OWN Announces Summer Primetime Premieres and New Episodes
New Series include Are You Normal, America?; Lives On Fire; Lovetown, USA; Million Dollar Neighborhood; Real Life: The Musical; and Super Saver Showdown
Photo Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
April 27, 2012
Los Angeles, CA – Oprah Winfrey Network announced today its summer primetime lineup including six new series Are You Normal, America?, Lives On Fire, Lovetown, USA, Million Dollar Neighborhood, Real Life: The Musical and Super Saver Showdown.
In addition, new episodes premiere of Oprah's Next Chapter, and the popular documentary series Our America with Lisa Ling returns.
"Our new summer series have a common thread of being fun, entertaining and meaningful," said Sheri Salata, president, OWN. "It's important to give the audience programming that makes them feel good, or provides them with inspiration in their own lives."
"We feel strongly about the current state of the channel," added Erik Logan, president, OWN. "We're seeing success with our original programming and are continuing to build the network one night at a time."
Oprah's primetime series Oprah's Next Chapter will feature new episodes this summer as Oprah visits actor Neil Patrick Harris and his family, including his fraternal twins, and speaks to him about his multifaceted career. Oprah also travels to a remote corner of Brazil to spend the day with world-renowned faith healer, spiritual medium and psychic surgeon, John of God, and gets an up-close look at controversial surgeries performed without anesthesia or sterilization.
The thought-provoking documentary series Our America with Lisa Ling returns to the primetime lineup June 10. The series, which debuted in February 2011, returned last fall for a second season that garnered double-digit ratings gains. New summer episodes will feature Ling in the field covering compelling stories on the Native American culture, life as a nun, swingers and teen pregnancy just to name a few.
OWN SUMMER SCHEDULE
**New series in ALL CAPS; All Times Eastern
FRIDAYS (beginning June 8)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. LIVES ON FIRE
SATURDAYS (beginning June 9)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. MILLION DOLLAR NEIGHBORHOOD
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. REAL LIFE: THE MUSICAL
SUNDAYS
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Oprah's Next Chapter
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. Our America with Lisa Ling (returns June 10)
MONDAYS (beginning June 4)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ARE YOU NORMAL, AMERICA? (sneak preview after Oprah's Next Chapter Sun., June 3, 10:00 p.m.)
For a sneak preview of the new OWN summer shows, please visit: www.oprah.com/OWNsummershows
For photography and additional information, please visit the OWN press site: www.press.discovery.com/us/own/
Brief synopses follow:
ARE YOU NORMAL, AMERICA?
Premieres Monday, June 4, 9:00 p.m.
Sneak Peek Sunday, June 3, 10:00 p.m.
From Harpo Studios comes the fun new game show Are You Normal, America?, hosted by veteran TV producer Barry Poznick (Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?) and comedienne/actress Kim Coles (Living Single). Have you ever peeked at your boyfriend's emails? Or done your household chores naked? This lively game show will answer those burning questions and more as two contestants compete to win more than $100,000 in their quest to learn if they're normal. Along the way, audiences will be entertained, enlightened and ultimately comforted by the fact that we're all pretty abnormal...but that's what makes life fun! Are You Normal, America? is produced by Harpo Studios with Zoo Productions. Executive producers are Jill Van Lokeren and Jon Sinclair from Harpo Studios, as well as Barry Poznick and John Stevens from Zoo Productions (producers of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?).
LIVES ON FIRE
Premieres Friday, June 8, 9:00 p.m.
Lives on Fire takes us inside the extraordinary worlds of four remarkable women who risk their lives every day to take command during California's most dangerous disasters. As members of one of the nation's largest emergency response teams, these female firefighters are ready to battle against nature's most unforgiving forces. Viewers witness the drama, action and danger of their jobs as they respond to life and death situations. With the ending of each shift, these women also open the doors into their personal lives as they strive to balance being mothers, wives, girlfriends and daughters. Viewers will follow four very different women including Nica Vasquez, a mother who has 12 years of experience working in the service as a veteran firefighter/engineer; Rosanne Grier, who is in her fifth year as a seasonal firefighter working against the odds to become permanent; Michele Dyck, a veteran firefighter/engineer with 12 years of experience who works at a station in a coastal area known for its dangerous cliff and open water rescues; and Diley Greiser, a mother who is in her seventh year as a firefighter/paramedic who is adjusting to being the new person at Station 17 – one of the busiest and most demanding stations in Riverside County. Lives on Fire is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Executive producers are Melody Shafir and Brad Epstein. Co-executive producer is Anthony Samu. Executive producers for BBCWorldwide Productions are Elli Hakami, Michael Brooks and Jane Tranter.
