Rachel wrote:

WHY OH WHY??? Why do all of you keep Carisa around?? I can foresee her saying "oh darlin you don't know what you want. carisa know what you want.." She's annoying, lazy, and keeps skating by. She also exemplifies (from what the producers show of her) the epitomy of the "ME" generation. I get the opinion she thinks everything should be done her way and everything should be handed to her and she should have the best office, the best salary, etc. because she's special.. WHATEVER!!!

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:06 PM

Betty Louise Rector wrote:

Todd as your great aunt I love your show. I missed last week, and have not caught a re-run of it. Continued good luck in your endeavors!

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:13 PM

Mike Z. wrote:

Yes, please eliminate the guy who busts his ass to construct storage, the family space, but *keep* the guy who goes MIA building a raised dog bed in the FN garage.

Is this being judged on anything but lack of personal resonance between the judges and the designers???

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:13 PM

Joe Cruz Jr. wrote:

I will say that I simply enjoy all Bravo shows. They could not have picked a better host for the show than Todd. However, in saying that, I am so sick & tired of the other three so called judges on the show. Let us start with they way they dress, then move to their hair styles...please. I have viewed work by each of those judges and I will say that many of their so called desings are lacking greatly!!! What they think is simply not what many of us think. There are ways to speak to someone and ways to help someone or give advise on how they may better their desings. However, the judges at hand do none of this. What they do is simply sound like a bunch of people who think that they are better than others, which is simply funny in itself. I have no education in the design field. However, I will say for the last 13 years I have flipped homes for a living. I have been very blessed and done well with this. Each of my homes I bought I designed on my own. Does this mean that I do not meat the so called standards of those judges who "think" they know what is best for someone.? Well, hello no it does not. Yes, i will continue to watch the show with my family. We know David the last winner who not only is a wonderful designer but a kind and honest person. We wish him well with his new show.

Bravo: you really want to have a great design show then get ordinary people on the show to judge those desingers. I mean it is we who are the one's that are going to pick them to design our homes, offices and spaces. I am sick of the unethical, unkind and simply rude speaking from those who are suppose to be the best in the business. We do not hear Todd at least on the show cutting people down or their work. Atleast he tries to give advise that will help them to better their work. If it is the producers that write what the judges speak then shame on them, if not then you so called Professionals in the Design filed, meaning, Jonathan, Kelly and Margaret really need to take a long look in a mirror. Keep up the great work Todd.

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:18 PM

Kim Salmela wrote:

This is the first time I have ever bothered to respond to any blog, let alone a TV show. I am so disappointed by the quality of the show and the challenges that you are presenting to the designers. As a designer I couldn't wait for this show to come out, but am sorely unimpressed with the show-not the designers, the shows. As a viewer I tune in to be wowed and inspired, but how are viewers supposed to be impressed by one garage that designers have only hours to work on? If this show is going to survive another season you need to come up with more inspiring challenges, and give them a real reason to be kicked off. When was the last time Elle Decor featured a garage in it's magazine? Let's start seeing real rooms with 4 walls and give the designers an opportunity to actually wow us-something worth tuning in to.

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:29 PM

jackie wrote:

oh do i disagree with the sending of ryan home...carisa should have been the one sent out of there...this was a task for working together, well carisa did not do that...she is a prima donna that has to go..does not have what it takes for the long haul

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:54 PM

Adina wrote:

Hi Todd! I just wanted to express how much I love you!! Your calm, positive, and encouraging nature is so very refreshing. While an incredibly talented desiner and icon, you are so down to earth and willing to be there for the contestants. I can't put my finger on why but you really inspire me. I'm not a designer just a law student living in New York but you're positivity, confidence, and nurturing nature are infectious. I feel better about the hundreds of pages of case law I'll be reading over tonight. I've been a fan since your MTV days when I was just a little girl really into fashion. So I just wanted to say keep up the great work you are amazing!!

posted on March 7, 2007 at 11:59 PM

Turbo Geek wrote:

On the surface, this week's challenge (and GMC commercial) seemed totally reasonable, however the condition under which it was to be executed were just insane.

