Bravo has announced the channel´s most aggressive slate of original programming ever to appear in one season, kicking off with a full summer schedule of original series and specials including SPORTS KIDS MOMS & DADS, HIDDEN HOWIE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE, SITUATION: COMEDY, BEING BOBBY BROWN and BATTLE OF THE NETWORK REALITY STARS, among others. Bravo´s new series in development truly encompass all areas of popular culture and arts entertainment and invite viewers to "watch what happens" as they go behind the gates of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES watch the competition get stirred up during the search for the world´s next TOP CHEF and peek into the newsroom of one of America´s largest daily newspapers as they try to make headlines and deadlines in THE DAILY NEWS.
"This summer, we´re rolling out an incredibly exciting schedule of original series and specials that will appeal to viewers who have an interest in popular culture and arts-based entertainment," said Lauren Zalaznick, President of Bravo. "This is just a sneak peek into what we have in store for viewers as we head into next year. Bravo·s original programming slate continues to grow with an increase of 25 percent per year, and with over 30 new series and specials in development and production over the next 18 months, this is our biggest development slate ever."
Beginning in June, Bravo´s most popular shows return with extraordinary episodes including a QUEER EYE makeover of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, and the return of BLOW OUT.
Following is a summary of programming and other 2005-06 season news announced by Bravo:
BRAVO NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS/DEVELOPMENT SLATE
BATTLE OF THE NETWORK REALITY STARS
Wednesday, August 10 at 9:00 p.m.
See stars like Omarosa and Richard Hatch in the dunk tank, try to navigate a kayak race and run a relay race! And watch as the final two network teams battle it out in the famed "tug of war"! In a homage to the great 70´s battle of the biggest stars in network television, Bravo takes some of today´s biggest stars - the leading men and women of reality TV - and pits them against each other in a 6-episode tournament taking place at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Simply put, we are updating the format of the much-loved 70´s series complete with sweat suit and Speedo-clad reality stars that will be divided into teams based on the networks on which their shows aired. The winning team will get cash and prizes.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES
First Quarter 2006
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES is a wildly entertaining, larger-than-life look within one of the most affluent gated communities in America. All aspects of the "richer than thou" OC life that prevails among the families of the community will be exposed. We´ll follow a mix of families and personalities within this extraordinary, picture perfect contained "set" a bevy of multi-million dollar homes, private clubs, and VIP luxury. From CEOs who make millions and their wives and children who spend it, our program will reflect the oversized California dream.
TOP CHEF
First Quarter 2006
Bravo launches the search for the world´s next top chef. Each week a group of talented chefs, professionally trained and self-taught, will be given a culinary challenge and well known judges will eliminate one contestant each week until a winner is named. The ten-episode, one-hour series capitalizes on the network´s knack for finding and fostering top creative talent, while still delivering on the personalities and conflict that make for deliciously fun entertainment.
THE DAILY NEWS
Second Quarter 2006
A documentary series set inside the New York Daily News, THE DAILY NEWS is like visiting a tornado. Everyday is a deadline - 365 days a year! Each episode of THE DAILY NEWS follows 4 - 5 characters, the journalists of the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, as they track and pursue New York City´s most exciting stories. Against the backdrop of a vicious war with the NEW YORK POST and the unrelenting deadlines that are a part of their world, we´ll get to know each character as they battle for stories in areas of crime, disaster and celebrities.
SPORTS KIDS MOMS & DADS
Wednesday, June 1 at 10:00 p.m.
Bravo took viewers backstage for SHOWBIZ MOMS & DADS and then into the dog show arena for SHOWDOG MOMS & and now we´re headed to the rinks, fields, courts, and sidelines of America´s aspiring athletes in SPORTS KIDS MOM & DAD. In this eight-part series, SPORTS KIDS MOM & DAD follows families´ daily struggles and conflicts as their child athletes struggle to excel in the highly stressful, competitive, "win at all costs" world of sports. The series examines the highs and lows of competition and parental "coaching" and uncovers that Moms and Dads are often more distraught by defeat than their resilient offspring. Despite injuries and setbacks, these young athletes exhibit fierce determination and discipline matched only by the undying passion for their respective sports.
