"24-Hour Catwalk," New Fashion Reality Show, To Be Hosted By Alexa Chung (POLL)

Page Six has reported that Lifetime, current home to "Project Runway," is giving British TV personality (and our new neighbor) Alexa Chung her own fashion reality show. The title? “24-hour Catwalk.” The concept? Aspiring designers compete against each other in runway challenges.

The series, set to feature fashion industry professionals like designer Cynthia Rowley, sounds more than familiar -- it sounds like a simple copycat of "Project Runway."

And Bravo's "The Fashion Show." And the upcoming NBC series, "Fashion Star." Not to mention the souped-up "Project Runway" spinoff, "Project Runway All Stars," hosted by model Angela Lindvall.

We can imagine that Chung's new show, which was first mentioned in Women's Wear Daily in late July, will have a hard time finding an audience that isn't already attached to one of the aforementioned shows, not to mention other fashion television like "The Rachel Zoe Project."

It makes us wonder: how much is too much? Do we really need another TV competition in which wide-eyed designer wannabes create dresses made out of newspaper, cry over having to dress "real" women and throwy bitchy bon mots across the workroom in a lead-up to the inevitably "shocking conclusion"?

Quick Poll

Will you watch "24-Hour Catwalk"?

SURE. The more fashion-themed TV shows, the merrier.

NAH. I've already got "Project Runway."

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Comments

[madame fate]

09:09 AM on 08/26/2011

That dress Jessica Simpson is wearing is by Michael Kors. It makes her look very fat. Is that the style MK was going for? Because he's always ripping on the designers on Project Runaway about how you never, ever try to make a woman look fat OR matronly and yet, this dress managed to do both to Ms Simpson.

[chiodo08]

09:20 AM on 08/25/2011

I'm real close to bailing out on PR...I'm sorry but It's no longer about fashion as it is a snarky wannabe comedy minute for Kors and whatever the tart of the day is...You can predict the ramp up to his..."arr you look like mickey mouse on acid...ar ar ar ar ar..."...gay caddyness is so dated and nonconstructive....and feel free to start designing CLOTHES...what did it take this year the 3rd episode before they actually made something legit?....look if I want a arts and crafts festival I'll go to a day care....PR meet shark..JUMP!

[itzy8940]

02:46 PM on 08/24/2011

I watch PROJECT RUNWAY and THE FASHION SHOW on Bravo.

That's enough for me.

[Ms Liann]

04:55 PM on 08/24/2011

The Fashion Show was cancelled long time ago. Are you watching static snow on the screen and hallucinating?

Waiter, I'll have whatever she's having...

[chiodo08]

09:29 AM on 08/25/2011

When did it cancel and how did you find out?...because I haven't seen anything on that...if so too bad it BLEW PR out of the water...they got actual fashion designers and to help judge and they involved an audience...the process was far more appealing to the creative process that makes Tim Gunn look like nothing more than a friendly old guy.

For my money it threw major heat on PR that has become nothing more than a cliche at this point....you can predict EVERYTHING even the open door they leave the huckster cad Kors who has become the reason why it's "cliche'"....

Especially after last seasons fiasco with their forgettable winner...they need to step it up.

[Lisica]

02:12 PM on 08/24/2011

Lately I've been enjoying reruns of "The Big Valley." It sometimes seems more real than watching the contrived drama of so-called reality shows.

[Samirah1368]

04:00 PM on 08/24/2011

OMG I love Big Valley!!!!! Barbabra Stanwyck is diva in that role. What was she like 65 in a banging riding boots and hat! She looked good and well, Audra, GORGEOUS! Heath is fine as hell but give me Nick all day but I'd marry Jarrod!!!

[Lisica]

04:26 AM on 08/25/2011

I'll take Nick when you're done with him!

[Lisica]

02:09 PM on 08/24/2011

I wonder how long the reality show genre will last.

The problem with reality shows generally is that we viewers are catching on that, in fact, they're not very real--e.g., supposedly wealthy people who are spending way beyond their means; or drama that's contrived just for the show itself. So, given a choice, why not just watch a fictional TV series assuming producers continue to make them?

That said, it seems to me that the fashion and cooking contests are less "unreal" than some of the other reality shows, but I always wonder how much of the judging is based on dramatic impact.

[andthatsnotall]

05:31 PM on 08/24/2011

I think it will be around for decades to come because it's expensive to hire writers for a show. You have to have a new idea for each episode or a storyline that has plots and subplots with lots of twists and turns and red herrings - depending on what sort of show it is. You have to write the script. Then you have to make changes to the script. More rewrites. You usually (never heard otherwise) have a group of writers not just one. This gets pricey.

