'Love Is ___': Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil Partner with Oprah Winfrey for New OWN Drama

Oprah Winfrey and Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, the award-winning producers behind such hits as Being Mary Jane, The Game and Girlfriends, have partnered together to create "Love Is ___" a new original one-hour series for OWN.

The Akils will create and executive produce the series through their Akil Productions banner with Mara Brock Akil also serving as showrunner. Drawing inspiration from their real-life relationship, the humorous drama tells the love story between a modern-day power couple. Produced in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television, the series will premiere on OWN in 2018.

The new series joins OWN's growing lineup of top-rated scripted dramas including Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, The Haves and the Have Nots and If Loving You is Wrong, which year-to-date comprise four of the top six original scripted series on ad-supported cable for women 25-54.

"I've dreamed of working with the Akils," said Oprah Winfrey. "I've been a huge fan of their work since first viewing 'Girlfriends.' They know just how to hit the cultural nerve to make you think and laugh at the same time."

"To have a partner that brings the attention to detail and sheer excellence that Oprah has built an empire on is an absolute dream come true for Salim and me," said Mara Brock Akil. "That, and it's Oprah! 'Love Is ___' is not only a passion project, but is a personal one for us as well. We're grateful to have her wholehearted support and magic touch behind this story."

'Greenleaf' Season 2 Premieres March 15 on OWN

The second season of Greenleaf debuts March 15 on OWN.

The season two premiere date for OWN's latest hit primetime drama has been set. The first eight episodes of the new season of Greenleaf will debut on Wednesday, March 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The remaining eight episodes will air in summer 2017.

In the second season, the Greenleaf family tree will split at the root as Jacob (Lamman Rucker) ventures off to begin his new career with long-time rival church Triumph Ministries, breaking faith with his father, Bishop James Greenleaf (Emmy winner Keith David) while his mother, Lady Mae Greenleaf (Golden Globe nominee and Emmy winner Lynn Whitfield), struggles with Jacob's decision to abandon the family. Meanwhile, after exposing her Uncle Mac's (GregAlan Williams) crimes, but failing to bring him to justice, Grace "Gigi" Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) finds herself intrigued with someone new, Darius Nash (guest star Rick Fox), a local journalist who's been closely following the ongoing threats plaguing the Greenleaf empire.

Oprah Winfrey also returns in her guest starring role as Mavis McCready, the sister of Lady Mae Greenleaf and a close confidante to Grace Greenleaf.

'The Young and the Restless' Alum Victoria Rowell Visits 'Oprah: Where Are They Now?' on October 22

Victoria Rowell

Currently airing its eighth season on OWN, Oprah: Where Are They Now? has featured a number of soap opera stars over the years. Up next is former The Young and the Restless actress Victoria Rowell on Saturday, October 22nd.

The episode also spotlights singer Aaron Carter, who was a pop star by age 15; and actor Jim J. Bullock (Too Close For Comfort).

Rowell played Drucilla Barber Winters on Y&R from 1990 to 2007, when she left the series. She filed a lawsuit in February 2015, claiming that CBS, Sony Pictures and other media companies refused to rehire her after she advocated for greater diversity among those who worked on the daytime drama. The case has not yet been settled.

In the clip below, Rowell opens up about her admiration for all Misty Copeland has done on and off the stage.

OWN Unveils First Look at New Drama Series 'Greenleaf'

Greenleaf premieres June 21 on OWN.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has unveiled a first look at its new original drama series Greenleaf from Lionsgate TV and Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright. Featuring Oprah Winfrey's first recurring scripted television role in two decades, the family drama set against the backdrop of a sprawling Memphis megachurch will launch with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN. The series will regularly air on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season.

Greenleaf centers on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) who has returned home after 20 years on the occasion of the mysterious death of her sister, Faith. As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield), it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous as they seem and that the family's outward display of faith hides sin and misdeeds.

In the season premiere, directed by executive producer Clement Virgo, Grace and her teenage daughter Sophia (Desiree Ross) are warmly welcomed home by Grace's father, Bishop Greenleaf. Sparked by Grace's return to Memphis, tensions quickly rise. At a family dinner in the Greenleaf mansion, Grace's mother is cold and hostile. Her sister-in-law Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne) questions her about her faith and sister Charity (Deborah Joy Winans) erupts with jealousy at the suggestion that Grace might start preaching at Calvary.

Later, Grace's Aunt Mavis (Oprah Winfrey) discusses with her the circumstances of Faith's death and reveals some shocking information about Grace's Uncle "Mac" (Gregory Alan Williams). Mavis is still estranged from the Greenleaf family and it becomes evident that she intends to use Grace to sow the seeds of its destruction.

