Behind the 8-Ball
To begin with, I am not a huge Martha Stewart fan but frankly I think she got a bum rap when they sent her to the Hotel Graybar. However, that is not at issue here.
Mark Burnett had big plans for Martha in order to capitalize on her notoriety, but Donald Trump, as executive producer shared Burnett's power in this venture.
Martha is not one to turn down a challenge. When presented with the idea for a show that was patterned after the very popular Apprentice (the popularity has waned somewhat since the inception of the show), she was very willing to give it a go. After all, she had just spent time in the slammer and what better way is there to turn your disrepute into gold than by making a major television series with a guaranteed big salary. Martha loves money. She grew up poor in New Jersey and she never wants to think about those days again. After all, the woman built an empire on her guts, determination and intelligence.
Why then did she get "fired" and not re-hired after the first 13 episodes?
I don't believe that it's entirely her fault. She took on a show that was a carbon copy of Trump's original, and we all know how possessive he is about everything he has a part in. He truly believes he owns New York City.
At first, he must have agreed with Burnett that this was a wonderful idea because here was a famous successful woman who would emulate his show but at the same time she could do no more than to be a pale shadow of his dynamic personality and hair. Martha definitely is a winner in the hair department.
The Show Itself
From the beginning, there was nothing original or new about it. It had the exact same format with the exception of the words "You're fired" that were replaced with "You just don't fit in" and Martha's handwritten note to the ex-candidate on thick vellum to be framed somewhere and hung next to the college degrees in a tasteful location.
The Concept and Setting
How many times can I say that this show is an almost exact duplicate of the original? The fake elevators, the fake boardroom, similar tasks or projects, the same number of candidates etc. I believe that this was one of the major setbacks that this show had to suffer. There wasn't an original thought given to doing something a little different with this series. Personally, I believe that Donald Trump was out to undermine Martha Stewart because he likes being the King and no one can de-throne him. There is only one spotlight and he doesn't like to share.
Martha's Sidekicks
Take Carolyn and George, give them a few Xanax to swallow and you've got Alexis and Charles. Actually, Alexis took one more than Charles because at least he has a few original things to say every once in a while although I can't think of any.
Could Alexis be any more dreary and boring than she is? Would someone wake her up and tell her to pretend that she is supposed to be an animated human being? How can this woman have a radio show unless it's called, "I'm Martha's Dull Daughter and I'll Put You to Sleep." I waited for this woman to say something interesting or droll and she just didn't come through for me. I think her entire role was playing Martha's "Yes" woman.
Charles apparently had a life before Martha because he was able to squeeze out a smile or two. But he comes nowhere near George in asking great questions, and being a seasoned sarcastic New Yorker.
It Boils Down To the Final Two.....
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