I am maybe one of the biggest ...

Question: I am maybe one of the biggest fans of Project Runway, because it's so different than other reality shows. However, I'm beginning to believe that maybe it's not so different. On the Jan. 19 show, General Zod — sorry... Santino — somehow wasn't voted off, yet poor Emmett was. Zod has been on the chopping block numerous of times and Emmett was only on the chopping block one other time. I think this show is rigged. You're someone with knowledge of reality shows. Don't you think this show is rigged just to keep the "villain" on?
Answer: This question came up in an earlier round, when Santino was first in danger of being "out" (and, typically, blew up at the judges), but Daniel Franco was sent packing instead. At that time, it did look like the producers might be favoring Santino because he's colorful and adds conflict to the show (this season's Wendy Pepper?), but I felt that Daniel was clearly unable to function within the rules of this game, especially where time constraints were concerned. This week, in the figure-skating-costume contest, Santino erred by designing for Santino, not Sasha Cohen. Emmett erred more fatally by not designing much of anything. The cardinal sin on Project Runway is a lack of imagination (which is why I was stunned that Marla lasted one week longer than she should have, after basically copying a party dress for Nicky Hilton out of a magazine). Still, it's a fair criticism of Runway that Santino has avoided being cut up to now because he makes for good TV. But I also think the judges may yet feel he's a better candidate for a runway show than many of those who have been ousted so far, including Emmett, who lack the vision and range of the better contestants. (If you were to ask me who I think or hope will make the Top 3, I'd pick some combination of Chloe, Daniel Vosovic, Zulema and Nick. Santino will probably stick around a little longer, until it gets down to those who are most likely to actually win. I, too, will be dismayed if he makes it to the end.)