Bravo Goes South for Real Houswives

In April, we wondered if Bravo's Real Housewives franchise would travel as far afield as Dubai for its next series.

Turned out, the series was just headed across the George Washington Bridge, for New Jersey.

But knowing a good thing when it sees it, the network announced this morning that it is expanding the series with a fourth city--Atlanta. And for the first time ever, four of the five women featured are black.

"Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has resonated with our viewers across the country and we think they will be equally fascinated by the lavish lifestyles and personalities of these Atlanta wives," says Frances Berwick, executive vice president and general manager of Bravo.

"They let us peek inside their exclusive, affluent community and see how they live their often dramatic lives and manage families and careers. There is truly never a dull day for them."

The five women--"southern belles," all--include DeShawn Snow, the wife of an NBA team captain (Eric of the Cleveland Cavaliers); Kim Zolciak, a single mother of two and aspiring country singer (yes, she's the white one); Lisa Wu Hartwell, married to NFL player Ed Hartwell; NeNe Leakes, an "outspoken"--reality TV speak for crazy, we're betting--social butterfly and philanthropist; and Sheree Whitfield, a single socialite and entrepreneur with three children.

With two sports wives and NeNe, who we're betting could give Ramona from New York City a run for her money crazy-wise, in the mix, the Atlanta series is shaping up to be a treat.

Premiere dates for the New Jersey and Atlanta series have not been announced, but Bravo will run a brief preview special on July 30.

Sophia Banay