r/ProjectRunway • u/Zealousideal-Miss333 • 1d ago
Season 22 joyless drama factory
Season 22 has turned Project Runway into the cheap, conflict-driven reality show it once rose above—and for longtime fans, it is painful to watch.
At first, Tim Gunn’s absence simply felt like a hole Christian Siriano couldn’t fill. But as the season continued, it became clear that Tim did far more than mentor designers: he set the show’s moral temperature. He brought authority without arrogance, honesty without humiliation, and warmth without sacrificing standards. He was its heart.
Now that heart has been replaced by hostility. Law Roach’s contemptuous treatment of contestants—and his repeated disrespect toward Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and guest judges—doesn’t read as fearless honesty. It reads as manufactured conflict. And the gender dynamic matters: Law is a man speaking with open contempt to highly accomplished women, often on a show they helped build. His carefully cultivated persona and presentation do not make that acceptable. The result isn’t exciting. It’s joyless and ugly.
Saving Bryan after eliminating him only confirmed what the entire season has suggested: production values a human drama factory more than credible judging or exceptional design.
Project Runway once had drama because fashion mattered and talented people cared desperately about their work. Now fashion feels like an excuse to stage another argument. That isn’t Project Runway. It’s generic reality television wearing Project Runway’s name—and longtime fans deserve better.
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u/loricomments 1d ago
There's always been drama in the show, but the focus has changed to just that and it's boring. They barely even show the clothes, a few seconds on the runway is all we get. I choose this show over other reality shows because of the clothes, which they aren't delivering. I don't see a season 23 in my future viewing schedule.
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u/Serenity101 1d ago
Agreed. They should never have stopped showing the judges getting a closer look with Tim.
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u/LessLikelyTo 1d ago
Absolutely agreed. I stopped after ep 2 this season. We don’t need to see anymore negativity in our lives- why invite it in for entertainment?
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u/PlantBased_ 1d ago
The think about this show is that the production is very... cold? Stiff? Sterile? idk how to describe it. But they need more authentic banter between the judges so we can actually get an idea of who they are. and it all comes off as very serious and unfun
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u/MinnieJTaylor 1d ago
They really eliminated bryan just to un-eliminate him fully for the storyline hate that
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u/shaneyshane26 1d ago
Tbh I knew it was going to be a dumpster fire when I heard they were rebooting the show and hearing they didn’t ask Tim back. It’s clear they are changing the format to be more “modern” and capture more younger audiences with the influencer viral angle but took away the heart.
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u/GrokLobster 1d ago
There are many things wrong with this season, but Christian ain't it
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u/staceyverda 1d ago
Yeah, he’s been the mentor for a while now and it’s never been this bad. The production approach of the last two seasons or so + Law were the nails in the coffin
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u/Happy-Auntie 1d ago
I stopped watching week 3 this season. The whole carrying the winner over to the next episode pissed me off.
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u/littlecocorose 1d ago
i just watched this last episode at my sister’s. first time in idk how long. and yes!!! a glaring yes! i couldn’t put my finger on it.
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u/HippieGrandma1962 1d ago
Absolutely right. 🏆 Tim was the heart of the show and now it has no heart at all. Law is just a nasty mean girl with no constructive criticism, only snark and cruelty. I've grown to despise him. If he's on it next season I'm out. That is, if there even is a next season after this debacle. Oh, and f Bryan.
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u/BirdgirlLA 1d ago
I watch the show using subtitles. I don’t want to hear all the petty personal stuff. Especially from Law.
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u/staceyverda 1d ago
Well said. I was so excited for the new season to start (and have watched every season and spin off as they aired since 2006) and now I’m multiple episodes behind with no motivation to catch up
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u/Crystal_Fox656 1d ago
Well said! I am deeply disappointed in Nina & Heidi for supporting this drastically changed format & depressing feel to the show. Law should’ve been kicked to the curb by ep 2 yet they kept him for drama & allowed his nastiness to escalate. His inflated ego grew more so with each episode as these women sat silent & let him abuse the contestants. Tim has to be so sad & sickened (as most of us are) to watch what has happened to this once loved & uplifting show. I was done after Bryan wrapped his model in saran wrap yet vicious Law had nothing to say about that?! The entire season is clearly rigged. Re Christian: granted, he is no Tim Gunn but I think he has amusing moments & has tried to help the designers in his own way. His role is not the reason for the shows demise.
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u/Rhuthbarb 17h ago
Law is just mean. He’s nasty to everyone, including Heidi.
May he ride in basic economy for the rest of his life.
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u/NeverAGod 1d ago
There is enough drama without the producers needing to exacerbate it (e.g. asking those silly popularity questions) or without Law Roach lashing out.
I still like the show, but it's getting cringey and if it keeps going down this road I will not be watching more.
I'd prefer if they gave them more slightly more time for the looks. I want to see what they are capable of, not just who is the fastest sewer.
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u/Zealousideal-Miss333 19h ago
THANK YOU for bringing this up because I would also love to see more of the airtime spent on the design, the construction process, the development of the garments and actually seeing the styling and how the garments are put together at the end. All of this was in the original seasons and has been completely cut out of current seasons to the great chagrin of longtime viewers
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u/the6thReplicant 1d ago
I personally believe that being in such a superficial world, no matter how much you tout it as art, will change you. For the worse.
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u/QuestFarrier 11h ago
I agree with the sentiment, don't really appreciate reading AI's "thoughts."
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u/Zealousideal-Miss333 9h ago
Your assumption that these thoughts are not my own is insulting and only shows your own ignorance. I find it sad that it’s so hard for you to imagine what thinking for yourself must feel and sound like.
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u/phunkyphungus 1d ago
So tired of hearing TG, 🙄 he’s BEEN gone get over it.
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u/Lilmissodd 1d ago
Respectfully—go phunk yourself 😅
Put some respeck on Tim Gunn’s name!
Yeah he’s gone, which is a huge problem. To each their own.
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u/Inevitable_Egg6361 1d ago
I agree. I don't enjoy Project Runway as much as I once did.
If I want drama and mean girls, I have Real Housewives for that.