‘Project Runway’ Fans Complain Show’s Not the Same Without Tim Gunn
Project Runway returned in July with its 21st season, and it’s first on Freeform, with Heidi Klum reprising her role as head judge for the first time since leaving the show in 2017. However, her long-time co-host, Tim Gunn, who also left in 2017, did not return with her.
While the new season welcomed stylist Law Roach as a new judge, the rest of the line-up is full of familiar faces. But despite bringing back Klum, plus mainstay judge Nina García, long-time mentor Christian Siriano, and former contestants such as Jesus Estrada and Caycee Black, Gunn was allegedly not invited to the reunion, which has left many Project Runway viewers with a sour taste in their mouths.
“Guys, I literally miss Tim so much it hurts,” wrote one fan on the Project Runway Reddit forum on Wednesday (August 20). “It feels like grieving watching this show without him. It sucks how everything went down and I feel like it isn‘t even smart or worth it to punish him for making a few critical comments when he is so beloved and wanted to come back.”
The user continued, “I hate knowing he wanted to return and Heidi wanted him there but he was not asked back. I need Tim on my TV and I’m watching old seasons to cope but it’s making me more sad.”
Gunn previously told People that Klum had texted him months earlier about a Project Runway revival and whether he would be interested in returning to host alongside her.
“And I said, ‘Would I do it? Of course, there’s not a moment of hesitation in me,'” Gunn told the outlet before revealing that he never ended up receiving a contract, which came as a shock to Klum.
“I called my agent and he knew things were going on, but he contacted the executive producers of this new show, and they said, ‘We don’t want him,'” Gunn recalled. “And [my agent] said, ‘Well, he’s done 19 seasons of Runway, 16 with Heidi. The two of them won an Emmy together as hosts, and now you’re going to separate them?’ And they said yes.”
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The Reddit commenter went on to say, “[Gunn] genuinely cares so much about being a mentor and helping the designers create their best work. You just can’t replicate his special combination of toughness and tenderness. Just needed to vent and I might start a petition.”
Others agreed, with one fan writing, “I don’t accept it, won’t watch the new eps. They were horrible to him and he made the show for me. You can’t fire the Gunn and expect the show to live.”
“You can’t serve a steak and fine wine to people who just want a Happy Meal,” added another.
“The show is just blah without him. It’s just an hour of, “how can I get the most time on camera?” by the contestants. I can’t see any of them having a future as a real professional fashion designer,” another said.
Another wrote, “I miss Tim and the old editing team(s). I barely made it through episode 1 and came here to see if they changed back to focusing on the clothes in later episodes. If I wanted a reality TV drama-focused show I’d just go to 90 Day Fiance.”
“I miss him awfully too,” said one commenter.
In his interview with People, Gunn did admit the producers eventually got back in touch with his agent and offered him a one-off cameo in the new season. It’s safe to say the veteran TV host didn’t take too kindly to the offer.
“What do I do? Wave from a bus as the designers are going into Mood [Fabrics]? Heidi comes to see me at the retirement home and we play croquet? So no thank you. And as Heidi would say, you’re either in or you’re out. And I’m out. So I wasn’t asked to join.”
Gunn revealed that he felt “initially devastated, then kind of humiliated” but later made peace with the decision. “I thought, how lucky am I to have had the experiences that I’ve had over the last 20 years?”
He added, “This is phenomenal. I stopped the boo-hooing. I thought, it’s really throwing hubris in the face of an angry God to mourn not being on this new show. So I’ve come to terms with it. Am I disappointed? Sure.”
What do you think of the new season of Project Runway? Do you miss Gunn? Let us know your thoughts below.
Project Runway, Thursdays, 10/9c, Freeform, streaming on Hulu and Disney+
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Conversation14 Comments
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O
There had to be a way they could keep Christian Siriano and Tim Gunn. Christian could have been a judge, or Tim Gunn could have been a judge. But this is not the only problem. The new production seems to be guilty of "fixing a show that was already perfect." The show no longer features the judges deliberating, except for mere seconds. The fourth of ten episodes (why only 10?) did not even feature Heidi Klum! She was nowhere to be seen! The fourth episode has the top 6 contestants voting out one of the bottom 3 contestants!!! This show is not Survivor or Big Brother. An always classy show is now a cheap flailing program. It didn't have to be this way.
