Put your hands together, Project Runway fans, because this is no April fool’s joke. At long last, our beloved show is free from the chains of ugly, drawn-out lawsuits and will air on Lifetime this summer. The Weinstein Company, NBC Universal, and Lifetime have settled. Hurrah! The news broke today, almost a year to the day after NBC Universal slapped The Weinstein Co. with a lawsuit for breach of contract, and more than a month after Runway’s sixth season finale taped at Bryant Park. Auf wiedersehen, hot tranny legal mess!
When the settlement announcement popped up in my inbox this afternoon, I was surprised. In February, it wasn’t looking like a speedy resolution was in the cards. But here we are, potentially just weeks away from listening to Heidi chirp, "Designers, are you ready for your next challenge?" This is all terrific news, of course — especially for the season 6 designers, who have gotten royally screwed by this legal standoff. And we needn’t cry for Bravo. Yes, the network lost its flagship show, but it also pocketed a chunk o’ change from The Weinstein Co. And certainly, it’s no coincidence that mere hours before announcing the Runway settlement, Bravo released a statement trumpeting their replacement series, The Fashion Show, which debuts May 7. The only question is, will the Lifetime Runway hold as important a place in our tender, obsessive hearts as it once did? Is there a chance it — horrors! — will feel passé? Me, I choose to err on the side of optimism. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go uncork some of my fiercest bubbly.
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Putting “Project Runway” on Lifetime is like selling Christian Siriano at K-Mart. It’s not going to work. That was some shady business, and I don’t think I’ll watch.
Yay! Finally we will see the return of our favorite show! No matter that it is on a different network, one that I might add is much more widely available in smaller towns as a cable channel! As for the Christian Siriano/Kmart analogy, Payless shoes will be releasing a Siriano line very soon, sorry to Amy; I guess she will just have to boycott him too! Project Runway Lives on!
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I don’t care what channel it’s on. I’m happy it will be back on the air.
I’m SEW EXCITED! Though I must say, don’t think I’m gonna watch Models of the Runway. Those girls are always kinda bland and never punctual. Two things I can’t stand!
My thoughts: http://squareeyes.blinkx.com/2009/04/sew-exciting-project-runway-returns-this-summer/
Project Runway on The Feminine Angst of the week network?
Lifetime will ruin it for sure-it was nice while it lasted, but seriously, Lifetime???
How soon before Project runway have romance, bodice ripping, and gents du jour offering heidi help with her problems?
Lifetime sucks. It’s a piece of crap network that furthers bad stereotypes of women. They have completely ruined Project Runway and should apologize to the loyal fans of the show. I say boycott Lifetime.
JL – And you’ve seen the new Project Runway to make that judgement? Lets just boycott you. Fool
I’m not sure I understand the point of boycotting the network. Am I to understand that women are painted in a demeaning way on Lifetime? Really? Hmmmm, then go ahead and boycott, nobody is forcing you to watch. As for me, I cant wait for the Runway to return. S’about time!! I love you, Nina!!
To all these people who are condemning Lifetime running Project Runway because it’s just the wrong type of channel, stop and think for a moment: it isn’t like Bravo had any popular reality series before Runway. (Inside Actor’s Studio doesn’t count–it is more of an “edutainment” style show, as good as it is.) Give Lifetime a chance. Maybe this is a step in the right direction for THEM.
I luv project runway no matter where it’s gonna be housed. i’m not a fan of lifetime, but so what? it’s not like i’m gonna be forced to watch anything else on the channel. and i agree that lifetime’s much more available than bravo — when i travel i’m more likely to catch lifetime than bravo. another little bonus for me. yay.
What a shame Project Runway is moving to Lifetime. That has to be the most boring station on TV. The only thing that could be worse is if they got that talentless romance novelist Cheyenne McCray (I proof read one her books–WOW does she SUCK!)to write for the show. I’ll watch of course–but like someone else said, thank god I won’t have to watch anything else on this channel.
As often happens, too many voices are blaming the wrong persons/parties. The producers, Weinstein Co (including Ms. Heidi) were the ones who decided to yank PR from Bravo. This after Bravo did not agree higher price being demanded by Weinstein Co. Lifetime agreed to pay the higher fees. It’s a pure money issue that was instigated by the producers. Stop blaming Lifetime, they merely paid the price. Bravo had the show almost for free. Who is going to be the loser? Only the viewers who will have to suffer even more embedded sponsorship products featured throughout the show. “Designers, this week your challenge is to turn 20 2 liter bottles of Coca-Cola into something fashionable, wearable and easy to wash in this Kenmore Dual Action Washing Machine from Sears.”
I watch really good movies on lifetime all the time. Recently I enjoyed the Nora Roberts books made into movies. I will happily watch Project Runway no matter where it is and I am happy it is on Lifetime.
this show its not gona be nearly as good as it used to be..i mean COME ON..its gonna be directed by the guy who did REAL WORLD…the camera angles and all the stuff that makes the show alluring is gonna be LOW BUDGET…thank you lifetime for screwin up one of the most addicting shows on TV…well..on the bright side..one less hour of my life is saved for better things instead of being wasted in front of a TV every week
Lifetime will have to endure an extreme makeover if they intend to woo Bravo viewers.
Bravo has established themselves as a young, hip TV property with a huge demographic. Lifetime has established itself as a domain for unappreciated, aging housewives longing for the lost romance in their lives as they sit and eat bon-bons with a box of Kleenex at their side.
Project Runway will never be as successful on Lifetime. I for one am whole heartedly lending my support to Bravo’s Fashion Show.
I loced Project Runway being a sewing addict myself. The talent on this show was very good and it intrigued me. Sorry to hear you went from Bravo but I’ll follow you as long as it is good programming
Cant wait for PR’s return… on any channel. Let’s just get it going before it’s soo 2009!
YES!!! I’m thrilled that Project Runway is in the clear and moving forward. Such a shame to have to go through such a legal mess. I am confident that Lifetime will portray Project Runway as nothing less than fabulous. Heidi, Tim, Nina, and Michael are icons with amazing style and class. The show will shine no matter what network it airs on. For me, it’s about the dynamics and framework of Project Runway, and it rocks. I’m a loyal viewer because of the show itself and everything it represents, not the commercials. WELCOME BACK, PROJECT RUNWAY!!!
BTW: The Fashion Show? Hello! A quick and dirty imitation of Project Runway; tacky. It does not hold a candle. Bravo is going to need their settlement ($$$) to clean up that show.
I’m ready for Project Runway…the new copycat Fashion Show does hold a candle to the amazing PR!
Oops excuse the typo…the Fashion Show doesn’t hold a candle to Project Runway!
Looks like we have to wait until January.
Sigh.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/08/project-runway-season-6-l_n_124751.html
I really miss Project Runway……hurry back to us…soon!!!