Ready for some fab Fall TV?

As the summer of 2008 winds to a close, our fave TV shows are beginning to peek over the horizon ... along with some fab new amusements we haven't met yet. Put the two together, and you've got one of the most fabulous Fall TV seasons ever.

Project Runway Season 5 (now showing, Bravo, Wednesdays 9 pm ET): After a mere 6-month hiatus, one of our favorite shows is back for a last Bravo hurrah before it makes the move to Lifetime. Unlike Season 4, the current competition boasts a plethora of strong (and occasionally annoying) personalities, including leather-loving rock-n-roll queen Stella, blue-faux-hawked Suede, and urban-with-a-capital-U wizardress Terri. Best line of the season so far: "It looks like a pterodactyl out of a gay Jurassic Park" (Tim Gunn, on Blayne's drag queen outfit from Episode 5).

Glam God (now showing, VH1, Thursdays 10 pm ET): What Project Runway does for—or to—designers, Glam God does for/to would-be Hollywood wardrobe stylists. Each episode presents an individual or team challenge such as "your client is wearing the same LBD as four other actresses; make her stand out on the red carpet" or "give an upcoming young actress a leading-lady look."

America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 (Sept. 3, CW): Wow, it feels like we were just getting over our post-Whitney-win euphoria when here it comes again! Get ready to meet 14 new hopefuls (including the show's first-ever transgender contestant) who will pout, strut, and pose their way through challenge after challenge in hopes of becoming America's Next Top Model. The tagline that calls out from the hippie-themed ads is "Feel the Love," and we're sure everyone will ... at least until the first catfight.

The Rachel Zoe Project (Sept. 8, Bravo): Speaking of stylists, meet the one who elevated the occupation to celebrity status: Rachel Zoe, who has styled A-listers from Cameron Diaz to Keira Knightley. (And whom, on a more controversial note, many blame for Hollywood's current obsession with ultra-thinness.) The series will follow La Zoe and her inner circle as they endeavor to take her business to the next level.

Stylista (Oct. 22, CW): Ever wonder what would happen if Project Runway and America's Next Top Model had a baby, with a little Devil Wears Prada thrown into the gene pool? The result would be something like Stylista, a new series that pits 11 "fashion enthusiasts" against each other in the quest to become assistant to Anne Slowey, Fashion News Director for Elle magazine.


Wow, we're exhausted just from doing the rundown! If you haven't already, clear out your TiVo, dig up your recipe for TV-night cosmos and get your girlfriends on deck for some serious drama, reality-show style!

Congratulations, Dee!

We haven't done much—well, OK, any—blogging about Season 2 of Bravo's Shear Genius, but it was a terrific warm-up for Season 5 of Project Runway, and the stepped-up challenges (Cut hair blindfolded? Uh-huh.) kept us engaged all the way to the end.

And in the end, it was feisty Latina Dee who took home the grand prize: $100,000 in seed money from Nexxus and a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine feature. Kudos to the Miami native for staying true to her aesthetic, showing versatility and good client management ... and for promising to share the grand prize with her mama. (The latter had no bearing on her win, but we thought it was sweet.)

So we extend our congratulations to Dee for showing us her "shear genius" ... and our best wishes for her continued success. Bring on Season 3!

Take it easy, Chef

Yesterday was a sad day for South Park fans everywhere, when we got the news that Isaac Hayes, the inimitable voice of eternally wise and endlessly groovy Chef, passed away at age 65.

What more is there to say, except...

Meet the Class of Season 5!

We have to admit, Season 5 of Bravo's Project Runway—which kicks off tomorrow at 9 pm ET—kind of snuck up on us.

Not that Bravo's been working very hard to promote their most successful show. Could this have something to do with the producers' pending jump to the Lifetime network?

Anyway, you can get a sneak peek at this season's class of designers over at Bravo's website. So who will be this season's winner? Fan favorite? Biggest cryer? Biggest brat?

It all starts tomorrow night, so get ready. Until then, let's all enjoy a little blast from the past:

Bravo breaks through summer slump

It seems like we were just getting used to TV's return after the writers' strike when our fave shows started saying goodbye for the summer. But thanks to our good friends at Bravo, we have not one but two fabulousness-laden reality shows to look forward to.

First, it's another hair-raising (and curling, and fluffing, and hedge-clipping) season of Shear Genius, the network's quest to uncover the next great hair designer. Who will join Season 1 winner Anthony Morrison in the Coif Hall of Fame?

