Models of the Runway Review

Who knew that what “Project Runway” really needed was a “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”-style companion show?

“Models of the Runway” premiered last night, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. (Admittedly, there’s a 25% chance I was simply grateful the show is only 30 minutes after sitting through three straight hours of “Runway.”)

When I first heard about the show, I didn’t think it was a great idea. I mean, we’ve all had to hear Heidi say, “Models this is a competition for you as well” for five years, but none of us have actually cared about that aspect of “Runway” before, right? Who wants to see these no-name girls live in a house and bicker “Top Model”-style?

Fortunately, “Models” has been designed to run concurrently with the events on the current season of “Runway.” As a result, we not only get additional insider-y looks at the designers (who will apparently make cameos, along with Heidi), but we get the models’ insight on the main “Runway” competition. I’m curious to see whether the designers the models like and the designers who do well on the show (Christopher is very popular right now – Ari and Mitchell, not so much) continue to match up.

On top of that, the tense shot of the models backstage watching Ari get eliminated hammered home (moreso than Heidi’s empty script) that this IS a competition for them too.

Since the show was only 30 minutes, we barely got to know any of the models except for Yosuzi (who still has tire tracks all over her from being thrown under the bus by Mitchell) and Katie and Tara, who got to share a vaguely Emmy-themed reward that really just made the other girls jealous. In fact, the “model house” aspect of the show was, by far, the weakest for me.

Still, I enjoyed the show, and it seems like the weekly model selection (usually a waste of time on “Runway”) will take place during this half hour. Last night, Mitchell switched models and Yosuzi ended up being the odd woman out.

The show has made several changes to help “Models” succeed. For example, now the designers will pick models every week, instead of that option only going to the challenge winner. Also, I’m fairly certain the previous “Runway” models didn’t get a model house and had to walk to the set from their apartments.

Overall, “Models” is a spinoff/companion piece with real, experienced models (my girlfriend Erica couldn’t get over how skinny they all are) that will only enhance the “Runway” experience.

“Models of the Runway”…B+