Reality shows consists of finding the most annoying, overly dramatic people you can find and putting them in a big old McMansion and give them reasons to go off the wall if they don't figure out how to do it on their own. The networks make tons of money and people sit around and watch the train wrecks.

Reality tv won't be going anywhere for a long time to come, IMO. pity

[Scobes]

02:07 PM on 08/24/2011

It's like asking, "Do we need another hospital show?" Well, if they are all as different and well-done as Scrubs, House, ER, and Grey's Anatomy then sure. But that's the key - they have to be different and fresh. All of these shows sound like microwaved versions of Project Runway.

[aquarius2]

01:50 PM on 08/24/2011

"Does Fashion Need another Reality Show"

(screaming) TV doesn't need another reality show of ANY kind. What TV needs is a variety of entertainment. I am fed up with these reality shows. The only reason they are on so much is they are cheap to produce---anything for the almighty buck. No wonder regular TV is losing ground to cable and/or dish.

[Scobes]

02:11 PM on 08/24/2011

Oh, come one. It's not as if every reality show is Jersey Shore. Some (Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance) feature talented people who deserve a chance at the spotlight, are entertaining to watch, and have high-quality production. The only reason network television is losing ground to cable is their inability to take a chance on new and exciting shows. Too ratings driven.

[Ms Liann]

05:15 PM on 08/24/2011

These Fashion reality shows have NOT been on broadcast TV -- they are already on cable or dish. Bravo & Lifetime are subscription-only media.

That said, Comcast owns NBC and Bravo and CNBC and MSNBC and SyFy and more, so that they spread the programming around where the target audience is. For the FIRST TIME there will be a fashion reality show on NBC broadcast TV this winter. There hasn't been one for you to get fed up with, so you are not making much sense.

I couldn't care how cheap they are to produce. I got started o Project Runway in season five and have not missed an episode since. I watched the FASHION SHOW until they put the hapless designers into that gruesome cadaver exhibit and told them to make clothes based on dissected body parts -- I never watched again, and I hold a grudge against the hosts ever since.

When Project Runway challenged designers to make clothing out of grocery store items and out of car parts I realized that making clothing probably was not as hard as I thought t was. I bought a sewing machine, and for a long time now I have not worn any clothing that I didn't make myself.

No other TV program has ever given me that much inspiration, ever. I will watch every fashion show that TV produces until they betray me like Bravo's FASHION SHOW deathly hallows of Iman and Mizrahi. Mizrahi probably spoiled Project Runway All Stars

[aquarius2]

06:38 PM on 08/24/2011

Bully for you! Who knew reality shows could provide such inspiration!

[madame fate]

09:12 AM on 08/26/2011

Impressive! Good for you! Maybe you should try out for PR for next season. :)

[Melanie226]

01:30 PM on 08/24/2011

No! Project Runway is a great show, and other copycats that have come about have barely lasted a season.

[csjrac]

12:09 PM on 08/24/2011

Just what we need - another show to remind us how unattractive we common folk are

[Ms Liann]

05:28 PM on 08/24/2011

Project Runway is the ONE SHOW to remind you how you can improve yourself with a little fabric and some time spent on a sewing machine. Before watching PR I never got much comments about what I wore, but since being inspired to make my own clothing I get complements all the time. Nothing I ever bought hanging on a rack got me as many comments as a McCall's pattern vest made with $6 worth of Hancock's Fabrics sale fleece. Even the matching hat made from scraps left over from the vest got complements from strangers standing next to me in lines. It wasn't designer-name or famous label, it was just my eye picking out patterns and colors which worked for me.

It's not about money. It's not about famous brands. It's attitude that can make common folks unattractive, and TV can help abut that. I got a "Black Friday" sewing machine for $60 and so can you.

[csjrac]

09:01 PM on 08/24/2011

I see your point and I never looked at it from your perspective which I like. What you described an be applied to many aspects of our lives. So even tho I won't be buying a sewing machine I will apply your words of wisdom to other parts of my life. Thanks for the insight.

[ljkcan]

11:00 AM on 08/24/2011

Wrong Question should there be another reality show period. Well we do get Sarah's hairdresser's show in the fall TLC just lost a viewer over that one.

[Kitten Kramer]

10:32 AM on 08/24/2011

I'll keep Project Runway and for go all others. Only reality show I watch.

[Sherrie714]

10:31 AM on 08/24/2011

I do not see the fuss about Alexa Chung. She is very annoying.

[Zimmers]

10:27 AM on 08/24/2011

Geez, and on the same network. That is not a smart move by the network.

[Lisica]

02:43 PM on 08/24/2011

Yeah, I wondered about that, too.

[Kim0330]

10:14 AM on 08/24/2011

Another one? How many are there anyway?