by paula on September 4, 2011
What seems like a very long time ago, Oprah launched her new network and came out with “Your OWN Show,” noted as “Oprah’s search for the Next TV Star.” The winner would be awarded with their own show on OWN that we had thought would air this summer on the network. With all of the hype of finding the next “Oprah” as the Oprah Winfrey Show was coming to an end, this program seemed like her new network’s spin on “The Next Food Network Star” meets “The Apprentice” meets “Project Runway.” Name your reality show competition and it had a little flavor of all of it. It was fun, light and entertaining. So what happened?
Now, months later…it’s almost like it was never there. There are no re-runs on OWN and really, no signs that it ever existed except for the link on Oprah.com that has kinda fallen to the bottom of the pile. With no word of the winners…or the non-winners…or any plans to move development forward, it leaves me with asking the question of where are these new shows?…and why weren’t they out months ago? It just seems like the opportunity was missed and that someone dropped the ball…or didn’t plan…or did both.
Everybody has an opinion of the network these days and of Oprah’s continued influence after the end of her long run syndicated talk show. I have no doubt that OWN will make it…and that Oprah will continue to change the world. But these mis-steps early on in OWN’s launch are mistakes that I hope that they learn from. We are savy viewers. Don’t think that we are not. I’m still hoping that at some point we will get to be part of Kristina’s Fearless Kitchen and Rollin’ Around the World with Zach Anner…but I’m skeptical. Without signs of life from OWN or Oprah herself…I’m thinking Oprah’s search for the next star ended way back in February.
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by paula on February 25, 2011
Zach and Kristina…
Zach is the first finalist….on the first Your OWN show show….Kristina is the second. The prizes for the winner are….of course, your own show on OWN, $100,000 from Kohl’s, a $100,000 from Kohl’s Cares donated in your name to the charity of your choice and a brand new 2011 Chevy Equinox.
The last mentor….Mark Burnett…the producer of the winning show….and this show too! So, this week….here come the pilots! Here come the pilots! YEAH!
Kristina picks Terey and….Elizabeth….for Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco Productions. Kristina’s cooking show…getting people in the kitchen and eating well. Kristina’s Fearless Kitchen.
Zach picks Ryan and Alicia….for Zach Anner Productions. Zach – Rolling around the world…with Zach in it.
The Prep – The task is to produce the pilot for their shows.
In comes Mark Burnett…into Zach’s meeting. “Oprah’s all about authenticity….what is real,” Mark tells Zach. Be yourself…. [read more…]
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by paula on February 23, 2011
We are now down to the final three – Terey, Kristina and Zach. These three lucky finalists will now go through some press of their own…but they are in good hands, Gayle King is here! As mentor of the week, Gayle – promote yourself….promote the network….”remember to give them a reason to remember you…most important….be yourself.”
The Prep and The Taping The press junket gives the final three an opportunity to tell about their shows…to TV Guide, Entertainment Tonight and….surprise….OPRAH! Wow!
Kristina’s cooking show…cooking to show people how they can cook and live your best life…but during the interviews we hear a little bit of the behind the scenes diva dishing and drama…Maybe some things are better left not said. You know? Then…comes in OOOOOOOOOOOOOOPRAH! Talk about surprising the finalists! When asked, “Why a cooking show?” Cooking…is her calling and how she feeds her own soul. What she knows for sure “is that I have something that cannot be shut down and I need to use my voice. I know that that voice is worthy to be heard and if I stay true to myself, I can inspire others.” Bravo Kristina. A wonderful job…. [read more…]
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by paula on February 19, 2011
After the diva throwdown….this week seems like it should be easy. Right? Well, this week the teams are getting some financial expert mentorship from Ms. Suze Orman. This week the teams must produce a “Can I Afford It?” segment. Can they afford it? Oh….good luck. Suze tells them, “you have your work cut out for you.”
