Project 11: The Top Debtors of Paparrazi County

Bravo TV, home to shows like Top Chef, Project Runway, Launch my Line, and The Real Housewives of [any locale with a high per capita ratio of plastic surgeons] is bringing a new series to the network featuring the ever-entertaining (and perhaps ratings stimulating) adventures of Chapter 11 debtors.

Last August, notable celebrity photographers Markus Klinko and Indran (and their company Double Exposure Studios LLC)  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection when a creditor’s lawsuit proved to be too much. Rather than snapping pricey celeb pics, however, the pair took cover under the automatic stay, a move that apparently enabled them to devote their free time to creating a show for Bravo. 

I guess that Klinko was also too busy to be bothered with his bankruptcy case, since the court dismissed it in December for failing to attend required meetings and share his financial documents with the court.  Indrani’s case and the case of their photo studio, Double Exposure Studios LLC, remain pending.

Bravo at least knew on some level that the pair had some serious financial issues when they announced the show in March 2009.  Bravo billed the new reality show as “two former lovers working together 18 hours a day in incredibly high-stress environments, filled with deadlines, stretched budgets…” As the WSJ Bankruptcy Beat points out, it remains to be seen whether the bankruptcy filings will be a prominent plot line in the show.

Frankly, I wouldn’t be shocked that if Bravo explores (read: exploits) the bankruptcy twist to enhance the drama.  It’s like watching Blagoveich on the next installment of The Apprentice. You know the train wreck is inevitable, but it’s just so addictive and you can’t look away.  Schadenfreude translates to ratings. A network would be silly to ignore it (unless it’s NBC).

In my opinion, Klinko and Indran can rebound by snapping shots of the cast of Bravo-generated celebrities. It’s not a hard formula:  accessible clients eager to have their photos taken, take pictures, sell to Us Weekly.