It's time to take a closer look at the Bravo Summer Lineup. I think there will be some new favorites emerging, and some shows that are just OK. If I know Bravo, they would never do something completely awful! Here are my picks to watch and miss (or maybe just not watch religiously. Let's be honest, we'll probably end up watching at least one episode of all of these at some point).

Shows to Watch


The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Mondays at 9/8c
So we all know that Real Housewives of New Jersey is going to be great, right? Good. It started last week with a family brawl and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. If I can figure out a way to distinguish Joe Gorga from Joe Giudice, we'll be in great shape. If you're not convinced, just watch this clip from the first episode, in which fights explode like fireworks at a baby's christening.


Another show that has already started that's worth watching? Real Housewives of New York City. The ladies are going to Morocco this week!

Platinum Hit
Premieres Monday, May 30 at 10/9c
I think/hope this show will be awesome. The jury is still out on Kara Dioguardi as a television personality, but I like Bravo's competition shows. This show does have a performance element, but it's for songwriters, which may distinguish it a bit from all the other singing competition shows out there already. Also, this one features a Robyn song in its promos!

Here's a preview clip of the contestants arriving for the first episode. It is key for female songwriters to have blunt bangs, I think. The good news is that it seems like songwriters are even weirder than we thought. "I am a leader of men"?
And then the blind guy, Blessing, comes in and his fellow contestant, Karen, asks, "what's with the dog?"


I just love any show that tests talented people under ridiculous time constraints. It looks like they'll be working in groups (oh no!) for the first episode. I can't wait! 

Shows to Skip

Million Dollar Decorators
Premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 10/9c
Extravagant real estate is one thing, but then to decorate it even more extravagantly? I don't know. I don't really want to play the "in times like these"/"in this economy" card, because part of what makes good Bravo programming is watching people who have unfathomable amounts of money act like jerks, but this show just doesn't seem as interesting or kooky. I never really got into Million Dollar Listing either, though. After watching this preview, though, I could be swayed. That's a pretty great last line.


It might be funny, or it might be stressful and awful. I can't tell!

Rocco's Dinner Party
Premieres Wednesday, June 15 at 11/10c
This show is on late. Who's going to want to watch Chef Rocco be rude to chefs/party planners at 11pm? Someone, I'm sure. This show combines classic Bravo elements like food, celebrities, and competition, but the personalities make the show. While it will be fun to see celebrities like Liza Minnelli and Cat Deeley, this show crowns a "weekly winner," which means three new chefs compete each week and we don't get to know them very well. It reminds me of Chopped, from the Food Network. And that show was just OK. Plus, Rocco isn't totally likable to me.


But who knows, at some point I will probably end up watching all of these shows.

(images, video courtesy of Bravo)