BIG news on Tim Gunn's new show, Poodles!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 by
BRAVO TAPS VERONICA WEBB FOR “TIM GUNN’S GUIDE TO STYLE”

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, userswill 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.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love her!! She is fabulous...and very smart!

Anonymous said...

Finally, they have a non-white host on one of their shows. Unless you count Padma...

Anonymous said...

Great News, guys! Thanks!

Now to the nitty-gritty . . .

I really don't mind being addressed as if I were a dog (Poodle) or a cat (Kitten) BUT when you pick a typeface the color of a half-ripe tomato you've just lost me. I had to increase the size two-fold on my screen before I could enjoy the good news. Now I'll admit I ain't no spring chicken (yipes ... your barnyard taste is rubbing off on me) but my eyes are still 20/20.

Have a heart, Manx-men!

TLo said...

GreenBananas said...

Great News, guys! Thanks!

Now to the nitty-gritty . . .

I really don't mind being addressed as if I were a dog (Poodle) or a cat (Kitten) BUT when you pick a typeface the color of a half-ripe tomato you've just lost me. I had to increase the size two-fold on my screen before I could enjoy the good news. Now I'll admit I ain't no spring chicken (yipes ... your barnyard taste is rubbing off on me) but my eyes are still 20/20.

Have a heart, Manx-men!


We changed it : - )

XO
T&L

Anonymous said...

I met Veronica Webb a long time ago back when I was still modeling. She's really gorgeous and a very nice person. I think Tim and her will do great.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to watch this show! Tim rules!!

Anonymous said...

This is fabulous news! I remember meeting Veronica years ago, she is very sweet and so intelligent. She has really used her celebrity for great things.

Anonymous said...

Great! She's fabulous!

kora in hell said...

This sounds somewhat similar to the "What Not to Wear" format except that it dispenses with the ritual humiliation. Also, like most Bravo shows, this one is more specifically oriented towards product placement.

(macasism: why wouldn't you count Padma?!)

Anonymous said...

"trixie said...

This sounds somewhat similar to the "What Not to Wear" format except that it dispenses with the ritual humiliation. Also, like most Bravo shows, this one is more specifically oriented towards product placement.

(macasism: why wouldn't you count Padma?!)"

Tim said in an interview that it wouldn't be like "What Not to Wear;" not just a makeover but more like helping people make their own choices, find their own style or something like that.

Anonymous said...

OMG!
La Webb is La Awesome!
Somebody--
An ETA for this fabulous show!
Can't. Wait!

Brandenburg3rd said...

Yes, she's very pretty, and it sounds like she has some working brain cells (as opposed to so many models, where it seems their excessive dieting has worked in the cranium, first).

But I still think the ideal cohost would be his coauthor, Kate Moloney. BPR field reports from book signings say the two of them work perfectly together, to the point that they finish each others sentences.

Regardless, I'll watch the show. I've lost track of how many times I've re-read the book--since I can't visit PRG at work, stolen chapters of Tim's wit are all that keep me from going postal. I can't wait to see/hear him on TV again.

Unknown said...

I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't see a good fit with Veronica Webb. I remember her hosting some E! programs, and she was just so stiff. I would have hoped that Kate (his co-author) would have been tapped as she is probably the best choice (IMHO).

JohnP :)

Anonymous said...

Not sure yet, but maybe she's a good choice.

Anonymous said...

" John said...

I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't see a good fit with Veronica Webb. I remember her hosting some E! programs, and she was just so stiff. I would have hoped that Kate (his co-author) would have been tapped as she is probably the best choice (IMHO).

JohnP :) "



I forgot about that.

Anonymous said...

Brandenburg3rd said...
But I still think the ideal cohost would be his coauthor, Kate Moloney. BPR field reports from book signings say the two of them work perfectly together, to the point that they finish each others sentences.

I bet she was in the running, but w/out Kate having viewer "Q" the producers probably wanted someone audiences would know by sight. These "geniuses" aren't really keen on letting someone "grow" on an audience (TG notwithstanding on PR. Though, they would've had to have been blind and deaf not to see Tim's charisma & charm). Don't you think given that caveat, Tim still had a hand in who his co-host would be?
Hopefully as the show progresses Kate will be tapped as a "Special Correspondent").

kora in hell said...

Tim said in an interview that it wouldn't be like "What Not to Wear;" not just a makeover but more like helping people make their own choices, find their own style or something like that.

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, .... and support Gunn while he focuses on the big picture of each subject’s transformation.

transformation, makeover, whatever

In "What Not To Wear" they counsel and show them what to look for and guide their shopping, etc.

I'm not saying this is bad: why mess with a formula that works?

Anonymous said...

Funny. We're all so protective of Tim!

Veronica sounds cool.

I imagine Kate's pretty busy with her day job at Parson's, but she woulda been good, no?

-- desertwind

Anonymous said...

You guys need to update your blogs more frequenetly. You have four collections to discuss and you haven't even posted since thursday.

Anonymous said...

Veronica is fabulous! Good choice!!