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How self-absorbed is Paula Deen? We count the ways ...

> Love her or hate her? What do you think about Paula Deen?

By Mark Fisher

Staff Writer

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

OK, we understand the need to "establish the brand" and all that marketing mumbo jumbo, but really: In the July-August issue of "Cooking With Paula Deen," Paula Deen's photograph appears 23 times in the first 26 pages of the magazine. In ads, in stories, in plugs for her Food Network show, in contest announcements — you name it.

We decided to see whether such narcissism is contagious, so we examined the June-July issue of "Every Day With Rachael Ray" for comparison purposes. We counted only three images of Rachael in the magazine's first 26 pages.

Perhaps we should launch a contest of our own: Guess how many times Paula Deen's image will appear in the next issue of her magazine? The winner can win a framed photograph of — um — Paula Deen.

Love her or hate her? What do you think about Paula Deen?

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By Cheryl

July 28, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Paula Deen is successful. Therefore she’s fair game for those that are not. Do you really think it’s SHE that wants her face plastered all over her magazine? I believe she’s a strong independent business woman, however, I also am certain that the marketing done for her..isn’t BY her. So narcissism does not come into play here. I think that anyone that has watched and followed Paula Deen over the years would know she’s anything but narcissitic.

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By Big Sandy Mom

July 17, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Do you seriously have nothing better going on in your life that you have to count how many times Paula Deen apears in her own magazine? There are wars and recessions going on right now. Is that not more important. Paula Deen has dealt with many demons in her life. And has pulled herself up by the bootstraps and made something of herself. She should be praised. Not ridiculed.

By Amusing

July 17, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

If this paper pays “reporters” to count pictures, I’d love an apllication ! Come on, is there nothing else happening in your part of the world that you can report on? If you knew anything about the woman that you write about, you’d know that she has fought long and hard to get where she is today, too bad you don’t know the meaning of “working hard”.

By Proud Navy Wife

July 16, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

It’s her magazine and it’s her face that sells. People want to SEE Paula Deen. It’s not narcisism, it’s business!!! Plain and simple. If this is all you have to report then you obviously aren’t a very skilled reporter…

By Jim Linthicum

July 16, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Sounds to me that DDN wants to create some sort of rivaly between Paula Deen and Rachel Ray. GIVE ME A BREAK! If I want to read tabloid trash I’ll go to MSN or Slate.

You have much more class than that….C’mon DDN enough already!!!

By Fisher Fan

July 16, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Hey, people. You’re reading the thing, taking the time to comment, and that’s the point. We’ve only ourselves to blame for what the DDN is doing - I, for one, am ALL FOR IT! I love snotty commentary on celebs who think they’re too big for their size 22 britches!

GO MARK FISHER!

By Roberta

July 16, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

What a waste of space. I’m sure any high school reporter could do a better job than this. Who cares about how many photos of her are in her publications? What matters is how good her food tastes!

By ted

July 16, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

How many pictures of Oprah are in her magazine? She even puts herself on the cover of each one, but she’s a liberal so the DDN gives her a pass!!

By DoomsDaysNear

July 16, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of people out of work in Dayton who would love to “earn” a paycheck. DDN needs to can Mark Fisher and give someone else a chance. Any of those teenagers that hang around the bus stop at Third and Main have more writing talent than he does. He just wishes that as many people cared about his writing as much as they do Paula’s.

By North

July 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

My wife and I have dined at Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons in Savannah, GA sevral times. If you have ever had her crabcakes, mac & cheese, chicken pot pie or dessert, you would believe she is entitled to her picture on every page. Go Paula!

By lori

July 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Surely you have better things to do than count how many times a photo is in a magazine??? You would not last a minute on my payroll if that is all you ahd to do with your time. For Christmas…maybe you will receive a Paula Deen magazine where she is on EVERY page :o)

By nmw

July 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why people will read an article about someone they have never heard of or have no interest in. Then they make nasty comments about the subject of the article and/or the writer of the article. Get a life people! If you don’t know who the person is or don’t like the person, don’t read the article and then complain about it. Simple as that! As for Paula, I think she is amazing! Very entertaining & her recipes are great.