First, the garage was crammed to the rafters with the family's stuff. The first thing they needed was a stuff-ectomy. Ryan was correct, they had too much crap. They couldn't find a place in their 4000+ sq ft house to put some of it? And where did it go? Certainly the furniture that was in the garage to start with wasn't there during the reveal. What happened to it? There was that awkward moment of dramatic horror when Ryan suggested they throw some of it out, yet it was no where to be seen during the reveal, nor was any explanation offered as to where it all went.

The least that could have been done for the team was for the garage to be cleaned out before the designers showed up to work on it. For heavens sake, these people were getting their garage done over gratis.

The second point is that the last minute inclusion of the 'shed' into the project and its repurposing as the 'office' was a huge change in scope of the project, yet no additional budget or scheduled was allocated for this and no one said 'No.'

Carissa did the best she could in this separate space despite being cruxified for it in the evaluation for not being part of the 'team'. Well, it wasn't part of the original project and she covered for the rest of the team to make it happen which necessitated her absence from the assigned garage.

ANY designer faced with such a large change in scope to include a significant additional space would have asked for additional budget and schedule to accomodate such a monumental expansion of the project. Shame on the producers for allowing this to happen with adjusting the parameters imposed on the designers! This show is certainly not supposed to parallel reality, but it should at least resemble it.

Finally, there was the matter of the family's expectation of the use of the space. They wanted 'stuff' storage, plus vehicle storage, plus some kind of stage set for the little princesses and their costumes, plus a dog bed, and a home office, all in one garage. Perhaps a canning kitchen could have been thrown in as well? Easy! Just slap a chimney on the side of the structure.....

At least, now all of the particpants can point to this as the most surreal and bizarre experience they've had in their chosen profession. The story of the garage from hell will provide them fodder for cocktail party chit-chat for the rest of their lives.

--TG

posted on March 8, 2007 at 1:15 AM

Dee Zine wrote:

Todd, I wish you were the head judge! I love your clear, concise writing and your attitude toward the designers on the show. It's hard to follow in Tim Gunn's footsteps, but you're doing a great job!

And I love your voice!

posted on March 8, 2007 at 1:19 AM

coy wrote:

it should have been the homeowners task to empty the garage for it took so much of the designers time just doing so. the designers were so careful in following the leaders design that they forgot to use their own creativity to improve what is assigned to them. if they don't like to step on each others toes they could have talked and voice their preferences.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 2:30 AM

Christine Speed wrote:

I thought the garage was a wonderful design especially, putting the car in the center and the clear plastic bin storage tubs on shelves and the theatre. I also thought that Andrea's miniature model was the cleanest and most professional and that she did a great job of organizing the work with colleagues who didn't want to be followers and simply refused at times to do as she asked. I bet she could have been a lot tougher if these people had actually been working for her. But she had to take into consideration the fact that she would need to potentially be cooperating with them in the next challenge. A delicate balance. Even when she spoke about the work of those who had let her down, she was very diplomatic and yet honest. It was totally unfair for the husband to add later that he would have liked the theatre to be less fixed in case his girls change their focus in the future. He should have said that up front. A movable/temporary theatre is actually lame. It means that when you creatively want to put on a show, you have to do some work first to get the stage ready or move the car. That zaps creativity and spontaneity--the whole thing I would think that parents want to encourage. That theatre was terrific and one day, when the family want to change it out, just spend some money and change it out. They just got a wonderful garage design and organization for free.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 3:04 AM

Ty wrote:

I am getting so tired of these uninspired designs that are a direct result of unrealistic time constraints!! I'm sure the production company thinks it's great entertainment to ask people to create wonderment in 1 day but the results are so thrown together we, the viewers are quickly loosing interest. Give them at least 2 days for a complete cleaning and floor to ceiling make-over of a garage and maybe the designs won't be so desperate and ugly.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 5:03 AM

