TV Mad Man

Bravo is riding high right now. Ratings are the biggest they have ever been, returning series are hitting their mark and they are expanding to more days than ever. This week is a transition week, with three of the nights moving on to new seasons.

Starting tonight, Pregnant in Hells follows the life of Rosie Pope, who is the foremost leader in helping expecting moms. I have not yet seen the series but I am still grieving from last year’s wonderful but barely seen 9 by Design. Then tomorrow, following the Top Chef: All Stars reunion at 10/9c (BLAIS!), the new revamped Top Chef Masters takes off at 11/10c (it airs normally a hour before). The new season has a new host, Curtis Stone, new judges (Bye Gael Greene), and a new format (same as the mothership). The premiere, however, does not change the show one bit as it is still competitive, fun, and tasty.

Finally, Thursday night brings us back to the City with a brand new season of Real Housewives of New York City. My favorite of the franchise, all the housewives (minus a Monday-bound Bethenny) are back with a new addition, Cindy, who from the two episodes I have seen, is not afraid to stir up trouble. The first few outings are a mixed bag with Alex stirring up most of the controversy, but I have high hopes  for the season that will take ALL the ladies to Morocco, and all the hell in between Manhattan and the Hamptons.

Tune in all week to Bravo, and not to mention after the Housewives premiere Thursday, its Andy Cohen’s 100th What What Happens Live with Ramona and Jill. Always a blast.

Sunday night, almost the work week but some nice things to end the night with….

The Cape – 9/8c on NBC

NBC is still in deep trouble, with a looming change of hands with Comcast still in limbo with the Justice department, NBC is just airing what they have which tonight presents a new hero. The Cape, centers around Vince Faraday (David Lyons) a framed cop that turns to a life as a underground vigilante to help save his town and his son. I have seen the two-hour premiere, while it was not as horrendous as some are saying, it is nothing to tell your friends about. Geeky word of note: Summer Glau is the female lead, does that count for anything?

Bob’s Burgers – 8:30/7:30c on FOX

Another series debuts tonight after what is to be a epic battle ending with a Packers victory against the Eagles. FOX is most successful with Sunday animation and Bob’s Burgers joins the fray, with a comedy about a family struggling to open a successful joint. The premiere is funny if you like what they are already offering but when I don’t, nothing really substantial is available.

Brothers and Sisters – 10/9c on ABC

The 99th episode. I still remember the day I saw the premiere of ABC’s new family drama, that had heart, emotion, and great drama plus lots of wine. Now after five years, the show has aged but still holds a glimmer of its season one look. Tonight, Nora helps Holly make decisions on her post-amnesia life and Saul reunites with Jonathan (Richard Chamberlin).

Real Housewives of Atlanta – 10/9c on Bravo

Verdict on the new season? For me, mixed, while I enjoy NeNe’s escapades and Sheree’s new personality, the way-over-the-top Kim, still bugs me. Let’s hope on tonight’s road-trip with Kandi she can keep it together enough to give us just a little drama.

They are back and ready to light a fire! 18 of our favorite chefs are back to battle in New York City on the new season of Top Chef, premiering Wednesday on Bravo at 10/9c.

The premiere is back in form with this Emmy-winning competition, after a lack-luster few years, this season brings back the competition in a big way. Padma and Tom are back, along with Top Chef Dessert’s host Gail Simmons, as well one of the best personalities and judges ever Anthony Bourdain as the other judge at the table this year.

The returning chefs include my all time favorite, Carla Hall, as well as fan favorites Richard Blais, Casey, Dale, and Tre from the best season in my opinion, Miami, and more including Marcel and Spike.

The premiere, gets them right in the kitchen and the quickfire answers the question, which season had the most talent, even though I don’t quite agree with the outcome. The elimination challenge is where the fire comes, when the chefs are asked to make the dish that sent them packing, as none of the chefs featured won their respective seasons.

The thing that makes a good season of Top Chef is the, well, chefs, and by putting the best personalities in too one year along with a sense of nostalgia, it is hard to beat it. Tune in Wednesday, to pick your favorite at 10/9c on Bravo!

With the new fall season starting, new TV is bring us the good, the bad, and the mediocre, but how do you sort out the good and the bad? Here is what to watch this fall, so you can see the best new friendships, new loves, new action, and new heart. Now, first the Emmy-winning mothership, then the successful Masters addition, now its all about the sweets…

What Bravo Says:

You may get a sugar high from Bravo’s sweetest new series, “Top Chef Just Desserts” – a spin-off of the 2010 Primetime Emmy-nominated and James Beard Award-winning “Top Chef,” premiering Wednesday, September 15 at 11 p.m. ET/PT, and moving into its regular timeslot of 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22. These chefs can have their cake and make it too as the main focus of this competition is the Achilles heel of most chefs: desserts. This time the pastry chefs will see if they have what it takes to out flambe, out frost and out fudge the competition. Gail Simmons, a series judge on “Top Chef” for the past seven seasons, takes on the hosting duties of this highly competitive series showcasing the best of the best in the world of pastry arts. Joining the judges’ panel as head judge is Johnny Iuzzini, one of the country’s most celebrated and innovative pastry chefs and Executive Pastry Chef at Restaurant Jean Georges. Hubert Keller, critically acclaimed chef as well as guest judge on “Top Chef” and finalist on “Top Chef Masters,” and Dannielle Kyrillos, entertaining expert and DailyCandy Editor-at-Large will also serve as regular judges for the series.

Tune In: I think we can all admit that this past season of Top Chef has been anything less than stellar, but I think we can also agree that it was so nice to see the original, innovative food competition, win the reality Emmy. Now, after the successful spin-off, Bravo and Magical Elves are doing it again, this time using a familiar face and format. Gail Simmons host the all-sweets addition of Top Chef, and after seeing the premiere episode in which we meet the chefs and delving right in, I can say bring it on.

If the premiere is any indication, this season will have what the last season of Top Chef lacked, competition, personalities, and great food. I made the mistake of watching while hungary, and never, never, do that. Magical creations are made in the kitchens, and I hope they just keep on coming.

Watch, Record, Skip: If you like the original, you will sure to be a fan of this cycle and uses the familiar format in a colorful way. Top Chef: Just Desserts premieres tonight after the finale of Top Chef at 11/10c, but catch it in its regular time Wednesdays at 10/9c the following week.

Some quick picks for tonight….

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List – 10/9c on Bravo

Kathy with Levi knocks on Sarah Palin’s door. Need I say more? Plus, I was in the audience for her stand-up and it was pretty spectacular and she talked about all she did in this all-Alaska episode.

Wipeout – 8/7c on ABC

Big Balls! They are back and I love all the fun and laughter I get out of this successful summer reality. John Henson and John Anderson, with Jill Wagner are by far the best hosting group of any reality show in recent memory. Plain awesome.

Downfall – 9/8c on ABC

Did you tune in for the premiere last week? While the premise is kinda stupid, answer trivia questions and get them right to win cash and prizes or fall off a building, the premiere had potential, and host Chris Jericho is funny, but it still has many kinks to work out.

Also on tonight, is ABC Family’s newest guilty pleasure (sorry, Huge) Pretty Little Liars and the mystery is really heating up at 8/7c.