Howard Stern just returned from their weekend break, and Howard was shot out of a cannon. He praised James Gandolfini for his work and then defended Paula Deen's racist comments. After listening to several of Deen's past interviews, Stern changed his mind.
Stern opened up his morning talk show with a tribute to the late Gandolfini. While Stern has never met the man, he was a huge fan of his work.
Frequently, he lists ‘The Sopranos’ as one of his favorite shows. Even now, long after its finale, he champions the HBO hit as one of America’s greatest TV shows.
Stern touched on Gandolfini’s obesity and love for alcohol as the leading factors in the man’s death. James was only 51-years-old when his son found him having a heart attack.
After some touching words, Stern launched into a dialogue about celebrity chef, Paula Deen.
“Paula Deen...this woman, I have never watched her show ever. Ever! I mean, if anything, they should have taken her show off the air for irresponsible cooking. I mean, talk about unhealthy. Isn’t she the woman who fries donuts and everything. Everything is fried. Right? I mean... a pound of butter in everything!”
“So, the short version of the story is...she is part of a lawsuit, it’s a whole complicated mess...but for some reason she went on the stand and they said to her “Did you ever use any racial slurs”. And she says “Well let me think about it...maybe I did in the past.” Now, I know white people and I’m gonna tell you something...I’ve never used racial slurs.
“I could actually go on the stand and admit that. I have never used racial slurs in my personal life. It was something in my family that we didn’t do. But, I know white people and I know black people...racial slurs were thrown around by every racial group. I mean...are we really gonna say that if someone takes the stand and admits to using the n-word...and is being honest...I’m just wondering...Why is she losing her job?”
“I mean...I guess she said the n-word. A thousand years from now, archaeologists are not going to even know what the ‘n-word’ even means. Do you agree Robin?”
Robin did agree.
Howard, after defending Paula Deen, played her apology video...and laughed, hysterically. So did the entire studio. And after he played more interviews of Deen in the past, Stern seemed more confused than ever.
At one point, Deen compared a gentleman’s color to a black board and claimed that this is the way they do things in the South.
As a Southerner, I assure you it’s not.
Howard's final conclusion was that Deen is so racist that she should open up for comediene Lisa Lampanelli, who performs racial humor.