By Bobo

July 16, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

No, this article isn’t news or particularly relevant to anything important, but guess what? Neither is the sports section.

By cletus

July 16, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

DDN please take note. The next time that you our looking to trim the fat off of your company please note that Mark Fisher is counting pictures in magazines at work. I would label this as prime candidacy for termination or layoff. Please hire a good writer in his place or reeducate him.

By Paula

July 16, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Hey Ya’ll….I jest luv to tease ya’ll with my greasy recipes and even more than that I luv smackin’ my lips on television for ya’ll in one of my MANY state of the art kitchens. Thanks ya’ll fer buyin’ my books and fer watchin’ my cookin’ shows and fer makin’ shore I get $$$ from my sponsors. I shore luv the smell of that….more than the smell of bacon fryin’.

By Brittany

July 16, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I swear, the DDN is going downhill. I don’t mind celebrity gossip, however….this article was just a complete waste of time. It wasn’t the least bit juicy or interesting.

Personally, if I am going to waste my money on a Paula Deen magazine, I wouldn’t mind seeing her face plastered all over it.

By Me

July 16, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Paula is beautiful and she knows it. STOP HATING on her. Its her magazine and she can be on every single page if she wants to be. Leave her alone.

By DC

July 16, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

I LOVE Paula Deen! She’s one of the few cooks that actually looks like she eats! Everything I’ve made from her recipes has been awesome!

By Edy

July 16, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

As long as she doesn’t play kissy face with her husband I like to watch Paula Deen occasionally. I’ve picked a few recipes from her show and the website but I wouldn’t buy the magazine. That’s why they have a website! However if I was an obscessed fan I would. I think DDN subscriptions are down because they don’t put more pictures in it. A picture is worth a couple thousand words. More pictures please!

By Nicola

July 16, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Pets of local news reporters has already been done. I find both Paula Deen and Rachel Ray to be extremely annoying. Giada’s head is unusually large and difficult to look out without some discomfort.I don’t read their magazines. Why waste my money? I love the Food Network, love to cook, but much prefer Alton Brown or Martha Stewart (I know, not food network) to those two annoying broads. You can actually learn something from them.

By Erin

July 16, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

I love Paula Deen and I own a subscription to her magazine. Besides the great recipes it’s full of character just like her. If you knew anything about Paula Deen you would be congratulating her on her popularity and not trying to slam it. Isn’t there enough negativity, now you have to go after a harmless southern chef trying to make people happy. Shame on you.

By Moe Baker

July 16, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I thought I was in the minority when I discontinued my subscription to the DDN last year (not so!). I got tired of trying to find news items of importance (or interest) within the tons of ads, idiotic articles, plus the constant bashing Mike Peters does on the President. Paula Deen is a successful woman; more power to her, but this article certainly isn’t what a city newspaper in Dayton, OH should be using as a main story. DDN is THE most moronic newspaper I’ve ever read. (been in OH 29 years).

By Irrelevant

July 16, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Paula who? How does this matter? It kind of scares me that more people comment on some person who’s apparently a televised cook than they do the presidential election and other things that are actually socially relevant. Panem et circenses, I guess. (Look it up.)

By HHRes

July 16, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

To comment on the person who said that only “fatties” watch the food network….two words for you - GROW UP! I watch the food network, subscribe to “Taste of Home” magazine, and invest in many cookbooks. With the economy the way it is, my family cannot afford to eat out more than once a month so I do the above-listed things to learn new recipes. It makes dinnertime with my family more enjoyable.

By Anon.

July 16, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Honestly DDN! This is the 2nd time this summer you’ve had an article that was more deserving of the Star or Enquirer! It’s no wonder this rag of a newspaper is losing subscribers. What a gossipy, crappy article! Mark Fisher, are you perfect? Are you better than her? Why do you judge? He who is without sin…

By Roger

July 16, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

This is why I don’t buy your “newspaper” anymore. Too many fluff pieces and not enough real news stories. All your paper is now is ads and fluff. I get my news from the internet and radio. Who needs you?

