Okay, confession time…after last night’s return of the long-awaited Project Runway ‘lost season 6′ on Lifetime, I’m ready to do the ‘Meaty Cheesy Happy Dance‘ *(see end of article).

I even missed my normal Thursday night date with USA’networks ‘Royal Pains‘ to satisfy my long-delayed Project Runway craving.

Was it worth it?

Yup.

I admit it, in the recent Project Runway TV void, I tried to like Bravo’s ‘The Fashion Show’ - a weak attempted to recapture the success (and audience) of Project Runway. But, even an episode of ‘The Fashion Show’ that was dedicated to shoe-themed challenges could not get me past my loathing for the overly-catty confessional-style emphasis of this show.  It was “Project Runway meets The Surreal Life” ……**Shudders**

I just could not enjoy the orchestrated drama and juvenile name-calling, let alone bring myself to actually care about the contestants or judges enough to come back and watch it week after week.   Plus, no amount of cheesy catch phrases like “You’re hanging by a thread”, and “Sorry, but we’re just not buying it” could replace the warmly mentoring personality of Tim Gunn or the occasionally harsh but generally informative critiques of Heidi Klum and Michael Kors. The whole dynamic was a no-go for me.

I want talent. I want creativity. I want to see the contestants’ creative processes and maybe get some idea of who these people are both as artists and designers.

Let’s hope last night’s premiere was the start of a whole new Project Runway love-fest: A whole new crop of designers. A new city (Los Angeles). New sponsors (Macy’s Accessories wall, anybody?)…and a gang’s all here reunion of Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn and Michael Kors.

Too much good stuff:

• A past-contestant reunion competition - the “All-Star Challenge” - featuring eight former runway alums competing for another shot at seed money.
• The season 6 premier episode - a red-carpet challenge!
• A behind the scenes aftershow ‘Models of the Runway’. (Not really my thing, but I’ll reserve judgement for now.

This season 6 premiere episode was a ratings monster. It was seen in 3.78 million households.

Wow.

Did you miss it?

No worries, Lifetime is replaying episodes tonight.

For your daily listings, check the schedule here.

Now, back to the happy dance:

* Just substitute ‘When I say Tim, you say Gunn’  for ‘When I say Meat, you say Cheese’ in the lyrics…..Woo Hoo. It’s dancin’ time:

Okay, so I am that excited.