The Peoples Choice Awards are now LESS than a week away! (Did you vote yet? You still can.) It’s going to be an awesome evening.
Right out of the gate let’s give a congratulatory shout out to one of prime time drama’s great actresses: Audra McDonald – who left the hit series Private Practice to return to Broadway. Seems she got engaged over New Year’s to longtime beau Will Swenson. In fact, both are starring on Broadway right now – McDonald (who has four Tonys already) in Porgy and Bess and her new fiancé in Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical. So congrats to that pair.
Now, for a little not-so -prime time TV drama drama…or perhaps lack thereof. Two pretty notable TV shows seem to have gone by the wayside, with nary a tear shed over either. First, The Martha Stewart Show has apparently been cancelled and will cease production in April. She was on the Hallmark Channel, and the New York Post says “high production costs and low ratings” prompted the end of the daytime diva’s chat & lifestyle show. What I find shocking here is that even though it’s a big story, it’s not a huge story – which I’d long believed the end of Martha’s TV reign would be. Having ruled home décor, while making gracious entertaining possible and affordable for everyone, you’d think the pink slip stuff would warrant more attention. Unless of course she’s got something else cooking or, more likely, our appetite for that kind of entertainment has changed (please pardon all puns). I feel it’s the latter. Many people just aren’t as excited by her world as they once were. It’s kind of a non-issue. To be fair, that jail time probably didn’t help things along either. Years ago, when I was working in New York I was asked to write the copy for Martha’s very first catalogue – and in so doing I got to visit her splendid offices. Inside of which there was an entire floor devoted solely to her crafts and projects. All day long. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen in my life – an enormous floor-through laboratory where all people did was make things. Soap, stationary, tin-foil creations, recipes — you name it. Martha’s elves’ workshop was quite an incredible thing to behold. So farewell to this iteration of Martha on TV.
The other show that seems to have come to an end is Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Now even though they’re not saying anything about a cancelation, the producers are also saying there are no plans for additional episodes. So, um, if we do the math it’s not looking good for Drew Pinsky and his famous faces of addiction. This too, appeared in the headlines for a nanosecond, and even if it’s not a confirmed cancellation, it still seems like a big deal in TV programming. Personally, I found the show kind of icky and even though I’m all for therapeutic remedies and medical help for substance abuse, I don’t think that stuff belongs on TV. While I realize Dr. Drew is a very popular physician, there’s also a fine line between bringing attention to major issues and bringing attention, period. I’m also guessing those celebrity guests who actually lost their battles with various substances and passed away contributed in some way too. For no matter what good was achieved, the whole thing felt harrowing, and not a little exploitative to me. Thus, I’m not crushed that it’s gone. That said, I am astonished that there’s not more outcry because I thought it was extremely popular. Let us know your thoughts on Martha, Dr. Drew, and the potential end of Celebrity Rehab.
Today’s poll:
1) Martha Stewart
2) Nate Berkus
3) Giada De Laurentiis
4) Tim Gunn
I basically learned about almost all of this, but never the less, I still assumed it was valuable. Nice work!
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Join and find me there. Maybe we can make connection and get some chat.
Not surprised to see either of them go. Martha’s show and success were a product of another era, the high-flying days before the economy crashed and people had (or at least lived like they had) money to blow on too-perfect-and-pretty luxuries made from oh-so-precious ingredients, living the luxe life as preached and promoted by guru Martha. That world is now gone, and the new normal is a world of scrimping and pinching, shopping at secondhand stores and pawn shops, and clipping coupons and living by the mantra of “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.” That’s why shows like “Pawn Stars” and “Extreme Couponing” are so popular, while Martha’s show slides. Like all dinosaurs, she was unable to adapt to the changing climate, and thus is becoming extinct.
As for Dr. Drew…honestly I don’t know how that man has a medical license. At least two former contestants on “Celebrity Rehab” are now dead, and I fear it is only a matter of time before something truly horrible happens to one of the “Teen Moms” he’s mentoring. I work for an attorney who does MedMal, he thinks that a strong case could be made to sue Dr. Drew for malpractice over his Celebrity Rehab clients alone. Fame has destroyed his ability to be an objective provider, and he is now doing more harm than good.
I have personally met Dr. Drew. He is truly a caring person with a deep affection for the Human condition. He is a truly inspiring man and knowing him, even in the 15 minutes I got to talk to him, I really admire him, I hope he stays on the air and I will really miss him. His celebrity Rehab has been an inspiration for me personally as I too struggle with addictions.
I enjoyed watching Martha and will miss it! I hope to see her on a network that will publicize her show better. Her magazine, website and products are very helpful. It’s crazy to see some of the negative feedback based on her demeanor by people who I’m sure have never spent a day with her in their lives. It’s funny how men are perceived differently than women when it comes to success by some people.
Here’s to a 2012 without Drew Pinsky and Nacy Grace.
One is so mean spirited and judgemental, beleving EVERYONE deserves to be imprisoned. Grace is one of the reasons why “Tot Mom” walked.
As far as Pinsky goes, does the term “thought police” mean anything to you?
