Project Poochway

Episode 4 recap: “The Fashion Show”

Y’all weren’t the only ones surprised to see Jon end up on the chopping block last week – the remaining groomers seem genuinely shocked (and a bit perturbed) when it’s Malissa who returns to the Dog House. She doesn’t help matters with her incredulous reaction to the judges’ comment that she might be a bit – gasp! – airy. Wow, really? Imagine that!

The next day, Nemo shows up decked to the nines, with a note hinting about a challenge involving couture. Wait – wishes really do come true? Is Tim Gunn on his way? While this doesn’t prove to be the case, this week’s Quick Sniff is more or less the next best thing, which will also serve as part one of the forthcoming Grooming Challenge. It goes a little something like this:

The groomers will work in teams of three to design a “look” for each class of poodles – standard, miniature, and toy. Sandy Maroney and Sharon Bolger, founders of I See Spot dog apparel, will act as guest judges for this portion. One team will have their collection deemed the most fashion forward, leading up to the grooming component and the first ever Groomer Has It fashion show!

As last week’s winner, Will not only gets to choose his teammates, but also who will comprise the other two teams. And of course, there’s a twist: this week’s losing team will decide which one from their group will be sent home.

Will selects Amber and Jessica, apparently going for the “Who dresses the cutest?” strategy. He pairs Jonathan and Kathleen with Malissa, and groups Jorge and Jasper with Artist. The teams are told they will have two hours to create their concepts, but thankfully they’ll also have the help of skilled seamstresses to put their actual pieces together.

Team Will/Amber/Jessica’s concept is based on looks that support a variety of word plays: Diva Dog, Yuppie Puppy, Ruff ‘n’ Tuff. Team Jonathan/Kathleen/Malissa decides to tap into Kathleen’s artistic skills, using her poodle silhouette sketch as a logo of sorts across the entire collection. Initially, Team Jorge/ Jasper/ Artist looks completely terrified, but once Jasper suggests a sports theme, the creative juices start flowing. As Jorge says, “Jasper is a box of surprises” – kind of like Cracker Jacks?

Sandy and Sharon return to assess the results and Team Jorge/ Jasper/ Artist take the top prize for their line that includes a cheerleader outfit, a player’s jersey, and a coach’s sweatshirt. Go team!

Now that the fashion component is complete, it’s time for the grooming. The next day, a dapperly dressed Jai informs the teams that they will have three hours to tackle one poodle from each class. As the winners of the Quick Sniff, Team Jorge/ Jasper/ Artist get to pick their models first.

Jonathan and Kathleen waste no time ganging up on Malissa, who may or may not deserve it. “When it comes to grooming, I’m going to do it my own way,” she whines, adding, “Just because (Kathleen’s) won awards and trophies doesn’t make her a better groomer than me.” (Actually, it kinda does) Eventually, Kathleen gets so frustrated that she takes Malissa’s dog away from her, instructing her to instead focus on polishing the other poodle’s nails. Snap!

Jessica and Amber struggle with their dogs, while Will announces he won’t likely finish his own on time. Meanwhile, Malissa confesses to Jonathan that she has managed to get nail polish on her dog’s tail and asks if she should dye it pink. Reason #141 why nail polish and dogs don’t mix!

But never mind that, it’s time for the fashion show! We see that Dr. Karen is going for the Marie Antoinette look with her up-do, while the special guest judge is revealed to be none other than Melissa Rivers, Little Miss Red Carpet herself.

The festivities begin. While Amber and Will seem to love their designs, Jessica confesses she’s not so hot on the idea dog clothing in general. Team Jonathan/ Kathleen/ Malissa are next with their champion poodle silhouette, though Kathleen reveals it’s a design she’s used several times before. Finally, we have “Team Spirit” – aka Jasper, Jorge, and Artist. Each group has also supplied their own runway copy for the event, which is fine until we get to Team Spirit – at this point, Jai sort of begins to rap and it’s a big ole’ hot mess!

Despite the cringe-worthy copy, Jorge says, “I’m extremely happy with my job, as usual. I’m Jorge – heeey!” doing his very best Fonzie impersonation (whether he’s aware of it or not). Meanwhile, Amber points out that tonight’s elimination is not necessarily about who is the best groomer, adding that she hopes no one throws her under the bus. This is what we call “foreshadowing.”

The judges question the groomers, including Joey asking Will why he neglected to choose Jonathan for his team, considering he’s won or placed in every grooming challenge. Will immediately admits he made a mistake and should have been more strategic, and I wonder if Amber and Jessica are thinking, “Uh hi – you know we can hear you, right?”