As the World Turns and All My Children alum Lamman Rucker (pictured) plays Jacob Greenleaf.

Watch the sneak peek below.

'As the World Turns' Alum Danny Pintauro Reveals He Has Been HIV-Positive For 12 Years

Danny Pintauro and Oprah Winfrey

On Saturday night's episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, former child star Danny Pintauro revealed that he has been living with a big secret for more than a decade: He is HIV-positive.

After playing the first memorable Paul Ryan Stenbeck on As the World Turns, Pintauro starred for eight years on Who's the Boss? as as Jonathan Bower, the son of Judith Light's Angela.

Pintauro began the interview by sharing his long-held secret.

"I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but I wasn't ready. I'm ready now," Pintauro said. "I'm HIV-positive, and I have been for 12 years."

Pintauro hadn't spoken publicly about his health before because he wasn't sure if people were ready for a conversation of this magnitude.

"It's just a big deal, you know? It's not something that people are really talking about right now," Pintauro said.

NEWS: 'Empire' Ratings, Danny Strong, Oprah Winfrey, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Alison Sweeney

Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon and guest star Chris Rock as
Frank Gathers in the “The Devils Are Here” Season Two premiere
episode of Empire. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

Empire returns to 16.2 million viewers
FOX's Empire opened Season 2 on Wednesday night with 16.2 million total viewers and a 6.7 rating (per finals), dipping just 8 percent and two tenths from the second hour of its record-setting freshman finale (17.6 mil/6.9). Versus its series debut, for those who may wonder, Empire was up 64 and 76 percent — the largest Season 1/Season 2 leap in 10 years, since House.

Empire Co-Creator Danny Strong on Show’s Success, Integrating Music Into Story
"The music is really complicated. It’s also a major secret weapon, because every eight or nine minutes, there’s a musical number, and we’re so fortunate that our songs have been so good. … It’s a major part of how we design the episode, where we’re building to multiple musical numbers, and there’s usually one big hero number that takes place later in the episode. The tricky part — and the part that we’ve been successful at — is making the songs develop the character, so that the show doesn’t stop for a song; the story is continuing through song."

Oprah Winfrey to recur on OWN network drama Greenleaf
Winfrey will appear in a recurring role on her new OWN Network series Greenleaf, the company announced Thursday. Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, Lamman Rucker, Deborah Joy Winans, Tye White, Kim Hawthorne and Desiree Ross star in the drama produced by Lionsgate TV. The series follows Bishop James Greenleaf (David), the charming and charismatic but brilliantly manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries.

Steven Soderbergh’s HBO movie starring Sharon Stone may let viewers decide the ending via app
The mysterious project, titled Mosaic, will be filmed with multiple endings, according to EW, and viewers will get to pick an ending via an app. HBO, which hasn’t confirmed the app twist, says the movie "will require a new Emmy category, and we will be the only eligible nominee.”

How to Get Away with Murder hopes tonight's season premiere makes popular "The Octopus” sexual position
“The title of the third episode is 'The Octopus,' so you can Google that,” says creator Pete Nowalk.

Maggie Gyllenhaal joins James Franco on David Simon’s HBO ‘70s porn drama
On The Deuce, Gyllenhaal will play a Times Square hooker named Candy who joins the fledgling porn industry.

USA orders Poor Richard’s Almanack starring Harold Perrineau and Sam Jaeger
The Lost and Parenthood alums will star in a thriller focusing on America’s new “Founding Fathers.”

Days of our Lives star Alison Sweeney on her decision to leave The Biggest Loser
“It’s always hard to make a change like that, but for me, since I left, I’ve filmed three movies for the Hallmark Channel, I’ve written a novel, and I have another project in development with them and some other things,” she said, before adding she also gets home every night to make her kids dinner! “It’s been an incredible time for me, and I just have to be willing to take a risk. That’s what I would want my kids to do and I want to be a good role model to them.”

'As the World Turns' Child Actor Danny Pintauro to Share Big Secret on 'Oprah: Where Are They Now?' (Updated)

Danny Pintauro on Oprah: Where Are They Now?

On the next episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, As the World Turns child actor Danny Pintauro will share a "big secret" with Oprah Winfrey.

While there were a few children to quickly play the character of Paul Ryan Stenbeck on CBS daytime drama As the World Turns before him, Pintauro is the first "Paul" that most fans remember. After leaving ATWT, he went on to huge success on the ABC sitcom Who's The Boss?. In April 2014, Pintauro married his boyfriend, Wil Tabares.

Also on this week's Oprah: Where Are They Now?, former Playboy Bunny and Hugh Hefner “girlfriend” Holly Madison shares memories of her years living in Playboy Mansion, and In Living Color funnyman Tommy Davidson talks openly about his surprising past.

