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TV Tonight: "Top Design"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:39:05 -0700

I've been indifferent about "Top Design" all season, but all of a sudden, I find myself sucked in. Sure, the show has its problems (the judging really shouldn't take half an hour), but now that the competition is down to the final four, I'm pretty stoked to see who wins. Andrea is freakishly calm and has never really screwed up, Goil builds cool things and has an endless collection of colored eyeglasses, Carisa's obnoxious attitude at least makes for interesting TV, and - though I didn't even notice him until midway through the season - I'm starting to think Matt could be the dark-horse favorite. Besides, I'm oddly compelled to see what judge and resident fashion disaster Kelly Wearstler is wearing each week.

From the video clips I've seen of tonight's episode, I think the challenge could be the best of the season. It seems the designers each are assigned an element (earth, fire, air, water) and must design a hotel room that embodies that element. This clip shows the designers sketching and shopping, and to see the first few minutes of tonight's episode (after some footage from last week), read more

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TV Tonight: "Top Design"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:00:49 -0800

Bravo continues its Wednesday night competition-reality show reign tonight with the premiere of "Top Design," wherein 12 architects and designers compete for a cash prize and a plum spot at one of New York's biggest interior design showcases. It starts after the "Top Chef" finale and moves into the chefs' time slot next week.

I'm not quite sure what to think about this one. On the one hand, I've never met a home design show I didn't like. (Ever wonder who's watching the "Flip That House" marathon at 2 a.m. on a Saturday? That's me.) But I've also met an awful lot of home design shows, and Bravo's going to have to do something great to make this one stand out from the TLC/A&E/HGTV pack. It needs the Tim Gunn factor, if you will, and while I love host Todd Oldham, I'm not sure about the line the judges will be using to send away rejected contestants: "See you later, decorator."

The whole Top Whatever formula is also starting to feel a little played out, especially with "Shear Genius" set to premiere later this year. What's next - gardening, manicuring, ice sculpting? For more on the show and a video sneak peek, read more

The dozen designers look to be a fun group just teeming with potential personality clashes, and Bravo's never failed to, er, "make it work" so far. I'll be checking out the first few episodes at least, so if you watch, drop by and let me know what you think. Bravo has already posted several clips, including an introduction to the designers and a six-part (!) conversation between Tim Gunn and head judge Jonathan Adler. Here's a glimpse at the first challenge, in which the designers pair up to decorate a room for a mystery celebrity.

Bravo's Next Reality Show: Top Design

BuzzSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:14:02 -0800

Following in the footsteps of its successful and addictive reality shows "Project Runway" and "Top Chef," Bravo will debut a new reality show, called "Top Design," where interior designers will compete for cash to start their own firms. The show premieres on Jan. 31 and will air Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Much like "Project Runway," the new show will have 12 contestants, who will be presented with a different challenge every week. Each episode will follow the process from materials-gathering to competition. Bravo does an excellent job with "Runway" and "Top Chef," so "Top Design" has some serious potential. I'm especially excited about the host, Todd Oldham, who I absolutely loved when he was on MTV's "House of Style." The show will also feature some great judges, including designer Jonathan Adler. But with so many interior-design shows already on the tube-from TLC's "Trading Spaces" to ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"-I wonder if "Top Design" has missed its moment. What do you guys think?