The NBC-owned channel hit it big with "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and other shows. And at its upfront presentation Wednesday night in Manhattan, the network's president Jeff Gaspin vowed to continue walking on the wild side in the next year. Unlike other cable channels that have played up family- friendly programming in the era of greater government scrutiny, Bravo reveled in its reputation and lived up to it in Wednesday night's hour-and-a- half-long presentation.
It was evident from the beginning to the end of Wednesday's spectacular, which was attended by Bravo's personalities as well as some high-profile supporters of the resurgent, 20-something-year-old channel. The guests included NBC President Bob Wright, NBC Entertainment chief Jeff Zucker and Miramax film honcho Harvey Weinstein.
Gaspin unveiled plans to more than double Bravo's original programming in primetime, including another season of "Project Greenlight" (which moves from HBO) and "Inside the Actor's Studio," more "Queer Eye" and, in early 2005, a spin-off called "Queer Eye For The Straight Girl." New programming includes more Cirque du Soleil, an Elton John concert that will be filmed at Radio City Music Hall later this year and a documentary series on comics that have made the leap to the big screen.
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There weren't many details to be had about the new "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," which was first reported Wednesday in Variety. Casting has yet to be done although the "Fab Five" may be pared to a three-member panel of people to improve. Gaspin didn't discuss details other than to discuss the inspiration for "Straight Girl," other of course than the success of the first show.
"I'm often asked when will women get their own Fab 5," he said.
There will be a second season of celebrity poker, with new host Dave Foley, featuring "Friends" star Matthew Perry, race car driver Jeff Gordon and actresses Angie Dickinson and Jennie Garth. Foley and poker champion Phil Gordon conducted their own quick hand of poker, with three contestants chosen from the audience. The winner won a three-day trip to Las Vegas, courtesy of Bravo. Another drawing, by senior vice president of ad sales Hanna Gryncwajg, gave a half-day spa treatment and lunch with two Bravo personalities.
Bravo was in a giving mood throughout the night, eschewing most of the usual fact-dense presentation to go for glitz, some risqué humor and entertainment, and they let the shows speak for themselves. Other shows include:
-- "Pilot Season," about the behind-the-scenes antics in the making of a sitcom.
-- "Naked," where celebrities watch a documentary about their lives in front of a studio audience and have the opportunity to address errors or misinterpretations.
-- "Forty Deuce," a look at the Los Angeles club that opens a new place in Las Vegas.
-- "Project Runway," a reality series that mixes elements of "America's Top Model" with "Real World" to find a top fashion designer. It's hosted by model Heidi Klum, who also attended the Bravo event.
-- "Things I Hate About You," which gives couples the chance to air their pet peeves about their significant other.
-- "Long Way Round," chronicling actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they take a four-month motorcycle ride from Europe to the United States.
The highlight of the night, beyond a brief routine by the "Queer Eye" celebrities, took place when Gaspin introduced "Project Greenlight." The series, which had been on HBO, started when actors and screenwriters Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (and director Chris Moore) gave aspiring directors and writers a chance to create their own film. Gaspin introduced the three, who arrived on stage and gave a semi-scripted, often extemporaneous presentation of the idea. Affleck, who no doubt through his former romance with Jennifer Lopez gained lots of experience with the press, seemed most at ease with the crowd.
Affleck joked with the audience, saying that he wanted to take this opportunity to be with the press again.
"A welcome sight, I assure you," he laughed. "I just can't get enough."
Bravo's Gaspin pointed out that for the first time, advertisers could get in on "Project Greenlight." He also closed the evening with the promise to "push the proverbial envelope" more in the year ahead and gave a vision of Bravo's future.
"Not HBO, not NBC, but Bravo," he said.