Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Paula Deen On Today
Paula Deen finally made her long awaited Today Show appearance this morning. I guess I thought in the wake of the horrible job her other PR team did that she would hire someone capable and make her sound good and contrite and really work on keeping the one or two endorsement deals she still has. Nope. She lied on the Today Show about how many times she used the N word or else she lied in her deposition. She also says she does not think the N word is offensive to young people and says she has heard far worse in her kitchens. Paula also says that she would not have fired herself. Overall, not a great interview from her if she is looking for sympathy and to try and keep any of the $17M she earns each year.
Only one word for her: crazy b word
ReplyDeleteThe real bullshit starts at around 9 minutes, FYI all. She can't fake cry. Her acting is bad and she should feel bad**.
ReplyDelete**For SOMETHING FFS?!
I love how Matt Lauer is tougher on Paula than he is on world leaders. (Eyeroll...)
ReplyDeleteStill watching this.
Of course she wouldn't fire someone like herself: racist cunts stand up for each other. Fuck you, Paula!
ReplyDeleteI don't have high blood pressure, but this bitch makes my blood boil!!
This is so ridiculous!!!! She's right regarding kitchens: That's a rough work environment. Hell, her main critic Anthony Bourdain has even said that in his writings. They're not a place of political correctness.
ReplyDeleteIf you aren't a racist you sure are sounding like one. Please don't try and compare Anthony and Paula. Seriously, lets not compare her to anybody and realize that she's just wrong.
DeleteMaybe because I'm black but I don't understand how any sensible person is defending this bish right now.
@Kels I totally agree w you. I can't fathom why anyone would defend her. After the NYT video I dont see how antone could see her as anything other than a nasty racist pig.
DeleteIn addition to Antone, *anyone* ;)
DeleteAgree with you 100% @Kels. I'm also tired of hearing, "black people use that word all the time so what's the big deal?"...well I'm black and I DON'T use the n-word, nor do I like hearing it. It's wrong!
DeleteIt's not even about the word for me. When I read that Bubba said "yall have no civil rights"...I was beyond mad. That is just the most offensive thing you can say to anybody, especially a black person.
DeleteTrust, that got my blood boiling too...all of it! Just going by the depositions, it scares me, there are still places of employment like this.
DeleteI'm not sure I follow you, Susan. Is there something about being in a kitchen environment that makes it okay to say the n-word?
ReplyDeleteIt's really got nothing to do with political correctness. It has to do with moral correctness.
There is nothing that excuses the n-word. Ive worked in the service industry (hostess, waitress, bartender, all around food/drink service) since my first job. Kitchens are hot, sweaty, busy, etc. there may be tasteless jokes and maybe a little shit talking regarding customers attitudes but its usually a world of camaraderie. "us vs them" mentality. I never met a kitchen where the staff that works so intricately together would be calling each other racist shit and mean it. Kitchen/wait staff is like family. Paula is full of cholesterol and shit.
DeleteWell! That settles it...Anthony Bourdain says it's a rough work environment so that makes it A-fucking-okay!
ReplyDeleteGotcha!
Susan---True. But restaurants are so multi-cultural (immigrants, gay/straight, etc), and not even the teeny tiny places I worked would tolerate ANY slur---Not 'fag', no slurs in Spanish between the Mexicans & Guatemalans, not the n-word, not even 'cracker'. The bigger problem (in my experience) in restaurants is it's always a sexually-charged environment, much more than racism or homophobia. Sexually hostile to women, honestly. But that's just my experience.
ReplyDeleteThen I worked for a big big bank, and they were far more openly racist (everyone against everyone) & TOTALLY sexist than anything I had heard in restaurant. The bank folks were not sexual at all, but the trade-off was SLURS. I was shocked.
I think we can all agree Susan's foot has met her mouth.
DeleteNo, Jamie. Not at all.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that every business owner and spokesperson is supposed to be morally correct. Guess I'm not going anywhere, buying anything. And I'm certainly NOT voting.
