I am actually glad someone started this post because I'm kinda falling out of love with the Style Channel and I need to talk about it!!]
I really hope someone like a Program director for the network will hear about this thread because they are clearly going through some changes -- which are in the WRONG direction.
First of all, the actual Fashion related shows are airing in the wrong dayparts.
Behind the Velvet Ropes -- used to air during the afternoon...I dunno I think its on in the morning now. Whats the logic in that? Lauren Ezersky used to annoy the heck out of me, but now she doesnt bother me so much because I like the format of that little show. They go into designers ateliers, offices, workspaces, and just chat. You get a good feel for the designers personality. I will say this -- Lauren is a horrible interviewer. Her questions are cursory, she interrupts the interviewee constantly with vapid comments about how the garment or piece will fit her personally. Annoying. SHE needs a producer. The best part of that show is getting to see some out-of-the-way designers, and getting to hear all of the designers talking in an unedited way rather than the soundbites. This show needs a better time-slot.
Fashiontrance -- I love it, but I just cant torture myself into staying up until 2am to watch anymore, and my vcr doesnt want to record our digital cable service for some reason. They NEED to move this earlier in the evening. Its a wonderful format to view the fashion shows.
Video Fashion, Fashion File, and the shows mentioned by the earlier posters are all great -- particularly Big Boutique...a breath of FRESH AIR. So good to see the smaller independent designers featured on this show.
NOW for the Junk Style Network needs to DUMP:
A Second Look -- Pull this show. I'm sorry for the folks featured on this show that they've had to over come hard times but the show is a total downer and not at all what I expect to find when I sit down to watch a style/fashion oriented network. The subject matter they are featuring on this show does not merit a series...the story of the down and out person transformed into a confident member of society can be told in just one segment. The Style channel programming executives dont seem to KNOW THEIR AUDIENCE.
Guess Whose Coming to Decorate, Your Invited, Area -- What's with all the Re-do/Make-over-on-a-deadline-and-penny-counting??? Why do we have so many of this theme? It really seems like the StyleNetwork got some consultants research in telling them that their chief competition is TLC and HGTV, so they went hog wild paying for these dumb make-over shows. I am so OVER IT!! Bring back the old Area, and get rid of the other absurd duds.
Clean House -- the host of this show is thoroughly annoying. Can you say Fake-Ghetto-Fabulous?? Dump her and "make-over" the show with better designers, and a Feng Shui Expert.
The Look for Less -- cheap junk. I could keep my look under $100 too if I bought the ugly cheap stuff theyre showing...I mean how many of us really want our entire out fit to come from BJ's Warehouse? Please tell CHip and Pepper they can leave now...useless...
Modern Girls Guide to Life -- obvious tips shared as new information, and if I see them interview that hosts husband one more time Im just gonna quit watching.
With all of the changes StyleNetwork is making, I'm getting the feeling they are trying to make the network feel less "New York" and more L.A. They like to refer to Lauren Ezerskys show as a "quirky new york show". GUESS WHAT New York is a major Fashion center...embrace that.
The one make-over show I like is "What Not to Wear" -- and its not even on the stylenetwork -- its on TLC!
One more thing -- StyleNetwork re-runs their shows WAY WAY TOO OFTEN...how many times can I watch the same Style Star episode -- its maddening!
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest!!