

Starting Over
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.
Cast
Rana Walker

Iyanla Vanzant
Rhonda Britten

Lou Marini
Vanessa Atler
Allison Stanley
Stan J. Katz
Self
Seasons
E1Moving Day
Sep 8, 2003
E2College Preparation
Sep 10, 2003
E3Pampering & Procrastination
Sep 11, 2003
E4Finding Authenticity
Sep 12, 2003
E5To Cut or Not to Cut
Sep 15, 2003
E6Cassie Takes Charge While Lori Lets Go
Sep 16, 2003
E7Nyanza's Second String Man
Sep 17, 2003
E8Andy Reveals Her Secret
Sep 18, 2003
E9Career Stepping Stone
Sep 19, 2003
E10A Moment of Authenticity
Sep 22, 2003
E11Will the Real Andy Please Stand Up?
Sep 23, 2003
E12All Dressed Up and No Where To Go
Sep 24, 2003
E13Maureen and Nyanza Clash
Sep 25, 2003
E14The Trifecta Effect
Sep 26, 2003
E15Tension Looms Over A Divided House
Sep 29, 2003
E16Wheelchair Bound
Sep 30, 2003
E17Nyanza Goes Too Far
Oct 1, 2003
E18A Step Backwards
Oct 2, 2003
E19Cassie Finds A Guy
Oct 3, 2003
E20A Vow Of Silence
Oct 6, 2003
E21Camp Wanna-Start-Over
Oct 7, 2003
E22The Adventure Continues
Oct 8, 2003
E23Countdown to Breakdown
Oct 9, 2003
E24Andy Becomes an Expert
Oct 10, 2003
E25No Shopping Glee
Oct 13, 2003
E26Cleaning Out the Closet
Oct 14, 2003
E27Wall of Excuses
Oct 15, 2003
E28Die Hard, Old Habits
Oct 16, 2003
E29Funds For the Future
Oct 17, 2003
E30Explosive Confrontation
Oct 20, 2003
E31Board of Review
Oct 21, 2003
E32Lori's Generosity
Oct 22, 2003
E33Maureen Wants to Move
Oct 23, 2003
E34Nyanza, Nyanza, Nyanza
Oct 24, 2003
E35Oh Christmas Tree
Oct 27, 2003
E36It's Raining Men
Oct 28, 2003
E37Money For Nothing
Oct 29, 2003
E38Hello, Goodbye
Oct 30, 2003
E39Luck Be A Lady
Oct 31, 2003
E40Finding Her Way Home
Nov 3, 2003
E41Great Second Date
Nov 4, 2003
E42Graduation or Eviction?
Nov 5, 2003
E43Changing Coaches
Nov 6, 2003
E44Kimberlyn Contemplates Leaving
Nov 7, 2003
E45Lori's Breakthrough
Nov 10, 2003
E46Sexual Healing
Nov 11, 2003
E47Financial Freedom
Nov 12, 2003
E48Facing Fears
Nov 13, 2003
E49Graduation Day
Nov 14, 2003
E50Board of Review Fallout
Nov 17, 2003
E51Revealing Secrets
Nov 18, 2003
E52Ultimate Freedom
Nov 19, 2003
E53Trusting Herself
Nov 20, 2003
E54Brand New Day
Nov 21, 2003
E55Flushing Away Negativity
Nov 24, 2003
E56Friendships Formed
Nov 25, 2003
E57Moving Forward
Nov 26, 2003