I'll have to watch this. Enty sometimes changes stuff up.
ReplyDeleteShe earns SEVENTEEN million a YEAR????
ReplyDeletecelebrity chef pays well!!
To be clear--the bank was more sexIST (discriminatory--managers were almost always men, no male underlings), but bank employees don't talk about every little detail of their sex lives (CONSTANTLY), like restaurant workers do.
ReplyDeleteSorry if I was unclear.
Thanks all.
I think she should not have done that interview. I do think she is clearly upset. Her sons gave a better interview on CNN. They just seemed pissed as hell.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with this whole story as well is that she hasn't been found guilty of anything. She hasn't had her day in court. This is basically a person's claims against her.
I just find this whole display to be VERY hypocritical. Matt Lauer asking Paula Deen tougher questions than he would ask President Obama. Give me a fucking break.
Regarding Matt Lauer, duh! He has that reputation. A Diane Sawyer or Mike Wallace he is not.
DeleteThis just confirms what i thought: she doest think she did anything wrong. As for kitchens being so intense, jesus, you're COOKING, not splitting atoms!!! Calm the hell down ! You do realize people eat your "creations" right? Beyond silly. And I still hate pontificating ass balloon lauer. He blows, which is how he keeps his ass balloon inflated.
ReplyDeleteLibby - that sucks about your bank job. And I TOTALLY get it, trust me. I worked in newsrooms for 10-plus years. It you want a politically incorrect, curse-word-laden environment, in which chances are you are one of a handful of women, work in a newsroom. But you know what. I went into that job knowing full well what I was getting into. That douchebag boys-club politicians would not take you seriously and you had to work extra hard to show that you are better and more capable than the pig men around you. But, if I wanted a lily-white sweet-something job, I would not have been a journalist.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's ok cause I went into knowing it would be sexist. Yes, that's fine. Thats just journalism for you!
DeleteNice...you have a beef against the President (many of us do!) and you interject his name into a convo about Paula Deen. Nice!
ReplyDelete@Reese. You might want to reread that. It was a slam against Matt Lauer, and his "journalist skills," not the President. She could just as easily have said Donald Trump or Chief Justice Roberts.
DeleteI don't have a beef with the President. That's not what I said AT ALL.
ReplyDeleteStupid people shouldn't do interviews they just hang themselves. Sometimes its amazing to me how Tv can make people seem important. Shes a cook who makes unhealthy food gave herself diabetes us a racist and can cut and paste her recipe file into a book. She didn't deserve to make so much money but she did and now its over for her.
ReplyDelete@Susan
ReplyDeleteWhat about her deposition? Doesn't that count for something? She sworn under oath about this stuff, so unless she lied, she is guilty.
Idk how Susan can say she didn't have her day in court when everything we'vw heard about this was admitted IN COURT, UNDER OATH.
DeleteRight?
DeleteIt's my understanding that all she admitted to in her deposition is having said the N-word ever in her lifetime. That's not the same as admitting to everything she's been accused of in a lawsuit.
Delete1- She has used the word more than once, and more frequently-that is just not a casual one and done word.
ReplyDelete2- We all should strive to be morally correct. It is not always possible, and we screw up, but it doesn't hurt to try.
3- Her sons are upset because their mom is possibly screwing up their deals and shows by being associated with her.
4- Using the excuse, other people say it so I should be able to, is a lot like 'everyone else jumped off the bridge, so I did too'-
5- commentators elsewhere have started attacking the accuser, and asking if that person is innocent, and lily-white. Think about it- that is the same argument used in rape cases toward the accused- "she was dressed provocatively, and is known to sleep around so her accusation shouldn't count because she was not lily white.( only comparing the argument not the severity of the crime)
5- This should be a lesson to everyone that anything you say or do or write can come back and bite you in the butt.
