One Week You're Up...

Paulo, on "Shear Genius" this week, put into words what happened this week, both on his show, and on "Project Runway". "One week you're up," he said, "and the next week you're down." That was his response to being in the bottom for the short cut challenge after winning the elimination challenge last week. This week, though, the stylists found a third, unhappy option. No one wins. At least that's what happened in the elimination challenge.

The short cut challenged the stylists to create hair with vibrant colors. Charlie, once more, came out on top. He won immunity from elimination and the role of teaming the other six stylists up for the elimination challenge. Because he was the odd man out, he did not participate in the challenge, so he could not win. The goal was for each team of two to update three "Charlie's Angels" hairstyles for models representing Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Farrah Fawcett. Smith is host of "Shear Genius" and Jackson was this week's guest judge.

All of the styles were judged to be dated, so there was no winner this week. One stylist, though, was eliminated. Glenn's contributions to her team's product were deemed the poorist, so she was sent home. In the bottom with her was Nekisa, who seems to often be near the bottom. I don't know how much longer she'll be in the competition, but she is safe for now.

"Project Runway" saw a similar contrast with fortunes changing from challenge to challenge.

Emily was the designer the judges, who included guest judge Sandra Bernhard, decided to send home. I have to agree with their decision. In a challenge where designers chose inspiration from the city, her's was the worst by far. It was, in my opinion, both ugly and unimaginative. Jennifer's dress, called boring by the judges, left her next to the bottom, but at least it had some originality.

Leanne was the one who illustrated Paulo's quote, in reverse. She was almost sent home last week and this week her design (above) almost won the challenge. I thought all three top designs were beautiful. The competition this year is very strong and it is going to be harder and harder to send people home.

I'm thinking Stella will be going home fairly soon. Her work has been uneven. First week, she was in the bottom two. Last week, in the top three. This week, the middle. Her preference for leather may limit her a little too much. We'll have to see.