OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK ANNOUNCES SUMMER PREMIERES FOR POPULAR PRIMETIME SERIES

"Oprah's Lifeclass," "Iyanla: Fix My Life," "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" and "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" Return With New Episodes

Los Angeles - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that four of the network's popular primetime series will be premiering all-new episodes throughout the summer, making OWN great place for weekend escapes as the temperature rises over the coming months.

It all begins Sunday, July 7 at 9 p.m. when the interactive multi-platform series "Oprah's Lifeclass" returns to the primetime lineup with a special 90-minute episode. Oprah is joined by one of her favorite people -- life coach Iyanla Vanzant -- to continue the conversation surrounding the growing epidemic of fatherless sons in America, and to address the powerful public reaction to the "Fatherless Sons" episode recently featured on the show. The crucial conversation around the topic then shifts to women, as Oprah and Iyanla expand the discussion to address "Daddyless Daughters" over two original episodes (July 14 and July 21, both from 9-10 p.m.). Oprah and Iyanla -- along with a global interactive audience that is significantly changing the impact of the medium -- will discuss the growing crisis that affects 24 million children in the United States today, show how we are all impacted by this epidemic, and discuss ways in which healing can take place for the men and women who grew up fatherless.

On Saturday, July 27 at 9 p.m., "Iyanla: Fix My Life" returns with five all-new episodes that will address a wide range of topics impacting people from all walks of life. In the new season, host Iyanla Vanzant travels to Atlanta, Georgia to help mend the volatile relationship between R&B recording artist and reality TV star Syleena Johnson and her mother. In other new episodes, Iyanla assists a couple on the verge of divorce because of financial hardship and freeloading family members and tackles the real story behind a mother behaving badly.

The popular OWN original series "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" returns Saturday, July 27 at 10 p.m. with an emotion-packed episode in which Miss Robbie and her son, Tim, debate the potential shutdown of their original Sweetie Pie's soul food restaurant location. And, as if business isn't making his life challenging enough, Tim's relationship with fiancé Jenae is coming to an end, and he now must face the reality of life as a single dad.

OWN's compelling update series "Oprah: Where Are They Now?," which features former "Oprah" show guests, headline-making newsmakers and some of your favorite celebrities returns on Sunday, July 28 at 10 p.m. The new season features a roster of guests and follow ups including Oprah's sister who she met for the first time in 2010, Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and actress Denise Richards, Fab Morvan from Milli Vanilli, disgraced Pastor Ted Haggard, Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Danielynn and Danielynn's father Larry Birkhead, model Fabio, Donald Trump's ex-wife Marla Maples, 80's teen queen Molly Ringwald, environmental activist Erin Brockovich,"Diff'rent Strokes" actor Todd Bridges, favorite "American Idol" contestants and "Survivor" season one million dollar winner Richard Hatch. In addition, the series will feature a special 70's episode with "The Partridge Family" stars Danny Bonaduce and David Cassidy and "The Brady Bunch" stars Barry Williams, Christopher Knight and Cindy Olsen.

Brief series synopses follow:

Oprah's Lifeclass Returns Sunday, July 7, 9:00 p.m. Oprah takes the stage as teacher in one of the world's biggest classrooms to share advice and engage in inspiring conversations about principles that guide our lives, joined by some of the leading spiritual thought leaders of our time. Through Facebook, Twitter and Skype, Oprah takes questions from "Lifeclassers" around the world. This dynamic, interactive show allows "Lifeclass" viewers and students from over 200 countries worldwide to be a part of the experience by joining in the conversation via Oprah.com and Twitter. The series is produced by Harpo Studios. Executive produced by Dana Books Reinglass, Jill Van Lokeren and Jon Sinclair. Twitter: #Lifeclass

Iyanla: Fix My Life Returns Saturday, July 27, 9:00 p.m. In the popular self-help series, bestselling author, life coach, minister and television host Iyanla Vanzant goes behind closed doors and deep inside the most private parts of people's lives to uncover what is making them sad, angry, depressed or feeling unfulfilled. Through emotional heart-to-heart conversations and often a dose of tough-love, Iyanla helps individuals confront what is not working in their lives and take the necessary steps to fix what is broken. The series is produced by Harpo Studios. Executive produced by Jill Van Lokeren and Jon Sinclair. Twitter: #FixMyLife

Welcome to Sweetie Pie's Returns Saturday, July 27, 10:00 p.m. When Robbie Montgomery, a 1960s backup singer and former Ikette, suffered a collapsed lung and had to stop singing, she decided to pour her talents into another creative venture: a soul food restaurant called Sweetie Pie's. At her family-centered eateries, which include Sweetie Pie's at the Mangrove, Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust and the original Sweetie Pie's established in 1996, which Miss Robbie runs with her son, Tim, both hilarity and drama are offered in equal measure. This docu-series follows the loud, loving and often singing Montgomery family as they work to expand their empire, one soulful dish at a time. The series is produced by Pilgrim Studios and is executive produced by Craig Piligian, Melodie Calvert, Jeff Keane, Tim Breitbach and Steve Luebbert. Twitter: #SweetiePies

Oprah: Where Are They Now? Returns Sunday, July 28, 10:00 p.m. Their stories made headlines across America. "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" tracks down "Oprah" show guests who made you laugh...and made you cry. Find out where they are now, plus see what happened to the biggest newsmakers of all time and how their lives changed after sudden fame and notoriety turned their worlds upside down. The series is produced by Harpo Studios and executive produced by Julie Simpson, Jill Van Lokeren and Jon Sinclair. Twitter: #WhereAreTheyNow

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

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