An Ode to Bravo TV!

Reality TV is awesome and it’s a wonderful way in my opinion to escape during a season of television reruns on the all the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, etc.)

However there is one cable network that has transformed my life and helped me to appreciate reality television for what’s its worth: fun, exciting, hilarious, and drama-filled. BRAVO-TV! These shows make people look at celebrities, housewives, chefs, fashion stylists, house flippers, real estate agents, artists, salon takeover masters, and the various other people featured in a different light. I got to give Andy Cohen, Senior Vice President for Production and Programming a lot of credit for creating these shows and bring these people into our living rooms.

One of the first shows I watched on Bravo was “Being Bobby Brown,” a show that looked at the uniquely challenging world of former superstar Bobby Brown and his than wife, Whitney Houston (who was literally in another world on this show!) However the real breakout star of this show was the couple’s than pre-teen daughter, Bobby Christina, who will have the have the best tell-all book in my opinion. Bobby Christina is this generation’s Christina Crawford, famous for her book “Mommy Dearest.”

Another classic Bravo show was “Hey Paula” that looked at the crazy and somewhat confusing life of former pop star and American Idol judge, Paula Abdul. If you thought seeing Bobby and Whitney was bad, just imagine seeing tiny Paula Abdul traveling throughout the Delaware Valley selling her wears on QVC and upset she could not make it to David Letterman during a snowstorm. Not to mention her Jeff Bridges look-a-like PR man, Jeff (what a coincidence). But what disturbed me was during different episodes Paula proclaimed herself a “gift” and a “warrior!” How DIVA is that?

However, my favorite shows on this network as got to be, The Real Housewives franchise that started with Orange County and has gone cross-country with seasons in New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and premiering in October, Beverly Hills (and yes Paris Hilton’s two aunts are part of the cast!) If you have never caught an episode of any of these shows you are missing one thing DRAMA! The producers of this franchise know that drama sells these shows and the conflicts seen between these housewives are hilarious. I will admit my breakout star of this franchise has got to Bethenny Frankel from New York City. She has helped to create a new lifestyle brand that includes the “Skinny Girl Margarita.” Her books have landed on the New York Times Bestseller List and she was given a Spin-Off show “Bethenny Getting Married?” She is my favorite housewife and I really hope she returns for Season 4 next year but who knows?

With summer coming to a close, fall programming starting up soon, if you are looking new shows that are fresh, funny, and drama filled check out Bravo TV because it makes reality TV look so good!