The Best Thing I Watched in 2020: Week 4
Starting this year, I’ve been writing about my favorite thing I watch each week. To see my previous entries, click here.
I watched a lot of content this week and none of it was planned. I forgot the new Taylor Swift documentary was premiering this week, and then a friend told me about a new reality tv competition on Netflix. I didn’t have any plans over the weekend so I decided to watch both. And I highly recommend both!
Miss Americana
Taylor Swift is a name that invokes reactions of love and disgust, depending on who you ask. It’s not surprising when it comes to someone as famous as the singer-songwriter. Anyone who knows me, or follows me on social media, knows how big of a Swiftie I am. And being a Swiftie, I’ve always had to endure the same negative reactions from new friends and co-workers when I mention her - reactions I’ve now come to expect. With the starlet’s new feature-length documentary, there’s hope at least some of her detractors may change their minds, or at least be more sympathetic to her.
When the documentary, titled ‘Miss Americana’ (named after a track on her latest album ‘Lover’), was first announced, I was excited but hesitant. Anything and everything Swift does gets criticized by her haters, and the documentary could easily be seen as a marketing tool used to improve her image. Some will still view it this way now that the film’s been released, but there’s a chance those who do view the film will finish it less skeptical. That’s because, despite being known for her autobiographical lyrics, ‘Miss Americana’ offers surprising depth and depicts aspects of Swift’s life we (even the fans) haven’t really seen before.
Directed by Lana Wilson (‘After Tiller’ and ‘The Departure’), the film starts off with Swift at one of her lowest moments, getting almost complete shut out of the 61st Grammy Awards despite offering a big comeback album, and ends with her embarking on a new, more mature and bright future. In between, we see the recording of her latest album (‘Lover’), details surrounding her sexual assault trial, her reflection on an eating disorder that she hadn’t made public until recently, her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and her big decision to finally speak on politics - and against Trump. This is a lot to cover in just 85 minutes, but the film focuses on each topic, and switches from one to the next, at an expert pace.
I know my thoughts on Swift are biased since I’m such a big fan, but those close to me also know I can be critical of the star when necessary, like her lack of a political voice. I’m glad this documentary exists because it helps us understand Swift’s way of thinking and her personal experiences we easily overlook. One of my friends (who certainly wasn’t a Swiftie) recently watched the documentary and told me “Miss Americana did some things I didn’t think it would…” and said she may have converted into a fan. This might probably won’t be everyone’ reaction upon seeing the film. You don’t have to like her after watching ‘Miss Americana’, but you’ll at least come to understand her more.
You can stream ‘Miss Americana’ now on Netflix.
Next in Fashion
I love ‘Project Runway’, though I haven’t caught up with the show in years. So when someone told me Netflix has a new show similar to ‘Project Runway’, and it was out already, I knew I had to see it. The new show ‘Next in Fashion’, co-hosted by ‘Queer Eye’s’ Tan France and fashion model Alexa Chung, both of whom also serve as judges, features 18 professional fashion designers from all over the world - emphasis on “professional.” Unlike ‘Project Runway’, the designers in ‘Next in Fashion’ have designed for A-list stars, including Beyonce and Ariana Grande. All but one of the designers have their own labels. They’re all competing for $250,000 and the chance to retail their collections on Net-a-Porter, a luxury fashion retailer.
At first, I had mixed feelings about the show. The first thing I noticed was how over-produced the show looked, especially in comparison to ‘Project Runway’. I thought the cuts, transitions, and onscreen effects were too much. And then I was confused by the show’s decision to pair each of the designers up with another contestant, essentially turning the 18 competitors into 9 competing teams. The show doesn’t explain how they decided on the pairings, causing more confusion when you consider that some of the designers have been friends with their partners for years, while other pairs just met. I thought this was unfair because not only does it give an advantage to pairs who’ve known/worked with each other before, but it makes it so each designer has to rely on their partner. That means the pairs win together or lose together. And if your team is eliminated, both partners go home. I didn’t like that at all. However, after two or three episodes in, I started getting used to the show’s creative decisions.
While, yes, many of the designers who hadn’t worked with their partners before are disadvantaged, it doesn’t mean we don’t get some amazing works. Take Angelo and Charles, two designers who’ve never met but they end up having a great working relationship; Angelo is more creative than technical, whereas Charles is more technical than creative. The two are able to challenge and push one another to the best of their abilities.
With the show eliminating one pair each episode, it dwindles the group pretty quickly. It’s unfortunate because so many go home too soon and are only going home because of the disastrous chemistry with their partners. But after a few episodes, I started to like the show’s decision to features pairs because it makes it stand out from ‘Project Runway’ (and Amazon’s upcoming fashion design competition ‘Making the Cut’ from Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn). And halfway through the season, the teams are split up and start competing as individuals. This adds a great level of competition and emotional stakes, because the designers got so far in the season because of their respective partners, and now they must compete against each other. Even when they’re competing as individuals, the designers still offer help to their former partners. And when individuals designers start getting eliminated, it’s heartbreaking because we see their partners crying at the loss of their former partners.
The show also features guest judges every episode, and it’s a pretty solid group. The most memorable is Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder of Pyer Moss. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say he has a strong (yet welcomed) voice, which leads to some tension with the other judges. The episode I’m referencing is Episode 4, in which the designers had to create streetwear. What comes next is a heated discussion regarding cultural appropriation. It’s a much-needed discussion for the show, considering many of the designers and judges, like France and Chung, view fashion through a predominantly Eurocentric lens.
The thing that makes the show stand out, besides its unconventional pairing system, is something the show may not have much control over: the chemistry between the contestants, and just their overall likable personalities. The show doesn’t have drama or bad blood you may see in other reality tv competitions. Even when the show tries to force drama (like splitting the teams up to make them compete against their former partners), the superficial drama never appears. The designers still love and support one another, even if that risks losing. It’s the type of wholesome appeal Netflix has mastered in its reality tv department (including ‘Queer Eye’ and ‘The Circle’).
The international element of the show is another unique aspect. The designers are from all over the world: Pakistan, Puerto Rico, China, England, South Korea, Mexico, India, Scotland, Italy, Canada, and the United States. This allows us to see a variety of works and different styles. Combine this with the fact that they’re all professional designers, it means we almost always see amazing designs from them.
‘Next in Fashion’ has quickly become one of my favorite competition shows. I love how talented the designers are, but also how lovely they are. So many of them are beautiful human beings and I want to be friends with them (my personal favs include Angel, Angelo, Ashton, Charles, Marco, and Minju). I started getting emotional in every episode, starting with episode 4, because of how much I liked the designers and how sad I was to see them go home. If there’s a season two, I truly hope the show can retain its wholesome appeal.
You can stream ‘Next in Fashion’ now on Netflix.
Week 4 Watchlist:
1/26: The Circle (Season 1, Episode 11) - “The Last Rating”
1/26: The Circle (Season 1, Episode 12) - “Finale”
1/26: The Proud Family (Season 1, Episode 1) - “Bring It On”
1/27: The Proud Family (Season 1, Episode 3) - “Rumors”
1/28: Explained (Season 2, Episode 1) - “Cults”
1/31: Miss Americana
1/31: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 1) - “Red Carpet”
1/31: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 2) - “Prints and Patterns”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 3) - “The Suit”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 4) - “Streetwear”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 5) - “Underwear”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 6) - “Rock”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 7) - “Activewear”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 8) - “Military”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 9) - “Denim”
2/1: Next in Fashion (Season 1, Episode 10) - “The Finale”
