On New Year’s Day, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network launched to solid ratings, and two Canadian ladies were happy to be in on the action. Vancouver cooking show Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag debuted weekdays at 3 p.m. on OWN this week, and show creators and stars Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic are reportedly thrilled to be a part of the Oprah empire.
If you haven’t seen the show, it features the two 40-something west coasters test-driving cookbooks and kitchen products. The idea is that they’re amateurs, so ostensibly charming bumbling and the occasional kitchen fire are part of the shtick. The ladies are remarkably similar: born 10 months apart, they’re both single, of similar build and have virtually identical resumes, educational backgrounds and voices. It’s great if you love their sassy tips and perky banter, because, hey, two for one. If not, let’s just hope American viewers won’t harbour unrealistic expectations of their female neighbours to the north based on these two insatiably bubbly kitchen mavens.
• Canadian women’s cooking show debuts on Oprah Winfrey channel [Toronto Star] • Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Shows Strong Ratings [Time]
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