Magazine Publisher Dawna Wins The Apprentice Don't tell us we're the only ones who are not shocked one bit that Dawna Stone won The Apprentice. Dawna, who has already launched women's magazine Her Sports, ran a $20-million sports nutrition company and runs triathlons in her spare time was able to beat out a group of competitors who could not have been at more of a disadvantage had Alexis Stewart herself been a contestant.

It is too bad that the party is over. The Apprentice: Martha Stewart never saw the ratings everyone expected because it made the same mistake that many brands and reality shows tend to; it forgot to deliver on it's original promise. Martha's version suffered from the fact that the mystery and magic of The Apprentice was already gone. When the public saw that none of the Donald's former Apprentices seemed to be learning anything at all, and in fact appear to do very little else besides show up on Page Six for their bad behavior or appear on VH1 specials, The Apprentice mystique evaporated.

In a PR move that NBC no doubt already regrets, Martha's show never developed the kind of hard edge tough and love for the contestants that was needed in order to keep the audience interested. Martha seemed to be more interested in showing a softer side and denying her critics any chance to pounce on her for being mean. Ironically, in the past Martha never seemed to care a whit about what the critics thought, and she did just fine.

Dawna will be working at recently acquired Body & Soul magazine, which is near Boston, making it hard to see how this will be an apprenticeship with Martha herself or even Martha's own magazine. Had they called this The Apprentice: Body & Soul we doubt that a talent like Dawna would have even shown up. At this point MSO can use all the talent it can get to help manage the expanding empire that is quickly turning into a collection of loosely related magazine properties. But caveat emptor: unless they promote Dawna very quickly, she may be overqualified for the job.

Now that The Apprentice and the NYC transit strike are over, lets hope this all expenses paid NBC infomercial pays off and results in some very strong holiday sales for MSO.

Merry Xmas to all!

--John

Martha Stewart Picks Her Apprentice--Forbes

It's Dawna for Martha. Wednesday night's finale of the first (and last) season of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart saw the lifestyle billionaire pick the publisher of a women's sports magazine over a natural foods chef. As her reward for the oft-grueling reality show contest, which whittled 16 candidates to one, Dawna Stone was named to the new position of director of development of Body + Soul. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia acquired the healthy-living title last year and says it is on track to have a circulation of 400,000 by next July. However, the magazine faces a growing list of competitors, including, most recently, LIME.com--a multimedia Web site backed by AOL co-founder Steve Case.

Help Save The Martha Rules OK, so maybe Martha's new guide to succeeding in business should have been in cookbook format and listed Martha's recipes for success. Mix one part raw determination with a dash of creative flair... Packaging is everything. Anyway, the book needs your help. So add it to your holiday shopping list. Luckily, her cookbooks are still flying off the shelves. Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook is ranked #85 on Amazon.com.

Publishers Assess the Fall Season's Winners and Losers--NY Times
"The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business" has sold roughly 37,000 copies since its publication in early October, according to Nielsen BookScan. That's a major disappointment for a celebrity author like Ms. Stewart, and it leaves Rodale, which planned an initial printing of 500,000, with a financial loss on the book, at least so far. Readers have not lost all of their appetite for Ms. Stewart, howeve. Ms. Stewart's latest cookbook, "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook," published by Clarkson Potter, a unit of Random House Inc., was selling briskly.'

Byron's Lament Hmmm, what to get Martha for Christmas? If you are a mere mortal, that would be a challenging task indeed. But if you're a run of the mill Scrooge, the choice is fairly easy. Under the title "Hollow Empire," Author Chris Byron had this little present for Martha in today's NY Post:

In March, kitchen stunt-gal Martha Stewart was released from five months' incarceration in a West Virginia federal detention facility for women, and returned to her palatial estate in Westchester to serve out the remaining five months in home confinement on a conviction for lying to federal investigators regarding a fishy stock sale in which she had become implicated.

She arrived to throngs of cheering supporters, and a PR machine that was already running full-bore to spin the actual facts of her recent life into a new and improved Martha who was "bigger and better than ever." There were to be TV shows, book deals, and on and on.

But the public wasn't fooled, and sizing up the hokum for what it was — an attempt to turn the notoriety of criminal conviction into a worldwide pity party for a limelight-craving liar and ex-con — they tuned out from her show by the millions and it was canceled by NBC after just 12 weeks.

Kitchen stunt gal? Limelight craving liar? Sounds like Byron been hanging out with Andrea Peyser just a bit too much. But Scrooge must know that his days as Martha's biographer (and nemesis) are numbered. There is a new sheriff in town, and when Lloyd Allen's new book Being Martha is released in the new year, we expect to see a showdown that will finally let the public know the truth that the media has only recently begun to share. Lloyd has known Martha for years, and his new book is an honest and close up look at the real Martha. Not the media mogul. Not the Domestic Diva. Not the beautiful billionaire. Just Martha, the person, the friend, the woman who continues to succeed against all odds in a man's world. A man who happens to be named Scrooge...

Readers respond:

Merry Christmas, Chris Byron!
 
After calling Martha Stewart -- the Kitchen Stunt Gal, what do we call you?   One Note Byron. You once again showed your lack of distance and objectivity from your subject.
 
There probably is more to say, but why?...so Happy Holidays!--lets hope next year you finally become the trust worthy hero that you wrote about...
 
Estelle Gabel

Dear Martha,
I take care of both parents, who are 79 years old. They never miss your show. They have been huge fans of yours for years. When you were convicted they were devastated that something like this could happen. They both look forward to your show daily. I hope this never goes off the air.
 
Sincerely,
Joyce

Alexis Live The Apprentice: Martha Stewart may be dead, but daughter Alexis Stewart has another gig. She has a new radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio. Called “Whatever.” Something tells us that you won't be seeing this on Martha's daytime TV show (via Businessweek):

In one hour, Alexis complained in detail about not knowing what do or how to act on The Apprentice, confessed that she had slept with the cameraman assigned to shoot her, and had experimented with lesbianism. She certainly seemed and sounded serious about all of it.

