Reality on Bravo

Recently, Carson Kressley, of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fame gave a little chat about one of the most important subjects in fashion: How to look good naked. I guess he feels as though there are too many ugly, naked people out there.

Ok, Ok, these pictures of his little talk actually have to do with him promoting a new show, How to Look Good Naked, which premiers tonight on the Lifetime channel at 9 PM. The Fab Five may be going their separate ways, but they aren’t dropping off the face of the earth.

(more…)

…well, her own pilot, at least.

Bravo has announced that they have ordered a pilot for a show (tentatively called “Just Jo” but some of those people involved) that features former Real Housewife Jo De La Rosa and her new life in Los Angels.

Jo De La Rosa was never actually a “housewife,” but the show did something great for her - it put her on the map. Her singing career has a jump start (a luke-warm jump start, but a jump start nonetheless) because she was shown on The Real Housewives in the recording studio last year.

So what will we see with “Just Jo” (or whatever they decide to call it)? According to Bravo, filming will begin this month, and I suspect that the pilot will air sometime this spring or summer, if it airs at all. Jo is reportedly still split from ex-finance/sugar daddy Slade Smiley, although word on the street is that he moved to Los Angeles to be closer to her. Truth? Who knows.

More word on the street? She had a falling out with best friend JJ, who was one of the major influences in moving to LA in the first place.

Will I watch Jo’s new show? Well, I’m willing to give it a try. I have to say, though - the reason that The Real Housewives of Orange County works so well is that they jump from woman to woman and follow tons of story lines. With “Just Jo”, will viewers get bored? It’s possible…

We’ll see - but all the best to Jo, her new show, and her singing career.

I turned on TLC today (It’s one of my staple channels when nothing is on - TLC, Food Network, Discovery, and Bravo of course), and the show on was Trading Spaces. I like that show, but it was already 3/4 over, so I wasn’t going to watch it.

But suddenly…SUDDENLY…

GOIL!

The sweetest, funniest designed from Bravo’s Top Design - Goil Amornvivat - seems to be the newest member of TLC’s trading spaces. Maybe he’ll be the new “Vern,” who I haven’t see on the show for ages. They have very similar clean, architectural styles. Oh man, Goil is soooo nice. You can just tell that his team is having the BEST time. On top of that, his room looks awesome.

Congrats, Goil, on your new job! I’ll have to watch trading spaces more often!

EXCITING NEWS! Bravo has just announced that they’ve begun production for an all new reality series that’s a bit of a spin on The cherished Real Housewives of Orange County. Tentatively titled “Manhattan Moms,” this version of the hit Real Housewives show will follow five upscale wives of the Big Apple, in much the same way the Real Housewives of Orange County follows five upscale ladies behind the Coto gates.

So what exactly happens when you take someone like Jo De La Rosa or Lauri Waring and put her in Manhattan? I predict bitchier drama, more uptight lifestyles, and lots and lots of fake breasts (some things never change). Stand by for more news - I’ll keep you updated!

Yesterday, I reported that Bravo has announced a September premiere for the long-awaited Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, but after doing a bit of web searching, I’ve found that they’ve recently had a lot more to announce as well. Here’s the skinny on your favorite Bravo shows:

Top Chef: Of course, the web has been abuzz with reports that Top Chef will be returning for a fourth season (yay!) Head judge Tom Colicchio will undoubtedly be back for this new season, although the judges and host have not been announced formally yet. What has been announced is that the new season will take place in Chicago.

Also, it’s been announced that for the first time ever, the season finale will be LIVE, which means we’ll get to see a live judge’s table and wait with the remaining contestants for the results. Thats exciting!!

The Real Housewives of Orange County: It’s also been officially announced that The Real Housewives of Orange County will not only be back for a third season, but that many of the same housewives will be returning. You can catch Vicki, Tammy, Jeanna, and Lauri again this season, but missing from the announcement was Jo, which makes sense, since she moved out of the OC at the end of last season. Don’t worry though, there’s someone to take her place…Tamra Barney, the newest housewife! No reports yet as to when the new season will air, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do!

