THEIR DRAMA, OUR REALITY: BRAVO & TV GUIDE TEAM UP FOR "BATTLE OF THE NETWORK REALITY STARS" POLL

THEIR DRAMA, OUR REALITY: BRAVO & TV GUIDE TEAM UP FOR "BATTLE OF THE NETWORK REALITY STARS" POLL

"AMERICAN IDOL'S" CLAY AIKEN IS THE MOST LOVED REALITY STAR OF ALL TIME!

"THE APPRENTICE'S" OMAROSA IS THE MOST HATED & "JOE MILLIONAIRE'S" EVAN MARRIOTT IS THE STAR MOST FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN A SPEEDO

BRAVO'S "BATTLE OF THE NETWORK REALITY STARS" PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 AT 9:00 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK - August 8, 2005 - In a recent poll commissioned by Bravo and TV Guide magazine to determine viewers' tastes regarding reality television, "American Idol's" Clay Aiken is number one in the hearts of reality fans, while "The Apprentice's" Omarosa is the most hated reality star. The Internet omnibus survey was conducted by TNS in conjunction with Bravo's premiere of "Battle of the Network Reality Stars," the cable channel's homage to the great 70's original "Battle of the Network Stars." The series will premiere on Bravo on Wednesday, August 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. In addition, the results from the poll will be printed in the August 14 issue of TV Guide magazine on newsstands on August 11.

"These are real people who allow the American public to experience their raw emotion and quirks as they embark on their own reality - taking us with them every step of the way," said Andrew Cohen, VP, Production & Programming for Bravo.

"Love it or hate it, reality television is here to stay. Reality stars have made their mark on the pop culture landscape, and they won't be leaving any time soon," says TV Guide Senior Editor Rich Sands. "This poll is a fun tribute to the best and worst of the genre---the villains, the heroes, the drama divas--and ultimately a celebration of the very reasons we all keep tuning in."

Following are highlights from the Bravo/TV Guide Poll results:

IN A POPULARITY CONTEST, CLAY COMES OUT ON TOP AND OMAROSA HAS VERY FEW FRIENDS: Clay Aiken (35%) barely edged out fellow "American Idol" contestant Kelly Clarkson (34%) as the most loved reality star of all-time, with half of those polled agreeing that Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth of "The Apprentice" is the most hated.

MOVE OVER WHITNEY AND BOBBY; OVER HALF OF AMERICA CHOSE NICK & JESSICA TO RAISE THEIR CHILD: Viewers and readers have officially spoken - when it comes to entrusting a reality star couple to raise their child, an overwhelming 54% trust Nick & Jessica, over more experienced parents Whitney & Bobby, Sharon & Ozzy, and the expectant couple Britney & Kevin!

"THE AMAZING RACE" TAKES FIRST PLACE: When asked to choose which reality series they would be a contestant on, 31% of respondents would sprint to get on "The Amazing Race," but only 17% feel rosy about "The Bachelor"/"The Bachelorette."

"SURVIVOR'S" RICHARD HATCH GETS SLAMMED BY AMERICA WITH DODGE BALL: Richard Hatch would have a tough time surviving in dodge ball, with 42% of people taking aim at him first. Wendy Pepper from "Project Runway" would remain fairly unscathed with just 13% pummeling her with the dodge ball.

WHO DESERVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OF FAME? "AMERICAN IDOL'S" WILLIAM HUNG CAME OUT #1: "American Idol's" William Hung is the most deserving of his own TV series according to 31% of respondents. But, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth of "The Apprentice" should simply stick to her day job.

IT'S THE BATTLE OF THE BEAUTIES IN A GAME OF TUG O' WAR: "America's Next Top Model" Brittany Brower and "The Swan's" Rachel Love-Fraser are favored 37% by respondents to drag each other through the mud in a tug o' war match-up. Only 18% want to see duo Charla Faddoul and Mirna Hindoyan from "The Amazing Race" duke it out.

The Bravo/TV Guide poll was conducted among 1,000 adults ages 18+ from July 14-15, 2005.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Bravo's "Battle of the Network Reality Stars" is the single biggest gathering of reality stars in a competition-based show, encompassing 16 different series from eight networks. The six episode series originating from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California kicks off on Wednesday, August 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT with a 90-minute premiere episode, followed by five one-hour episodes.

Nearly 30 years after its 1976 debut, Bravo will resurrect the wildly popular concept behind the original "Battle of the Network Stars," which was hosted by sports broadcasting legend Howard Cosell and featured notable competitors such as Billy Crystal, Farrah Fawcett, David Letterman, and Heather Locklear. Just as Katherine Bach of Daisy Duke fame got dunked repeatedly in the original battle, you'll see Coral Smith from "The Real World" get dunked in the new series.

The updated format of the much-loved series is complete with teams of sweat suit and Speedo-clad reality stars that will partake in physical and aggressively competitive challenges reminiscent of the original program. TV's most cherished and loathed reality stars will compete in a joust, navigate a kayak race, and battle it out in the famed tug-of-war, among other challenges. In a nod to today's reality shows, twists and turns along the way force team members to vote each other off, create alliances, and generate unending drama and tears.

TWI, the global television division of IMG, produces the show for Bravo. TWI's Executive Producers for "Battle of the Network Reality Stars" are Robert Horowitz and Steve Mayer.

ABOUT TV GUIDE MAGAZINE:

A division of Gemstar-TV Guide International, TV Guide? magazine is the largest-selling weekly publication in the country with a total circulation of 9 million and readership of 28 million. From standard programming and interactive developments in television, to the wildly-popular DVD market and fast-growing video game industry, TV Guide magazine has every corner of the television medium covered. The premiere source for entertainment news and information and TV listings, since its debut on April 3, 1953, TV Guide magazine continues to enable readers to maximize their relationship with television and easily navigate their choices among the recent explosion of programming options and new technology. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.

ABOUT BRAVO:

Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, culture and pop culture with original programming, movies and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 79 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 and award-winning original programming includes "Inside the Actors Studio," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," "Project Greenlight," as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The network's other hits include "Project Runway," "Blow Out" and "Sports Kids Moms & Dads." 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 a 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.