TCA: Bravo Greenlights Kathy Griffin Talk Show, Food Competition Series

10:44 AM PST 1/7/2012 by Lacey Rose

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Kathy Griffin

The network also moves forward with a second season of "Pregnant in Heels," a sixth entry of "The Millionaire Matchmaker" and a fifth effort for "Million Dollar Listing LA."

Bravo is bulking up its programming efforts with a primetime talk show for Kathy Griffin and a culinary competition series from Curtis Stone and Cat Cora.

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The move, which has the No. 11 network increasing original fare by an additional 25 percent in 2012, comes as it caps off its best year ever. The new efforts will join a schedule that includes new entries such as Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis, Shahs of Sunset, Million Dollar Listing New York, Love Broker and Don't Be Tardy for the Wedding, among others.

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What's more, the female-skewing cable network has greenlit a second season of Pregnant in Heels as The Hollywood Reporter reported in September, a sixth entry of The Millionaire Matchmaker and a fifth effort for Million Dollar Listing LA and will add new special The Ring Leader, centering on wedding planner Kristin Banta, on Feb. 27.

“Bravo’s six straight years of growth have been fueled by our unique, high quality originals,” said Bravo Media president Frances Berwick in a statement announcing the news Saturday. “We are committed to building on this momentum across all platforms in 2012, with more cultural touchstones that resonate with our affluent and engaged audience.”

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Griffin's series, a one-hour weekly talk show, is set to premiere this spring. The comedian will use the platform to rant about the week's biggest headlines and tabloid gossip as well as feature stand-up routines, celebrity interviews and taped segments. She will also serve up two new one-hour stand-up specials for the network in 2012.

Stone and Cora's project, Around the World in 80 Plates, will follow 12 chefs competitng in a culinary race across 10 countries in 44 days. The competition series is set to premiere in May.

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose