Cynopsis
03. 11 .10
UPFRONT 2010: BRAVO
At its upfront event in NYC (which by the way was beautifully staged and incredibly executed), Bravo announced it will expand its schedule to a fifth night of original programming, increasing its original production slate by 20% this year with all projects shot in HD format.
Bravo also unveiled plans for several unscripted series in development:
• Around the World In 80 Plates (wt) - Cooking competition series where aspiring chefs will travel the world to test their culinary skills in some of the best and most demanding restaurants. Series developed by Magical Elves (Top Chef) with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz as executive producers.
• Commander In Chief (wt) - Weekly one-hour series tests established chefs with various culinary challenges in front of a live studio audience. Chefs will battle until two are left in a final showdown. Series developed by Stone & Co. Entertainment with Scott Stone as executive producer.
• Hitmakers (wt) - Elimination competition series showcasing undiscovered singers and songwriters as they battle through a series of songwriting challenges and each episode's winning song will be performed by a popular guest artist. True Entertainment is developing the series for Bravo with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Tim Bogart and Evan Bogart as executive producers.
• Mia Michaels - Docu-series will follow the choreographer of So You Think You Can Dance in the world of professional dance.
Bravo also has a couple of scripted projects in development:
• I'm Not Myself These Days - Based on the novel by the same name, this 60m scripted musical drama is about Josh, a straight, married New York power broker by day who leads a double life as a drag queen at night. Darren Star Productions is developing for Bravo with Darren Star as executive producer; Sri Rao and Emily Branden are writing the script.
• Room Service - One-hour comedy/drama set in a posh hotel that offers up the services of attractive male escorts. Writers Damian Harris and Gary Marks are developing this project for Bravo.
Bravo additionally is picking up the following series:
• Miami Social Club (wt) - Docu-series follows Miami's social upper-crust. MC Filmworks is producing with Michael McNamara and Sheri Maroufkhani as executive producers.
• Million Dollar Decorators - Series looks at the jobs and personal lives of LA's top interior decorators. Goodbye Pictures produces with Rich Bye, Brittany Lovett and Talia Lesak as executive producers.
• Pregnant in Heels - Reality series follows Rosie Pope, owner/designer of Rosie Pope Maternity, a high-end maternity brand for rich and discerning customers. Shout Media produces with Michael Rourke and Gerette Allegra as executive producers.
• Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Bravo's popular franchise expands to Beverly Hills in this one-hour docu-series featuring the rich and privileged. Evolution Media is producing with Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Kathleen French and Dave Rupel as executive producers and Alex Baskin as co-executive producer.
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A&E Network goes into the upfronts ranking as the fourth largest entertainment cable network with A18-49. Currently, A&E has 55% original programming in primetime using the brand "Real Life. Drama."
A&E serves up eight new unscripted series for the next season:
* I'm Heavy (wt) - Series follows the journey of individuals who have struggled with their weight as they go through a six-month weight loss program. The series is filmed at two different facilities by two different production companies. The South Carolina episodes are produced by Tijuana Entertainment while the Texas episodes are produced by Megalomedia Inc. Ten one-hour episodes launch in 2011.
* The Peacemaker - Series focuses on Malik Spellman, a violence prevention counselor by day in South Central, Los Angeles while at night he works to bring peace to the area. Ice-T serves as executive producer with OOG Productions producing. Five half-hour episodes premieres 4Q 2010.
* The Untitled David Hasselhoff Project - Actor David Hasselhoff will open up his real-life as a single dad to two teenage daughters in this reality series. FremantleMedia North America is producing with ten half-hour episodes scheduled to debut in 4Q 2010.
* The Squad: Prison Police - Series follows a team of trained special agents who respond and investigate crimes within the Tennessee prison system. Produced by Wild Eyes Productions; ten half-hour episodes premiere 3Q 2010.
* Strange Days with Bob Saget - Bob Saget hits the road utilizing his unique comedic observations about the people, cultures and traditions he encounters. Tijuana Entertainment and Brillstein Entertainment Partners are producing with six one-hour episodes slated to premiere in 2010.
* Growing Up Twisted (wt) - Series centers on Dee Snider, front man of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. His wife Suzette and their four kids are also involved in the series. Produced by Evolution Media; seven half-hour episodes will debut 3Q 2010.
* Teach: Tony Danza (wt) - Multi-talented Tony Danza harks back to his original dream job, that of being a teacher. The actor and former talk show host takes on the job as a first-year English teacher for sophomore students at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. The series is produced by Leslie Greif's Boutique TV; seven one-hour episodes will premiere in 2010.
* Intervention In Depth: One Man Rehab (wt) - A dramatic series of specials examines what happens after the intervention. GRB Productions produces; five one-hour episodes will open in 3Q 2010.
A&E has one scripted series:
* The Glades - Police procedural drama set in Florida starring Matt Passmore, Kiele Sanchez and Carlos Gomez. Passmore leads as Jim Longworth, a handsome and smart Chicago homicide detective who is wrongfully accused of committing adultery with his captain's wife. He is forced to relocate and lands in the small, nowhere town of Palm Glade, near the Florida Everglades. Fox Television Studios is producing 13 one-hour episodes launching this July.
A&E has several scripted projects in development:
* Coma - Miniseries based on a modern-day adaptation of the novel by Robin Cook and the film by Michael Crichton. Coma is being developed by executive producers Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free Productions.
* Criminology - Crime procedural about a brilliant psychology professor, Sarah O'Rourke who is enlisted by a local detective, John Acer to help on an unsolved case. This project is being developed by executive producers Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free Productions. W. Blake Herron is writing the script.
* Big Mike - About a detective who is plus-sized and a force of nature in the San Diego PD. The project is being developed by Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Doug Robinson for Happy Madison Productions. Ed Decter and John Strauss will executive produce and pen the script.
* American Crime - Plot is about two FBI agents, one female and one male who are partners and sent to unusual locales of the country to work with local police to solve crimes. ABC Studios is developing the project; executive produced by Mark Gordon and Deb Spera. Diana Son and Tanya Wexler are also executive producing and writing.
* Hazel Rhodes - Hazel Rhodes is a brash-talking and quick-minded homicide detective working in Nashville. ABC Studios is developing the project and it is executive produced and written by Daniel Cerone.
A&E is returning several unscripted series:
* Intervention - Season nine with 18 60m episodes premieres June 28 at 9p. From GRB Productions.
* Obsessed - Season two with ten 60m episodes premieres June 28 at 10p. From Tijuana Entertainment.
* Hoarders - Season three with 20 60m episodes premieres 4Q 2010. From Screaming Flea Productions.
* Billy The Exterminator - Season three with 16 30m episodes premieres 4Q 2010. From September Films, a division of DCD Media.
* The First 48 - Season 11 with 20 60m episodes open 3Q 2010. From Granada America.
* Criss Angel Mindfreak - Season six with six 60m episodes will open 3Q 2010. From Angel Productions Worldwide Incorporated and Baram Productions.
* Dog the Bounty Hunter - Season seven with 26 30m episodes will launch 4Q 2010. From Hybrid Films.
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels - Season six will premiere 4Q 2010. From The Greif Company and the Gene Simmons Company.
* Parking Wars - Season four with 13 30m episodes will open 4Q 2010. From Hybrid Films.
* Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force - Season three with 15 60m episodes premiere in 1Q 2011. From Stars & Stripes Media, Inc.
* Paranormal State - Season five with 20 30m episodes will premiere 4Q 2010. From Go Go Luckey and Four Seasons Productions/Picture Shack Entertainment.
* Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal - Season three with seven 60m episodes will open 4Q 2010. From Picture Shack Entertainment.