+1
Delete@missmol- +infinity
DeleteYes to all. Nicely done.
DeletePaula did not turn over requested evidence to the court, a blooper reel showing her being sexually inappropriate and using vulgar language in front of the FN crew.
ReplyDeleteShe admits that she, her brother and husband has used the n word in 'jokes' so not in anger except 50 years ago after being robbed (yeah, she's only told that story once, uhhuh).
She referred to the female employee who complained about porn in the work computer as 'a piece of pussy'.
Lets not forget she referred to a black chef as her 'little monkey'.
DeleteI haven't worked in a kitchen in a really long time, but I have NEVER experienced racism or sexism in one. What the hell do you Americans do to each other down there?
ReplyDeleteWhat about that video where she talks about a guy 'who's as black as this board', but he's still her friend? Like she's doing him a big favor DESPITE his race or something?
ReplyDeleteThat casual derision--she just doesn't hear herself. Idiotically oblivious. disgusting.
@libby I agree...I don't see how anyone can defend what she said and did in that video 2 yrs ago. Why is this only just now coming to light? Why didn't the NYT reporter start researching for an investigative journalist story right then?! Could've been Pulitzer Prize material....missed opportunity. It was so shocking!!!
DeleteCee---Canadian? May I marry you? Save me from our fucking 'freedom' to be total assholes to each other.
ReplyDeleteThat's why everyone's an asshole....because, Freedom. People are screaming 'FIRST AMENDMENT' w/ Paula, not realizing that employers can fire you for whatever they wish in most states. The Constitution just keeps her hate from being prosecuted as a crime. duh.
What really creeps me out is her legion of supporters. Truly scary. Hate mob mentality.
ReplyDelete@Susan this is one of the few times I COMPLETELY disagree with you. Working in a kitchen does not make it ok to say the things she said or to behave in the way she has.
ReplyDeleteRight.... I don't agree with you, so I'm a racist. And no, I did not insert my foot in my mouth, Kels, thanks. And I'm not saying because I worked as a journalist that my opinions are the be-all, end-all. They're just that - my opinions.
ReplyDeleteLet's just say I feel like there are other ways to rectify situations like this, and suing - well, I don't know what suing really does, besides stir up a lot of controversy and make lawyers a lot of dough.
The mob mentality/hypocrisy on this site cracks me up sometimes.
@susan, could it be that other options were attempted and the suit was the last resort?
DeletePaula will still have her day in court and if found not guilty, that is fine. I will still find the comments she made in her deposition very disturbing and offensive. This isn't about rushing to judgement.
You arw defending a racist. I said "if you aren't racist, you sure are sounding like one." I said that for you to rethink why you are defending this woman. Food Network is not suing her- she said something they didn't like and they have every right to fire her. So people can just go around be a racist and still have endorsement deals? Is that what you're saying? And she shouldn't get sued bu her employees even though she disrespected thwm and violated idk how many amendments and laws?
DeletePrada---'Antone'--lmao.
ReplyDeleteAhem.
IMO, that 'black as this board' video was just pushed aside....'Oh, bless her heart, she can't help being an awful Southern stereotype in the 21st Century.'
The playing along by everyone including the interviewer was awful. You are right that it should have been reported then.
@libby, the reporter had that "are you fucking kidding me?" Look on his face, but once the audience began to laugh, I think he just let whatever thoughts he had go. I can understand this, I've been on the receiving end of some patronizingly racist comments, spoken in jest and sometimes it doesn't click until well after and I think, did that really happen?
Deletemy point of view as a non-american citizen is that saying the n-word is bad, but making a slavery themed wedding is fucked up to the nth degree. That's blatant racism. Period.
ReplyDeleteNot black and I cringe when I heard black kids use the word...my mom and grandmother would flay me if it came out of my mouth. That said personally I think no one should use it no one...
ReplyDeleteI live in New York and have good friends in Florida, Arkansas and Texas they say it's so common at all ages...
