If you were following the Paula Deen Scandal and the timeline I put together, (or do not live under a box) we found out yesterday that the Food Network would not be renewing Paula Deen's contract at the end of the month, essentially firing her. There were not many details on if they were pulling her show off of the air, or anything like that. If they do not pull her show off the air, with the way the Food Network airs reruns, we still may be seeing Paula Deen's show for another 20 years.Her show Paula's Best Dishes was scheduled to air at 9:00am and 9:30am Eastern in its normal Saturday morning time slot on the Food Network. So, when 9:00am rolled around, was her show going to air or would it be replaced with something else? It seems they have pulled her show from TV. Giada at Home was airing in that time slot today.
Seems to answer my question from yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan or Paula's, BUT this isn't fair. She was asked a question about something that had happened in the past, not directly connected to the case before the court. I am a 71 year old, white, Southern woman. I would hate to be held responsible for some of the things I have said or done, in years past, that caused no one physical harm. We have become a society that takes umbrage at the slightest real or imagined faux pas. So much for honesty.
ReplyDeleteAs a Southern boy myself, it seems to me we do a good enough job ourselves "destroying the South".
ReplyDeleteShe was asked if she'd used the n-word and her response was, "Of course."
ReplyDeleteOf course??? Not "regretfully"? Not "unfortunately"? Not "to my infinite regret"?
Of course.
Good riddance. And it was more than this one question that did her in - read the full lawsuit.
Food Network needs to remember what put them on the map in the first place and it was PAULA DEEN! Nobody gave a flip about the Food Network until Paula Deen started appearing on there. This whole thing makes me sick and Food Network should be ashamed. This woman has done so much GOOD in her life and for them to turn on her because of a mistake that was made 10-15 years ago is absolutely ridiculous. This is nothing more than yet another attempt to destroy the South. This is one person who will NOT be tuning in to the Food Network and praying many more will take my lead.
ReplyDeletePaula Deen was one of the only people worth watching on the Food Network. The network should not have pulled her show for something that happened in the past and she was asked to testify in court under oath. I'm tired of watching Giada make food for her daughter or Guy Fieri stuffing his face. I don't think her interaction with the guests on her show was an act and she was just being honest. The Food Network needs to rethink this move!
ReplyDeleteFrom an earlier post on here that has episode by episode descriptions of Next Food Network Star: http://www.foodnetworkgossip.com/2013/05/food-network-star-season-9-preview-and.html. Doesn't look like she was on this season
ReplyDeleteOhhh.... I never thought about NFNS! That could require some creative editing!
ReplyDeleteI'm a southerner, and basically of the same opinion as Keith Fountain. By
ReplyDelete2007, I wasn't gonna give anyone under the age of 80 the benefit of the
doubt on a comment like Paula made. Especially when you consider that Paula had been a celeb for 5 years by that point and should have known better than to say that in ANY context where she could be overheard or taken out of context (though I can't imagine a GOOD context for plantation system nostalgia).
Call me a cynic, but It seems like FN has (rightfully) been trying to ease her out ever since the Diabetes thing. They would have/could have simply demoted or non-renewed her quietly at the end of the month, but then this scandal popped up at the worst possible moment from a negotiation standpoint (even though she was deposed a month ago). She's already seen as a hypocrite, and a (totally correct) perception from the bulk of the public as a racist hypocrite was the final nail in the coffin. I can't imagine how bailing on the Today Show helped matters either.
All that said, the timing makes me wonder...how did the Enquirer get their hands on that deposition? If they WERE displeased with her handling of the diabetes thing and felt the need to make an example of her, that would certainly be an excellent way to go about it.
Here's the BIG question though: Was she a guest on NFNS this season?!?! They can't exactly unperson her from that...
I really doubt the lawsuit was the only reason Paula Deen was fired. The lawsuit was embarrassing to the FN. She caused them some embarrassment when it came out that she was being treated for diabetes at the same time she was pushing recipes which aren't exactly heart and pancreas friendly. PD may return to FN - they let Chef Robert Irvine return after HE caused them embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we just tie her to a post and beat her to death...will that be enough to satisfy Food Network?
ReplyDeleteOne thoughtless word wouldn't have gotten her fired. There's plenty of video and written evidence that this is an ongoing pattern. Besides that, I suspect she alienated the network when she only revealed her diabetes AFTER she signed a lucrative drug endorsement deal but continued to promote extremely unhealthy food on her shows.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful people who have never used a racial slur or told an off color joke! Perfection seems to abound! People and times change; we learn, we grow. If we go back through anyone's life, we'll find attitudes and ideas that they wouldn't proudly claim today.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the "diabetes/diet" scandal- yes, Paula Deen is the only one of us that ever made bad choices and had to scramble to try to fix the results. I know I myself have always been perfect.
Food network and other lynch mobs should take a good look at themselves.
People who have been on FN Longer than Paula Deen include (but are not limited to): Emeril, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, and Alton Brown. While Paula was undeniably an early and important addition to the stable, she hailed from the show's second wave of stars.