Oh Kay. Thanks for at least confirming the part about The Apprentice, Alexis. It was pretty obvious early on that this TV show must have shorter rehearsals than a first grade Christmas play. But not everyone will miss the show. We have received endless complaints about Charles Koppelman's use of the unlit cigar in the board room. In this post-Monica Lewinsky era, the ladies do not react to that kind of symbolism very well. But good luck with the radio show. Howard Stern is also on Sirius. Perhaps he's looking for a co-host...

Peter Lives Martha's former stockbroker Peter Bacanovic is finally out of house arrest and finally free. He's vacationing in the Caribbean, then heading to the West Coast to pursue a career in entertainment, just as Dominic Dunne had predicted. via NY Magazine:

Peter Bacanovic, just one week out of home confinement, hit the New York City Ballet benefit gala last Tuesday night. Martha Stewart's former broker looks youthful for 43, if a little weary. “This is my first time out,” he said. “I’ve been under water for three and a half years. I’m so glad to be here. Isn’t this great?”

Bacanovic said he receives Stewart updates through mutual friends: “I don’t know if you’re aware of the law, but we’re not allowed to communicate.” Couldn’t he watch her TV shows? “I don’t watch TV. I never have,” he said. The next day, he left for the Caribbean. Friends say he’s considering a move to the West Coast to work in film.

Giving Thanks
By Andrew Ritchie

Imagine yourself on the northern coast of Canada, on Baffin Island, in the year 1576. The land is harsh, the wind is cold and there is nary a hint of human settlement. It was here that Martin Forbisher, an English explorer, celebrated the first recorded Thanksgiving on the North American continent, a full 43 years before the pilgrims of Massachusetts at Plymouth Rock.

The notion of celebrating an autumn harvest, however, dates back centuries and can be found in numerous cultures all around the world. The ancient Greeks celebrated the festival of Thesmosphoria to honor the goddess of grain, Demeter. Ancient Chinese civilizations celebrated a harvest festival called Chung Ch'ui and dined on roasted pig, harvest fruits and special moon cakes, in honor of the harvest moon. Even Jewish families celebrate an autumnal harvest festival called Sukkoth or Hag ha Succot, which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. (Read more)

Vote for Martha Via IWantMedia.com: "She was already voted Media Person of the Year in 2002. But 2005 may be her biggest year yet. How often do media moguls get released from prison and immediately star in two high-profile TV shows? While Stewart's version of "The Apprentice" won't continue past December, her syndicated daytime show is going strong. Advertisers are returning to her flagship magazine and her new advice book is a bestseller. Coming soon: a Sirius satellite radio channel, a new line of home DVDs, even Martha Stewart-branded residential communities. She recently told Fortune magazine: "I cannot be destroyed." Vote Now!

Being Save Martha I just recently returned from Singapore and briefly San Francisco , and now I am finally catching up on SaveMartha and a few other projects in progress. I just received an advance copy of Being Martha, which will be published in February. It is a very personal, at times a searingly personal account of Martha's life, from the inside, by a friend. It's fascinating. Very anecdotal. And very emotional. It won't be like anything else you've ever read about her. And it won't be like anything she has ever read about herself...

Is Martha for Senate living? Did the MarthaforSenate.com site fold before we could even have an election? Or did someone run into issues with campaign finance laws, which require all such sites to be officially registered? It was a fun idea, and who knows, Martha may yet one day run for office. After all the current investigations in our nation's capital are complete, there could be quite a few open seats...You can see the archives here...

No more Martha Apprentice Now that we know that Martha's version of The Apprentice was just another one of those late-summer flings that fizzles out before the holidays, NBC says it would not have renewed Martha's Apprentice anyway, even if the ratings had been sky high as the network had predicted. And the bird flu won't kill you if you hold your breath long enough. As if we believe that anyone at the struggling peacock network would not have offered their first born child for a single new successful show.

Leno falls off the NBC Finally Being Nice to Martha Wagon "Did you hear that NBC canceled Martha Stewart's version of The Apprentice? (audience groans) Actually its not that surprising; a lot of ex-cons have a hard time holding onto a job." Jay Leno

So why does NBC announce what everyone already knew now? Maybe to distance themselves from yet another high profile prime time blowup. Here's a good analysis from RealityTVWorld.com:

While NBC's decision not to renew such a low rated television series is certainly no surprise, the report's implication that the NBC spokesperson's comments marked the first time that anyone involved with the program had stated that The Apprentice: Martha Stewart was always envisioned as a one-shot deal is surprising.

As Reality TV World reported several weeks ago, both Stewart and Susan Lyne, CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, have repeatedly stated that they -- along with series producer Mark Burnett (who also produces Stewart's syndicated Martha daytime show) -- always considered the show to be a one-time "wonderful advertisement."

Being Martha: The Blog Check out the new blog by Lloyd Allen, author of Martha's upcoming biography Being Martha... Via Cindy Adams: LISTEN, if you haven't OD’d on Martha Stewart, I’m staring at an advance uncorrected proof titled “Being Martha.” Although he gift-wraps himself as her “old friend and one-time neighbor,” Lloyd Allen’s biography is not authorized. Still, it’s sugar ‘n’ spice and everything nice. As in, “The Martha I know is down to earth, fun, and laughing all the time.” Wiley publishes in February. Meanwhile, try to control yourselves. Note to Cindy: We are still waiting for our galley, so excuse us but we cannot control ourselves until we read the real book on Martha Stewart, not the fake ones they keep turning into TV movies...

Admit it NBC: This was never going to be another Friends or even (God forbid) Joey. Everyone knew this show was a lark. A fling. Martha had been saying exactly this for weeks, basically saying The Apprentice was just a primetime infomercial for MSO. And it worked. Traffic to Martha's website has doubled. And strong sales for the holiday season should follow.