LOVETOWN, USA
Premieres August 2012
After a nationwide search, Oprah Winfrey named Kingsland, Georgia to be LOVETOWN, USA. Oprah traveled to Georgia and launched the first of its kind social experiment, where she called the community to action at a "love rally" and challenged everyone to "open their arms and hearts to the possibilities of all kinds of love." Two experienced relationship coaches, Paul Carrick Brunson and Kailen Rosenberg, have the daunting task of transforming Kingsland in 30 short days. The coaches will attempt to mend relationships of embattled friends and lovers, and find true love for six singles with people living in their own back yard. Involving everyone from the mayor to grade school students, this social experiment will examine the affects love, grace, kindness and forgiveness can have on an entire community. Lovetown, USA is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for OWN. Bruce Toms is executive producer. Izzie Pick Ashcroft, Rob Bagshaw and Jane Tranter are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions. Charlie Debevoise and Mark Hickman are executive producers for NorthSouth Productions.
MILLION DOLLAR NEIGHBORHOOD
Premieres Saturday, June 9, 9:00 p.m.
In the debt-ridden town of Aldergrove, the community is teaming up for a million dollar challenge that could change their fortunes forever as they attempt to increase their net worth by a million dollars in three months. Each week, the entire community comes together to save an average of $100,000 in a large-scale challenge that will reduce debt and build assets for everyone. Whether they're bartering skills or renovating the home of a family in need, the people of Aldergrove are asked to share their time, their talents, their belongings, and their aspirations with each other. If they reach their goal, one hard working neighbor's dream will come true with a bonus prize. Million Dollar Neighborhood is produced by Force Four Entertainment and executive produced by John Ritchie.
OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER
Sundays at 9:00 p.m.
The primetime series features Oprah Winfrey as she steps outside of the studio for riveting, enlightening and in-depth conversations with newsmakers, celebrities, thought leaders and real-life families. Summer episodes will feature Oprah as she visits the home of Neil Patrick Harris and meets his family and an episode where Oprah journeys to Brazil to witness the man known as "John of God." The series is produced by Harpo Studios. Executive producers are Tara Montgomery and Andrea Wishom. Join the conversation on Twitter using #NextChapter.
OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING
Returns Sunday, June 10, 10:00 p.m.
From the swinger lifestyle to young girls entering convents, from arranged marriages to child pageants, the new season of "Our America with Lisa Ling" takes viewers along for an in-depth look at some of the most controversial and thought-provoking issues in the United States today. In each episode, Ling immerses herself into the lives of the people she meets and challenges viewers to understand different perspectives and sometimes even question what they themselves have always believed to be true in OUR AMERICA. The series is produced by part2 pictures. Ling, David Shadrack Smith, Greg Henry and Amy Bucher are the executive producers.
REAL LIFE: THE MUSICAL
Premieres Saturday, June 9, 10:00 p.m.
Music speaks where words fail. That's the premise for this new reality series that helps tongue-tied people break into a hit song that says what they cannot: "I love you," "marry me," or "I want you back." Teamed with a vocal coach and choreographer, each week an amateur singer will get the professional help they need to stage a live "flash musical" that surprises someone they love. The coaches will enlist the help of the singer's friends, family and co-workers to create a back-up chorus to support them as they pour their heart out to their unsuspecting loved one. It's the performance of a lifetime that could literally change two people's lives. The series is produced by ITV Studios America. Annie Price is executive producer and show runner. Mark Christopher, Dan Gelfand, and Richard Kaufman are executive producers.
SUPER SAVER SHOWDOWN
Premieres July 2012
Super Saver Showdown is a competition reality series that features two obsessed bargain hunters competing to see whose coupon clipping, super saving, and DIY skills are THE BEST! In each episode, two Super Savers will help families who are looking to throw stylish events on a dime budget. Round one, our Super Savers – paired with a member of the family they're playing for – must shop for the food essentials for their parties with only $100 in just 20 minutes. The winner of round one takes home a week's worth of free groceries for themselves and their families. Round two, contestants share their savings tips and DIY tricks with the families as they race against the clock to plan and throw their parties with only an additional $100 and in just 48hours. Host Kristan Cunningham judges contestants on the savings and style of their parties, and the best Super Saver takes home $10,000! The series is produced by Glassman Media. Andrew Glassman is executive producer. Grant Julian and Larissa A.K. Matsson are co-executive producers.
