HOT CELEBRITIES: "Our America" host Lisa Ling talks Oprah Winfrey, Twitter and porn

October 14th, 2011

 

All eyes were on OWN this week as CEO Oprah Winfrey re-launched her network with Rosie O’Donnell’s new show, as well as her series, "Lifeclass."

We caught up with Lisa Ling, who hosts "Our America" on the cable channel, to dish about her upcoming second season, Winfrey, Twitter and, well, porn.
Ling’s one-hour weekly documentary style show tackles some of the most talked about issues in our country. This season she delves into polygamy, sex trafficking, extreme parenting styles and the world of amateur online porn, where we see Lisa visiting couples who post their sexy pictures and videos online for all to see.

You'll also see Ling become squeamish at times, in part because of how she was raised.
“Porn is a multi-billion dollar industry and the world of porn is undeniable,” she says. “So for me, while there are tremendous uncomfortable moments, I was also riveted and absolutely fascinated by this world.”
Her upcoming episode about extreme parenting styles will surely get every parent in America talking.
“It’s a very fascinating look into different approaches to parenting. We spent time with four families who have completely different styles,” she says. “They are literally shaping these little people into adults.”
Ling thinks this season will be just as fascinating as the first one on OWN, even though the network is undergoing a reinvention. But Ling says she wouldn’t want to work for anyone else or anywhere else.
“OWN has gone through its challenges. It is a brand new network and looking to find its voice,” she said. “But I actually feel more strongly about it now than ever. I don’t think I would be able to do any other show on any other network.”
The veteran journalist says Winfrey is very involved, and screens episodes of “Our America.” "Oprah watches everything and will sometimes give notes. She is very active in the process.”
When she's not working for one of the most famous people in the world, Ling confesses she spends lots of her free time on social networking sites.
“I’m a self professed Twitter junkie," she says. "And I spend so much time on Facebook. It’s highly addictive."
Ling’s second season of “Our America” airs on OWN Sunday, October 16.