ReplyDeleteHardly.
ReplyDeleteEmeril Lagasse is who put the Food Network on the map not Paula Dean.
ReplyDeleteWhile that would have made fascinating viewing to say the least, that lends credence to the "already easing her out" hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteAgree this is unfair and will blow up in their faces. Her mistake was not hiding behind a lie, like most people would.
ReplyDeleteOk, whatever gets you through the day.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteORCATMDPB is corect - so is Sarah. She absolutely did not put the channel on the map. She has been part of its' success but certainly not the one who "put it on the map".
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/148781831/Jackson-v-Deen-Et-Al-Complaint
ReplyDeleteYou're exactly right
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should educate yourself and read the court documents. If you acted as this family has acted I would be ashamed for all of you "southerners"
ReplyDeleteThank you Food Network for doing the right thing! After reading the Jackson vs Deen Enterprise court documents, it is clear why the business relationship could NOT continue. I applaud you for doing the right thing!
ReplyDeleteSo just forget about her racist comments! If she was black and if she had referred to whites as crackers or peckerwood openely. Would you still feel the same way! Food network will not fold because of a racist cook! I commend the for their integrity! Minorities are tired of whites feeling it's okay to be racist! For that matter we might all be racists but some things you just dont say or do!
ReplyDeleteExactly! She is prejudice and she was exposed! The Bible says what ever is in our heart will be revealed! GOD allowed her to be exposed! She needed to be exposed. I appreciate Food Network for taking a stand against racism. AfroAmerican do watch the show as well as work for the show!
ReplyDeleteWell Blacks have been getting beat for years! You wouldn't like it if you were referred to as a snow White, snow bunny would you?
ReplyDeleteNo they shouldn't!! They are doing what is moral and ethical! Paula is the heathen! It doesn't matter what we go through we shouldn't use our era or raising as an excuse to justify our bad choices. Read all of the article's, once you read them. You will see its a series of actions that she displayed! That's clearly is unacceptable. Im glad they fired her. I will keep watching Food network, an many others will as well
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe the recent turn of
ReplyDeleteevents with the food network and Paul Deen. There are so many things
wrong with this picture.
1) We, the public, should not be privy
to the inside information of an on going lawsuit that hasn't even
been to court yet. 2) The AP article states that the case (between
Uncle Bubba and the woman named Lisa) was not getting much attention,
until Paula's deposition was made public. 3) There appears to be some
court involvement, but there has been no verdict from a court...thus,
food network is acting out of a sense of being “politically
correct” before anything has been proven to be in or out of
context. 4) There has been no evidence of Paula being a "practicing"
racist...in fact, what are her hiring practices (?).
The list of wrongs, goes on-and-on.
These are the facts: food network has
dumped one of it's few superstars, who has made them millions of
dollars, and brought
in millions of viewers...based on alleged information that stands to
significantly increase the monetary value of the plaintiff's lawsuit.
(Not to mention that it puts the plaintiff's lawyer on a national
stage.)
This
is their “million dollar cup of (too hot) McD's coffee!!!
Doesn't
food network see anything wrong with this?
Think of it, there is a dispute and a
difference of opinion between a disgruntled former employee and an
employer; who happens to have a partner (and sister) who has a
billion dollar enterprise. If you were the plaintiff, sure you would
want to involve the sister!
I call on all of the food network
celebrities, in particular the African-American celebrities, who have
had interaction with Paula over the years...to come forward about
their experiences with Paula. I would like for them to express their
opinions as to whether they felt she was a racist.
The media has latched on to their next
“best seller” and she is being tried in the court of public
opinion...why not ask food network celebrities who actually know
her...?
All this, and we haven't even gotten
into a conversation on who owns the rights to use which words, and
who gets persecuted for using those words. We haven't discussed
whether food network (or, any network) is going to vet any
employee--past, present or future--on whether they have used any
language that could be construed as offensive.
Would it be if you have ever
used offensive terms in your lifetime, or will they pick a date to
begin their inquisition?
Since this story broke, I have heard
the N-word five times. All by school children, and passersby while
sitting on my porch in Savannah, GA. Yes, they were
African-Americans. (Should it matter?) Take it from Oprah who said on
one of her shows, 'that can be one of the most hurtful words, or one
of the most endearing...depending on context'.
Who determines intent and context?
Paula may have a lawsuit against food
network. It would be funny if, in the end, she owned food network.
At the very least, the magnitude of
attention that this plaintiff's lawsuit has suddenly garnered has
increased her potential for a huge out-of-court settlement—which,
by-the-way, could be protected by the courts as confidential.
I cannot believe the recent turn of
ReplyDeleteevents with the food network and Paul Deen. There are so many things
wrong with this picture.
1) We, the public, should not be privy
to the inside information of an on going lawsuit that hasn't even
been to court yet. 2) The AP article states that the case (between
Uncle Bubba and the woman named Lisa) was not getting much attention,
until Paula's deposition was made public. 3) There appears to be some
court involvement, but there has been no verdict from a court...thus,
food network is acting out of a sense of being “politically
correct” before anything has been proven to be in or out of
context. 4) There has been no evidence of Paula being a "practicing"
racist...in fact, what are her hiring practices (?).
