• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, April 15, 2008

At its upfront, more details emerged Monday about how good-looking Lifetime's new deal to acquire "Project Runway" is for the Weinstein Co. Lifetime has agreed to air a slate of Weinstein-owned films, as well as two additional reality series it will produce.

One is a direct "Runway" spinoff. Called "Models of the Runway," it will air adjacent to the flagship when both make their expected Lifetime debuts in November. The show focuses on the models who don the competing designers' creations.

Then in 2009, the Weinstein-produced "Project Pygmalion" series will come to the female-targeted network. It's framed as a sort of a Milan, Minn.-to-Milan Fashion Week makeover show in the vein of "My Fair Lady." Harvey Weinstein described the transformation as creating "the next It Girl."

In addition to committing to the two reality series, Lifetime's deal to snag Weinstein's "Runway" from Bravo also includes airing several Weinstein films, such as "The Great Debaters" and "Transamerica."

Bravo parent NBC Universal has filed suit against the Weinstein Co. to prevent a sixth season of "Runway" from moving to Lifetime -- claiming it did not have the opportunity to outbid Lifetime's offer. NBCU reportedly balked at agreeing to a package deal with the Weinstein Co. that included carrying films as part of obtaining the rights to continue with "Runway."

A source on the Weinstein Co. side said the suit is not expected to delay the series launch on Lifetime in the fall. Harvey Weinstein himself said he is prohibited from commenting.

Lifetime CEO Andrea Wong said, "Our intention is it's going to air in November." Lifetime is not a party to the suit.

Weinstein appeared Monday at Lifetime's upfront presentation, where much of the event turned into a celebration of the network's "Runway" acquisition. Announced last week, Weinstein touted the move as an opportunity for the show to reach "double the audience" and labeled it a "perfect fit for us, and a great fit going forward."

He said the deal had roots in a relationship he had with Wong when both worked under the Disney umbrella, Wong at ABC and Weinstein at Miramax.

As for the half-hour "Models of the Runway" series ("Runway" is an hour), it will feature models speaking in-depth about their take on the couture designed for them. Lifetime CEO Andrea Wong described it as a show where the models' stories are told.

Regarding "Project Pygmalion," Weinstein said "hopefully it will be as iconic as 'Project Runway.'"

Wong said that in addition to the two new reality series, she hopes to persuade Weinstein to produce some of Lifetime's signature original movies.

Weinstein spent some time riffing tongue-in-cheek on how the "Runway" shift would affect a longtime friendship with NBCU head Jeff Zucker. Over time, he said, "I think we will be friends again."