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: Finally! The Fab Five is back for their final season, in 10 all-newepisodes. Rumor has it that the amazing Susan Lucci will be hosting the premier of the new season, which will include make-overs of bikers, monster truck drivers, and more! The new season starts this fall, along with Project Runway.

Inside the Actor’s Studio: Fabulous himself, James Lipton will be back again with some new episodes soon. Lipton has been the recipient of the Emmy Lifetime Achievement award, and the show has been nominated 12 times now! Four new stars will appear on the show between August and October: Michele Pfeiffer, Charlie Sheen, Billy Crystal, and (the one that excites me most) Anthony Hopkins!

As if that’s not enough, this summer and fall will see the start of FOUR new series! I’m sure that you’ve already been seeing commercials for two of them. On Welcome to the Parker, which premiers Thursday, July 26, after Hey Paula wraps up, Bravo will follow the lives of the employees of the five-star Parker Palm Springs Hotel. We’ll also see the show Flipping Out rise from the ashes of My Life on the D-List on Tuesday, July 31. This show will follow obsessive-compulsive real estate businessman Jeff Lewis, his colorful staff, and (of course) his cat Monkey.

And that’s not all. In October, Better Half will also premier. The show will be hosted by Susie Essman, who you may remember from Curb Your Enthusiasm, and will feature two teams of contestants every week. In each episode, two professionals (comedians, planners, chefs, etc) will go head to head…as teachers! They’ll have two days to teach their profession to their spouses, who will then compete. The show deviates a bit from the traditional Bravo reality formula, but combines too intriguing aspects–people learning new skills, and spouses acting as teachers.

Last but not least, Make Me a Supermodel is the latest show Bravo has announced. This is actually based off of the popular UK series and will take 14 people and have them compete for a modeling contract. It will be a bit like America’s Next Top Model, but with both male and female contestants and…get this…fans will call in to vote, American Idol Style! That’s definitely a first for Bravo, and it will be interesting to see how that works for them.

On a special note, in March, Bravo will honor their finest in an awards ceremony, which is another reason I love this network–they appreciate their hosts and judges! More on that as they approach.

Project Runway, Top Chef, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Hey Paula, Flipping Out, Inside the Actor’s Studio, Better Half, Welcome to the Parker, James Lipton, Make Me a Supermodel, My Life on the D-List, Bravo, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

Ok, as you probably know by now, I met Tim Gunn last weekend, and have declared this week Reality on Bravo’s “Tim Gunn Week!” Today, I’d like to share with you a bit about Tim’s new show, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, as he shared with us some crucial news at the meet and great!

The show sounds a bit like other make-over shows, such as TLC’s What Not to Wear. Tim Gunn, along with co-host model Veronica Webb, will act as style coaches to one lucky lady per episode. What Gunn and Webb will NOT do is make over the subject–she will make over herself. Tim teaches people first to rid themselves of bad clothes. They’ll split their closet into four categories:

-items they LOVE
-items that they love, but need to be repaired
-items to throw away
-items to give away

Of course, the “keep” pile will get some extra scrutiny! Then, its time to shop. Tim will talk about REAL clothing–how to take the skills he teaches on the show to shange your life without sacrificing your own persona and values.

Sounds like a fabulous show concept, and I can’t wait to watch!

Tim Gunn, Veronica Webb, Gunn, Bravo, Guide to Style, make over, clothing, television, reality television

Tonight, Hey Paula premiered on Bravo. I’m not sure yet how good the ratings will be…but I was entertained! Hey Paula is a prime example of what Bravo does best–shows the lives of real people. Paula Abdul has been surrounded with her share of rumors (most of all that she’s a drunk/stoner/pill popper), and this show gives Bravo and Paula the chance to show her real life. That includes her breakdowns, her goofiness, and her successes. This is a tradition Bravo has shown in a number of shows, including The Real Housewives of Orange County, Workout, and Inside the Actor’s Studio.

Best quote of the night? “The last time I had a hit record, Bill and Hillary were having sex…(whispers) that’s a long time ago.”