Deliberation begins, and Team Will/Amber/Jessica are criticized for not having enough of a theme to their fashions, as well as just average grooming. Malissa’s poorly groomed poodle face also really irks the judges. And though Team Spirit doesn’t necessarily blow everyone away with their grooming skills, the judges do agree that they presented the best overall package. Jasper is crowned the team leader, so he will be the one who earns the advantage during next week’s Quick Sniff.

Despite Malissa’s gaffe, Team Will/Amber/Jessica land in the bottom. This time, it’s up to the team to decide who will leave. Will nominates Amber and she, in turn, nominates Will, so Jessica must break the tie. Everyone seems shocked when she casts her vote for Amber. While Amber of course seems disappointed, to her credit, she takes the dismissal very well, maintaining her love for grooming and the industry.

So who would you have chosen for your team? Which fashion collection did you like best? And were you surprised that Jessica chose to keep Will? Dish! Dish!

Comments

[Nana Joan]

How old is Kathleen really? According to her age and the number of years she's been grooming, she started at age 13?

[Mimi]

corona groomer: I think you meant Malissa not Jessica right?

It was rude for Will to say that he made a mistake picking teammates in front of them, but I admire his honesty. I don't find Jonathan arrogant. I think he's just confident (and rightfully so) and if I have to worry about being on the losing team because of someone else being clearly incompetent, I would take matter into my hands as well.

[corona groomer]

Amber needed to go I think her grooming was so so.Jessica she should have been gone along time ago it hurts me to even watch her she just is in la la land or some thing.What is wrong with that girl?????REALLY? nobody talks that slow and what the heck is she talking about her looks for, does she think shes a super model or some thing she is crazy.Will all I have to say about him is"please dont" I am hoping the next time they do a casting for this show they get some real groomers no butt sniffin pink poodle loven cry babies that think every one hates them cus of there looks. sighing off corona groomer yep you got it as AMBER says GETTO GROOMER!!!!

[KC Carter]

Harry: 1) Yeah, I think Jon mentioned in his exit interview about how Joey mentioned that he (Jon) should come back for season 2, so I assume this means that there will be one (providing that the first season doesn't completely bomb, of course). 2) People who inhabit the internet are notorious for having horrid spelling, no matter what their age/gender/or OCCUPATION. So ranting about how badly groomers in particular spell on their message board is a bit silly if you have any experience with message boards anywhere else on the internet. Although, ranting about the people who complain about others' spelling and grammar when they themselves couldn't spell their way out of a wet paper bag is probably OK (not that you're one of these people. I'm just annoyed because on this other blog site I frequent, people are constantly nitpicking the author's spelling and such, when they themselves are typing things like "omg lyke ur spllin iz so bad lolz").

Vickie: If I wanted a dog groomed for show, or just almost impeccably groomed in general, I would take my dog to Jonathan. If I, however, wanted my dog to be in the hands of someone who seems like they actually view the dog as a living creature and not just something that they're grooming, I'd take my dog to Kathleen.

Of course, the fact that my dog recently died is completely and utterly besides the point.

[Harry Diaz]

It is funny that over the past few weeks, the talk has shifted to the personalities and away from the grooming techniques or the "reality" of grooming.

So based on that and the fact that the above posts are spelled correctly, it would seem there are fewer and fewer real groomers writing in.

I mean really. Have you see the groomer message boards? The spelling is AMAZINGLY BAD!

Well...

Has anyone heard if this show is coming back for another season? If so then PLEASE keep Joey Villani. I am going to start the Joey Villani fan club. Who will join?

- Harry

[Vickie]

I work with Professional groomers. They are hard working dedicated individuals,they are not like Artist who smells a dogs butt . He is portraying groomers in a poor light.Will is ridiculous, kissing the dogs like he does. Personally, I would take my dog to Jasper or Jonathan. Thanks,Vickie

[Colleen]

Does anyone else think the Jai should have asked "who you vote for and why?" it would have made the next episode so much more interesting! I am over Malissa, it's time for her to go!

[Tracey]

I was looking at the bios on the main page. I noticed they list Malissa's age as 26 but on the actual show, it is 23. Anyway, I felt bad for her in the last episode. She was getting a bit ganged up on. What is up with Jonathan. What a jerk!

[KC Carter]

Some people are bringing up a rather decent point: the whole "Amber is pregnant" thing.

Now, I'm no expert on babies, but I have taken a couple of developmental psychology classes, which does delve into fetal and infant development. And one thing that I did manage to learn from these classes is that STRESS (amoung other things) can be VERY VERY bad for a fetus. So bad, in fact, that a lot of miscarriages can be at least partially (if not fully) blamed on stress and such. And any competition is stressful, let alone one of this sort. It makes me wonder if she knew she was pregnant before she got on the show/auditioned in the first place, or if she just found out later.

