Watching Rachael Ray

What did Rachael do to get arrested? By Jesse L. Martin, even? Easy, she pretended to be taking money for seat upgrades out in the audience line. Jesse brought her down the elevator in handcuffs, and let her lose at the kitchen table as he joked “I got to arrest Rachael Ray!” and she countered with “I got to be arrested by Jesse Martin!”

She says Jesse is back, and she didn’t even have to bribe him with buffalo chicken wings this time! He says he’s horrible in the kitchen, with not one good thing he can put together. Rachael promises to talk him through a meal the next time he entertains. She says “Call me any time!” And he’s all alright - but don’t you forget and fret when I call! Deal struck!

He used to work in the same building of the show in Guiding Light. It was his first gig, and he had a small part as the first boyfriend and got mustard on the face. He laughs and says in soap operas, you never know when it’s really over? But the mustard clued him in, his stint was done.

He loves working with the cast of Law and Order, and is in his nineth year on the show. He still remembers the first day, though - totally nervous working with Merkerson and Orbach. He says he was scared to death, he pulled out a file, and his hands were visibly shaking. Sam Waterston thought it was cute that he was nervous, as everyone went “awww!”

Rachael is a self proclaimed Law and Order Junkie, and asks him about this song that he has. Apparently, the theme song has words! “Law and order is on… law and order is aaalllllwayyyys on….. always on!” Jesse is a VERY funny guy - the interview was a definite treat!

Next up, it’s a woman who’s determined to help herself! Rachael Ray is amazed at how huge the self-help section is. There’s help for things that Rachael didn’t even know it’s problems. The spent a year, sort of, with Beth, who decided she needed a plan. She put herself on a year long self help journey. One program a month, with proven experts. From getting healthy, to better parenting and relationships. She says that Men are from Mars, Women are from venus - well, it’s full of clichés. She says it would have been ironic if she ended the year as she started, but she’s definitely changed.

She had a great moth following the advice of Suze Orman, and you can read about her journey in her book, Helping me Help Myself. The one thing she really liked was The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which is about setting goals in life.

The hardest thing for her was spending a year thinking about herself so much. She always had put her husband and kids and keeping house in front of herself, so she felt self-absorbed. But she learned that helping yourself, helps you help others. You just end up being a happier person. Of course, the funniest thing about the interview to me? Beth talks as fast, if not faster then Rachael herself! Ha!

There was one thing Beth wanted that she didn’t get too -learning how to cook, and Rachael’s on hand to help her make the perfect pork chop - Maple-Glazed with Scallioin Smashed Potatoes & Escarole.

What’s for dinner? Why something made with Rachael’s new Stock in a Box the Flavor that Rocks - Popeye Risotto with Beefy Balsamic Mushrooms.