Paula may be crazy, but she’s a lot of fun. I think I’ll actually enjoy watching this show!

Hey Paula, Paula, Paula Abdul, Bravo, American Idol, American Idol Paula, reality television

Bravo and MadJack Entertainment are putting a new spin on the dating show: getting divorced mates to play matchmaker for each other. It’s a very new take on the whole concept of dating and relationships. We want to explore your relationship, the fundamentals of your marriage and split up, what attracted you to each other in the first place and what other people find attractive about your relationship and you!

This casting call is courtesy of Reality Wanted, a great website where you’ll find casting calls for all sorts of reality shows. Check them out today, or read about them in the upcoming May edition of the RoB newsletter.

reality television, casting calls, Bravo

Oh brother…

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GoFish Corporation (OTCBB:GOFH), the leading Internet Video Network showcasing original, Made-for-Internet (‘MFI’) programming, today announced the upcoming release of Seduce A Celeb, its newest online interactive reality show. The first season of the 14-week celebrity dating series kicks off April 26 and premieres exclusively on the GoFish Network.

Emmy Award-winning Scott Sternberg has signed on to produce the show and Andrew Firestone of ABC’s The Bachelor will host each installment. Lindsey Knickerbocker and Ashley Zarlin, two young stars on Bravo Network’s Real Housewives of Orange County, will be the series’ celebrity dates.

In a twist on traditional reality programming, Seduce A Celeb is an online dating show divided into two consecutive 7-week segments devoted to Knickerbocker and Zarlin, who will evaluate and interact with contestants through videos, and after a round of elimination, will select winners from the finalists.

Read more about this silly show here.

The Real Housewives of Orange County, reality television, Seduce a Celeb, GoFish

Bravo execs have recently announced that they will be expanding to show original programming on Thursday nights. Currently, their original programming is seen on Tuesdays (Work Out, Real Housewives) and Wednesdays (the competition shows). They’re adding a whole new groups of shows to the mix, starting this summer, and although I’m a bit skeptical about some, only time will tell. Hey, I thought Real Housewives sounded horrible, but I got hooked. Look forward to:

~Renewed seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Top Chef (premiering this summer), Project Runway (premiering this fall), Million Dollar Listing, and My Life on the D-List (premiering June 5)

~Hey Paula, a show following the life of Paula Abdul (premiering this summer)

~Miami Spice, a web-only show on TopChefOnline.com featuring season 2 contestant Elia Aboumrad

~Flipping Out, a series about a business man from Los Angeles who is making a killing in real estate

~Welcome to the Parker, a reality show similar to Work Out (from what I’ve read), but about a Palm Springs hotel instead of a gym

~First Class All the Way, a show following a luxury real estate agent’s life

~Millionaire Matchmaker, a series in which an LA women has a talent for matching rich and famous guys with their true loves

Sounds like a lot on their plate, but with the success of their current original programming, I have high hopes.

Bravo, Flipping Out, Welcome to the Parker, Millionaire Matchmaker, Hey Paula, Top Chef, project Runway, My Life on the D-List, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Million Dollar Listing, Miami Spice, reality television, reality tv

Bravo’s putting a new spin on the dating show: getting divorced mates to play matchmaker for each other.

The NBC Universal pop-culture cable network has greenlighted a pilot for Take My Ex , an hour-long reality show in which divorced folks find mates for their ex-spouses. Each episode would focus on a recently divorced pair, documenting their better days and their current strife and then tasking each with finding a better mate for the other.

The pilot, currently in development, comes from Sam Mettler, the creator/executive producer of A&E’s Intervention , a show in which addicts are confronted on their problems by their loved ones. READ MORE

COMING LATER THIS MONTH:
An exclusive interview on Reality of Bravo with Housewife Vicki Gunvalson!

Bravo, Vicki Gunvalson

Bravo’s Top Design is coming to an end (thank God), but its being replaced with what looks like an equally horrible reality show, Shear Genius. C’mon people, bring back Project Runway and Top Chef for more seasons and forget the other crap. And where is Queer Eye?!?