Look these people are still re-in-acting the Civil War does anyone believe racism is dead ?
Oh and SHAME ON THE SUPREME COURT...they did this country a great injustice yesterday...
@ Susan. Your foot has certainly NOT met your mouth. You actually made a very intelligent and valid point. As for using Obama and Paula Deen in a sentence, only ignorant people would see that as racist. You were just trying to make a point.
ReplyDelete@ beta, thank you!!! Why is no one talking about the slave themed wedding on a plantation?! Which, I read the testimony and she said she was so impressed with a restaurant that had middle aged black men wearing white jackets in bowties and "represented a certain era". Sick. Plus the whole calling her grandfathers slaves his "workers" and how he was so distraught after they lost the war and his "workers" he shot himself in the barn. I can't understand why any one would defend this woman.
ReplyDeleteAlso lets not forget the whole diabetes scandal a little while ago. This lady is trash.
Did anyone in the New York area ever eat at Lundy's ?
ReplyDeleteAll back waiters with major attitude....
I'm so bored with this story. She's a 60 year old racist woman from Georgia that has it so far embedded in her, she didn't think what she was doing was wrong. I believe the correct term is "ignorant" or "eggnernt" for those who have issues pronouncing syllables. Her repeated comments and missteps over a 30 year period illustrate this beautifully. She's got a shit-ton of money, and her millions will help defray her actions, she'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteHer big concern is that her legacy will now be tainted and her brand ruined, instead of being remembered as a down home chef, she'll be remembered as a down home racist.
This "chick" will be back on Country Music TV or something like that , give it some time.Remember Dog Chapman lost his TV show for a bit after another N -word controversy, his show is now on good ole country TV... she will be back....she has an audience.
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, I feel what she said was wrong, and those are not words or thoughts that I would ever say/think. BUT at the risk of getting attacked as poor @Susan did, I still feel Paula Deen has a right to say and think the way she does. I may not agree with her opinion, but I do defend her right to say or think what she wants to.
ReplyDeleteI know someone cool and famous said something along those lines, but I can't remember who said it.
@meli, I agree, she does have the right to say whatever she pleases. That said, Food Network, Smithfield Farms, et al, have a right to cancel her endorsement deals, and people have the right to continue eating at her restaurants...or not.
DeleteI know it's super late and you'll probably never read this, but thanks for not attacking my opinion and having an appropriate response. I was really scared people would attack me and call me racist. Thanks for being so cool :)
DeleteGo on twitter. Enter "word you are so sure NO ONE uses". See millions of hits. See that millions of people treat it like its just a word. Realize world is still spinning!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that those tears are real.
ReplyDeleteIf I lost $17mil/year, I'd be crying like a baby too.
Regarding her being a racist, saying the N word 50 years ago when times are different may not make you a racist, but wanting to have a Gone with the Wind wedding a few years ago with black servants as slaves---well that absolutely positively makes you a racist.
I don't think people should throw the phrase "mob mentality" out so casually when it is really a group of people who are agreeing on a moral issue. It is fairly obvious that this woman is a hateful racist who is pissed off because she can't casually continue being so.
ReplyDeleteWell, here are my thoughts. I don't remember if I posted this yesterday, and I can't remember how to make it clicky, but here you go:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/148781831/Jackson-v-Deen-Et-Al-Complaint
1) Sure, this could be some disgruntled worker looking for a handout, but it seems FAR too detailed to me to be fake.
2) Clearly, using the N-word and other disgusting behavior on the part of Paula and Earl/"Bubba" was the norm and not some random occurrence if it is in fact all true. And I believe it is. I have ALWAYS gotten a phoney-baloney vibe from Miz Deen.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour right, she does have a right to think and say what she wants- however there are consequences. And in this case it is alleged her words caused a hostile work environment focusing on sexual and racial harassment- which is against the law. And companies have a right to decide they don't want to be associated with someone who holds those views.