Greta wrote:

Ahhh ... can y'all come sort out my basement? I swear, it's like a Fisher Price graveyard. Oy. That said, wanted to say it's a joy to watch you each week ... nice to see that there are reality shows with intelligent, calm, and kind-hearted individuals. Keep up the class! ;)

posted on March 8, 2007 at 8:05 AM

Samuel Uccello wrote:

Who are you kidding, I don't know any designer that has been asked to design a garage, This episode really aggravated me. And to eliminate the one person that told the family the truth, was just rediculus! After this show I may not watch again.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 9:04 AM

juni wrote:

If the Baker family could have agreed to hiring a dumpster and getting rid of all that stuff in the garage, maybe the designers would have had more time to create a more lovely space. In that sense, Ryan was correct in saying that they needed to get rid of all the clutter.

Yes, there wasn't a "look" to the garage. What we saw was a practical way to deal with multifunctions. I think the cluttered appearance of the garage, with it sodden stuffed animals to its extra living room chairs, showed the too-muchness of the owners--wanting the space to be a stage, a dog chamber, a place for their SUV, a storage room, an office, etc. It's not realistic, when the space is crammed with junk.

We all know that junk expands to fill all space, if we allow it. It would be interesting to see if the Baker family maintains that space or if it will be filled with more stuff they need to hang on to.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 9:57 AM

hildymarie1 wrote:

Good show -- I think it is important for up and coming designers to realize that not all projects are exciting. This was a unique challenge and I believe that most of the designers worked together very well as a team. Clarisa is blessed by the judges -- it seems that she can do no wrong. This was her 2nd total failure in a team role.

Ryan, although not popular with the judges and quite out there artistically, worked very hard on the project. I believe that he was sent home lnot because he failed at the project but because of a clash of egos.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 10:26 AM

Dennis wrote:

I have to agree with Ryan, I think the judges would better fit in a 70s conservative setting, last week they hated the art, this week where is it, was it that he said he would'nt have take'n the job, or the fact that he told them to get rid of some of the clutter, I wonder what you would have told them to do? They certainly did'nt show any of the "new and young" ideas that this show is famous for

posted on March 8, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Michael wrote:

I'm fascinated with the comments. There is a real class divide among the designers both on the show and that are commenting here. For designers to turn their noses up at a job shows very poor judgement. If they are too elite to do that job, perhaps a junior colleague may want a chance to do something. And who knows, the family may want the garage done now, but the house tomorrow. Or the neighbors may want something. Get over yourself. A large budget to work with is fun and brings in a great fee, but a small budget with a unique challenge is a great porfolio builder too. Additionally, the team concept is great because it appears as though everyone believes that they are going to be the leads on all projects forever. If that is the case, what a limited career path. The show teaches a great deal more about the profession than the cast (and some fans) is willing to learn.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 11:52 AM

Cathy wrote:

I have also become bored with the show because many of the factors of the show. The judges seem to be very constrained, full of themselves, cold. Particularly the judge to the far right. She makes me anxious just listening to her. I think the personality of the judges is vital to an interesting show and apart from the main host, they just lack any real warmth or excitement.

I agree with most of the criticism of the show, in that the design choices are lacking in practicality. The garage choice was some kind of test, trying to artificially put some life into a boring format. That is part of the reality show however, putting people in unrealistic and uncomfortable situations.

I do think the designers of the show need to give the designers more time to complete their challenges and more creative one.

