Design Star Dazzles, but not BeDazzles

I hosted a three-episode Design Star viewing party Tuesday night and we had a blast!

My personal design stars were Barney, Shilpa, RMJ, Alert Reader Paul Day, Kevin and Shawn. Barney, RMJ, and Kevin had all met Josh before, so this was a very personal screening. And let me say DVRs rock. I have a ReplayTV which automatically skips commercials and it made the viewing experience so much better. And it impressed RMJ to no end, as his level of technology (bless his heart, not for lack of trying) doesn't rise too far above the whole "two cans and some string" level. The DVR also allowed for freeze-framing for additional commentary and criticism. Not so much of the designs, but of the participants.

I had promised much Sparkle from the Josh, but all we're getting is really, really good designs. And while his first individual challenge did show some of that white/silver/mirrored sparkle, we all thought he was wronged by the judged. His 99-cent store room looked great. We don't know what the judges were bitching about. Others were much worse.

His fashion sense and banter though, do sparkle.

We think it wasn't that his work wasn't good, but that they expected so much more from this guy with so much potential. They didn't judge him against his peers, but their expectations from him. Which is fine when mentoring someone, but kinda strange for a competition.

Pretty much, we all LOVE Josh now. And we're rooting.

The local (SF) straight guy can't keep his shirt on, which is kinda okay but is getting old. Last year's winner looked amazing shirtless, but he knew how to moderate his exposure. And the local surfer dude is kind of a douche.

I'm just sayin'.

Overall, we felt that the singular, far and away least talented person on this show is the host. WTF is he doing there? Is it the crappy, fake/affected accent? The judges are pretty lame too, but wow, the host is a LOU-zer. (Well, other than hosting a show on tv and stuff...)

The night was a ball and we plan to repeat it. The Jello shots, however, probably not.

Ow.

................
Oh yeah-- Shilpa had never done a Jello shot before, and was perplexed and intimidated by the little cup. RMJ offered this advice: "You've got to use your tongue and be aggressive!"

Which is pretty much good advice for many occasions.

Correction: I have been informed that the actual advice was "You have to be aggressive with your tongue and suck really hard."

Duly noted.

And still good advice all around.