Stars on the Horizon

Last night "The Next Food Network Star" and "Design Star" were each set to select the two finalists from three remaining competitors. Things didn't go quite as planned on the Food Network's Show. After each of the three chefs performed in a promo for their show, and then prepared at least 6 dishes for a Las Vegas display, the judges couldn't agree. All three finalists will be going on to the final challenge. So far, none of them is a complete package. On screen presence seems to be the biggest difficulty. They all seem to give in to nervousness. Aaron is starting to relax. He's got the most personality, at least in terms of being a person ordinary people can relate to. Adam and Lisa both seem a little too manic at times. I guess we'll see who holds up best next week in front of a live audience.

"Design Star" followed their plan to eliminate one of the three finalists, but the judges there didn't have an easy time, either. Trish, Jennifer and Matt were sent to redesign a room for a family member. Unlike most challenges, they knew their clients' tastes and were able to tailor their designs to the owner's needs and desires. They all did something innovative. For his parents, Matt built a moveable wall to hide, but allow access to, a pottery kiln. He brought in a game table with the games hidden inside and a craft table. The big criticism the judges had was that he put in four leather-looking black chairs. Because of the way the room would be used, he wanted furniture that would not show dirt and could be easily washable.

The big challenge for Trish was meeting the needs of her parents. Her father has health issues that require he sleep in a recliner. The recliner had to be part of the room's design. One of the neatest things Trish did was recreate the fireplace so it extended up to the ceiling. It really glamorized the room. The big criticism of her room was that much of it looked like a typical display. The judges particulary disliked the fringed pillows.

Jennifer redid her sister's living and dining room. She painted a large leaf pattern on the wall that some of the judges felt was something she'd already done several times, but at least one of the judges really liked. Her sister needed lots of seating space in her livingroom and Jennifer's solution was to bring in a table with wedge-shaped seats beneath it. They could be pulled out when needed without the room being overly cluttered the rest of the time.

In the end, it was Trish who had her show cancelled. Next week the remaining to designers will do projects and then it will be the viewers who vote and help decide on the winner.