Project Runway Returns — With Alterations!

Say goodbye — or auf wiedersehen – to one-hour episodes of Project Runway.

When the reality show returns to Lifetime July 29th for its eighth season, each episode will be 90 minutes long, according to an AP report. That’s 30 more minutes of fashion — and drama.

“We did get always a few complaints from people that they wanted to see a little bit more, which we were obviously very excited about,” host Heidi Klum says. “So now we have half an hour more.”

The show, which spent season 6 in Los Angeles, will stick to New York City but will air an hour earlier at 9:00 pm (ET).

But one thing’s going to stay the same — it’s all about the competition. Up-and-coming designers with dreams of showing collections at New York Fashion Week will demonstrate their creative aesthetic — and haute personalities — in challenges judged by Klum and her panel of judges. The last designer standing will receive a $100,000 prize to launch a clothing line and a fashion spread in Marie Claire.

“We are not like other shows where we are styling them to look a certain way or feeding them lines,” Klum says. “It’s all real, and people like that.”

What to Watch: Summer 2009 TV Guide

Summer used to mean TV rerun hell, but that is so no longer the case. From HBO's Hung, which is a about a man with an oversized appendage, to NYC Prep, Bravo's reality answer to Gossip Girl, discover summer's new addictions and check out what's in store for your some of your favorite returning shows.

Check out our picks for this summer's best must-watch TV.

America's Got Talent (Season 4)

NBC - Tuesday, June 23rd, 9:00 pm

It might be a little difficult to top the force to reckon with that some people like to call Susan Boyle, after her groundbreaking performance on Britain's Got Talent, but rest assured be that on this whole, wide continent there is some spectacular talent still to be found. So much talent, in fact, that you can expect a two-hour premiere filled with it on June 23 as well as an additional hour on June 24. Get ready to watch dreams come true America!

NYC Prep

Bravo - Tuesday, June 23rd, 10:00 pm

If the faux-Upper East Side drama on Gossip Girl doesn't cut it for you realists out there, Bravo has heard your prayers and answered them with its' newest and possibly soon to be hit show NYC Prep. Follow the still faux drama (let's face it) of a real deal batch of spoiled prep school kids who are ready to show those Cali kids on the Hills that New York can do it better.

Hung

HBO - Sunday, June 28th, 10:00 pm

In the business of writing, blogging, or whatever it's called these days, sensational headlines are just a part of the package. But in this case, what you read is actually what you get.

HBO's latest dramady, follows the adventures and of a simple man, who is decidedly er, 'well hung,' and is determined to make it work to his advantage. Coming to term with his physiological gift is only the first step. "I've got a big dick, now what do I do with it?" We will certainly find out.

Check out the Hung promo below:


Great American Road Trip

NBC - Tuesday, July 7th, 8:00 pm

Roadtrips are great. Families can be great. However roadtrips combined with families sounds like trouble. On this adrenaline filled adventure, seven families square off to compete in a cross-country mission, tackling obstacle course after challenge, after obstacle course -- and we can only imagine that they all wrestle with some serious family demons along the way.

Entourage

HBO - Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 pm

It's rare to come across a show where every character has so much to offer, and that's what makes every season of this Hollywood drama worth watching. The antics of Ari, Lloyd and all the rest of the crew are simply a necessary part of the summer schedule. This season's guest appearances include Zac Efron, Lebron James and Tom Brady.

Hell's Kitchen (Season 6)

Fox - Tuesday, July 21st, 8:00 pm

It's questionable whether or not America really needs another season of Gordon Ramsay crushing the confidence and dreams of a batch of eager chefs, but after his recent publicity for letting his tongue slip a little too far, we'll watch just to see if he turns over a new leaf and decides to use positive reinforcement this time around instead.

Mad Men

AMC - Sunday, August 16th, 10:00 pm

Get a crash course in 1960s American culture with AMC's smash hit, penned by Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner. Mad Men returns for its' third season this August as six time Emmy winner.

Project Runway (Season 6)

Lifetime - Thursday, August 20th, 10:00 pm

After a five season run, it's safe to say that this show contains a few elements that can never get old: Heidi Klum, designer fashion, odd contestants, and Tim Gunn. Hopefully after another season of hearing Tim tell contestants to "Make it Work," we can finally start applying that advice to our own lives.

Courtesy of: www.GayWired.com

Project Runway Returns to TV This Summer

Project Runway is returning to television this summer — and it will air on Lifetime.

According to the network, legal battles surrounding beleaguered reality show’s already-filmed sixth season have been amicably resolved. “The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome,” the networks say in a joint statement.

Changing gears, the upcoming season of Project Runway relocated from New York to Los Angeles, though it will continue to be hosted by Heidi Klum and judged by Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Tim Gunn will also mentor the designers. As usual, the finale was shot during New York Fashion Week — this year on February 20th.

But ongoing legal disputes prevented producers from revealing any information about the cast, and the three final collections were shown blindly, with their designers unidentified. International Herald Tribute editor Suzy Menkes acted as the guest judge at the show.

In addition, sources close to the show have saud that Project Runway’s season 6 will utilize “local resources” in Los Angeles — namely focusing more on Hollywood — and will feature appearances by Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker and Rebecca Romijn.

Project Runway producer Harvey Weinstein expressed his appreciation for the resolution to the legal battle. “I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner,” he said in a statement.

No additional details about the cast or specific airdates have been released.

On Tuesday, Bravo, Runway’s original home, announced details about its new design competition, The Fashion Show, and introduced the cast. That show, featuring Kelly Rowland and Isaac Mizrahi, will air May 7.

According to Lifetime, the network will also air a companion series, Models of the Runway, alongside Project Runway. “All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runway team,” network president and CEO Andrea Wong said in a statement. “We are proud to add these shows to our growing slate of original programming.”

Project Runway Finale "Depressing"Says Former Contestant

Though the sixth season of Project Runway has yet to find a network (Bravo/NBC and Lifetime are currently locked in a heated battle for the airing rights), the finale has already been filmed and the three final designers had their collections shown at New York fashion week in February.

First season contest Nick Verreos gave RadarOnline.com an exclusive peek on some of the behind the scenes action.

On the contestants:
Unlike past years, the contestants were pre-screened before going through the audition process. "[The casting process] was less wickedy wack. You won't be seeing people whose design experience consists of making their daughter's cheerleading costume."

Decoys:
In past years, there would sometimes be decoy collections shown to throw off the audience. This time, "there may have been some designer decoys in the back row in order to throw people off and all the designers took a bow."

Winner:
Though the contestants could not introduce their collections in order to keep their identities a secret, there seemed like a clear winner. "It's never good to review a collection through photos and videos [Verreos was in LA working on Oscar-related projects] but there was one that was a hands-down winner."

On the mood:
"It was somber. It was a bit depressing. But the producers were great. They promised the designers they would have their Bryant Park [the location of fashion week] moment. And they did."

Verreos is currently teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and most recently collaborated on Barbie's March dress to coincide with her 50th Anniversary.