See It First: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star

I was given the chance to sneak preview the premiere episode of “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” that airs this Friday, January 7th at 9/8c (thanks OWN/SheSpeaks!)

Contestants are vying for their own tv show on the OWN station so things get a little, um, competitive.  Instead of feeling dirty at the end of a reality show episode,  in true Oprah spirit it is meant to be uplifting.   Don’t get me wrong –  it isn’t all unicorns and butterflies.  The women throw each other under the bus as soon as opportunity arises.    Leigh, a boistrous SAHM of four who wants to talk penis vs. finger size and wears a tutu on stage is one of the more noticable figures:

Ayup, that’s the finger vs penis comparison

I think I know a story behind these Kohl’s bags

Of the 15,000 people that tried out, only ten make it and only one has a public following.  Elizabeth is a reporter in Los Angeles and risks souring her following and position if she comes across unfavorably:

Starting off right

The guys were pretty quiet this round, but because they were outnumbered by the women they were able to pick one of the females for their team.  They went with Alicia “If it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t makes sense”, a mortgage broker who impresses right off the bat:

Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star is a bit like  The Apprentice getting in touch with its feminine side.  The fun is how the personalities begin to unravel with each challenge. It is also the fantasy of Oprah’s journey and  allowing contestants to succeed and fail on their own in an ” Unsinkable Molly Brown” style that will leave  fans waiting to the end to see who reigns victorious.  

Hosted by: Nancy O’Dell and Carson Kressley

Guest Mentors: Dr. Phil and probably every expert that has ever appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show

See it first: Friday, January 7th at 9/8c