Working Girl Watches: Project Runway

Are you in or are you out?

"Project Runway": I'm in!

Last night's "Lipstick Jungle" challenge: I'm out! And so is WG2.

Last winter, both ABC and NBC filled the void of the writers strike with short seasons of two Working Girl shows, "Cashmere Mafia" and "Lipstick Jungle," respectively. As two girls who love television, WG2 and I were beyond excited about these work-related dramedies.

"Cashmere Mafia" was everything I wanted it to be and more. As I said in January, "Cashmere Mafia" makes me want to take on the business world in a couture dress and 4-inch heels. Lipstick Jungle was the complete opposite. As WG2 said in February, "I don't have "Lipstick Jungle" fever."

Needless to say, we were completely dumbfounded as to why "Cashmere Mafia" was cancelled and "Lipstick Jungle" was not. I'm still hoping that ABC is playing a joke on us and bringing back Mia, Zoe, Juliet, and Caitlin. As unrealistic as their lives were, they inspired me to work hard and focus on my career. And, bottom line, it was fun! The "Lipstick Jungle" ladies made me depressed and convinced me that if I become a career woman I'll be alone for the rest of my life. Who wants to believe that? Even if it could be the reality.

However, last night's episode of "Project Runway" made me rethink my hatred of "Lipstick Jungle." How can a Working Girl hate Brooke Shields? She's definitely a Working Girl Idol.

September 24th, when "Lipstick Jungle" premieres, I'm going to give it another chance, another try. At the very least, I'm going to watch for Keith's sexy outfit:

I Don't Have 'Lipstick Jungle' Fever

I read "Lipstick Jungle" by Candace Bushnell a year ago after my dad got it for me for Christmas. It seemed like an obvious gift since I love Sex and the City and I was an aspiring Working Girl. To use a line from 10 Things I Hate About You, I was "underwhelmed" by the book. I think I made it less than halfway through the book when I discarded it for the new Jodi Picoult novel.

Last Thursday, the TV spinoff of the successful novel premiered on NBC at 10 p.m., and I was excited. I even had the premiere on my Outlook calendar at work. And to say I was disappointed is to say the very least, so I will borrow again from one of my favorite characters Bianca Stratford and say I was more "underwhelmed" by the TV show.

The premise of the show is a lot like Cashmere Mafia. The dramedy follows three high-powered female executives in Manhattan who seemingly have it all. And although this plot seems like the perfect one for a Working Girl like me to watch and hope someday, just someday, that will be me trying to juggle my personal life and career, I did not once wish I was Wendy Healy, powerful movie executive, played by Brooke Shields, who is in the process of losing her husband because she is the main breadwinner of the family, and he's the less accomplished counterpart in their marriage. One scenario I truly hope to avoid in the future.

Nor did I look up to Nico Riley, editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine Bonfire, played by Kim Raver, who seemed cold and calculating especially when she scolds Wendy for firing someone then hugging them after firing them (I'd love a nice hug after getting sack, so I'm on Wendy's side on this one). Nico denies shedding a tear at a baby shower, and I didn't think her character could get more stony until she cheats on her boring book obsessed professor husband with a twenty-something hottie and she sheds a few tears on her way back to the office to climb that ladder. Not exactly the role model I'm looking for. Sorry, Nic.

Victory Ford, up-and-coming fashion designer played by Lindsey Price, was the only character that I liked a teensy bit. Her latest line of clothing had less than thrilling reviews, which prompted the cheesiest line in Thursday night television that I've ever heard: "'Out with the old, in with the ewww' - that's just mean!". Despite her tacky lines, Victory is spunky, single, and was very adamant that her investors not bring in a new designer to help veer her clothing line in a different direction.

The show is beyond cheesy and instead of making the cheese funny like Bushnell did in Sex and the City with a character like Carrie Bradshaw, Bushnell brought us three one-dimensional characters who cry a lot (Nico and Victory both shed more than enough tears for Wendy, and even if Wendy didn't shed a tear she sure did frown a lot). What am I supposed to take away from that? It's only the first episode and these women are waterworks central! Aren't these supposed to be strong-willed women? Not only that, where is that great friends vibe that Sex and the City brought us? I don't think I even really believe that the "Lipstick Jungle" girls like one another. They might eat lunch together and meet at a penthouse for some champagne late night, but are they BFF 4eva? I can't tell.

With that said, I think I'm going to smudge this "Lipstick" off my Tivo recording schedule.

Thank You, It's Cashmere

"Cashmere Mafia" has been said to do for women and their careers what "Sex & the City" did for women and their relationships. Or so I heard.

Sex & the City made me want a man, among other things, but we're not that kind of blog.

"Cashmere Mafia" makes me want to take on the business world in a couture dress and 4-inch heels. Friends since business school, Mia, Zoe, Juliet, and Caitlin are at the top of their careers and, like our "Sex & the City" heroines, are living the fabulous life in Manhattan.

For me, professionally, the most exciting character is magazine publisher Mia, played by Lucy Liu. In the first episode she must fight for the position of publisher against her fiancee. I have to admit that during their power plays, I smiled inside when Mia said to her fiancee in a hushed and husky voice something about nailing a 6-page spread and fashion advertorial for one the companies many books. I'm new at this publishing thing, but I'm sure a 6-page spread would turn any publisher on.

As a Working Girl, I find the colleagues around investment banker Zoe the most interesting. In the pilot, Zoe walks into her office to find junior analyst, Katherine, sitting at her desk, on the phone with an important client. Essentially, Katherine is an assistant. An assistant who doesn't get research to Zoe in time for an client meeting, calls Zoe in the morning to ask for a 'mental health' day, leaves with work unfinished and without telling Zoe. Zoe describes Katherine as being a part of Generation I.D., I Deserve. Watching the pilot, I was offended by this comment. Maybe I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by hard-working and dedicated Working Girls, but certainly don't think most of us are of the "I Deserve" school.

As a recent college grad, Caitlin reminds me the good 'ole days. Okay, so she's in her 30's in the show but she's the most relatable for a 22-year-old trying to find her place in the world. She even wakes up hung-over on her office couch after a night out. Many of my Friday mornings would be much easier to deal with if I had my own office with a couch. One day.

And Juliet, well, she has the complexion of Miranda, talks like Samantha, and has the demeanor of Charlotte. I'm not quite sure what she does for a living, something with hotels.

While reviews have been mixed, "Cashmere Mafia" is the perfect Working Girl show, and what else are you going to watch now that "Grey's" and "Gossip Girl" are over? There are only four episodes left in the short season so watch them on Wednesdays at 10:00, be sure to watch the first three on abc.com, and on Thursday come back to Working Girl for my thoughts on the episode. Yes, I'm pretending to be a TV critic, just let me have my fun!