Can a television show exist in a vacuum? (And no, I don’t mean in, like, the dusty bag of a Hoover. But that would be cool, too. Especially if David Lynch did it.) That’s what I kept asking myself this morning as I sat watching the Project Runway season 6 finale in one of those giant tents at Bryant Park. As you all undoubtedly know, the sixth cycle of the one-time hit show has been stuck in legal limbo since last spring, when producer Harvey Weinstein decided to move the show from Bravo to Lifetime. NBC Universal (which owns Bravo) then sued Weinstein. A few months later, Weinstein countersued. Then, because they didn’t want to be left out of all the fun, Lifetime sued, um, everyone. Thanks to the legal melee, season 6 has yet to air and no one has a clue as to when (or if?) it will. But since Fashion Week only happens twice a year, the series’ producers decided to go ahead and shoot the finale anyway.
Needless to say, none of the designers stepped onto the runway to introduce their collections, thank their moms, or shed tears of exhaustion/joy. Nope. Heidi Klum said a few words, acknowledging that the day was “a little bit sad for the designers,” thanked everyone for coming (no prob, Heidi! Any time!), then uttered her usual “Let’s start the show.” There were three collections, which, taken together, could easily have made one big mega-collection. Now, considering that a big part of each season is the season finale ta-da! reveal of each designer’s work, the similarities between the designs is, in fact, a veerry lucky thing for Runway producers intent on maintaining some level of secrecy. (And I’ve been told that the contestants were given no special instructions that would make their pieces come out looking like siblings.) But for me, it was kind of strange. I kept wondering why I couldn’t get a sense of the designers’ individual voices, or if I just thought that because it’s impossible to have an emotional investment in the collections without knowing who’s behind the seams. Who are these poor, anonymous souls who have toiled away for months on their dream duds? There were lots of very pretty chunky sweaters, metallics, silky tops, and skinny pants parading on by me this morning. But true Wow! moments? Sadly, in short supply.
So, you Runway fans, what are your feelings about the “lost season”? Do you miss the show? Are you worried that when (or if!) it ever comes back it will feel dated? Were producers right to move ahead with production, even with a lawsuit looming?
I hope they work things out soon, because a PR-less Bravo is not worth watching…
I am looking forward to the day when this season is shown. It may take awhile, but I am sure that things will be worked out. (Look at what happened to the movie “Watchmen”)
RATS! And I’m not referring to some until recently unheard of oversight committee in the new-and-improved Obama Administration….I mean RATS! Cough up the PR!!!!!
I really miss Project Runway! I hope they settle the lawsuits soon and get the show back on the air. Although I’m sad for the finalists that they weren’t able to take a bow at Bryant Park, given that it’s probably a dream event for each of them.
Aww, I miss this show SO HARD already! I wish NBC would just get over their shizz and let us have our show!
Racked and Gawker have both posted pics of the final 3’s collections – though they’re still anonymous. I can’t get myself to look! Too bittersweet
However, Christian Siriano’s collection for Spring 2009 looks AMAZING! I really think he’s the best thing to come out of that show. I’ve posted my fave looks here: http://squareeyes.blinkx.com/?p=361
Stunning, right?
I am sooooo irritated by the people who feel the need to hold things up indefinitely! Bravo KNEW that PR was planning to move to Lifetime and yet they wait until after Production is started to screw things up! Those poor designers!! The whole POINT of being on this show is that it gives you street cred and puts your name out there. The Bravo snakes should be ashamed of themselves!!
What’s the point of watching it? It’s not like they can recreate Fashion Week so the designers can introduce their collections. I feel mostly sorry for the designers who tolled away for days and weeks to make their outfits, just to not even have the pleasure of introducing it?! Why did they even bother? They couldn’t, I don’t know, STOP production til this was resolved? Or, I don’t know, WAIT til the next Fashion Week to give the designers the chance to show off their work THEMSELVES???!!!!
YES, YES, I miss the show! I don’t think it will be dated. Perhaps after everyone settles their petty differences, they could show Season 6 in a marathon JUST before they start Season 7! YES, YES!
Any scoop on who the guest judge is?
Kat:
His Fall 09 collection is even awesomer! Here’re my faves:
http://popkernels.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/christian-sirianos-fall-09-collection-delish-or-disgust/
I don’t watch it, but her suit in that picture is fabulous.
I used to love Project Runway… it’s one of the very few reality shows where contestants actually make something with their hands! But last season really sucked. It seems as if Project Runway has gone down the trashy reality tv road that values shock and cattiness over creativity and talent. It’s too bad.
I love PR, I hope that they can get it figured out soon. Luckily, we have our own version on right now (PR Canada) and it’s one of the rare Canadian versions of a reality show that’s actually worth watching. (Iman is an amazing host!).
But I hope that it can all be worked out soon, for the sakes of the designers as much as anyone else.
[[Can a television show exist in a vacuum? (And no, I don't mean in, like, the dusty bag of a Hoover. But that would be cool, too. Especially if David Lynch did it.)]]
It’s this kind of *brilliant* open to EW articles that remind me why I canceled my subscription. What do they have, junior high students writing and editing this magazine?
i think one of the magazines main goals is to be very relatable to every day people who’d like to keep on on not-so-everyday events. therefore the prose is casual and often breaks the “iiterary wall” snobs like you, Ted, need not subscribe.