Summer By Bravo!

While other networks are either finishing up the season of first run series, Bravo is gearing up for another huge summer. “The Real Housewives Of Orange County” is already off and running, and the new smash “Married To Medicine” is finishing up it’s first season, but there are a couple new shows on Bravo this summer that definitely should go on your “must watch” list!

The first images of the premiere episode of  this season of “The Real Housewives Of New Jersey” will bring us back to something we all went through six months ago; the devatastion of Hurricane Sandy. While Caroline and Jacqueline have been dealing with minor repairs in North Jersey, as well as pitching in and helping the community, Teresa, Kathy, and Melissa are seeing the devastation first hand of Hurricane Sandy at their own Jersey Shore homes in Ocean County.

Based on previous season, this isn’t the only devastation that we will see of the season. Jacqueline and her husband Chris continue to work with her son Nicholas after his recent autism diagnosis, and Kathy seems to be looking for a way to “find her voice” in a family and a cast of extremely vocal people. Caroline Manzo has moved part-time into a Hoboken apartment, and fan favorite and villian of last season Teresa and sister in law Melissa are trying to figure out how to co-exist, if only for their daughter’s sake.

Family and alliances have always been a big part of the New Jersey cast of the “Housewives” franchise, and this year looks to be no exception. While Melissa and Caroline have been strongly allied against their mutual dislike of Teresa last year, it looks like there could be potential shifts of sort, based on the first episode, and the previews of the season. There is also somewhat of a new alliance between Caroline and Joe Gorga, as she is willing to enter the fray again to help Joe repair his relationship with sister Teresa. We are also introduced to several new ladies this year, who while they may not be “official” housewives, they definitely are going to be stirring the pot. 

One of the best parts about watching the reality drama “Million Dollar Listing New York” was getting to peek into the apartments that most of us never would be able to afford, and seeing what goes into selling them to the rich and famous of New York City. This year, our favorite real estate sharks Ryan and Fredrik are joined by new castmember Luis Ortiz, a Puerto Rican sparkplug of sorts, who definitely is not someone to be messed with. Wait until you see his first encounter with Ryan! 

While we definitely get to see the usual real estate drama of selling mult-million dollar homes, this year, we are seeing a more personal side of the guys as well. Ryan is realizing that his workaholic ways are having an effect on his almost non-existent personal life, Fredrik is settled into domestic bliss, and Luis is trying to make a splash in New York real estate, in an extremely competivite market. Thankfully he has his brother to help bring a sense of “home” to him . And he keeps him grounded.

While many reality shows may give us high drama that may not have much of a pay-off for the people involved, the commissions that we see being potentially available to the agents on “Million Dollar Listing” definitely take the drama to a whole new level. The Bravo cameras were also rolling during Hurricane Sandy during this season of “Million Dollar Listing” and we are shown how Luis, Ryan, and Fredrik are all affected personally by the events of that week.

Bravo is known for documenting the lives of the rich and famous, and while we all love a good “Housewives” battle now and then, the first official “docuseriess” by Bravo, “Newlyweds” takes Bravo in a somewhat different direction.

Documenting the first year of marriage for four very different couples would perhaps seem potentially boring, but this show is far from it. From Indian pop star Tina marrying former male model Tarzu, to Kim, a celebrity stylist married to Alaska, a music industry exec, there is definitely a broad spectrum represented.

While each couple is interesting in their own individual way, Blair and Jeff are definitely the couple that many people will be watching. Not only are they a gay couple entering into a partnership, they are grouped together with other heterosexual couples without being considered the stereotypical gay couple. Blair is a former Euro boy-band star, and Jeff is his older fiancee. I had a chance to sit down with the guys recently and we had a chat on what it will be like for them to be the newest star’s on Bravo.

So guys, are you ready for your lives to totally change as they are documented weekly on “Newlyweds”?

Blair: I’ve always been ready! (Laughs)

Jeff: I’m a very private person, but this is definitely bigger than myself. It’s an amazing opportunity, to show the world that a gay relationship is just like a heterosexual one, an interracial one, etc. I want to relate to all couples definitely.

Blair: When we were initially approached, it was definitely intriguing. The idea definitely sounded groundbreaking, and having it done by an Emmy award winning documentarian made it more appealing.

What do you both hope to accomplish by participating in this show?

Blair: I really don’t think gay men have enough positive role models, we definitely want to show people a better portrayal than what normally is the stereotype.

Jeff: If we can help one person out there who feels alone or does not have someone to look up to, we have definitely done our job.

Are there any parts of the show that you think may be especially cringe worthy, especially since you were filmed at length for so long?

Jeff: The sexual part definitely makes me a little uncomfortable, but that I’ll work on. I wanted this to be an open book without filtering.

Blair: I guess we will see! (laughs.) To be honest, I really don’t think there will be….. I am what I am, I don’t have any regrets.

Are you guys “Bravo-holics” even before being on “Newlyweds”?

Blair:Absolutely! We watch “Fashion Queens”, the “Housewives” and definitely “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen!

Jeff: I definitely love Jeff Lewis’ show’s (“Interior Therapy” and “Flipping Out”).

What do you think makes you both so similar to every other couple out there – are you?

Jeff: Blair wants to deal with things right off the bat, and I definitely want to let them process….

Blair: We have the same issues that straight couples have, the same common problems; and that’s exactly what we want to show.

To get the full schedule and find out more visit  www.bravotv.com.

While other networks are either finishing up the season of first run series, Bravo is gearing up for another huge summer. “The Real Housewives Of Orange County” is already off and running, and the new smash “Married To Medicine” is finishing up it’s first season, but there are a couple new shows on Bravo this summer that definitely should go on your “must watch” list!