OK so I'm watching this show Project Runway (THANKS A LOT DJACOBS). Have you heard of this show?
It's fascinating, like all reality shows, for showing people up against the wall. People as scared animals reacting to fright and pressure, but also admiration. And unlike some shows, Runway is populated with ladies and gents of some poise and sensitivity. It's a privilege to watch them ad lib.
Notice how they mince their put-downs when they've been asked to select someone to boot off and can't face it:
“I really feel like Michael was our weakest link.”
(squinting, as if apologetic): “Michael had… not the strongest skills.”
“I did think that Michael had… the least amount of skillsets.”
Ouch; check that last one! Man, I hope someone someday says that I have some amount of skillsets that justifies the plural. I mean, these guys must be walking pretty psyched if they're accustomed to—not just a skill, nor many skills, and no, not just a whole matching skillset, but many skillsets—some unknown amount of skillsets. How bad ass is that?
Out from under the spotlights, more direct language emerges: “We all agree that he was the poorest.” But then: “I think there is potential for him to go [home].”
Gretchen the divine summarizes: “I'm pretty bummed out about… what transpired during the group challenge.”