While the show was not a disaster, it was never going to be a hit. Ratings were well below expectations, and when NBC moved Martha's Apprentice to a new time slot and forced it go up against ABCs hit show Lost, the show was doomed.

Since this is a reality show, lets face reality. TV viewers didn't want to see the nice, calm, professional Martha. They wanted to see Big Bad Mean Martha making all those Apprentice wannabes cry into their casseroles. Now that would have generated some big time ratings. Hey, lets see who Martha humiliates this week.

However, since Martha is smarter than the programmers at NBC, that was never in the cards. Martha wanted to show off her brand, her company, and to use the exposure to win over new customers. And as I recall from my Marketing 101 class at Kellogg, you can't get new customers to buy your products by making them hate you.

So the contestant who wins this season will be the one and only Martha Apprentice. Ever. Talk about pressure. Except for Omarossa, the true Queen of Mean, all of the Donald's Apprentices have gone on to basically do...nothing. No empires or skyscrapers or even TV careers have been built by anyone who has ever won a reality show.

The bottom line is that Martha got in the reality TV kitchen while it was still hot, and is getting out as the entire reality TV genre goes the way of poprocks and Bananarama.

The show's two-hour live finale is set for Dec. 21. We will be there with bells on.

Reader Mail

Dear Save Martha, Please, start a petition to NBC telling them to make a second season of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
 The show does not have to be on NBC. It could be on one of the cable channels NBC owns.
 Lee Miller

Dear Lee: We would, but we do not think Martha would want to do this show again. Most fans want to see her show, her ideas, not someone elses. But thanks for the idea. --John

Dear John: Subject: Martha's new TV shows: Hats off to Martha and her staff for the wonderful job they have done on these programs. I didn't think I would ever watch them but now I tune in daily. She has put her reputation on the line and shown that she can handle herself in different TV situations. I watch many motion picture, soap opera, and comic stars I have never heard of before but somehow she seems to make them worthwhile. No, she is not Oprah dishing with her audience or Donald Trump scowling at his. She is Martha and she has added to her charm and attractiveness 
and legend by undertaking these assignments and doing so well with them.
Dick O'Connor   Watertown, MA

Dear John: I just want say I'm glad Martha is back on TV. I know change was important, but I personally don't like the new format. I miss the "homey-feeling" of the old shows. I liked it when she "worked" out of her homes and showed us what her places looked like. I liked it when she had her mother on,too. Her show gave me that relaxed feeling, I think it's also the sound of her voice. I especially liked her holiday shows, the table settings in her homes,etc. I don't watch her new TV show very often now. I do enjoy her apprentice show. My thoughts, Donna Stecker

On the " I can't be destroyed" Fortune cover:

John: I am sure that the “I can’t be destroyed” comment is being taken out of context. I noticed that Martha has been really careful with her words on the daytime “Martha” show, and I believe she had learned a lesson from her past three years’ legal trouble.
I do feel that she shouldn’t allow Fortune to put that bold statement on the cover of the magazine, it doesn’t do any good.
 Liu from Toronto

Hello John  - I just wanted to write to defend Martha for saying she knows now she cannot be destroyed.  I think that's a great thing to say - that no matter what happens to a person - deservedly or undeservedly, nothing can really destroy us if we don't let it.  I think that's an empowering thing to realize - this world is unpredictable and who knows what will happen to any of us, yet somehow we will survive.  The "christians" who love to criticize and condemn others so easily will rush in to tell us all how to behave, but so what else is new?  I love Martha because she is Martha and that really irritates some people evidently.  There's a line from Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" - " how did they think they could destroy you??"

Mary M.

Dear John: Martha Stewart was persecuted and targeted for destruction for political gains. It is absolutely fabulous that she stated to Fortune Magazine that she has learned she cannot be destroyed. This is triumph over evil, and it expresses inspirational empowerment for women who have been victimized. The comments of Don & Angie B. reflect a personal religious belief that is hogwash in attacking Martha's simple expression of resilience.
Grace Chung

Dear John,
 
I read your Martha site for the first time in awhile and was interested in the take on her shows.
 
I agree the daytime show is not focused.  It is much better than the other daytime shows but is not up to the high standard her old show met.  She should either concentrate on guests or on food/craft projects.  The interesting guests seldom have enough time for more than a quick hello and goodbye, and the cooking projects seem designed merely to take up time.  We should all now know she has a good sense of humor but she should get back to the basics.  There are too many talk shows with too many celebrities and too little substance.
 
As for The Apprentice, it's annoying that so much time is spent reviewing the last show and so little time on the current one.  I find it difficult to fully understand what the contestants are tasked with and there is too little in the way of seeing how they go about fulfilling the task.
 
I find Jim obnoxious and have trouble believing MSLO would consider hiring him under any circumstances.  Is he there to add conflict?  He has never seemed like a "good fit."  I've been trying to decide which contestant might fit in with Martha's business but have come up empty.
 
I am hopeful Martha will quickly pull her daytime show together.  Her new set is spectacular but I liked the set I believe was at Turkey Hill.  Millions of viewers of The Apprentice does not seem like bad news but I'll leave that to the experts.
 
As far as her alleged spat with Donald Trump, I attribute this to the media's need for sensational headlines.
 
Best regards,
Sally Strope

Dear Martha,
I have been watching your new show since you have been back and have enjoyed it so much. I do enjoy that you come on in the evening at six pacific time on channel 38 . You look just great and keep all the those good shows coming.
My question is that you had on a green turtleneck sweater on your show of November 2, I have been looking for one for so long in that color, and was wondering if you could share it with me where you bought it at? It is such a wonderful color on you.
Thanks,
 Penny Jones
Edmonds, Washington 

Dear Martha: Looks like the poncho was only the beginning. So where did you get that sweater?? --John

Martha's Martha Martha What did Martha learn from the past three years of trials, jails and travails? Martha Stewart tells Fortune Magazine: "I have learned that I really cannot be destroyed." Uh oh. Now the religious right (or maybe left?) wants a part of her too:

Dear Martha,
It bothered me that you made the comment that you don't think you can ever be destroyed. Do you know who holds your future and your plans? God does. He is the one who made you. Do you know the Lord in a personal way? Have you asked him to be your Savior and to be Lord of your life. He loved you so much that he gave his only son for you so that you could have eternal life and spend eternity in Heaven. How awesome is that. I pray that God will reveal himself to you. Please think about what I've said.
Don & Angie B.

