NBC/Universal just sent out an alert that the New York court hearing their lawsuit against The Weinstein Company has granted a preliminary injunction that disallows the Weinsteins from taking the very popular competitive reality TV program Project Runway to Lifetime Networks. Say what?? Here is the full text of the NBC statement and some explanation of what this actually means:

From NBC: “NBC Universal is pleased that the court granted our motion for a preliminary injunction against The Weinstein Company. The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that The Weinstein Company violated NBC Universal’s right of first refusal to future cycles of Project Runway. After hearing all of the evidence, the court issued an order prohibiting The Weinstein Company from taking the show or any spin-off to Lifetime.”

What it means: The Weinstein Co. and Lifetime will not be able to promote, market or exhibit “Project Runaway” until further notice after a judge granted NBC Universal’s request for an injunction against the studio. NBC Universal sued the Weinstein Co. after it reached a deal to move the hit show to Lifetime from NBC’s Bravo cable channel after the current cycle of the fashion competition ends. In its lawsuit, NBC Universal claimed that it had a right of first refusal should another network try to acquire “Runway” and its spinoffs when Bravo’s deal expired. As part of the Friday order, NBC Universal was told to put up a $20 million bond. The Weinstein Co. had asked New York State Supreme Court Judge Richard B. Lowe to set a $200 million bond, which it said was the value of its deal with Lifetime. Lifetime had also agreed to pick up several “Runway” spin-offs as part of its deal with the Weinstein Co. Weinstein is barred from promoting, marketing and exhibiting those shows as well. Lifetime had originally planned to begin airing its version of “Runway” in November, but it recently decided to push that back to January. The show is a big part of the network’s attempt to give itself a more contemporary image. “Runway” and its spinoffs were a key part of Lifetime’s upfront presentation during the spring. In a statement, Lifetime said it was disappointed by the court’s decision. “It’s unfortunate that the people hurt most by this ongoing dispute are the loyal fans of “Project Runway.” In the meantime, Lifetime will pursue all measures to uphold its valid and binding agreement reached with the Weinstein Company for season six of “Project Runway.” A spokeswoman for the Weinstein Co. did not immediately have a comment … The judge also denied the Weinstein Co.’s motion to dismiss the suit. The order calls for both parties to appear Oct. 15 for a conference to schedule a hearing that would expedite the disposition of the case. “While it appears that resting ‘Project Runway’ for a period of time will not cause harm to the show, the court must ensure that is not off the air for an excessive period of time,” the judge said in his order. “Therefore, because this court finds that plaintiffs have also established a balancing of the equities in its favor, the court will enjoined Lifetime from promotion, marketing and exhibition of future cycles of ‘Project Runway.’ However, this matter will be put on a schedule such that the issues will be resolved through expedited proceedings.”

You may recall that NBC filed a lawsuit against The Weinsten Company almost as soon as it was announced that they were taking Project Runway to Lifetime. NBC contends that they were not properly given their right of first refusal (ie. NBC alleges that they weren’t allowed to decide whether to pay a higher cost to keep the show or let it go to another network, the Weinsteins just sold the show to Lifetime outright) and asked the court to halt the show’s move to the new network so that the matter could be fully resolved. Round one, it appears, goes to NBC. I am pretty sure there is more legal maneuvering to be had before this matter is finally settled but it looks like NBC is serious about keeping Project Runway on their networks. The new 6th season of PR is currently being filmed in LA … but it remains to be seen if the series will actually be allowed to make its debut on Lifetime next year.

[Source]

Filming continues on the second season of Gossip Girl here in NYC and a few pics sparked my interest. But, in order to not spoil a potential plot development that has yet to air on the show, I’m keeping all the spoilery stuff behind the cut. Here’s a tease … can you guess which Gossip Girl character appears to be facing eviction/homelessness:

Yeah, I’m not entirely sure what is going on but by the look of these pics something drastic may be coming down the pipeline on the show. After the jump, check out the uncensored version of this photo (and a few others) to find out what drama may be comin’ our way …

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Here are a few cute pics of everyone’s fave celeb couple Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson enjoying a fun afternoon of shopping together in SoCal this week … the couple were snapped shopping for various items when a fun and funky pink skull caught the ladies’ attention … oooh, pretty:

Aww … adorable. Linds looks so happy … like she doesn’t have a care in the world … like the furthest thing from her mind is that restraining order that she is slapping on her overzealous, fame-hungry and estranged father Michael Lohan:

ANOTHER day, another Lohan family drama. Lindsay , who told us several days ago that her father, Michael, “needs to be on medication,” is so scared of him, sources said, that she’s “taking out an order of protection. He’s behaving so erratically that she’s terrified he’ll do something to her. She’s contacted her lawyer to arrange this.” Lindsay’s sister, Ali, “already has an order of protection against him, as does [mom] Dina. No one is speaking with him until he gets help.” Lindsay’s rep declined to comment.

