TCA: Bravo upping original content for 2012

January 9, 2012 by Kelly Anderson

Bravo Media is upping its original programming by 25% this year, with new series Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis, Shahs of Sunset, Million Dollar Listing New York and Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding joining returning series Pregnant in Heels and The Millionaire Matchmaker.

Bravo, which ranked number 11 among cable entertainment networks with adults 18-49 last year, is also ramping up its 2012 slate with two new specials, The Kandi Factory and The Ring Leader, as well as a primetime talk show with comedian Kathy Griffin.

The new series season kicks off with Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis, starring Flipping Out star Lewis as he and his assistant and loyal housekeeper turn the house-flipper business into a home therapy company. Lewis will redesign homes and at the same time look to improve homeowners’ lives. It premieres on March 14 at 9 p.m. EST/PST.

Also premiering in March are Ryan Seacrest Productions’ Shahs of Sunset, a docu-series following a group of Persian-American friends living and working in Los Angeles; Intuitive Entertainment’s Love Broker, which follows New York matchmaker Lori Zaslow at work; and Million Dollar Listing New York, a follow up to Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.

In May, Around The World in 80 Plates will premiere with celebrity chefs Curtis Stone and Cat Cora set to host the ambitious series following 12 chefs competing in a culinary race across 10 countries in 44 days.

A weekly one-hour talk show, Kathy, will see Emmy winner Kathy Griffin ranting about the week’s biggest headlines and tabloid gossip, and will also feature stand-up routines, celebrity interviews and taped segments. Kathy premieres in the spring, as does Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding, starring Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Kim Zolciak. The docu-series follows Zolciak’s extravagant wedding with NFL player Kroy Biermann.

Also new for Bravo are the specials The Ring Leader, featuring wedding planner Kristin Banta and airing on February 27; and The Kandi Factory, premiering on March 4. The Kandi Factory special stars another Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burruss, as she aims to transform two music hopefuls into the next big pop star.

Returning series include Andy Cohen’s late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, which began its five nights a week run on January 8; and Tabatha Takes Over, starring Tabatha’s Salon Takeover star Tabatha Coffey, premiering on January 10.

On January 31, Inside The Actors Studio returns with an episode centered around actor George Clooney, with another episode later in the year focused on the cast and creators of Glee.

Season three of Bethenny Ever After premieres on February 20, following the life of Real Housewives of New York alum Bethenny Frankel, while Pregnant in Heels gets a second season, airing in the spring.

Also returning this year are The Millionaire Matchmaker and Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.

“Bravo’s six straight years of growth have been fueled by our unique, high quality originals,” said Frances Berwick, president of Bravo Media and Style Media. “We are committed to building on this momentum across all platforms in 2012, with more cultural touchstones that resonate with our affluent and engaged audience.”

Tags: Around the World in 80 Plates, Bravo Media, Bravo!, Don't Be Tardy for the Wedding, Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis, Kathy, Kathy Griffin, Million Dollar Listing New York, Millionaire Matchmaker, Pregnant in Heels, Shahs of Sunset

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