The Prep – Team Focus has Ryan as the EP this week…and knows he cannot survive the bottom two a third time. Suze enters the room and tells them….”are you going to focus on the emotion or the finance part of the story.” “The most dangerous thing for a finance expert is to believe your own hype,” Suze warns us. Alicia believes her own hype.
Team Vision has two people…and Kristina and Terey…teamwork. Suze comes in and tells them, “You have to connect with your guest….and connect with your guests at home. That is the challenge.”
The teams meet with their people. A young couple wanting to take a 2nd honeymoon….since their first was devastating and s [read more…]
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by paula on February 9, 2011
As Ryan comes back in…we know how much he wants this. Let’s get your spirit back and move on…we want to see you all shine. The segment this week is to complete a 30 second commercial spot for Kohl’s, who will – in the end – be the sponsor for the winner’s show. No pressure. Daisy Fuentes, who looks fabulous, is this weeks mentor. Fabulous.
Team Vision (Divas) – Kristina is the EP…a little nominated by Elizabeth but somebody has to do it. Elizabeth gets the interview. During Daisy’s interview with them, they are actually very focused. She’s a little impressed…
The Prep – Team Focus – Zach’s gets the interview. Alicia and Ryan have a disagreement on who is the EP. Ryan’s making sure he’s watching out for himself….finally, we see it becoming real. Alicia is the EP. Her overall impression…was that the team was smart. They wanted to know about Kohl’s but also about Daisy. But as she leaves….they unravel a little. [read more…]
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by paula on February 7, 2011
With Aunt Flora gone….it’s time to get serious….right? Professional Chef Curtis Stone is our mentor this week, and just in time because we are doing a live cooking segment. Let the races begin. Team Vision is hot-potatoe’ing the EP duties this week. Nobody wants them…it’s too much of a hot seat to be in and at this point, we are down to 3 on that team and everyone needs to watch out for themselves. Team Focus is feeling the heat a little too. Zack steps up to be the EP….and they push Tony to the front of the camera….”challenge yourself” they say.
The Prep – Team Vision - Chef Curtis walks into the team meetings and Elizabeth is the EP. She is confident but maybe a little too much so. She cuts off Terey… “she’s killing our time with him,” Kristina says. Oh…here we go.
Team Focus – Down the hall, Team Focus asks some good questions….and as Curtis says, “has a much more different vibe….” [read more…]
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by paula on January 28, 2011
…And then there were 8.
This week’s guest mentor….give it up everyone for Arsenio Hall….WOO WOO WOO WOO
The assignment this week….a monologue for a late night show AND an interview with Arsenio….let’s go. Go find the funny in yourself….at the historic Laugh Factory at an improve class. Let’s be funny this week people! Please…
The Prep…Team Vision – Terey is the comedian in the group….but Aunt Flora LOVES with a big red heart Arsenio….so Terey takes an off camera seat as the Exec Producer with a little trepidation. Let’s go. Krisina in the monologue queen this week….let’s go. Arsenio thinks this team has an agenda….and were focused…what about Team Focus?
Team Focus – Tony (aka Dr. Tony) is dubbed the Exec Producer this week. Zach wants the interview….Eric wants the monologue. [read more…]
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by paula on January 21, 2011
…And then there were 9.
This week we are doing makeovers. The guest mentor this week is Vera Wang…get out! “A makeover is about bringing out someone’s hidden potential,” Vera tells the team. 24 hours. Let’s go!
The Prep…Team Vision – Vera comes in and everyone is talking over each other…and then, Kristina takes over. The makeover participant, Lori, is a single mother of 3…breast cancer survivor…interviewing for new jobs…and something she needs to make her feel pretty again. Vera is giving them everything that they need…let’s see what they do with it. Kristina’s in charge and not always coming across as a team player…but I guess it IS a competition…right?
Lori, Kristina and Flora head to Kohl’s for a day of shopping and meet Vera as an extra bonus. The team seems a little frantic. Everyone…take a breath please. [read more…]
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