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WATCH WHAT HAPPENS ON BRAVO IN 2005 AS NETWORK BUILDS ON ITS RECORD-BREAKING YEAR WITH NEW AND RETURNING ORIGINAL SERIES AND SPECIALS AND A BRAND-DEFINING NEW LOOK
NEW SERIES AND SPECIALS INCLUDE: 'PROJECT GREENLIGHT,' 'QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GIRL,' THE BRAND NEW "KATHY GRIFFIN: D LIST SPECIAL," CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S "LA NOUBA," 'THE 20TH IFP INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS,' 'SHOWDOG MOMS & DADS,' 'THE MILLION DOLLAR RECIPE,' AND 'THE SARAH JONES SHOW'
'QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY,' 'CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN,' 'INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO' AND 'BLOW OUT'
RETURN WITH NEW SEASONS
LOS ANGELES - January 13, 2005 - Bravo is intent to build on the continued ratings success in 2004 with a new slate of original and returning series and specials for the first half of 2005 including "Project Greenlight," "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," "Showdog Moms & Dads," "The 2005 IFP Independent Spirit Awards," "Kathy Griffin: D List Special," and the U.S. television premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba," among others. The announcement was made today by Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo.
The New Year brings with it a new look for Bravo, a look that complements the personality and attitude the network developed over the past two years. On January 3, the network launched a full-throttle re-branding, marketing and promotional campaign spanning on-air, off-air and online that truly embodies its programming mission. The new identity includes a new logo and tagline - "Watch What Happens" - a call to action that communicates the original, gutsy, arts-based programming-with-an-attitude viewers have come to expect from Bravo.
"2005 promises to be an exciting year on Bravo with a high-profile slate of new and returning series and specials that truly deliver on the network's mandate to bring a unique voice to arts, culture, pop culture and entertainment programming" said Zalaznick. "All of this comes complete with an all new re-branded look that will clearly convey to viewers what Bravo stands for as it continues to stand out."
Following is a summary of the winter/spring 2005 programming news and premiere dates announced today by Bravo:
NEW ORIGINAL SERIES
"Project Greenlight" - Premieres Tuesday, March 15 (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Bravo presents an all-new third season of "Project Greenlight", the acclaimed reality hit created and produced by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Chris Moore which gives amateur screenwriters and directors the chance to compete to make an original film together. Dimension Films finances production of the film with a minimum $1 million production budget, and distributes it. "Project Greenlight" shows the entire filmmaking process, from the selection of the script, through production and editing, to the film's release. For its third season, partners LivePlanet and Miramax are creating a series and a film that will revolve around a horror genre script. Horror guru Wes Craven joins the team to produce the winning film titled "Feast" with first time director John Gulager working from the winning script by screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. "Project Greenlight" is executive produced for Miramax Television by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Moore and Sean Bailey of LivePlanet along with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves.
"Showdog Moms & Dads" - Premieres Wednesday, March 30 (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM)
Following the success of last year's Showbiz Moms & Dads, Bravo shifts the camera's focus to some very showy four-legged family members. For millions of dog owners nationwide, competing in dog shows is a labor of love... love of a particular dog, love of building a better breed and love of beating the competition. "Showdog Moms & Dads" reveals the struggles, the sacrifices, the thrills of victory and the disappointment of defeat the owners and their dogs face each weekend as they compete in shows across the country. With dogged determination, owners juggle careers, family and bank accounts to see their pooch crowned top dog. The series' executive producers are World of Wonder's Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, with David Perler, and is produced in association with Bravo.
"Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" - Wednesdays at 10:00 PM (Series Premiered Wednesday, January 12)
In "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's" just-premiered sister show, "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," The Gal Pals prove the whole is greater than the sum of the parts as they work together in unison to help each straight girl achieve her goals. Less interested in the broad strokes and more about the fine-tuning, this series is unique in that the straight girls speak up, talk back, and are true participants in their transformations. Each episode centers on a life-affirming event and cast members Honey Labrador, Robbie Laughlin, Damon Pease and Danny Teeson make sure she's fully prepared-on the inside and out.
RETURNING SERIES
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" - Tuesdays at 10:00 PM (Season 3 Premiered Tuesday, January 11)
The Fab 5 - Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez -- America's favorite "make-better" team, return for their third season with Louis Vuitton in hand as they prepare to take the show on the road. The new season promises many surprises and fresh surroundings with includes two trans-Atlantic missions to London (airing January 25 and February 1) and three shows from Texas where the Fab 5, hugely outnumbered, face their toughest challenge yet -- an entire college fraternity.
