I first met Michael Levitt under what some might call shotgun wedding circumstances. My tenure at Game Show Network could best be described as nonstop confrontation. I was recruited by a especially outspoken and passionate HR consultant who personally convinced our mercurial president and CEO that I was far and away the best person available to set a strategic vision for a library of decades of episodes that I personally viewed a disproportionate number of when they originally aired decades earlier. At the same time, said president had impulsively hired someone who had exactly zero experience with the genre as the executive in charge with steering original production in a direction akin to the worlds–and demographies–of reality-centric networks like Bravo and Oxygen where she had risen through the ranks to lieutenant status. Being the rabble-rouser that he was, he naturally had me reporting into her. She was anything but supportive and downright insulting whenever my maneuvers proved to be successful–especially when the finance guys would take note that they made the place more profitable than it had been before. 
So when Levitt was introduced as the showrunner in charge of a relatively expensive competition reality series called SKIN WARS I was initially a tad leery. There was little to suggest that the existing GSN audience was interested in seeing a TOP CHEF-like showdown between body painters who she was touting as secondary personalities compared to the comely models who served as their canvasses. As she effusively expressed in numerous staff meetings that frequently degenerated into confrontational reality, she was obsessed with the success that NAKED AND AFRAID was having on the Discovery Channel and was determined to find a way for our heavily 50-plus network to find a way to get some nudity on our own air that wouldn’t be all that disgusting.
But when Levitt addressed our team just before the first episode started production it became crystal clear that he had a much more cohesive vision for how this could complement and grow our network. He reminded us that there were indeed winners, losers and rewards. That the competitors were anything but celebrities and in many cases had dedicated the lives and savings toward the pursuit of their expressions. That they represented a cross-section of America that cut across the gamuts of geographies, ideologies and lifestyles. And when he revealed he knew this could work because he had successfully run it by his brother-in-law–who was a studio research head that I had already known and respected for decades–I sat up and took notice. And then when I actually got the chance to talk at length with him I quickly learned that unlike many creatives he had a deep respect and detailed knowledge of research and strategy. Throw in the fact that he had also in charge of the TV Land Awards and knew as much about old-school TV as just about anyone–and took particular pride in helping these one-time stars resurrect their fading careers at least for one glorious night–and I quickly became one of his biggest boosters. The fact that SKIN WARS got off to a superb start–especially in those younger demos the network rarely was able to attract–was all the more meaningful knowing it couldn’t have been happening to a nicer guy.
Which is why I’m especially happy for the level of success he’s been able to achieve with TLC’s BAYLEN OUT LOUD, which kicked off its third season last night. It’s an otherwise standard reality series that chronicles the life of an extraordinarily appealing main character, as IMDB describes:
Baylen Out Loud follows Baylen Dupree, a young woman with Tourette Syndrome, as she navigates everyday life, relationships, and the pursuit of independence alongside her close-knit family and fiancé Colin Dooley. The series blends humor, honesty, and heartfelt moments while tackling challenges like health management, career changes, and major life decisions. Praised for its authenticity and relatability, it has earned strong ratings and a devoted fan base, making it a compelling watch for reality TV audiences.
And now, as DEADLINE’s Peter White described in his preview that dropped Monday, they’re going for the gold:
Dupree…is excited for fans to see her wedding and has teased some “chaos” in the upcoming season…the Warner Bros. Discovery cable network is also preparing for an Emmy campaign. This comes as the show, which is produced by Michael Levitt Productions, became the highest rated new cable series in 2025 with TLC saying that it was watched by over 28M viewers last year.
Season three follows the pair as they plan their wedding, which took place earlier this month, as well as dealing with new career demands, financial decisions, and the possibility of a major move. It kicks off with a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. Dupree told Deadline that she’s “excited” for viewers to watch her wedding. “I’m so excited to see it all come together on the show. I’m also really excited for everyone to see this next chapter of my life with Colin. There are a lot of big changes, a lot of emotions, and some chaos too. I’m looking forward to sharing more about wedding planning, becoming more independent, and showing that even when things are hard with Tourette’s, you can still go after the life you want,” she added.
Turns out the accolades have already started, as Levitt posted on his ever-busy social media sites last night. Fact is, Dupree is as impactful at raising awareness as she is eyebrows for her frequent profanity-laden outbursts that on its surface put her vocabulary in the same league with the catfighters on REAL HOUSEWIVES. To watch her in action is to see both tigress and victim at once–a feat that few who have ever fronted a reality series are capable of pulling off. But through the sensitive lens that Levitt and his team show her–as well as her inspiringly patient beau Dooley–through, it hits all the marks that more exploitative shows that defined my ex-boss’ career were charged with.
The fact that Levitt is doing all of this now in a world that is changing by the second is all the more impressive. He’s still got his own shingle, with a particular speciality interest in shows devoted to the celebration of dogs. And I know he knows the premium that advertisers and sponsors are willing to pay to be involved with that sort of positive content.
If and when he’s ready to do so, I sure hope Levitt might be able to cash in the way that another creative did , news of which White also found time to report on Monday :
Sony Pictures Television is entering a new era in unscripted programming after acquiring a majority stake in Vanderpump Rules and The Valley producer 32 Flavors. The company, which was founded by and run by Alex Baskin, was established in 2023 after he exited Amazon-owned Evolution Media, where he was previously President.
Baskin recently spoke at Deadline’s Reality TV Summit. He noted that character-based reality shows, rather than celebrity docu-follows, are having a moment. “Celeb shows have an obvious appeal, and they’re easy to market. But the challenge that we found is celebrities are not always open, and so I think the audience is tired of that, and if they don’t think that they’re getting more from celebrities in a long-form series than they’re getting from them on social media or wherever, they’re just not tuning in,” he said.
That seems to be simpatico with Levitt’s visions. But when you read Baskin’s more jaundiced approach to the genre, it’s clear that they are more divergent than not:
(Baskin) joked that 32 Flavors produces shows for all cycles of someone’s life. “When you come to LA and you are attractive enough and you need to earn a living, then you start at Sur, and you’re on Vanderpump Rules. Then I think that you may either move to the Valley, in which case you’re on The Valley, or if you’re Persian and you move to the valley, well, that’s another show. Or a little bit later in life, you’re a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills. If things go wrong, then we put you on Botched,” he said.
I know those sorts of name drops would ingratiate him with my ex-boss way better than I was ever able to. Ratings aside, there might be a special place in hell for the both of them.
It would be especially serendipitious for Levitt’s IP to wind up in Sony’s hands. Said brother-in-law just happens to have been one of its top executives for more than three decades. If indeed Sony’s game plan is to double down on unscripted, they could do (and apparently have already done) a lot worse than being in bed with the likes of Levitt and especially Baylen Dupree. If they already haven’t figured it out, he’s indeed a “good boy”.
Until next time…