November 11, 2011

'YOUR OWN SHOW: OPRAH'S SEARCH FOR THE NEXT TV STAR' WINNERS DEBUT NEW SERIES
'ROLLIN' WITH ZACH' AND 'THE AMBUSH COOK' THIS DECEMBER ON OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

John Mayer Performs Original Theme Song for 'Rollin' with Zach'


Los Angeles, CA — "Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star" winners Zach Anner and Kristina Kuzmič debut their new series "Rollin' with Zach" and "The Ambush Cook" this December on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Earlier this year, more than 15,000 people auditioned to vie for the opportunity on "Your OWN Show" on OWN. Ten contestants with determination, passion and drive were plucked from obscurity to compete for the chance to host their own show on the network. During the series finale of "Your OWN Show" in a surprise twist, Anner and Kuzmič were both named the winners. Anner chose to host a travel show and Kuzmič selected a cooking series.

"Rollin' with Zach" will premiere with back-to-back episodes beginning Monday, December 12 (8:00 — 9:00 p.m. ET/PT) and for three consecutive weeks (December 12, 19 and 26) will air 8:00 — 9:00 p.m. ET/PT for a total of six episodes.

Anner, an internet favorite when he auditioned for the show, will host "Rollin' with Zach," a travel show where he explores the country, meets new people, indulges in his favorite treats, and attempts new and exciting experiences he never imagined possible! According to Anner, "the adventure is in the attitude." Anner, who has cerebral palsy, became a fan favorite with his audition tape calling himself the "the sexiest palsy," even drawing the attention of Grammy Award winner John Mayer, who composed and performed the show's theme song "Let The Boy."

For a preview clip, click on:
https://www.oprah.com/own/Official-Trailer-Rollin-With-Zach

"The Ambush Cook" will premiere with back-to-back episodes Saturday, December 3 (12:00 — 1:00 p.m. ET/PT) and for three consecutive weeks (December 3, 10 and 17) will air 12:00 — 1:00 p.m. ET/PT for a total of six episodes.

Kuzmič, born and raised in Croatia, has gone from food stamps to her own television series. At one point a single mother without a job, Kuzmič turned to her passion for cooking. She will host "The Ambush Cook," a cooking show that proves anyone can be a great cook, one ambush at a time.

For a preview clip, click on: https://www.oprah.com/own/Official-Trailer-The-Ambush-Cook

For additional show photography, please visit www.press.discovery.com/us/own

Series trailer embed codes available upon request.

ROLLIN' WITH ZACH
Zach Anner is obsessed with travel. In "Rollin' With Zach," he takes an authentic and often humorous approach to seeing the country. Anner may have cerebral palsy, but that's never stopped him! In every episode, Anner explores a new city and conquers his "top five" list for the destination, traveling from coast to coast. Each episode is filled with humor and emotion, as Anner meets new people, indulges in his favorite treats, and attempts new and exciting experiences he never thought possible! From surfing to sailing, rock climbing to water-skiing, he challenges himself to try the unexpected, and at times - the seemingly impossible. When things don't go as planned, Anner embraces the problem with his sharp sense of humor and a positive attitude, because travel is an adventure and sometimes you just have to "roll with it." The series is produced by Pie Town Productions and executive produced by Tara Sandler, Jennifer Davidson and Scott Templeton. Co-executive produced by Melodie Calvert.

"Los Angeles" — Monday, December 12 (8-8:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Zach starts off his show in Los Angeles where he counts down the top five things he's always wanted to do, from trying out to be a contestant on " The Price is Right," to learning to dance like a pop star, to surfing the Southern California waves.

"Chicago" — Monday, December 12 (8:30-9 p.m. ET/PT)
Zach is rollin' into Chicago where he'll take a spin on classic waterfront rides at Navy Pier, join in some summer festival fun at the Taste of Greece, and strap on his first pair of water skis ever on beautiful Lake Michigan.

"New York" — Monday, December 19 (8-8:30 p.m. ET/PT)
On this trip to the Big Apple, Zach is in New York City where he'll take a tour of Manhattan 2000 feet above the ground, try his luck at speed dating and fulfill a lifelong dream of doing stand-up at world-famous Caroline's comedy club .

"San Francisco" — Monday, December 19 (8:30-9 p.m. ET/PT)
Zach is getting an insider's look at San Francisco, where he'll catch his very own crab on Fisherman's Wharf, feed his sweet tooth with a tour of the Jelly Belly factory, and fulfill his father's lifelong dream of sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

"Las Vegas" — Monday, December 26 (8-8:30 p.m. ET/PT)
All bets are off when Zach hits Las Vegas! Zach tries his luck at gambling for the first time, samples a famous Vegas buffet, and catches a glimpse of some showgirls. Find out if what happens when Zach tries his luck as he takes flight Vegas style.

"Portland" — Monday, December 26 (8:30-9 p.m. ET/PT)
From biking to brewing, food carts to coffee tasting, Zach is exploring Portland, Oregon where the city motto is "Keep Portland Weird!" It is here that he will conquer his biggest challenge yet — rock climbing in Mount Hood National Forest.

THE AMBUSH COOK
Kristina Kuzmič has been passionate about cooking her entire life. In "The Ambush Cook," Kuzmič ambushes people from their everyday lives and takes them to her kitchen for an intervention in home cooking. From married moms addicted to frozen foods and take-out, to single bachelors who still go to mom's house for dinner every single night, as varied as Kuzmič's guests may be they all have one thing in common: they fear the kitchen! Kuzmič takes a no-nonsense approach to tackling the many issues that cause people to give up on cooking. From braised short ribs to pistachio crusted tilapia, her recipes are tasty enough to satisfy the most discerning palate, yet simple enough for anyone to follow. Failure is not an option in Kuzmič's kitchen. Her goal is to fill the world with better cooks, one ambush at a time. The series is produced by Pie Town Productions and executive produced by Tara Sandler, Jennifer Davidson and Scott Templeton. Co-executive produced by Liz Sterbenz.

"The Takeout Mom"— Saturday, December 3 (12-12:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Host and Chef Kristina Kuzmič takes Shania, a mom that's more comfortable picking up takeout than a whisk, out of the drive-thru lane and into her kitchen to make Mongolian beef and vegetable fried brown rice.

"The Momma's Boy" — Saturday, December 3 (12:30-1 p.m. ET/PT)
Kristina tries to keep momma's boy Caesaray out of the nest every time hunger hits when she teaches him to make pistachio crusted tilapia, goat cheese bruschetta and mocha bread pudding.

"The Freezer Fanatic" — Saturday, December 10 (12-12:30 p.m. ET/PT)
In this episode Kristina takes Monica out of the freezer section and into the kitchen when she teaches her to make spicy peanut butter chicken with basmati rice and molten chocolate lava cakes.

"The Caveman Cook" — Saturday, December 10 (12:30-1 p.m. ET/PT)
Kristina teaches Brent, a musician with zero confidence in the kitchen, that cooking doesn't have to end with the house almost burning down. Together they make braised short ribs and sautéed sweet corn.

"The Social Butterfly" — Saturday, December 17 (12-12:30 p.m. ET/PT)
New mom-to-be Leslie learns from Kristina that she can still be social at home with her friends when she teaches her to make asparagus salmon salad and guiltless chocolate mousse.

"The Restaurant Regular" — Saturday, December 17 (12:30-1 p.m. ET/PT)
Kristina cooks with restaurant addict Carmel, who admits to never having used a stove. Carmel learns that cooking is actually fun and together they make mustard crusted chicken and crispy Nutella cookies.

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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