March 31, 2005

Starting Over Is Casting For Couples For The 3rd Season

The third season of 'Starting Over' will be unique. For the first time, the show will feature couples! It was announced in the most recent casting notice.


STARTING OVER is looking for extraordinary women who want to make extraordinary changes in their lives. If you are a passionate, motivated individual aged 18 or older who is willing to relocate to Los Angeles for 6 to 10 weeks, we'd like to help you!

STARTING OVER is currently seeking couples for special episodes of Season 3. If you are in a committed relationship, are currently having difficulties with your partner or spouse, and would like to receive couples counseling while staying the Starting Over house, then we want to hear from you!

All types of couples (married, engaged, dating, same-sex, common-law, etc.) will be considered- as long as you are in a serious relationship.

To apply, please attend one of our casting calls or submit a casting tape following the guidelines below. If you submit a tape, please write “Couples” in large letters on the envelope in addition to the standard information. If you attend a casting call, bring your spouse or partner with you, and be sure to let the casting director know you are applying as a couple.

Note: Your partner MUST be willing to appear on the show AND stay in the Starting Over house with you!

STARTING OVER is holding open casting calls in the following cities:
Birmingham, AL - Wednesday, March 30, 10am - 5pm
Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
*Season 2 graduate Cassie will be in attendance

Denver, CO - Thursday, March 31, 10am - 5pm
The Westin Tabor Center
1672 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80202
*Season 2 graduates Jennifer and Kim will be in attendance

Sacramento, CA - Saturday, April 2, 10am - 5pm
Sheraton Grand Sacramento
1230 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
*Graduates Hailey and Lynnell will be in attendance

Atlanta, GA - Sunday, April 3, 10am - 5pm
Omni Hotel
100 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30335

Indianapolis, IN - Saturday, April 9, 10am - 5pm
Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center at Union Station
123 West Louisiana Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
*Graduate Rain will be in attendance

Miami, FL - Sunday, April 10, 10am - 5pm
Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay
1717 North Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33132

STARTING OVER is also accepting videotape submissions. Please see below for instructions on submitting your tape!

Although we are always open to any new goals, below are some stories we are particularly interested in finding:
Do you want reconstructive surgery following an accident or to correct a physical problem?

Are you returning from service in Iraq and need help adjusting to civilian life?

Do you want to give up your child for adoption?

Having difficulty getting pregnant and need help sorting out fertility issues?

Are you in the service of the church and want to consider changing your lifestyle?

Are you recently divorced or widowed after a long marriage and need to learn how to live alone or do you want to date again?

Do you have a mother-in-law or a daughter-in-law who you can’t get along with?

Do you need help getting along with your sister or need to repair this relationship?

Are you a mother or daughter who can’t get along with each other?

Are you trying to break into a traditionally male dominated or otherwise unusual career?

Do you have a friend with whom you’ve had a falling out? Would you like to repair this relationship?

Lost track of someone important?
Looking for a long lost love? An estranged parent or sibling?

Have you wronged someone close to you?
Do you want to make amends with those you’ve hurt?

Trying to recover from a traumatic experience?
Has your life been impacted by a natural disaster, personal tragedy, or the loss of a loved one?

If you're interested in trying out for the next season of STARTING OVER, you can send us a 5-10 minute video tape. Don’t forget to clearly state your goal in your submission! What obstacles are preventing you from achieving your goal on your own? How do you think we can help?

On your tape, please include:
name:
address:
email:
phone number:

and send it to:
Starting Over Casting
Bunim/Murray Productions
6007 Sepulveda Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91411

Tapes will not be returned. We accept Mini-DV, VHS, and VHS-C. Please do not send CD-ROMS or DVDs.

*We are always considering new cast members for this show, please keep sending in your tapes.*

Posted by inthestars at 05:25 AM

Spoilers for March 31 to April 11

The next two weeks will be thrilling on 'Starting Over'. Look at these spoilers:

3-31
Rachael is furious over the decision her aunt made after Rachael's mother passed away; Rhonda shows Bethany exactly how negative her self-criticisms are; Candy gets a surprise visit.