And, of course, this summer brings us not just another season of our favorite sartorial smackdown, Project Runway, but the last to air on Bravo before the show moves to Lifetime. Who will be the next great fashion designer? Who will be this season's surprise celebrity judge (á la last season's Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham)? And, more importantly, which designer will give us the next great Tim Gunn impersonation?



Both premieres have yet to be scheduled, so stay tuned to Getting Underneath for details.

Tyra takes the Times

Check out our girl Tyra Banks, looking fee-yahce on the cover of this week's New York Times Magazine!

The article by Lynn Hirschberg presents a unique view of Tyra, whose personality is as multifaceted as her cache of well-practiced smiles (275 of them, to be exact). There's the no-nonsense business woman, the inspirational icon, the mama's girl, the body-acceptance advocate (she talks at length about the famous "kiss my big ass" episode that smacked back at the tabloids for criticizing her weight), just to name a few.

You'll also hear about the latest project that will have her stepping into the producer's chair for a third time for a new show, Stylista.

Click on over to check out this in-depth look at one of today's most fascinating media personalities ... not to mention the owner of some seriously dangerous curves.

Way to go, Whitney!

You have a new Top Model, America. And this baby's got back.

Last night, America's Next Top Model crowned its first ever full-figured (by which we mean size 10-12) winner in Whitney Thompson, the curvy 20-year-old beauty from Atlantic Beach, FL who proclaimed at audition, "I have breasts and I have hips and I have a butt and I am so proud of all that."

The grueling 12-week competition—which took contestants from L.A. to New York and finally to Rome—came down to a final stomp-off between Whitney and Hawaii-born Anya Kop in a real-life Versace fashion show. The judges evaluated both girls' work throughout the season and, while Anya got the nod for having a more high-fashion look, it was Whitney's personality, work ethic, and drive that put her over the top. Oh yeah, and her smokin' hotness didn't hurt either.

"I want other women in America to feel better about themselves," the newest Top Model said in her post-win interview. "I honestly think that girls will look up to me and say, 'I could do that. I could be that. I don't have to starve. I don't have to have plastic surgey. I can really be like that. I could be on that billboard. I can be in that magazine. Why? Because I'm beautiful fom the inside-out.'"

Way to represent for the real-size girls, Whit. Good on ya!

Thursdays get Ugly again!

Ugly Betty fans, take heart: your show is back on the air next Thursday, April 24!

And to mark the occasion, the Official Ugly Betty Podcast, hosted by the eternally fabulous Michael Urie and Becki Newton, has gone video. Join the actors who crack us up as Mark and Amanda as they interview—and compose a spontaneous, show-stopping number with—composer Jeff Beal.

Enjoy!

Top Model celebrates the big 1-0

Writers' strike cramping your TV style? Well, cheer up, because help is on the way in the form of America's Next Top Model, whose tenth cycle begins on February 20.

This cycle (and why can't they just call it a "season," thus avoiding the unfortunate connotation with that time of the month???) brings ANTM back to its original roots in New York City, and its premiere comes hot on the heels of the city's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Another new twist this time around: 80s icon and supermodel Paulina Porizkova will replace Twiggy on the judging panel. While we all love us some Twiggy, it'll be nice to have a new perspective—and a new accent—to shake things up a bit.

While the premiere's still a week away, you can get a sneak peek by checking out the model profiles on the show's Web page.

So who will be this season's Saleisha, Jaslene, or CariDee? We can't wait to find out!

(Hat tip: BellaSugar)

Writers' strike survival guide

Sure, we knew that it was coming, but now that our favorite series have run out of new episodes and any new ones are on hold due to the Hollywood writers' strike, we're all likely to have some (prime) time on our hands for the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, we needn't all spend our evenings sitting through umpteenth reruns of Gilmore Girls. Look at it this way: you've just freed up entire blocks of time during the week that would normally be taken up vegging with the boob tube. This is a good thing!

A few suggestions for occupying your now-free evenings:

• Make a list of things you've been wanting to do but "just haven't had the time." Guess what—now you do!


• Take up a new hobby. About.com has a wealth of resources to get you started in anything from painting to stamp collecting, and it's all free.


• Go visiting. Take this opportunity to reconnect with galpals you haven't visited in ages, even if it's just over the phone.


