Bravo To Bow Reality Series...
[Reuters
Report]
Bravo to Bow 8 Series Before Labor
Day
By Paul J. Gough
Tue Apr 26,11:24 PM ET
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - A reality series featuring singer Bobby
Brown and his wife, Whitney Houston, is one of eight new series Bravo will
launch between now and Labor Day, in its most aggressive season schedule
ever, according to the cable network.
Besides "Being Bobby Brown," the lineup
includes separate comedy/reality shows featuring comedians Howie Mandel and
Kathy Griffin; "Situation: Comedy," a Sean Hayes/Todd Milliner 10-episode
series that will follow two newcomers into the world of producing a sitcom;
"Sports Kids Moms & Dads"; and a new reality series from Bravo and IMG
titled "Battle of the Network Reality Stars," based on the 1970s-'80s
series.
Bravo has added about 25% new original programing every year since NBC
Universal purchased the network three years ago. The channel said there are
more than 30 series and specials in development or production over the next
18 months.
Summer also will see the return of two staples, "Inside the Actors Studio"
and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," with the latter premiering with a
makeover of five members of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox.
Although its ratings have been down since its heights, "Queer Eye" remained
a tentpole of the network and is being infused with new life in the new
season, Bravo president Lauren Zalaznick said.
"We have 'Queer Eye' in the plan for a long time," Zalaznick said Tuesday
during a presentation at 30 Rockefeller Center.
But at the same time, executives were quick to point out that they aren't a
one-note channel. Zalaznick said she is proud of Bravo's position as the
cable entertainment channel with the most affluent audience. She also noted
that, since the NBC purchase, the median age of Bravo's viewers has fallen
nearly nine years, to 41.
Bravo also said that it has signed a two-year deal with the Museum of the
Moving Image to telecast its awards ceremony, which takes place yearly in
New York. This year's gala, set for Dec. 4, will honor a top-name celebrity
and air sometime in first-quarter 2006. Last year's honoree was John
Travolta.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
NEWSFILE: 26 APRIL 2005
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