I am sure Martha's higher power was watching out for her, as I know many of us were doing our own part to ensure her well-being. But you must admit the statement has a bit of the kind of bravado that puts the target on the back of the rich, the famous, the blonde, the Martha.

Now Martha, before we go turning this website into a lifetime occupation, it is time to review how badly your enemies wanted to put you away, and they wanted it to last for a very long time. A five to ten year sentence was not out of the question in your case, especially while Count 9 of the indictment --which would have made it illegal for you to say you were innocent and simultaneously hold the position of CEO--was intact.

Even after losing the trial on every other count, Judge Cedarbaum could have sentenced you to more time. And more time could have amounted to a life sentence. And for the company, that would amount to the death penalty. No pardon or high priced legal team could have saved anything.

So even though Martha is "free" you are still on probation for another year plus there is still an SEC investigation underway. And let us not forget how the prosecution was attempting to turn the case into an IRS investigation by digging up expense records for the trip to Mexico, the driver and car, the hairstylists etc. And how the NY Post got you two more weeks of house arrest.

For some twisted reason, your troubles sell lots of newspapers, so lets keep a few quarters out of Rupert Murdoch's vault and stay out of trouble. Lets try to stick to our knitting, get those TV ratings up, and turn the company around. Otherwise the enemy will indeed have won.

MARTHA YEARNS FOR A RETURN TO HER THRONE--NY Post

Martha Stewart tells Fortune she hopes there is not a government order barring her from holding corporate officer status in the company that bears her name and is hopeful that the SEC civil action against her can be settled without including that prohibition.

Martha's Fortune Look for Martha in Fortune Magazine. She's finally spilling the beans, and a few of them are sure to give some people a bad case of gas. On former CEO Sharon Patrick: "When I resigned and Sharon took over, it was clear that the job was way too much for one person," Stewart tells the magazine. "She said she could handle it. She just wasn't handling it." Wow.

According to Keith Kelly: "She also reveals that she hated the strategy hatched by the board to "deMartharize" the company by shrinking her name on the cover of the magazine." No kidding--so did we all. It made no sense to debrand Martha. The question now is it too late to turn this ship around? Many companies would be gone by now, but through sheer resilience Martha's brand survives.

The Latest MSO has released third-quarter results , and it was not a good thing: losses widened with the costs of paying producer Mark Burnett for television programs. Ratings for both of Martha's TV shows are below expectations, but daytime show Martha is improving. But Martha can't catch a break: Even Donald Trump is blaming the Martha version of The Apprentice for his own show's lower ratings, saying having two shows is confusing viewers, as if people who watch TV are really that dumb.

The problems are pretty simple. Martha has a P problem, as in the 4Ps of Marketing. The good news is that Martha is a pretty good marketer herself, and all of these problems can be addressed and solved. The bad news is that the clock is ticking, and losses at MSO are starting to pile up.

Product: Martha's daily show is too unfocussed. As much as we love seeing her back, thats not why people watch her shows. They watch them to become smarter, they watch them to learn. adapt the new format to one that promotes what the Martha nations craves and this will be a winner.

Price: In tis case, it's the stock price, which have little to do with reality. The problem is that when its down, people think that's bad news. But some investors call that a buying opportunity. remeber when Peter Bacanovic said to sell Imclone? He should have instead benn buying more shares on the way down, as they latrer reversed course and shot way up again. MSO and the media can do a better job explaining how short term price movements are not a very good indication of the future. If you don't believe that, just ask Sam Waksal.

Place: Distribution of Martha's products is a major issue. Kmart continues to forget how to merchandise products in a way that gets prople excited to come into their stores. MArtha must take the reins, and create her own boutique sections within mart, or find a new partner like Target who knows how to merchandiise designer brands.

Promotion: Was it just us, or did Martha seem to be holding back just a little bit on her comeback tour? She has mentioned several times how her pending appeal prevents her from really saying what she thnks about the events and the people who helped

Its time for her t

As fast as you can whip an egg, Martha Stewart's homemaking empire has cracked into what looks like a complete mess. Her two new TV shows -- the much-anticipated daytime syndicated show Martha and her own version of The Apprentice -- have underwhelmed audiences, posting dismal viewer ratings. The upfront $22 million payment to Mark Burnett, creator of the two shows, is looking more and more like a bad bet.

It's not like Martha isn't trying. Investors may just need to show a little patience for results -- the kind that Martha demonstrates when she bakes that perfect soufflé. Savvy market players may want to keep an eye on revenues. If they start to rise, profits may not be far behind.

Pre-order Being Martha at Amazon.

Reader Mail

Dear John:
Went to a taping of the "Martha" show this past Wednesday, and it was fabulous! The studio was amazing and everything worked like clockwork - as to be expected from Martha. Martha did announce during a break that people have been e-mailing her requesting more "how to" informational segments, and she agreed. So in answer to all those people who complained on your website they liked the original show better, stick around and continue watching because your wishes will come true. In fact, the episode I witnessed taping definitely had more educational segments than in previous episodes. My only complaint was that the warm up guy was really lame. I also wished I got a T-shirt; at least, I've mastered the popular T-shirt fold that has sparked all the fans' imaginations.
V.Yen

Dear Mr. Small
 
I finally was able to view Martha’s morning hour long show on the FOX network. I have mixed reactions about her new show.  I know that it has a live audience in her studio.  I think this is the way of the larger talk shows but it does distract a little from the contends of the subject matter that Martha is introducing.
 
