Top Design

Show Info

Genre(s): Reality (Competitive)

First Air Date: January 31, 2007

Summary

Starring Todd Oldham (host)

On the heels of "Project Runway" and "Top Chef" comes Bravo's latest talent competition, which pits a dozen aspiring interior designers against one another for a chance at a large cash prize.

Also On Metacritic

TV: Top Chef (Bravo)

Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com

Also On The Web: Official Show Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this show is 4.6 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sandra D gave it a1:
I give it a 1 only for the cringe factor involved which drew me to watch it each week. This show was horrible. "See ya later, Decorator"??? I mean, get me a stretcher!! Absolutely the worst send-away every. Todd O. was a horrible host or whatever he was (Tim Gunn character). Mild, meek, lame, sad "love me please" expression and tone of voice. Plus, horrible advice and critiques from him. Judges: all horrible and no personality. Contestants: same-- horrible and lacking personality and interaction. They also lacked decorating skills. I couldn't believe the level of design they were turning out. I could have done it better and I'm not kidding. My kid could have done it better. Each week I'd watch and alternately cringe and crack up at how horrible the rooms were they'd set up. Hideous. Boring, lacking interest, color, style, etc. It just inspired me to create my own show… stay tuned for that! I was also amazed at the reviews the press gave this show, posted at the top of this page. I mean, c'mon!!! See ya later, suck-ass show!

Laura Z gave it a9:
I really like this show. Although the judges aren't the best for being on television, they know about interior design. Many aspects of the show were fun to watch, and it was amazing to see the finished rooms at the end. I don't understand why so many don't appreciate the show because of the small things, like judges (but I do agree that Todd is no Tim). The designers were altogether talented and interesting, and I hope that there is another season to be watched, as I loved this show, and with everything else that goes on, this show is something I actually looked forward to watching with all the other crap on tv (you can think of your own examples). GO TOP DESIGN!

[Anonymous] gave it a2:
Come on, top design! I keep watching, though interspersed with other activity b/c it is far too anooying to just sit and watch. This show is sad. I'm sorry. But the designs are sad, the designers are sad, their judges are sad, and todd tiptoeing around in the background just makes it more sad. I'm nto into nasty criticism, but unlike the other bravo shows, todd seems to be more of a lurker than an afficanado. And no offense, sorry, to the contestants, but they seem like cautious students rather than professionals, even beginner mavericks which is waht they should be. Come on, with all the minimalist, white background, clean lines, it is mundane!!!!

alan w gave it a9:
My 9 is based upon the comparison of other shows that attempt to focus on "interior design". I think you guys are overlooking the most fundamental point this show is attempting to convey: good design can "come together" while great design requires concentration, planning, innovation, purpose and connection to the individual who is to experience the design. Rather than critique the bad hair of the judges or the cardboard-like quality of the host, consider *what is being said* about Interior Design on the show. Good interior design requires a strong foundation in understanding multiple conditions of the built environment, how people interact (knowingly or not) with the built environmnt and how to use a visual vocabulary to change that environment to facilitate the intended experience. One can not do this simply "with style" - as made evident by the early dismissals. Design requires analysis, ingenuity and then retrospection. I had severe doubts watching the first few episodes (shows like this oftentimes paints interior design as trite and frivilous), but guess what, the judges dismissed the most unqualified individuals first and the crits are continually narrowing the focus upon merging statement (ie, concept) with function.

Jason S gave it a3:
Interior design was the next obvious step for Bravo's competition reality series; in fact, as a joke I told my friends who watch Top Chef that next would be a show like this. On paper, it seems like a good idea, but the reality is interior design does not lend itself well to competition as does fashion and even food, which the viewers can't even taste and therefore truly judge. The host is dry and talks like he's reading cue cards, the judges are bland (and one looks like Cruella DeVil) and the send-off phrase is a simple and dumb "goodbye" (as opposed to the much more interesting "you're out" or "pack your knives"). All in all, the show isn't worth the time and will most likely not see another season. Plus, two words: later decorator???

margaret b gave it a3:
Your judges have no involvement, I love project runway and top chef, please bring them back.i hate the line ,see you later decorators, the show has no interaction between contestents,and it all seems unnatural.i watch it because it is on bravo, but am not looking forward to the hairdresser show.

ken j gave it a2:
i agree with Will A's assessments.

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