Posts from — May 2008

Project Runway Australia – To Air In July – Is it going to Take on the Olympics?
Traditionally TV stations have pulled any tv show that has looked like having above average ratings during the Olympics, however it looks like there will be something to watch other then the 100 metres butterfly, and the hammer throw.

Arena will start showing Project Runway Australia in July so therefore it will definitely run into the Olympics.

Filming is continuing with a bit of relax time at a sponsored L’Oreal related function where the only straight guy in the village, oops meant show, Brent Zaicek a designer from Sydney, said filming has been so hectic he has only been able to speak to his 13 year old son once since moving to Melbourne.

Zaicek is the only self taught designer in the house. Full story here.

Caridee winner of Next Top Model Apparently Attempted Suicide

It has been reported Caridee has attempted suicide after the breakup of her boyfriend. She was found sitting on the loo saying she had taken 10 pills she had for anxiety and depression. She has had a full recovery. Full story Here.

Ricky-Lee Coulter proves there is life after Young Divas.
And the winner of the Ricky Lee and Kate D’Arruago feud is Ricky-Lee. Ricky-Lee’s career continues to improve since quitting the Young Divas last year. She will now have a presenting role on this years Australian Idol with James Mathison, and Andrew G. Apparently she will have a support, mentoring, interview role backstage.

This is one of the changes the producers have made to the format to try and increase ratings from last year. The others has been sacking the judge Mark Holden, and auditioning in London.
Link to story here.

Leiden joins other former reality tv stars on the Dole Queue.
Leiden Kronemburger reveals in post elimination interviews that she has not had a job in 12 months! This is quite incredible considering we are nearly at what is termed as “full employment” also I thought there were a shortage of retail workers.

Leiden who did not endear herself to the judges last episode due to the lack of effort she showed in a couple of tasks, will continue to look for work. Maybe motivation is the issue rather then lack of skills. Full story here.

If she had had a better attitude she could have taken out this season title.

Charlotte Dawson may have managed to combine two of my favourite things, reality tv, and sex tapes (please note dear reader, I never managed to see any sex tapes not even Paris Hilton’s but I like these revelations as they always amuse me.)

It has been revealed that Charlotte Dawson judge on Australia’s Next Top Model may have been in a sex tape a few years back on a New Zealand reality tv show The Player.

Charlotte who at times has mentored the model’s on the show is using the much used “I cannot recall excuse.”

A few years ago when Charlotte’s career here tanked, this coincided with the breakdown of her marriage to Scott Miller (now on drug charges), she scuttled back to her homeland New Zealand.

This is when the sex tape supposedly occurred.

The New Zealand Herald reports:
Now based in Australia, Dawson told the Herald on Sunday she was so drunk the night the so-called sex tape was filmed that she didn’t remember what happened.

“It’s always been this urban myth of what happened in this apartment,” she said.

“I will not be bullied about something that happened four or five years ago. My career is going well and I don’t want someone like Julie… trying to ruin my life. I don’t deserve it so I will fight back.”

Hilarious – if they can get an excerpt Charlotte could give the girls a lesson on what not to do on reality tv…. also may liven up the series a bit.

It makes the faux lesbian kiss between Leiden and one of the other girls look positively lame.

Full story here.

Kelly Rowland to Be a Guest on Project Runway.

Project Runway Australia have scored some international credibility with Kelly Rowlands, former Destiny Child’s singer, to have a guest spot on the program.

She will be asking the designers to design an outfit for her, I assume that means she will be on the judging panel for this episode.

Now if we can only get Tim Gunn out here…

Link to story here.

The Claws were out between Jayson Brundson and Peter Morrissey on set on Project Runway.

Jayson Brundson who used to work for Peter Morrissey as his creative director had beaten Peter Morrissey to the permanent judging spot (the equivalent of Michael Kors) on Project Runway Australia.

However Peter was given a guest spot position and apparently it was very cool on set between the two of them.

I suspect it was Morrissey seething with jealousy at Jayson Brundson’s success since leaving him. Jayson has turned into one of Australia’s most prominent designers with international success with dressing Princess Mary, and gaining a coveted window position in New York’s Henri Bendel’s.

Also he was on an episode of popular reality tv series Runway to LA which starred Charlotte Dawson and Jordan Loukas.

It must be hard for Peter to see his protege out do him in all facets of his career.

Link to article here.

For the Project Runway obsessives only….