4-1
One of the women graduates; Iyanla sends Allison to the gym; an upcoming procedure terrifies Bethany.

4-4
Karen, the newest housemate, arrives; Tess learns a lesson about being judgmental; Vanessa grapples with the emotional effects of no longer being a star athlete.

4-5
Iyanla accuses Karen of finding comfort in drama; Rachael fears being entirely cut off from her family; three men compete for Bethany's attention

4-6
Rachael confronts her father and demands answers to the questions she has had since childhood; the housemates worry about Karen's emotional state; Allison meets an inspirational figure.

4-7
Karen gets caught in a downward spiral and Dr. Stan worries about her; Vanessa and Bethany are encouraged to be ``bad girls'' for a day; Tess is challenged to be a better listener.

4-8
Iyanla challenges Allison; a visitor raises uncomfortable questions for Vanessa; one of the women learns she is graduating, while another is told she is not doing the work that is required of her.

4-11
Dr. Stan and the life coaches explore the topic of body image and the role that it plays in the self-esteem of some women.

Posted by inthestars at 05:20 AM

There will be a third Season of 'Starting Over'

There will be a third season of 'Starting Over'.

Here is the official press release:


NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has renewed the daytime syndicated series "Starting Over" for a third season in 92 percent of the country. The unscripted sobfest has been given time period upgrades in 35 major markets, benefiting lucky viewers in cities including Chicago, Houston and Cleveland.
"The success of 'Starting Over' has proven that there is a place in daytime television for positive, empowering, reality drama," says series creator and executive producer Jon Murray ("The Real World"). "In our third season, we will continue to innovate with the fresh, compelling, real-life stories that have made 'Starting Over' a must-see program for the daytime audience."

"Starting Over," which relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles in its second season, is up for two Daytime Emmys, including outstanding special class series. The show, which gives struggling women the chance to restart their lives with the help of doctors, coaches and lots of peer support, has shown 36 percent grown among women 25-54, giving NBC Universal added hope.


"'Starting Over' is truly becoming a daytime franchise and we head into our third season with tremendous momentum, especially with women under 50, which is so rare and valuable in daytime," says NBC Universal's Barry Wallach. "Jonathan Murray and the team at Bunim-Murray have done a terrific job of producing a special daily series that is resonating with the daytime audience."
The "Starting Over" coaches are apparently already attracting big crowds as they tour the country on the 15-city "Starting Over in America Tour."

Congrats to the show! We love Starting Over!

Posted by inthestars at 05:19 AM

Lori Is Getting Married In May

Congrats to Lori from the first season of the show. She is getting married in May in Atlanta, GA according to Rhonda who announced it at a Birmingham, AL appearance.

Posted by inthestars at 05:13 AM

April 1, 2005 Spoiler

Here's the spoiler for April 1, 2005. You'll love this great episode!

Robert leaves the next morning. He doesn’t want to but he has to get back. So he will not be there for her graduation.

The gastro doctor calls Bethany and says that her blood work shows low iron and that could be caused by an ulcer. He wants to do the endoscopy thing. Bethany is then talking to Rhonda and says that she is excited to have it done and maybe get some real answers.
All she asks is that Rhonda be right there when she wakes up because the medicine they give makes you have a slight amnesia feel and she is terrified of waking up and not knowing anyone. Otherwise she is ready to go.

Allison is meeting with Iyanla and they have those ugly wig heads there. Iyanla calls them her squatters. Iyanla says that Allison’s most prominent squatter is being worthless. Iyanla asks Allison why did she go through 21 weeks of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation if she thinks she is not worthy of living?

Bethany and Rhonda are at the day surgery and Bethany is excited about having the procedure. Her only concern is that she see Rhonda’s face when she wakes up.

