Upfronts 2012: OWN’s off to Alaska

April 5, 2012 by Barry Walsh

Married to the Army Alaska

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is rolling out four new unscripted primetime series in addition to a primetime game show for its upcoming slate.

The Discovery Communications/Harpo Inc. joint venture announced the series prior to Discovery Communications’ upfront event in New York City this afternoon.

The upcoming programs include the game show Are You Normal, America?, originally announced in January hosted by TV producer Barry Poznick (Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?) and comedian/actress Kim Coles. Contestants will find out through a mix of on-the-street polling, in-studio demonstrations and real-life situations shot “in the field” if certain behaviors (for instance, peeking at a significant other’s emails or doing household chores in the buff) are indeed “normal.” The series, slated for a summertime debut, comes from Harpo Studios and Zoo Productions.

The net will also head to U.S. factual TV hotspot Alaska via Married to the Army: Alaska (pictured), which looks at military wives stationed in America’s “last frontier.” It’s produced by 44 Blue Productions.

Elura and Michele Take Staten Island, from Picture Shack Entertainment, follows two former prosecutors who now offer mediation services.

Iyanla Fix My Life features motivational multi-hyphenate Iyanla Vanzant (author/inspirational speaker/talk show host), who will use her past experiences to help others negotiate life’s peaks and valleys. It’s produced by Harpo Studios.

Six Little McGhees follows Mia and Rozonno McGhee, the parents of Columbus, Ohio’s first set of sextuplets, as they juggle marriage, a family business, and their six toddlers. It’s produced by Candor Entertainment, in conjunction with Discovery Fit & Health and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

The network has also picked up a third season of Oprah’s Master Class and 10 more episodes of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s from Pilgrim Studios.

“We have solid momentum and are building the network with a strong mix of programs that connect and engage with our audience,” said OWN co-president Sheri Salata. “The new series announced today are relevant shows with real stakes, real drama and a whole lot of heart. We look forward to sharing them with our viewers.”

Tags: Are You Normal America?, Married to the Army: Alaska, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Six Little McGhees