Reality on Bravo

Bravo is all about the reality television, and right now, producers at this network are cheering. The WGA strike is going to affect most of the popular shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, and Fox, but, at least for now, Bravo will go on as it always goes. After all, their shows are all about real life. Unscripted. Documentary-style. It’s not like Heroes, a TV show that really will be affected.

However, if the writer’s strike goes on for more than a few weeks (which I think is unlikely, but you never know), Bravo most certainly will be affected, just like everyone else. Here’s how:

• 1. NBC owns Bravo. If they aren’t able to show new episodes of their big cash cows, they may start pulling content from Bravo to put on NBC. It’s too late to transfer The Real Housewives of Orange County or Project Runway to NBC, but they could show reruns or the PR finale on the parent network. Some of the shows usually show on Bravo that are coming up in the future (Work Out comes to mind right away) could be put on Bravo. This is just my speculation - NBC hasn’t said they’ll consider moving Bravo shows to NBC.
• 2. If the WGA strike goes on and on, eventually, the actors and directors in Hollywood will follow suite. Again, there aren’t a whole lot of actors on Bravo, but there are hosts and judges. I’m not sure if they’re a part of the union or not. (If anyone knows, let me know.) I’m assuming that all of these shows DO have directors, so that strike really will affect these shows.
• 3. These shows aren’t totally writer-less. Someone has to come up with the weekly challenges, what the hosts say, questions the cameramen ask the contestants. Eventually, this will affect everyone.

So, right now, things look bright for Bravo, but really, eventually, this will hurt everyone. I full believe that the WGA is justified in striking, but I do think that everyone should focus on true negotiation. Backing down a bit for everyone is the key to successful negotiating and if the writers are forever unwilling to move, it won’t prove a point. It will just continue to hurt everyone.

writer’s strike, WGA strike, WGA, Bravo