Can Oprah's reality show rescue OWN?

The Queen of Talk will get back in front of the cameras for Oprah's Next Chapter, a new series she hopes will halt her network's ratings slide

"Oprah's Next Chapter"
(Image credit: Facebook/Oprah's Next Chapter)

Since its launch on Jan. 1, Oprah Winfrey's fledgling network, OWN, has struggled with disappointing ratings and negative press. Hoping to turn things around, Winfrey will go before the cameras again in a reality-TV format. Oprah's Next Chapter, which debuts on OWN's one-year anniversary, will follow Winfrey as she travels the world to talk with celebrities and other public figures. In the premiere, she'll interview Steven Tyler at his New Hampshire home, while other episodes will feature a slumber party with Paula Deen, a visit to George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch, and a trip to Haiti with Sean Penn. Could Oprah's Next Chapter save OWN?

This may be her last shot: Winfrey promised that her role on OWN would be "strictly behind the cameras," says Radar. But she has to do something to get the network "off of life support." Her heaviest hitters are either floundering (Rosie O'Donnell's talk show struggles to attract a meager 200,000 viewers per episode), or have jumped ship altogether (Gayle King is moving to CBS to host The Early Show). OWN has been such a disappointment that Winfrey simply "had to try something new."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us