About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 77 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.
Los Angeles, CA – Oprah Winfrey Network announced today its summer primetime lineup including six new series Are You Normal, America?, Lives On Fire, Lovetown, USA, Million Dollar Neighborhood, Real Life: The Musical and Super Saver Showdown.
In addition, new episodes premiere of Oprah's Next Chapter, and the popular documentary series Our America with Lisa Ling returns.
"Our new summer series have a common thread of being fun, entertaining and meaningful," said Sheri Salata, president, OWN. "It's important to give the audience programming that makes them feel good, or provides them with inspiration in their own lives."
"We feel strongly about the current state of the channel," added Erik Logan, president, OWN. "We're seeing success with our original programming and are continuing to build the network one night at a time."
Oprah's primetime series Oprah's Next Chapter will feature new episodes this summer as Oprah visits actor Neil Patrick Harris and his family, including his fraternal twins, and speaks to him about his multifaceted career. Oprah also travels to a remote corner of Brazil to spend the day with world-renowned faith healer, spiritual medium and psychic surgeon, John of God, and gets an up-close look at controversial surgeries performed without anesthesia or sterilization.
The thought-provoking documentary series Our America with Lisa Ling returns to the primetime lineup June 10. The series, which debuted in February 2011, returned last fall for a second season that garnered double-digit ratings gains. New summer episodes will feature Ling in the field covering compelling stories on the Native American culture, life as a nun, swingers and teen pregnancy just to name a few.
OWN SUMMER SCHEDULE
**New series in ALL CAPS; All Times Eastern
FRIDAYS (beginning June 8)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. LIVES ON FIRE
SATURDAYS (beginning June 9)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. MILLION DOLLAR NEIGHBORHOOD
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. REAL LIFE: THE MUSICAL
SUNDAYS
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Oprah's Next Chapter
10:00 – 11:00 p.m. Our America with Lisa Ling (returns June 10)
MONDAYS (beginning June 4)
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ARE YOU NORMAL, AMERICA? (sneak preview after Oprah's Next Chapter Sun., June 3, 10:00 p.m.)
For a sneak preview of the new OWN summer shows, please visit: www.oprah.com/OWNsummershows
For photography and additional information, please visit the OWN press site: www.press.discovery.com/us/own/
Brief synopses follow:
ARE YOU NORMAL, AMERICA?
Premieres Monday, June 4, 9:00 p.m.
Sneak Peek Sunday, June 3, 10:00 p.m.
From Harpo Studios comes the fun new game show Are You Normal, America?, hosted by veteran TV producer Barry Poznick (Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?) and comedienne/actress Kim Coles (Living Single). Have you ever peeked at your boyfriend's emails? Or done your household chores naked? This lively game show will answer those burning questions and more as two contestants compete to win more than $100,000 in their quest to learn if they're normal. Along the way, audiences will be entertained, enlightened and ultimately comforted by the fact that we're all pretty abnormal...but that's what makes life fun! Are You Normal, America? is produced by Harpo Studios with Zoo Productions. Executive producers are Jill Van Lokeren and Jon Sinclair from Harpo Studios, as well as Barry Poznick and John Stevens from Zoo Productions (producers of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?).
LIVES ON FIRE
Premieres Friday, June 8, 9:00 p.m.
Lives on Fire takes us inside the extraordinary worlds of four remarkable women who risk their lives every day to take command during California's most dangerous disasters. As members of one of the nation's largest emergency response teams, these female firefighters are ready to battle against nature's most unforgiving forces. Viewers witness the drama, action and danger of their jobs as they respond to life and death situations. With the ending of each shift, these women also open the doors into their personal lives as they strive to balance being mothers, wives, girlfriends and daughters. Viewers will follow four very different women including Nica Vasquez, a mother who has 12 years of experience working in the service as a veteran firefighter/engineer; Rosanne Grier, who is in her fifth year as a seasonal firefighter working against the odds to become permanent; Michele Dyck, a veteran firefighter/engineer with 12 years of experience who works at a station in a coastal area known for its dangerous cliff and open water rescues; and Diley Greiser, a mother who is in her seventh year as a firefighter/paramedic who is adjusting to being the new person at Station 17 – one of the busiest and most demanding stations in Riverside County. Lives on Fire is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Executive producers are Melody Shafir and Brad Epstein. Co-executive producer is Anthony Samu. Executive producers for BBCWorldwide Productions are Elli Hakami, Michael Brooks and Jane Tranter.