ReplyDeleteShe will be back somewhere, 6 mos to a year. If we haven't learned anything on this site, we should have learned that if you are a celebrity, people are willing to forgive you for almost anything. Sad, but true.
Hi, V. I had the same reaction...like my brain just turtles down into my neck when I hear people talk like she did. I don't want to believe it.
ReplyDeleteOh Libby, let me tell you, one day at target, there was a guy walking around with a swastika tee, his hair dyed black, and precise mustache...obviously channeling his inner Hitler. I think
DeleteEveryone who saw him was in such a state of shock, we kinda just stood there, goggle-eyed (I was in the checkout line behind him). It was so uncomfortable and weird.
I've been a big fan, read her book, bought the Mum a subscription to Paula's magazine, etc., skipping past the racism issue, the charges against Miss Paula and her bubba are horrible. She's an ignorant ass for using the N word and a giant ass for treating people like shit.
ReplyDeleteIf she were well-liked I don't think her sponsors would be dropping her faster than she can melt butter. It speaks volumes that so many were so quick to stick a fork in her.
ReplyDeleteI thought this post by an African American food blogger lent an interesting perspective on this:
http://afroculinaria.com/2013/06/25/an-open-letter-to-paula-deen/
Meli: Certainly, absolutely Paula can say anything she likes. But if you are serving a public persona and want to be popular you really DON'T say everything. She can feel how she feels but you can't make everyone else to be okay with blatant racism.
ReplyDeleteAnd Miss Paula did herself zero favors when she said something to the effect, I am who I am and I ain't gonna change. Really? Because that's the essence of the problem Paula.
It's time for change. Toss racism out the window lady!
Also I worked in restaurants too and I can damn guarantee you we were not using racial slurs. Hell the cook like is very diverse place. You're bound to get an ass whooping from someone and good luck getting your food for your tables. It pays to be respectful ALWAYS!
My reply to @V above (to my original post) applies to you @Sherry. Thanks for being so cool :)
DeleteKelly: Excellent read. I wonder if she'll take the challenge.
ReplyDeleteKelly - Damn girl, that was a long read, but well worth it. I hope Paula goes and cooks with the writer. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteKelly, read it, get some of what hes saying, esp about black people not being credited with cooking the so called southern food. But were they following recipes? Or just inventing stuff in kitchens? Because that would be awesome! He meandered a bit, then seems to want to reconcile with deen if she agrees black people originated southern food? And then she will be forgiven? If this in any way sounds snarky, IT ISNT MEANT TO. I dont care who cooks what where but im trying to understand his heartfelt essay.
ReplyDelete@AKM, thanks for posting. I was curious as to the details of the lawsuit. I agree, this is far too detailed to be a lie. It sounds like 'Bubba' is a HUGE problem, but Paula let it continue. Her disposition during business dealings as detailed in the suit, is quite opposite of her homey, sweet, loving demeanor. I like her less now and I had been trying to be somewhat objective about this, but now that objectivity is gone. I never liked her personally anyway and found her annoying so I certainly won't be missing her at all.
ReplyDeleteauntliddy - I feel like he was trying to make 20 different points.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting when he states that many southern cooks - particularly black southern cooks - admire her, because when I read a lot of commentary about her it seems that many people say her cooking isn't "real" southern cooking and that's she's just a caricature.
I have read her memoirs, and I do find her story to be very interesting. But I find everything in the food world, interesting.
All I know is when my husband and I went to Charleston a few months ago, the food was amazing and I felt like a complete fat-ass when we got back home. The homemade pork rinds and the grits were off-the-chain. The fish tacos along Sullivan's Island were super fantastic.
I wish I got to tour one of the plantations. I would love to learn the history about them other than what we learn and school and from Gone with the Wind.
Anyway, very curious to see how this all turns out...
^in school. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteKelly, interesting post and I'll be reading it again. A lot of nuance there.
