Guest Author - Pam Lawrence

Here's a question for you. What do Anthea Turner and Mrs Beeton have in common ? Not only have they both been hailed as domestic divas of their time, but they are now going to be seen in North America.

Anthea Turner is a picture perfect blonde, whose telly feats have include hosting Blue Peter, and who has since become the UK's answer to Martha Stewart. Her latest show, Perfect Housewives, will begin on May 2nd on BBC America. Yes, it's as it sounds. The delightful Ms. Turner invites two self-confessed slovenly women, who would rather do anything but shine their sinks, to her palatial abode. After stunning the 'contestants' with her own origami-folded towels, immaculately labelled shoeboxes and artfully arranged wicker baskets, Turner turns the tables. She gets down to the nitty gritty with the two women, extolling the virtues of a sparkling home, and how much effort it takes to achieve that noble end.

Anyway, after struggling through homes that you can well imagine resemble very bad train wrecks coated with dust, the two women must present their newly ordered and cleaned residences. And by golly, they had better be sparkling, 'cos Anthea's coming with the white gloves. If that wasn't bad enough, the two contestants must then host a gathering, and whether it's a cocktail affair, or a kids party, it had better be perfect.

Can the women meet the doyenne of dust's high standards ? And who will be crowned the perfect housewife ? I guess I'll be watching if only to make myself feel better about my own mess, a bit like the reason I watch Supernanny. I know my kids could never be that bad....Sounds like good clean fun.

Over on PBS stations on May 20th (be sure to check your local listings) is a gem of a 90 minute drama about the short but iconic life of that 19th Century domestic goddess, Mrs Beeton. Originally shown on BBC Four, this is airing as part of the Masterpiece Theatre season. The Secret Life of Mrs Beeton is penned by Sarah Williams (Wallis & Edward) based on the superb biography by Kathryn Hughes, and promises to be fascinating.

Most people's perception of the author of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is that she was a Mrs Bridges-like matronly woman, middle aged, wearing a well starched pinny. The truth could not be further from that image. Isabella Beeton died at the tragically young age of 28, having written her famous tome at 25, with only 5 years of running a minimal household. The classic book is a bit of a blend of Delia Smith and Miss Manners, as Beeton offers timely advice on not gossiping with your visitors and making sure you keep your hat on in another's house.

Played by Anna Madeley (Lewis, Stoned), this Mrs Beeton is a feisty, independent woman of the mid 19th Century, who was a successful journalist and editor. She and her husband Sam (JJ Field) had an extraordinary marriage, each bringing out the creative side in the other, and it was Mr Beeton who was behind the tireless promotion of his wife's book following her untimely death. Classic Sunday night fare.