A few weeks ago I thought this show had hit its all-time low in terms of interesting, sensible challenges with the "create an outfit out of these leftover product-placed car parts" episode. And then, last night, it got worse. First, the producers ripped off an old challenge, Season 2's "create a look for your fellow designer" bit. And then they added a completely mind-boggling twist, by forcing the designers to style their chosen competitor/model in a randomly selected musical genre. I'm sorry...what? What the hell does that have to do with anything?

It bears mentioning that the musical-genre thing was used as a photo in Cycle 10 of "Top Model." It also bears mentioning that it made a lot more sense there, and when Tyra and Co. are making more sense than "Project Runway," it is a dark day for reality TV indeed.

The pairings went like this: Korto had to design a punk look for Suede; Suede had to design a rock look for Jerrell; Jerrell had to design a pop look for Kenley; Kenley had to design a hip-hop look for Leanne; and Leanne had to design a country frock for Korto. So fully half of those assigned styles had nothing to do with the person they were going on, since there's very little country about Korto, and Leanne is like anti-hip-hop. I mean, I love the girl, but she's that mousy brunette chick who wears plaid a lot. I imagine she listens to sensitive indie singer-songwriters. I'm not convinced she even knows what hip-hop is.

One thing is for certain: Kenley doesn't. Kenley created high-waisted mom jeans (ill-fitting high-waisted mom jeans, it should be noted), a tank top in another of her craptastic floral prints, and a tight-fitting leather jacket so fake-looking, it made the pleather Ninja Turtles jacket I got for my 9th birthday seem like biker wear.

And then - THEN! - the woman had the nerve to tell Tim that he had no idea what he was talking about, and blatantly told him she had no intention of taking any of his advice. Which was good advice. Because, hello, he is TIM F'ING GUNN. Tim called her out on her BS (how he didn't slap her across her fresh mouth, I will never know), and eventually just gave up, confident that she had enough retro 50s rope in her arsenal to hang herself with. And then she made poor Leanne trudge down the runway in that ridiculous get-up. She looked like she raided the Junior Miss department in a particularly poorly stocked Goodwill Store. From 1977.

Luckily, LL Cool J was the guest judge (he's apparently starting a fashion line now, like every other semi-famous person on the planet; can't he just concentrate on being awesome and hot?), and he called her ass out on the hoopty, decidedly un-hip-hop look. Kenley got snotty and defensive during judging, again, for the millionth time, and my friends and I were actually screaming at the screen for her to shut it. The terms "snot" and "brat" were thrown around a lot. I prefer the more direct "delusional bitch." But then, I lack tact.

In the end, Korto won for her punk look, which I guess I agree with. Still not a fan of hers, although she's been less obnoxious the past couple episodes. Jerrell joined her in the top, which is a total joke. That outfit is almost identical to the suit Paula Abdul wore at some MTV awards show right before her career imploded in the mid-90s. I remember Kurt Loder mentioning it as one of the all-time lowpoints in the network's history. And now Jerrell has been given props for creating something very close to her sartorial disaster. Does not compute. I liked Leanne's (I confess, I have a soft spot for her), which I thought avoided going too costumey. And Suede got axed for a generic-looking outfit that basically looked like everyday Jerrell.

Suede's dismissal was a long time coming, but undeserved here. Kenley continues to be totally out of line, and once again totally missed the mark. But she'll stay in it until the end, I'm sure. Her villain arc has become the only reason to watch the show this year, outside of the awesomeness of Leanne. Kenley's got Santino's bravado and Vincent's totally inappropriate sense of entitlement all wrapped into one,� and I was kind of disappointed by the lack of savaging we got this week. But next week looks promising, as everyone - everyone! - is shown bawling on the runway, and it looks like Jerrel calls her on her shit in front of the panel. About time somebody did. � � � ��