Food Network Star took viewers to the movies last night. Though popcorn and Sour Patch Kids were definitely not on the menu. Indeed, a special episode of this Food Network hit featured a team challenge in which the contestants were tasked to create film-themed trailers for their food. We witnessed one dedicated to western, another to romance and a hilarious references to “50 Shades of Hot Sauce.” It’s unclear if that items came with chains and handcuffs. Who impressed viewers the most? Which preview made us cringe the hardest? Visit our friends at Food Fanatic now for their latest Food Network Star review !
In the aftermath of the n-word scandal that got Paula Deen fired by Food Network , the embattled chef wants to clear the air once and for all. She offered a second video apology for using racial slurs in the past, and issued a statement thanking the channel for 11 “great years” on TV. Paula Deen Apologizes Again Said Paula Deen in her statement released to CNN: “I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared the most touching and personal stories.” “This would not have been possible without the Food Network.” “Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya’ll.” The mea culpa was too little too late for the network, which announced that Deen would not be returning following a bizarre video statement Friday afternoon. This morning, Deen’s hour of programming was already yanked from the channel. Deen came under fire after admitting last month under oath in a lawsuit deposition to using racial slurs , including the n-word, in the past. After bailing last minute from a scheduled appearance on Today to address the scandal, Deen released a video “apology” on YouTube. That video (below) was so poorly received that only made the situation first. She then posted a second (above), but the damage was done. Paula Deen Statement on Racial Slurs “Your color of skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to me,” the 66-year-old Deen said in the follow-up apology video. ” I want people to understand that my family and I are not the kind of people that the press say that we are. I’ve spent the best of 24 years to help myself and others.” “I am here to say that I am so sorry. I was wrong, yes. I’ve worked hard and I’ve made some mistakes. But that is no excuse.” Sources say the fallout from the discrimination lawsuit filed against her, along with her management’s clumsy damage control, left Food Network no choice. The first apology video – in which she appears to be reading from a script and stumbling over vague, non-compelling words – was the final straw.
GTFOHWTBS! Earlier today Paula Deen released some half-a$$ed “apology” for “her past mistakes” , but her bosses have decided that it’s too little too late. Food Network Decides Not To Renew Paula Deen’s Contract After This Month According to TMZ reports : Paula Deen’s goose has been cooked at the Food Network. Officials tell TMZ they are not renewing her contract, which expires at the end of this month. Paula apparently was done in for her comments during a deposition in a civil lawsuit, in which she freely admitted to using the N-word in the past. Deen issued an apology this morning that bordered on ridiculous — it was heavily edited and frankly insincere. She issued a second apology shortly before the Food Network said it would not renew her contract Now Paula will have plenty of time to make more fattening, sugary, snacks that will kill her. Image via Marvin Joseph Continue reading →
Just hours after she bailed on the Today show , Paula Deen issued a bizarre statement regarding her use of racial slurs, only to promptly yank it off YouTube. It’s the weirdest, least sincere-sounding apology ever. See for yourself: Paula Deen Statement on Racial Slurs With an edit after almost every sentence and frequent stumbles over words, this “apology” achieves the rare feat of leaving Deen’s image worse off than before. Rather than explaining why she used racial slurs in the past, which she admitted under oath in a lawsuit deposition – she just says she’s really sorry. For what? You wouldn’t know based on this video! She doesn’t say. Clearly, some PR team (and not a very good one, mind you) threw together a script and had her read from it, rather than letting her speak from her heart. The result is Deen looking ridiculous … neither sincere, nor apologetic, nor capable of understanding what the heck she even wants forgiveness for. It was taken down shortly after it was posted, but as we know, nothing can truly be axed from the Internet. Her PR people could be axed, however … One assumes this was filmed in response to the controversy that arose over a lawsuit against Deen, who is accused of discrimination in the workplace. A former employee said Deen made racial slurs against her; Deen denied the allegations of the lawsuit, but admits she has used epithets in the past. And to think, there was a time when the nutritional content of Paula Deen recipes was the most controversial topic associated with the Southern chef.
Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra was let out of Victorville Federal Correctional Complex in California on Thursday after just six and a half months. Dykstra was sentenced to do time in December for bankruptcy fraud, one count of concealment of assets, and one count of money laundering. He filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and was then accused of illegally hiding and selling up to $400,000 worth of possessions from inside his mansion. Lenny had also been serving a three-year sentence for grand theft auto and falsifying myriad financial statements, beginning in March last year. The sentences were rolled together, however, and served concurrently. As for the grand theft auto case, we have no idea how he’s out so soon . The fallen star will now perform 500 hours community service, undergo drug testing, repay $200,000 to creditors and be forced to watch Mets games. Just kidding. About the last part.