• Host a "beauty bazaar." Invite friends over and have them bring their favorite (and not-so-favorite) makeup, hair products, skin treatments, and accessories, then whip up a batch of cosmos and play the night away.


• Write in your journal. You know, the one you haven't picked up since October?


• Move. If the weather outside is cold and nasty, pop in a yoga DVD or hit the gym for some post-Christmas-slump-busting endorphins.


• Plan a trip. Sure, summer's six months away, but it's never too early to start researching your next travel destination, and it's fun!


• Catch up on movies. Most of 2007's must-sees are out on DVD, including Waitress, Hairspray, and A Mighty Heart. Or rediscover the golden age of Hollywood goddesses with films starring Katherine Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, or Rita Hayworth.


• Read. It's radical, we know, but picking up a book is always an option. Now's your chance to catch up on the tomes everyone was talking about this year, including Eat, Pray, Love, Water for Elephants, and The Daring Book for Girls.

With just a little creative thinking, you'll not only survive the network dry spell—you'll open up some brand-new possibilities.

(Image: nytimes.com)

Weekend TV watch: SAG Awards

During any normal season, the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) Awards would barely register as a blip on our radar screens. No offense to this worthy artists' organization, but compared to the bigger award shows like the Golden Globes, theirs is usually small potatoes.

This season, however, the writers' strike is leaving our red-carpet-loving souls positively starved for some awards-show glam, so we'll be glued to our sets this Sunday, February 27. We're thinking our fave Hollywood style sirens (like Cate Blanchett, pictured here from the 2007 SAG Awards show) will be just as enthusiastic as we are and will pull out all the stops. For better or for worse.

So tune in along with us this Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern on TNT/TBS to see the first red-carpet strut of the season! Stay tuned for our post-carpet report early next week.

Let the smackdown begin!

A couple of months ago, we told you about the two new shows battling to be the rightful heir to Sex and the City—Cashmere Mafia from SaTC producer Darren Starr and Lipstick Jungle from SaTC author Candace Bushnell.

Well, as it turns out, the Hollywood writers' strike threw a bit of a wrench into the works, but both shows' premieres are now back on track.

Who's out of the gate first, you ask? That would be Cashmere Mafia, which bows this Sunday, January 6, at 10 pm Eastern on ABC. Tune in to see how Lucy Liu, Miranda Otto, Frances O'Connor, and Bonnie Somerville carry on the proud tradition of Sarah Jessica Parker and company. Oh, and don't forget about the fabulous fashions from SaTC wizardress Patricia Field.

And what of the other contender, NBC's Lipstick Jungle? We'll have to wait another whole month to see its debut, which was pushed all the way back to February 7.

May the better show win!

YouTube's Best of 2007

As the year draws to a close, it seems you can't swing a Gucci wristlet without hitting a somber "year in review" retrospective. Leave it to Glamour to lighten the mood by counting down their favorite YouTube moments of 2007. The list starts with Melissa Lamb's hilarious "Box in a Box" video—which has scored over 3.5 million hits since it first appeared—and continues with nods to "Cubegirl," "Paris in Jail," and "I Got a Crush on Obama."

Click on over if you could use a laugh to ease the winter doldrums.

A very "Idol" AMAs

At last weekend's 2007 American Music Awards, it was all American Idol, all the time, with alums from the show taking home no fewer than six statues.

Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood—who also looked stunning in a white minidress and understated makeup—scooped up trophies for Favorite Female Country Artist, Favorite Country Album (for Some Hearts), and the T-Mobile Text-in Award for Favorite Artist.

In addition, Season 5 alum Chris Daughtry's band, Daughtry, made good on its three nominations for Favorite Pop/Rock Album (for Daughtry), Favorite Breakthrough Artist, and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist.

Meanwhile, Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks' self-titled album hit store shelves to rave reviews on Tuesday, and runner-up beatboxer Blake Lewis' debut, Audio Day Dream, drops on December 4. Perhaps we'll be seeing these two on the podium at next year's AMAs?

It's sew time!

It's been nearly 13 months, ladies, but the long-awaited return of Project Runway is finally upon us. Starting tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern, fifteen up-and-coming designers will vie for the chance to join Jay McCarroll, Chloe Dao, and Jeffrey Sebelia in PR's hall of winners.

And if you just can't wait until then to get your fix, ...

