With the third installment of “Top Chef,” Bravo continues to capitalize on its winning formula for reality competition shows. These series have showcased the good, bad and downright ugly side of reality. So how do Bravo’s competitions rank against one another? RedEye’s Bravotee Tracy Swartz weighs in.
1. Top Chef
Hail to the chef. You can’t sample the food, but the heat in the kitchen makes this show a tasty treat. The contestants’ wild hairstyles, or lack of tresses, also help spice up the action.
2. Project Runway
Fatherly mentor Tim Gunn and the unique design challenges make this show work. This series has made recyclable outfits, bed-sheet dresses and rosettes popular. Well, maybe not rosettes.
3. Shear Genius
Definitely the most realistic. I mean, who hasn’t had her stylist cut her hair with gardening shears? Absurdity aside, the show is a cut above “Top Design” because of its colorful characters and plot twists.
4. Top Design
The worst of the bunch. Blame its failure on the contestants’ garish style or head judge Jonathan Adler’s catchphrase (“See you later, decorator”). Let’s hope the curtains have permanently closed on this tacky nightmare.
———-
tswartz@tribune.com
