Paula Deen having the last laugh

[Adam]

Paula Deen gets $75 million to launch a comeback

Paula Deen has found a key ingredient to bringing some sizzle back to her career — a cash infusion worth at least $75 million from a private investment firm.

The Savannah-based celebrity cook announced Wednesday that she's launched an umbrella company that will oversee her restaurants, cookbooks, product endorsements and other remaining slices of her media empire. The new company, called Paula Deen Ventures, said private-equity firm Najafi Companies is investing $75 million to $100 million to help Deen make a comeback.

Deen's fortunes took a dive last year after comments she made under oath during proceedings in a lawsuit, namely that she had used racial slurs in the past, became public. The Food Network dropped Deen, as did pork producer Smithfield Foods, book publisher Ballantine and several other companies that paid her to endorse their products.

In a statement, Deen praised the partnership with Phoenix-based Najafi and the decision to name Steven Nanula, who has already worked with Deen for the past two years, to serve as CEO of Paula Deen Ventures.

"I know this is the right decision to lead my team, as we continue to share quality products with my fans — whose love and support have built my brands," Deen said.

I can't wait until the howls of "racist!!!11!1" start again.

[JB]

And I just watched a rerun of South Park's "Apologies to Jesse Jackson" the other day.

[Lanie]

She said the word about 20 years ago and she apologized. Time to forgive.

[Gingersnap]

I hope she makes a roaring comeback. I'm not a real fan of her cooking style but she was railroaded by a bitter employee of her brother's and that's wrong. Her budget cookware line was always a good value, I thought.

I've noticed that the Food Network hasn't entirely slammed the door on her which is good since she was one of the personalities that built their audience. I hope she's successful enough to get another show.

After all, if we can forgive/ignore an elected official race-baiting a supreme court justice and his wife, we certainly ought to get over this little issue.

[Gramps]

I hope she makes a roaring comeback. I'm not a real fan of her cooking style but she was railroaded by a bitter employee of her brother's and that's wrong. Her budget cookware line was always a good value, I thought.

I've noticed that the Food Network hasn't entirely slammed the door on her which is good since she was one of the personalities that built their audience. I hope she's successful enough to get another show.

After all, if we can forgive/ignore an elected official race-baiting a supreme court justice and his wife, we certainly ought to get over this little issue.

She's not a Black elected official.
She has no cover.

[scott]

So she said a bad word a long time ago but the Democrats still lionize a former Klansman?