• Click over to Bravo's website for a sneak-peek video and for bios of all fifteen contestants.

• The Elle magazine website has photos from the auditions and even a dedicated Project Runway minimag.

• Check out the latest and greatest from fabulous fansites Project Rungay and Blogging Project Runway.

• Brush up on Season 3 with Bravo's marathon, which starts at 8 a.m. Eastern and goes all the way to the Season 4 premiere.

• And finally, plan your evening festivities around Best Week Ever's Project Runway Drinking Game!
  

Who will be "in" and who will be "auf?" It all starts tonight!

Stacy's back ... for good this time!

Back in April, we reported on the sneak peek of Stacy London's new solo talk show on TLC, which teased us with one tantalizing pilot and then left us hanging for seven months.

Well, we can all give thanks that Stacy's permanent show on TLC, Fashionably Late with Stacy London, will officially debut on Friday, November 23 (day after Thanksgiving—coincidence?) at 10 Eastern/9 Central.

Episode 1 will feature a segment on "convertible fashion," a chat with Ugly Betty's Rebecca Romijn, a visit to Lancôme's cosmetics factory, advice on cleaning out your closet, and, of course, a makeover!

Tune in on November 23 for your dose of style, savvy, sass, and sensational scoop.

It's a "Sex"-successor smackdown!

Two will enter ... one will leave ...

No, we're not talking about Thunderdome.

We're referring to this season's Battle of the Sex-and-the-City Heirs Apparent.

In the Blue Corner: Cashmere Mafia, ABC's new series from SatC producer Darren Starr. The story follows four powerful Manhattan executives—played by Lucy Liu, Miranda Otto, Frances O'Connor, and Bonnie Somerville—as they support each other through the ups and downs of life, love, and career in the big city. It premieres on November 27.

And in the Red Corner: Lipstick Jungle, NBC's new series based on the book by SatC author Candace Bushnell. The story ... well ... it follows three powerful Manhattan executives—played by Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price—as they support each other through the ups and downs of life, love, and career in the big city. We'll have to wait a bit longer for this contender, which is set to bow on January 1, 2008.

Yes, the glaring similarities have been duly noted by both press and public, and the odds of both shows making it are pretty slim. Take a look at each promo and leave a comment on which one you'll be more likely to watch.

P.S. What's that? You're wondering which competitor managed to snag SatC wardrobe wizardress Patricia Field? That advantage goes to Cashmere Mafia.

(Hat tip: FabSugar)

Project Runway comes to Lincoln Center

Attention, New Yorkers: Season 4 may not be starting until November 14, but you can get a sneak peek at looks from the next batch of Project Runway competitors.

On Tuesday, November 6, Heidi, Tim, and Nina will host a fashion show at Lincoln Center featuring the work of Season 4 contestants. The event is open to the public, but tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, so plan to arrive early.

Be there, or be out!

(Hat tip: Project Rungay)

Project Runway-eh?

In other Project Runway news, our favorite designer dogfight's first spinoff, Project Runway Canada, premieres tonight on the Canadian network Slice.

Hosted by timeless beauty Iman, PRC serves up the same tried-and-true format as its predecessor: pitting 12 designers against each other in a series of challenges, with the winner strutting away with $100,000 cash, a spread in Elle Canada, and a mentorship with Canadian retailer Winners.

Iman will be joined on judges' row by designer Shawn Henson and Elle Canada editor Rita Silvan. Stepping into Tim Gunn's hallowed loafers as resident mentor is celebrated Canadian designer Brian Bailey.

The biggest question is, what catchphrase will jilted contestants hear instead of Heidi's signature "Auf Wiedersehen?"

Welcome back, Project Runway!

It's been over a year (!) since Jeffrey Sebelia strutted the catwalk as the latest winner of Project Runway ... and ohhhh, what a long year it's been.

But take heart, fellow PR groupies: everyone's favorite sartorial smackdown is back on November 14—just six weeks from today.

Look for all your favorites to resume their perfectly-tailored roles, including host Heidi Klum, judges Michael Kors and new mommy Nina Garcia, and, of course, everyone's fave mentor, the eternally fabulous Tim Gunn.

To get a sneak peek at the designers who'll be aiming to sketch, cut, stitch, and drape their way to victory, check out their bio page on the Bravo website.

So tell all your friends, start planning your premiere party, and practice your "Auf Wiedersehen"s: the auf-ing starts November 14!