Media Log #2: Project Runway's Madison and Vine

    I've been a of Project Runway since practically the beginning and seen just about every season.  Over the last few years, I've begun to notice an excessive use of advertising on both the original Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars.  Just about everything is advertised on this show, from what hotel the contestants are living at to the Bonnie and Clyde miniseries, which is advertised in the first video above above.  Not only do the producers clearly state what they are advertising, by either making a person on the show say the company's name or by showing a video of the product, but there are also quick glances at other products and companies, such as QVC, Mary Kay, Brother, Alterna Haircare, and Mood.  But, since the season 6, the product the Project Runway has advertised the most is Marie Claire, due to the fact the one of the judges, Nina Garcia, works at Marie Claire.  Every season, there is a challenge where the designers get to create an editorial look that will be featured in an issue of Marie Claire if they win the challenge.  Also, the winner of the season usually gets a fashion spread in the magazine.  
    Not only that, but it seems like every year, Hedi Klum has something new to advertise, from a sports line to a baby clothing line as Babies R Us.  She always has the designers create a look for the collection and winner's look will be featured in the collection, similar to the perks of the Marie Claire challenges.  This is a win win situation for Hedi Klum.  Not only does she get free advertising, but she also gets a free, new look for her collection.  In that way, she is smart, but it's become a bit ridiculous after seeing it happen so many times.  

      Most of the challenges on this show are actually "inspired" by products, such as Duck brand duct tape and various cars.  These challenges usually make me laugh since they don't even try to hide the fact that something is being advertised.  They just bluntly state and try to give out as many details as they can about the product in the time allotted.  My favorite of these challenges came from season 12.  It was a Yoplait Yogurt inspired challenge which makes me laugh just thinking about it.  The designers were sent to Coney Island where they were supposed to give out free sample of Yoplait frozen yogurt and get words from the samplers describing how the yogurt tasted, which would be used as inspiration for their outfits.  The way the people responded almost sounded fake, at least to me, like it was scripted.  It totally reminded me of the other Yoplait commercials regally shown on TV.  I felt like I was watching a commercial while the show was still going on.  I mean whose goes into on of these advertising booths without knowing that they are being filmed, especially if they can see the cameras.  Of course they are going to say good things about the product.   

     This example of Madison and Vine has really gotten out of hand.  I couldn't take the show seriously for a while because the was so much advertising.  It was just continuous ad after ad after ad with not even an attempt to stop it.  What still puzzles me is why the producers would take such a big risk of just clearly stating that they were advertising something and not try to conceal it even a little. Don't they know that this way of Madison and Vine doesn't work and may even discourage viewers to buy the products since it make the show more boring?  Honestly, I'm not even sure why I'm still watching this show.  Maybe, it's because I like seeing the clothes they make.  But I do have to admit that lately Project Runway has gotten a little bit better at hiding their ads, and they don't advertise as many products as they use to.     

additional videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikiRO1HqfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIv6f-haNo8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvBT35udmBI