Good riddance to them both
Martha was warned by TONS of her faithful watchers that if she went to Hallmark, they could not, so would not, watch her there. She gave up a plumb network timeslot, for a cable channel, undoubtedly for some financial deal to do so, and it’s backfired. I love her show, because I love gardening, CRAFTING, cooking, sewing, etc. so I will miss the show a lot.
I think there are parts of Dr, Drew’s show that are a bit silly however, overall, I enjoy seeing the closeup look it provides of how withdrawel effects each person and just they go through. Some are successful and get it and others have to keep trying. The point is, Dr. Drew and his staff are there for these people when their families have given up on them just like regular people. He’s inspiring and makes you want to look at addicts in a different way…With compassion. I hope the show does not get cancelled.
Why is everyone down on Martha? She committed a non-violent crime and paid for it, still many seem to feel she should never be able to overcome this and be successful…I don’t get it. Harsh and unforgiving are not attractive qualities. I don’t know Martha Stewart, and certainly can’t comment on her personality traits, but I always enjoyed her shows when they were on network TV, and I wish her well.
As to Dr. Drew, I have never seen his show, but the trend to pander to the public’s willingness to snoop into what should be private struggles is despicable.
Im sorry but martha stewart is a mean, nasty, greedy, hipocrite jailbird,who has succeeded in life being this way. bye, bye martha,now you have time to torture your daughter, and ex-husband, for boredom.
The reason I don’t get to watch it while it’s airing is due to my working hours. Good crafts, food and guests are always a class act. Give Martha a time slot where those of us who have jobs can watch.
It is hard to imagine how mean and vicious people can get. I found the comments about Martha Stewart appalling. I for one admire her for her tenacity and for weathering all of those storms. She has given all of us so much in so many ways with her creativity and energy. It is also true that there are three main reasons that we don’t like someone. 1. We feel threatened by them.
2. We feel inferior to them
3. They remind us of something or many things we don’t like about ourselves.
So………which is it?
who gives a poop!
Wow!
I love shows that demonstrate how to do things. I love to learn. That is why HGTV is so popular. However, they have gotten away from the format of Carol Duvall and Kitty. I know shows can not stay the same way in the same format but most of like to learn and I believe people get bored when it is a show on “look what I have done for ‘you’, ‘them’, etc.” The formats of Martha and Nate need to be refreshed often, but the presentation of “how to do”, “what to do”, “why do it” needs changed up. If a project is great, then give it more time. I am so sorry that Martha is going. She has a lot of knowledge that is going to be wasted. Nate Berkus’ show is wonderful as well. He needs to spend time on each project. The people who stay with these shows, watch and support them are people who generally interested in learning and want instruction. We like print outs as well. So I am not crazy about Dr. Drew, the counselling side of people that have serious problems and we can’t help them personally and not see positive changes in behavior then we perhaps, feel that we are wasting our time and not learning anything with respect as to how we might be able to apply some of these things in our own As far as Tim Gunn goes I don’t believe he has been given a venue that will showcase his abilities and therefore allow us to get to know him better. I really wish others that comment would not put these people down. I believe that Martha, Nate,(except Dr. Drew in this instance only), Tim and, Giada have so much to offer the viewers looking for hands-on things to do and how to do them are being cheated by taking them off the air.
I like Dr. Drew. He seems to give honest, straight-forward answers to issues and questions. I hope he stays on TV.
Martha Stewart is a FELON and EX-CON…who else continues to be on TV and considered “America’s sweetheart grandma” after serving time for perjury. Such a double-standard!
Good damn riddance!
I will miss Dr. Drew. Maybe they could revamp his show to keep him on the air. We need more people like him who want to help others!!
Now get rid of the Kardashains ..BOYCOTT BOYCOTT !!!
I’m not surprised..Martha is getting Nutty and to bossy to her expert guess. All the ones Oprah made rich should go also..
Why is this even being talked about? None of this is important in the grand social & economical scheme of things in the U.S. My question to Ms. Warner would be if even she is stating that the “stories” she covers are non-issues, why doesn’t she devote her time and supposed Journalistic ability to covering actual stories about real issues in the world, such as the shrinking of the middle class, the constant tax cuts for the rich (Which include many of the people she covers in these ‘stories’), the attempts by the top %1 of the country to destroy the remaining labor unions and their attempts to puch back both wage and labor safety laws, or any of the multitude of real issues that she does her readers a great disservice by not trying to bring attention to?
My opinion after having read her bio seems to simply be that she is just using this as a little cared for side-job that she lacklusterly puts any real work into while she feeds her still-remaining self obsession with penetrating the very entertainment industry that is highly responsible for distracting the american people from being able to pay attention to real issues.
Your argument might be, “So what? People want to read about this stuff, they don’t like hearing about depressing stuff on t.v. or news.” Which coming from someone who attempts to participate in what is considered an art form, would just be a lazy argument. More and more people are being directly affected by the economic situation every day, the very readers you could be enlightening and getting interested into the stories they consider “depressing”. Maybe if more of these “journalists” would cover real stories, which would prompt more people to be aware of and begin acting on these injustices being committed, there would be better news to report, and it wouldn’t be as “depressing” anymore because finally things are being done about it.
