Disgraced Paula Deen to Host New Cooking Show for No Good Reason

Paula Deen, the troubled (and possibly racist) former Food Network megastar, is returning to basic cable with a new cooking/lifestyle show. Starting next week, Deen will host Positively Paula, described as part cooking show, part talk show, Extra reports.

Royal Academy Films is producing Positively Paula, which will be filmed at Deen’s Savannah home. Deen will host friends, family, and the occasional celebrity guest at her home while demonstrating recipes and likely depleting the world’s butter supply.

Jaret Keller, president and creative director at Key Group Worldwide, the publicity firm representing the show, did not respond to questions via phone. He did note in an email that the show will be syndicated and is unaffiliated with PaulaDeen.com.

Positively Paula sounds like it will be similar to the format of Deen’s old Food Network show Paula’s Best Dishes, which was pulled from programming in 2013 after her botched response to allegations of racist comments.

This is simply the next move in a long series of steps the public figure is taking during what has been an incredibly drawn out comeback plot. Last year Deen announced a new show on Evine, a Home Shopping Network-style cable network, which seems like little more than a television-based cooking catalogue featuring Paula Deen-branded merchandise.

Positively Paula/Official Site

Following her removal from the Food Network in 2013, Deen purchased the rights to her old shows, launched PaulaDeen.com, appeared on Dancing With the Stars, launched a clothing line, and generally seems ready to snag every opportunity to be in the spotlight.

For this new project, Deen has 26 episodes lined up. "We're gonna laugh, cry but generally just have a ball!" the show’s website reads. Expect to see Southern dishes such as potato salad, fried chicken, banana pudding, and mac and cheese. The show includes visits to Tybee Island, Ga., and Daufuskie Island, S.C., along with a trip to Deen’s hometown, Albany, Ga.

Positively Paula will air in select markets around the country. A full lineup of the season is available online, along with a preview. The show airs its first episode on October 15.

• Exclusive! Paula Deen to Launch New Syndicated Cooking and Lifestyle Show [Extra]

• How Paula Deen Plans to Weasel Her Way Back Into America's Heart in 13 Easy Steps [E]

• All Paula Deen Coverage on Eater [E]