Commentary

Bravo Offers Stability Amid NBCU Storms

There didn't seem to be any chaos at 30 Rock on Tuesday. As usual, tourists gathered outside the “Today” studio in the morning. People readied for the famed NBC tour that includes the “Saturday Night Live” studio. Employees used a new commissary with some sort of plant wall, where the originator must have some serious feng shui training.

Matt Lauer and Jimmy Fallon still loomed large, though. A life-size cutout of the tall “Today” host stood inside the NBC store, which tourists used as a photo prop. And, a huge window facing the street featured all kinds of Fallon paraphernalia.

Recently, the two can’t stay out of the news as reports of NBC disarray emerge. Lauer has taken heat for allegedly purging Ann Curry from “Today,” perhaps costing the show its long-time ratings lead. Fallon apparently is set to take over for Jay Leno as host of “The Tonight Show.” That seems to have prompted an upset Leno to jab NBC’s ratings troubles in monologues, which apparently has made a top network executive really angry.    

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Fallon and Leno did poke fun at the media fascination with their reported turmoil this week in a joint promo. Fallon asks Leno if the two are still friends and Leno says “of course.” As they “sing” to the tune of "West Side Story’s" “Tonight,” Fallon croons about reports NBC wants him to take over because “they think I can woo” a younger demo. Leno says he has other options if he’s deposed: “I’ve got Fox on the line or maybe I could take over for Dave.”

But as NBC’s morning and night remain the source of speculation morning, noon and night, a part of NBCUniversal where relative steadiness seems to prevail continued to plug along Tuesday. At Bravo, Andy Cohen isn’t going anywhere as late-night host. More reality series featuring young, beautiful and wacky types are coming. And, “Inside The Actors Studio” is steaming towards its 250th episode in its 19th season.

At a presentation to announce new programming, NBCU ad sales executive Dan Lovinger said Bravo had double-digit sales growth last year in both the on-air and online arenas. The network said Bravo’s ratings are up 5% in the 18-to-49 demo this year so far, putting it in the top 10 by one metric.

The success apparently has given it more resources to invest in original programming with 17 new series on tap. There is one that might gain particular notice at NBCU if executives hear about it in passing. “Divorce Diva” (working title) focuses on Vikki Ziegler as she helps couples move through a split. That’s Vikki Ziegler, a matrimonial lawyer. Not Vivi Zigler, the former head of NBCU’s digital operations  

From the why-mess-with-success well comes “City Sisters,” which based on the summary appears to offer little new in its conceit. It “follows a group of single, up-and-coming movers and shakers in New York's elite circles of real estate, fashion, and media. These ladies are aggressive in their pursuit of personal and career goals, but in this cutthroat world where egos are high and the drive to succeed is even higher, success can come at a steep cost.”

What would Bravo be without more real housewives? Next week comes “The Kandi Factory,” where singer Kandi Burruss from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” will help “16 aspiring artists jumpstart their dreams of stardom.”

Maybe most interesting, though, is to watch what happens with scripted series. Bravo has promised one for years and gone pretty far down the development track, but none have aired. The network has three more on the docket, though no timetables were released. All unsurprisingly have a soap opera feel with rival brothers, Upper East Side heiresses and a woman living a single life while hiding a split with her husband.

None use material that could make for a surefire hit: a popular morning show host trying to reclaim a guy-next-door reputation after nudging a co-host aside, or an aging late-night entertainer angling to stick around as a younger challenger gets ready to move in.

1 comment about "Bravo Offers Stability Amid NBCU Storms".
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  1. Terry Wall from First Impressions VIdeo, April 2, 2013 at 8:13 p.m.

    Loved that last paragraph...truth makes better programming than fiction!

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