Starting Over

Starting Over

2003
Starting Over
Starting Over

Starting Over

8.2 | en |

Starting Over is an American reality TV show that follows the lives of women who are experiencing difficulty in their lives and want to make changes, with the help of life coaches. It was the first reality TV show to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. Six women at a time work to overcome obstacles and meet personal goals. When it is determined that a woman has met all her goals, she "graduates" from the house and is replaced by a new roommate. On the other hand, if it's determined that she's not met her goals, she could be put on probation, or even asked to leave.

View More
AD

WATCH FREEFOR 30 DAYS

All Prime Video
Cancel anytime

Watch Now

Seasons & Episodes

2
1
EP40  Boot Camp
Nov. 05,2004
Boot Camp

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP39  Letting Go
Nov. 04,2004
Letting Go

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP38  Sisterhood Meeting
Nov. 03,2004
Sisterhood Meeting

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP37  Good Girls Do Bad Things
Nov. 02,2004
Good Girls Do Bad Things

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP36  Anger Session
Nov. 01,2004
Anger Session

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP35  Jennifer Struggles
Oct. 29,2004
Jennifer Struggles

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP34  Day of Indulgence
Oct. 28,2004
Day of Indulgence

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP33  A New Housemate
Oct. 27,2004
A New Housemate

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP32  Tragegy Strikes
Oct. 26,2004
Tragegy Strikes

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP31  Nay-Nay Graduates
Oct. 25,2004
Nay-Nay Graduates

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP30  Towanda Confronts Iyanla
Oct. 22,2004
Towanda Confronts Iyanla

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP29  Divine Intervention
Oct. 21,2004
Divine Intervention

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP28  Let's Talk About Sex
Oct. 20,2004
Let's Talk About Sex

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP27  Disappearing Act
Oct. 19,2004
Disappearing Act

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP26  A Sepcial Visit
Oct. 18,2004
A Sepcial Visit

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP25  Wash Away Mistakes
Oct. 15,2004
Wash Away Mistakes

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP24  Sisterhood
Oct. 14,2004
Sisterhood

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP23  Family Issues
Oct. 13,2004
Family Issues

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP22  Feeling Knotty
Oct. 12,2004
Feeling Knotty

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP21  Anger Management
Oct. 11,2004
Anger Management

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP20  Board of Review Breakthrough
Oct. 08,2004
Board of Review Breakthrough

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP19  Food, Glorious Food
Oct. 07,2004
Food, Glorious Food

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP18  Sommer's Accusation
Oct. 06,2004
Sommer's Accusation

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP17  People Pleasing
Oct. 05,2004
People Pleasing

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP16  Queen of Punishment
Oct. 02,2004
Queen of Punishment

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP15  Talk to Strangers
Oct. 01,2004
Talk to Strangers

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP14  Shameful Secrets
Sep. 30,2004
Shameful Secrets

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP13  Controlling the Trust
Sep. 29,2004
Controlling the Trust

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP12  Plain Jane
Sep. 28,2004
Plain Jane

The episode opens with Dr. Stan and Sommer having their first session together. Sommer says she is having a difficult time getting close to the other women. Sommer agrees that she is a control freak but wants to work on it. Later, Sommer and Jennifer talk about Josie. Jennifer explains that Josie is a little over sensitive and Sommer says she feels terrible about the other night. Sommer hopes the bathing suit she ordered will make amends. Sommer decides to confront Towanda about the tension between them. Towanda explains that she is staying quiet to prevent herself from snapping at Sommer. Jennifer is working on her next assignment from Iyanla. She has to tape record things that her father, mother and sister have done to show that they love her. In the confessional, Jennifer admits that she is having trouble doing the assignment and is rushing through it to complete in on time. Iyanla notices that Jennifer did put much effort into it. They talk about Jennifer growing up too quickly bec

EP11  Rough Start
Sep. 27,2004
Rough Start

This episode begins with Towanda on the phone with her husband Andre complaining about Sommer and the affair she had. Both Towanda and Andre agree that Sommer is a woman with no redeeming moral fiber. Iyanla leads a group session on love. The roommates talk about first love. Then they discuss how to mend a heartbreak. Sommer explains that she gets over it by falling in love again. Towanda disagrees and in the confessional, she admits that she just doesn't want to agree with Sommer on principle. Jennifer and Iyanla meet in the park for a one-on-one. Jennifer is wearing her necklack and says she thinks she only has to wear it because Iyanla knows she doesn't want to. Iyanla questions Jennifer about love, asking her if she's ever seen or been in any good relationships in her life. Jennifer says no and tells her about her ex-boyfriend Jack, he lied to her about a person that kept calling him. Iyanla says that, to Jennifer, love looks like lies. Jennifer's assignment is to take pictures of

