Bravo’s New Series, Based On Gunn’s Book, Will Guide The Fashion Challenged As They Make Themselves Over
NEW YORK – May 9, 2007 – Bravo has tapped supermodel, actress, writer, and journalist Veronica Webb as a style counterpart to Tim Gunn in the new series “Tim
Gunn’s Guide to Style,” which begins production in New York this week. Using Gunn’s book Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality Taste and Style (written by Tim Gunn and Kate Moloney publishing in May 2007 by Abrams Image, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.) as a manual, he and Webb won’t be making anyone over – with tough-love and guidance, they’ll help people make themselves over. The announcement was made today by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Bravo.
“We think Veronica will make the perfect complement to Tim – she'll add a little sass to his class,” said Berwick. “She not only brings extensive fashion expertise to the series, but she will be someone for our makeover subjects to lean on, creating a fun, comfortable, yet educational experience that our viewers can learn from.”
In each episode of “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style,” Gunn will use his unmatched counseling skills, to turn the fashion weary into polished and dapper-looking individuals. Webb will usher style-challenged women on several shopping challenges, while guiding their choices, supporting them and listening to and offering solutions for their concerns. She’ll contribute her opinions, share her fashion knowledge, and support Gunn while he focuses on the big picture of each subject’s transformation. On www.BravoTV.com, users
will be able to further utilize the style knowledge gained from the series, with features such as video style tips from fashion experts and a page where viewers can find and purchase outfits to achieve their desired looks.
As one of the world’s leading supermodels, Webb graced the covers of Vogue, Essence and Elle magazines and appeared on the runway for Victoria's Secret and Chanel. Webb has built upon those accomplishments and achieved remarkable success as a journalist, essayist, author and actress, as well as a prominent supporter for a number of important causes.
Although Webb achieved her fame as the first African-American woman to sign a major cosmetics contract, she has proven that she is more than just a pretty face. Her essay on how to create your own individual style is included in “Individuals: Portraits from the Gap Collection,” an exclusive book published in October 2006 whose proceeds support Product Red and Global Fund initiatives, which help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Webb’s first book, “Veronica Webb Sight: Adventures in the Big City,” contains a series of essays on coming of age in the fashion world and a wide range of other topics.
Webb’s versatility also extends to the acting arena. In spring 2007, she will appear in the feature film “Dirty Laundry,” written and directed by Maurice Jamal. Her other film credits include “Animal Husbandry,” “The Big Tease” and Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and “Jungle Fever.” She has also been featured in a recurring role on the television show “Damon” and has appeared in “Just Shoot Me,” “Clueless” and “Enter Laughing.”
Webb made her television debut as a contributing reporter on Fox's “Front Page.” In addition, she has hosted various television programs.
“Tim Gunn's Guide to Style” is produced by Stone and Company. Scott Stone and Sarah-Jane Cohen are executive producers.
Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, entertainment and pop culture with original programming, acclaimed drama series, movies, comedy and music specials, and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 84
million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process, and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed original programming includes the Emmy-nominated “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” 12-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” “Top Chef,” "Celebrity Poker Showdown,” as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye," and the four-time Emmy-nominated hit competition series, “Project Runway.”
Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information visit
www.bravotv.com.
Jesus Christ, was that a makeover show or a hostage situation? Could this show be any more devoid of lightness and humor of any kind? One word kept repeating itself in our heads last night over and over as we watched this thing: dreary. We've resigned ourselves to the tear-filled endings on these things, but where's the sense of fun? This show feels like a physics lecture. In the immortal words of the Duchess,
"Lighten up, it's just fashion!"
point that a good wardrobe starts with good foundation garments, we think that whole "going through your underwear drawer" is unnecessarily humiliating for the client and we didn't blame her one bit for her meltdown. We asked a gal pal if she'd let Tim Gunn rifle through her underwear drawer on national television. Her response: "Hell, no! That's where I keep my vibrator! On the other hand, if it
means I get a Catharine Malandrino dress, I might." Producers, we beg you, lose this segment. By all means, take her to a "bra specialist" (a job title right up there with "lactation consultant" for sheer ridiculosity), but don't make these poor women hold their granny panties up to the camera.
still have almost no chemistry with each other. She doesn't seem to know what to say half the time and Tim desperately needs someone to loosen him up because the "prissy Professor" persona is not helping things. Bravo posted some outtakes from the show and it's a little distressing because they clearly show a Tim and Veronica that we're not seeing: relaxed, loose, and funny. Why was this stuff edited out? Take a look:
Before we start, we have a very special personal message going out to Veronica Webb. Girl, what the hell is UP with your hair and makeup? You best be handing out the slaps this morning to whomever is responsible. The hair was way too severe and the makeup was Kabuki-level. You are GORGEOUS. It takes some real work to make you look as bad as you did last night. Take a tip from Naomi and beat someone with your cell phone over this.
Of course, the educational aspect may have been just a bit overdone. Those full-body shots of Tim standing in front of way-too-busy graphics prissily lecturing to us about style do NOT play to his strengths. Tim is wonderful and warm in one-on-one situations and the show needs more of them and less of Professor Gunn. As we said, it's good that the show has an educational tone to it, but a weekly lecture is not going to keep the audience coming back.
As for the format, it could also use a little tweaking. There's an awful lot going on in this process and if we have to watch the same thing week after week (The Optitex, the underwear fitting, the choosing of an icon, the weeding out of the closet, the shopping, the makeover, etc.) it's going to get old real quick. Also, Jared, the "Lifestylist?" Lose him. Now. We were cringing in our seats last night throughout his painful segment. You made a girl with low self esteem parade around in front of a camera wearing a trash bag? Come kneel in front of me so I don't have to get up to slap you.
One thing that we suppose we HAVE to put up with is the producer-enhanced "emotional" stuff. The engagement ring? Bleh. That was just nausea-inducing. Even moreso because she's all weepy and "Oh, honey!" as he's making his little speech to her about how special she is and we're sitting there thinking "Tim Gunn just took that ring out of the closet 5 minutes ago and handed it to you. What are you doing standing there and soaking up all the adoration for something you were told to do?"
Catherine Malandrino? Fabulous. Put her on every week, we say. Lorenzo was practically in tears at the sight of her. Actually, the designer segment is one of the best ideas out of the whole show. We look forward to seeing who else shows up during the season.
All in all, despite our reservations, it's a promising start and we're looking forward to seeing how the show evolves over time.
Gunn’s Guide to Style,” which begins production in New York this week. Using Gunn’s book Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality Taste and Style (written by Tim Gunn and Kate Moloney publishing in May 2007 by Abrams Image, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.) as a manual, he and Webb won’t be making anyone over – with tough-love and guidance, they’ll help people make themselves over. The announcement was made today by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Bravo.
will be able to further utilize the style knowledge gained from the series, with features such as video style tips from fashion experts and a page where viewers can find and purchase outfits to achieve their desired looks.
million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process, and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed original programming includes the Emmy-nominated “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” 12-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” “Top Chef,” "Celebrity Poker Showdown,” as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye," and the four-time Emmy-nominated hit competition series, “Project Runway.”