The list of wrongs, goes on-and-on.
These are the facts: food network has
dumped one of it's few superstars, who has made them millions of
dollars, and brought in millions of viewers...based on alleged
information that stands to significantly increase the monetary value
of the plaintiff's lawsuit. (Not to mention that it puts the
plaintiff's lawyer on a national stage.)
Doesn't food network see anything wrong
with this?
Think of it, there is a dispute and a
difference of opinion between a disgruntled former employee and an
employer; who happens to have a partner (and sister) who has a
billion dollar enterprise. If you were the plaintiff, sure you would
want to involve the sister!
I call on all of the food network
celebrities, in particular the African-American celebrities, who have
had interaction with Paula over the years...to come forward about
their experiences with Paula. I would like for them to express their
opinions as to whether they felt she was a racist.
The media has latched on to their next
“best seller” and she is being tried in the court of public
opinion...why not ask food network celebrities who actually know
her...?
All this, and we haven't even gotten
into a conversation on who owns the rights to use which words, and
who gets persecuted for using those words. We haven't discussed
whether food network (or, any network) is going to vet any
employee--past, present or future--on whether they have used any
language that could be construed as offensive.
Would it be if you have ever
used offensive terms in your lifetime, or will they pick a date to
begin their inquisition?
Since this story broke, I have heard
the N-word five times. All by school children, and passersby while
sitting on my porch in Savannah, GA. Yes, they were
African-Americans. (Should it matter?) Take it from Oprah who said on
one of her shows, 'that can be one of the most hurtful words, or one
of the most endearing...depending on context'.
Who determines intent and context?
Paula may have a lawsuit against food
network. It would be funny if, in the end, she owned food network.
At the very least, the magnitude of
attention that this plaintiff's lawsuit has suddenly garnered has
increased her potential for a huge out-of-court settlement—which,
by-the-way, could be protected by the courts as confidential.
Sunday morning and it's a "bonus" episode of Pioneer Woman.
ReplyDeleteWell said. FN let the first embarrassment of the diabetes thing pass without public comment. The second embarrassment of the language they dealt with publicly. That sounds like many businesses I know.
ReplyDeleteMaybe now with all the empty timeslots the Next Foodnetwork Stars will finally get a show. Not watching this season as what's the point if they never really become a "star".
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input. It happens in the North too., But you're correct I should have read the court documents as most of the people on this thread have done.
ReplyDeleteI've been called a lot worse by a lot better.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it ok for African Americans to constantly use the "N" word openly, not apologize for its use? A double standard?
ReplyDeleteThe individual who is suing Paula said if you don't pay me I will go public-extortion pure and simple.
Food Network you played into his hands. Which one of you haven't made a mistake, asked for and was given forgiveness.
I'm just sorry to see her go. food .network has made mistakes in the past, we all have! let's let the past be just that. learn from our mistakes and move on.
ReplyDeleteshame on you food network, I'll be tuned in to the food channel from now on.
You give black athletes, black movie stars and singers more than a second chance when they do criminal acts. Now it is becoming reversed discrimination at the other side of the justice scale!
ReplyDeleteFire the best personality at your network you got to be crazy. PAULA says what all of you think and are to afraid to says
ReplyDeletei wiil cancel my subscription and write some letters to network...shame on them for holding her accountable, when black americans throw the n*bomb around for all to hear. get your sanity back and renew her show!!!
ReplyDeleteOn the same day Paula's announcement of being fired, Woopie's daughter said on the View about a child throwing a temper tantrum " I would take that white bratt and show of hands choke her. Oh that was ok. Shame on Food Network
ReplyDeleteGive it up. There's enough racism on all sides to go around. And don't try to say YOU'VE never spewed a racist name at any time in your life. You have, as has everyone else. Deen at least had the guts to admit it where loudmouth race baiters such as yourself don't.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is Food Network keeps making mistakes, whether it be with their personalities or their shows. And they haven't learned from any of them. Remember when they fired Robert Irvine for fudging on his resume. One the full impact of their loss of viewers is realized, they'll hire Deen back. And if the long wait times at her restaurant(s) and resounding support of her are any indication, she'll be hired back sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteI've read the articles. Disgruntled, terminated for cause ex-employee looking for a payoff from an employer with deep pockets, nothing more. You on the other hand, see above.
ReplyDeleteThe "punishment" does not fit the "crime". Too bad, lots of good viewing on food network, but I will not support the word police. You have crucified this woman. Now you can all sleep in the bed you created. So long food network.
ReplyDeleteAnother indication of the resounding support for Deen:
ReplyDelete"Paula Deen Surges Past 'Game of Thrones' to Top Spot on Amazon"
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paula-deen-surges-past-game-576518
I agree with LeeAnne that she (Paula Deen) was one whom helped the Food Network channel to grow. She was one reason I watched, so now I may start watching another network if they drop her.
ReplyDelete