 
I am one of Martha old time watchers and maybe that is getting in the way of totally enjoying her new show.  I do enjoy Martha’s special guests.  Her show still has a lot of good information in which to learn.
 
Please pass on my congratulations to Ms Steward and express my gratitude of her coming back on the air to teach and entertain us viewers.
 
Thanks again for your web site,
 
Wayne T.  Marshall

Dear John,
  Sorry this is so long,  I never thought I'd be writing it,  and am wondering if others feel the same,  but  I just gotta say it.   I am having a lot of trouble with the daily show and I don't think it's just "adjustment !"   From beginning to end,  it just seems all wrong for Martha.   The music, as an example, today sounded like "The Price Is Right," bearing no resemblance the more calm, serene music of years past.
 
The guests are bizzare,  and there is no attempt to explain why they are guests at all .  Example:  David Spade ?    He can't cook,  wasn't funny AT ALL,  looked ridiculous, and seemed just terribly uncomfortable.  And altho Martha tried to keep it light, he couldn't even answer a question.   Probably the worst guest-interview I've ever seen!  
 
And,  Conan O'Brien,  while amusing,  is just not the kind of guest Martha's audience wants !  He was utterly ridiculous.   And while we all love Larry King,  what on earth was he doing on the show ?   He knows NOTHING about cooking, gardening, any crafts, etc.  He HIRES it all done !   (or marries it !)
 
However, Martha is proving to be a good interviewer, something which I feared she might have trouble with.   But she has to have someone INTERESTING to interview !   Why only celebs ?   I would bet she knows more interesting non-celebs and she ought to be interviewing them,  and sharing seeds, or recipes, or t-shirt-folding-type tips, showing us how to plant for fall,  protect plants for winter,  how her Maine garden is "put to bed."
 
Now a question:  Is it just coincidence that her guests, for the most part, have been male ?  Are the producers trying to tell us something ?   And, if so,  WHAT ?!   Where is Lorraine Bracco ?   She and Martha did one of the funniest shows I've ever seen back a few years ago.   Or Bette Midler, and her Save New York Parks program ? Or Rosie who was an outspoken supporter from the get-go ?
 
We, the fans and viewers,  are being short-changed and I, for one, don't like it.   This present format,  should it continue,  is just nearly unbearable and I sadly predict it's early demise.  That is because old-time Martha fans, like myself,  want MARTHA, and her skills, her knowlege, her educational demonstrations and interviews, her CLASS!
 
What we DON'T want,  is another loud, manic, chirpy, daily show.  There are 3 or 4 of those on every channel.   We wanted something DIFFERENT and that is what Martha is !   Different !   From the USUAL,   from the mundane, the commonplace.  
 
So please, to the Producers,  take the "ankle bracelet" off and let Martha do what she does best,  without all the phony hype and fanfare.
 
Judith M. ,Houston, TX

Will The Apprentice survive? The Apprentice's new season is turning into it's own version of Survivor. The ratings for The Apprentice have sunk to an all time low. But don't blame Martha, both episodes of the show were beat by solid competition from ABC's Lost to CBS's CSI franchise.

The Donald's version had its lowest audience ever, only 9.9 million viewers, so maybe the entire reality show craze is finally wearing out.

Maybe the term "reality" is itself wearing thin. The fact that none of the past Apprentice winners seems to have accomplished much beyond getting into spats with each other, or attending supermodel drenched parties, seems to take away the aura of actually winning one of these competitions. In fact, the only thing these contestants seems to really want to do is to be on more television shows. So if Donald Trump calls looking for one of his many partying Apprentices, just tell him they'll be back in the office by payday.

Cybill Shepherd's second Martha movie gets many of the facts wrong, but Martha comes out as the ultimate survivor...

Martha, Behind Bars a ratings bust Looks like the only ones watching "Martha Behind Bars," were Cybill Shepherd herself plus the few of us Martha fans who were brave enough to tune in. Last year's NBC TV movie was the highest rated of the year.

Maybe Martha Behind Bars should be charged with impersonating a court drama. These were the worst courtroom scenes since the E! network's nightly Michael Jackson trial reenactments. They barely gave Judge Cedarbaum any dialog, and she had some of the best lines of the trial.

This tab-sploitation only pulled a measly 2.3 rating and a 5 percent share of audience. Ironically, everyone else was watching Desperate Housewives on ABC. Obviously, people would rather watch Martha herself. CBS proves once again its own name stands for Can't Beat Stewart.

Martha, Behind Bars not all that bad after all We don't yet know how big the ratings will be, but we do know that the new CBS Martha movie surprised many of us at how well it did portraying Martha as the ultimate survivor.

OK, so they got many of the facts either completely wrong or completely out of sequence. For instance, Martha makes the infamous phone call to stockbroker Peter Bacanovic in her hotel room in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and friend Mariana Pasternak is in the next room. In reality, Martha used a phone at the airport in Texas on the way to Cabo, while her plane was refueling, and Mariana was not even in the vicinity.

But what the movie did do well in the end was to show what a survivor, and what an amazing teacher and entrepreneur Martha really is. She survived a bitter divorce, then overcame all the odds to become America's most successful businesswoman. After all, none of the others, from Oprah to Ebay's Meg Whitman, have a publicly traded company named after them. Maybe that's how they've managed to stay out of trouble.

The final scenes of the movie depict Martha in jail at Alderson leading her group in the infamous Christmas decoration party. At the time we decried this spectacle and predicted they would never let Martha win. The movie reflects how the contest outcome, like Martha's trial, was just a big setup, and shows the disappointment of Martha's bunkmates at coming in second place in a contest they deserved to win. "Don't you get it?" one inmate tells another. They couldn't let us win because of Martha. They'd never live it down." Exactly.

