got her flustered
and it showed in her work.
I could not have said it better!!!! She was making me not enjoy the show. She could not get along with anyone.
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! She is so full of herself and I'M GLAD SHE'S GONE. IF SHE HAD WON I WOULD NOT HAVE WATCHED HER SHOW!
Watch Cathy's goodbye video. She's completely self-delusional. She blames everyone else for stabbing her in the back because she was such a big threat (of course, having been published in design magazines). Yeah, right…
She says everyone else should be ashamed of the way he or she acted. Look in the mirror, Cathy! You refuse to acknowledge that the only reason everyone had a problem with you is that you were difficult, self-aggrandizing, domineering, and arrogant. You also refuse to own up to your own mediocre designs, week after week. It's everyone else's fault. You are shocked you were booted. Yeah. Delusional is an understatement–she really needs to get help.
BUH-BYE!
My sentiments EXACTLY!!!!! I look so forward to getting some really cool design ideas, but got worn down with Cathy trying to ramrod everything!!! Thank God & Greyhound, she's gone!!!!
YES!!
Hooray! Obnoxious Cathy is finally gone! And yes, I agree with whomever it was who said that the panel of judges should allow the designers to work on their own so that we can see THEIR work, not what they are forced into with the opinions of others. In some ways, this show is ridiculous! No one would be put into the situations these designers are. How do we deternmine what kind of a designer a person is when they are not allowed to show their individual talent by working alone? I'd rather see week after week of designers, designing…. Sure, it's fun to put some challenges out there, but please, let them show what they can do! Now that Cathy is out of the way, maybe others will now have a chance to do more of their own thing! How she ever lasted this long, I'll never know! Doesn't the panel of judges watch the videos of what is going on &/or what is being said in each show?
I am HAPPY to see Cathy go.
Each week, I could not see why the judges did not see how she treated each designer. It is about time. She did not let any of the designers who worked with her have a say in the designs. She was not a team player, and all you heard was praise for herself. I love me, I am the best, and the back stabbing was done by her and no one else. Hooray!
I was singing as soon as her name was announced!
Yes, glad Cathy is gone. She is so full of herself it was sickening. Now we can watch the real designers work.
Any time someone has to tell you how great they are and yet can not produce area insecure! She wasnt a team player at all! I like Mark alot…and Karl..I think you were very tired..you are very creative…Step it up next time…Now no one can blame Cathy….but Kevin…that lounge could have been a disaster….So far Mark is the best all around…..
I agree. Cathy was my least favorite and I am happy to see she is gone. However, I feel disappointed by all of them. I wouldn't let any of these folks touch my house! Candace is my all-time favorite; she could do any room for me without one iota of concern! I wish she came into the States and to Michigan specifically.
Cathy, it took too long for you to go. I did see some talent in the first episode, but your inability to listen to others is a big drawback. You are not the final word in design other people have creative contributions to make and you have to learn to listen on "team" projects. Tooting your own horn is obnoxious, better to let your praises be sung by others.
I can not believe it so-o-o long for the judges to see that Kathy was NOT a team player and actually sabotaged some of the other designers!!!!
Say it again argyle!!!!!!!!LOL
Well, I don't know if I'd call her a witch. More like a totally (self) absorbed competitor that just didn't get the whole "other people in the room" thing? The eye rolls and twitches were a bit off putting. Could it be that she was really really afraid she wasn't as good as she acted like she was? I kinda feel sorry for her now that I see how many other people were as glad to see her go home as I was.
Crabs in a barrel! Cathy was the only crab in the barrel. Cathy belongs behind a desk in a news room; she doesn't relate to people. It's Miss Cathy's way or the highway and I'm very glad to see her go down the highway. She doesn't get it, thank goodness the judges got it. They should have sent her on her way a few episodes ago. The table linens should have expressed what the couple requested, orange, yellow and violet. It appears she ignored their request and chose a deep, deep red which didn't go with the orange swags. Goodbye Cathy we will miss you only because we talk about what an obnoxious person you are.
If Mark doesn't stop making those rope and skate board hanging I'll be very happy. He doesn't work in a team I don't see him on TV working with a group.
Its too bad that Kathy's pride did her out of a good thing. The inability to be humble kept her from working with the other designers. Her strengths would have risen to the top and shown themselves without her having to force them on others. I agree that she consistently did NOT do well.
I was disappointed in the groom's lounge. It didn't seem Rat-Packy to me at all – I was thinkingdark woods – agree with other comment about speak-easies look and would have liked to see English pub/Victorian smoking lounge sort of decore – would have nailed the victorian even with Kathy's huge blunders.
