Bravo is expanding its "Real Housewives" franchise (again), greenlighting a Beverly Hills edition of the docusoap franchise.
The cable network announced the greenlight Wednesday as part of a massive slate of development and series orders, as well as the long-expected decision to expand to a fifth night of original programming.
Bravo is also pushing forward with previously announced plans to get into scripted programming. Its two projects in active development include dramas about a drag queen and male escorts, with one produced by "Sex and the City’s" Darren Star.
And on the digital front, Bravo — like sister network Oxygen — is making a big push to use social media to engage viewers via so-called "Bravo Talk Bubble" virtual viewing parties. The network will roll out a new Twitter integration as part of the campaign,
Bravo executive VP and general manager Frances Berwick said her goal was to continue the network’s 2009 momentum "with even more original programming and new initiatives to connect and engage our viewers on every platform available.”
Among the Bravo announcements Wednesday:
–"The Fashion Show," "Million Dollar Listing," "Real Housewives of Altanta" and "Tabitha’s Salon Takeover" have all been picked up for new seasons.
–Scripted development includes the Star-produced "I’m Not Myself These Days," a musical drama about a straight married New York mogul who’s a draq queen by night. Sri Rao and Emily Branden are writing the pilot script.
Bravo is also developing "Room Service," an hourlong dramedy about an upscale hotel staffed by male escorts. Damian Harris and Gary Marks are developing the project.
–Unscripted development includes the food-themed "Around the World in 80 Plates" and "Commander in Chef." The former concept, from the Magical Elves, sounds like "Top Chef" meets "The Amazing Race." The latter is a self-contained format from Stone & Co. challenges chef contestants against a chef host in a series of cook-offs.
Magical Elves is also behind "Fashion Masters, a two-hour backdoor pilot in which well-known designers compete to prove their worth.
And Bravo is also getting into the music space with "Hitmakers," a competition series designed to find new songwriting talent. True Entertainment is behind the project.
Finally, "So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer Mia Michaels is working on a docusoap.
–Series pickups include:
MIAMI SOCIAL CLUB (wt)
This new docu-series follows Miami’s social elite –a glamorous circle where money, hard work, status and beauty rule. Get a fascinating fly-on-the-wall look at life on the sizzling hot Miami scene. MC Filmworks is producing this series for Bravo with Michael McNamara and Sheri Maroufkhani as executive producers.
MILLION DOLLAR DECORATORS
Explore the work and personal lives of some of LA’s hottest high-end interior decorators as they navigate a world where millions of dollars and massive egos are constantly on the line. Goodbye Pictures with executive producers Rich Bye, Brittany Lovett and Talia Lesak are helming this project for Bravo.
PREGNANT IN HEELS
Rosie Pope has managed to create a thriving business as the owner/designer of Rosie Pope Maternity, the ultra high-end maternity brand for the most sophisticated and urban mothers-to-be. Rosie – the tough talking, straight shooting coach for the most privileged expecting mothers of Manhattan — advises her clients on everything from planning baby showers and hiring staff to decorating nurseries and organizing Brazilian waxing for the labor room. Shout Media is producing this series for Bravo with Michael Rourke and Gerette Allegra as executive producers.
REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS
The hit Bravo franchise heads to the glamorous city that defines luxurious wealth and pampered privilege, a city where being seen and who you know is everything – Beverly Hills. This one-hour docu-series is being produced by Evolution Media ("The Real Housewives of Orange County") for Bravo with Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Kathleen French and Dave Rupel as executive producers, and Alex Baskin as co-executive producer.
