‘The City’ premiere: Whitney waves goodbye to average

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Isn’t it awesome to have the women of MTV’s “The City” back? I have to say the premiere episode didn’t disappoint.

In this episode, we pick up where the finale left off. Whitney Port has the opportunity to show at fashion week – an opportunity that can make or break her design career. Erin Kaplan had enough of Olivia and delivered Joe Zee an ultimatum: It’s Olivia or her!

The demotion of Olivia
Let’s start with the demotion of Olivia, shall we? OK, so maybe it wasn’t so much a demotion as an administrative move. Joe Zee realized that maybe being an editor (as Olivia liked to call herself over and over) wasn’t the right gig for her. Pretty girl, good style? Let’s have her do a video blog! Genius, Joe. I thought Joe was aiming at reducing the interaction between Olivia and Erin, but it’s clear that they’ll still need to work together on these shoots. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love Erin’s eye rolls and dramatic exhales. They totally make a scene for me, and she’s never better than when Olivia is in the room or the conversation is Olivia-centered. When she joined that meeting with Joe and Elle Editor in Chief Robbie Myers, her mouth said she’d try to get along with Olivia, but her facial expressions told another story. The same thing happened when she met with Olivia for tea and talk. Olivia’s poker face would make Lady Gaga proud. On the other hand, I thought Erin was going to spontaneously combust from the immense hatred she feels for Olivia. Like I said, genius, Joe.

By the way, I approve of Olivia’s new darker hair color. Very pretty. I think that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever written about her! I will try not to do it again.

The evolution of Whitney
What about Whitney’s first runway show? She had a lot to accomplish in, what, a week? She had 17 looks going into the week before New York Fashion Week, and Kelly Cutrone told her she should have about 24, I believe. It was fun to watch Whitney throw her show together in such a short time. It seemed that everyone had a part in making the show a success -- from Roxy with her obsession with the music, her seamstress with the all-nighters and Kelly, of course, with the straight talk and guidance. I still love that Kelly delivers a jab at Roxy as an aside whenever she can.

Of course, the best part was when Whitney sought Kelly out at the end. If you’ve followed this relationship ever since “The Hills,” then you know how much it has evolved. Once upon a time, Whitney was afraid to speak in Kelly’s presence. Now she actively searches out her advice. My favorite line from Kelly was when she told Whitney that average people like being average, because no one bothers them. If one wants to be great, one has to risk being criticized. Just a little nugget for all the people who are afraid to go after what they want, because of what others might say. Who cares about the haters? Loved it.

Kelly’s relationship with Whitney was the backbone of this episode, and I dare you not to feel some emotion as Kelly teared up with pride in the episode’s touching final scene.
Are you excited to see what’s in store for Whitney after her fashion show? And do you think Erin and Olivia can maintain their truce?

-- Jethro Nededog (follow me on Twitter @TheRealJethro)

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Upper photo: Whitney Port faces her audience at New York Fashion Week on ‘The City.’ Credit: MTV

Lower photo: Whitney Port’s success brings Kelly Cutrone to tears. Credit: MTV