Project Runway: Season 21

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Heidi Klum returns for season 21 of Project Runway

So, the Internet hates the new season of Project Runway, which premiered in July of this year. Streaming on Hulu and Disney+, Season 21 sees Heidi Klum return as the host and lead judge and Christian Siriano as the mentor. Some things are still the same. Heidi and Christian are joined again with fashion journalist Nina Garcia, who remains as judge and just as lovely a person in this season as previous ones. And she's joined on the dais by "Style Architect" Law Roche. Oh boy, the zeitgeist is upset, ya!

Roche is receiving the brunt of the negative feedback, which I really don't understand. I've agreed with everything he's had to say and other male judges have been just as critical and sharp (Remember Michael Kors and Zac Posen?). Honestly, I think it might be a tad bit of racism that's fueling a lot of the feedback which includes "not belonging" and "hasn't earned his spot" and "so rude, nasty, and aggressive". In my opinion, he's the best thing about this season, as everything has changed. And not much of it is for the better.

"New House. New Rules" is this season's catch phrase, highlighting some pretty big changes from the previous seasons (the last one being in 2023). First, there's no "One day you're in, and the next day, you're out!" the night of the runway. You learn who are in the bottom three the night of, but have to wait for the next episode to see who was eliminated.

Another big change is the heavy reliance on teams (never my favorite) or "houses". And the season allows fellow contestants to sometimes chose who is eliminated from the bottom three.

These changes (and the mistaken belief that the accessory wall is missing) have led to cries of "Where's Tim Gunn?!!?" "Why are previous contestants on this show?" and "I'll never watch another episode." But, they will. They know they will.

And that's because Project Runway is a successful IP that can practically run itself at this point. If the producers and networks would just get out of the way, that is. While the zeitgeist rails at the TV and bemoans the lack of skill and artistry in the contestants, I sit back with a drink and some pistachios and love it.

Three out of five stars. You'll watch it. You'll probably hate it. But you'll watch it.