Back to Allison. Iyanla asks her again why did she fight to live and Allison says that she thinks that she did it so that her family wouldn’t have to go through her dying. Iyanla tells Allison that her life is in danger but not from the cancer but from the squatters. She wants her to work on her body image so she is meeting with Marcus today. But she has to take her squatters with her.

Group is led by Iyanla of course since Rhonda and Bethany are at the doctors. Candy is called up to the love seat. Candy has on a new blouse and skirt and Iyanla makes a big deal about her. We see the old self portrait and the new self portrait. Iyanla asks her what her definition of femininity is and Candy says it is to accept yourself for who you really are and let your inner beauty shine through. Iyanla says that since Candy seems to have had a bunch of make-overs already that today Vanessa and Tess are taking her shopping for a fabulous dress and then Rachel and Allison will do her make up. Candy is going to also go get a massage.

We go back to the doctor’s and we see the camera going down Bethany’s throat. Just a little gaggy, not bad and not very long. Then he comes in to recovery room and shows her the pictures he took and tells her that he took several biopsies. He says that he saw a lot of irritation in her stomach and some blood spots. He says that he wants to wait for the biopsy results and that will be in a couple days.

Marcus Alert!!!! Allison works with Marcus a little with her squatters in tow. He says that he is impressed with how well she did.

Vanessa, Tess and Candy go shopping. We see her try on a few dresses and they all agree on this lacy one. It is very nice.

Allison meets with Dr Stan and she has her squatters with her. He says that he wants to ask about the one labeled fat and ugly. He asks her how long she has felt that way and she said since she was a kid.

Candy is getting her massage.

Back to Allison and Dr. Stan. She tells Dr. Stan that her dad was an abusive alcoholic. He was verbally abusive to Allison and she believes he was probably physically abusive to her mom. She said her mom was unable to show her the love she needed. Dr. Stan says that she has got to learn to love her self.

Bethany is back and a little woozy. Rachel helps her down to her room and Bethany shows her the pictures that the doctor took in her stomach. Bethany says that this doctor finding some answers has made her so happy and she is no longer afraid to go to the doctor.

Candy is sitting in a chair and Allison is doing her make up and Rachel is doing her hair.

It is time for Candy’s graduation. She looks wonderful. We see the clips of her stay in the house. Iyanla tells her that it has been an honor to serve her and that she is always just a phone call away. Rhonda says a blip about Candy being ready to graduate. Vanessa tells her that she remembers having a difficult session and that Candy hugged her and just let her cry on her shoulder. She said thanks for her being her friend unconditionally.

Rachel says that they shared a trait that they had both abandoned part of themselves. She tells Candy that she is like a mother to her and she doesn’t tell many people that.
Candy’s gifts are $200 worth of products to pamper herself with. A $200 gift certificate to the hair salon and a $3000 gift certificate from Lowe’s to get work done on her house. Her statue says, “Katrinda, a real woman”
Candy says that the house saved her life. She tells them that she will be there for them all always. We see more clips. When Candy is getting in the limo to leave she says that they have a wedding to come to. (that must be the Las Vegas one!) Iyanla made a wedding comment earlier in the show too.
The show ends with the obligatory shot of the roomie (Vanessa) left behind saying that she hopes her new roommate is as great as Candy.

Previews-
The new hg shows up. Karen shares her painful and shocking story. Iyanla says, “you were willing to give up that part of your life in order to be safe?”
Then voice over says, “Her arrival hits a raw nerve in the house”. Vanessa in group says, “I just have to say something because its just really making me angry.”

A biker comes to the house to deliver a message to Bethany and Vanessa that they are going to be bad girls for the day. Vanessa says that she hopes she doesn’t have to ride a motorcycle because she is afraid of them.

Tension mounts in the house. Tess, Allison and Rachel are sitting at the dining room table and Allison says, “We just need to nip this in the bud, you (meaning Rachel) said something to Tess that was kind of rude.” Tess in confessional saying, “She just shut me down!”