Filming of Project Runway was in Melbournes‘ Rathdownne Fabric and Remnants earlier this week. Blogger Pins and Thimbles was there, and said they were filming the third episode. Apparently to be seen in July.

Jodhi Meares Forced To Face Fears For Finale of Aust Next Top Model.

Jodhi who was acknowledged to have choked at last years live finale of Australia’s Next Top Model will now have to do it all over again. At the time Jodhi had said she would never do live TV again. Well clearly her bosses at Fox 8 had a different view.

This years live finale is to be bigger and better then last year. It will be in Luna Park with 2000 VIP guests.

The problem with Jodhi and live tv is that she very rarely adlibs and never goes off script which does not make good live TV.

Full story here.

American Idol Season 8 Viewers Give Their Ideas On How to Improve Idol.
Now it is time for the wash up of Idol after the fabulous finale where David Cook overcame the wholesome Archuleta. This year again there was a fall in ratings, however it does still make it the highest rating show on US TV.

Viewers have posted there opinions on how to improve the show for next season. Dicko would love one suggestion as one punter said they should give the judges of America’s Next Big Rock Band a go at the judging table.

However a very interesting and provocative suggestion is as follows:
My big recommendation is one that Idol will never take: Get rid of the phone-in votes and instead base the eliminations on overnight iTunes sales. Since Idol is supposed to be a talent competition to determine who has what it takes to be crowned a genuine pop star, this method would actually and legitimately prove which contestants have the ability to move some product.

This could have a completely different spin on the competition however the winner would be itunes as currently in the US you don’t have to pay to vote, but obviously would to download the song.

Full article here maybe Australian Idol may want to take up a few of the suggestions.

David Cook and Lacey fling appears to have petered out.
David Cook is doing what all good rock stars do, and makes sure he is taking the opportunity in partaking in the numerous women that are flinging themselves at him. Lacey Schwimmer from SYTYCD appears to be off the menu, but his predilection for reality tv chicks appears to continue with him confirming he has been on a date with American Idol Season 2 contestant Kimberley Caldwell.

Jordan Loukas inspired by Jodhi Meares.
Jordan Loukas who won fan favourite in last season Australia’s Next Top Model has decided to take inspiration from the shows host Jodhi Meares and start a swimsuit label.

Jordan who has had mixed success since the show clearly has decided a different career direction is needed. Her and another ANTM graduate Simmone Duckmanton will start their own swimwear label. The girls are apparently designing the pieces themselves, but now word if they have any financial backing or if it is just them. Good luck.

Full story here.

Has Demelza gone from being the wicked witch of the west to Glinda the Good Witch in a matter of two episodes?

Two weeks ago Demelza was the leading girl in the bitchketeers in bullying Alamela. But now Alamela has been eliminated has Demelza now being edited in a different light. Is it possible she may even win the competition. Leiden and Jamie who were punted both said they hoped would take the title.

To be fair the competition is not for Australian Best Samaritan.

One person who is going to wake up in a few years or months time and realise she blew it will be Leiden. Leiden who was abominable last night in attitude at the dance lessons (are there so few choreographers in this country that the SYTYCD ones are now on ANTM?) which culminated in a catwalk sulk at the Cargo Bar.

She deserved to be eliminated. However if she had given 100% I suspect she could have nearly taken the title.

Hello Leiden who is the hottest model at the moment? Agnes Deyn. Leiden has a similar vibe, and she did take good photos. Especially as there is no standout contestants with the ones that are left. Favourites at this point must be Caris and Demelza.

However last night was meant to be the episode of the trout pout. The media were fed the line about how disgusted they were Alex putting collagen in her lips. The judges including Charlotte “Ms Botox” Dawson and Jodhi “Real boobs” Meares said that she should not have done it as she was so young and she could not move her lips properly. Every other fashionista tsk tsk about it as well. The reality is if Alex did not have the trout pout she would not have made it into the final thirteen.

Definition of irony Jodhi Meares at the beginning of the Australia’s Next Top Model episode saying that neither Fox 8 nor ANTM condones the bullying that was seen on the TV last week by the bitchkerteers to Alamela. The fast forward to end of episode and Alamela was eliminated. So who really was the winner out of the bullying episode. Three bullies still in and the victim eliminated. Hmmm.

