Food Network Drops Paula Deen

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Food Network Friday said it will drop star Paula Deen from
its roster in the wake of the famed chef's use of a racial slur.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Deen, in
a deposition for a lawsuit brought against Deen and her brother by a former
employee, had used the N-word. Deen on Friday apologized for her actions in two
separate online videos, but the Food Network decided to cut ties with the
popular chef.

In a statement the network said "it will not renew Paula
Deen's contract when it expires at the end of this month."

Deen has been a star and a mainstay on the
network for more than a decade, having premiered her first series, Paula's
Home Cooking in 2002. Her current show, Paula's Best Dishes, is still
airing new episodes, but its unclear if and when Food Network will remove the
show from its lineup.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.