Rachel meets her dad for the first time. Rachel is on the phone saying, “aaaahhhhh!!!! He’s probably waking in right now! I don’t know what to say.” She just drops the phone on the chair and takes off. She does have a big smile on her face. We see Iyanla outside the house as the limo drives up and then we see her walking him in. We just see him for a second from the back. But you can tell he is smiling and so is Iyanla.

Posted by inthestars at 05:07 AM

March 31, 2005 Spoiler

Thanks to the contributer of this spoiler:

Rachel is carrying around a calculator and saying to look at how much her aunt spent of her money to send her away to school in Montana. It’s not til she shows it to Candy that Candy yells, “oh my God!”

Tess is meeting with Rhonda. Rhonda says that Tess doesn’t really even know what love is. She tells Tess that she is to call her mother, father, sister and husband and ask how she gives them love. And if she feels courageous enough she can ask some of her housemates.

Candy is meeting with Iyanla and they say that Robert is coming to the house today. Iyanla asks her what she wants to communicate to him when he visits. Candy, says “that I’m okay.” And she is crying and Iyanla asks why she is crying and Candysays that she didn’t think she would ever be able to say that to him. Iyanla says that Candy has thought tht her long hair is the one thing that was feminine for her and asks her if she is ready to cut it. I guess she is going to get it cut before Robert comes. Iyanla is laughing and saying that she is excited. Candy looks like a deer in headlights.

Iyanla leads group. She tells the women to take deep breaths and find their centers Tess starts crying in group and Iyanla is looking at her and Tess just keeps crying and Iyanla says, “if I stare at you, do you think you can tell me why you are crying or do I need to ask?” Tess says that she realizes that her problems are not just with her husband. That she realizes she has issues with her mother and other women.” In confessional Iyanla says that she is not feeling Tess’ energy and thinks that this is not a true breakthrough but Tess wanting attention. Allison says that she is jealous of Tess’ breakthrough. Iyanla asks her what else she is jealous of and Allison says that she is jealous of the good health of the otheres and some other stuff. Iyanla talks about how toxic jealousy. The others add their own jealousy. Tess chimes in that she is her own toxin and Iyanla stops her and starts sniffing the air and says that she smells a lie. Tess says that she doesn’t feel she is lying. They point out that her saying she hasn’t lost her “baby weight” is a toxin and her marriage is a toxin. Iyanla says that you have to speak your mind to rid yourself of the toxins and wants the women to make it a detoxing day.

Rhonda takes Bethany for another walk to discuss where she is in her steps. Rhonda says that Bethany is not getting over her walls. Rhonda asks her about how she used to love to sing in front of others and now she can’t. Bethany says it is because she is afraid she will hyperventilate and can’t do it. Rhonda says that is an example of Bethany running into these brick walls. Nothing has changed in her singing ability but Bethany wants it to be nothing less than perfect, so she just sets up a wall and doesn’t do it at all. Rhonda tells her that she can hope and dream all she wants but if she puts up the walls she will do nothing. So they are at a fake brick wall and Rhonda is telling her to name her brick walls and having her use a spray can of paint to write what is stopping her. She writes too fat, not good enough, Jessica is better, ugly, hopeless and bunches of others.

Rachel is on the phone with her friend Jamal about what is going on with he Aunt Ellen. He is telling her not to let Ellen be the end of the world to her. She should not let her aunt disrespect her just so she will love her.

Robert shows up at the house. Vanessa takes Robert to the guest room and tells him that she isn’t sure how long Candy is out for. Then we see Candy at the salon. Allison is with her.

Iyanla comes to the house and sits down to talk to Robert. She asks if he has noticed changes in her and he says that she is very happy to be there and that she is doing things she never would have done before. Iyanla tells Robert about Candy telling her the story of a time when she and Robert went dancing and he had told her to let him lead. Iyanla says that while Candy is out she is having a dance instructor come in to give him a dance lesson. Iyanla says that they are sending them out to dinner and she asks him that when they return to the house would he ask her to dance with him and see if she lets him lead.

