Last night's episode of "Project Runway" nearly caused me to kick out my TV screen - partly because I've had enough of Irina's bitch-assness, and partly because this is at least the second time the judges auf'd the wrong person.

The designers were magically transported to a place that I assumed was Cher's closet, circa 1987, where Bob Mackie, King of Sequins, met them. Nicolas, King of Feathers and Unwashed Hair, was ready to faint from being in Mackie's presence, and I was kind of hoping that he would barf on himself. But he contained his chunkage even when the big announcement was made: the challenge was to create an extravagant stage look for Christina Aguilera.

Luckily for everyone, this was a two-day challenge, and they were given a cushy $300 budget. It takes a lot of time and effort to make a beautiful woman look like an ugly drag queen, people.

Back in the workroom, everyone sorted through their wads of fabric while Irina provided more annoying commentary. She sat on her throne of superiority and decreed that "some people" (cut to Shirin) had no idea what they were doing. Then she wrinkled her nose at Carol Hannah's fabric. Seriously, can someone please tell me why the producers constantly ask for her unwanted opinion? I guess they're trying to create some sort of super-villain. I don't think they have to try too hard though - she seems to be more genuinely horrible than the infamous Jeffrey Sebelia, who later claimed to have created a character for the show.

My other most-hated, Nicolas, actually seemed to have lightened up quite a bit. It was as if meeting Mackie had transformed him. He looked like he was having fun and was finally spending more time designing than trash talking. So, who does Irina have to meet to make her stop sneering at everyone? I can't imagine who her hero would be. Cruella deVille, maybe?

Gordana's sequins kept popping off, and her design was being so uncooperative that she just had to walk away for a while. Luckily for her, she had immunity.

Tim dropped in, and although he thought Carol Hannah's dress had great potential, he wasn't too impressed with many other designs. He especially ripped apart my girl Shirin, whose dress he labeled "Guinevere meets Vampira," further adding that it looked like "student work" that didn't live up to her execution standards.

But forget what Tim thought. What did Irina think?? She is the go-to person for useless commentary, after all. Well, she thought that Shirin didn't deserve to still be there because her design aesthetic is so "bargain basement." Also, Shirin smiles a lot and is nice to people, which is something that Irina just can't tolerate.

Poor, dear Shirin was going to scrap her original design (which, in all fairness, did look more Jessica McClintock than Bob Mackie), but realizing there was not enough time, she decided to just try to make some adjustments.

Day 1 ended with Carol Hannah and Logan flirting some more. It was like a scene from some lame Melissa Joan Hart movie.

Day 2 had barely begun before Irina brought out the claws again. Using her model as a sounding board, she whined about how annoying "the little one," Carol Hannah is. Yay, I love irony! Cut to an interview of Nicolas, who hadn't said anything nasty about anyone all episode, so he was clearly overdue. But this time he aimed his barb at the right person, matter-of-factly stating, "Irina is actually a great designer. The only problem with her is that she's a bitch." And that, kids, is how Nicolas finally won me over.

I assumed that Irina was about to be out-bitched when I saw that Nina Garcia was back on the panel, but she must have been taking whatever Nicolas was on last night because she was oddly pleasant. Bob Mackie sat in for Michael Kors, who must have been exhausted from doing two shows in a row, and Christina Aguilera served as guest judge.

Somehow, Irina was safe from elimination, even though she made what was essentially a teddy. The judges also sent Gordana off to safety, but not before calling her out for her boring cream-colored gown, saying that she would have been in danger of being auf'd if she hadn't had immunity.

The judges' favorites were Althea, Carol Hannah, and Nicolas, and Carol Hannah was named the winner. Even though I liked hers and thought it was the most "Mackie" of them all, I thought that either Althea's shimmery silver gown or Nicolas's feathered white mini fit Aguilera's personality much better. I couldn't see her ever wearing Carol Hannah's black dress.

In the Bottom 3 were Christopher, Logan, and Shirin. I kind of figured Logan would squeak by because a) he's hot (do I need to keep saying this?), and b) his zebra-print dress was didn't stand out enough to be that offensive. And as I predicted, it came down to Christopher and Shirin.

I can't even really describe what Christopher made. It was like a little black dress that opened to reveal a corset and hot pants. Nina immediately blasted it as a "Lady Marmalade" video retread, and Mackie thought the corset looked horrible. Christina tried to be nice by giving Christopher a "big E for effort," but I gave it an F for fugly. As for Shirin, Heidi thought her black gown with the textured, ruffled skirt inserts looked like an upscale witch costume. Nina liked the top half, but described the bottom as a "Carmen Miranda" moment.

During deliberation, everyone seemed to be very put off by Christopher's design, with Nina calling it "tasteless." On the flip side, everyone felt a little bad for Shirin, especially Nina who gave quite a nice little speech about how unfortunate this was, since Shirin is very talented. Holy moly. First Nicolas, and then NINA, of all people, was forcing me to kind of like her? I'm so confused.

Unfortunately, no amount of Nina's championing could help my girl Shirin, who was eliminated. I was completely dumbfounded. Sure, she made a dress that was little more than an average-looking prom gown, but at least she didn't make very unoriginal hooker wear. Christopher seems like a decent guy and all, but that was a bullshit call.

I wasn't the only one who was sad to see Shirin go. There were hugs all around backstage - from everyone but Irina, of course. She just sat there, mouth breathing and rolling her eyes, wondering whom she would have to pick on next week. My money is on Carol Hannah.

Auf wiedersehen - see you next week!

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"The Pop Eye @ Starpulse" is a column written by native Pittsburgher and current New Yorker, Becky Broderick. You may contact Becky directly at beckeyeam@gmail.com, or check out her other ramblings on The Pop Eye.