EXCLUSIVE: Read it here first...

Real Housewives of Atlanta Gets a Second Season

Tue., Dec. 16, 2008 11:15 AM PST by Marc Malkin

Bravo / Virginia Sherwood

Christmas has come early for Anderson Cooper.

It's just been officially announced that the silver fox's favorite television show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is coming back for a second season.

Bravo has not revealed if all five of the original ladies will be back for the sophomore effort. Let's just hope our and Cooper's fave, NeNe Leakes, stays on board. Leakes and her husband, Gregg, have been bombarded recently with bad press alleging they're not as well off as they appear to be on television.

Of course, the Georgia peach had something to say on the subject...

NeNe spoke out about the first report earlier this month claiming they were evicted from their home because of unpaid rent. She said they were not kicked out and insisted it was their decision to move.

No start date for filming of season two or its premiere night have been decided, according to a Bravo rep.

The Southeastern installment of the Housewives franchise has been the most successful of the Bravo bunch, capturing more ratings than the original Orange County and its New York follow-up.

"The level of engagement on Atlanta far surpasses a typical series on cable or broadcast, with our viewers deepening their connection to the show through live wireless chats, daily blogs and additional footage online," said Frances Berwick, Bravo's executive vice president and general manager. "This, along with the colorful personalities of our housewives, helped drive the series to a watercooler sensation."