Says New York, "Even with all the cutbacks and trimming down this week, it was hard to find a sorrier spectacle than...the Project Runway show." As every sentient being knows, Project Runway 6 has been bedeviled by lawsuits between the Weinstein Company and NBC Universal and as a result, went into production without a home. Just in case it does get filmed, the show went ahead and had a traditional Fashion Week finale runway show. Except that this time, since no one has, you know, seen the show or met the contestants, it was hard to build up much excitement. The producers made the designers keep a low profile in case of leaks, so they didn't get to so much as introduce their collections: a moment that's probably a career highlight for a lot of the show's contestants. Said Christian Siriano, according to New York, "Oh, it's horrible, it's the worst thing in the world. Because this is the end and it isn't as fun and exciting. I mean, who even knows if their families are here! And that's tough, because we got to have our friends and families."

And the collections? Apparently without any personalities or drama or suspense, it just looked like a bunch of somewhat lackluster fashions in the midst of real designers' shows (although attending celebs were encouraging about aspects), and elicited what WWD describes as "muted enthusiasm from the crowd. "

New York described the collections thusly:

The parade of clothes included two rocker-type collections heavy on black and knitwear, and one collection of the kind of jewel-tone, girlie, draped-silk charmeuse dresses young starlets wear to Target store openings. The final rocker-wear designer showed shades of Alexander Wang with lots of black mixed with intricate knits; the designer also seemed on point with the season, presenting a lot of textured tight pants and leggings.

According to the New York Times, Heidi Klum announced from the runway, "We are all in a bit of a limbo, and we hope that everything is sorted out very soon." Leanne and Jay, at least, were there. And Siriano, despite his sympathy for the faceless designers, saw a silver lining, according to WWD: now mediocre designers couldn't make it through on the basis of personality (cough, Wendy Pepper.) "Every year, there's always a weed or two that manages to make it through Project Runway." Tim Gunn, back in lovable pedagogue mode, was typically encouraging, according to the Times: "We have a smashing, sensational season for you. We can't wait for you to see it." Neither can we, Tim. Neither can we.

Project Runway Show: Strong Collections, Weak Spectacle [New York]
A Down Tempo 'Project Runway' [WWD]
‘Project Runway' Battle Dampens Fashion Week [NY Times]

When we last posted, Lifetime was suing basically everyone involved, including Bravo and the Weinstein Company. Lifetime is currently fighting NBCU’s (Bravo’s parent company) attempts to keep Project Runway on Bravo. On Tuesday, a judge ruled that the matter will not be moved to federal court, partially because of the “untimely” and strategic nature Lifetime's request. A statement from Lifetime said: “We look forward to this entire matter being resolved in an expeditious manner and remain hopeful that, in the end, Lifetime will be home to Project Runway.” [TV Week]

Read the complete field guide to PR crisis here.

April: the first reports emerge that Project Runway has been sold to Lifetime. Our own Jen feared that the show's patented bitchiness would be replaced by murderous cheerleaders and copious tears. NBC Universal immediately launched their lawsuit against the Weinstein Co. in an attempt to block the move to Lifetime.

May: Rumors that Elle will no longer sponsor Proj Run are leaked. Marie Claire and some Nina Garcia-lite on their staff reportedly may take over.

June: The new PR will be shot in L.A. rather than in New York and Heidi Klum describes the show as getting a "face lift." We fear, as with real face lifts, this means the show will lose its character and charming wrinkles.

July: Season 5 of Proj premieres to almost no fanfare. Many speculate that Bravo, like a jilted ex, refused to promote the show in order to stick it to the Weinstein Co. for moving to Lifetime. Bravo is foiled, as the 5th season gets the series' best ratings ever.

September: The Weinsteins hit a roadblock: New York State Supreme Court judge Richard Lowe blocked the Weinstein Co. from moving Project Runway from Bravo to Lifetime.

October: Lifetime joins the rumble! They want the case moved from state to federal court. As we reported at the time, "This means that the air date for Season 6 will probably be pushed back. Again. Despite the fact that filming has just wrapped."

Now: According to the Times, "A federal judge in Manhattan is now in the process of deciding whether to uphold or overturn the state judge’s injunction or whether to return the case to the state level." Lifetime remains optimistic, and the Times says that "Bravo is all but certain to have lost Project Runway…But there is also a chance that Bravo will beat Project Runway to the small screen with a competing show. " Bravo has already revealed plans for a Runway-esque show called The Fashion Show, which is just like PR except viewers choose the winner rather than a panel of experts. Bunim-Murray Productions, the folks behind the Real World, are the new producers of Lifetime's PR, but I wouldn't count on seeing the fruits of their labor any time soon.

Legal Tangles of ‘Project Runway’ Keep It Frozen on the Catwalk [NYT]

Earlier: Lifetime's Latest Sobfest: The Death Of Project Runway
Is Marie Claire Taking Over Elle's Sloppy Project Runway Seconds?
Project Ruinway
Can Project Runway Be Saved?
r Where Are The Project Runway Season 5 Reviews?