SandraLee

You may know her as the perky blonde chef who plans the creative "tablescapes" on Food Network's 'Semi-Homemade' series, but Sandra Lee is the creator of a multimedia cooking and entertaining empire that includes the TV show and a series of books, a recently launched 'Semi-Homemade' magazine, the 'Sandra's Money Saving Meals' series and an upcoming series of holiday specials on HGTV.

Lee, whose memoir 'Made From Scratch' details the hardscrabble childhood that led to her career, is bringing her home and family expertise to 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' this Sunday (Oct. 25, 8PM ET, ABC). Lee talked to AOL TV about the family that inspired her to get involved with the show, as well as her new books, her efforts to help families save money and the realization of her lifelong dream of starting her own magazine.

If you watched the finale of The Next Food Network Star, you know that homemaker, non-pro cook Melissa D'Arabian was the big winner. Hopefully, you really, really like Melissa and not just the pilot she created for the competition, Kitchen Survival Guide, because Food Network has shucked the concept.

That's right, less than 24 hours after cleaning up the confetti, Ms. D'Arabian was handed a new show with a new angle. The title will be Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa D'Arabian.

Best:
5. The Backyardigans A preschoolers' show I'd watch if I didn't have kids. Yes, when you drove past my house the other day, that was me dancing along to "I love being a princess!"
4. Law & Order: Criminal Intent  I thought I couldn't watch the show without Vincent D'Onofrio. But Chris Noth and Annabelle Sciora have the kind of vulnerable-yet-professional chemistry that I never dreamed possible between Chris and Sarah Jessica Parker or Annabelle and James Gandolfini.
3. Grey's Anatomy  It's kooky, it's outlandish, and all the characters, I can't help but love 'em despite their annoying peccadilloes. And who knew I'd fall in love with Dr. Bailey?
2. Medium  I'd watch it just for the family drama. But the mysteries are fantastic, the writing eloquent and witty, the twists always fool me until 52 past the hour.
1. The 4400  Sci fi that transports, characters that draw me in, and it's coming back in 2006. Hurray!

Worst:

5. Saturday Night Live  My husband still gets excited about Saturday nights. Until I remind him, honey, it's just not funny!
4. ER  I'm so sad that I hate Thursdays now. I used to love Thursdays.
3. 7:30 p.m. timeslot  There's nothing good on at 7:30 p.m., not even on the Food Network. I hate 7:30 p.m.
2. Sandra Lee's Semi-homemade Cooking  Make it from scratch or buy it from the store. And either way, aren't we all old enough now to admit whether we can, or cannot, cook?
1. Out of Practice  Stockard Channing, Henry Winkler, what have ye wrought?