Cannes Film Festival 2013

Recap: 'Project Runway All Stars' - Season Finale, pt. 2

Will Mondo finally win it all?

<p>Michael Costello, Austin Scarlett and Mondo Guerra battle it out for to<em> finally </em>win "Project Runway."  </p>

Michael Costello, Austin Scarlett and Mondo Guerra battle it out for to finally win "Project Runway." 

Credit: Lifetime

With regular "Project Runway" queen Liane Bonin Starr going on hiatus, I'm lucky enough to step in for the show's big finish (although look for a surprise below).  And after a season that was more entertaining than many might have expected (especially considering that host Angela Lindval turned out to be a cold meanie), the final three designers could provide a runway finale for the ages.

Is 'Ringer' improving with age?

After a dismal start, is the Sarah Michelle Gellar show finding its footing?

"Ringer"

 "Ringer" 

Credit: CW
To say "Ringer" got off to a shaky start may be the understatement of the year. After a cornball pilot that was loaded down with a "Parent Trap" premise, a horribly cliched criminal subplot and some of the worst green screen scenes short of a student film, the show seemed stuck in ripping off film noir plotlines and even costumes. Still, I noticed glimmers of hope. As Bridget-as-Siobhan struggled to keep her identity hidden from Siobhan's closest friends, characters such as best friend Gemma and her deadbeat husband Henry (with whom Siobhan was having an affair) emerged to take focus off the dreary police procedural subplot and we discovered Siobhan's perfect life was anything but. 
 
So, eighteen episodes in, how are we doing?
 
Well, "Ringer" has most certainly delivered on twists and turns. Keeping track of who is evil this week and who is lying about what may actually require a flow chart and flash cards as the twin sisters Bridget and Siobhan (both played by Gellar) navigate dangerous, labyrinthine plots that may or may not get one or both of them killed. Is Siobhan's husband Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd) in love with Siobhan (actually Bridget) or is he willing to kill her to protect the Ponzi scheme he's running (this week, it seems to be love -- if he survives being shot by an unknown gunman)? Is someone really trying to kill Bridget because she's Bridget or because she's pretending to be Siobhan? Is Bridget's long-suffering NA sponsor Malcolm (Mike Colter) just a sucker for punishment or… well, we actually know the answer to that one (yes). 
 
Plot twists are thrown at us with the speed of dodge balls in the hands of fourth grade bullies. Even plotlines that initially seem straightforward, such as when Andrew's teen daughter Juliet (Zoey Deutch) accuses a teacher of raping her, are tangled into knots. See, it was actually a plot Juliet, the teacher and a classmate orchestrated to squeeze $10 million dollars out of Andrew. And the plot was actually the idea of Andrew's ex-wife. And she was sleeping with the teacher, not that Juliet knew anything about it. And she hired someone to beat up the classmate and… remember, this was a minor subplot. The rest of the show? Even more convoluted.
 
On the one hand, kudos to "Ringer" for trying hard to keep us guessing. The problem is, in creating endless twists and reversals, what's been lost is key to holding our attention -- character development. While Bridget is clearly the mushy soft center holding our interest (and Malcolm her loyal supporter) and Nestor Carbonell is another sympathetic but mostly wasted character as the stock detective, everyone else seems to flip flop from likable to possible psycho killer week after week.
 
As sweet-natured Bridget worked her charms on Andrew, it seemed the beleaguered husband was finally getting a second shot at love (albeit with someone who isn't really his wife). But when he finally confesses his instigating a Ponzi scheme at work to Siobhan/Bridget, Bridget suspects he's trying to kill her or Malcolm. But then he saves her life, so he was just the victim of bad lighting earlier in the episode. If it's confusing for Bridget, it's possibly more so for viewers, who have to move characters into and out of the good guy and bad guy columns repeatedly not just in a season, but in a single episode. 
 
The other drawback of "Ringer"'s convoluted plotlines is that, in trying to tie up loose ends it's inevitable that logic occasionally gets tossed to the wind. Andrew has no clue that his wife isn't really his wife, but Siobhan's best friend quickly spots a missing tell-tale burn while Siobhan's driver sorts out he's escorting the other sister around town because she's not car sick. Yes, we can assume Andrew wanted to connect with Siobhan so badly he was willing to overlook some disparities, but given that Gellar's voice, stature and attitude are so different when playing the sisters, it's hard to believe anyone who knows about the identical twin angle doesn't figure it out. Most disappointing is Agent Machado (Carbonell)'s continued utter cluelessness. As talented as Carbonell is, it's difficult to watch him trudge through the usual determined detective tropes (and when he finally does get a plotline of his own, it's about him falling for one of his informants -- yawn). 
 
Ultimately, the level on which "Ringer" probably works best is one Gellar is familiar with -- straight forward soap. There's a little more violence and better clothing, but mostly this show is just a twisty, fast-moving take on outrageous soap opera plotlines. Does it always work? No, but sometimes it's fun and, if you allow yourself to get caught up in the action, there's always another nailbiter around the corner. But if you haven't been watching, be forewarned -- jumping in now won't be easy. 
 
Are you watching "Ringer"? 
 

Reality TV Roundup: 'Idol,' 'Teen Mom' make cuts and 'Runway' finale starts slow

It's been a busy week, so get all your reality news here, now

"Project Runway All Stars"

"Project Runway All Stars" 

Credit: Lifetime

Welcome to Reality TV Roundup -- a quick look at some of the reality TV-centric stories that have recently popped up across the fine, old Interwebs. Click away, my couch potato friends. But before you do...?