EP10  A New Addition
Sep. 24,2004
A New Addition

Today in group, Dr. Stan has a discussion on divorce. The women agree that men are greedy, selfish and ""born to lie"". Jennifer and Kim feel robbed of their childhood while Towanda hates her parents divorce because she felt like she had to take a side. Dr. Stan makes them think about their anger and asks, ""What's the payoff for being angry?"" In the front yard, Iyanla has an assignment for Towanda. She has to write down her perceptions of her family on large stick figure representations of them. Towanda refuses to write anything on the representation of her stepmother because to her he is just ""daddy's wife"" and Towanda won't even recognize her. Towanda labels herself as sad and a failure. Towanda would love to give up her anger. Later, with Dr. Stan, Towanda reveals that because her husband Andre is a man she only trusts him 80% and believes he will cheat on her one day. The women have been informed that a new roommate will be arriving and taking Deborah's place as Kim's roommate. Iyanl

EP9  Assessing the Past
Sep. 23,2004
Assessing the Past

Today in group, the women talk about about Deborah and why she left. Iyanla states that this was a choice Deborah made, not because of them but because she believed it was best for her. She stresses that this is not an abandonment. Rhonda explained that Deborah left because she wasn't completely honest about things. Sinae relates the story of her boyfriend Matt, a relationship that is hanging in limbo. They never really broke up but the aren't exactly together. Rhonda suggests that Sinae call Matt and ask him to come to the Starting Over house for the weekend. Sinae makes several attempts to call Matt but is not able to get in touch with him. She tells Rhonda that having him constantly walking in and out of her life is frustrating. Rhonda worries that Sinae will give up what she wants to be with Matt. Sinae is finally able to get in contact with Matt but decides she doesn't want to see him at all because she is just calling him out of desperation, not out of a need to be with him. Dr.

EP8  Understanding Forgiveness
Sep. 22,2004
Understanding Forgiveness

The episode opens with the life coaches and Dr. Stan together again discussing Deborah. Iyanla says she can stay as long as she becomes totally honest. Dr. Stand and Rhonda believe the same but realize it is going to be a difficult time for Deborah and she may not make it through the process. Deborah, once again, has told everyone she is leaving. The women decide NOT to talk Deborah into staying this time as they have done the last 2 times she tried to leave. They've really had enough of the woman. Deborah calls Rhonda and tells her everything and says she doesn't want to be around always messing things up. Deborah tells Rhonda she has to leave and Rhonda replies that she had a good outlook for Deborah but she can't help unless Deborah can be 100% honest. Later, while packing, Deborah admits to Iyanla that she wants to stay. Iyanla asks her to stay one last time and invites her to group but Deborah gets in a taxi and leaves the house. In the confessional, Jennifer says a small part of

EP7  A Dark Secret Revealed
Sep. 21,2004
A Dark Secret Revealed

This episode begins in the kitchen where Kim, Sinae and Jennifer are discussing what happened with Deborah last night at the dinner table. Deborah is becoming unbearable. Kim and Iyanla go to the park for a one-on-one. Kim reveals that she has been in counseling since she was 13. Iyanla says that Kim needs to be in control and if she isn't she shuts down and runs away. Iyanla leads Kim into the woods and blindfolds her. Kim has no control and only has Iyanla's voice to follow to get out of the forest. Kim can only surrender control after she learns to trust other people. Deborah and Rhonda sit down to discuss how she is doing in the house. Deborah says her problems in the house may be because she is in the early stages of menopause. Rhonda asks her if she could be pregnant to which Deborah lies and says ""no, I've been celibate"". Rhonda confront Deborah with the video from the day she used the pay phone and talked about the broken condom. Deborah, embarassed, admits to having sex after