By HHRes

July 16, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Geez…people puhleeze. Ease up already. Newspapers aren’t all filled with “newsy” articles. They have celebrity gossip, human interest, travel, business, etc. So what if they have an article about Paula Deen. I find it funny that you complain about the waste time it took this reporter to write this, but you did read it and commented on so I guess he did his job…getting you to read the DDN. Great work Mark - keep it up :o)

By iluv markfisher

July 16, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Look my other comments have disappeared….Imagine that…The DDN asks for your comments. So you give them comments about how terrible of an article and reporter they have as their “headline news”. And what do you get???? Your comment deleted. Whether or not Paula Deen should cover her own magazine with her pictures is her business…….This is exactly why I do not pay for the DDN. If you don’t want the publics comments don’t put up a message board. Great job Mark Fisher and the DDN!!!!!

By Chris

July 16, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Paula Dean? I am so glad the Dayton Daily News feels this is ‘upfront material’ and not something better served in the ‘Lifestyles’ Section. Sure she’s annoying, who on television isn’t annoying. If it isn’t Paula’s hokieness, you can be rest assured it’s Giada’s phony smile.. Perhaps the Lifestyle Section could tell me why Riverside Drive was roped off Monday afternoon, since it isn’t as upfront as a Paula Dean story…What’s next, Pets of Local News Reporters?

By Papa Ubu

July 16, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

But this book left out the photo of Paula Deen looking through the window of a never open art gallery in the BoringAgain District!

By Sara

July 16, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I love Paula Deen. Her story of overvcoming poverty, an anxiety dissorder, and sadness is a story we can all learn from. She actually worked hard and devoted her life to her businesses and that got her where she is today. I have been to a live taping of Paula’s Party and she is even funnier in person. For the life of me I cannot understand why you would look thru a magazine of a person you do not care for just to complain about that person being in it? I say pick up “Journalism for Dummies”

By kal

July 16, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Paula Deen has built a great career for herself, starting as a single mother making sack lunches that she sold,she now has a successful restaurant and television show. Before Mr. Fisher wrote this article I wonder if he bothered to do any research at all about the charity she does and what a gracious person she is. Oh wait, I forgot, we are talking about a DNN reporter. Try searching anything on the internet and I’m sure you will find MANY interesting and well written articles.

By Sharon

July 16, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Is the DDN turning into some stupid tabloid or sad blog site??? They pay you to write this crap??? This is not news and if you are going to run a column to bash somebody I can think of a lot more deserving people than Paula Deen.

By dm

July 16, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

gee wiz yeah i agree with the rest of these people find something more interesting to write on paula is a great lady and an awesome cook you should try some of her recipes, there are more world issues that should be addressed

By Dale G.

July 16, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I meet her at her restsurant in Savannah,”Lady & Sons”. She is very nice and what I would call,”bubbly.” As far as her accent thats her.Get a life.

By JUDI P

July 16, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

You people and your comments are perfect examples of why this area SUCKS. Everything is negative>you pick successful people apart ( because you obviously aren’t). Not a good word to say about events, stores, restaurants, EITHER political party, schools…….anything. Ohio is known as a loser state. Wonder why? She’s not the greatest there is, no, but she’s worked long and hard to be where she is. NO UNION HELPED HER PUSH HER THOUGH LIFE. AND SHE’S FOR REAL. SO IS THE ACCENT, YOU IDIOT.

By sw

July 16, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I think Paula Deen is warm, funny and a very gifted cook. I think she may have tried to push her sons off on all of us to further their bank accounts, but I just love her anyway.

By Awesome Ppr

July 16, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Who is that? Is she a local person with ties to this area? I’d like to see an artical about if anyone likes Josh Brink…he’s not from around here but I went to college with him.