ReplyDeleteI stand firm that Susan should not have said it wasn't a big deal to use racial slurs because it was a kitchen environment. And the more I hear about Paula Deen, the less I like her.
Susan, it was not personal. I was commenting on your comment, not you as a human.
I'm sorry that you felt ganged up on today, although mob mentality is a bit of a reach. I think people were being sincere.
I've posted unpopular things on other sites and been given grief, and I hated the experience. Doesn't everyone?
You've posted fun things on this site before and I hope you continue to do so.
Peace.
OMG - Jamie. No worries! I so do not feel ganged-up on. Thanks. And, I really in no way, shape or form think saying racial slurs is appropriate ANYWHERE. But, I guess I'm of the approach that shit happens - even at work. I respect all of you and your opinions. Anyway, the more I say on this, the more misconstrued it all gets, so I will just shut up now.
ReplyDeleteOh please, who cares? She was stupid to even apologize, more people should refuse to be held hostage by these race baiting a-holes. So what if you say the "n-word" (NIGGER..there I said it)? Own it and never apologize or back down, because it doesn't matter, it won't change anything and you'll just look like a pussy bitch and STILL lose everything! Frankly, I couldn't care less what people say or think, I'm more worried about criminal and violent minorities raping or killing someone I know and love because black on white violence rose 18% in 2011 but nobody will ever talk about THAT. Instead we worry about white people saying a word. WHO GIVES A FUCK. Oh that's right....niggers do.
ReplyDeletePaula looks like she's aged 10 years in a week. Good Lawd.
ReplyDeleteNever respond to a needy troll. It's the best revenge, no matter how much you want to say to them.
ReplyDeleteThey're here for attention and go away when they are starved of it.
I am not sure where it is at the places you all have worked but in Kentucky the kitchens I have worked in have been horrible about discrimination towards each other! Be it black, white, Mexican, men or women it gets ugly. I have worked at some of the best places in this state and I also worked in Memphis and in Nevada and none of those were any better! I am part Indian and OMG the slurs that were thrown at me were insane. Not only the slur but the innuendo.
ReplyDeleteIf you complained the "bosses" would come in and make a show of telling them to not pick on who ever it was. Let me tell you that only made it worse as they made it their mission then to step up the torture then. You either quit or grew a thick skin.
Lisa - that sucks!!! Are you still in the restaurant industry?
ReplyDeleteAlso someone brought up about Paul Deen's recipes. Many recipes from the south are family dishes passed down through the generations and then tweaked by each person. Certain foods that have been brought to this country can be traced but the foods that have been here is a little harder. Such as what is known in Louisiana is crawfish in Kentucky is a crawdad but either way they are edible!Can I claim somebody stole cornbread, or creasy greens from my family as a southern dish because of course we "first" had to be the ones to cook it? Really?
ReplyDeleteI am not defending her but I use quite a bit of butter, use lard in some of my recipes and and many other things that old time southern cooks have been doing for years that my grandma and great grandma (she died when I was 16) taught me. I don't have diabetes and am not overweight. I have bought some of her cookbooks to compare some of her recipes to my families also.
Also if any of you have checked out the facebook pages in support of her you would be surprised at how many African Americans are in support of her.
@hollywood dime if you do some checking it was not her but someone who works for her that said it.
I will say that I have read the complaint and also her deposition. The person I take to be the biggest ass in all of this is the brother. Do I think she was wrong in not dealing with him YES! He needed his head in a spit.
I would have had a field day in the deposition having worked in kitchens and then went into the legal field. It is easy to confuse a person in a deposition and it will be the trial when things get straightened out. Stuff can get twisted really easily.
Lisa - Thanks for sharing. I was just checking out her FB page as well. Just read that Wal-Mart and Caesars in Vegas dropped her.
ReplyDeleteI heard about Caesars last night on the news.
ReplyDelete