Wow, this is huge news. I heard it yesterday, but didn't have all my ducks in line and the facts straight, but it has been confirmed that Magical Elves, the company that physically produces Project Runway (Weinstein Co. owns it) will not be producing the series when it goes to Lifetime. Magical Elves are responsible for Top Chef, Step It Up And Dance, Top Design, Last Comic Standing, and many more have just signed a first look exclusive deal with NBC Universal to produce broadcast, cable and digital shows. So, who's going to produce Runway when it goes to Lifetime, and can they do as good as a job??? Could it be Ken Mok, who produces Top Model, or the guys that produce Flav??? Either way, I think the show is in troubs.
The one positive note about Runway is that Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are still attached to the show, but no word as of the rest. It could pose a problem since the show will be split between L.A. and N.Y. so Heidi can work close to her family. Lifetime is just caving in, giving everyone everything they want, and shelling it out. Only time will tell.
Comments (3)
Just because they have a deal with NBC Universal doesn't necessarily mean they can't still produce it. "House" is owned by NBC Universal but it's broadcast on FOX, for example.
1 of 3 | Posted by Memememe | Posted on May 6, 2008 10:24 AM
I know that, but the Elves have chosen to not physically produce it anymore when it goes to Lifetime. Runway is owned by the Weinstein Co, and the Elves just physically produced it. They weren't a production company when they started Runway.
The Elves are owned by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. My friends work for them as producers.
Dan said this about their choice to not produce Runway...“When we started doing Project Runway five years ago, we weren’t really a production company. We were two producers taking work on a for-hire basis. But Project Runway became a huge part of our company and we are very much known for it. We’ve been trying to grow our business and it doesn’t make much sense to keep on with it — as much as we love Project Runway.”
And Jane said, “Even though technically we didn’t create the show, we created the `creative’ of the show. We gave the show its style and emotional level. It’s not easy to walk away from it, by any means. All big decisions are complicated and you have to make sacrifices. Our emotional side is with Project Runway but our business side has to take over so we can build the company.”
There you go Memememe! ;-)
2 of 3 | Posted by Nads | Posted on May 6, 2008 2:02 PM
Well if Magical Elves aren't going to make it anymore - maybe some Whimsical Sprites can take over. Anything but Ornery Ogres!
3 of 3 | Posted by TinkerbellAPixie | Posted on May 6, 2008 4:43 PM