"STARTING OVER" AFTER BREAST CANCER

Emmy Award-Nominated Real-Life Daytime Drama Chronicles the Progress of Breast Cancer Survivor Allison

BURBANK, Calif. -- April 14, 2005 -- STARTING OVER, the original real-life daytime television drama, is taking on the difficult topic of breast cancer with the arrival of cast member Allison. The acclaimed daytime series distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and produced by Bunim-Murray Productions, creators of "The Real World" and "The Simple Life," will chronicle Allison's medical, emotional and physical progress during her stay in the STARTING OVER house. STARTING OVER is syndicated nationally, check local listings for time and station.

Allison's storyline is particularly poignant for the STARTING OVER producers, as the series' co-creator Mary-Ellis Bunim succumbed to breast cancer in 2004.

Allison (38, from Charlotte, NC) is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed with the disease one year ago. Following a mastectomy, she arrived to the STARTING OVER house two weeks after finishing a course of chemotherapy. Desperately afraid that her cancer will return, Allison has come to the STARTING OVER house to learn how to live life to the fullest, even as she wonders whether she will suffer a relapse.

During her stay in the STARTING OVER house, Allison works with Life Coaches Rhonda Britten and Iyanla Vanzant and Consulting Psychologist Dr. Stan J. Katz to overcome some of the emotional issues, stresses and mental blocks caused by her disease and her treatment. Additionally, she attends several medical appointments, including meetings with genetic specialists who counsel her regarding the possibility of her cancer's recurrence. One of her physicians is noted oncologist Dr. James Waisman who treated series creator Mary-Ellis Bunim during her battle with cancer.

STARTING OVER features a group of women living together in a Hollywood Hills home and striving to improve their lives. The daily one-hour, real-life drama follows a diverse and ever-changing group of women as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives. Women reside in the STARTING OVER house for six to twelve weeks, depending on the scope of her "project" and her rate of progress toward her goal. Those women who achieve their goals graduate in triumph. Those who falter can be asked to leave the house.

STARTING OVER is produced by Bunim-Murray Productions, the creators of the hit series "The Simple Life," "The Real World" and "Road Rules." It is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Jonathan Murray and Millee Taggart-Ratcliffe are Executive Producers. The second season of STARTING OVER premiered September 13, 2004.

NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's current syndicated programming includes the first run series "Access Hollywood," "Blind Date," "The Chris Matthews Show," "The Jane Pauley Show," "The Jerry Springer Show," "The George Michael Sports Machine," "Home Delivery," "Maury," "Rebecca's Garden," "Starting Over," "The Wall Street Journal Report," "Your Total Health," and the upcoming Martha Stewart project. Also the off-network syndication sales of the series "Boomtown," "Crossing Jordan," "Ed," "Fear Factor," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Providence," and much more. NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution also distributes the first-run specials "The Remarkable Journey" and "Good Housekeeping Reports" inserts.