It’s so nice that Lindsay can rely on Samantha at times like these. Whether or not she is actually “scared to death” of her psycho father, it’s nice that L. Ron have one another to depend on. Also, did any of y’all watch Ugly Betty last night? Linds was featured heavily in last night’s season premiere ep … and she did a great job. Life appears to be going very well for Lindsay these days … are her happy days due solely to Sam’s influence? Mebbe. There is no denying that life has been lookin’ up for L. Lo since she and Sam started hanging out. I just love them together.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

Filming continues here in NYC on The Hills spin-off show The City anchored by Whitney Port, which means all the drama and frivolity that we love to watch filmed on the West Coast is being recreated here on the East Coast. Since Whitney is a central figure on this new spin-off, she needs to start generating more drama of her own rather than merely reacting by way of various facial expressions to the adventures enjoyed by Lauren LC Conrad and her inner circle. Which means that Whitney had to dig up an old flame for use on the show. Apparently, she and ex-boyfriend Ben Lyons have been “heating up” over the past few weeks (according to In Touch Weekly, that is) just in time for filming … here are new pics of the cozy couple (tho, a few Pink readers think this dude is not Ben Lyons but an Aussie named Jay Lyon) filming scenes for The City at an eatery called Extra Virgin here in NYC this week:

Whitney Port of The Hills is getting cozy with her old flame Ben Lyons. The fashionista, whose NYC-set spin-off started filming in August, was spotted with the At the Movies co-host at the Rose Bar in the Big Apple on September 15. “They were ordering drinks and talking very closely,” an insider says. “Ben was being affectionate and making her laugh until they left at about 1 a.m.” Whitney and Ben were first linked in 2007, but refused to confirm they were a couple. “He was a good guy for a while,” Whitney, 23, said in 2007 about Ben.

I guess he’s a good guy again … and a dead ringer for Hills favorite Justin Bobby (Audrina Patridge’s main squeeze). If MTV is planning on basically duplicating The Hills almost exactly then they are off to a very good start. I’m not sure if this plan of attack will actually generate ratings but … I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

In related Hills news, MTV just announced that Britney Spears’s new single Womanizer will have it’s television broadcast debut during this Monday night’s episode of The Hills:

Britney Spears’ triumphant appearance at the “2008 MTV Video Music Awards” and her subsequent wins for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video Of The Year for “Piece of Me” proves to her fans and critics alike that the Pop Diva is on her way back to the top. As an added bonus for her fans, Britney’s first single “Womanizer” from her upcoming album Circus, will have its exclusive Television debut on MTV during the Monday, September 29th episode of its hit series “The Hills.” Britney Spears’ sixth studio album, Circus, on Jive Records will be released on Tuesday, December 2nd, her 27th birthday. “Womanizer” was officially released to radio on Friday, September 26th.

You wanna bet Womanizer is gonna be used in someway with the Doug dating Stephanie behind LC’s back storyline?

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]

Celeb couples Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony and Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves made their way out to Milan, Italy for Fashion Week there and made an appearance en masse at the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2009 show. If I remember correctly, Matthew is the spokesperson for D&G’s The One fragrance and J. Lo is just besties with the designers. Here are a few pics of everyone lookin’ fab at the D&G fashion show this week:

Gah, even Marc Anthony looks a’ight in these pictures. J. Lo looks divine with her überbeyotch hairdo (not unlike the look that Top Design judge and Elle Decor editor Margaret Russell rocks on a weekly basis) and Matthew, well, he is in a shirt and suit … we should be happy he dressed for the occasion. These are great pics … and everyone looks so happy and friendly. Yeah, that’s all I got.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Rock the Vote spokesperson Xtina Aguilera was among the guests at the Esquire House in LA last night for their opening night gala hosted by Rock the Vote. You may recall that Xtina and her baby boy Max Liron filmed a PSA for Rock the Vote in May so she kinda had to be at last night’s event. On the red carpet, she told People magazine that she is feeling “sexier than ever” these days and I might have to agree. I gots ta say, I like what I see … gone (hopefully forever) is the garish red lipstick, replaced with a much sexier pink shade. Sure she is totally stealing Lady GaGa’s look but … I like it:

“I feel great,” singer-songwriter, 27, told PEOPLE at Thursday’s Esquire House opening night gala with Rock the Vote, in Beverly Hills. “Sexier than ever.” Her secret: Wisdom. “I think it is sexier to be more knowledgeable about life, growing from your experiences, growing into a woman or person – if you do learn from your lessons, that is.” Aguilera said being a mom to 8-month-old Max is “first and foremost” in her life. But she still makes time for herself. “It is really important to me that I don’t lose myself. I still do things that make me feel good. I let my son experience who I am – as an artist, as a musician, things that I love and am passionate about.” She added, “That can encourage him to be passionate about things he might enjoy in the culture. It’s always good to give those lessons.” This fall marks Aguilera’s 10th year in the music industry. A greatest hits CD, Keeps Gettin’ Better – A Decade of Hits, is due out Nov. 11 (and will be sold exclusively at Target). “A decade later, I am happier and wiser,” Aguilera said with a smile. “I’ve had a blast … It keeps getting better.”

Lord, I can really do without the pre-canned slogans to promote her Greatest Hits compilation but … I do like her new song and I do like her new look. As I said, it’s totally the look that Lady GaGa is trying to make happen but if Xtina wants to run with it, I’m OK with that. I wonder if she’s heard Britney Spears’s new track Womanizer yet. I wonder what she thinks of it.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]

Yesterday was a nice quiet day for me here in NYC. David and I spent the day working and then we met up with his aunts Judy and Susan and his sister Eden for a lovely belated birthday dinner for him at Fredrick’s Downtown. I just love that place … they have the most amazing crispy artichoke dish. I’m not even kidding, I can eat that stuff for days. They have some great meals but even better small plate dishes … we had a very nice time.

Afterwards, we just came back home to watch the season premiere of Survivor: Gabon (with all that hottieness) and lamented how idiotic some of this season’s contestants are. It’s gonna be a fun season to watch.

That is pretty much all we did. I was very happy that we kept things totally chill … after all the adventure we’ve enjoyed over the past couple of weeks, I’m ready for a whole lotta doing nothing. Tonight I’m off to see Xanadu on Broadway for one last time … the show is ending its run early this weekend and I just have to see Cheyenne Jackson’s thighs that amazing show one last time.