"Project Runway" recap: A Hot Mess

Rarely does "Project Runway" disappoint. The standards of the reality fashion competition are high -- and judges generally reward the best designer and discard the worst -- so when the show falters, it's usually a shock.

I'm still recovering from the travesty of last night's episode. Not only did the judges reward Nicolas Putvinski (that IS his real name), one of the least talented contestants, but they sent home Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman. In what was one of the more interesting challenges so far (OK, the newspaper challenge was pretty cool, too, but that's because I'm a journalism nerd), contestants chose one of five movie genres and were asked to develop a character and a dress to fit the character. With the show's transcontinental move to L.A., it seemed more than appropriate to pay homage to the movie making industry.

The results varied from Ra'mon's last-minute otherworldly reptilian dress to my personal favorite, a Victorian period piece from Christopher that should have clearly walked away with the win. Instead, the judges chose to favor Nicolas who did nothing more than recreate Tilda Swinton's White Witch costume from "The Chronicles of Narnia" -- and not very well, I might add -- although he has shown nothing so far in the competition to set him apart from any other B-grade designer. Ra-mon, who has generally been a risk taker and won praise for his designs, was sent packing for arguably a last-minute effort that didn't quite fit his initial vision. The real tragedy in this is not just Ra'mon's departure -- sad as that is -- but the fact that greasy-haired Nicolas will be around for at least two more shows with the immunity he won in this round.

Come on, "Runway," I know you can do better than this. Nicolas has no personality and no talent. He talks big every week, but rarely delivers something above grade-school project quality. Ra'mon's departure was unfortunate, but if Nicolas remains on the show for more than two episodes, it's just disastrous for the show's reputation.

Anyone else as angry as I am? Please contribute below... or I can just sit here and fume all day.

--Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com