E58Moving Day (2)
Nov 27, 2003
E59Here Comes the Bride
Nov 28, 2003
E60A Graduation Assignment
Dec 1, 2003
E61Preparing For Goodbyes
Dec 2, 2003
E62Graduation Party
Dec 3, 2003
E63Consequences
Dec 4, 2003
E64Road Trip
Dec 5, 2003
E65The Truth Hurts
Dec 8, 2003
E66Confronting A Roommate
Dec 9, 2003
E67Supermarket Sweep
Dec 10, 2003
E68Family Pressures
Dec 11, 2003
E69Lingerie Lady
Dec 12, 2003
E70The Bachelorette
Dec 15, 2003
E71Saints vs. Sinners
Dec 16, 2003
E72The Pleasing Disease
Dec 17, 2003
E73Spiritual Journey
Dec 18, 2003
E74Old Unhealthy Habits
Dec 19, 2003
E75Confrontation
Dec 22, 2003
E76Tensions Bubble Over
Dec 23, 2003
E77Sew What?
Dec 24, 2003
E78Graduation Party (2)
Dec 25, 2003
E79Career Fears
Dec 26, 2003
E80Countdown To A Wedding
Dec 29, 2003
E81Do A Little Dance
Dec 30, 2003
E82Warning Sign
Dec 31, 2003
E83Consequences
Jan 1, 2004
E84Wedding Bells
Jan 2, 2004
E85At Last
Jan 5, 2004
E86Tension Rises
Jan 6, 2004
E87Losing Confidence
Jan 7, 2004
E88A New Arrival
Jan 8, 2004
E89Career Change
Jan 9, 2004
E90New Direction
Jan 12, 2004
E91Let's Talk About Sex
Jan 13, 2004
E92Fairway To Love
Jan 14, 2004
E93The Truth Hurts, Again
Jan 15, 2004
E94Painful Past
Jan 16, 2004
E95Another Night Alone
Jan 19, 2004
E96True Colors
Jan 20, 2004
E97Hostile Environment
Jan 21, 2004
E98No More Purses
Jan 22, 2004
E99Divorcing The Past
Jan 12, 2004
E100Divorcing The Past
Jan 23, 2004
E101Stay or Go?
Jan 26, 2004
E102Masquerade Party
Jan 27, 2004
E103Countdown To A Better You
Jan 28, 2004
E104Anger Unleashed
Jan 29, 2004
E105Triumphant Return
Jan 30, 2003
E106The Right Move
Feb 2, 2004
E107Health Scare
Feb 3, 2004

E108Uphill Battle
Feb 4, 2004
E109Medical Trauma
Feb 5, 2004
E110Spa Day
Feb 6, 2004
E111Doctor's Orders
Feb 9, 2004
E112Tension Builds (2)
Feb 10, 2004
E113Taking Sides
Feb 11, 2004
E114Ms. Mom
Feb 12, 2004
E115A Difficult Change
Feb 13, 2004
E116Separation Anxiety
Feb 16, 2004
E117Cost of Living
Feb 17, 2004

