If you believe celebrity chef Paula Deen is being undeservedly punished for having made one racist comment years ago, her appearance on The Today Show this morning will probably have reassured you. And if you believe that Paula Deen is being rightfully punished for being insensitive to race, or worse, her appearance will probably have infuriated you.
Deen was defiant and tearful during the 13-minute interview with Matt Lauer and still seemed in shock over her crumbling empire. Her appearance came one week after a court deposition was published by The National Enquirer, leading to accusations of racism. The Food Network, where she hosted two shows, fired her two days later. Great American Country, a channel also owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, quietly dropped her from its schedule days afterward. Smithfield Foods (SFD) ended its partnership with her on June 24. QVC (LINTA) has said it is reviewing its business relationship with her.
Deen began the interview by saying, “There’s been some very hurtful lies said about me.” And toward the end, she said: “I is what I is and I’m not changing. There’s someone evil out there, who saw what I worked for, and they wanted it.” In between, she said she believes everyone should be treated equally, that she never intentionally hurt anyone, and that she wants people to know who she really is.
When Lauer asked her if she could survive with only the support of her “base” of fans, Deen said: “I think we can never underestimate the power of those voices. These people who have met me and know me and love me, they’re as angry as the people are who are reading these lies.” That base might have been shrinking even before the current scandal: Ratings for “Paula’s Best Dishes” on the Food Network dropped 22 percent in the 18-49 demographic prized by advertisers during the 2012-13 season, according to a Wall Street Journal report .
In the hours following her appearance, Deen’s publicist began sending out letters of support from various companies: Epicurean Butter, IQ Craft, Club Marketing Services, Harvest NA, Landies Candies, and Sandridge Food. Tasty Blend Foods said, in part: “We appreciate her commitment and how she stepped up and apologized to her viewers, fans and the nation. We personally endorse Paula Deen and what she stands for. We are very saddened that she is being judged by her past, everyone has made a mistake sometime in their lives.”
David Johnson, chief executive of public relations firm Strategic Vision, said after the interview: “I think she sunk herself. That was the worst apology I ever saw. … She cried that she was a victim—that’s the one thing you never want to do in these situations.”
So now we’ll see if Deen’s comments were enough to keep intact the rest of her empire. Or if she’s stewed.
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