Lifetime stole Project Runway from NBC — so now, NBC has stolen back the show's producers. Magical Elves, the team behind Runway, Top Chef, and Step It Up and Dance, has just signed a deal with NBC that gives the network and its cable channels the first shot at any projects the company develops. The producers can also work on existing NBC projects.
So, if Project Runway does indeed make the move to Lifetime this Fall (a decision that's still being challenged in court), it will have a new production team. Not sure what that means? Well, consider the difference between Runway and, say, the first season of Top Design, which largely fell flat. The producers are responsible for the entire feel of the show — which is making Lifetime's claim that they'd deliver the same Runway we know and love seem a little doubtful.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of other changes on the Lifetime version of the show, including the news that the show will film part of its sixth season in LA and a new rumor that Marie Claire could replace Elle as the show's magazine partner. I'm not saying change is bad — shows can start to get a little stale after five seasons or so — but I don't think I'd want to see Runway be drastically reimagined. Color me officially worried. How about you?
Meanwhile, season five of Runway is still set to air this Summer on Bravo, so we might be all worn out by the time Lifetime finally gets its crack at the show anyway. Too much of a good thing?
Robe Di Firenze
Giorgio Armani
Catherine Malandrino
Project Runway is so great as is. I hope it continues to be as good! Since Nina Garcia is no longer with Elle, maybe this means she'll be back? And will Tim Gunn still do the show in L.A.? God I hope so!
1I was wondering if Magical Elves would still be producing the show when it makes the move.. Thanks for addressing that.
2Ow. Well, count me among the very skeptical of Project Runway on Lifetime now. This can't be good.
3I have a feeling I will still be addicted no matter what they do
4My hubby has an interview for Lifetime next week so if it does move, he might be working on the graphics for the show!
5I am very worried about the future of PR. At least we have one Bravo season left.
6I love Project Runway. And if it ain't broke....
I don't want to see it filmed in LA or without Tim Gunn and such. And Elle Magazine is much better than Marie Claire.
7Anyone who has ever seen "Your Mama Don't Dance" should be worried about PR's move to Lifetime.
Regarding the producers--PR has stated openly that they play a part in deciding eliminations, and I'm pretty sure that they have on many occasions kept bad designers around solely for the drama those designers brought to the show(Vincent and Angela from season 3 come to mind). I love the show for the creativity of the designs, and have always felt that the inter-personal drama lessened the integrity of the show, and so perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing if these producers jumped ship.
Lastly--I can't stand watching shows on Bravo b/c of the constant commercials for other Bravo reality shows. That guy's voice really gets on my nerves.
8Like TIm Gunn says...Make it work!
9it sounds to me like this is just as inking ship at this point. knowing that it's moving to another networ kwsa one thing, then moving it to another city is another, then losing Elle as the magazine...well MC is a great pub but it doesn't really fit the fashion forward feel...and now the producers? i think that they should just cut their losses.
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