EP6  Day of Pampering
Sep. 20,2004
Day of Pampering

This episode begins with Deborah on the phone with her daughter asking her for help with a situation she wants kept on the ""down low"". It is most likely associated with the phone call she made yesterday. The doorbell rings and Josie answers it to find two very attractive men at the door looking for Jennifer. They explain they are there to pamper her for the day. Jennifer is reluctant to be pampered. Later, Iyanla treats her to an nice breakfast. Jennifer explains that she isn't used to being treated like that and it felt uncomfortable to be in the spotlight. Iyanla begins the days group session with asking Jennifer about her relationship with her father both before and after he was sent to jail for buying and selling illegal narcotics. She was ""daddy's girl"" before he was sentenced but afterwards became the bread winner of the house in fear of becoming a burden. She got her first job at 14 and grew up really fast. She explains she hates having other people wait on her because she does

EP5  Midnight Emergency
Sep. 17,2004
Midnight Emergency

Josie calls Rhonda to tell her that Deborah is leaving the house. No one knows why but Kim says that she did everything to make Deborah to feel welcome. Deborah claims to be emotionally worn out and doesn't trust anyone in the house. Rhonda asks her to not do anything until she gets there and they can talk. Deborah agrees but continues to pack anyway. The cab arrives to pick up Deborah but the roommates send it away. When they tell Deborah what they did she breaks into tears and demands to know why. Deborah tells them how humiliated she feels and the roommates listen until Rhonda arrives. Rhonda takes everyone to the loft and explains how ""Starting Over"" works. Deborah explains that she's having problems adjusting because at home she has complete control over the household. Rhonda tries to explain Deborah's feelings to her and much to the rommates amazement, Deborah agrees to stay until the end of the month. Later, Deborah takes the van and drives to a remote phone booth. Luckily the s

EP4  Family Secrets
Sep. 16,2004
Family Secrets

A tearful Deborah tells Rhonda she wants to leave the Starting Over house because she feels everyone hates her and it's making her feel negative about herself. Jennifer wants to befriend Deborah but isn't sure whether she should make the first move or not. Iyanla challenges Kim to take Deborah out for dinner but Kim is unsure how to approach her. Josie tells her to keep it simple and from the heart. Rhonda and Sinae visit a retinal surgeon in hopes that she will find a way to correct her vision but the doctor confirms that Sinae's vision cannot be improved and will stay the same. Rhonda challenges Sinae to get a taxi and get back to the house on her own. Later Sinae and Rhonda meet to create the steps she'll need to take to start over and graduate from the house. Later, in the loft Rhonda gives Deborah a test in patience by asking Towanda to tell her story today. She reveals she in the sister of R&B artist Toni Braxton and was a member of ""The Braxtons"" with her sisters Trina and Tamar

EP3  Father Figure
Sep. 15,2004
Father Figure

After being pressed by Rhonda, Josie reveals that Johnathan is NOT Chole's father as she had hoped but one of her best friends. She and Johnathan no longer have any contact. Josie is more determined than ever to graduate and have the tools to make Chole's life better than hers was. Deborah calls Josie out and questions her morals, falling short of calling her a whore. The next day Iyanla takes the women to the park and asks them to write down the one thing they need to feel complete. Sinae writes ""me""; Jennifer writes ""security""; Kim writes ""inner joy""; Towanda wants ""a baby""; Josie wants ""a home for her and Chloe""; while Deborah merely wants to pay off her mortgage. Iyanla says all of these are available to the women. They make paper boats out of what they want and set them a float. They all watch their dreams set sail but Kim's turns over. Deborah gets on the phone with a friend and claims she still plans on leaving the house. Deborah complains about the argument she had with Sinae a

EP2  How Ya Livin'?
Sep. 14,2004
How Ya Livin'?

Today in group, Josie tells the women about her experiences in the Chicago house, her leaving the house and Chloe's birth. Josie wants to be strong and independent like her grandmother. She says she didn't have a good relationship with her mother until Chloe was born. Rhonda asks the burning question...""Who is Chloe's father?"" but receives no response. After group Jennifer confides in Kim that she hates her father for not apologizing for his actions which led to a SWAT team raiding their house and taking her father to jail. She also hates her mother for still being married to her father. Iyanla has a one-on-one with Jennifer where Jennifer says that she has trust issues and fear keeps her from living her life. Jennifer became the financial support for her house and felt bad when she moved out. Deborah works out on the treadmill while Kim and Towanda gossip about her. They say she has no respect for others personal possessions. Later, Deborah wants to go to ""Target"" but wont get on the

