X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Cheers & Jeers: January Jones --- No Draper on the Runway

Jeers to Project Runway for marring one of its best challenges ever with one of its worst guest judges: January Jones.

Bruce Fretts

Jeers to Project Runway for marring one of its best challenges ever with one of its worst guest judges: January Jones.

Want more Cheers & Jeers?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

The eight remaining designers on Lifetime's recharged reality show were tasked with creating a fashion-forward American sportswear look inspired by the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It was a deceptively tricky challenge, and only endearing odd-duck Mondo Guerra rose to it, mixing a loud purple hound's tooth skirt with a horizontally striped t-shirt and a purple-lined jacket in a surprising tour de force. The theme also inspired some of Runway's most quotable lines, like April's "It's more 'Jackie Yo!' than Jackie O," Valerie's "Jackie Kennedy would not wear Goth," and Tim Gunn's "Jackie Kennedy would not have camel-toe!"

If only Jones could've kept up with fellow judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum, who didn't even try to make a case for her qualifications, merely introducing her guest as "actress January Jones" — and anyone who saw her disastrous SNL hosting gig might even question that description. At least this episode was filmed before Jones was unanimously voted worst-dressed at this year's Emmys for her cone-bra-and-peekaboo-Scarlett-O'Hara-skirt monstrosity.

Just because she plays Kennedy Era character Betty Draper Francis on Mad Men doesn't mean Jones had anything to add to the discussion. Mostly she just giggled and agreed with Kors, when she wasn't giving her trademark doe-in-the-headlights look. And seriously, has an actress ever had a more apt first name? January itself could hardly be chillier and whiter.

When Jones did open her mouth, nothing good came out. She proclaimed Christopher's shrug of an ensemble, part of which Heidi derided as "a dirty dishrag," her favorite. And while she justifiably praised Mondo's design, she also complimented his ridiculous outfit, which looked like he was auditioning for a preschool production of Cabaret.

Did January Jones make you Mad on Project Runway?

Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!