OWN Adds Four Unscripted Series And A Game Show

On Monday, Oprah Winfrey appeared on CBS This Morning to discuss the problems OWN has been having and where she hopes to see the network go in the future. Despite the trials, cancellations, and firings OWN has faced, Winfrey remained optimistic about her cable channel, saying she would not quit the massive undertaking she has already begun. Now, a new move by the network shows that OWN may perhaps

OWN is taking on 5 brand new programs, four of which are unscripted shows and one which is a game show. Let’s start with the game show. Initially announced back in January, Are You Normal, America? - produced by Barry Poznick, a man who unfathomably loves question marks in TV titles - will go to the streets and head into the studio to determine whether behaviors that might be considered a little strange are actually normal normal. Actress Kim Coles is set to host.

The unscripted shows run the gamit. A couple of them sound like new concepts that should fit well into the motivational tone of OWN. According to Real Screen Elura and Michele Take Staten Island will follow a couple of mediators who formerly worked in the justice system. Iyanla Fix My Life will similarly follow a “fixer” personality, Iyanla Vazant, who will help people to figure out issues and deal with things going on in their lives.

The other two shows sound like hybrids of things we have already been privy to, unfortunately. One will cross Sarah Palin’s Alaska with the fictional Army Wives. Married to the Army: Alaska is not only the most ridiculous title ever, but I’m uncertain people will really be excited about frontier army wives. I was also uncertain people would watch Palin slaughtering haddock, though, so maybe Married to the Army: Alaska stands a fighting chance. OWN’s final new show is a take on Jon and Kate Plus Eight. This program will follow a different set of sextuplets, those parented by Mia and Rozonno McGhee in Colombus, Ohio. Let’s hope this show works out a little better than TLC’s golden family.

Hey, every time OWN takes some giant leaps with programming, the fewer reruns from ID we are forced to browse through.