I will now attempt to judge The Fashion Show on its own merits and not as a comparison to that other show, which honestly wasn’t even that good last season. The most memorable contestant was a whiner accused of copying much more famous designers and is now in trouble for assaulting her boyfriend with a live animal. So you know, it wasn’t that great. We can do better.

It is very cool that you can buy the winning design. This week’s it was “The Rubik’s Cube Dress.” I like it a little better on the mannequin than on the model, but I think it has to do with the pose.

The loser of the night was Jonny D.’s Forever 21-esque creation:

In case you already forgot, the challenge was for the group to split up into 3 teams of five and create twists on three items: the bolero jacket (seen on James’ winning design), “Harlem pants” or “Hammer capris” as I call them and the tube skirt, seen on the losing designer.

I unequivocally hated the Harlem pants. This one, by Markus is my favorite, maybe because the model believes in it.

Lidia’s bolero jacket design is also one of my favorites, if only because it looks like something Professional Crazy Person Tilda Swinton would wear.

So The Fashion Show, our first date was not that bad. You tried, and for now, that’ll suffice. In a few weeks, I may require a bit more.

[Images: BravoTV]

Foodies rejoice! Bravo has announced the premiere date for Top Chef Masters, the new competitive reality show announced earlier this year. Unlike Top Chef, Top Chef Masters takes renowed chefs (check out the list of culinary superstars below) against each other. The winning chef will win $100, 000 for the charity of their choice. Some of the judges slated to appear include all 5 Top Chef winners, “Flipping Out’s” Jeff Lewis, actress Zooey Deschanel, actor Neil Patrick Harris, and oddly enough, the writers of the television show “Lost.”

The list of chefs competing are an A-list of the culinary world. I’m excited about seeing Wylie Dufrense (a frequent Top Chef guest judge and chef of wd-50), Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys, Elizabeth Falkner of Orson, and Rick Bayles (another former Top Chef guest judge). Top Chef Masters will be hosted by New York television personality Kelly Choi, New York magazine food critic Gael Greene, food writer James Oseland and broadcaster Jay Rayner.

- Rick Bayless – Frontera Grill, Chicago, Ill.
- Wilo Benet – Pikayo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- John Besh – Restaurant August, New Orleans, LA
- Graham Elliot Bowles – Graham Elliot Restaurant, Chicago, Ill.
- Michael Chiarello – Bottega Restaurant, Yountville, Calif.
- Michael Cimarusti – Providence, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Wylie Dufresne – wd~50, New York, N.Y.
- Elizabeth Falkner – Orson, San Francisco, Calif.
- Hubert Keller – Fleur de Lys, San Francisco, Calif.
- Christopher Lee – Aureole, New York, N.Y.
- Ludo Lefebvre – Ludo Bites, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Anita Lo – Annisa, New York, N.Y.
- Tim Love – The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Fort Worth, Texas
- Rick Moonen – Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev.
- Nils Noren – French Culinary Institute, New York, N.Y.
- Lachlan McKinnon Patterson – Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder, Colo.
- Cindy Pawlcyn – Mustards Grill, Napa Valley, Calif.
- Mark Peel – Campanile, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Douglas Rodriguez – Alma de Cuba, Philadelphia, PA
- Michael Schlow – Radius Restaurant, Boston, Mass.
- Art Smith – Table Fifty-Two, Chicago, Ill.
- Suzanne Tracht – Jar, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Jonathan Waxman – Barbuto, New York, N.Y.
- Roy Yamaguchi – Roy’s Restaurants, San Diego, Calif.

[Image: Bravo/Kelsey McNeal]

The beast of Kelly Bensimon continues to strike on Real Housewives of New York City. Last night, she decided to meet Bethenny for a drink. The “fight” is pretty incredible to watch especially because Kelly is totally incoherent and Bethenny keeps her cool. Kelly says the infamous “I’m up here and you’re down here” line and then accuses B of just talking while Kelly is busy “doing”.