E118Rude Awakening
Feb 18, 2004
E119Common Ground
Feb 19, 2004
E120Makeover For A Princess
Feb 20, 2004
E121Charity Auction
Feb 23, 2004
E122Humiliation
Feb 24, 2004
E123Tension on Graduation Day
Feb 25, 2004
E124Operation PJ
Feb 26, 2004
E125Pajama Party Blues
Feb 27, 2004
E126Facing Marital Issues
Mar 1, 2004
E127Hidden Anger
Mar 2, 2004
E128Anger Resurfaces
Mar 3, 2004
E129PJ Party
Mar 4, 2004
E130Snow Day
Mar 5, 2004
E131Reality Check
Mar 8, 2004
E132Double Trouble
Mar 9, 2004
E133PJ's Anger Grows
Mar 10, 2004
E134Past Indiscretions
Mar 11, 2004
E135A Romantic Reunion
Mar 12, 2004
E136Confronting Obstacles
Mar 15, 2004
E137Filled with Fear
Mar 16, 2004
E138Should She Stay or Go?
Mar 17, 2004
E139Recommitment
Mar 18, 2004
E140Search for the Past
Mar 19, 2004
E141Second Date
Mar 22, 2004
E142Custody Issues
Mar 23, 2004
E143Family Secrets
Mar 24, 2004
E144Right Place, Wrong Time?
Mar 25, 2004
E145Final Decision
Mar 26, 2004
E146Confronting Issues
Mar 29, 2004
E147Mending a Relationship
Mar 30, 2004
E148PJ Shuts Down
Mar 31, 2004
E149Fearing Rejection
Apr 1, 2004
E150Healing Wounds
Apr 2, 2004
E151Pretty in Pink
Apr 5, 2004
E152The Princess of Excellence
Apr 6, 2004
E153Seeing Double
Apr 7, 2004
E154Story of Survival
Apr 8, 2004
E155New Revelation
Apr 9, 2004
E156Amy Has a Secret
Apr 12, 2004
E157Susan Grows Frustrated
Apr 13, 2004
E158Seventh Heaven
Apr 14, 2004
E159Challenging Goal
Apr 15, 2004
E160One Last Task
Apr 16, 2004
E161Dear Dad
Apr 19, 2004
E162Pieces of the Past
Apr 20, 2004
E163True Feelings
Apr 21, 2004
E164Planning for a Birth
Apr 22, 2004
E165Taking the Plunge
Apr 23, 2004
E166Walking Away
Apr 26, 2004
E167Nice to Meet You
Apr 27, 2004
E168Call for Help
Apr 28, 2004
E169Tough Road Ahead
Apr 29, 2004
E170Unpopular Decision
Apr 30, 2004
E171Stuck Together
May 3, 2004
E172Cruel Intentions
May 4, 2004
E173Support System
May 5, 2004
E174Birth Day
May 6, 2004
E175Labor Pains
May 7, 2004
E176Motherhood
May 10, 2004
E177Hidden Resentment
May 11, 2004
E178Family Journey
May 12, 2004
E179A Unique Goal
May 13, 2004
E180Father Figure
May 14, 2004
E181Making Peace with the Past
May 17, 2004
E182Susan's Triumph
May 18, 2004
E183Skating on Thin Ice
May 19, 2004
E184Relationship Boot Camp
May 20, 2004
E185Letting Out the Anger
May 21, 2004
E186The Letter
May 24, 2004
E187In the Middle
May 25, 2004
E188Celebration
May 26, 2004
E189Return Visit
May 27, 2004
E190Future Plans
May 28, 2004
E191Back Together
May 31, 2004
E192Getting Honest
Jun 1, 2004
E193Fly Away
Jun 2, 2004
E194A New Life
Jun 3, 2004
E195A New Beginning
Jun 4, 2004
E1Starting Over, Again
Sep 13, 2004
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
E2How Ya Livin'?
Sep 14, 2004
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
E3Father Figure
Sep 15, 2004
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
E4Family Secrets
Sep 16, 2004
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
E5Midnight Emergency
Sep 17, 2004
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
E6Day of Pampering
Sep 20, 2004
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
E7A Dark Secret Revealed
Sep 21, 2004
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

E8Understanding Forgiveness
Sep 22, 2004
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
E9Assessing the Past
Sep 23, 2004
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.
E10A New Addition
Sep 24, 2004
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
E11Rough Start
Sep 27, 2004
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
E12Plain Jane
Sep 28, 2004
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
E13Controlling the Trust
Sep 29, 2004
E14Shameful Secrets
Sep 30, 2004
E15Talk to Strangers
Oct 1, 2004
E16Queen of Punishment
Oct 2, 2004
E17People Pleasing
Oct 5, 2004
E18Sommer's Accusation
Oct 6, 2004
E19Food, Glorious Food
Oct 7, 2004
E20Board of Review Breakthrough
Oct 8, 2004
E21Anger Management
Oct 11, 2004
E22Feeling Knotty
Oct 12, 2004
E23Family Issues
Oct 13, 2004
E24Sisterhood
Oct 14, 2004
E25Wash Away Mistakes
Oct 15, 2004
E26A Sepcial Visit
Oct 18, 2004
E27Disappearing Act
Oct 19, 2004

E28Let's Talk About Sex
Oct 20, 2004
E29Divine Intervention
Oct 21, 2004
E30Towanda Confronts Iyanla
Oct 22, 2004
E31Nay-Nay Graduates
Oct 25, 2004
E32Tragegy Strikes
Oct 26, 2004
E33A New Housemate
Oct 27, 2004
E34Day of Indulgence
Oct 28, 2004
E35Jennifer Struggles
Oct 29, 2004
E36Anger Session
Nov 1, 2004
E37Good Girls Do Bad Things
Nov 2, 2004
E38Sisterhood Meeting
Nov 3, 2004
E39Letting Go
Nov 4, 2004
E40Boot Camp
Nov 5, 2004
Storyline
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.











