Since many of you understandably value my opinion quite highly on various subjects, I thought it was timely of me to write a review.
So, here it is.
Making the Cut, S1E1.
I first opened up myflixer and typed this show into the search bar in hopes of finding a modernized, updated Project Runway with fresh challenges and design constraints.,
Unfortunately, as they say multiple times throughout the episode, this show did NOT make the cut.
Naively, I thought to myself, "it can't be that bad; Heidi and Tim are running it." Boy, was I wrong.
After discussing the show with some of my peers and colleagues, I realized the overwhelming amount of Amazon shoutouts was typical of the platform's sponsored shows. You would think that such a big brand could afford to limit it to 5 sponsored lines per hour to preserve the integrity and professionalism of the show, but you would have thought wrong.
To make it worse, the shoutouts weren't even tasteful or well incorporated. In fact, they remidned me of my least favorite part of the OG Project Runway, the sets of 30 second spiels they repeat every episode without fail. I think my the finale I would remember who the judges were, and how elimination works.
Yeah, yeah, I get that they have to say the rules so that new watchers understand what's happening, but I say that after the first couple episodes, if you're tuning in, I'm sure you can manage to piece the rules together on your own, for the rest of our sakes.
Plus, the new show is design based, not seamstress based, but one, we never see the seamstress, and two, the designers leave fabric cut into pieces for whatever pattern they chose, and they arrive the next morning with finished garments. (Give credit where credit's due!) True, sometimes they aren't happy with how the seamstress does, but it makes the failures at the hands of some mysterious, invisible force, and allows the designers to remove essentially all blame from themselves.
Even with the mysterious seamstresses playing such a big role and causing so much trouble for some, the judges' harsh reactions were limited. While in project runway, their insults words would sometimes leave the viewer shocked; I was confused when they seemed to restrain themselves. Where are Nina's cutting and cruel remarks?
The reveal, post light insulting, is also removed from all of its drama. The fate of the designer is prefaced by Heidi asking, "judges, have any of you changed your minds?" which, in this past episode, was met with a stoic chorus of 'no's. She then says, looking intensely into the camera, "You made the cut." Or, for the unlucky few, "I'm sorry, you did not make the cut," followed by a spiel of how much the judges believe in them. Helloooo, this is the first episode, is it not? Where's the fire?
Despite all this, my least favorite part was not the script, but instead the score. The pilot of this show is filled with some of the worst, most Amazon feel-good music I've ever heard. While runway walks are supposed to create desire, making you want the clothes and enjoy the experience, the loud and bouncy music playing in the background made it hard to focus on much else.
Here, I'll attach them so you can listen for yourself. I recommend really setting the scene, and picture the montage attached to the clips.
This first song played as Heidi and Tim came on screen. Thankfully, it was pretty quiet at first. But, a fine-tuned ear could have been warned of what was to come. They unfortunately begin playing it louder, and we have to listen to the lyrics.
Paris on my mind, surprisingly, plays after the designers learn they are going to Paris, and while they make the trip. An L for the Belgian guy who went all the way to NY just to go back to his neighboring country.
This song played during the runway show. And while one of the characters shared a heartfelt story. Yikes.
This played after the show, to a montage of all the designers crying.
I couldn't find the credits song online, but the lyrics are as follows
Everybody say, it's okay
Everybody say, it's okay
It's a beautiful life
It'll be alright
x2
Overall, I give it the chop.
-Violet