Were they worried they would get another bout of outraged viewers ringing in. Now Alamela was never going to win, however I don’t think she was the worst left. Alamela was never going to be great selling tampons (by the way loved the beaver) it was just not her look. But really was she the worse in the ad? Demelza talked through gritted teeth, Rebecca was pretty ordinary, and whoever did the make up on Caris for the ad needs to be sacked now, all I could look at were her lips.

Anyway it seems the girls have moved onto a new victim – Sam. Demelza can kiss any hope of being voted Australia’s favourite model.

PS How dumb are most of them? Scary is this what late teens are like now?

Big Brother Evictee Rebecca Morgan Bags Out The Communal Bed.
Rebecca who voted herself out of BB yesterday clearly didn’t want anyone spooning her in the house, as she intensely disliked the communal bed. She said the lack of personal space really got to her.

However she did say that the handling of Travis’s shingles has been done well.

Full article here.

Big Brother new format is also struggling for ratings, with last weeks budget out rating it. Well that is probably a positive thing. With Corey Worthington having now left the house, the producers will probably try and get some liquor into the house to try and liven it up.

In A Shock Move Guy Sebastian and new wife Julie decide to party the night away on the wedding day.

Guy Sebastian, who was once Australia’s most famous virgin, apparently partied the night away rather then doing what most people expected by consummating the marriage. I suspect they realised that they have the rest of their lives to do that, and if you are going to pay good money for a party why not enjoy it.

By the way loved the wedding dress.

Link to article here.

The good news is The Chopping Block is Back.

Channel 9 have commissioned another series of the seriously underrated, entertaining show The Chopping Block. However one thing will be missing Catriona Rowntree. They are not going to have a host. Not a bad idea as she did not add anything to the program. Hopefully Matthew Moran, and the critic have re-signed. But how will the critic be able to disguise himself for series two?

Full article here.

Project Runway Australia is proving to be tiring already.

In an article here it says the first days shoot for Project Runway Australia went for 20 hours, and one contestant needed medical attention due to an intense migraine.

However good reports are coming out about the show’s host Kristy Hinzes.

There looks like there is going to be one interesting contestant on Project Runway with Helen Manuell a Melbourne designer who is not afraid to give full and frank opinions. As we all know a reality tv is only as good as its talent.

For her views on Pamela Anderson and Naomi Robson click here.

Other contestants revealed are Leigh Buchanan, a designer from Eastern Pearson, Juli Grbac, and Mark Antonio will be flying the flag for Queensland. Article from the Courier Mail here.

American Idol Contestant Apparently Likes to Bite.
The Jeff Pulver Blog reveals some negatives and positives about Michael Johns who previously was known as Mike Lee. The blogger who first met the singer in 2000 thinks that his band EP was one of the best he has ever heard from an indie band. The negative Michael was pissed and bit someone really hard.

Hopefully the positives will outweigh the negatives.

Woman’s Day have a nice little puff piece/interview with Michael Johns from when he was out here the other week. He talks about how is wife is his idol.

In crikey.com.au today Glen Dyer was critical that News Limted ie the tabloid press were taking it easy on the bullying that has been portrayed on Australia’s Next Top Model.

Please note there is a spoiler in the attached article.

A model outrage. When will the News Ltd tabloids really investigate what is going on at the Foxtel program, Australia’s Next Top Model ? I know it’s a related program: News Ltd owns 25% of Foxtel, and they are loath to do any sort of real investigation of anything to do with the Murdoch family. So when last week’s publicity about bullying on Australia’s Next Top Model became known, the story got a small News Ltd mention. But if it had been on another network or high profile program or presenter, or in the education system, then the tabloids would have been all across the story, screaming for blood. But because it’s a Foxtel program, it’s a protected species. Even Seven’s Today Tonight ran a clip that highlighted the bullying. But News Ltd tabloids didn’t call for anyone to be sacked or for the ringleader to be evicted. Why not!? But is there a more intriguing story? I’m told there’s an ironic twist to the program that will emerge. It involves the winner, or the person said to be the winner. The person said to be the winner of the program was involved in the bullying… Let’s hope there’s a change of mind and there’s now a strategic eviction, in the interests of showing everyone that you can’t win through bullying and harassment. Just imagine if this had occurred on Big Brother last night: it would be all over the News Ltd tabloids, which would be in full howl!

It is interesting that Crikey is taking some umbrage at this, as it is nothing new for tv stations to have sweetheart deals with magazines in the same media stable. Woman’s Day and Channel 9, and New Idea and Channel 7 are two such examples. There will be not criticism of by the weeklys but just puff pieces.