I thought the flowers were just plain awful, would have gone for low posies and trailing vines to get into victorian and intimate.
Looking forward to tonight — if Kathy had continued in the show, I'd not be watching any more.
I second that. I start thinking these reality shows are staged for drama when they leave a nut job mediocre designer like Cathy on week after week.
Cathy is gone.. about time. now we can enjoy the show and see the real design contestants show who they are and what they can do without all the drama.
DITTO! I clapped at the end of the show. I can't wait to see everyone, including favorite Karl next week!
Absolutely! While it is great for the panel to keep insisting the designers' viewpoints come out, someone as strong-willed and not a team player gets in the way of that happening! Every person who worked with Cathy had the same problem with her, she was the problem.
Amen to that ….good riddens!
My thoughts precisely. Now the other designers cannot hide behind Cathy. Carl is in trouble and needs to focus. Leslie was a real disappointment. Even with Cathy trying to sidetrack her from her task, she could have done so much better. Personally, I couldn't stand the sparkly sheer overlay. That's not Victorian in any way, shape or form–maybe Vegas. Everyone is going to have to bring their A game next week.
Exactly!
I'm in full agreement with that one. Talk about concieded.
Finally……….!!!!!!!!!!!! What at egotist with no design talent!!!!!!!!!!
Somebody slap that woman! She can't get along with anyone!
I agree Nan,im so over her whollyness…..she acted as she was Gods gift to design and they showed her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Now the show will be less the drama QUEEN!!!
So glad Cathy is gone!! She is so bossy!
It's about time. Cathy is gone. "My weddings were published in three magazines". If she designed my tables like that I would have asked for a refund.
I agree…finally all who are left are true designer material. I was about to quit watching Design Star if Cathy wasn't gone this week.
I am so happy she is gone. She is not a team player at all…its all about her. Her tables were so ugly..not the place settings but the tablecover etc…….the room really did not have much of a Victorian look. But, it was pretty except for the flowers. Overall, the room was pretty……but everyone should rejoice that Cathy is a goner…….
what were bag design 101, my wedding designer sucks, and Plain Jane Weddings,
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!! Cathy has left the Building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMEN!!!!
Amen…..
Same thing I said. Everyone that reads my blog was laughing silly because I was so excited that she was sent home. She just wasn't nice and her work was to be desired but she tooted her own horn about nothing. Thanks heavens she is outta here!
Yep. HGTV has made this a con. This season is done. Production wrapped months ago.
Are you kidding?
No, really? You don't say.
What a cheap ploy. Too bad for the pro designers.
That's how these are done…..duh!
Well, you weren't dumb enough to think these were live, were you? Or do you watch too much Big Brother as your usual tv fare?
HOORAH!!!!! Cathy is gone. Now we can watch the show without listening to her catty remarks and bragging about herself. She did herself in on this show. Her designs were bland and terrible. Now I can enjoy the rest of the competition.
AMEN!
Hallelujah!!! Thanks for sending Cathy home so I can enjoy the rest of this season of design star! I don't care for reality series and all she brought was painful stupid human drama. Now we can all enjoy the design thinking.
Agree! YAHOO!
I was getting very nervous for Karl, who did, admittedly, have a bad week–I'm so glad the judges realized it was just that: a bad week.
I loved the chandelier coming down from the draped fabric. The lighting in general? Mark, well-deserved win.
Can't say I was a big fan of the furniture in the groom's lounge. It didn't seem Rat-Packy to me at all (I do tend to associate them with speak-easies, dark wood… I actually think they'd have fit right in with the Victorian theme, with a Victorian smoking lounge sort of situation).
Glad to see more of the camera challenges, but if they do another time-based one and then let Kellie go on the timing because she's bubbly… I like her, but timing's important in television.
Did someone go home this week? I've forgotten… ;p
Rat-Pack was NOT Victorian in any way. Think Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr., with Shirley MacLaine as a mascot – no speak-easies ever – liquor was king and legal. Kevin got it right…Vegas in the late 50's and 60's.
Huh. Well, that makes sense. I don't know them that well. That's just the vibe I get. So it's probably good I'm not a contestant!
I really think Karl was bummed from last week and the way the judges praised Cathy and dropped his frustrations as "part of your job is to push your ideas forward". Not that Karl show professionalism by allowing himself to be bummed, but, hey, they are artists and often very quirky!
Hmm…interesting thought. Karl did seem out of his element this week. I thought the men's lounge area looked a little disjointed. Maybe Karly took Vern's comment about fighting for his design really to heart. But it seemed like he was pouting about it the whole time rather than trying to go with the flow and working to make things beautiful – he seemed a bit deflated = /
Anyway, the beautiful lighted bar table section didn't connect for me with the brown couch area. Where was the connection? The couch area with the hanging retro lights looked very cool but it didn't connect with all those beautiful victorian mirrors by the bar. It didn't look like a seamless transition from one part of the room to the other. But I guess it's hard to put a wedding reception together from scratch in 2 days. I know I couldn't do it!
I thought Mark's skateboard idea was cool and I agree he did some beautiful lighting. Though I'm wondering if he can do cool stuff with elements that are not wood. Not that he needs to as a designer. But it would be nice to see. I know his whitebox challenge didn't have a lot of 'woodsy' elements. But since then, there's been quite a bit of wood or woodlike stuff.
Mark also did the rope ladder, which is not wood.
I really thought the men's lounge was cheap looking. These are people getting married and yet the design was completely disjoint for the bride and the groom. To me, rat pack means classic microphones, dark curtains, and fedora hats. This could have been blended in the background of a victorian wedding. The color could have been called up around the room. There could have been hat stands with hats for the guests to wear and a classic poster or two.
it looked like a brothel with all the pink.
So sad that the judges panel forgot to give Karl praise for the bar area he helped Kevin and Mark with and the fact that he helped Kevin finish the groom's lounge while Mark selfishly worked on one element in the room…ok, he did help aim lights. Let's get real…..we know he didn't spend hours on a 14 foot ladder doing that. This show is so inconsistent in it's critique of elements….and Candice……why would you praise Meg for helping our Cathy, but Karl helping the girls pull off their BIG idea just gets a mild nod. Mark, Karl, Kellie are my favorites so far. BUT I really think this show slants and unfairly rags on contestants without real thought about what the big picture is. All is more geared toward a very narrow view of what I'm sure productions agenda is.
Cathy~~~~~~~who should of been gone about3 or 4 episodes ago!!! Telling people what to do, just to get her stuff done. thought she was above everyone else. I'm just glad she's gone because we'd lose someone who has another chance. She had hers.
Karl deserved the disrespecting he is receiving. He was totally wrong about the Groom's Room, which ended up being very well received, and which was executed exactly the opposite of the direction he tried to take the room. He's not a team player. He quit when his ideas were rejected by the other two, and instead of contributing his talent in favor of the majority opinion–he stomped out and sulked.
Yay Cathy is gone. I have grown very tired of her superior attitude and her inability to get along with or listen to anyone. I was tired of her eye popping and her know it all attitude. Thank you for getting rid of her.
That is exactly my opinion!!! Could not have said it any better.
I was a but disappointed that her attitude in working w/ others wasn't discussed further. All they showed was 'take credit for the good, take responsibility for the bad.' Of course that's not verbatim but you get my drift. Oh well, maybe it ended up on the cutting room floor.
I so agree. Week after week we had to listen to her know it all attitude. It seems to me that in order to have a successful show the host needs to get along with the staff and helpers. Cathy did not do this once in any challenge. Why wasn't this discussed? I had decided if she won, I was done with HGTV. I could not watch her show or even her commercials. Thank you, Judges, for letting Cathy go. I believe I will now enjoy the show.
Cathy is GONE thank goodness, I can't imagine anyone wanting to work with her, she is my way or the highway type of personality
I'm with you on the eye-popping. As far as I'm concerned, "When the going got rough, Cathy went shopping!"
You are so RIGHT! Im so glad shes gone too. I found to be pretenious,condisending & an all out ego trip from shall I say it Yes Hell.
Yes, I agree. Her whole attitude really bummed out the show.
i couldnt agree more! she is the only designer i wanted to leave since the first episode. I hate how she cant work with anyone and thinks just because her "wedding designs were featured in 3 national magazines" she has the right to boss everyone else around. She needs to seriously work on her attitude and she needs to admit when she is wrong (which is most of the time)
YES! I guess they have to keep some people for the "everybody loves to hate" drama, but she was just painful to watch. If they had given her a show, I would have seriously considered never watching HGTV again, and I really would have missed it. Glad the judges woke up!
Great decision this week, and right one, too. Please remember that flower arrangements for a weeding usually take days . I like what Meg did in such a short time and except bossy and knows all Cathy, the rest was great.