the decline of the BRAVO network

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 12:04am

For years I have enjoyed mostly all of the shows on the BRAVO network, including PROJECT RUNWAY, TOP CHEF, TOP DESIGN, THE RACHEL ZOE PROJECT, WORK OUT, FLIPPING OUT, MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL, INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO, KATHY GRIFFIN MY LIFE ON THE 'D' LIST, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES trilogy, etc.

However, the past couple years I have noticed a decline in the way the network is being produced. WTF? I mean, WHY would you get rid of your #1 show PROJECT RUNWAY? And where is WORK OUT? Was it not renewed?

Does anyone else feel the same way?

[scott68]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 12:20am

Well, the thing is, they didn't "get rid of" Project Runway. They offered the same or a similar per-episode rate, and the Weinsteins ran off and gave the series to Lifetime because Lifetime offered a higher rate. In fact, the reason the show isn't on now (despite the fact that the FINALE collections have even been shown already) is because Bravo's been fighting tooth and nail to get it back.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 12:23am

isn't there also a lawsuit between NBC and Lifetime going on at the moment over PR?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 12:42am

i honestly don't understand BRAVO.. i don't understand what the channel stands for... it used to be a very artsy channel... focusing on the arts and entertainment... i remembered when they showed a lot of programs focusing on the arts (lots of theater and opera) now it's become like every other channel and just creating reality show after reality show (as much as i love Top Chef i feel it belongs on Food TV)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 1:30am

I think it still stands for the arts, but it has turned into JUST reality TV pretty much. And I like the way that BRAVO produces those shows. On the NBC/CBS/ABC networks the reality shows are mostly crap. But BRAVO does a good job with them, I think. And they include a large diversity of arts: fashion, modeling, dance, culinary, interior design, hair design, etc.

[KingKong]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 2:00am

I agree that Bravo is a bit of a bastardization of what it was originally but at its core it is making an honest effort (in the confines of what it takes to be successful in modern american television) to stick with its roots. the tag line for the network is "Watch What Happens" and their shows, while of a reality nature are about the more "high society" elements of the world. High Fashion, Fine Dining, Socialites, and they're showing you the less attractive parts of that, we're watching what happens on the inside.

I know that's a bit of a stretch, but honestly, if they tried to stick completely to how things were originally they would fail. tehy would become the Fine Living Network, and honestly, do any of you watch FLN?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 3:11am

i guess i'm just tired of reality tv becoming more and more rampant on television... i understand why it exists.. but still... i'm sick of it... TV Land is no longer the channel i wish it was... i miss old television shows and can't stand the new reality shows they have on the channel... A&E i REALLY don't get anymore... at least I can see what you all are saying about Bravo.. but A&E... geez... that channel is just weird now... oh and is AMC stll called American Movie Classics? becaue they hardly play classic movies anymore

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 4:14am

I watch FLN for "Whatever, Martha".

[StockardFan]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 7:26am

What IS the deal with PR anyway? Is it going to be on Lifetime?

[danmag]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 8:06am

I loved Workout....I hope it's coming back!

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 12:52pm

Throwing my hat in the ring of Workout love. Maybe Jackie didn't want to keep doing the show?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 1:10pm

I love Whatever, Martha.

I watch FLN often, because now they're showing all the shows from Food Network, HGTV and Bravo that were bumped to make room for reality competition shows. It's no more highbrow than any of those channels used to be.

[jocl91]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 1:16pm

Speaking of Lifetime, I think that channel has gone the same way. Cutting back The Golden Girls for Wife Swap? I'm glad the girls have moved to Hallmark. I have no reason to watch Lifetime anymore.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 4:08pm

Actually, I think whoever runs BRAVO is a genius. I mean no one knew who they were before Runway and now they produce shows that are the equivalent of junk food-frothy and fun with little to no substance.

People can pick up these shows at any time or waste a Saturday or Sunday watching a marathon. Every reality show they premiere becomes a hit. They cross market like there is no tomorrow and stagger shows brilliantly so you end up watching another because they overlap. They do not follow any typical "new fall line-up" and are consistently giving their viewers new product.

I think they are quite smart and very adept at producing compulsively watchable reality based series with standout personalities.

BRAVO is my guilty pleasure.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 5:15pm

I heard they are going to do a Real Housewives of New Jersey.

WTF is up with that? I mean do they need that?

I think a D.C. one would be good with political wives.

[sally1112]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 5:52pm

I still love BRAVO, but I love them a little less lately. Personally, I hate the Housewives of (where ever) shows.

[scott68]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 6:45pm

Re: Project Runway, they're still tied up in legal battles, so it's anyone's guess when the next season will be airing, or what channel it'll be on.

As for the Real Housewives, I think New Jersey is just the logical progression. They've realized that no one watches those shows because of the fabulous lifestyles of the women on the show (I mean, four out of five of the Atlanta housewives are broke), so they're focusing on the trashy, classless behavior of people who think they're better than you are. What better place for that than NJ?

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 9:57pm

Their constant ads for shows flying by at the bottom of the screen annoys me. I don't really watch the channel anymore. I do catch Actor's Studio occasionally. I am wondering when the Rachel Zoe Project will be back on. I really liked that show. And I don't get Lifetime so I won't be able to see Project Runway if it ends up there. The station has really gone down in my opinion. There are already enough channels to sho reruns of network cop shows, I hate that they also do it.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 10:29pm

Love Bravo! that's the first channel I check when I'm surfing.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 10:30pm

I blame it on the gays. Bravo has been on the decline since they debuted Queer Eye.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 3/23/09 at 11:01pm

I prefer Lifetime airing Golden Girls episodes because Hallmark cuts out a lot of footage, moreso than the Lifetime syndicated versions.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 3/24/09 at 3:54am

btw... regarding Hallmark... did they replace all the I LOVE LUCY episodes with just more Golden Girls???

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/24/09 at 5:02am

I prefer Lifetime airing Golden Girls episodes because Hallmark cuts out a lot of footage, moreso than the Lifetime syndicated versions.

I've noticed that too. Lifetime cut little things. Hallmark is cutting entire scenes. However, WE (Women's Entertainment) is airing the episodes in their entirety 5-7pm on weekdays.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/24/09 at 10:24am

Hey, I recall when Bravo used to air performances from the great opera houses in Europe every Saturday. What do you get nowadays?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 3/24/09 at 10:01pm

yeah i mentioned the opera thing in my first post... BRAVO doesn't air it anymore... and based on the comments... i'm just going to say that BRAVO just airs high class reality tv series and shows... yet that doesn't explain why it kept airing that jessica alba movie HONEY all weekend long a couple weeks ago!