The Primetime Dish

It was no “Project Runway,” but in its own way it was fun. For those who enjoyed “Shear Genius” the first go round, it’s set to return this summer on Bravo. It will go on the list of things I’ll be watching, along with BB10 and whatever else comes along.

BRAVO’S ‘SHEAR GENIUS’ RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO AND STYLISTS CUT OR GET CUT

Series Premieres Wednesday, June 25 At 10 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK – April 30, 2008 – Lather. Rinse. Compete. Bravo turns the spotlight on high-end hair styling with the premiere of the second season of the creative competition series “Shear Genius” on Wednesday, June 25 at 10 PM ET/PT. Hosted by Golden Globe nominated actress, designer and entrepreneur Jaclyn Smith, “Shear Genius” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the competitive and creative world of high-end hairstyling. Famed celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo and Allure West Coast editor Kelly Atterton join the series this season as lead judges, and accomplished stylist Rene Fris returns as the competitors’ mentor.

Bravo’s nationwide search for talented hair stylists unearthed a group of gifted competitors from all over the country who will vie for the ultimate title of “Shear Genius,” $100,000 in seed money courtesy of Nexxus Salon Hair Care, an apprenticeship with Nexxus and a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine feature. This season, every challenge will be done on living hair models, and with challenges that range from cutting hair blind-folded to styling with food products that include caramel and even mustard, you can bet the drama will be bigger than ever. In each episode, host Smith, delivers the news to the chosen winning and losing stylist with input from Atterton and Vo, as well as a lineup of guest judges. Some stylists will get “cut” early and others will “blow away” the competition.

The stylists face two challenges per episode – the short cut challenge – testing technical hairstyling skills – and the elimination challenge, testing creativity and advanced skills. Every challenge will be inventive and extraordinary, pushing them out of their comfort zone and requiring more than just finesse with a comb and scissors. The stylists will also need to possess the ability to service the client’s needs, manage a staff and work as part of a team, simultaneously, in order to make it in the competition.

To meet the cast of “Shear Genius,” visit www.BravoTV.com. Photography and bios are available at www.nbcumv.com. Following are the 12 stylists competing on the series:

· Charlie – 38, Hometown: Denver, CO.
· Daniel – 28, Hometown: Tallahassee, FL; Resides in Dallas, TX.
· Dee – 37, Hometown: San Antonio, TX; Resides in Miami, FL.
· Gail – 25, Hometown: Dayton, OH; Resides in Columbus, OH.
· Glenn – 36, Hometown: Los Angeles, CA; Resides in Decatur, AL.
· Matthew – 37, Hometown: Dallas, TX.
· Meredith – 36, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in Chicago, IL.
· Nekisa – 29, Hometown: San Francisco, CA; Resides in: Concord, CA.
· Nicole – 24, Hometown: Houston, TX; Resides in: New York, NY.
· Oshun – 31, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in Los Angeles, CA.
· Parker – 31, Hometown: Miami, FL.
· Paulo – 37, Hometown: San Jose, CA.

“Shear Genius” is produced by Reveille Entertainment. Mark Koops, Julie Laughlin and Howard T. Owens serve as executive producers.

Tim, Heidi and the others from “Project Runway” may have a new network come fall. Lifetime Television made a deal with the shows creators The Weinstein Company to purchase the show for their network from Bravo/NBC. NBC, as one can imagine, is fighting this with a lawsuit. “Project Runway” is basically the cornerstone of Bravo’s reality based television shows, it was among the first and inspired many of the various reality shows the network has done since (”Top Chef,” “Top Cut,” “Make Me A Supermodel,” etc. . . .). The next season of “Project Runway” will begin shooting in June and air . . . . somewhere . . . . this fall. Tim and Heidi are expected to make the jump to Lifetime. No word yet on Michael Kors or Nina Garcia.

ABC released its summer line-up of shows. Reality TV lovers may want to take note that “The Mole” is returning!

ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE WITH THE PREMIERE OF EIGHT ORIGINAL SERIES

ABC announces its summer schedule with the premiere of eight original series, including the return of “The Bachelorette” on Monday, May 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), following the performance show finale of “Dancing with the Stars”; “The Mole” on Monday, May 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); “Wipeout” on Tuesday, June 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” on Tuesday, June 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.); ABC News’ “Hopkins” on Thursday, June 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); “Dance Machine” on Friday, June 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); “High School Musical: Summer Session” on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); and “Wanna Bet” on Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

Keep reading for the show descriptions.
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Margaret Cho is being given her own show, “The Cho Show” by VH1! As of yet no details are known, but it appears to be some kind of reality show. My guess is something along the lines of Kathy Griffin’s “My Life On The D-List?” She tours yearly, so no doubt that is a big part of it. She’s also involved in a lot of political activism.