Whatever.

Anyway, although most of Bravo’s reality shows have had a few international players, Shear Genius is really mixing it up with 4 of the 12 contestants being from overseas (France, England, South Africa, and Australia). One of the judges is also originally from Denmark. You can head over to Pop Buzz UK for an international viewpoint on reality television and all things pop culture.

Look for more on Shear Genius in the coming weeks as Top Design comes to an end. And by end, I mean death. And by death, I mean suicide.

Shear Genius, Top Design, pop culture

Here’s the post I promised you: A rundown of the newest Bravo contestant–the players on Top Design. Now that Top Chef is over, we need something to fill up our Wednesday nights, right?

On the premiere episode, the designers were put into pairs depending on the paint chips they randomly selected, and two were sent home right away. Here’s how the teams stacked up:

Lisa and Heather
Lisa, 48, describes herself as a “modern ethic” designer, and that’s exactly the room she created on the first episode of Top Design. However, it was too themey and unoriginal, so the judges quickly booted her, along with her partner, Heather, 36. Heather left pretty pissed off, but not at Lisa (who my boyfriend named “Storm”), at herself. She knew Lisa’s design wasn’t great, but didn’t speak up when she should have.

John and Michael
Of course, the other team that has everyone talking is John, 40, and Michael, 23. From the moment they found out they were partners, you knew it was going to be drama. Michael is what happens when you mix Marcel and Ilan together. He’s a self-centered know-it-all who simply is not old enough to be in this competition. John, on the other hand, is a man’s man type of guy and stands out in the crowd, since he doesn’t fit the normal stereotype for a designer. They were almost eliminated, but got the chance to stay another week.

Goil and Elizabeth
“I’m Goil, like gargoyle…” Goil, 33, definitely prompted more than a few giggles from us with this line, espeically when my boyfriend, with was drifting off (damn those late time slots) admitted that he thought Goil had said “I’m Goil, the gargoyle!” *snicker* In any case, Goil was paired with Elizabeth, 48, and the team worked extremely well together to come up with this week’s top design. There fun was whimsical and playful, with a sandbox and giant pepper…but I wouldn’t have wanted it for MY room. Props for creativity, I guess.

Matt and Felicia
Matt, 32, and Felicia, 38, were robbed in my opinion. When I first saw their room, I thought it was boring, but at second glance I realized that they really put a lot of thought into the guidelines given and created a great space. They’re both really lovable people too. Matt may be my favorite on the show, but it’s a little early to tell right now!

Erik and Carissa
Erik, 28, and Carissa, 26, are both fairly forgettable characters, unfortunately. Their room was nice…but also forgettable. When they showed all of the rooms one after another, I said I liked theirs the best, but even though it was pretty, there was nothing that stood out to make me remember it. The same is true about them–I can’t remember a single thing either of them said/did on the show. Hopefully, they’ll grow into themselves a bit more as the season progresses.

Ryan and Andrea
Ryan, 35, describes himself as “half Henry Rollins, half David Lee Roth, with a sprinkle of Evil Knievel.” That pretty much speaks for itself, I believe. His partner was Andrea, 36, who is another of my early favorites. There room was not the best, but it certainly wasn’t the worst, and I think both player have real potential.

Ok folks, that’s all for now. Stay tuned for more Top Deisgn comments by me during the rest of the week!

Top Design, Top Chef

I’m a fan of American Idol…I usually don’t care who wins, but I totally love watching the performances and hearing what the judges has to say. Check out Reed and Ashley at the 451 AI blog here.

Well, apparently, later this year, Bravo is introducing a new show that will basically follow Paula Abdul around with a camera and talk about her past. Kinda My Life on the D-List-ish. It’ll be called Hey Paula, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

No offense, Paula baby, but this sounds like a horribly borring show. I mean, aside from appearances on AI, making movies about dolls with no noses, and some gin and tonic nights of remembering your singing career, what do you do? I mean, I have the utmost respect for Paula’s business and fashion sense, but that sounds really boring to watch…

American Idol, Paula Abdul, Hey Paula