I really enjoy this show especially since David Bromstead took over as host. One area I do think needs to be "redesigned" is the judges table. It is time for Genevieve and Vern to go and bring in 2 new judges. Sabrina Soto did well as a guest as did other guest judges. Vern and Gen have gotten boring and have run out of constructive ways to critique the designs.
Yes, Sabrina Soto is good. I would team her up with Lisa LaPorta and Cynthia Rowley (a former DS judge).
It is time for Vern to go. He has established himself as a Design Star institution.
David is good at what he is doing for the show.
I often agree with Genevieve. Her critical eye for others' work seems to be an improvement over her critical eye for her own. Her design skills are not very good.
Candace can stay away. She was terrible as a judge, worse than the others.
Totally not getting the worlds love affair with David Bromstad. His vocal inflections have this sarcastic undertone like Paul Lynde to me.IMHO he always sounds a little insincere, like he would talk behind your back the second you left the room.
Posts: 1478 | Location: Morristown | Registered: Jun 12, 2010
Agree, Charles. Feels as if his success went to his head and he developed a major 'tude over the past several years. Either that, or his true character emerged.
Maybe they could bring in judges from the design world, not from the HGTV world. Gen and Vern have been saying the same thing season after season. Maybe they have developed a bias that they aren't aware of. To send Hilari home because she wasn't imparting enough information is just wrong. That is such an easy thing to fix, maybe they forgot that or maybe they just wanted a reason to send her home because the producers said someone else should win.
I have no idea what type of ratings Design Star gets but I wonder if the ratings are falling. If viewers think that the show is fixed from the beginning then there really is no reason to continue to watch.
CorvetteLady brings up some very valid points. In other posts I have commented on Vern's and Gen's "manufactured stardom".IMO they are more television "personalities" than actual interior design heavyweights. You would have never seen any of their work in decorating mags before DS and even now their work falls far short in comparison to anyone you see featured in say, Veranda or Elle Decor. The Hilari decision smacks of company politics/agenda. My biggest peave is people in program development thinking the entire audience is too stupid to see a "foul ball" coming right at them.
Posts: 1478 | Location: Morristown | Registered: Jun 12, 2010
I couldn't agree more. I never really understood how these two have their own shows. I think their designs are mediocre and mundane at best. Nothing very unique and yet they are judging others? I grew up in the design world. My mom is an interior designer and trust me, the kind of work I've seen them do wouldn't be embraced much in the non-tv world. I long for more inventiveness and use of unique objects. Sort of like Sabrina Soto + Junk Gypsies + Candice Olson wrapped up into one person. Antonio has a few unique pieces that he uses, but his work all seems to have the same feel to it. Vern is my least favorite. But both he and Gen both sound so "affected" and condescending in their designs. The first Design Star I ever saw, they booted off a pair of women who used a Chinese wedding bed in their designs that was so amazing. They then keep people who think using MDF for everything is so stylish. Over the years I've watched it off and on, very rarely have I seen anything magazine worthy. Sigh.
Pumpkin, do you have something against Vern's lovely votives?? (lol) Talk about repeating an element -
My concern about David is that he appears to be leaving design and focusing on more lucrative (likely) activities: endorsements, retail painting, hosting duties - and generally morphing into another HGTV personality, ala Vern.This message has been edited. Last edited by: bballdays,
I liked David's original show. The rooms he did were normal ones that could be found in every neighborhood of every region across the country. By focusing solely on Miami in the new show I feel it pigeon holed the design. Every show and room looked the same and there were no elements the average viewer could use in their own home.
I agree with Pumpkin Pooterpants about the style of (hopefully) new judges. Repurposing has become so important and popular now that having judges who can do that would be great.
DAvid and Genevieve both come across as a bit smug considering that he won the same competion afew years ago and her show has only been on a couple of years, So there should just be a hint of humble pie when judging others and giving tipsThis message has been edited. Last edited by: hollywood1765,
I totally agree - Vern and Gen are done and need to go. I'm really tired of Vern's attitude. Seriously, how many times must we hear that "one person goes home tonight"? Once is enough! I am happy to see David Bromstead on the show. He needs to stay!
Posts: 1 | Location: USA | Registered: Jul 22, 2012
I would love to see Vern and Gen decorate a glass house, a tiny house and a yurt with only a carpenter to help them. Of course, they should have the same time limits and budgets as the contestants. One thing you can be sure of, this will never happen.
I read Britany's blog and liked that they call Vern's critiques "Yipping." LOL
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Aug 24, 2010
Seriously the judges need to go! They are stiff and sorta act like Know it alls. You need fresh new perspectives and more authentic and less judgemental. Someone light and friendly, way more fun than these two. Love David so keep him but the other two Gen and Vern: "Sorry Gen and Vern but we will not be having you judge your own show...bye!"
I agree that Vern and Genevieve must go. She bothers me more than Vern since she is so darned arrogant.Her work is not nearly good enough to equal her arrogance. She is only a so-so designer who has more skill in talking her way into a show than actually doing the show.
Not sure about Sabrina Soto though. She always talks down to people too, so I don't know about her. Tanya Nyack would be good, but I think I agree more with those of you who suggest getting people outside of HGTV to judge, like they did in the beginning. That would certainly be more fair and also more interesting. Have ONE HGTV judge but then have two from either magazines or design firms.
Still like to watch the show to see what kind of talent is out there, but it's so stale with the current judges. IMO David is very good in his role as mentor. I don't see the arrogance in him that others see.
You know, I have been watching both Vern and Genevieve since trey were new kids on the block in the TV show Trading Spaces.Genevieve used to be on eof my favorite designers because of her creativity, and Vern because of his amazing eye for minimalism and that Zen feel and his uses of color. But I have to say, Genevieve has become "too full of herself" and her reposition as a judge because she is now a well known and established designer. SHe is far too critical...no one can please her....and she is a sour puss. Don't forget, Genevieve, from whence you have come.
Vern....he just needs to go back to designing....doing what he does best. Be a guest judge, because when he speaks, everyone listens. Its just that he really has nothing of real consequence to say anymore. His tank has run dry....he needs to get it re-filled, his engine overhauled...then come back and do what he is absolutely best in....teaching us how to create...design...He IS amazing
Originally posted by Holly Phillips: You know, I have been watching both Vern and Genevieve since trey were new kids on the block in the TV show Trading Spaces.Genevieve used to be on eof my favorite designers because of her creativity, and Vern because of his amazing eye for minimalism and that Zen feel and his uses of color. But I have to say, Genevieve has become "too full of herself" and her reposition as a judge because she is now a well known and established designer. SHe is far too critical...no one can please her....and she is a sour puss. Don't forget, Genevieve, from whence you have come.
Vern....he just needs to go back to designing....doing what he does best. Be a guest judge, because when he speaks, everyone listens. Its just that he really has nothing of real consequence to say anymore. His tank has run dry....he needs to get it re-filled, his engine overhauled...then come back and do what he is absolutely best in....teaching us how to create...design...He IS amazing
Yes, I remember GG and Vern from TS days too and for what they did then, it was okay. I don't consider either of them to be "great designers" - they are only stars because HGTV has made them that way. I have seen a few things Vern has done that I've liked, but he is a one trick pony, and GG (IMO) couldn't adequately design her way out of a paper bag. If you put either one of these judges up against Hilari, Danielle or Brittany on an equal playing field they would lose.
If you put either one of these judges up against Hilari, Danielle or Brittany on an equal playing field they would lose.
So true doodles. It seems like both of them criticize the contestants for things I have seen them do in their own designs. When Vern and then G went after Mikel for putting two sofas, facing each other, in front of the fireplace my first thought was - they have both done this very thing. I remember watching them and thinking, it is good for conversation, but awkward for enjoying a fire and a TV show.
I have tried not to post any complaints for a while now, but I hit the Love It or List It subject yesterday and this one today. It just seems like HGTV could do better with designers and personalities.
I agree with those of you who think the game is fixed. I think the powers-that-be at HGTV tell the judges who they want, and the judges praise or critique the contestants accordingly. There's too much at stake (the winner's own prime time TV show!) to let it fall to chance.
I agree with you Annett on the judges' modus operandi of critiquing contestants. It seems rather fake, and think it surprising that the producers believe that the viewers don't notice. I've completely hated Vern since his rude behaviour during "Tashica-gate" some seasons ago. Apart from that though, both he and Gen seem very stale now. I don't believe the format of the show allows for much creativity in design - I've seen so much more innovation when reading design blogs online. Design Star seems to stifle creativity more than anything else.
Now that the most recent season of design star has concluded, I can't help going back to Genevieve's comment in the last episode that the most important criteria in selecting a winner is how she delivers the message. I thought this was a DESIGN show and that the most important criteria a winner could have was to be a good DESIGNER. Genevieve has been in TV Land so long that she has lost her connection to reality. She is a pedestrian designer who is reasonably telegenic. She should be replaced by an outstanding designer (like Candace or Sabrina or Lisa LaPorta). Vern is a sour little man who wants desperately to see himself as a happy little cheerleader, but the truth is he's bitter and snarky. It's just his nature. Can't turn a pickle back into a cucumber. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE replace these judges!!!!!
I would love to see Cynthia Rowley back. She has such a kind heart and really praises designers when they deserve it, and can critique a design with kindness and respect. Vern and GG never seem to be wowed by anyone. Ugh I HATE their condescending, sneering, arrogance. I never want to hear "UNACCEPTABLE" out of Vern's mouth again. Not even if the designers fail to finish a kitchen. They do the best they can under strict time constraints and, from what I understand, on very little sleep. I would prefer he say "I wish you had not run into issues that caused you to run out of time" instead. Is it too much to ask for HGTV to get rid of these annoying snobs?
Now that the most recent season of design star has concluded, I can't help going back to Genevieve's comment in the last episode that the most important criteria in selecting a winner is how she delivers the message. I thought this was a DESIGN show and that the most important criteria a winner could have was to be a good DESIGNER. _______________________________
This is so true Bobby! You can quickly teach someone public speaking and the art of working in front of a camera / fliming. It takes a few years of formal training and practice to become a decent designer. But... It takes a natural, "born-with it" artistic talent to be an outstanding designer. And... It takes a naturally outgoing and friendly personality to win the hearts of viewers.
A good past example of this is Paul James. He was fun to watch on his program. Paul was relaxed in front of the camera, very informative and obviously had a passion for his work and was quite knowledgable. If I happened to meet Paul in Lowe's garden center I would not hesitate to approach him and strike up a conversation. Now... if I were shopping in Macy's and came upon Vern I would not feel quite so confident. ( unless we were in the candle section and I needed advice on which votive holder I should buy )
I agree. What I also have been noticing lately is Vern and Gen lost all their likability. They look very tired and unnatural on camera. Vern does not make a good host of the show, to me he just does not have much of personal charisma to be a good host. He tries, but it looks so fake. Gen has lost most of her charisma. Also, they need to change the makeup, or the makeup artist. All their makeup (Vern, Gen and David's) made them look tired with bloated faces. It may sound harsh, but it is honest. Too much even brownish tones in makeup, they supposed to make you look toned and healthy, but achieve exactly the opposite.