Check out a sneak peek below:

'Oprah: Where Are They Now?' Season 7 Will Feature Lisa Rinna, Danny Pintauro, Debbi Morgan

Lisa Rinna, Danny Pintauro, Debbi Morgan

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will premiere an all-new season of Oprah: Where Are They Now? Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with award-winning Selma actor David Oyelowo and former Oprah show guest Ashley Smith, who was held hostage by courthouse shooter Brian Nichols 10 years ago. Days of our Lives alum Lisa Rinna will also be featured. As the World Turns child actor Danny Pintauro and All My Children star Debbi Morgan appear in following weeks.

Blow is the schedule for the first five episodes of the new season:

Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
Oprah sits down former Oprah show guest Ashley Smith and actor David Oyelowo (Selma), star of new thriller Captive based on Smith’s miraculous story of survival. Celebrity updates include “Real Housewives” star Lisa Rinna (Billie Reed on Days of our Lives) and actress Debi Mazar, plus one of the women widowed by the 9/11 attacks.

Midnight Meadows: Jimmy Fallon & Oprah Winfrey's Vocal Effects Soap Opera

Oprah Winfrey appeared on The Tonight Show last night and host Jimmy Fallon showed "clips" from their short-lived 1980s soap opera, Midnight Meadows. Watch the segment below:

Susan Lucci on OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (Preview)

For more than four decades, Susan Lucci played the villainous Erica Kane on ALL MY CHILDREN, making her one of the most recognized soap opera characters of all time. Lucci left Pine Valley for good in 2011 and now stars in DEVIOUS MAIDS in addition to hosting ID's DEADLY AFFAIRS. How is she feeling now that Erica is in her past?

"I found out about the cancellation of ALL MY CHILDREN on the day it was announced," Lucci says. "I found out just minutes before the public found out. I was blindsided. I didn't see it coming. I think I went through all the different phases of mourning."

Lucci joins Marie Osmond, Brian Boitano and Supermodel Emme on this week's OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? airs on Friday, January 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

Corbin Bleu To Be Featured on the Next OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? tracks down OPRAH guests to find out where they are now and get a glimpse inside their homes and lives. ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Corbin Bleu is among the stars featured on this week's OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

* Grammy-winning artist Sinead O'Connor's recent public feud with Miley Cyrus made headlines around the world, and she addresses the mental illness that was the subject of that feud head-on in this open and straightforward interview, in which she also talks about the possibility of a fifth marriage, and what she was really thinking when she tore up the Pope's photo on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE over twenty years ago.
* Corbin Bleu was exposed to the entertainment industry at a young age, but it was in 2006 that he burst onto the scene as Chad in Disney's High School Musical. Today, he opens up about the overwhelming fame that the franchise brought him, and what it means to be multiracial, and in an interracial relationship, himself.
* Former Mr. Universe Lou Ferrigno is known for his portrayal of THE INCREDIBLE HULK on the CBS series from 1977 to 1981. Today, he opens his home and private gym to talk about overcoming his hearing impairment at a young age, fond memories of Michael Jackson, whom he trained, and why fitness plays such a fundamental role not only in his life, but in the lives of his children.
* No-holds-barred comedian Margaret Cho discusses her open marriage and sexuality, and reveals what her parents think of her career and lifestyle.

This episode of OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? airs Friday, January 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Check out a sneak peek below:

Christopher Atkins Featured on December 1st OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

The next new OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? airs on Sunday, December 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The episode features '80s screen hunk Christopher Atkins, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE's Alison Arngrim, rocker Pat Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo, and SAVED BY THE BELL's Dustin Diamond who share fascinating updates.

The Blue Lagoon and DALLAS hunk Christopher Atkins talks about romance with Brooke Shields, the behavior that nearly killed his career, and life as a grandfather; the girl you loved to hate — LITTLE HOUSE's resident mean girl Alison Arngrim, talks openly about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child; Rockers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo reveal the secrets of their 30-year marriage and musical partnership, and SAVED BY THE BELL's Dustin Diamond comes clean about what he most regrets, that Infamous sex tape and what "life after Screech" is like for him in the small town he now calls home.

Check out a sneak peek below:

NEWS: R.J. Mitte joins SWITCHED AT BIRTH; Julianne Moore Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

BREAKING BAD actor R.J. Mitte joins SWITCHED AT BIRTH
He will play Campbell, a pre-med college student paralyzed by a snowboarding accident who works at the free clinic alongside Daphne (Katie Leclerc).

Creator Lizzy Weiss also tweeted out the casting Thursday morning to her followers on Twitter, writing, "We are thrilled to have him."

