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!
I swore after they picked Antonio last season that I would stop watching. But I got sucked in again only to be completely disappointed. Unfortunately D.S. has turned into a lame reality show that chooses to show the sniping rather than the designs. And they've decided to make Vern into Simon Cowell. No thanks HGTV.
Antonio is a bad-a** designer. I'm glad he's there to shake up things. Tired of all the cookie cutter, predictable designs out there.
yeah, I TOTALLY agree! Antonio? hello? But of course I HAD to watch- and what the HECK??? no Clive, new theme, cheap design, and bad desicions by the judges. even their scripting is totally staged. Worst season ever.
The thing about Simon Cowell – he often says what you are thinking. Not so with Vern – either he is not the nice guy we thought he was or they have told him that being mean is some kind of good ratings thing. STUPID
Seriously, the MEN'S TEAM won? The hell? At least three of the outfits couldn't have looked more out of place. That bedroom made me close my eyes and turn away. I didn't think it was even close. So tired of the misogyny on Design Star. And I think much less of Candace Olsen and Genevieve Gorder for buying into it yet again. Who knew "macho" and "bully" were necessarily characteristics for having your own design show?
IMHO, both teams failed. It was more of a challenge to show who could manipulate who, rather than who was the best designer.
Heavily agree with the comments made in regards to this season being horrible. Clive isn't on… the show looks cheap….. seems out of place with the designers keep track of their own time and everything other aspect of the show, up until towards the end when the judges do a quick walk-through, and just look like HGTV interrupted their day jobs to go pass judgement. It basically looks like they're trying to make it into more of a "drama queen" show… there was more commentary and "under the bus" throwing being shown than actual design… a designer couldn't really look at this show now and say they actually learned something, or got inspired. I'm not sure what the producers are trying to accomplish here… but if it's to derail HGTV and plummet the ratings…. then they're right on track. And if this becomes the standard format for Design Star.. here's a big F*@$ You HGTV!
That's what I've felt HGTV has been saying to the viewers this season with Design Star.
Geez. Why is everyone in love with Clive? It's so much better having the judges speak for themselves and communicate the design rationale rather than trite sound bites from Clive. I'm so glad to here more feedback from the judges.
I didn't watch tonight's episode after last weeks train wreck i just couldn't put myself thorough it. and besides there was a great documentary on the history channel , the evolution of the garbanzo bean. Sure beat this crazy show. Candice please don't do this show next season you are going to ruin your reputation, it's like hanging out in skid row bars. you are above this. leave the no talent producers to destroying other peoples careers. this is definitely not a feather in your cap.
I loved the garbanzo bean documentary and wished I did not record D.S. to watch later.
I , for one, was glad to see Tera go. Her inability to grasp the purpose of the challenge made her seem stubborn and not too bright. No one is saying you can't paint a wall yellow – but the point of the challenge was to incorporate the style of the fashion look they chose – and merely copying the colors does nothing to incorporate style. . Plus her attempts to undermine her fellow contestants while in the judging room made her look insecure and desperate. Tera just didn't get it and deserved to go home.
Thank you! Finally a comment that get's it. I was glad to see Tera go too. She was completely missing the boat. I'm not convinced she a real designer if she can't understand design at a higher level than color matching.
i only wish they would have sent Nina home too! unfortunately they only let one go a week though.
Shelly, you seem to be the only other person (other than me) that got it abt Tera NOT grasping the challenge. The yellow walls and blue velvet drapes was not the problem. The problem was it had nothing to do with her fashion look.
I am soooooooo not impressed with any of the designers. They have shown me nothing in the way of good design. I want to learn how to incorporate colors and fabrics and furniture into a cohesive room. This show is drama and personalities NOT designing. Am I wrong?
We have been viewers from the very beginning of DesignStar and are very disappointed with this season.
Mark Burnett has taken a great show and changed into the format that he uses on all the other networks.
We miss Clive, the paint cans…we want to see more creative designs….not into all the shopping….missing the helpfulness of the judges explaining why a design didn't work…it has appeared that the judges are petty and mean this season.
Most importantly we do not like all the drama between the contestants – we feel that it is being manufactured to increase ratings…which will probably turn off your core audience. Encouraging contestants to be bullies when every other institution recognizes this is a behavior not to be developed. Honestly, HGTV – what are you thinking????
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.
BeccaG, you perfectly summed up how I feel about this season's Design Star. HGTV made a serious mistake by bringing in Mark Burnett. We can watch drama between contestants on a zillion other shows (no thanks). I watch HGTV shows to learn more about design. This is one show that I won't be watching if it doesn't change course.
I agree that Tera's decision to pull out the colors from her outfit was a legit choice.
Switching subjects a bit–does anyone know about the necklaces Candice was wearing during the results section of the first two episodes? They were assymetrical, beadeded and gorgeous–one purple and one white. Can a mere mortal purchase them somewhere?
What a huge disappointment this season is!!! Where is Clive? Bring back Clive, please!!! We need his sense of humor and likability. Everything about the production is irritating–including the music. If all I heard was the music one minute I would think something very dangerous was going on and the next some grand royal event was about to begin. I hate the grainy hard edge production. The show doesn't draw one in AT ALL. Also New York and California designs and designers are not the only types people from red America want to see. The judges always go for them. Every other year I couldn't wait for Sunday night–I'm not sure I'll even continue to watch.
TERA WAS THE BEST!!!!
GET CRANKY, SELF-CENTERED, NINA OFF THIS SHOW!!!
Proud of your confidence TERA!
Uhm…how can you say the best? You can't honestly say that since there has been only two challenges….one Tara did nicely, even if it was safe with a model look to it, and the other was a total disaster. Then add to the fact that she too can be a NINA … this doesn't showcase her as the best designer, but that the judges just decided to eliminate her one week earlier. Plus, you say your proud of her confidence? Turning on people and bullying them like she did this week, and in the elimination room, isn't considered confidence….it's considered mean spirited and petty. It showed a deficiency in character and integrity… too bad Tara AND Nina both didn't get eliminated together. That would have set a good example for the show. No backstabbing witches needed or wanted for HGTV. I wouldn't either of their shows. Sorry, but true.
I wouldn't watch either of their shows….^ LOL!
I definitely DO NOT like the way this season is being produced. I wish and hope that they {the producers] go back to the original format. I have watched Design Star from its beginning and was excited when this season started, however after watching now episode 2–I'm beginning to question my loyalty to a show I once loved…Signed GO BACK TO NORMAL PLEASE!!!!!!
They will not go back to the old format this season, because most of the season has already been filmed, I expect. However with the ratings going steadily down hill as I am most certain they will, hopefully the head of hgtv will get the message and put Design Star back on track.
We can always hope.