Wickedly Perfect Finale, Part 2: Let's Party

In the beginning, there were 12 perfectionists. Now, there are just two. Mitch says that his talent is God-given and he’s ready. Kimberly says that she’s done a good job and America is ready for her. Over the past nine weeks, the 12 perfectionists competed in both team and individual challenges. Throughout this little retrospective, we’re reminded that Mitch and Kimberly have never really liked each other. In fact, Mitch voted Kimberly off, but Kimberly returned. They’re now in the final two.

The game is still in New York. Mitch says that he’s pictured this for 20 years. Kimberly had a great opportunity to come back, and she’s happy to be here. Joan announces that the final challenge will be a coming out party in a loft. The food will be catered by Tentation, which my spell-checker isn’t happy about. At the party, Kimberly and Mitch will unveil and introduce their own magazine covers. The party is all about their images and they’ll be judged on every aspect of the presentation, as well as how they oversee the execution. They have two days and $20,000.

Mitch wants to win, partially because he’ll be able to beat Kimberly. At least he’s honest. Kimberly says that this is about relating. Mitch is a jerk, but he’s good at arranging flowers. That’s supposed to be an insult, by the way.

The next day, Mitch and Kimberly meet with party planners. Eileen, Kimberly’s planner, mentions that Kimberly wants to spend less money on food and more on the environment. Mitch isn’t intimidated by Kimberly. His planner is Kathleen. He’s already picked his colors - tomato red, tangerine, and fuchsia. Oh, honey, no. Mitch says that he has a sixth sense for this. He spends $6,300.

Kimberly wants something rustic and elegant, but not too much. She wants to be different from Mitch, so she doesn’t want anything Asian or minimalist. She wants burnt oranges and chocolate browns. She spends $8,600.

Mitch does his photo shoot for his magazine cover. Kathleen tells him that he’s right on budget. Mitch looks at his photos, piecing some together to get the perfect one. His magazine will be called Directions for Living. His initials, MAP, will appear in the corner.

At Kimberly’s shoot, she says that she’s said before that she would have a magazine one day. Hers is called Lifestyle. She gets a photo touched up.

Back at the loft, Kimberly shows her designer Keiko around. Mitch explains that Kimberly won a coin toss and got to choose which side of the loft she wanted. She chose the side that looks out onto the water, but Mitch points out that it’ll be dark, so it doesn’t matter. He prefers his view, since you can see the Empire State Building from his side. Kimberly says that everyone has underestimated her and she thinks Mitch will be surprised by what she does. She has an advantage and has some things up her sleeve.

Day 29, 7 a.m. Kimberly and Mitch go to the flower district. Kimberly is depending on Keiko for this part of the task. Mitch’s designer is Linnea, but Mitch is so experienced with flower arranging that he knows what he’s doing. Kimberly believes that Mitch can’t make up for everything with flowers.

Mitch heads out to pick out his food. He thinks that the mark of a good party is if the food is gone at the end. He asks Kathleen what people request the most and she tells him about cheese puffs that everyone loves. Mitch had originally wanted to work with the chef to create a new menu, but now he wants to stick with what works. Kimberly is a little overwhelmed by all of her choices. She decides not to go with the cheese puffs. She wants a martini with almond syrup and cinnamon sticks, while Mitch decides to go with a clear tomato martini he himself invented.

Back at the loft, Kathleen tells Mitch that he has about $1,500 left in his budget, which is good, because you never know what might happen. Both perfectionists make final preparations. Overwhelmed, Mitch cries a little and says that he’s paid his dues and today is payday. Kimberly says that she doesn’t have the same experience as Mitch, but she’s a better, more genuine person. Mitch says that this contest is about marketability, presence, and spirit, as well as the other stuff they’ve already demonstrated. He’s the better person.

The perfectionists continue doing last-minute touches. I’d like to note that Mitch is tasting some of his food. Kimberly has spent $19,800, and I think her space looks like she wanted it to. It’s elegant, but not overdone. Mitch has spent $19,700, and his space is very bold. Too bold, in fact. It’s burning my retinas. Too much fuchsia! Mitch and his servers are wearing bright red shirts that aren’t helping my retinas heal. Kimberly’s servers are in black, as is she. Mitch and Kimberly meet at the line that divides their spaces. Mitch thinks that his space is more fun and original, while Kimberly’s is boring. At least hers doesn’t blind me. They toast.

It’s party time! Mitch has little menus for his guests. He does some serving. Kimberly says that her space is cozy. The judges arrive, and a little while later, Joan welcomes everyone and introduces Mitch and Kimberly.

The judges start with Kimberly’s side. Bobby asks Kimberly if she’s ready to do this kind of work all the time. She says that it’s her ideal job. She tells guests about choosing the water side of the loft. She thinks that she has the edge with details. Candace and David discuss her decision to put nuts by the bar, deciding that it was a good idea, especially since the nuts are good. Insert your own joke about the judges being nuts themselves here. Bobby compliments the drinks, but Candace hates the food.

The judges move over to Mitch’s side. He explains the idea of MAP, his initials, and points out the arrows on the floor and trays. He explains how he made the clear tomato martinis. Bobby wonders if it isn’t a drink for summertime. The judges love Mitch’s food, and Mitch can’t believe that Kimberly didn’t serve cheese puffs, too.