LOVETOWN, USA
Premieres August 2012
After a nationwide search, Oprah Winfrey named Kingsland, Georgia to be LOVETOWN, USA. Oprah traveled to Georgia and launched the first of its kind social experiment, where she called the community to action at a "love rally" and challenged everyone to "open their arms and hearts to the possibilities of all kinds of love." Two experienced relationship coaches, Paul Carrick Brunson and Kailen Rosenberg, have the daunting task of transforming Kingsland in 30 short days. The coaches will attempt to mend relationships of embattled friends and lovers, and find true love for six singles with people living in their own back yard. Involving everyone from the mayor to grade school students, this social experiment will examine the affects love, grace, kindness and forgiveness can have on an entire community. Lovetown, USA is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for OWN. Bruce Toms is executive producer. Izzie Pick Ashcroft, Rob Bagshaw and Jane Tranter are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions. Charlie Debevoise and Mark Hickman are executive producers for NorthSouth Productions.
MILLION DOLLAR NEIGHBORHOOD
Premieres Saturday, June 9, 9:00 p.m.
In the debt-ridden town of Aldergrove, the community is teaming up for a million dollar challenge that could change their fortunes forever as they attempt to increase their net worth by a million dollars in three months. Each week, the entire community comes together to save an average of $100,000 in a large-scale challenge that will reduce debt and build assets for everyone. Whether they're bartering skills or renovating the home of a family in need, the people of Aldergrove are asked to share their time, their talents, their belongings, and their aspirations with each other. If they reach their goal, one hard working neighbor's dream will come true with a bonus prize. Million Dollar Neighborhood is produced by Force Four Entertainment and executive produced by John Ritchie.
OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER
Sundays at 9:00 p.m.
The primetime series features Oprah Winfrey as she steps outside of the studio for riveting, enlightening and in-depth conversations with newsmakers, celebrities, thought leaders and real-life families. Summer episodes will feature Oprah as she visits the home of Neil Patrick Harris and meets his family and an episode where Oprah journeys to Brazil to witness the man known as "John of God." The series is produced by Harpo Studios. Executive producers are Tara Montgomery and Andrea Wishom. Join the conversation on Twitter using #NextChapter.
OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING
Returns Sunday, June 10, 10:00 p.m.
From the swinger lifestyle to young girls entering convents, from arranged marriages to child pageants, the new season of "Our America with Lisa Ling" takes viewers along for an in-depth look at some of the most controversial and thought-provoking issues in the United States today. In each episode, Ling immerses herself into the lives of the people she meets and challenges viewers to understand different perspectives and sometimes even question what they themselves have always believed to be true in OUR AMERICA. The series is produced by part2 pictures. Ling, David Shadrack Smith, Greg Henry and Amy Bucher are the executive producers.
REAL LIFE: THE MUSICAL
Premieres Saturday, June 9, 10:00 p.m.
Music speaks where words fail. That's the premise for this new reality series that helps tongue-tied people break into a hit song that says what they cannot: "I love you," "marry me," or "I want you back." Teamed with a vocal coach and choreographer, each week an amateur singer will get the professional help they need to stage a live "flash musical" that surprises someone they love. The coaches will enlist the help of the singer's friends, family and co-workers to create a back-up chorus to support them as they pour their heart out to their unsuspecting loved one. It's the performance of a lifetime that could literally change two people's lives. The series is produced by ITV Studios America. Annie Price is executive producer and show runner. Mark Christopher, Dan Gelfand, and Richard Kaufman are executive producers.
SUPER SAVER SHOWDOWN
Premieres July 2012
Super Saver Showdown is a competition reality series that features two obsessed bargain hunters competing to see whose coupon clipping, super saving, and DIY skills are THE BEST! In each episode, two Super Savers will help families who are looking to throw stylish events on a dime budget. Round one, our Super Savers – paired with a member of the family they're playing for – must shop for the food essentials for their parties with only $100 in just 20 minutes. The winner of round one takes home a week's worth of free groceries for themselves and their families. Round two, contestants share their savings tips and DIY tricks with the families as they race against the clock to plan and throw their parties with only an additional $100 and in just 48hours. Host Kristan Cunningham judges contestants on the savings and style of their parties, and the best Super Saver takes home $10,000! The series is produced by Glassman Media. Andrew Glassman is executive producer. Grant Julian and Larissa A.K. Matsson are co-executive producers.
About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 77 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.
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