"Celebrity Poker Showdown"- Premieres Tuesday, January 25 (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Bravo's hit series will return as big as it debuted with a fifth tournament featuring expert poker player Phil Gordon and host Dave Foley ("NewsRadio," "The Kids in the Hall"). As before, each episode of "Celebrity Poker Showdown" will feature five celebrities competing against each other in a game of No Limit Texas Hold'em poker for the charity of their choice. Upcoming celebrity players include: Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Curt Schilling, Bonnie Hunt, Jason Alexander, Heather Graham and Jesse Metcalfe.
"Blow Out" - Premieres June 2005
Ratings winner "Blow Out" returns to Bravo for a second season this June. The series, which drew over one million viewers last year for its first season finale, followed Hollywood hair stylist Jonathan Antin as he embarked on his lifelong dream of unveiling Jonathan Salon in Beverly Hills and establishing a presence in one of the nation's most privileged cities. Season two catches up with Jonathan, the salon and some favorite faces from last season.
"Inside the Actors Studio" - Sundays at 8:00 PM
The longest running Bravo original series hosted by James Lipton, now in its 11th season, offers the best lineup of exclusive interviews with today's most accomplished stars of film and television in the series' history. Host James Lipton will be joined this season by Keifer Sutherland on January 23 and Robert Redford in a special 2-hour episode on January 30. Recent episodes of the eight-time Emmy nominated series have featured Morgan Freeman, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Salma Hayek and Natalie Portman.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS AND SHORT-RUN SERIES
"The Million Dollar Recipe" - Premieres Monday, May 2 (8:00 PM - 9:30 PM)
"The Million Dollar Recipe" follows seven hopeful contestants from their own home kitchens all the way to America's favorite cooking contest, the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest in Hollywood. In the world of competitive cooking, the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, with its million dollar grand prize, is as big as the Oscars... in the eyes of its competitors. Documentary filmmaker Elise Perlstein's "The Million Dollar Recipe" is produced by Storyhead Productions for Bravo. The film is the first of a new feature-length documentary strand on Bravo in 2005.
"Forty Deuce" - Airdate TBD
For those in the know, there is a walk-on-the-wild-side burlesque club tucked away in Hollywood called Forty Deuce: its name and style pay homage to New York's 42nd Street. The performers are sexy, empowered women and trained professional dancers from a bygone era. The two-part, four-hour docudrama explores the lives of these women - including popular headliner Carolina - and chronicles club owner Ivan Kane's journey to open a new club in The Hotel in Las Vegas, the next great hotel from the owners of Mandalay Bay. "Forty Deuce" is produced by Zalman King (Nine 1/2 Weeks," "The Red Shoe Diaries") and David Saunders for The Zalman King Company.
PERFORMANCE SPECIALS AND EVENTS
"Kathy Griffin: D List Special" - Airdate TBD
Comedienne Kathy Griffin, self-proclaimed Hollywood 'D Lister,' returns to Bravo for a second performance special and the Hollywood elite are trembling. Griffin's "The D List" started out as a down-and-dirty standup routine performed weekly at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. The sold-out show quickly caught fire and led to the hit special on Bravo last year. Griffin will again share her latest round of surreal celebrity encounters and no one is safe from her pointed observations, barbs and wit.
The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards - Saturday, February 26 (10:00 PM - 12:00 PM)
The IFP Independent Spirit Awards celebrates its 20th awards ceremony honoring the best in independent film from the beach in Santa Monica and Bravo brings the lively, traditionally 'un-Hollywood' festivities home. This year's film and acting nominees include "Sideways," "Kinsey," "Maria Full of Grace," "Napoleon Dynamite," Liam Neeson, Jamie Foxx, Jeff Bridges, Cate Blanchett, Virginia Madsen, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba" - Premieres Saturday, April 23 (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Bravo's exclusive U.S. broadcast partnership with Cirque du Soleil continues with the premiere of the troupe's spectacular show, "La Nouba." Currently only performed in the U.S. at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida, "La Nouba" is an unforgettable journey through the universe featuring two clashing groups of characters - the Cirques and the Urbains. Acts include the Aerial Cradle, Flying Trapeze, Power Track/Trampoline and the German Wheel.
"The Sarah Jones Show" - *New Premiere Date Sunday, February 20 (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM)
In the tradition of Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, and Anna Deavere Smith, some of the stage's great female multi-character performers, Bravo is proud to introduce Sarah Jones in her self-titled television debut. "The Sarah Jones Show" is a true showcase for this hugely talented writer and chameleon-like performer who Entertainment Weekly named one of the breakout stars of 2004. The one-hour variety/performance special incorporates many of the characters featured last year in her critically praised, award-winning off-Broadway stage show "Bridge & Tunnel" which was presented and produced by Meryl Streep. The special is produced by Jumbolaya Productions with executive producers Nancy Stern Mary-jane April and Sarah Jones.
More information on Bravo and photography can be found at www.nbcmv.com/bravo.
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