News Limited have ensured maximum publicity of the show, and wrote about the Top Model three days in a row, trying to maximise the bullying coverage.

Why does Project Runway work so well? Is it the witty, bright and talented contestants, that you laugh with and hope they do well? Is it the interesting challenges, the debonair and sardonic Tim Gunn? Or the judges who are all able to give out good one liners.

Project Runway is like a great cocktail, all the right ingredients mixed right for a good hit.

This weeks challenge was related to the model’s hair. They had to create an avant garde look that goes with an outlandish hair style. The designer is able to be as creative as you want. Chris, the costume designer was very excited as this was way up his alley.

Tim Gunn comes in to add the details to the challenge. The look does not have to be practical or wearable, however they would have to work in teams of two which were determined by a draw.

The teams were:
Kit and Ricky
Sweet P and Rami
Chris and Christian
Victorya and Gillian

Budget $300, and they must pick which model’s hair is going to inspire the collection. A team leader must be chosen and they had two days to complete.

Christian was team leader, as was Kit, Rami and Jillian. There was not a lot of enthusiasm to be the team leaders know that previously their neck’s have been on the line.

Rami is frustrated with Sweet P making the pants, and tensions were starting to arise, which persist throughout the two days. Rami does not manage well and just got pissy and hence upsetting Sweet P, as well as making her tense.

Tim Gunn came in a sprung a surprise – There will be another look walking down the runway tomorrow. Each person must now must have a ready to wear look that is inspired by the avant garde. $50 to spend and they get another extra 1 hour.

Rami and Sweet P were really starting to fracture, resulting in tears and “my arse in on the line,” “No my arse is on the line.” Tit for tat.

Jillian and Victorya were again having time problems and Jillian realised that as Victorya had immunity from last week, that if they were at the bottom she was automatically eliminated. Jillian and Victorya had not even started the second dress by the end of the second day.

Tim Gunn comes in with 6 hours to go – Nathaniel Hawkins the head of the Tresemme salon and announced the winning team looks and models will be featured in a Tresemme ad for Elle magazine.

Kit and Ricky’s dress looked like Little Bo Pee, and the little dress they did as their ready to wear look was like a something you would see in a downmarket chain store.

The judges were Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Alberta Ferretti, and the indomitable Heidi Klum.
Rami and Sweet P’s avant guard looked mis matched with a Grecian looking dress over tailored pants in completely different colours.

It was no surprise Rami and Sweet P, and Ricky and Kit had the lowest scores.

Christian and Chris, and Jillian and Victorya had the highest scores.

Christian and Chris dress was this over the top ruffled dress, and the ready to wear look was much more conservative. Personally I thought it was too different.
The judges were blown away by the dress but mixed about the ready to wear.
MK said “Beautifully crafted,” but the ready to wear was “shirt great but skirt a bit of a throwaway.”

All the designer’s loved Jillian and Victorya’s. It was jodhpur type pants, a intricate shirt, and an amazing black coat with tartan lining. Also considering Jillian had quickly sewn the ready to wear dress which was black with bits of tartan, I thought both looks were sensational.
Michael Kors said he could see women really wanting to wear these designs, and I concur.
Rami and Sweet P were always going to be in trouble.

Alberta Ferreti made Sweet P feel validated by saying she “Loved Sweet P dress”.
Michael Kors also thought Sweet P dress more avant guard then the supposeded avant garde designed.

Kit and Ricky designs quite rightly got hammered it was something out of a fairy tale. Neither was wearable nor well made.
Alberta Ferretti said “It was a little Scarlett O’Hara in a cheap way”
Heidi Klum said ” Doesn’t look well made.”
All the judges agreed “Everything looked amateur.”

Christian and Chris team won and Christian gained immunity as he was team leader.

It was down to Rami and Kit, and Kit was eliminated.

Why is Ricky like the cat with nine lives and still around? Everything he has done has been crap. He does not even have a personality to engage you. Better designers have been eliminated but him and tears and cheap badly made clothes continue to limp through week after week.

I just rang Channel 9 to find out who won – I was put through to about 3 different people to find out so clearly not a popular TV show within the actual network itself.

However TJ won she was Christina’s child. The cute one, who was competing against Claudia. I can see Christina being like Dina Lohan in a few years, as she was pretty strict on TJ on the show.

Hopefully she will put the $50,000 in trust for TJ.