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Top Design: Season 1
  • Network: Bravo
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 31, 2007
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jessica Shaw
    91
    The contestants are highly entertaining. [2 Feb 2007, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    90
    Nobody said the creative process was pretty, but rarely has it made such electrifying TV.
  3. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jennifer Wulff
    75
    Top Design will make you not want to leave your TV room--no matter what it looks like. [5 Feb 2007, p.37]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    70
    No contestant wants to hear that his or her artistic creation looks "like a litter box" or something at "an assisted-living facility." But we do. And we lap the insults up.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Belle Elving
    70
    Bravo is gambling that there's at least as much interest in the rooms we live in as the food we eat and the clothes we buy. And judging by this show's high points, that's one safe bet.
  6. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    70
    [It] is a bit too slavish in its imitation of the "Runway'' formula, but in its opening episode, it shows signs of real promise.
  7. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    60
    "Top Design"... comes closer to capturing "Runway's" singular appeal than "Top Chef" ever did... Yet with each scan of the "Project Runway" blueprint, a little more of the original's crispness and clarity gets lost.
  8. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    60
    There are problems to work out; none of the cast really pops in the first episode, and I wish they hadn't given the competitors the help of a carpenter, which loses the hands-on, who-stole-my-glue-gun drama of Runway. But the show has good bones. There's nothing wrong with it a little furniture rearrangement wouldn't fix.
  9. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Richmond
    60
    I didn't hate "Top Design" as much as I wanted to.
  10. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    50
    Wake me when it's over - please.
  11. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Joanna Weiss
    40
    "Top Design" is so derivative of "Project Runway," from the setup to the structure of the judging, that it's impossible not to make a point-by-point comparison, with the new show falling short on every level.
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User Reviews

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User Score
4.7 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 8 out of 21
  1. SandraD
    1
    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!… Full Review »
  2. LauraZ
    9
    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!… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    2
    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!!!!… Full Review »
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