Cathy

posted on March 8, 2007 at 12:12 PM

Patt wrote:

I like your show but a garage in that big of a mess in just a few hours? Come on, and then the judges get snarky, please, feel that Carissa should go just because she is such a jerk, me me me..

posted on March 8, 2007 at 12:28 PM

Chris wrote:

Is every guy on the show gay? Is it a pre req to be gay?

posted on March 8, 2007 at 12:48 PM

Michael S wrote:

sharon if you don't like the show, fine. don't watch it, but posting comments with personal insults is really not cool. Please go away.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 1:41 PM

Marylou wrote:

Sorry, but boring, just purely tiresome and boring. I love most Bravo shows and really got hooked on PR, TC and even that horrible Workout gym show, but even though I've watched every episode of Top Design with an open mind, I'm totally bored out of it. Its' lackluster cast, challenges and snooty, out-of-touch-with-reality judges does not a hit show make. Look at the number of posts to these blogs as compared to Runway and Chef. Todd, you're wonderful at what you do. If the show were to be renewed for a second season, I hope you return as host, but the concept and execution needs total revamping and those three judges need to GO.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 2:20 PM

Jewelee Rider wrote:

I'm still waiting for some one or two 'designers' to go to the top of the class. These individuals are all almost hit of miss. Too much team stuff (are you running a teambuilding workshop or a top designer show) - probably the first two should still be with you.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 2:56 PM

Amber wrote:

My question is what parents in their right mind want their children playing in the garage or want their home office in the garage? Have you heard of air quality? Carbon monoxide, among other fumes?? In addition, garages are often dangerous spaces...I thought Bravo was smarter than this. I am really disappointed in this particular episode. A healthy environment should be considered in every design.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 3:00 PM

Turbo Geek wrote:

Three comments regarding the overall series:

1. It is not entirely clear whether the designers are being judged on each individual challenge in isolation or if there is also cumulative criteria as the series progresses. Perhaps this may be clearly specified in the fine print of the rules and the designers are aware of it. Whatever the case, the viewing audience should have the same information.

With Ryan's dismissal in ep 5, some of the comments from the panel of regular judges would seem to indicate there is a cumulative aspect to the evaluation. Ryan's attitude was far more subdued in this episode than in previous episodes, yet many of the comments as to justify his elimination were based on his 'attitude.' Other's were far less productive or inspiring in ep 5 than Ryan.

2. With that being said, the 'special guest judge' element of the show contribute very little. If the evaluation is cumulative, the guest judge of the week does not have the corporate knowledge of the details of the series history. In many cases the guest judge makes some superficial observations or renders an opinion that seems to come from a parallel universe because it totally lacks context. The "It's organized, but not composed." comment by the guest judge in ep 5 is a stellar example.

3. Immunity should not be given as a reward for winning an individual challenge. A more appropriate reward would be to give the winner first choice of some unequal element of the subsequent challenge, such as which of the beach cabana locales they preferred. This was done with the carpenter selections. It would seem that a perceived advantage in executing the next challenge is more motivating than "at least I won't get sent home" and probably makes for better television. (Did so-and-so's choice pay off or was it a huge gaffe?)

If there is going to be a season 2 of Top Design, some retooling of the show's rules, structure and storyboard needs to be considered to improve it. After all, isn't that what design is ultimately about? Improvement?

--TG

posted on March 8, 2007 at 4:09 PM

jana rader wrote:

I am a junkie of the 'top'shows. I love "chel "and "Runway", but I am not sure about this one. Todd is a nice but boring guy and the rest of the judges are blah. if he says see you later decorator one more time I think I will scream. I think your choices of judges missses the mark. Perhaps a different host and Todd be the main judge. One of the women dresses so barzar that I would never have her decorate anything of mine. I do not think they give them enough time to do a descent job of decorating anything.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 4:32 PM

Paul wrote:

Honestly, Todd, the show has a great concept, but you need better judges, and this week's show just proves it. Matt has one day to arrange a garageful of junk and organize everyone else, and the guest judge critiques him for not "composing"? How picayune. And the regular panel are simply unpleasant - smirking, snide, and remarkably egotistical. One of the reason that shows like Top Chef and Project Runway work is that the judges are people with whom you'd enjoy spending an evening. You appear likeable, but these three? No. Improve the judges' panel next season, please!

posted on March 8, 2007 at 5:11 PM

jimmy wrote:

Hi Todd,

I think tonight's episode was a failure. The idea of redesigning a garage space was conceptually sound, but the execution left a ton to be desired. I think Goil said it well when he said he was on the show to be a Top Designer, not a Top Follower. For crying out loud, you give the designers a low-end design challenge and then have them ALL work on the same project?!?!?! If each designer had been given his or her own garage space to redesign, you would have seen infinitely more pleasing results. ( But as we all know, that would have been a logistical nightmare, if not impossibility.) This was a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the broth, or rather, too many cooks who didn't even care about the broth. And that is DEATH for your show--when the designers look like they couldn't care if they were there or not. If they don't care to be there, viewers don't care. There was no life, no zest, no enthusiasm, no teamwork--each designer just retreated inward (Goil to his doggie bed, Carisa to her shed, etc...)

With all respect, tonight's episode was hardly the first to fail in the execution. This show may have seemed like a logical successor to Project Runway, but it is becoming apparent that the designers cannot design twelve similar (but ultimately different) garage spaces, twelve similar (but ultimately different) living rooms, twelve similar (but ultimately different) homes and have their work compared objectively, not to mention the logistical nightmares that would attach to so many different projects. That's why you were using those god-awful pods, and that's where the show got terribly BORING!

Home and Garden TV does what your show does so much better, I hate to say. You are great, the judges are great, the designers are great, but this show is a classic example of the sum being so much less than the individual parts.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 5:16 PM

JodyT wrote:

When Andrea threw the little "swing" piece into the model, I was absolutely certain what she was doing ... the swing's double purpose: for entertainment and for judging where to stop your car when you pull into a garage full of stuff. So I was a little suprised to see it way outside the tire lines that Ryan painted and of a material capable of scratching a car.

It's just a personal thing, I've always got a rope dangling over the parking spots in my garage strictly to help determine depth where there is weak centered light.

My issue with the episode was that the "judged" garage did not show where the old couch and the bikes went, meaning that not EVERYTHING taken out was put back in. In Ryan's defense, why put something up (even the roll up swimming pool) on the wall if a bunch of stuff is going to cover it up. Disagreement with the judges decisions is pretty futile since its all past-tense, and a big chunk of living is not having everything you want. In the show's defense, it's entertaining and even inspiring.

Thanks Todd and Bravo TD crew for providing such a space.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 5:24 PM

Bill wrote:

I agree with most of the negative comments about the show. The most upsetting aspect of the show to me, is that so little of the show is devoted to the designers brainstorming their designs and how much of the show is devoted to their interaction with each other and the judges. For example, in last night's show, the entire second half hour consisted of the judging of the garage and sending some designer home. That means the first half hour introduced the show, the challenge, meeting the clients, designing the concept for the garage, having the client pick the winnign design, having the designers pick the carpenters, the team aspect of the challenge, who was going to do what, the shopping, the construction (and cleanup) of the client's garage, the "surprise" tool shed request, and the conniving between some of the designers. I thought it was supposed to be a design show, not a judges show (especially since the judges have the charisma of a wet sponge).

I understand Bravo wants to follow the format of Project Runway and Top Chef but I'm sure it takes incredibly more time and physical labor to design a room than something to eat or wear. Let the designers design and the carpenters do the hammering and painting!

If this show wants to get to a second season it needs major work.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 7:37 PM

marlo woodward wrote:

This show needs to see more Todd and be more Todd. Todd is a designer. Todd has an eye for aesthetics. Todd can be critical in a helpful way. Todd can offer suggestions without insult. Todd provides explanation and instruction easily. Again, Todd is a designer and confident in his work. Had Todd been on the Emperor's parade route, the poor man would have had someone to dress him, not fanning his ego and proclaiming his style as avant garde.

And then there are the judges. I'm not sure what the judges are trying to do or be. In fact, I think the judges on this show are a little confused. Each week they think the show is about them. In fact, I believe they requested the opening song should be (sung to the tune of the Barney song), "I love me, me, me, me, I'm the best me that I can be. I've got real sense of style and I'll prove it to you, you all suck and you'll never be me".

