I approached this week's "Project Runway" with some trepidation. I recently learned that its ratings have plunged. According to experts, a bad cast may be to blame. Ping, the most entertaining character on the show, is now gone. But I am going to do my patriotic duty and watch this show until the bitter end, even if they resort to bringing in a small, cute relative of Tim Gunn's to try to enliven the plots. (Do you remember Cousin Oliver from the "Brady Bunch"?)
As usual, the show begins by showing the sleepy designers bantering and performing their morning ablutions. Maya wins backhanded compliment of the day: "Mila is the older version of me." Which, in all fairness, is not untrue. They both sport severe dark bobs with bangs, the requisite bombshell lipstick and have a similar modern design aesthetic.
The designers trudge over to Parsons to meet Heidi, who is in a short, strapless, floaty dress, still pregnant, but with nary a swollen ankle in sight this week. She enigmatically informs them that they will be making a "look for a fashion week gala" for some "inspiring women." Cut to the workroom, where Tim Gunn is standing with some woman from the Campbell's soup company. [needle skips off record] What?