Sooo.  Project Runway Season 5 premiered last night, and I sat down to watch it despite the incredible amount of underwhelment I felt throughout season 4.  There were too many veterans in season 4, and those who weren’t veterans (*cough*Christian*cough*) took cocky precociousness and adorableness to annoying levels I was previously unaware actually were possible.  Also, none of them could live up to the awesomeness that was Santino Rice from season 2.  (I actually wasn’t overly impressed with season 3 either, although I still say Alison was screwed over)

This episode was notable for the guest appearance of the fabulous Austin Scarlett (yes, even gayer than his name):

Austin was apparently the winner of this challenge in season 1 (I was a latecomer to Project Runway and saw all of season 1 and most of season 2 in reruns) but I remember him best for saving Jay’s ass by modeling for him in one of the challenges.  And for being flaming enough to set fire to Yosemite National Park all by himself.

I could recap the entire episode, but others have done it earlier and better.  Suffice it to say that I agreed with the judges’ verdicts – Jerry and Stella deserved to be in the bottom two, and I was glad when it was Jerry to go – beyond the fact that he’s too experienced for the show, his design was a mess, like something from a horror flick, and he was delusional enough to think it was awesome.  Stella at least knew her trash bag dress was shit.

Likewise, Kelli deserved to win – the hand dyed vacuum bag skirt was incredible, although I was less fond of the coffee filter top.  Daniel’s blue solo cup dress similarly rocked – it was even more amazing when you realized how he had to do it – and I actually would have worn Kordo’s tablecloth dress.

All in all, an okay start to the season.  I’m not sure who my favorites will be yet – it’s early yet -but I can tell that it won’t be Blayne.  The tanorexic Seattle designer/barista is beating even Christian for annoying, and that takes some doing.  I spent most of last season wanting to bash the fashion elf over his overly hairsprayed head.