At least on Project Runway or Top Chef, the judges explained and debated on the actual products (food, fashion etc.). These judges (Top Design) just say how much they do not like it without elaborating. "Those colors are just wrong". "That furniture is so Buffalo". "You can't design a room around a cat". "I take issue with Green". Judges, please step away from your mirrors and say something that shows that you actual know what you are talking about. I'm sure that you do, so prove it. It seems like the judges go home and come up with catchy one liners and then wait for a moment to use them, "He's like the mayor of excuses village", "looks like a hamburger shack at the country club", "just an insane amount of pillows", "your art was scary", "when I saw the room, there was a lot to take in" etc. You offer garnish when we are asking for meat. Say something, or at least get off your bar stool and go into the room and show us what was wrong. Rearrange something, show us how it should have looked. When someone was voted off Project Runway or Top Chef, we understood what the problem was and then we were left with the option to agree or disagree with the judges. Read the blogs...we, the audience, are confused.

Jonathan, please loosen that tie and get a personality. I would think that Simon has more influence on you than what is coming across on screen. Drop the kitchy one liners and say something of value. Manage the judges, provide interesting insight. One of the best things you said all season was to Ryan, "You may want to start with that and layer on the art...your room was provocative, not practical". Thank you, we get it. Be more constructive and take the audience on a journey into better design. Being specific in your critique will help the designers and not leave them confused.

And one last thing, the white room looks like it was designed as a set for "comfy couch" or "honey, I shrunk the kids". The lighting is off and the shiny dark floor with the huge bulletin board buttons is just plain uncomfortable and out of place.

Again, this show should be about Top Design, look like Top Design, and act like Top Design. Instead, it is just a confusing cast of designesque characters jockeying for the spotlight with Todd Oldham somewhere in the background. Oh, and then there are the actual contestents.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 7:58 PM

pash wrote:

I don't get why people keep harping on Goil for the dog bed. Didn't anybody notice that Andrea asked him to do the elevations and the drawings, and how much he was depended on for THESE things. So he added a little creativity in the dog bed as well as the other contributions - no body else did- and the judges mentioned that, but then didn't give him any credit for doing so. Andrea sold him short when she was talking with the judges on her own - that wasn't cool. She also didn't take any responsibility for the color purple, so Michael took the heat for that.

I REALLY don't understand why Carissa is STILL there....

posted on March 8, 2007 at 10:38 PM

gene wrote:

As a designer I find that Michael has the least talent of all the designers. And the worst attitude.
I like Carisa's designs and find that she works hard. Her work on the office was great and she would have been in the garage, if the office was still there. Too bad the rest of the designers could not see how poorly the garage was done.

posted on March 8, 2007 at 11:28 PM

KenS wrote:

Help me understand, don't we have codes seperating garages from living spaces? Nobody cares about carbon monoxide embedded into the draperies? These people need to get real. Based on window count alone, they could house half of the Katrina relocatees in that place.
Bravo, get some bawls already! I'm all for prettying up our lives, but we sometimes a reality check is needed(aka Ryan).

posted on March 9, 2007 at 1:14 AM

DJ wrote:

While I liked the concept of redesigning a garage, I think the execution was faulty, and not due to any fault of the designers.
Hello? Have you seen Clean Sweep on the other channel? Those people get a crew and a day to drag everything out of the room and sort through it. Poor Matt had to do the sort by his lonesome, if the footage we were shown was accurate.
I agree with other comments, a garage is NOT a living space. A home office does not belong in a garage, nor should children be playing in a garage.
How are those draperies going to be cleaned? Was that even addressed? I don't know how things are in the sunny place this was filmed, but garages on Long Island get dusty and grimy fairly quickly. My storage bins are coated with a layer of grime when I take them down.
I do not think the judges are offering constructive criticism. Top Chef was a learning experience, Top Design is lacking there.
They need more time to do quality work. The time constraints are utterly ridiculous. 2 hours to come up with a design AND build a scale a model? No way.
And the fact that an additional room was added onto the garage project without additional resources being allocated was not fair to the contestants.

posted on March 9, 2007 at 12:58 PM

P wrote:

I would love to see more of you Todd, I think you could give some of the designers some really great insight. Some of course won't take any advice (Carissa thinks she knows all and sees all). Why is she still on the show? She is not even a nice person...Michael is the same way really hope they get washed out soon.