“Doing” means staging fakesy interviews with designers who pay her off with watches and then refusing to be associated with an arthritis charity event for a 16 year old girl with the cast mates you are contractually obligated to spend time with. Apparently Kelly thinks she is doing Bethenny a favor and teaching her “proper protocol”. Clip below.

Hello, All! I’m filling in for Maria this week, and I’ve got a fun sneak peek of tonight’s episode of “Make Me a Supermodel.” Will Colin lose his virginity? Yes, that’s the big question, as the models tease him about being “the 40-year-old virgin” and vow to help him lose his virginity before the competition is over.

Then the models go a little stir-crazy, putting on their own photo shoot and talking behind each others’ backs. I’m sure this is the first (and possibly last) time I’ll hear the phrase, “limp noodle in a harness.” Check out the previews, and catch the show tonight at 10/9c on Bravo.

21-Year-Old Virgin:

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Everyone loves awards, including Bravo, who is letting you (and me!) decide who wins their A-list awards, hosted by none other than Kathy Griffin. You can vote as many times as you want right on Bravo’s website in a series of confusing, poorly designed forms. My favorite nomination: Malia and Sasha Obama are nominated as “A-List Breakouts”. Favorite category that proves Bravo is the Gay Network: Best A-List Kate (as in Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, etc) Think Mom and Dad will let them come to the award show? Only one Bravo star is nominated for an award: Gretchen Rossi, in the category of “Reality’s Guiltiest Pleasure.” I would say that’s just about right. Voting closes March 31.

Broadcasting & Cable reports that Bravo is currently in production on a Gossip Girl style reality show about rich New York City teenagers at a prep school. Because rich people are very under represented in the media and we need to know that they too, bleed. Especially young, beautiful rich people with unlimited access to privelege, money and beautiful clothing.

Bravo has been trying to hit this niche with the Real Kids of Orange County webisodes, but unfortunately for Kara Keough and Vicki spawn Michael and Briana, Bravo is moving this show to the East Coast. The show is being produced by Stone & Company Entertainment, who also produce Top Design and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, which is unfortunate; both of those shows are some of the weakest of Bravo’s lineup.

What the show needs is some Magical Elves (of Project Runway and Top Chef) or Scott Dunlop (of Real Housewives franchises) magic. But really, we all know I’ll be watching and hooked on this show the minute it airs. And so will you.

Well this is either going to be fun or a crowded trainwreck: Bravo is throwing a premiere party at Sephora (597 5th Avenue at 48th Street) in New York City for the premiere of Real Housewives of New York City on February 17 at 12pm. Attendance is free but like any good society party, you must be on the list. Print out the following invite to ensure you get into the party. Real Housewives of New York City premieres that same night, February 17th at 11pm/10 Central.

Christian Bale’s obscenity laced rant has created an Internet sensation with multiple remixes including a dance music remix and a mash up with a trailer for “He’s Just Not That Into You“. Bravo’s very own James Lipton just gave his own rendition on the Conan O’Brien Show and I must say, it’s pretty fucking brilliant:

Continue your Top Chef fixation by cooking recipes from the past seasons for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Courtesy of Bravo’s Recipe Finder, which also includes recipes from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. Who knew?

1. Red Wine Sangria by Season 1’s Stephan Asprino
2. Mini Sliders and Bacon - Season 3’s Jennifer Biesty
3. Chicken Wings - Season 3’s Hung Hunyh
4. Harold’s Junk Food - Season 1’s Harold Dieterle
5. Pizza With Proscuttio & Goat Cheese - Season 4’s Antonia Lofaso
6. Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Tacos - Season 2’s Elia Aboumrad
7. Kabob Hot Dogs - Season 5’s Radhika Desai
8. Prawn and Scallop Nachos - Season 1’s Dave Martin
9. Panko and Lump Crab Cakes - Season 4’s Andrew D’Ambrosi
10. Roasted Tomato Bruschetta - Season 4’s Nikki Cascone

It was pretty awesome to see a woman finally win Top Chef, especially after watching so many women go so far in the competition and lose (I still have a soft spot for Elia from Season 2), it felt so good to have a lady finally take it home this year.

Check out this interview with Stephanie Izard in Epicurious on her recent win.

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