Tess calls her husband and says that she wants to ask him how she gives him love. He says with affection but then he says that sometimes what she says and what she does is two different things. He mentions something about the evil side to her. Then she asks how she withholds love. He says by lying and hanging out all night and disrespecting. She asks if there is anything else and he said there probably is but he needs to think about it. She says that she knows he is driving right now and doesn’t want him to have a wreck so they will talk more later.

The dance instructor comes and starts to teach Robert.
Candy tells the woman who is going to cut her hair that she would like it lighter but not real blond and she is trusting her to cut her hair the way she thinks is best. Candy is nervous.

Back to Rhonda and Bethany. Rhonda says that none of this is new and every time they talk about it, Bethany says she is ready to change but she doesn’t make the change. Rhonda has her tear down the wall and asks her if she is really ready. Bethany starts to cry.

Rachel meets with Iyanla. Rachel says that she is so angry that she is just about ready to explode. Iyanla says in confessional that these toxins are very tough for Rachel because they are family members but she can set some very clear boundaries. Iyanla says to Rachel that they will start by talking about Aunt Ellen. (dang it, I don’t think we will see the confrontation today either!)
Iyanla says that she has heard that Rachel say to her that she wants to sue her aunt and to have her removed from the trust. Rachel says that she is open to keeping her on the trust fund if Ellen answers some questions. Iyanla says that she knows that Rachel is angry about the $175,000 (yep that much!) that was spent to send her to that school. Iyanla has Rachel label plates with her anger issues.

Tess calls her mom and asks her how she gives her love. Her mom says that that is hard to answer. She says that Tess will tell her she loves her but that she is not real physical, she isn’t a hugger. Tess asks how she withholds her love and she says that she ignores her and won’t call her.

Rachel is breaking plates. She is angry that Ellen sent her to live with a black family that didn’t even want her. That Ellen didn’t follow her mother’s wishes. That when Rachel visited she was made to feel unwelcome and mad to sleep on the couch. When she asked her aunt why she didn’t let her live with her she said it was because she was an incorrigible brat. Iyanla lays on the grass with her and asks her what she wants to do and Rachel says she wants to call her. Iyanla says in confessional that Aunt Ellen has no idea that that frightened 12 year old is gone and there is a self assured young woman standing up for herself confronting her.

Tess calls her sister Torrei and asks her how she shows her love and she answers that she has no idea. Tess asks how she withholds love and Torrei says she was always afraid to tell her she loved her because Tess would tell her to shut up.

Candy comes home and her hair is just a little past her shoulders and parted on the sid and straight. Robert has a big smile on his face and he has a rose for her. They leave in a stretch limo and go to dinner. Robert tells her at dinner that he is so glad she came to the house. When they get back to the house Robert tells Candy that he has a surprise for her and he takes her in the house and tells her that he had a dance lesson and they dance by fire light. She is so happy and says that she is never going back to the way she was. Iyanla says in confessional that she asked Robert to deliver one more surprise for her and that he is to tell Candy that she is graduating the next day!

Rachel calls Aunt Ellen and says that she has a couple questions for her and Ellen says that she will not answer any questions for her and Rachel is doing that nervous laugh and says okay then can she send them to her in writing and Ellen says no that she will not participate in anything. Rachel is so in shock that she is still doing that little laugh and asking her, “you won’t answer any questions, even in a letter?” and Ellen says no and hangs up. Rachel is laughing saying this is bad and dialing the phone. (I assume she is calling Iyanla but that is the end.)

Preview- Candy graduates! She says that the house saved her life.

Allison is with Iyanla and Iyanla asks her why did she fight for her life, why didn’t she just die?

Bethany faces another health crisis. She is telling Rhonda that she doesn’t like that feeling, she just freaks out.

Posted by inthestars at 04:43 AM