‘Top Chef’ tastes better as a rerun marathon

I always wondered what purpose television marathons serve, but now I know. They are for people like me to become desperate and curious enough to be sucked in to hour after hour of reruns, only to become hooked on a show and anxious for the next episode.

And it worked. I officially have become a victim of the rerun phenomenon. You may recall my hesitance to become hooked on Bravo’s “Top Chef” because I don’t consider myself much of a culinary master. A recent day-long marathon, however, changed all that.

I’ve always liked to cook, but have been more a steak-and-potatoes girl who sticks to basic salt and pepper. But now I’m even experimenting more in my own kitchen, trying new recipes, chopping onions with more confidence and using a splash of oil as if I know what I’m doing.

It’s not just cooking that has captured my interest. I’ve become addicted to the cast members. Many are more hateful, sneaky and deceitful than any of the “Project Runway” designers. I found myself rooting for others in the cast.

Even the Man on the Couch has become hooked and was upset when Michael, the friedfood-lovin’ T.G.I. Friday’s line cook, was asked to pack his knives and go.

For the rest of the month, our Wednesday nights will be consumed by the kitchen battle. But with Mike gone, we need to find a new favorite wannabe top chef.

Once the finale is over, I usually worry about finding something to fill the TV time slot. This time around, the question has been answered for me.

BRAVO has developed a new show based on a concept similar to those of “Project Runway” and “Top Chef.” This one deals with aspiring interior designers who are battling for a $100,000 prize, a 2007 GMC Acadia and a chance to show off their design skills with an editorial feature in “Elle Decor” and Elle’s style event of the year.

The challenges’ level of difficulty increases each week until the finale when the two finalists much design the interior of a 1,700-square-foot loft in downtown Los Angeles.

Check out the “Top Design” premiere at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, after the finale of “Top Chef.”

“Top Design” will move to its regular time slot of 10 p.m. Wednesdays on Feb. 7.