Oh No, Not Sandra Lee...

I just read an article with riveting news: Food Network Star and generally irritating Sandra Lee is producing her own magazine titled "Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade."

Lee, who built her franchise on the 70/30 rule; 70 percent ready-made products with 30 percent fresh ingredients said on a recent visit to the company who will print the magazine, that she always wanted to produce her own magazine after thumbing through an issue of Martha Stewart Living in 1992. "I thought to myself, I can do this, and do it cheaper..."

Cheaper, indeed.

Now, I cannot deny that Ms. Lee has a huge following out there in Food Network land. She has a successful television show and has been very successful as an author of several cookbooks. That being said, I cannot get over how irritating her on camera persona is and I find her difficult at best to stomach.

With movements in the kitchen that are as stiff as a freshly starched shirt, and her lack of natural conversation with the camera makes me immediately turn the channel on one of my favorite networks. I've even paid attention to her knife skills... they need work.

I'm sure Ms. Lee is a lovely person... in person. But please.. Sandra.. let's talk a moment about your set design, shall we? Is it necessary, for every show, to have your sweater set match the mixer, that matches the shelf liner, that matches the swath of fabric over your kitchen window, that matches the gi-normous floral arrangement which teeters on the edge of the counter?? Is it necessary to have 'tablescapes' that are so over the top that guests cannot see each other during dinner? Too much. I always feel like the theme for the tablescape is "we'll just try the 1980's once again.."

I can't say I will even give the magazine a chance. I can only guess that the center section of the magazine will be devoted to these over the top tablescapes... a fold out section for sure... like tablescape porn. I don't need 'helpful, easy recipes' on how to fill my diet with way too much sodium, MSG, and other chemicals. I'd rather try to be a bit more healthy.

I do give Ms. Lee some credit though. Her desire to create a magazine was inspired by Martha. At least she has good taste in inspiration.