For those who aren’t familiar with her, Margaret is an Asian-American stand-up comedian. She’s very opinionated, very liberal, and very funny (I have tickets to see her next month!) She’s not new to TV, having appeared in the early 90s in the show “All American Girl.” Many of her previous tours and other film and TV projects can be rented or bought. She has a pretty foul mouth and sense of humor though, so I wouldn’t suggest going out and renting or purchasing without doing some research! (YouTube can help there).

Photo Source: MargaretCho.com
Just For Fun: Margaret Cho DVDs on Amazon.com

So last night was the big finale of “Project Runway 4″ and as I thought, Christian won.

Let’s go back to the week before, where they were deciding whether to send Rhami or Chris to the final three. They of course picked Rhami, which just ticked me off. I felt Chris was far more fun than Rhami. Rhami makes beautiful gowns, but they just get boring for me. What I really took offense to was that Michael Khors said Chris was still giving them costumes rather than fashion. Oh really Mike? Those words will come back to haunt you!

Rhami, Christian and Jillian went on to fashion week. I loved Jillian’s collection, but she didn’t win. I thought it was the most wearable AND colorful! Rhami’s collection . . . HATED IT! Again very beautiful gowns, but boring and ALL the same color. So much black and red. Even the judges said his issue was using color. Christian’s collection? Beautifully done, but again I had an issue with color! It was all black and browns! Can we also say COSTUME! They looked down on Chris for this, yet almost everything in Christian’s collection was over the top and not really wearable! Yes I get that is fashion However it was true, and even Michael told guest judge Victoria Beckham (who loved it) that not everyone could pull off these clothes like she could.

In sum, I really wish Chris went forwards. I think he would have put the smack down on Christian!

Uhg, what to say about tonight’s “Project Runway!” Tonight the challenge was for them to choose one piece of art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and make an outfit based on it. Two were supposed to be out, leaving three for Bryant Park. I was so sure that it would be Sweat Pea and Rhami, because their outfits were not up to par at all compared to Christian, Jillian and Chris. Sweet Pea got the boot, Jillian and Christian were safe . . . . . but they kept both Rhami and Chris! It was a tie, they decided come fashion week, they’ll be judged on their three strongest pieces from their collection to determine who shows. Grrrrr! Are you kidding me! I’m sorry Rhami makes nice dressed, but they have been BORING! He should have been gone. As for who I think will win? I am praying Jillian will, but I fear Christian will. His attitude just turns me off. I want to reach in and smack him.

So last night’s challenge on “Project Runway” was to create diva outfits for some of the women of the WWE. I liked almost everyone’s outfit but Ricky’s. Sweetpea’s could have been more flash, but wasn’t horrible. I didn’t care for Rhami’s that much either, it was a pink marshmallow nightmare. Ricky however, as they put it, just made an orange swimsuit! Actually I think he’s been making swimsuits this whole season. They finally sent him packing, his time had long come! Next week the final elimination before Bryant Park. I can’t wait.

PS I’m soon going to sort through my “Reality” category and put shows that I comment multiple times on in their own categories (Finally!)

I knew with the writers strike that once the major shows ran out of episodes we’d be getting a lot of new reality shows, but I never imagined some of them would be as stupid as the ones they are putting out. The networks must really be desperate. Case in point, NBC’s “My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad.” Have you seen the commercials for this? Basically kids put their dads up against other kids’ dads, the fathers have to compete in some obstacle course against each other to prove they are the better dad.

Wow, I wonder how much brainstorming went into this show? I’ve seen some dumb reality shows, but I think this one might just take the cake for the dumbest ever.

After marathons this week, I’m finally up to date with “Project Runway.” Honestly I don’t know what to say! Kit and Kevin both out? I thought they were some of the most “on” designers all season. When I look at who we are left with after this week? I just don’t know! I think Rhami will for sure end up in the final 3 (or 4 if they do that again this year). My other two choices, if it’s a final 3, are Jillian and Christian (though I hate to admit it, he’s a jerk). Sweet Pea I think has the potential to get there, and I hope she does.

So last night’s “PR” was a bit depressing. Because of an infection he had to have treated, Jack had to leave the show. This really sucks as he was doing so well, he may have been able to make it to the final three! I hope they’ll consider bringing him back next season at least. To keep things “fair” they brought Chris back, which made me happy! This challenge was to make a new outfit for ladies who lost a lot of weight, using the materials of their old favorite outfit. Poor Steve got the woman with the wedding dress! First, why would someone offer up their wedding dress to be completely cut up by a designer? Second, the show had to have known the person who got that would have the biggest disadvantage because it was so much lace and beading. Of course Steve ended up going home, but I can’t blame them for sending him home. He didn’t even do anything at all with the woman’s dress! He just made a black dress and put some white trim on it. It looked terrible. Christian won this challenge, though I felt Kevin’s outfit was so much better. Also I’m getting a bit tired of Christian’s 80’s inspired big shoulder pad outfits. Eventually the judges will too, and they’ll start telling him he needs to show them something more. Every season they have one of these designers stuck in their trend that can’t break out (Santino, Laura, Austin Scarlett).