THE WEST WING Government Shutdown Episode Is Frighteningly Familiar
In fifth season episode "Shutdown," the fiscal year is nearing its September 30 close. Democratic President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and House Speaker Jeff Haffley (Steven Culp) have verbally agreed on budget cuts of 1 percent, mostly from social programs. However, at the last moment, the Republican speaker demands 3 percent in cuts that would slash funding on education programs, clean energy research, and other issues near and dear to the president’s heart.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Delivers Record High Quarter

THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS fall finale was the highest rated
episode in series history with 2.6 million viewers.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network scored its highest rated quarter in network history delivering double-digit growth in third quarter prime 2013 versus second quarter (+31% W25-54; +35% total viewers; +49% AA W25-54).

Among all ad-supported cable networks, OWN ranked #3 in African-American women 25-54 and #26 in the network's key demo of women 25-54, its highest quarterly rank. In addition, OWN was Wednesday nights #1 network in all of television for African-American women 25-54 and #2 on Tuesday nights.

OWN Orders Four Additional Episodes Of Tyler Perry's THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS

Photo Credit: OWN

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that it has ordered an additional four episodes of the Tyler Perry primetime soap opera THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS.

This is on top of the 16 additional episodes ordered in June. This brings the total order for THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS to 36 episodes for its first season.

The series continues to break ratings records each week with its most recent broadcast on Tuesday, August 20 scoring its highest rated episode to-date in the network's key demo of women 25-54 (1.76 rating).

Oprah Video: 'I Heard You! We're Having A Summer Fling With The Soaps!'

Oprah Winfrey has made in a new video promoting the arrival of ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE on her OWN network starting July 15.

"I heard you! You posted, you tweeted, you Facebooked, and I listened. And now they're here! Pine Valley, Llanview, Victoria Lord, Adam Chandler, Angie & Jesse, all of your favorites. We're having a Summer Fling with the soaps."

Check out the video below:

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Delivers Best Quarter in Network History

The cast from Tyler Perry's primetime soap opera THE HAVES AND THE
HAVE NOTS

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network scored its best quarter in network history delivering a +32% growth in second quarter 2013 in primetime versus first quarter making OWN a Top 5 cable network for African-American women 25-54.

In addition for the month of June, OWN delivered its best month ever ranked as the #4 network in all of television for African-American women (#3 in cable) and #21 of all ad-supported cable networks in the key demo of women 25-54 driven by the network's first scripted series from Tyler Perry, soap opera THE HAVE AND THE HAVE NOTS and LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, airing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, respectively. OWN was the #1 cable network on Tuesday and Wednesday nights AA women 25-54, with both series ranking among the Top 5 original series in primetime in all of television for AA women 25-54. Month to month, OWN was the fastest-growing ad-supported cable network among W25-54 (+100%), A25-54 (+100%), A18-49 (+100%), Households (+77%) and Total Viewers (+87%).

Key Q2 2013 series highlights include:

ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE Coming To Oprah's OWN For A 10-Week Limited Engagement Starting July 15 (First 40 Episodes)

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is hosting a summer fling for soap fans as the network has acquired the first 40 episodes of The OnLine Network’s reprisal of the popular daytime dramas ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE for a special exclusive 10-week limited engagement. Half-hour episodes of each show will air Monday through Thursday beginning Monday, July 15 with ALL MY CHILDREN at 1 p.m. ET/PT and ONE LIFE TO LIVE at 3 p.m. ET/PT only on OWN.

"These shows have proven to be very popular with a significant, loyal fan base, not to mention Oprah herself is a big fan,” said Erik Logan, president, OWN. “Many of our viewers across numerous platforms have expressed their passion for the soaps so we are especially excited to air this limited engagement on OWN.”

OWN has recently had ratings success with Tyler Perry's primetime soap opera THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS.

OWN Doubles Episode Order for Tyler Perry's THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that it has ordered an additional 16 episodes of the network's popular drama series from Tyler Perry THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET) bringing the total season order to 32 episodes.

The show's current cycle will air through September 3 with the new episodes premiering in early 2014.

Oprah's OWN See Record Ratings Led By Tyler Perry Soap THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has scored its highest rated week in network history (Week of May 27) across the key demos in total day led by the premiere of Tyler Perry's new soap opera THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS (Tuesdays at 9 p.m.) and LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (Wednesdays at 9 p.m.). In addition, OWN ranked #12 for the week among all ad-supported cable networks for women 25-54 and ranked as the #2 network in all of television for the week for African American W25-54 in primetime.

Key Programming Highlights For the Week of May 27: