Project Runway Canada: A Welcome Addition to Canadian Reality TV

Since the genre developed, reality TV has been big in Canada. Shows like American Idol, The Amazing Race, and Survivor are at or near the top of the ratings most weeks. But for reasons I don’t fully understand (meaning: it must be money), few original Canadian reality TV shows have even been made.

Historically, there are some exceptions. Canadian Idol is a monster hit now entering its fifth season. Slice Channel seems to generate friendly little makeover, dating, and wedding shows with ease, and the CBC’s hockey-oriented Making The Cut is still limping along. And there was No Expectations, an under-appreciated co-production with the US.

But where are the Canadian versions of Survivor, or even a lower-budget item like Big Brother? I’ve noted with frustration how often popular American reality TV shows get picked up for production in other countries, but there’s rarely a Canadian edition.

But maybe the trend is changing. First, Canada’s Next Top Model has begun its second cycle.

And now, Slice Channel has announced that a Canadian version of another hit American reality show will be filmed this summer to be aired this October – Bravo’s Emmy-nominated Project Runway!

This new version will be officially known as Project Runway Canada, and it will essentially work the same as the parent version. Viewers of Slice will be very familiar with this format, as Project Runway already airs on this same network on a delayed basis, as does the British version known as Project Catwalk. For the uninitiated, twelve designers are given the opportunity to compete in a series of challenges that will eliminate most of them. Finalists win the opportunity to make their introduction into the fashion industry by presenting collections at what is described as “a premiere fashion event,” with the winner claiming “a feature spread showing their winning collection in the pages of the country’s foremost fashion magazine.” And yes, to help launch a designer line of their own, there is a $100,000 cash prize as well!

The best news of all is that the series will be hosted by non other than… Iman! Iman (pictured above) is one of the first supermodels, and even today still looks flawless.

The back-story is that after her appearance as a guest judge on the American version of the show last season, Iman liked what she saw and wanted to become more involved with the show. Personally based in New York with husband David Bowie and her young daughter, Iman found the Toronto location more accessible than Los Angeles, and thus the deal was struck.

The identities of those fulfilling the other key roles on the show (such as judges and advisor) have not yet been made public.

As we look forward to this new show, I expect I won't be able to write about this show myself. RealityNewsOnline is looking for new Canadian writers to help with recapping and possibly, commentary. So if you are interested, please take a look at our Write For Us page and drop us a line. We have high standards for our writers – which is why we are able to put together quality websites – but if you think you can do it, let us know!

Brian lives in Toronto where his wife is very glad he has an outlet for all his Reality TV opinions. He can be reached at uncle_bto@rogers.com.

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