By stayinhome

July 16, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

why on earth would anyone care how many pitures there are? I dont eat her recipes because they all have “a stick of butter’ in them, however i think they look awsome. Its her mag! I agree with shopgirl definitly nice to watch a woman on tv who is a normal size and not . also agree with hungry….lets read a review of a restaurant

By Paul

July 16, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Paula Deen can be a bit self-absorbed, but not in a bad way. She is a celebrity and that comes with the territory. I’m more annoyed with the Neely’s (which now have 2 shows due to her influence). I love their restaurant in Memphis, but their show on FN is so annoying, I can’t bring myself to watch more than a few minutes.

By PJ

July 16, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I think Mark Fisher needs to get a life. I am glad the DDN waste money on loosers like this!!

By Susan

July 16, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

I love Paula!! I think she great! I am from the south and I just love her!

By Jamie

July 16, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

I love this woman! She reminds me of my grandma! And about her magazine, I agree - it’s her mag; people buy it because she is in it. People go to her restaurant and line around the building hours before opening in hopes to catch a glimpse of her.

By Chris

July 16, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

I agree with MC. Why such a negative article? Don’t you think that people around Dayton have enough to worry about than Paula Deen. Her upbeat attitude is what the world needs more of. Why aren’t there more positive articles to help lift peoples spirits?

By James

July 16, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Paula WHO??? Who watches the Food Network anyway? Fatties??

By Chris

July 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I agree with MC. Why such a negative article? Don’t you think that people around Dayton have enough to worry about than Paula Deen. Her upbeat attitude is what the world needs more of. Why aren’t there more positive articles to help lift peoples spirits?

By painfultruth

July 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Gosh, this IS a major issue! Forget bank failures, a bear stock market and a housing collapse. The DDN is truly lost in space. Like, does anyone really care about a TV chef? Get real, you dummies!

By $140,000

July 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I mispelled “write” my fault, but Mark you need to cover something else and write about it like “How many straight men read Paula’s magazine”? Cause your not

By jj

July 16, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

I used to watch her but got tired of her corny fake accent. Gimme a darn break. Come on DDN lets do better than this, and btw who cares?

By PDFan

July 16, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I Love Paula Deen, she’s an awesome cook. You should try some of the food she cooks, it’s wonderful. She’s a beautiful lady and it’s her magazine and it should be all about her, pictures or not.

By jj

July 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

That accent of hers is such a fake. I used to watch her but got tired of her corny accent

By $140,000

July 16, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Every article you right (this should be you last) has your name “Mark Fisher” after it,right? Well if she wants to have her face on ALL the pages she can, it’s her magazine. Stop hating because she has her own book and all you do is write for the “DINKY DAILY NEWS”

By Fan

July 16, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Leave Paula alone! She is one of the only ones I like to watch on the Food Network. She always prepares dishes that look so delicious and not too hard to make. Rachael Ray always ruins her dishes somehow by putting something nasty in it!

By Bob

July 16, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Paula Deen’s persona comes across as incredibly fake and overdone on television. I guess that attitude carried over into print form too.

By Bubba

July 16, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Who?

By AS

July 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

wow! you guys must be really hard up for stories…I wish I could count pictures in magazines at my job.

By SK

July 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Enjoyed watching her until she made a breakfast sandwich with 2 (not 1 but 2!) glazed donuts instead of a bun. That’s when I knew she was scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas and was on her way to being a 500 lb host. I predict her show will tank and she’ll move on to The Biggest Loser.

By carol

July 16, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Its hers. Who cares how many times she is in it. She is a hoot.

By cmd

July 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Yeah, really, Mark - get a life!

By shopgirl

July 16, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Love her! She reminds me of my old Southern aunts and grandma. Plus, I love that she’s not some half naked skinny woman wearing a skimpy outfit and trying to advertise something.

By MC

July 16, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Love her!!! After all, just whose picture would you expect to see in a magazine called “Cooking with Paula Deen?” and why the attempt at such a negative article anyway???

By Hungry

July 16, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Why don’t you go review a restaurant? I’d love to read about that!

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