Martha Stewart to get more TV time after doing time

By David Bauder
The Associated Press

Martha Stewart will return to daily television.

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Stewart, in prison and not allowed to conduct business, was not involved in the deal with NBC Universal to syndicate the show but was "very pleased," said Susan Lyne, president of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

NBC-owned stations in 14 major cities have agreed to air the daytime show, and deals will be sought in other cities.

"Millions of people feel that Martha got a raw deal," Burnett said. "America loves comeback stories."

Stewart and her former stockbroker were convicted in March of lying to investigators about why she sold ImClone Systems stock in 2001. Stewart, who's appealing her conviction, is serving a five-month sentence at a minimum-security federal prison for women in Alderson, W.Va. She'll be released in March.

For five months after that, she will be fitted with an ankle bracelet and confined to her Bedford, N.Y., estate, but allowed to conduct business 48 hours a week.

Her old show, "Martha Stewart Living," was put on hiatus last summer after its 11th season. The domestic diva will tread familiar territory on the yet-to-be-titled new show, including cooking, entertaining, and home renovation.

Burnett said he watched several hours of outtakes from "Martha Stewart Living" and often found them more entertaining and reflective of her personality than the show itself. Interaction with a studio audience and guests will add a new element to what she does, he said.

Stewart went into prison promising to learn something new every day, Lyne said. "Knowing her, I am convinced that much of it will end up on the show."

Burnett and NBC Universal Television Group chief Jeff Zucker would not comment on whether they have any prime-time plans for Stewart, including whether she might someday be a candidate to replace Donald Trump on "The Apprentice."

Stewart's old show had been slowly fading in the ratings. Still, her return "has a pretty good shot," said Bill Carroll, an expert on television syndication.
 
Shortly before she went to prison, Stewart gave Burnett a serrated ruler that could also be used as a fruit peeler. He said he thought she was giving him a file to bake into a cake and deliver to prison.

"Of course, Martha didn't think it was funny," he said.

Martha Stewart Living shares rose $1.55, or 6.8 percent, to close yesterday at $24.43. near their recent 52-week high of $25.51.