About last night...

Before I start talking about last night....tonight is the highly anticipated series premiere of Ugly Betty. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for this show. I love, love, LOVE America Ferrara and since I'm in the magazine industry (hint, hint) I know I will definitely be able to relate to this show. Come back tomorrow for my (glorious) review of tonight's episode.

So, on to last night's festivities. I despise Monique on America's Next Top Model. If only the girls could be voted off based on their behind-the-scenes behavior, Tyra would have every right to get rid of her. But, the girls are judged primarily on their photos and modeling performance, so she's still here. Imagine if real models were judged based on their off-camera or off-runway antics. Naomi Campbell would be in the poor house!
The makeovers went well, though OUCH to Anchul's hair threading. It hurts just when I do my eyebrows, so I can't even imagine the pain she endured getting her hairline threaded, but the results were subtle, yet dramatic - good call Tyra, queen of the five-finger forehead! I *heart" Jaeda's "Halley Berry-esque" cut. I totally want to do that to my hair, and seeing it on her is giving me the courage to make the plunge. I was laughing my toosh off at Monique dramatics and crocodile tears because she didn't want anyone to see her without her weave. Girl, please. Who were you fooling? Long-time fans of Top Model will recall a similar stunt pulled by Cycle 1 contestant Robin, who was trying to pass her weave off as real hair. The expression on those White girl's faces when the jig came up was priceless. I'm glad that someone finally called these ungrateful girls out on their behavior. Jay Manuel read them the riot act after tiring of their bitching and whining about their makeovers. Do you know how many women, myself included, would kill, or at least sell a limb, for an opportunity like that?
Queen Latifah was under-utilized in her quick guest-appearance. I would have loved for her to stick around to be one of the judges, or at least, since her whole spiel is about self-esteem in women, to talk to them about that. Note to the Queen: How about you doing your own version of Top Model, but for full-figured women? That would be hot! I was so happy that Monique missed the elevator, but what was up with her mom, or whomever she was talking to during her 3-hour marathon phone session, talking about "don't mess with a child of God?" Who are you talking about? Not Monique, the girl who stole another person's bed and proceeded to spill water on the comforter to make it seem like she peed on it. "Child of God" would not exactly be the words I'd use to describe her. Of all the girls, Jaeda has the most potential to succeed and I hope that being in the bottom two this week will push her to move beyond the blank stare and start showing her stuff. Stay tuned...

I was totally prepared for Michael to be Auf'd on Project Runway last night. And you know, how much I LOVE Michael. He's slipped considerably during the past few weeks, and I'd hate to think that his brief success went to his head. I agree with Michael Kors - Michael's strength is sportswear - so what was he doing with his hideous evening gown last night? It wasn't even cute. All of the contestants seemed dazed and confused. I guess their creative juices are dried up, but this would be the time for those juices to kick into high gear now that we're coming down to the end, with the potential to create a whole collection for the Fashion Week runway show. Even Jeffrey, designer to all street-walkers and ladies of the night, tried to whip up some "romantic" frilly dress. So not his style. I think Uli summed it up best when she said that they had all become used to designing with restrictions, the freedom to do whatever they wanted was paralyzing. That does not bode well for any designer when they can't come up with their own creation and run with it. I wouldn't be too upset if Michael didn't win. Besides, I saw all four collections presented at Fashion Week last week, and his was honestly the worst of the four. I think the final decision will come down between Jeffery and Uli, who are very strong designers, and had the best collections at the fashion show. This felt like a throwaway episode, particularly since no one left. And next week is another, the reunion episode. I see that Heidi and Bravo are going the route of MTV/Real World/Road Rules and trying to milk the cow dry. I don't mind, really, because you know I'll be there for the finale to see who wins. Stay tuned...