OWN Sets Premieres for Tyler Perry’s Scripted Series, Greenlights Two Shows

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OWN Sets Premieres for Tyler Perry’s Scripted Series, Greenlights Two Shows

Published on May 2, 2013 by Sonya's Spotlight

by Philiana Ng

The network schedules a night filled with specials ahead of the May launches for Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots” and “Love Thy Neighbor.”

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is going all out in the lead-up to the debut of Tyler Perry‘s scripted efforts.

Ahead of the launches of one-hour ensemble drama The Haves and the Have Nots and half-hour sitcom Love Thy Neighbor, OWN is rolling out what it is calling “event programming” days prior to the May premieres.

The network has scheduled a special episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter at 9 p.m. Sunday, May 26, where Oprah Winfrey will interview Perry at his home. The one-hour sit-down will be followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Have Nots and Neighbor in Atlanta at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., respectively, with Tyler Perry Comes to OWN: Behind the Scenes.

Two days later, OWN premieres Have Nots — starring John Schneider and Renee Lawless — at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. Neighbor, toplined by Patrice Lovely, Andre Hall and Kendra C. Johnson, kicks off with back-to-back episodes starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 29.

Have Nots follows the dynamic between the rich and powerful Cryer family and the hired help who work in their opulent mansion in Savannah, Ga. Neighbor takes place at the family-run Love Train Diner where every day’s menu includes food, laughs, life lessons and love.

OWN also has added two unscripted series to its slate.

Millionaire Mama’s Boy follows the relationship between former WNBA basketball star Pamela McGee and her 25-year-old son, Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee. The Sony TV series is executive produced by Pete Tartaglia and Amy Palmer Robertson.

Houston Beauty (working title) centers on Glenda Jemison, owner and director of Franklin Beauty School, the oldest continuously operated beauty school in Texas. Park Slope Productions produces; executive producers are Paul Reitano and Terrence Sacchi, with Lindsey Bannister serving as showrunner.

“We are delighted to celebrate Tyler coming to OWN with these new specials as we ramp up to the debut of our first scripted series,” OWN president Sheri Salata said in a statement. “Tyler’s fans, like Oprah’s fans, are incredibly connected and passionate. We can’t wait for them to see these shows.”

Added OWN president Erik Logan: “We are energized by our growing slate of original programming coming to OWN. With 12 returning series and 13 new shows on the way, including the launch of Tyler Perry’s shows in May, we’re positioned for a strong season.”

Earlier this year, OWN announced that it had acquired the first two seasons of Perry’s sitcom For Better or Worse, which aired on TBS, and will debut new episodes in fall 2013. Perry inked a multiyear deal with OWN in October.

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