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! One more time: SPOILER ALERT. If you watch "Survivor," "The Voice," "Project Runway," "Celebrity Apprentice" or any other competition shows, the latest elimination for each show is probably revealed in the text below. The hope is that, if you missed this week's program and would rather clear out your DVR than watch the episode, you can get a quick hit here. But don't come crying to me if you find out something you didn't want to know. You've been warned. Also note: lots of non-competition reality info lurks below, too.

OWN pulls the plug on 'The Rosie Show'

Even the almighty Oprah couldn't make this stinker float

"The Rosie Show"

"The Rosie Show"

Credit: OWN

No one can say they didn't see this coming. After a truckload of hype, bad reviews and even more disappointing ratings, "The Rosie Show" will be shutting down. The final show will tape on Tues. March 20 and the final episode will air on Fri. March 30 at 7 p.m., which is probably an important detail only for the handful of people still watching it. Weighed down by dull monologues, endless interviews and a less appealing incarnation of O'Donnell herself, the show was a disappointment even by the fledgling network's basic cable expectations.

Recap: 'The Vampire Diaries' - '1912'

It's a flashback episode as Damon and Stefan search for a serial killer

"The Vampire Diaries"

 "The Vampire Diaries"

Credit: CW

While we've been waiting a few weeks for a new episode of "The Vampire Diaries," tonight's episode is one centered upon a slow story build and, at the end, a few unexpected developments, which is probably about as much as we can handle after a CW-induced dry spell. More importantly, we're treated to flashbacks to 1912, which means retro hair, a flip-flop in Salvatore characteristics (Damon, so sensitive!) and just a little more backstory to keep things interesting. And while some of the seemingly urgent plotlines of recent episodes are back burnered (Rebekah seems to be the only one nervous about that white oak tree), it hardly matters when there's a serial killer loose in Mystic Falls.

Recap: 'Project Runway All Stars' - 'Finale'

It's down to Mondo, Michael and Austin, but will Mondo's bad mood cost him?

"Project Runway All Stars"

 "Project Runway All Stars"

Credit: Lifetime Television

The finale begins! Although it's a little disappointing that not a single woman made it to the end and at least one designer seems determined to make "sexy" outfits that only look good on skinny 15-year-old boys and professional models, I'm still interested to see what this episode holds. I'm hoping that someone can slip Mondo some antidepressants or maybe a bottle of vodka, because if his bad mood doesn't lift soon it's going to be awfully hard to root for him. Funny or not, for the last few episodes he's really been a pain in the ass.  

Exclusive: Watch a preview of hardcore fishing on 'Wicked Tuna'

Fishermen risk everything to land tuna worth up to $15,000 each

"Wicked Tuna"

 "Wicked Tuna"

Credit: NatGeo
Think fishing is just for slowpokes and geezers? Not when the fish being sought are bluefin tuna. In this exclusive preview of NatGeo's new 10-party series "Wicked Tuna" (premiering Sun. April 1 at 10 p.m.), we get a look at fishermen in Gloucester, Mass. pursuing fish which can be worth up to $15,000 each. For them, the rules of engagement are simple: catch a fish and feed your family; lose a fish and go home broke.  

Interview: The men of 'Missing' talk mother love, spy games and dirty words

Adriano Giannini, Nick Eversman and Cliff Curtis back up Ashley Judd's new show

"Missing"

 "Missing" 

Credit: ABC

While ABC's new show "Missing" (premieres Thurs. March 15 at 8 p.m.) is largely centered around a mom (and former CIA agent, played by Ashley Judd) searching for her son, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of guys around to flesh out the cast. New Zealand native Cliff Curtis plays Paris-based CIA agent Dax Miller, torn between sympathizing with Judd's character and being pressured by top brass to bring her in, while Adriano Giannini is Becca's old friend and Interpol operative Giancarlo Rossi, determined to help as much as Becca will allow him. Finally, there's the focus of everyone's attention -- Becca's son Michael, played by Nick Eversman. All three of the actors were brought together for a conference call to discuss their very different characters, why prime time means watching your language and why the cool spying angle wasn't what got them on board - and may not be what draws in viewers, either. 

Is 'Fashion Star' too much of a good thing? Or just a hot mess?

While you might be able to buy a cute outfit from it, the show is a fashion disaster

"Fashion Star"

 "Fashion Star"

Credit: NBC

You know that very famous Coco Chanel quote about how a woman should look in the mirror before leaving the house, then take off one accessory? You know, so she looks elegant and not like a crazy homeless person? Someone should have dropped that hint to NBC, because "Fashion Star" is one hot, over-accessorized mess.

The approach to building this TV show seemed to be, if an element worked on another show ("Project Runway," "Biggest Loser"), cram it in! Add a lot of loud music! And some go-go dancers! And some recognizable names! And shopping! And sad stories! And fighting! This show is sort of like a turducken or that "SNL" Taco Town skit (it's 15 great tastes rolled into one!). While it's the American way to want too much of a good thing, this is just a stomachache waiting to happen. 

Recap: 'The Bachelor' picks his gal in a 'controversial' finale

Ben makes his final decision

"The Bachelor"

 "The Bachelor"

Credit: ABC

If the supermarket tabloids are any indication, I've gotten a pretty strong hint about who Ben picks, but hey, you never know with these reality shows. In any case, I'm not overly sure I care too much. Ben has been a uniquely dull bachelor, and I have to think that whoever gets the proposal at the end of the show will wake up the next day, shake her head and say, oh my Lord, I just got engaged to the Geico caveman as voiced by Kermit the Frog. 

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