Though it's pretty clear that Project Runway is headed to Lifetime for the show's sixth season, NBC Universal isn't taking Harvey Weinstein's bull sitting down, which explains why Jeff Zucker was in a New York court yesterday trying to convince a judge that they lost the show on Bravo because of the Hollywood mogul's shadowy ways. The Weinstein Company wants NBC's breach of contract suit — which claims Weinstein didn't give NBC right of the first refusal option that was promised — dismissed, while 30 Rock wants an injunction to keep the series from going to Lifetime until the trial is over with. Us? We just want this trial to continue forever and ever! Also, photographers in the courtroom.

Zucker testified that Runway was "one of the most central programs to the entire company," as it helped raise the profile and popularity of Bravo to new heights.

He also testified that Weinstein never offered NBC the chance to match the agreement with Lifetime, struck in February and which packaged Runway with a batch of Weinstein theatrical films and two other series, including a Runway spin-off focused on fashion models.

Zucker insisted that had NBC been given the chance, it would have matched the offer.

Harvey Weinstein vigorously disputed Zucker's testimony however, declaring at one point, that, "I'd rather cut off my arm than give them a right of first refusal." He summed up the Jan. 15 meeting as a "divorce proceeding."

So how'd we even end up here?

Much of NBC's case rests on what [NBC Entertainment and NBCU Television Studio Marc] Graboff testified was "custom and practice" in the entertainment industry of doing business based on terms that are sealed with handshakes and not signed agreements. He said the original deal to air Runway was never signed.

[Adweek]