Talent level rises on new season of ‘Runway’

Cameras and audio engineers following the contestants constantly; they're working long hours every day, including hours of waiting for the judges to make their decision; and they're isolated from the outside world, especially from the support of friends and family.

Within these constraints, they're competing against other highly capable designers. Every week, someone will go home, and “Project Runway” offers its designers an opportunity to go up against the best in the worst possible environment and see if they have what it takes. Some do; many don't.

No one really likes to admit this, but watching people fail is often more fun than watching them succeed. Ancient Romans didn't gather to watch gladiators fight animals and each other because everyone would leave arm-in-arm at the end of the evening, but because failure would result in the ultimate consequence, death.

Exiting to Heidi Klum's cheek kisses and “auf wiedersehen” on “Project Runway” might not be the same thing as being carried out of an arena bloody or dead, but being eliminated is still an indication of failure, even if that failure is determined by judges with subjective tastes.

Those judges add another layer to the pressure. They're demanding, applying the same standards they would to clothing that had been developed over months, not in hours.

In preseason interviews, Gunn has already warned viewers that the judges' decisions will induce anger. And viewers' participation in the process — judging alongside the judges, even if our votes don't count — gives the losers a chance at redemption and sympathy from the audience.

All this explains why designers with increasingly impressive amounts of experience are willing to subject themselves to the possibility of national humiliation: they also have the chance at national acclaim.

Reality television is now the best shortcut to instant fame, and leapfrogging to the front of the fashion world to present at fashion week — nevermind jumping to the cover of gossip magazines — means risking failure.

Designer Ricky seems to recognize that risk, and in the new season's first few moments, starts crying about being on the series. “It's ‘Project Runway,’ and I'm on it. It's crazy,” he says. “It's not just a game, it's my life. ... Am I going to be good enough for this competition?”

Maybe, maybe not. He and the other 14 designers may lose, but either way, we win.

MORE FROM REALITY TV

Reality TV Section Front

Surprise! Donny claims ‘Dancing’ crown Donny says ‘Dancing’ victory worth the pain Aspiring reality TV stars crash Obama party It's down to the final four on 'Biggest Loser' Why we used to love ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8’ Group asks MTV to cancel ‘Jersey Shore’ Report: ‘Cathouse’ star stabbed, slashed, shot In the end, ‘Jon & Kate’ too sad even for fans Gosselin divorce could be finalized soon Ex-Marine arraigned in ‘Cathouse’ star’s killing Reality TV Section Front   Add Reality TV headlines to your news reader: