Walters accuses Deen of contributing to childhood obesity
When Savannah restaurateur Paula Deen appeared on “The View” Tuesday morning, the ABC Daytime talk show’s resident den mother Barbara Walters clearly had no appetite for the queen of cholesterol.
As usual, Deen arrived on set with a calorie-choked array of foodstuffs from her latest tome, “Paula Deen’s Cookbook for the Lunchbox Set,” her second literary effort aimed at small fry.
When Walters initially resisted the smorgasbord in front of her, Deen cracked: “Barbara, you’re not diving [in!]” and complimented Walters on her lady-like composure, comparing her to “my mama and my Aunt Peggy.”
As Paula pushed slices of strawberry cake to the other “View” co-hosts, Walters replied: “Let me act like your mother and ask you to hold off a minute.”
Deen looked a little stunned and licked her fingers as Walters scolded: “This is a cookbook for kids. Obesity is the number-one problem for kids today. Everything you have here is enormously fattening. You tell kids to have cheesecake for breakfast! You tell them to have chocolate cake and meatloaf for lunch. And French fries! Doesn’t it ever bother you that you’re adding to this?”
Deen, looking a bit uncomfortable replied: I think we have to teach our children, first off, Barbara, moderation.”
Snapped Walters: “Not when you’re giving them this!”
Deen then defended herself, saying: “No, I’m not saying that they should eat like this every day.”
In the interest of fairness, Deen’s was the final segment on the show as the noon hour approached. Perhaps, the bird-like Walters was feeling, well, peckish. . .
So, what’s your take?
Was Barbara right to ask the mayonnaise and butter booster some tough questions about her nutritionally negligent brand that she’s now marketing to kids?
Or is Walters just in drastic need of some Lady & Sons macaroni and cheese and she should let Deen alone?
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491 comments Add your comment
Ken Leebow
September 22nd, 2009
4:20 pm
While Paula Deen’s recipes are in a word fattening, she is in no way responsible for adult or childhood obesity. It’s called the Western diet and our culture breeds an environment of high-fat, high-sugar foods, with portions that are huge.
So, I’d blame Coke, Pepsi, McDonald’s and many other organizations like them before I would accuse a cook.
Ken Leebow
Author of the upcoming diet and healthy lifestyle book:
Feed Your Head, Not Your Stomach
Jst_Sayin
September 22nd, 2009
4:20 pm
Barbara is an old hag and needs to retire. Sick of her!
Jim Mora Jr.
September 22nd, 2009
4:22 pm
Barbara- you’re just as guilty of making your viewers ignorant with your liberal takes on everything. Pot, meet kettle.
mission man
September 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
The problem with childhood obesity is not due to all of home cooked meals they are eating.
JAMES
September 22nd, 2009
4:24 pm
This is the first time in my 49 years that i agree with Walters.
Kenbud
September 22nd, 2009
4:24 pm
I have seen Barbara Walters in person, and if she thinks for one INSTANT she is healthy, then she is fooling herself. She makes a toothpick look fat. What a hypocrite! Calista Flockhart has nothing on Barbara (and Diane Sawyer for that matter. Both are waif thin)
And I’m not going to even MENTION the cake layers of make-up she wears. What kind of message is that sending to little girls, Barb?
Eric Payne
September 22nd, 2009
4:25 pm
Barbara Walters was correct, but she was wrong. She was correct in stating that obesity is the number one health problem affecting children today. She was wrong in placing the blame on Paua Deen and/or any other cook and cookbook writer.
Cookbooks are only a tool – a reference. It’s up to PARENTS to control their child’s diet.
Hush, Puppy
September 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm
Maybe if Barbara ate a little more she wouldn’t be acting so b****y. I agree with Mrs. Deen. No one says to eat it everyday. Eating everything you like in MODERATION is healthy. Doing away with one certain food group, be it meat, starch, whatever, is NOT healthy. Your body requires all the food groups to be healthy. Knowing when to say “enough” and leave the table is what keeps you from becoming obese. Stop blaming the food for obesity. Blame the person who can’t stop shoving it in.
VEEMMMGEE
September 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm
Barbara is just hungry, old, and grouchy – someone give her a piece of gooey butter cake!!!
PEGGY
September 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm
If a man had said this to Paula, this would not be headline news. The media is just trying to start a cat fight.
Ryan
September 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Barbara was out of line and I think Paula deserves a public apology from Barbara. She in no way condones eating to the point that you turn obese. If the consumer sees that it is too fattening then DON’T BUY THE COOKBOOK!!! Classless move by Barbara. Almost as bad as what Kanye did to Taylor Swift.
SA
September 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Why was Deen even invited to the show if BW does not like her? The whole point is to promote the book isn’t it?
Mark
September 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Good for Babara. I think it’s high time more journalists start asking hard questions. This notion that you can’t ask hard questions of famous people has gotten us into quite a pickle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, some of the best, most insightful and most informative “journalism” these days is coming from The View and The Daily Show.
Rob
September 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Barbara Walters is the epitome of all that is going wrong in this country. It is the wimpification of America. It is like blaming rock music or TV for a kids behavior. It should start and end in the home. Maybe if kids had more homecooked meals instead of McDonalds and Burger King they would take more interest in cooking and eating helathy. Stop blaming or expecting society to raise our children and let the parents do it themselves.
Kathy
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Barbara is just another rude Yankee that looks down on anyone that “Y’all”
denise
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Barbara Walters is a AWFUL! She can’t say a kind word to save her life! She should be taken off of ALL TV shows! I can’t stand her!
Paula Deen is a dear and I say if didn’t want her bringing goodies and cookbooks, they shouldn’t have invited her on the show! She is filled with goodness!
Big Jon
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Barbara is trash. she has no class. She just hates southernors. Get em Paula. Paula’s got more class in her big toe that barbara got anywhere. Mean old woman never suprise me.
Waltersisahag
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Barbara Walters is a rude old hag and needs to give it up. She hasn’t retired yet! I wish the network would do a forced retirement on her. Her voice grates on my nerves too!
Sure, Paula Deen is force feeding kids! Old hag must be on a diet and couldn’t eat any of Paula’s good homecooking and it made her mad.
Lisa
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Barbara has a point BUT so does Paula Deen. It is our responsibility to teach our kids moderation. Cooking out of Paula Deen’s cookbooks would be a step up from eating fast food which is wayyy worse. Barbara should have taken her love of not so healthy food with a grain of salt. Go have lunch Barbara…
romebuzz
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
walters needs to mind her on business
Emette
September 22nd, 2009
4:29 pm
I don’t feel Paula Deen, Coke, Pepsi or Mcdonald’s is responsible for anyone being fat. You are responsible for yourself. You don’t have to each or drink those thinks. Parents are responsible for the kids and Adults are responsible for themselves. We as people need to stop blaming someoneelse for our problems.
Tony
September 22nd, 2009
4:29 pm
Barbara Walters needs someone to take her to task. She has pushed her form of liberalism down the mainstream media for years. A cookbook no more makes kids fat than a bicycle makes them skinny. It is sickening how so many people have the attitude that they know better how to fix the world. She needs to retire.
AnnieR
September 22nd, 2009
4:29 pm
Barbara Walters is one of the reasons I never watch the View….if I want to listen to a bunch of opinonated gals jabbering on about whatever, I’ll talk to my own friends – none of whom are as annoying as the cast of the View. Poor Paula was doing her thing and Baba Wawa had to bring her down just because she’s a beyotch! Babs, we can all look out for our own kids and their waistlines thank you! I’d rather hang out with Paula any day, (even if I didn’t fix her recipes every day).
Elle
September 22nd, 2009
4:30 pm
Figures. Barbara can kiss politician ass and avoid the tough questions, but she wastes no time ripping into Paula Deen. Yes, childhood obesity is a serious problem, but it’s not Deen’s fault.
Perhaps BW is past the point of being unbiased and should retire? Does she even like anyone? Or does she yell “Get off my lawn!” to everyone now?
Hush, Puppy
September 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
It’s not the food making your little couch potatoes obese. It’s lack of exercise. You can eat whatever you want, as long as you have healthy exercise to work it off. Too many parents are using video games and t.v.’s as babysitters these days, and don’t make their little marshmallows get out and get some fresh air and exercise like we did in the 50’s and 60’s, before cable t.v. and video games. We WANTED to be outdoors, and our parents had trouble getting us back in. We used our imaginations and got plenty of exercise. Our mothers cooked potatoes, breads, cakes, cookies, etc. (homemade, of course), and we ate our share, and stayed THIN. Tell you kids, EAT…then go outside and play…put some color in your cheeks!!!
TheJadedCynic
September 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Of course Barbara Walters was right when she called Paula Deen out for her recipes. My wife and I watch her show often, and whenever we do, I am appalled by the recipes she suggests. I usually joke that her desserts are like a heart attack on a plate! Atkin’s she ain’t!
Kim
September 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
You can’t tell me that all the fast food and eating out is not contributing to childhood obesity! I have always cooked at home, and not many of my friends do. And I used to cook a lot like her. My child was never obese. Portion control is key. But go ahead and drive your kids to McDonalds if you want and just blame Paula.
Mary
September 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Paula Deen would’ve made a better contribution by publishing a cookbook that had fun, HEALTHY food for kids.
Steve
September 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Barbara Walters needs to retire and issue a public apoplogy to Paula Dean. She was totally out of line.
Steph
September 22nd, 2009
4:32 pm
I dont thing Babs was blaiming Deen for childhood obesity, just making a point that when the rest of the country is becoming more aware of it, and trying to do something about it, Deen’s cookbook seems to be counter productive.. do you let your kids eat cheesecake for breakfast? I dont…
faybee
September 22nd, 2009
4:33 pm
Enter your comments here Children sitting on their butts is what makes them fat. You hardly see them outside playing anymore.
Dave
September 22nd, 2009
4:33 pm
Pretty tacky to ambush a guest on the show. She could have easily made her feelings known without having Paula there in person. Having said that, childhood obesity and obesity in general is a problem and promoting this for children isn’t right, either.
overit
September 22nd, 2009
4:34 pm
There would be less childhood obesity if those kids would move instead of being on the sofa in front of the TV. And Barbara Walters needs a lesson in good manners.
Meme
September 22nd, 2009
4:34 pm
If Barbara Walters didn’t like the recipes and their ingredients and felt they contribute to childhood obesity, why did they invite her to the show, a more diplomatic way to handle your objections and distaste for such would be to not have her appear at all.
fender bug
September 22nd, 2009
4:34 pm
Only a conservative would start on Barb about her politics in an ugly way when we are talking about food. As an independent I am frankly sick of the conservatives calling people ignorant or other names. Barb is trying to make a point – and a valid one. If you look at Paula’s sons you will see that they did not end up fat after a lifetime of Paula food – moderation? Most of all, I think it would be great to have the time to make a special lunch for my child ! a feast at that !!
Suzanne Warner
September 22nd, 2009
4:34 pm
Enter your comments here She was not only rude to Paula, but just plain ignorant. It made me totally turned off and I will doubt be watching if she is on. Parents are responsible, not Paula for their kids diet and activity level. She probably eats junk herself and just “throws up”.. or takes a pill to wean her from a little fat.. Lost this fan.
Gimme a break
September 22nd, 2009
4:35 pm
In my opinion these comments show that Barbara Walters is more of the problem with obesity than Paula Deen could ever be! Walters is more of the problem because she is blaming the food instead of blaming the TRUE cause! Americans don’t exercize! We are too busy sitting on our butts watching TV like “The View” instead of the kids getting out and playing! People have cooked like Paula Deen for over 100 years but the obesity epidemic is not that old!
Lisa
September 22nd, 2009
4:35 pm
Enter your comments here
The problem is not what the kids are eating and drinking but the fact that they don’t have recess or PE anymore and all they do is sit around and play video games. Get your kid outside playing and they will burn off all those calories. Play sports!
Free advice for fatties!
September 22nd, 2009
4:35 pm
Who cares what Paul Deen eats? Good lord people, start taking responsibility for your lives and your kids’. YOU are the reason why you’re fat. And YOU are the reason why your kid’s a lazy tub of lard. Not freaking Paul Deen and her cookbook collection. It’s time to shape up, chubbies, and stop blaming other people for your stupidness and lazy habits. Stop whining already and join a gym. And don’t eat cheesecake for breakfast.
wishpauladwasmymomma (since mine has passed)
September 22nd, 2009
4:36 pm
Baba Wawa needs to stuff her piehole with some of Mama Paula’s good cookin’.
Meredith
September 22nd, 2009
4:37 pm
Paula Deen’s gross… licking her fingers….
Bama Aaron
September 22nd, 2009
4:37 pm
Barbara Walters is a liberal idiot. Paula Deen isn’t making anyone fat with her cookbooks. It’s up to a parent to control and moderate what their kids eat. And then make them get up and play and exercise instead of falling in front of a tv or PS3 or a computer. Lack of physical activity is what is making most of America fat, not just the kids!
KP
September 22nd, 2009
4:38 pm
I for one love Paula Deen. No we shouldn’t eat the foods she cooks everyday, but what she has done with the food she cooks is her legacy. The way she cooks is the way I was raised eating. Barbara needs to keep her skinny butt in the North and eat those pretty meals she’s used to.
carole
September 22nd, 2009
4:38 pm
Barbara and all those View women are to be ignored. They are without any class.
Gladys
September 22nd, 2009
4:38 pm
I like Barbara Walters, and always will. She is a force of nature. Before Katic Couric and all of the other women had anything to do with newscasting she was there. She faced a whole lot of persecution before being promoted and succeeding in life.
But everyone makes mistakes. It would have been better if she had looked at the book and just not invited Paula Deen to the show. It is her show, isn’t it? I don’t think it’s right to invite someone to your show with the intention of insulting them and their work. I feel bad for Paula Deen. She probably was wide open and very vulnerable and Barbara Walter may have really caught her off guard on national TV.
Wayne
September 22nd, 2009
4:39 pm
Enter your comments here
What has BW done for kids? Where is her quide to the child/adult paper thin body. She has no right to be critical of anyone. I believe her past personal actions speak wonders for her ability to confront anyone. Talking about the pot and the kettle.
TED
September 22nd, 2009
4:40 pm
Yet another reason I do not watch THE VIEW, or listen to BABA WAWA.
Tom
September 22nd, 2009
4:40 pm
Let’s face it, Barbara Walters is a no it all. If the author had been an Jewish mother from the West Side of Manhattan she would have coo’ed at her. If she had been from Los Angeles and had a recipe book to cook Mexican cuisine, it would have been marvelous.
But to have a southern woman come on her show and cook something tasty and fun, it has to be bad.
There are a great many reasons why I left New York. The Barbara Walters of the world are one of them…
Store Brand Fan
September 22nd, 2009
4:41 pm
Good message from Barbara; lousy delivery. Maybe she WAS feeling peckish.
I just hope everyone tuned in today were watching it from their treadmills.
DMK
September 22nd, 2009
4:41 pm
Whether Babs thought the food was good or bad for children, she should have politely allowed Ms. Deen to finish her segment. Harbara can give her comments later. It was rude to have behaved this way with Paula Deen present. What good did her comments do other than to make her look opioniated and intolerant!