Variety is the spice of life here at The Hollywood Gossip. We can’t make up for the nausea you might feel after watching Miley Cyrus Twerking or waiting on pins and needles for the Kim Kardashian baby name , but we can offer this: Eight utterly delicious recipes courtesy of Food Fanatic! Dedicating themselves to things that leave a good taste in your mouth, our partners have posted all about the following items over the past few days… A chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie treat recipe . Enough said. A Rocky Road bread recipe , for a new twist on that dessert fave. A healthy, hearty and delicious crock pot baked beans recipe . For a great seasonal refreshment, this kale smoothie recipe . This Teriyaki steak kabobs recipe for another summer staple. For a tasty snack, a terrific homemade Wheat Thins recipe . Another seasonally delightful strawberry rhubarb jam recipe . The best Oreo cupcake recipe you’ve ever experienced.
Ding, ding! It was ON for Round 4 of the American Baking Competition last night, with the CBS series turning its attention from cakes to bread. Pretzels, challah, croissants. This episode had it all. Bread can be so finicky due to environmental factors and the quality of ingredients, the fact that they make great bread at home may not matter. Can they perform under pressure? How will they handle the invariable hiccups? That’s what the fourth episode of the season boiled down to. The competition was fierce throughout. Whose bread was tops and gave them the best chance of winning more bread … in a different sense? If you can forgive the bad pun, head over to Food Fanatic now for its American Baking Competition review where the answer is revealed!
Dolce & Gabbana have been convicted of tax evasion. As in the two guys who created the namesake luxury label. Maybe pinstripes will be in this year? Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were found guilty Wednesday by a court in Milan, Italy, of failing to pay taxes on about $268 million in income. Makes Lauryn Hill and Wesley Snipes look like model citizens. The duo received a suspended jail sentence of 20 months and were ordered to pay $670,000 in penalties to Italy’s tax authorities, reports indicate. However, a jury acquitted them of misrepresenting earnings totaling $560 million, despite the fact a statute of limitations expired on the charge. The case stemmed from the fact that Dolce and Gabbana sold their brand to a Luxembourg-based company in 2004 to avoid having to pay taxes. Dolce, 54, and Gabbana, 50, have maintained innocence throughout a process that began when Italy’s Tax Commission initiated a probe of the sale. Two years ago, a court tossed charges of tax evasion and fraud against the pair. Because the Milan mainstays plan to appeal their sentence, given the complexities of Italian law, they are unlikely to spend anytime behind bars.
Make way, Michael Moore! Move over, Morgan Spurlock! There’s a new documentary film-maker on the block and he’s half your size! Zachary Maxwell, 11, spent six months secretly filming the lunches being served at PS 130 in New York City. The food he was served may not have gotten many raves, but his covert expose’ “Yuck: A 4th Grader’s Documentary About School Lunches” sure has critics buzzing. Yuck – School Lunch Documentary Maxwell, at the encouragement and aid of his parents, used a hidden camera to record dozens of lunches served to himself and his classmates at his public school in New York’s Little Italy. While the menu descriptions read like those of gourmet restaurants, the reality on their trays left little to be desired. The New York City Department of Education responded to the film stating that they believe they serve healthy recipes and “delicious school meals that are low in fat, sodium and calories” and that they have “more than 1,000 salad bars in our schools to provide more healthful options to students.” Just not in PS 130, we guess? It’s an important topic in any case. The American Medical Association recently classified obesity as a disease , one which 17 percent of all U.S. kids suffer from. Maxwell’s 19-minute film, edited by himself and his father, has been shown at several film festivals already and will be screened at the Manhattan Film Festival on June 21. The 5th grader is quite proud of his accomplishments and is already working on his next project: A video yearbook of his class that each student will have as they all head off into the wild blue yonder of middle school. The budding filmmaker already has plans for that awkward period of his life, too. A film about “adolescence, puberty, and what middle school girls think about guys with braces.” So, The Real World meets Wonder Year s, then. Best of lunch luck to you, Zachary!
Two quick notes to American fast food employees: Please stop doing gross stuff with the food At least stop taking photos of it if you do Actually, never mind the second step. If you’re dumb enough to do #1, you’ll obviously want to share it, and we can at least help you get fired that way. The dude above, guzzling straight from the Wendy’s Frosty machine (the vanilla kind, for unknown reasons), became a viral hit after his pic hit Reddit. Not by his doing. “I was going to buy a frosty from Wendy’s until I saw the employee do this,” the poster wrote, and shortly thereafter, the guy got 86’d. If there’s any consolation to be found in this, it’s that Taco Bell Guy tongue-bathing and fondling a set of shells this spring was probably even worse. Remember that guy? No? Well, here’s a revolting refresher: Where will the next addition to this series come from? McDonald’s? Subway? Burger King? Let’s hope none of the above, and the food defiling ceases. But if we’re forced to put money on it, BK all the way.