EP1  Starting Over, Again
Sep. 13,2004
Starting Over, Again

The season begins with Josie, a house guest from last season, waiting anxiously by the phone for the results of a DNA test that would prove who the father of her baby, Chloe, is. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, we see a huge Spanish Hacienda in the Hollywood Hills where the house guest will be living. We meet the first houseguest to arrive. Amy Harkin greets her at the door to find out her name is Towanda. Amy says in the confessional that she is there to share her experiences and to show the women around the house. Amy shows Towanda to her assigned room which is the largest in the house. Jennifer is the second roommate to arrive followed by Kim. Kim is unhappy when she realizes she has the smallest room in the house and wants to change rooms. Amy tells her that they cannot change rooms. They are put where they are for a reason. Kim, however, continues to try to find a way to get a bigger room. Deborah(Duh-bor-ah) arrives and immediately begins to question the women about their issues and te

SEE MORE
SEE MORE
8.2 | en | | More Info
Released: 2003-09-09 | Released Producted By: , Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Starting Over is an American reality TV show that follows the lives of women who are experiencing difficulty in their lives and want to make changes, with the help of life coaches. It was the first reality TV show to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. Six women at a time work to overcome obstacles and meet personal goals. When it is determined that a woman has met all her goals, she "graduates" from the house and is replaced by a new roommate. On the other hand, if it's determined that she's not met her goals, she could be put on probation, or even asked to leave.

...... View More
Stream Online

The tv show is currently not available onine

Cast

Iyanla Vanzant , Lou Marini

Director

Mary-Ellis Bunim

Producted By

,

AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.

Watch Now

Reviews

eyyardeni It was only several months' ago that I discovered the program 'Starting Over'. Not knowing what to expect I began to watch it, and by the end of the program I was unable to move from my chair.I find it so powerful, and am constantly speaking about it to my friends. I even now watch the 'repeat' program so as not to miss anything which I may not have caught the first time. In other words, I am addicted to 'Starting Over.' I think both coaches do an amazing job and they can be so compassionate. Although I feel that sometimes they tend to be somewhat harsh, the girls seem to understand that this is part of the process of healing and accept it.I would really like to know what happened to the participants after leaving the 'Starting Over House' as I feel as I know each one of them personally. I would love to hear how they have progressed in life.I feel that I must thank everyone involved in this magnificent program which is somehow even changing my life, and ways of looking at things, just by watching it in my sitting room.My best wishes to everyone involved, and may happiness be yours forever.
Fusetr I thought Starting Over was about the most innovative program on television so I was very sad to see the original concept disintegrate into just another pretentious reality show.I may have given it more of a chance this season if they would have chosen different Life Coaches who really had the women's best interest at heart instead of blatantly promoting their own book-writing and speaking careers. I'm really surprised this show is still even on the air considering how denigrating it is to women, in general. Perhaps it got back on course but somehow I doubt it.
chastain_4 You said why don't they make a story where "people" instead of just "women" startover. Well i think if you did you'd probably have another show like mtv's "real world" and who want's that. They'd be too worried about dating each other instead of what they were really there for. I thought of this too but it just wouldn't work.Another subject this season's very focused on gossip in the house and drama between each other it's retarded. Also i don't get how Sommer got in a bathing suit with her friend in the jacuzzi and not get in the pool with marcus. She enjoyed being loved on in the jacuzzi and didn't even seem to be bothered by the suit then. Little ODD.
meridian_satyagraha A true reality show - real women working on re-inventing themselves and their lives. The premise is simple - a house full of six women, living together but each with their own goals. They live together and support one another, along with 2 "life coaches" who visit them daily giving them exercises to do, challenges to face, and so on.Just the process of living in a household of women gives them lots of opportunity for growth. Many of these women have never lived with roommates, in a communal environment. Sacrifices must be made, cooperation is key, and clashing personalities must make amends.The goals of the women vary widely. Learning to drive, starting a new career, learning to separate from family members, starting over after divorce and so much more. All, of course, women's issues -- and definitely issues which we can relate. The life coaches, Rhonda and Rana, dream up very visual exercises to illustrate key problems in the women's lives. The coaches support, confront and challenge the women daily. Each day is a new adventure with new experiences and assignments.Each woman in the house learns (or doesn't learn!) at her own pace, but usually spends 2-4 months in the house. They can leave the house by their own choice, by graduating, or by being asked to leave the house. One of the best things about this show is that the women aren't treated like children. They are asked to actively work towards their goals, or they will be asked to leave the house. Seeing the women supporting one another, even if they are very different (cultures, viewpoints, political stance, economics, etc) is truly beautiful.This show is for any woman who would like to re-invent herself and wants to see women just like herself do it!