Hey Medusa. Sorry I never got around to commenting last week. I actually liked whatever her name was who got booted and originally thought she might make it to the end. I thought the room was beautiful, even if they had completion issues. If anyone should have been cancelled, it was her partner -- the very same gal who should have gotten the boot this week. Is it just editing that makes her look so incompetent?

I don't think Amy should have gone home. True, her kitchen was a disaster, but it's not like she stepped up and said yep, I know all about kitchen design, have loads of experience, and I want to lead this team. No she pulled an effin' star out of a paint can. Unfortunately, she couldn't pull a cohesive design out of her ass. Tough luck.

Does anybody else think that first guy pictured in your recap (Jason???) looks like a gay Bob Guinney of Bachelor fame (now married to Rebecca Budig)? It kinda freaks me out.

Anyway, nice job on the recap. Looking forward to the "White Room Challenge." That's always fun.

Great job Medusa! I especially loved "which looks more Spanish-Tibetan meets a carnival claw game to my untrained eye."

There truly was no contest between the teams this week. Team HeartAttack was just a total fuster cluck from the word go. Neither team had a strong leader, but at least on Nate's team they pulled their shit together and worked to their individual strengths.

Xqzmoi - I thought the same thing about Tash - but even editing can't explain her massive lack of ability. Last week she duct taped curtains and shredded comforters, this week she did not even know how to level cabinets and could not manage to throw junk on the countertops...they should recognize by now that she needs to go, but I suspect they are keeping her for upcoming drama - the "no one wants her on their team" kind.

Jason needs to edit, he reminds me of that set designer chick that was on Top Design a few seasons back who could not stand to see any open surface without a tchotchke on it. But overall I like Jason, and also agree with Medusa that Antonio is exceeding my expectations and looks like a rising star.

Those kitchens look like the catalog designs for a gated community home in Alabama.

Must pause mid-recap to say:

FREAKS AND GEEKS!!! YAY!!!

Okay, back to reading...

Great recap! I love all things HGTV (well, most things. Angelo Surmelis leaves something to be desired), so I'm thrilledy you're covering Design Star. Jason's styling was atrocious and I'm so ready for Tash to be gone!

Do you think the family gets their kitchen finished properly, or do they have to relevel the cabinets and have the marble reseated? They definitly need a pro to check out the appliances and make sure they are installed properly. I can just see the flood the first time they use the dishwasher!!!

Kloewent - I think they mentioned at the end of the show that an HGTV Team went to the unfinished kitchen to work on it - so I would think they realigned the cabinets, repaired the countertop, finished the tile, etc. At least I hope so, otherwise I would rather have the "before" kitchen!

drawn inspiration from a palate larger than the complimentary crayons at Denny's?

Too funny Medusa!!! Something else had me howling, but I have to go back and look--no, there's nothing wrong with my short term memory, why do you ask!?

mmm, well, crayola aside, was she also responsible for the green and red lanterns? Couldn't believe Jany went to pick tile without a color or concept in place. I totally agree that heartburn spent a lot of time dancing and celebrating instead of getting to it. Tash, tash, tash, how did I think you were going to win. even lamer than those counters was her inability to place a bowl of oranges. Why would they putty the crack and bring all this attention to it, when they must have known it would need to be fixed.

They could have at least used tile that comes on a sheet. Not sure how many quick back splashes are out there, but the family wanted futuristic . . . coulda been anything . . . including Torrie's plan.

Dan is also way better than I had thought. Can't wait for the white room challenge, go Tone!!!! I really hope you can pull design out too.

The other was, "oh" and "broken heart"

seriously funny shit!!!! I ain't much of a one for a laugh out loud, but that had me going . . .

xoxoxo

I think I read somewhere that both kitchens are finished for the homeowners. If you remember, the winning kitchen has missing socket covers, etc.

Thanks for the Bob The Bachelor reference, I couldn't think of it. I also think Antonio looks like one of the designes on Project Runway a season or so ago.

And finally, Medusa you rock!

Great recap! I hope you can get the ability to include more screencaps--though your screencaps from other sources are awesome--because I'd like to have more pics of the designers to get more of a sense of who they are.

The modern kitchen had no discernible design, even if they had finished it. As someone said, it looked like it was in a model home.

At least the Moroccan kitchen had a few decent design ideas. I liked the Moroccan tile reference on the kitchen bar, although the blue was not a very good color for it. Almost all of the accessories sucked, and I would have expected more, and richer, color.

I can't see any harm in letting the designers do research, like REAL designers do, as long as the sources were provided by the producers so they would know if the contestants were ripping off other designs.

The Buddha-whatever in the window slays me. Yah that's what every single working mom needs in her kitchen.

No matter. I am on to bigger things. The best, greatest part of this episode was Tash breaking the wine bottle. It was the symbol of the family's love of entertaining, and all they hope and dream their kitchen will be.

Then you go back, pause and read the label on the bottle: Charles Shaw. For the uninitiated, that is the famous $1.98 per bottle label sold at Trader Joe's, affectionately known by winos and case-buyers everywhere as "Two-Buck Chuck."

I laaaaaaaaaaaughed.

Great recap. I laughed again. :-D

Wow, Memememe, brilliant catch there with the wine, because you're right -- that stuff is totally rotgut. I am really wondering now if this was staged; did the producers know she was a klutz and "suggest" she be the one to move the wine (switching out the good stuff)? Curiouser and curiouser.

I also wanted to comment on the fact that the judges will decide the winner this season -- which I think is a great idea -- but I just wonder at the reason behind the change. Do you think there is big disappointment with the previous winners? Have their shows been
"cancelled"? Has anybody heard anything along those lines? Thanks.

Regarding having the judges picking the winner this season because they were disappointed in previous winners: Season 1-David Bromstad's 'Color Splash' is still on and going strong, although I haven't seen any new episodes of Season 2 Kim Myles' 'Myles of Style' show in a long time - just reruns. And that blond chick that won Season 3 - did she ever even get a show? Maybe it's like the Next Food Network Star - you get one hit (Guy Fierri) and a bunch of also-rans?

Btw, Design Star could really benefit from a snarky judge like Jonathan Adler. Candace and Genevive are too nice. I like them both, I just think they go too easy on the contestants.

Funny recap! It makes me want to watch the show again. I think the Care Bear's heart was pulsating!

Yes, they liked Torie's backsplash but did anyone notice when she brought it in she
explained that it was her great idea to use this vinly "flooring" as a backsplash???? I have seen the stuff many times and it could be used on a ceiling or backsplash but sure
as heck not flooring.