Martha's Perfect Replacement
Although you'll never hear Martha Stewart's name spoken in tonight's debut episode of Wickedly Perfect (8 pm/ET on CBS), the reality contest is all about Martha. The sitch: Twelve wannabe style gurus strive to outdo each other in the domestic arts. The winner gets a book deal, a development deal for a "lifestyle-oriented TV show" — which'll be nothing like Martha Stewart Living, we're sure — and six appearances on CBS's Early Show. Here, Joan Lunden explains why she'd compromise a respectable journalism career to pull a Julie Chen by hosting this thing.
TV Guide Online: First off, love your new, slightly poufy hair. It's reminiscent of Krystle Carrington — and I mean that in a good way.
Joan Lunden: [Laughs] Thank you. That was maybe the look on the first show, but I have great fun with lots of different hairdos. Every time these domestic divas see me coming, they know I'm bringing a new challenge, so the producers wanted me to look different every time.
TVGO: More seriously, you formerly hosted Good Morning America. Do you worry reality TV could detract from your journalist cred?
Lunden: I don't think so. The producers of this show produced my
Behind Closed Doors, so I knew it would be well done. It's not a mean-spirited show; we don't make the contestants do anything humiliating. These people are very talented and someone could literally launch a career off this show, like
Kelly Clarkson from
American Idol. I bring a sense of credibility to the program and, for many years, I also interviewed chefs and lifestyle experts every day on morning TV. Don't forget I'm also transitioning into prime-time TV, so if this is a hit, it could open other doors.
TVGO: On the show, you drive up in an SUV looking like an upscale, wholesome suburban mom. Is that who this show is for?
Lunden: You're describing that vast America out there that is the meat and potatoes for our advertisers. They're the ones driving the multibillion-dollar home-remodeling industry and that's who I think we'll appeal to. Other women like to look at me as a role model, but they still come up and throw their arms around me and ask about my kids by name. It's a fine line. You never want to go into
Kathie Lee territory where you share
too much, but you share enough of yourself that viewers feel you're their friend or sister or cousin.
TVGO: By the way, when's your second set of twins coming? How do you have time to work with such a big brood?
Lunden: They are theoretically due in mid-March. I had three older girls while doing
GMA, and I don't think it could get any harder than getting up at 3:30 am. After doing that juggling act, I was undaunted by a convenient, 28-day shoot for this show. It's a month and then it's over.
TVGO: Is Perfect looking to replace Martha Stewart? 'Cause she hardly seems ready to be replaced yet.
Lunden: Oh, that's pure coincidence! We wouldn't be that wicked. [
Chuckles] Our country loves to tear people down when you're at the top, then root you up again when you're the underdog. I think that after her time away, Martha will get the biggest boost in the world when she gets out and she'll do great. Nobody's trying to replace her;
Celine Dion didn't replace
Barbra Streisand. But in today's TV landscape, there's certainly room for another style-maker to give us tips and ideas.