Dr Drew has become an intrusive interviewer, i.e., one who answers his own question while interrupting his guest’s answer to those questions. Horrible…as bad as Chris Matthews….arrogant, insensitive, egotistical, know it all!
Cancel all his shows, and give us someone who can listen to others and doesn’t talk over people while they’re talking.
I think Dr Drew has too many shows
he’s on HLN
and now has a new show “Dr Drew’s lifechangers
I have tried to watch…but its seriously awful
he lacks the quality that makes me want to spend
an hour of my time with him
too much Dr Drew…too much
She was put in jail for lying (perjury) to the feds not because she made 40 or 50 grand off of the insider trade.
Words to descibe her…Pompous, ungreatful, egotistical, comes unglued, Greedy, prideful, righteous, indignant, snobby, unkind or mean, oh yeah and she lies!!!!!
What’s that you say I am wrong? Nay I say, it has taken just this long for eveyone else to catch up and now see it for what it is, nothing, no crafts no recipe just horse manure.
Really? Whats that? you would like to be like her? .. Really?
Good riddance I say and take Newt Gingrich with you.
Martha, Martha, Martha.
I love Martha Stewart and find her show entertaining as well as educational. Hallmark will probably show reruns for a couple of years but I sincerely hope Martha finds a new channel to air new programs …. whe will be missed until that happens.
By the way, she went to jail for something everyone on wallstreet does. Not an excuse but really, if a friend called you and told you to drop a stock or lose money…you’d drop it in a heartbeat. Wallstreet is such a racket. None of the good old boys go to jail and they have done things a thousand times worse.
I couldn’t be more unlike Martha Stewart, however I really enjoy her show. She has many great guests. I will really miss her show.
Martha’s show has been in the ‘dead show walking’ since she came out of jail. I am bloody impressed it limped along for this long.
When the roster starts having guests like snoop (for us black folk, we ‘ain’t got no business in all that fanciness, the plot seems like a hail mary pass. – (Don’t get me wrong and in the interests of full disclosure, there was a ‘team of helpers’ that prepared our family’s meals, looked after the grounds and drove us to school courtesy trappings of my late father’s job)
Being she is a one percenter i’m sure she’ll be just fine.
AT&T U-verse has not carried The Hallmark Channel for almost 2 years; no wonder Martha Stewart has not had the audience she had with a previous channel.
I love Nate Berkus but I would love if he had Carson Kressly on as a co-host Nate is not gay enough for me and I think Carson would be a great side kick. They were together for one show about their hometown state fairs and they played off of each other sooo well. I laghed my butt off the whoe time with Nate’s more serious personlity trying to quiet down the colorful Carson. It was a match made in heaven. Carson would be a lot more beliveable in the fashion segments and stuff thatn Nate. However I think Nate should do more serious interviews like Oprah did because he is so calming etc. just saying.
I’m sick of the wealthy people who go into rehab time after time. I would rather have the show pay for and follow an everyday person who really wants the help….I do like Nate but kind of a boring show for me……..Marta stewart I used to abhor but after her prison sentence she seemed to be down to earth a bit. However she has gotten a little back to the past which makes me not care so much for her show. I think she tries but is what she is. I don’t really care for the reality shows. Of course Ellen is great. She not only is funny but is good to people…………….
Let’s see, there is several ways to kick this observation watching delima and it starts with who is watching.
1. People whom are not addicted….Answer: WHY ?
2. People whom are addicted…Answer: Does it really help them?
3. People whom want to help those addicted…Answer: They should be medically qualified anyway and chances are it isnt the Doctors who are watching the show for advise or atleast I hope not!
4. If this above is true then, my opinion is, no matter how it helps, “LET IT STAY BETWEEN THE DOCTOR AND PATIENT AND LET IT STAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.”
ONE THING TO NOTE IS…..IS IT BEING AIRED TO GENERATE MONEY FROM THOSE HAVING A PROBLEM ? Maybe if I choose to make money maybe i will get addicted so I can get 5 minutes of fame and get paid ! WOULD NOT BE A GOOD ENUF PAYING JOB IN MY EYES. WAKE UP AMERICANS ON OR OFF DRUGS, LET’S LEARN TO LIVE AND EARN OUR PLACE IN LIFE, A BETTER WAY !
As a person that struggles with addition, I truly enjoyed Dr. Drew’s show. I will miss it terribly
Maybe Martha Stewart is going to go into actual craft products… In my Lion Brand yarns catalog, there’s a small section devoted to “Martha Stewart Crafts” with her own line of yarns…
When will reality shows be canceled showing such terrible sides of the people in them.
Martha Stewart! Why won’t it take a vote? Because its already decided?
I love Dr. Drew because it’s not CSI thank you very much.
It’s always good to put the realities of addiction, which effect most people directly or indirectly, as much as provide alternatives to its lifestyle. Given the secret nature of addiction Dr. Drew provides a safe place, i.e. our livingrooms, to soak in this invaluable information showing that recovery is possible. I commend his effort and hope he can survive the wrath of television.