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.

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.

Ok. So we all know Top Chef is great right? Right? Top Chef is easily one of the best produced and oddly engaging reality competition ever, and it is back tonight at a new time 9/8c in the nation’s capitol. Top Chef will still keep the same format of 17 chefs but will use its local and figures VERY prominently plus Eric Ripert, a recurring guest judge will take over for Toby Smith’s regular spot this year. Eric and Gail Simmons (who is hosting the new spin-off Top Chef: Just Desserts airing after this cycle) will be joined of course by Tom and Padma, and a guest judge most weeks.

Airing after Top Chef, is a surprise. Last week, Bravo premiered Work of Art: The Search for the Next Great Artist, from producer and on-and-off again appearance maker Sarah Jessica Parker. I had not heard much about Work of Art but when I tuned in last week I was very shocked to find a genuinely intelligent and interesting reality competition that will pair great with the foodie version. Work of Art takes artists from many backgrounds and puts them through challenges that tests their creatively and ultimately one will become the next great artist. The series host China Chow does a fine job in mixing the fun with the series and actually look interested in the art instead of just being a host.

If you tune in which you should to Top Chef: DC, do me a favor and check out Work of Art, you will not mind it one bit. The pair starts at 9/8c on Bravo!

There is some new and exciting television on tonight and most notably…

Top Chef Masters - The super all-star spin-off of the original delicacy is just as good and new in every way and after a very successful first cycle Kelly Choi (left) and the crew return for season 2. The premiere airs at a special time 11/10c on Bravo, and moves to its regular spot at 10/9c next week. The format has changed slighty to six chefs competing in the preliminary weeks to speed up the process and get to the eight chef final.

The premiere episode which I was able to see just reminded me why we need to Top Chef on each and every week. The pacing, the personalities, and the food. The first hour includes a return of one of my favorite quick-fires as well as a lovely elimination challenge involving love and pairs. All of the fine judges are back including Gael Greene, James Oseland, and Jay Raynor, plus Gail Simmons is back as a full time judge this year. However, I am most excited about an episode coming up soon when the cast of Modern Family comes to judge. Love and Love. Top Chef Masters returns tonight on Bravo at 11/10c!

Also on tonight,

Criminal Minds – 9/8c on CBS I don’t watch Criminal Minds but tonight I will be turning it for one reason, the prospect of a new show. Tonight’s episode is a backdoor pilot that will follow a new BAU team headed by Forest Whitaker. Also in the new cast, Beau Garrett and Matt Smith. I have read the script for this episode and it has a strong case that hits home with Forest’s character.