• August 15, 2005
• Vol. 64
• No. 7

Ready for Prime Time

The Ankle Bracelet About to Come Off, Martha Stewart Has Been Busy, Busy, Busy: Working on Three New TV Shows, a Book Project, Even CDs—not to Mention Chafing at Her House Arrest

See Martha Stewart drop a pricey vase! See her accidentally set a dish on fire! See a cow knock her right on her butt! A bad Saturday Night Live skit? No, that's Stewart channeling Lucy Ricardo in Web trailers for her upcoming daily show, one of several projects that will showcase a new, less-than-perfect Martha. The message of her image makeover is clear: Her time in prison and under home confinement—she is set to have her ankle monitor removed Aug. 8, just days after she turns 64—has left her chastened and even sympathetic. "I think that people are going to see her in a new light, and they might be surprised," says Rob Dauber, co-executive producer of Martha.

Yet some of Martha's movements could get her in trouble. The U.S. Probation Office in New York City is investigating whether Stewart violated terms of her home confinement—which limit her trips to work-related or essential errands—-by zipping around her Bedford, N.Y., estate on her utility vehicle and taking a hatha yoga class. If so, that could add time to her sentence. "We have to ascertain what is essential," says the office's chief, Chris Stanton. "She is always claiming to be working."

Stewart did find time to plan a small birthday party on Aug. 3 (her chef Pierre Schaedelin drew up a menu featuring tapas, gazpacho and paella). Her best gift, of course, will be when they take her ankle monitor off. "I think what she is most looking forward to," says someone close to Stewart, "is having her schedule be her own again."

More From This Article

To Do List! Martha's Radio show Partner with Sirius Satellite Radio to create a 24-hour lifestyle channel by the fall. Daughter Alexis "is getting more involved" with the project, says someone close to Stewart.

Martha's angels Oversee a home improvement series featuring women bouncing back from—among other things—welfare, which will air in '06 on a Discovery channel.

Martha's apprentice Finishing work on the prime-time Trump Apprentice spinoff (filming began while Stewart was under home confinement). The show debutes on NBC Sept. 21.

Martha's Daily Show Get ready for the Sept. 12 launch of her syndicated daily show Martha—a melody of celeb guests, kitchen spots, how-to tips and Stewart mixing with audience members.

Martha's Rules Finish work on the advice book (reported advance: $2 million) for would-be entrepreneurs on how to build a business from scratch, due in October.

CD Set Deck the halls with a three-CD holiday box collection of jazz, pop and classical music from the Sony BMG group that will also contain 30 of Martha's recipe cards.