I wish your judges would get off their perches and be human, they are not funny and I understand they have to critize but it should be helpful not rude and they are rude...

posted on March 9, 2007 at 1:37 PM

pittsburgh viewer wrote:

I am a big fan of Project Runway and Top Chef. I am not so sold on Top Design. Todd is great, but the judges are nowhere near as likable as the judges on both of the other shows. The challenges too rushed, and there are too many group challenges. I'm sure there are budgetary restraints but I'd like to see more individual work. At this point I don't really know who these designers are!

posted on March 9, 2007 at 5:53 PM

Meggan wrote:

To think you could rearrange a garage into this laundry list of areas is ridiculous to say the least.
The garage idea could have worked, if they had been given the task of making it into a guest house. At least it would have been fun to look at.
Much better than a junk room on steroids.

posted on March 10, 2007 at 2:46 PM

Jake wrote:

Todd, although u talk in a mono-tone you are by far the best person on this entire show why won't they let you judge! it seems like they kick you out because you would say "Why is this really bad" Please bravo Todd I don't care who SACK THESE JUDGES! there not Padama Gail and Tom but act like they are.

posted on March 11, 2007 at 11:47 AM

peapod wrote:

I will just add my mustard to say that I agree with most of these comments. I love Project Runway and think that Top Design could be just as interesting. Alas, the challenges are just not interesting. What was that garage? At no time on PR did ALL the contestants get together to design an outfit. What is interesting is to see how *different* people interpret a challenge. What's the old joke? "What color does a committee decide to paint the walls? Mauve." And I agree the judges are dismal. On PR the judges can make catty comments, but you still understand that they are good-hearted and good-natured, have fun personalities, and just want everyone to benefit from their *constructive* criticism. This group just likes to listen to themselves bitch. And they are so uncharismatic that I admit I don't even know their names. I think Todd seems like a very good and sympathetic part of the show, and yet we barely see him. I do also think that the contestants need to be given more time and that the construction helpers need to be better trained -- that woman who was working with Carissa during the yardsale challenge clearly did not know what she was doing. I think we are stuck with Carissa because people dislike her. The producers of these shows always keep the most-hated person around just to liven up the joint. But it is one thing to hate a contestant and another to hate the judges. If you cannot care to try to agree with the judges of a contest; if you cannot fathom the reasoning behind their criticisms, or if they just seem to have bitter retaliatory personal reasons for voting people off, then the show is a wash.

posted on March 11, 2007 at 7:40 PM

kathy wrote:

why michael and carissa are still here and the talented pretty girl (forgot her naME) is gone is beyond me. if i see michael roll his eyes one more time when the judges make a comment, i will be sick. for crying out loud, why should designers have to sort peoples junk? rediculous. why do the homeowners get to change the office at the last second? 4 hrs for what carissa did in that space? pleez. there should have been two kicked off the garage show.

posted on March 11, 2007 at 8:38 PM

Diane W wrote:

I've been enjoying the show quite a bit until.........the garage. Those talented designers were bascially used to clean out the garage of those greedy suv owners. That was horrible. The arbitrary time constraints were especially ridiculous this week. The designers had no time to think, nevermind accomplish anything.
I get it- this episode was sponsored by whatever car that was, but come on! Awful, awful.
Why not let the designers do something useful like a community project or low income housing? I'm so tired of people with more money than brains, or sense of any kind getting makeovers. I expected a little creativity from this show.

posted on March 11, 2007 at 10:31 PM

Greg wrote:

It was rough getting into this show, initally I hated the idea. Perhaps nothing can match Top Chef, which is a masterpiece. Despite the snotty, eclectic mix of people on the show, it really is interesting to watch. But there is one thing that absolutely KILLS me... When Todd says "Good Morning INTERIOR DESIGNERS" Why say "interior"? Not only does that not flow, its just being plain redundant. Just say "Good morning designers" It should be no other way. Of course we know they are interior designers, we watch the show. It sounds almost like a validation for the contestants. I really hope that someone from the show reads this and takes it to heart, it really does make sense.

posted on March 12, 2007 at 4:10 AM

bobby c wrote:

I just want to say Todd you are truly a genuine guy, and I haven't seen a host with such niceness in a long time. I enjoy the show and hope to keep watching everything unfold. I agree and disagree with some of the choices but if we all were on the same wave length life would be bull and boring. Thanks for giving me something to watch, and I also enjoy the judges as well there all full of their own ideas and come from vast areas of the field. Good luck and keep up the great work

posted on March 14, 2007 at 5:13 PM

Jannette wrote:

Dismissing Ryan from the show was a huge mistake. He has original ideas, has a edge. It is my thoughts that a designer is a trend setter not a comformer

posted on March 14, 2007 at 10:23 PM

G Hoffman wrote:

Why aren't all the comments being posted? This is lame.

EDITORS NOTE: Cuz some folks can't behave themselves.

posted on March 17, 2007 at 1:35 PM

Ellen wrote:

I'm a Master's Degree student in ID who had stopped watching other so-called interior designer (decorator) shows because of the total lack of respect for the profession. This show is a bit above the fray, because at least you have Todd, a class act with ID cred for his AMAZING Pennsylvania house (among others), and an occasional professional term or activity (ie. model building) thrown into the mix. But where's the C.A.D.? Where's the code compliance? (out the window, obviously). It would be very helpful for our often-misunderstood public image for you to clarify the backgrounds of both contestants and designers. Why can't we hear a little about their training and experience? As for the mixed bag of judges, of course, Kelly married a trendy megarich hotelier, which doesn't hurt a bit...her house would frighten fly-over country, and since that's a good bit of your audience, there's a disconnect. She appears as a waxwork figure in the episodes I've caught. Jonathan, for all his interesting accomplishments, is a talented potter and retail merchandiser, not exactly an bona fide interior designer. Simon Doonan, however, would rock - he's a scream in print. Same thing with Lawrence L-Bowen. Get 'em on! Maybe they could work something out...or more probably you thought they're "too British". And what are you doin' giving those guys a vinyl party-planner tent and a detached garage trash pick-up job with which to deal? How about real rooms, real challenges, real solutions? They actually are interesting, if you would let them on. Well, one can dream, can't one?
Thanks for the vent. PS: snotty clients, those Bells. Pretty normal.

posted on March 18, 2007 at 2:19 AM

Jill wrote:

Personally if I was having someone redesign my garage, I would never leave the work of organizing my crap to the designer/carpenters. I would expect them to come up with a storage system but I wouldn't expect them to have to clean up after me. I think it was horrible that going through all of the family's stuff was part of the challenge.

posted on March 18, 2007 at 9:08 PM

Kita wrote:

In response:

"Bravo: you really want to have a great design show then get ordinary people on the show to judge those desingers."

The person who said this could be on to something, I might add the idea of doing a show where ordinary people can win a design education. Everyday people may not always have an eye to the elements of great innovation so perhaps they could consult with your professional judges while evaluating.

posted on April 3, 2007 at 2:03 PM

Shan wrote:

Hi Todd!

I have one of your BEAUTIFUL gowns. I would like to know more about it if you can tell me.

It is a sleeveless gown will sexy gold satin lining. The dress consists of 3/4 " gold ribbon crossed back and forth in and out. It is weighty too. Any info would be appreciated.

Oh by the way, I love your work!

posted on February 10, 2008 at 10:27 AM