The Redemption of Martha Stewart
January 21st, 2009
I have a new secret indulgence, and surprisingly, it has to do with Martha Stewart. I can’t get enough of Fine Living Network’s show “Whatever, Martha!”
As a card-carrying member of the anti-Martha generation, it was only by accident that I stumbled upon a show all about Martha. What intrigued me was that it featured Martha’s daughter, Alexis, and her best friend actually watching and making fun of Martha’s shows. At first I found it funny but soon I started to feel sorry for Martha. How bad does your life have to get for your own daughter to make a living out of brutally critiquing your clothes, hair, and occupation?
Even though it all seemed so vicious, I just couldn’t stop watching. On this episode, the girls were making fun of Martha’s well-organized linen closet which Martha proudly proclaimed to be “a basic responsibility of every homemaker.” And they threw in so many personal (and frankly, interesting) anecdotes. Her daughter mentioned that Martha always told her, “The only thing I want for you in life is to be happy…as long as it’s on my terms!”
It wasn’t until the end of the show that I saw “Created and Executive Produced by Martha Stewart.” What?? Martha created a show to mock herself! Now I’m not naive enough to miss the fact that this all comes down to money. This is, of course, another audience and another revenue source. While I couldn’t care less to watch Martha Stewart make jewelry from dried corn, I find it irresistible to watch someone make fun of it!
But I’d have to think that there are few of us who would NEVER open themseleves up to the ridicule that this show dishes…regardless of money. So I can watch this show guilt-free knowing that Martha condones it, and I can finally say something good about Martha. In some bizarre capitalistic way, she actually knows how to laugh at herself.
I don’t really care to learn to bake luscious layer cake or to make fortune cookies out of felt, but I would like to learn to lighten up a bit and have a good laugh at myself! So thanks for the lesson, Martha.