BEING BOBBY BROWN
Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 p.m.
This much-anticipated, eight episode unscripted series explores the exclusive world of the Grammy-winning performer, Bobby Brown. It´s his prerogative and his take on his life, family, music, and motivations. The series, shot documentary-style, also allows fans and critics alike to see the real Bobby Brown - as a family man and husband, apart from the headline scandals and allegations that have plagued, and at times overshadowed, the successful musician´s career. The series also features Brown´s wife, pop superstar Whitney Houston and the rest of his immediate and extended family and offers an opportunity for viewers to see the lives of these icons from the inside. The series will also demystify Brown´s relationships with Houston; their daughter, Bobbi Kristina; his children from previous relationships, La Princia and Bobby Jr., and his brother Tommy, Bobby´s personal manager.
SITUATION: COMEDY
Tuesday, August 2 at 8:00 p.m. & weekly at 9:00 p.m.
For writers, producers, and television executives, it´s a nerve-racking time where ideas are passionately pitched, made, and the next big hits must be found. Yet outside the industry, the painstaking process that goes into making a FRIENDS is relatively unknown - until now. SITUATION COMEDY, a ten episode series, will bring viewers into the world of television production as the search for the hottest undiscovered writing talent begins. To compete, each candidate must submit a script for a pilot/presentation reel. The pool will be narrowed to five semi-finalists who will be flown to Los Angeles to pitch their ideas to established sitcom producers. From there, two will be chosen to each create pilots based on the script, and both will be followed through casting, set design, rewrites, rehearsals, taping and post-production. As an added bonus, the completed pilots will be screened during the final episode and the viewers will make the executive decision on which, if either, merits attention from a network for a series order or "re-piloting".
HIDDEN HOWIE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE
Thursday, August 18 at 11:00 p.m.
Bravo is pioneering a new genre, as HIDDEN HOWIE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE is the first series juxtaposing "hidden-camera" reality with scripted comedy. It has been described as CANDID CAMERA meets CURB YOUR ENTHUSIAM. The six episodes of this unique hybrid half-hour are based on the actual life of comedian Howie Mandel. HIDDEN HOWIE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE takes a look inside the comic mind as we see Howie in his "daily life" and how his interactions inspire and inform the process of creating his hidden camera segments for THE TONIGHT SHOW. HIDDEN HOWIE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE has a terrific cast of characters including Julie Warner as Howie´s wife, Estelle Harris as Nana and special guest stars Jay Leno, Marlee Matlin, Jillian Barberie, John Mendoza and many more.
BRAVO ORIGINALS - RETURNING SERIES
BLOW OUT
Tuesday, June 7 at 9:00 p.m.
It´s more tears, more drama, and more celebrity hair when Jonathan Antin returns for a second installment of the successful Bravo series BLOW OUT. Season one chronicled the renowned hairstylist as he laid his reputation on the line to pursue his dream of establishing Jonathan Salon in Beverly Hills. Now with two thriving salons under his belt, season two chronicles Antin as he goes global with the worldwide launch of Jonathan Product -- and the pressure is back on tenfold. As his name is his product -- anything less than the best is unacceptable and tensions build as Antin´s product team races to meet deadlines and still meet the talented stylist´s towering expectations.
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY
Tuesday, June 7 at 10:00 p.m.
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY´s summer season is big in scope and emotion and kicks off June 7th with the premiere of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox episode featuring players Kevin Millar, Johnny Damon, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli. Also this summer the Fab 5 take on 2 year-old quintuplets, help a veterinarian plan an ambush wedding for his veterinarian fiance and help the tent master of the Big Apple Circus live the traveling life in style.
PROJECT RUNWAY
TBD
Supermodel Heidi Klum will return as host of the series, which gives aspiring designers a chance to break into the notoriously difficult-to-crack fashion world. PROJECT RUNWAY will once again follow 12 up-and-coming designers as they compete weekly on design challenges in front of a panel of top designers, fashion editors, photographers and stylists that will be spearheaded by Heidi Klum. Contestants will be cut on a weekly basis until only a few remain to face-off with debut collections on the runway at New York´s Fashion Week in February 2006.
