These days, when you think about the OWN network, you can’t help but think about Tyler Perry. The filmmaker and writer has been quite successful in his partnerships with the Oprah Winfrey Network, and they have yet another series in the works.
According to Deadline, the network announced a 38-episode order of a new comedy series called The Paynes, a spinoff of Perry’s TBS comedy House of Payne, which ended in 2012. The series, which as always is directed, written and produced by Perry, will reunite us with Curtis (LaVan Davis) and Ella Payne (Cassi Davis). The pair are trying to enjoy retirement in Florida, but find themselves caught up in a bad real estate deal. Production for the comedy has already begun and it will premiere in 2018 on OWN.
As for the network’s other hits, 44 additional episodes of the hit drama series The Haves and the Have Nots were ordered as well as 18 new episodes of If Loving You Is Wrong.
However, to make room for The Paynes and the added episodes of the aforementioned dramas, OWN also announced that they are ending both Love Thy Neighbor and For Better or Worse. The two comedies will be moved to Saturday nights and will go into their final seasons. It will be the fourth season for Love Thy Neighbor, which will premiere on March 4 with back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. The final season will have 22 episodes. For Better or Worse will premiere with its sixth season this summer on June 10 at 9 p.m. The final season will have 20 episodes.
In a statement, Erik Logan, president of OWN said that “Tyler has been an incredible collaborator, a great partner and has an unprecedented track record of success with his hit scripted series. Tyler’s shows are must see TV for his loyal audience and we are excited to offer up a brand-new comedy and more episodes of their favorite Tyler dramas on OWN. We also would like to thank the entire casts of both ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ and ‘For Better or Worse’ who have given us loads of laughs over the years. Both series have had great runs and we appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication.”
Love Thy Neighbor is a half-hour sitcom about Love Train Diner owner Hattie Mae Love and both the funny highs as well as the lows faced by the matriarch, her family and friends.
As for For Better or Worse, that is, of course, the show starring Tasha Smith and Michael Jai White. It’s about three couples, led by Marcus and Angela, who are handling the different stages of marriage they’re in and the issues that come with it all. The series initially premiered on TBS in 2011, and, ironically, was announced when that channel reported the end of House of Payne.