Either way, I guess it is kinda for the best that she's been voted off, if only for the sake of the health of the developing fetus. Although, as I've said before, I think she's a pretty decent groomer (not the best, but DEFINATELY not the worst), so other than the whole baby thing, I don't think she should've been nixed this early in the competition, especially when certain other people got to stay.

As a final note, Jai rapping makes me cringe every time I hear it. *shudders*

[Kap]

My guess is Jessica voted Amber off because she thinks she can beat Will but not Amber.

[Kat]

I am really not one to watch television. By sheer luck I turned on the television a week ago and saw a familiar face. To my amazement my grooming instructor and friend was on this show. To say the least I was proud of her and for her. I am referring to Amber. It was not until I met Amber that I fully understood the potential a professional groomer could have in this world. She was full of fire. Passion. To back up her ideals she had an amazing talent with any animal she came across.

I remember the day I met Amber. Her tool box was all set up when I walked into the salon. On it was "The Great and Amazing" with her name written under the small tag. I thought to myself, yea every groomer I have met thus far thinks that about themselves. Not true of Amber. Yes she is head strong...but any person with that much courage and passion naturally leans towards being a true leader. Over the next year I was rewarded with her diligent teaching skills. She pushed me in every way possible to attain a high standard of grooming as well as the know how to exceed what our clients expected from the grooming experience. My goal as her student was to try and be like her if not better than her. And she encouraged all of her students to surpass her. She is a credit to the grooming community. Not your typical groomer...like much of the rest of the competitors on this show.

Albeit my life took a turn that did not allow me to keep in contact with Amber...I am still extremely proud of her. Regardless of her being voted off of this show. I know she was disappointed. She is competitive and strives to be the best for her clients. But that spirit in her is forever more strong. She will thrive from this experience. She will be even more passionate and committed to her clients. After all, she is The Great and Amazing Amber.

As for the rest of the competitors. I do hope they can take away a lesson from this whole experience. You can talk trash. You can whine and cry to a camera. Suck face with a puppy in the most insincere way...try to rule the roost. But to be the best you have to put all the pettiness behind you. Stand tall. Carry a salon with your professionalism. Inspire others with your passion for grooming. And challenge yourself every day to be better than what you were the day before...just like Amber.

[GrmrJaimie]

I really think Amber wanted to leave because of her pregnancy. She and Jessica seemed so close it makes me wonder if they had agreed before hand to vote Amber off. I would. There is so much stress in this competition, and if I were her, I'd rather be home preparing for the new arrival.

It was pretty crummy of Will to say that he made the biggest mistake of his life. How awful would that make you feel if someone said that about you. It would be easy to kick him off based on that, but now we have to joy of watching him self-destruct.

I can't wait to see how things go with the cats next week. I wonder if Malissa's "7th sense" will give her an advantage over the other groomers?

[rosie123]

In your face Will!! Here you thought that putting those 3 guys together would erupt into an entertaining war, and then they go and win both challenges! Way to go guys!! Now I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for Melissa, or wish for her to go home. I'm thinking she doesn't really have as much grooming talent as the others. On that note, Jonathan is really getting on my nerves. I knew Amber was going to get voted off. She has the most talent of all 3 of those people, so why should they keep someone they are sure will kick their butts in grooming competitions? Vote out the biggest threat; just like Survivor. However it would have been very gratifying to see Will get booted. The judges were wonderful this week.

[Emily]

I was very surprised that Jessica chose to keep Will. I mean, I like Will, but I was all prepared to say, hey, you backstabbed your CHOSEN teammates, and they're going to get back at you. To me, it was obvious that Amber thought that Jessica was thinking this. I felt really bad for Amber, and she was my favorite groomer. Now Jessica is my least favorite groomer. Jessica had no reason to kick off Amber, other than that Amber was better. And yes, I'll agree, Amber was a little bit of a control freak. However, so were all the other groomers, so it really means nothing when deciding who to kick off the team. I don't hold any grudge against Will, but now I do with Jessica. She used to be one of my favorites. I guess that Amber was my favorite just because she seemed a lot like me, and I can relate easily to her. On this note, I also feel bad for everyone else eliminated. Lisa because she didn't even have much of a chance to prove herself; Sarah because Will had a better reason to be kicked off than her; Jon because he was nice and a pretty good groomer, and I don't think that it was fair which dog he had. Who wouldn't stress out? Besides, Melissa was pretty careless just leaving powder in that dog's ears. It might've hurt the dog, depending on what the powder was. Even if she just forgot to clean it out, that's not an excuse. I forget things like that occasionally, and if I had done that, I would've been eliminated immediately.