Starting Over (2003–2006) User Reviews

Life Coaches

[KRican · 8/10 · 4 May 2006]

I agree that Iyanla can be a bit opinionated, but that other one --Rhonda--

Could she possibly be more self-righteous? Meanwhile, she never really listens to what anyone is saying. Did she take a Learning Annex class in "5 Steps to Being a Good Listener"? Maybe it was a prerequisite course to "You Too Can Be an Analyst" She asks clearly scripted questions, nods with a furrowed brow during the girls responses and follows it with a "ya" and a quote directly off one of those motivational posters.

Example: In the last episode ... Rhonda starts using all the clichés and textbook inspirational quotes to this one woman who was really going through it badly. She takes her through this ridiculous word association thing to arrive at the conclusion that her father is the cause of all her woes (which had already been established anyway, by the woman herself). Rhonda gives an understanding "Ya" and sits all self-satisfied that she broke her. Then Iyanla proceeds to rip the girl apart, saying that she is lying and covering up the real issue and makes her come to terms with the fact that her mother is really at the root of it all but she never could face or admit to herself. After 10 minutes of Iyanla tearing down layer after layer, lie after lie, the girl is obviously a wreck and then Rhonda chimes in with this pearl: "Its OK for your mother to not always be right" smiling smugly as though she knew the mother was the real issue all along. Iyanla looked like 'is she kidding with this'???

Rhonda seems to feel that she and Iyanla simply have different styles of therapy --- yea qualified and not qualified is the difference. She looks like a soap actress wannabe who never quite got her break but decided to put this show together and trying to act like a therapist. A bad one.

A brief summary

[meridian_satyagraha · 9/10 · 27 May 2004]

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!

The Life Coaches

[sands3355 · 23 April 2006]

I have to admit that I am addicted to this show. Having said that, I would like to send my opinion out there. It seems to me that the life coaches are, as others have written, "know it all's". They are not very specific at times, leaving the anxious ladies (probably too intimidated to ask if they can get help from the other women, quit, etc...) receiving negative feedback from the coaches. I think there is a bit of evil in Rhonda's eyes now and then.......she would scare me to death if I got on her bad side. Just once, I would like to hear an "I apologize, I was mistaken" from the coaches! I realize we all have had problems in our past, as did Rhonda and Iylana, however, they sometimes appear to have forgotten their past. When someone is "down and out" (as with the women who come and go through the house), they certainly don't need to be screamed at and humiliated. However, the change for the positive is remarkable in most of the women when they leave the starting over house!!!

It was a great show

[kkc-atkinson · 10/10 · 9 February 2007]

I'm Karen Knox-Cox, of Starting Over, season one. I love to read all the comments on this show. What a wonderful life experience it was. It did not change my life, but it certainly gave me a chance to re-direct my life. I am proud to be a part of a show, that obviously touch so many lives. I always said I'm the luckiest girl in the world! I too, agree, that the show lost a certain something after the first year. Replacing Rona,was the shows first down fall. With the first season, the women in the house, had no idea what to expect. The second year, it seemed the women in the house,"knew what the show needed", so it was not as natural. That is sad, because most of the women needed, some type of help. I think Starting Over could have survived longer, had they replaced the coaches on a regular basis...keeping it fresh.

My view on the Starting Over House Program

[eyyardeni · 10/10 · 27 August 2007]

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.

I loved this show more than any other-still do!

[vigilant-61999 · 10/10 · 19 March 2024]

I absolutely loved this show! I want to watch all of the reruns but I cannot find them. Where are they? Can I buy the entire series? I recorded several of the shows but I do not have a full set for each year! Some have issues with sound or with clarity -I had to record over other things if I was going to miss a show. I have six kids and often had to miss the show for kids appointments! Is there anywhere that o can purchase the series on DVD? Or VHS if that is the only format?

I would also like to see a follow up! I remember there was one with Dr Stan, Lynette, Susan, & Haley -my favorites were Denise, (& her husband) Lisa who lived at home & depended on her parents; Rachel, Rain, Josie, Kim B., and Vanessa!

I'm curious how Sinae & little Chloe are doing?

I loved Rhonda, Iyanla, & Dr Stan!!!!

Should never have moved and/or gotten rid of Rana

[phertyl · 4/10 · 28 June 2006]

I just wanted to say that the show rapidly went downhill after the move to California AND RANA was not expendable. She was much more real than Iyanla. I knew that show was in trouble from the opening screen shots where they show Iyanla with a tear ... supposedly real ... running down her cheek. The artificiality of it used to drive me insane! I am half-black, so race is not my issue here. I could not believe how warm and loving the life coaches could be on a day-to-day basis, and then just rip the poor women to shreds during the Board of Review. This show slowly but steadily began to concentrate more on what would make great television and keep the ratings up. I smelled a rat when the cause of the amnesia victim's loss of memory was never explained - hinted at - but never explained. This show should have stuck to the original formula; i.e. if you want to be on television, live for free for a minimum of six weeks, then there can be no holds barred, respecting, of course, the identify of close friends and relatives. And I'm sorry - I tried to like Dr. Stan but I could never really "get" him, or figure out what earthly purpose he actually served by being on the show. Alas, it's too late and my thoughts are all for naught because a sounding board for the viewers should have been made available from the get-go. Rest in peace, Rhonda; rest in peace. And Rana, you were gone but never forgotten.

Ex-Viewer

[Fusetr · 1 April 2006]

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.

Tess

[Kiki2018 · 14 April 2019]

I started out watching starting over during it's first season in 2003. For some reason there are certain episodes that are not available and I have no idea why. So I cannot re-watch some of the episodes I found most interesting.

I truly prefer the earlier seasons when Rana Walker was a Life Coach and the house was in Chicago. The move to California was just fine. However, I do not understand why Rana was replaced. She was genuinely kind, compassionate, nurturing, caring, inspiring and EVERYTHING those ladies needed in a life coach. Not ONCE did she ever resort to BULLYING, INSULTING, MOCKING, DEGRADING or EXPLOITING any of the women in the house.

I can only find episodes from season three online. Season three is very hard to watch. There's also an episode from Audrey and Brenda Starr's season that I wanted to see but it never aired. It's also not available online. Why that is only Bunim-Murray Productions knows.

The counseling sessions in the California house were truly teeth grinding to watch and hard to endure. My heart truly went out to Tess. I don't think she was a bad person at all. I think she was just super defensive because she had a lot of pint up hurt and frustration from being taken advantage of and having people spit on her kindness and throw it back in her face. I used to be that way myself as I too know the pain of my kindness being taken as "weakness" by those of lesser character.

It was also difficult to watch some of the other women in the house misunderstand her and put her on trial for PRACTICALLY everything she said and did. I honestly lost all respect for Meg when she questioned why Tess was wearing her headphones while cleaning the kitchen. Maybe she wanted to listen to music to UPLIFT herself as she felt like a black sheep who constantly needed to tiptoe around the other women jumping on her case every other day about the pettiest of issues and the two insensitive Life Coaches joining in with them.

God bless her. Cause regardless of what my Husband thought I would have left that house in the middle of the night after the first gang up session. Had Rana been there, I think things would have gone a lot more smoothly for Tess and she would have felt as if she had at least ONE good ally on her side. Poor girl.

I know she's glad it's all over and I hope she's doing great. There are some truly great Counselors and Life Coaches in the world(Rana Walker especially). However, some of them can be very know-it-all and uppity at times as the Starting Over experience proved. They don't perceive themselves as having a God-complex though many of them do.

There's no such thing as perfect . . . .

[pattersonlee · 6 February 2005]

Of course, the show is not perfect....it's a "reality" show about women and the problems that their needs lead them into. The life coaches are indeed not "know it all's", but have faced many of the same issues that "everyday" women face and have a better perspective, a clearer path to resolution. The knowledge and understanding of the life coaches naturally entice us to look to them when we need the focus that they have already demonstrated in real life. Hence, the reason that they are referred to as "life coaches."

Women and men are certainly equal in all capacities, but the path that we follow and the "tools" that we use to get there are not the same and cannot be treated as such. It is a fundamental part of the entire "Starting Over" process to help "women" to recognize the tools at their disposal, as well as to teach them those that they are missing by using the similarities in other women to build from.

This show is not about entertainment, but rather restoration and regeneration. It is merely a vehicle to reach those who want and need the message.

Give Me A Hug

[teddyryan · 30 January 2006]

If you turn off the testosterone, STARTING OVER can be a real treat. Especially if you are unemployed.

The show centers around woman that need to make changes in their lives and have come to a special house to start over. Nonethless, in order to start over, the woman must perform a serious of exercises under the supervision of Life Coaches. And, don't giggle, these coaches mean business. At one point, I tuned in to see a woman sitting in a cage.

Either way, I was able to overcome preconceived notions and indulge in the individual quest of each participant. I also became extremely fond of a woman Christina. A single mother of one and former show girl, she finally graduated the house and established herself as a woman of honor.

Life Coaches RULE!!!

[valker-1 · 13 June 2006]

I am a stay at home mom who has herself overcome a terribly painful past, with the help of Starting Over. Y'all have seen the opener...."this house changed my life"....it is true for me, and I never even walked thru the doors, although i would crawl on my tongue for the opportunity for that kind of healing!! Things those "Know it all" coaches have said come up in MY everyday life, and people have noticed a change in how I react to things around me, because of those awarenesses. It all comes down to how OPEN YOU ARE!!!! I feel those of you who are angry at the life coaches, have a reason to be, as they bring up those emotions, (whatever they may be) in you so they may be properly dealt with, and you aren't even aware of it. That is the job of a life coach, to dredge up the ugliness we refuse to deal with daily!

BIG HUGS to Iyanla, and Rhonda, and Dr. Stan too!!

Peace Y'all!

My Favorite Show

[JEstes7558 · 10 June 2004]

I love this show.It is my Favorite Shoe I love to see the women grow in their goals. I love when they are giving assignments that I can apply to my own life. I love seeing the women interact. Rhonda is the best. My favorites are PJ, Susan, Amy, Rain, Lori and Andy.

Starting Over is the best show on TV i think. It a reality show where women of all walk of life go to Start there life over. It's on NBC weekdays Usully about noon, but so people see it about 1 a.m. Six women at a time live in the house. There are 2 life coaches. Right now the is one pregnant girl trying to decide rather or not to give up her baby. She was homeless before she moved on the house. She's due any day.

Another woman if trying to find her father she's never met. She's also dealing with her mothers death which may.....MAY turn out to be suicide.

There is a mother and daughter team trying to fix a terrible relationship. A woman trying to get of welfare and another trying to start a career.

I's helpful to see them complete assignments given by the coaches. It's my favorite show.

Could Be Much Better

[Fire God · 18 November 2004]

One problem I have with this show is the arrogance of the "life coaches". These people act like they have all the answers all the time, and I find that attitude to be very silly. Sometimes they are just plain wrong, and other times there really are no right or wrong opinions on what they are "coaching" people about. Life is funny that way. I just wish that the coaches "feigned" a little ignorance now and then instead of constantly acting like self-important know-it-alls. Watching these women gives me the same feeling in the pit of my stomach that watching Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey does.

Another problem I have is that it is only a place for women. Perhaps we are not yet ready to treat people as individuals first and whatever their gender is second. That is what it would take to have a show about PEOPLE trying to better themselves, and not just women.

Commenting on "could be better"

[chastain_4 · 3 December 2004]

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.