The Mailbag Meanwhile, here's some reader Mail about the movie, Martha's new show, and the possible insider trading case against Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for his sale of HCA stock. We bet there wont be a TV movie about that one...

Dear John, I'm sorry I never wrote Martha Stewart a year ago, but now I understand how wrong it was for her to ever serve time at all. I do not know much about Martha Stewart, I'm a single guy, and have never bought any of her products. But I will today, because I can see how wrong it was for the justice system to mistreat Martha Stewart.
-Greg in Oklahoma City.

Dear Greg: Thanks, and don't forget to bring a friend with you to KMart. They can use all the business they can get these days. --John

Dear John, Is just me or did this movie seem to be very sympathetic to Martha?  It seemed a far more positive approach than the previous movie Cybill made.  Am I wrong?  I'm wondering how other Martha fans interpreted it.
 JS

Dear JS: I think you are right. Even CBS has realized enough is enough. Too bad Martha will now be on NBCs morning show instead of theirs.

Fans discuss Martha's new daytime show

Dear John, I wonder if Assistant Attorney General James Comey will be as aggressive in his fact finding about Senator Frist and his selling off of HCA stock???
 
The discussion of Martha's new daytime show is a bit frustrating--she needs to get her sea legs and we all need to give her the chance--she still is better than most of the other daytime programs.  None of us likes change--but if I could muster up half the courage and aplomb that it took Martha to make it through this ordeal and then emerge triumphant--I'd be happy.  Give her and her shows a chance.  Don't let the naysayers at the Post win by default.  She is doing her best--and we need to do ours--Oprah was able to keep her show above the trash because her viewers stuck with her--we need to do the same for Martha.  There is pressure to dumb down programs-- she won't let that happen--but she may not have a show to build on if we don't support her now...
 
Personally I like both shows--although I have never seen The Apprentice --  I thought it was interesting--and let's face it Martha with David Spade in drag was a sight.  But more than that was the sight of all those ponchos and the thought that they will help families in need.  Silk purse out of sow's ears, turning lemons into lemonade--she's done it and looks more radiant than before...Sure gives me hope!   Estelle Gabel

Dear Estelle, Former Assistant Attorney General James Comey has moved on to greener pastures, making money for military contractors. He has been named senior vice president and general counsel at Lockheed Martin Corp, so he wont get to do the same to Senator Frist that he did for Martha. I'm glad you like the shows, keep watching. If anyone knows someone who lives in a Nielsen household, bake them some nice warm cookies, you know whose recipe to use.

Dear John, Yes it will take time to adjust to the new format. But Martha's previous show had been on for 12 years or so and all things need to change sometimes. I'm sure the producers will be tweaking and changing things as time goes on. I think what we are seeing right now is a tryout period testing new things and seeing how it all comes together . Keep the faith viewers. She hasn't even stepped foot in her new greenhouse on the set yet !
 
Martha's Apprentice was incredible.
Tim, Pittsburgh, PA

Dear Tim, thanks for keeping the faith! --John

Hi John,

I wrote positively last week about Martha's new show and i still feel encouraged. Yes, I miss the controlled educational atmosphere of "Living" but I think i am more than willing to sit back a bit so that an audience that Martha may not have had can get to know her the way we fans have. I always saw Martha as a funny, caring teacher and an astounding business woman and if a new audience can be found all the better for everyone.

I saw today that more controlled segments are now being offered -- the RISD segment. It really is no different than other bits that we have seen on "Living". I have no doubt that there will be more. And we have DVDs and holiday specials to look forward too. More Martha is a good thing.

And Martha is giving back in a big way: the Poncho fund, the Martha Stewart Centre for Living and now, the scholarships. And Martha's almost school girl quality pushing her own products (blatant? who cares!) on the Apprentice segment I found quite endearing.

I truly believe that Martha cares about the quality of her products and good things. She is the same Martha -- repackaged, yes ... but ultimately the same message will come through. We just have to be patient and understand that teachers sometime need to change the way they teach to keep the message.

Mike T
Toronto

Dear Mike, Thanks for keeping the faith! --John

Don't be surprised at TWO Emmy nods this year for MSLO.  The Apprentice was refreshing, incisive, bold and brought out the creative talents of the contestants.  CONGRATULATIONS Martha and MSLO for another hit program!
 
Michael Wright
Fayetteville, TN

Dear Michael, I know you're keeping every TV set in the house tuned to Martha. see you at the EMMYs! --John

John -
With some trepidation I watched Martha's Apprentice. 
I think it by FAR the best show of its type that there is.  I am not a fan of that sort of show, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved Martha's articulation and authority ever present in her voice.  I am so very glad to say so too, after maybe being too harsh about her daytime show.  

Now I see this morning that Martha's Apprentice had bad ratings and I was so disappointed to find that out.  There didn't seem to be much, if any advertising for it, which I thought maybe was done so that the viewing audience would be mostly her true fans who would make it their business to know when the new show started, as I did.  Maybe ratings will pick up, but perhaps it's a little too intelligent for Ma and Pa with a six-pack between them to really enjoy.
John David Stafford

Dear John, I know the ratings for Martha's Apprentice show were lower than expected, but so were ratings for The Donald's show the following night. Maybe the show is wearing thin, or maybe no one is watching NBC anymore and are watching Lost instead. Lets wait and see what happens this week.

Hello,

Just watched Martha on David Letterman.

I want her to know she just went to the top of my heroes list, except for my mother Margeurite Ladd!
I totally agree with her take on what she did, was forced to do.
A Man, Woman, Has to do what THEY have to do!
SHE DID!
God bless you Martha, I don't care if you CAN cook.
Henry. L .

Shepherd Revisits Stewart for 'Behind Bars'--Zap2It

"I never thought I'd get a chance to play Martha Stewart again," Shepherd says. "I just figured I had been so incredibly fortunate to have gotten to play such a great part, based on such a complicated and extraordinary woman. When it came up that I might have the opportunity to play her again, I was thrilled beyond belief. I went to Beverly Hills and promptly spent thousands and thousands of dollars on shoes that are very uncomfortable to wear; now my daughter has [them] in her closet."

So why wouldn't Shepherd want to meet up with Stewart, now doing dual home-screen duty on NBC's "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" and the syndicated "Martha"? "I'm just not too concerned about it. It's kind of not part of my job. I'm not in the same circles as Martha Stewart or Bruce Willis (Shepherd's 'Moonlighting' co-star), for that matter. I'm not knocking that, I'm just saying I live in the Valley. I'm not worried about it, [but] if I did run into her, I would wear a bulletproof vest."

'Behind Bars' is a not-so-good thing

Martha's Ratings: Not a Good Thing--E News
Martha Stewart, Out of the Can And Into the Tank
NBC's "The Apprentice," starring that diva of domesticity Martha Stewart, was DOA Wednesday night, when slightly more than 7 million tuned in. How bad was Martha's prime-time series debut? The opening of "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" didn't do much better than the premiere of NBC's "I Want to Be a Hilton" starring Mrs. Paris's Mom, which logged 6.8 million viewers in June. Martha's audience is the smallest crowd ever to watch an original episode of "The Apprentice." Before Martha bombed on Wednesday, the worst-ever turnout for an original episode (the Donald Trump-hosted version opened its fourth edition last night) was 10.8 million viewers.

“I used to wear real fur,” says Martha Stewart in her new video for PETA, “but, like many others, I had a change of heart when I learned what actually happens t Color o the animals.” Her 5-minute fur-trade exposé, filmed on the set of her TV talk show, shows how animals are trapped, strangled, and electrocuted for their pelts. To view Martha’s video, click here

Some fans want the old Martha back The biggest challenge for new show is that it is so different from the original Living. While they are ecstatic that she is back on the air, some Martha loyalists are having a harder time adjusting than are new viewers. It's kind of like when you rearrange the furniture. The room is the same, but the new environment takes awhile to adjust to.

As any good marketing guru knows, there is no substitute for listening to the customer. Sometimes the biggest critics can help improve the product. Here's some feedback from the fans:

Dear John,

I have always loved Martha Stewart and her television shows. I never missed Martha Stewart Living or any of her specials. I taped them all. They were truly great.

This new daytime show is going to FLOP! I have watched it twice and I will not watch it again. The format of a live audience makes the show drag. It is too slow, too cheesy. Not full of the wonderful QUALITY information I loved!

Sorry Martha... No one is going to buy you as a light, funny fun loving, warm fuzzy type with a sense of humor. That is not who you are or even who we want you to be.

Please lets go back to the CLASS Martha Stewart Living had!

Catherine

Dear Catherine: So you're saying you don't want Martha to be warm and fuzzy? I'm not sure she will ever be that, after all she is a New Yorker. Just give it some time. The ratings so far are very good. And Martha needs your support. Doesn't Martha look so much more relaxed and happy now? Try watching the show a few more times, then write back and see if you feel any differently. --John

Dear John,
I just turned on the TV and saw "Martha" on the TLC channel. I think it is just awful. Martha sounds false and shrill. She is not cut out for comedy/acting. I fear this show will be the beginning of the end for her. It's just my opinion, but I think they should simply reproduce her "old" show...it was a winner!
I am writing this to you because I'm not sure how to get my feedback to the proper people. I figured you might know where I should direct my comments. Thanks, John. I still enjoy your site.
Kindly,
Diane M.
Sleepy Hollow, NY

Dear Diane: I agree that martha should not quit her day job to do comedy, but that's not what you are really reacting to, is it? You miss the old show format. anyone who watched the original show will feel the same way. It's like the first Star Trek movie, it was so bad, but then came Ricardo Mantalban and Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, which is one of the great action adventure movies of all time, and the universe was right again.

It's going to take us all some time to adjust to the new Martha. I agree there is still a huge audience for the original show, which should be out on DVD for Christmas. As for the direction, I'm sure once Martha has time to watch herself and see what is working, she will settle into this new role nicely. --John

Dear John,
Oh I have missed Martha and seeing her back on television this afternoon (OKC Channel 9 @ 3P.M. CST) was great. It was just like seeing an old friend who stopped by to pay a visit.
 
I love the new show and style format. Martha is more personal, funny and everyone (the audience, guests and Martha herself) seems to be having a grand ole time.
 
The new set is beautiful and it is good to see Martha show her humor towards everything that has happened to her in the past few years. The reference to the ankle bracelets and card games learned in prison were a hoot.
 
I love the segments where Martha is actually going into people's homes not only helping them with the dinner but actually sitting and eating a meal with them. for anyone who ever had the notion of Martha being 'up in the clouds', 'difficult' or 'snobbish' seeing Martha in this new light should put an end to any negative questions or thoughts.
 
Martha is beautiful and better than ever. Being a Himalayan cat lover, I was somewhat disappointed that she did not have her cats on the opening show, but maybe next time.
 
Timothy E.

Dear Timothy, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Maybe your words will provide comfort and help other fans to get through the re-birthing process as Martha is reincarnated in her second life on television.

Dear John,
I'd have to say that today's - Martha's first show after the debacle - came as a surprising disappointment.  I've followed Martha for a decade or more, supported her staunchly through her  most recent trying years and so looked forward to her return.  But, mamma mia, I really don't think this daytime show with a live audience is going to fly. Why are the producers working so hard to dumb-down Martha? The show's intro is absolutely Hollywoodesque, something Martha definitely is not. It would seem the quality of Martha's presentation has moved from PBS to Reality TV.  definitely not a good thing.  Gimme gimme gimme the previous Martha - poised, well spoken and shimmering in perfect artificial light ... minus the peanut gallery, thank you. Still, I wish her all the best... 
 
Here's hoping all is well with you, John, and thanks for hanging in there all these years!
 
By the way, I think the results of the exit/expulsion of Sharon Patrick, the brains and steady rudder behind MSO are only just beginning to manifest.  Sharon, who I had the opportunity to meet on a few occasions, is a lovely, not to mention very intelligent individual... and a hoot! Let's face it. she and Martha were MSO.
 
Best wishes,
Dave 

Dear Dave: Lets take a few deep breaths and give Martha a chance to prove herself. Lets face it; you are going through a bad case of Martha withdrawal. For now there is no cure. But with time these symptoms should mellow and you may find that the new show has a few surprises in store. Remember the original Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago? It was awful. Then she went national, and it was great. Oprah's show has gone through many of it's own ups and downs (she really needs to bring back the Book Club, Americans have stopped reading since it was canceled.) But look at Oprah today. Martha will be fine.

For those who doubted Martha's new show and its format SHAME ON YOU!  Of course, anyone should be hanging their head who doubted Martha and her ability.  The show was awesome from beginning to end.  Marcia Cross was outstanding, Martha's homage to New Orleans and 9/11 was very heartfelt, and I can just imagine how the sisters felt when Martha showed up at their house.  CONGRATULATIONS Martha and the MSO staff!  You have another Emmy-award winning hit on your hands!
 
Michael Wright
Fayetteville, TN

Dear Michael: Thanks for the note, good to hear a long time fan like yourself enjoyed it so much, and I'm sure your Emmy prediction will come true! --John

Hi John,

What a wonderful day it is to have Martha back! As much as i miss the old show and it's more formal approach to teaching this venue is a delight! It is more about fun while learning -- and that is a very good thing!

Mike Tucker
Toronto, Canada

New show, and a new beginning This was a story about living. After three years of surviving the tempest in a cuisinart, of having her appearances on the CBS Morning Show canceled, seeing her long running TV show go off the air, seeing her Ask Martha columns and radio spots disappear, Martha returns today. Live. This is a story of endurance and survival. But it's even more than that. It is a story of doing what Martha does better than anyone else, ignoring the critics who predict failure and turning a catastrophe into a success.

This is not just an off the shelf turnaround or a garden variety comeback. This is an entire way of living, and a lesson for us all. Living, it's the idea that Martha has literally brought to life in all her work, is all we really have. Living is the only real thing of value which we lose when we are gone. In the end, the material things never matter, but living always will. Martha is living her life to the very fullest, and follows her path no matter what obstacles arise. Of all the things she has taught us, this may be the greatest lesson of all.

So tune into Martha's new show today, and forever. Learn what it is to be truly alive...

The first reviews are now coming in:

John,
 
We watched the premiere of  "Martha" at 10:00 a.m. here in Spring, Texas and all I can say is "Superb." My entire family watched with support as well as everyone I know. The show was so good and we so look forward to watching Martha everyday from now on. Martha looked so great and her true personality came shining through for the world to see as I knew it would. Boy, are we glad Martha is back for we missed seeing her. Now we have something of quality to watch on television again. We can't really express how happy we are to see Martha back where she belongs. Spread the word that everyone in the state of Texas loved watching Martha's new television show. Thanks again for all your hard work in your rallying to keep all Martha's fan informed through your web site. MARTHA'S BACK and better than ever!
 
Gary and Barbara Tafolla
Spring, Texas

Being Martha Finally, the perfect antidote to all those unauthorized biographies by people who neither know (nor care) about telling the complete story of Martha Stewart. Lloyd Allen, a longtime neighbor and friend of Martha's in Westport, Connecticut, has been hard at work on his latest book. Being Martha s slated for release in January of 2006, two years after Martha heard her sentence in a Manhattan Courtroom.

Stay tuned for a little insider information about the book which we will be bringing your way in the coming weeks. We hear that many of Martha's friends and family members gave Lloyd the inside information he needed to tell the complete story, not based on tabloid rumors but on facts and personal accounts. This just might be the kind of insider information that gets the story right. If you can't wait until next year, try “Let’s Get Martha: How the Feds Went Crime Shopping”

Martha Stewart starts test tapings of her new syndicated show--Broadcasting & Cable
Martha Stewart started test tapings of her new syndicated show last week in preparation for its live debut Sept. 12. B&C was there to bear witness to the spectacle that is—or will soon be—Martha.In the first segment, Stewart interviewed two little girls, their mother and their Iraq War veteran father about their “Good Thing,” a box for musical-instrument toys. Stewart’s capable bantering came to a halt when one child said her daddy had to go back to war. Martha tucked her hair behind her ear and changed the subject back to the toy box.

FOOTLOOSE MARTHA--NY Post
Martha Stewart high-tailed it out of Westchester County yesterday to spend her first full day of freedom. The domestic diva's roughly five-month term of home confinement ended with little fanfare at 12:01 a.m., when she snipped off her electronic ankle bracelet, watched some television and turned in at about 12:30 a.m.

She started the day in earnest at about 8 a.m., when the homemaking maven left her posh Bedford estate in a small caravan of SUVs. The vehicles drove to the Westchester County Airport and left on a private flight. It was not clear where she went, but sources said she may have gone to Maine, where she has a large estate in a tony section of the bucolic Mount Desert Island.

Dear Martha,
It has been a pleasure rallying your fans in support of you and over the past three years. Congratulations on how you handled with strength and grace one of history's biggest manufactured scandals. Your imminent comeback and return to rebuilding your life's work will be amazing to behold. Long live Martha! 

John Small
Editor
Save Martha.com

She's free at last!!

Amen!

Andrew Ritchie

Congratulations Martha and best wishes for your two new shows and continued success of MSO!  We are ALL very very proud of you!
 
Michael Wright

I am so pleased to hear that Martha will be back on air in September...I have so missed her show.
She was part of daily living.
She is one in a million...and again I say "shame on those people who charged her"
 
Sheila in Canada
 
"Hi, Martha. and yes I did get your e-mail when you were first going through the initial charges"

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