Review: Models of the Runway

I'm a closet Project Runway fan. I don't obsess over it the same way my wife does but I'm not afraid to admit it is one of the better reality shows on television.

Last week, we started watching the new season of Project Runway and, when the season premiere was over, a new show came on "Models of the Runway." This half hour show focuses on the Project Runway models, which are also competing for prizes but, prior to this season, have been in the background other than a few minutes each show.

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of this. Much like other successful reality shows (like American Idol), it's easy to get burned out a bit by the time the Project Runway season is over with and this seemed like they were trying for too much of a good thing. But, I have to say it; I think I love this show.

For one, you get to see these women as human beings; not just living mannequins. They have their opinions about each of the Project Runway designers (which they aren't afraid to verbalize) and you can feel the tension they feel whenever a designer is kicked off the show and they have to go through their own elimination round.

I also love the fact the creation of this show also involves a much needed rule change in the Project Runway series. In the past, the winning designer had the option to keep their model or steal a model from another designer. That part of the show often got a bit dull because they rarely made a change and, as a result, the model that was paired with the losing designer was almost always eliminated through no fault of her own.

This time around, each of the designers has to choose their model once a week, starting with the winner and then in the order they are picked from a hat. Since there are a couple designers who like changing models on a regular basis, you never know which model won't be picked and will be sent home. It could even be the model paired with the winning designer.

That drama adds both an unpredictable ending and an unexpected amount of drama. Last night's episode, for example, had one of the models throwing a fit because one of the worst designers stole her from a designer she seems to have a crush on. From her reaction, you would think she would have preferred to be sent home instead. Wow.

If you are a Project Runway fan and haven't stayed up an extra half hour to watch this show, you are missing something.