Project Runway allows two men to bully and berate a female designer.

[Lunabell]

Meg was rightfully annoyed that the designer wanted to switch models at the last minute. She let her annoyance be known. Apparently, her feelings were not valid. Prajjé proceeded to accuse her of "yak, yak, yak" Typical misogynist response to a woman's emotions.


https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/project-runway-contestant-quits-after-race-related-drama-gets-too-uncomfortable-for-her-061609807.html

[TexasTowelie]

1. I saw the episode last night.

It wasn't an issue of misogyny. Meg was condescending to Prajje about racial issues when the designers received the assignment. Meg could have kept the discussion between Prajje and herself, but instead she berated and walked over Kenneth when he asked if she would be willing to trade models. Meg could have told Kenneth no and she may have been scorned, but it would have avoided the yelling match. I have no sympathy for Meg and how ungracious she was.

As for Project Runway allowing it to occur, I'll point out that none of the judges or Christian Siriano were in the design room. I don't know who else is expected to intervene. I didn't see any evidence of misogyny by the crews recording the footage.

One other thing to mention, based upon the selection and fabrics that the designers chose for the "streetwear" challenge, I can see where Meg may have had the losing look (she chose a lot of tan and khaki). If she hadn't quit, she could have been eliminated by the judges.

The person that lost out on last night's episode was the white male model that Meg exchanged with Kenneth since he most likely be chosen for any menswear challenges later in the season. It will be interesting to see if he will be available for the model call before the season finale.

[Lunabell]

2. I disagree.

Sure she could have handled it better, but that yak, yak, yak comment was exactly that: misogynist.

[TexasTowelie]

3. So what was Project Runway supposed to do about it?

Since you are saying that they allowed misogyny to occur, what do you believe the show should have done at the time the argument occurred? Also, the judges did not find out about the argument until they were in the post-judging critique, are the judges supposed to sanction the designers for what occurred in the workroom environment. I don't recall that ever occurring on Project Runway.

Also, Kenneth didn't do anything to bully or berate Meg. He withdrew from the situation in silence when Meg ungraciously confronted him about his request to change models after she agreed to do so. If anything, I thought that Kenneth was being berated by Meg for waiting to switch models.

I interpreted the differences between Prajje and Meg to be more about racial issues than misogyny. However, even though we disagree, at most I see only one designer that spoke up against Meg in the argument, not two.

[Lunabell]

4. She was upset about the late model switch request.

And I don't blame her. She was doomed either way. Either she was going to be perceived as a bitch if she said no. And saying yes and switching the model that late, after she had already designed, measured and cut for one model, switching to another was going to ruin her design.

The men should have been more understanding. And Kenneth was playing the passive aggressive victim. He should never have asked her at that late time.

Project Runway should have intervened and looked out for all of the contestants.

[TexasTowelie]

5. I don't know if the other designers would have looked upon it that way.

They were halfway through the work session so I think that some of the other designers would understand why she wouldn't change models, particularly since she already cut fabric and her new model was larger and taller. Some of the other designers even commented that Meg could have said no to the switch. We also don't know if there was anyone present that had the authority to intervene. Meg pulled herself out of the competition and even in the first episode she didn't seem capable dealing with the pressure on the show.

If anything, I put some of the blame on Christian Siriano for brokering the other model change which was agreed to earlier. That was unfair to all of the remaining designers and it also put the people in charge at Project Runway in a bind because it would be unfair to permit one model change while refusing to permit the second model change. If there was going to be an intervention by TPTB, it should have occurred when Siriano

If the show wants to avoid these type of issues in the future then they should include more models--for instance, if there are 15 designers, then they should provide 20 choices and only allow changes if a model has to withdraw from the competition. That way none of the designers can say that they were forced to settle with their selection. The same concept should be extended to provide extra options if they have to pick a style or genre for their designs.

[Lunabell]

6. That's really a good idea about the models.

Either that or not allow model switches at all. It's a competition for lots of money, not just an art show. And I agree that Christian started the whole debacle.

[Duncan Grant]

7. Project Runway is my favorite guilty pleasure.

I watched the first two episodes last night and found both disturbing. What are the producers thinking? Episode 2 (the subject of this thread) was a train wreck.

I’m struggling to understand why “intent vs. impact” is only being examined through one lens; one where Meg is held responsible for her behavior but no one else contributed to the disaster.

At the episode’s opening, Meg’s intent seems awkwardly sincere (not an excuse) but the impact was infantilizing. This was a perfect moment to elevate the discourse and the resulting dialogue could have been edited into the episode.

During the episode, Prajjé said his parents would see the episode and think he was too self-righteous. He was the only person allowed to express intense emotions (and they were way too elevated for any productive outcome). He was hostile — and his mockery of Meg to her face was inappropriate and needlessly confrontational.

Kenneth was passive aggressive and disingenuous. His “Crazy Rich Asians” theme didn’t manifest itself. The design was weak and incoherent. His vest of many colors/scraps design response was manipulative - among other things.

Unfortunately, by the end of the episode, Meg was also passive aggressive, frustrated and sarcastic. Consequently, she’s been criticized for performative allyship — and that’s where popular culture packaged and explained PR’s ineptitude.

Long story short, I have no confidence that the producers know what they’re doing. I don’t think the contestants are safe. And after enjoying this guilty pleasure for years, I won’t be watching this season.

[Budi]

8. Couldn't wait to watch this season! After that episode. I haven't watched another

Maybe next season.

👎