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O
I think it's ridiculous that Tim Gunn wasn't invited to be a part of this new show. He was just as important as Heidi to the previous version of the show.
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R
IMO, Tim Gunn IS Project Runway. You know?
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O
I miss Tim Gunn, although Christian is wonderful as well. What I really don’t like is this fascination with over the top contestants who don’t design as much as they strut around and act out. It’s really not about the fashion. It seems to be about designers with huge personalities who all think they are gifts from God.
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B
I miss the show that once focused on the ability to create and execute a design. When you let the contestants vote others off the show, you have decided that project runway is no longer about talent. It is now an episode of big brother. I am disappointed.
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O
I miss Tim Gunn so much! 😢
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O
Ugh... Project Runway goes from bad to worse...
The good news is that, after three episodes of "house" (team) challenges, the designers are finally given a chance to do their own thing. The better news is that it's the "unconventional materials" challenge, where the designers are dropped into an unusual environment (like a hardware store, or, in this case, a school science fair) and asked to create something amazing from whatever is available.
The winner, traditionally, is someone who has transformed materials so that, on first look, you don't necessarily know what you're looking at (e.g., a dress woven from seatbelts).
Unfortunately, it appears new judge Law Roach doesn't get it. The 'winning' look was a handful of soccer balls cut up just enough to cover the model's private parts. Did it look like Lady Gaga would wear it? Sure. Too bad that wasn't the challenge. Other designers who created some truly innovative designs and literally transformed materials were passed over.
The clueless producers compounded the problems by leaving the judging up to a single person (Law Roach), when any fan of the show knows that half the entertainment is the judges' debate about the various designs.
But, no, that wasn't bad enough. Rather than have the judge take responsibility for his judgments to decide who leaves, the producers are forcing the remaining contestants to force someone out. Tacky, cruel, and cowardly.
Hopefully, someone high up at Freeform is trying to fix this dumpster fire.
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C
I'm glad I have never seen the new version.from these comments its not worth watching. I was one of the original fans of this show and hadn't realized it was no longer on. it sad when they take a really good show try to quote update it and make a mess of it for those who loved it.
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B
Christian Siriano is very talented. But, Tim Gunn is this sage, wise and altruistic soul...that was part of the magic of the show. Sometimes, I think that the people we respect so deeply at times in our lives, never will know our name or that we ever really existed. Thanks, Tim Gunn for being a mentor for me, even though you never knew my name.
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O
This season was horrible. It was like a reality show gone bad. Those twins were absolutely horrible. Rude, no class. Where did you find them ??
I do miss Tim but Christian I like do that works well.
Not a fan of the Roach character as a judge. Too mouthy.
I was not a fan f this season. Not sure if I will watch again. It’s too bad. We have all watched it for years but this season seemed too much about reality t.v any ratings and less about fashion
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A
I love and miss Tim Gunn. No, the show is not the same enough and not as I JUST MUST WATCH without the dynamic of Heidi and Tim TOGETHER within their individual roles on the show in the show. They loved the designers and are needed on the show and wanted for the show. Watch the fail without. Don’t we get a say. Broken heart.
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R
Bring Tim back!!!!
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B
I also miss Tim Gunn. I like Christian, but he is kind of non caring as a mentor. He would make a better Judge. Tim made it personable. Not sure I like the new judge Law Roach. He calls people out for their attitude, but he himself has an attitude. At least Nina has more of a heart than Law. I think Project Runway is Tim Gunn. Why fix something that is not broke.
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P
New version not good. Unlikable contestants.Wonder what happened between Mood and show? Not any mention of going to Mood, no Mood bags around, fabric already at sewing studio several challenges so no need to go to mood. They used to say how much time for selection and of course the thank you mood when leaving I d love to know why!
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