How sexy is OWN? Oprah’s network rolls out sex therapy, infidelity, celebrity and ‘make-better’ shows
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The OWN cable network plans to bring sex and betrayal to the TV dial in June, but in the most uplifting Oprah Winfrey-esque way.
OWN will roll out four new shows next month, in addition to the previously announced ‘Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals’ and ‘Finding Sarah,’ about Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, which may or may not deal with that very public royal wedding snub.
Well-known sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman will star in a version of her XM satellite radio show, dubbed ‘The Dr. Laura Berman Show.’ The one-hour program will feature ‘lively, no-holds-barred discussions’ between Berman and callers from around the country, with the network promising that no topic will be deemed ‘too outrageous.’ (Hint: Adult toys -- no, not sports cars -- may be involved).
This will be Berman’s second OWN series; the first, ‘In the Bedroom,’ launched earlier this year and is now in production for its second season, expected to premiere in the fall. ‘Unfaithful: Stories of Betrayal,’ which sounds like the flip side of ambush reality show ‘Cheaters,’ focuses on people whose marriages have been rocked by affairs. Couples share their stories, with the philanderer outing himself/herself, and a therapist discusses how their relationship survived the infidelity. It will involve ‘deeply personal stories of heartbreak,’ the network said.
Both shows debut June 6.
The network, which kicked off Jan. 1 and has had a tough time gaining traction with viewers despite heavy investments in programming and marketing, will also launch a documentary-style series that studies famous artists, musicians and filmmakers.
‘Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind,’ plans episodes on photographer Annie Leibovitz, writer/directors James Cameron and Tyler Perry, fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford and Black Eyed Peas founder will.i.am. The series starts June 17. ‘Oprah Presents Master Class,’ already airing on the channel, covers similar territory on how famous folks got to the top of the heap.
‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’ alum Carson Kressley’s new ‘make-better’ show, ‘Carson Nation,’ will travel the country looking for ‘deserving individuals’ who might not know that tribal prints are all the rage and baggy sweat suits are not. Look for Kressley’s indefatigable presence starting on June 25.
OWN, which just ousted Christina Norman, its top-ranked executive, recently launched a pair of high-profile series, ‘Becoming Chaz,’ about the life of Chaz Bono, and ‘Why Not? with Shania Twain.’ Winfrey herself has pledged to be much more involved personally when her syndicated show ends its 25-year run on May 25.
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Chaz Bono stars in ‘Becoming Chaz’ on OWN
-- T.L. Stanley