Attention all those who love Paula Deen.

We’ve been getting your emails. Your phone calls. We’re pretty sure the good old fashioned mail will soon follow.

We get that you are mad about her contract not being renewed. The problem is, you are calling and writing the wrong people.

Yes, we are The Food Channel. Have been since the 1980s, when we trademarked the name and used it for a newsletter, then a website. However, we are not The Food Network, the company that helped to make Paula Deen a household name. Nor are we The Cooking Channel. Both of those broadcast channels are owned by the Scripps Television Network.

We are not owned by Scripps. We are independently owned. We do not have a full channel on TV, although we are experimenting with taking some of our shows to TV—but unless you live in select test markets, you aren’t seeing them just yet. We don’t carry programming created by Paula Deen, nor do we carry Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Robert Irvine, Tyler Florence, Ina Garten, Giada, or any of those celebrity chefs that everyone enjoys watching (including us!).

So, the best we can do is point you to the Scripps Television Network snail mail address.

And we can publish a few of your letters.

You can find both at the bottom of this article.

And, if Paula Deen is interested in helping to grow the real Food Channel into something that you all will watch, we are all ears. We want to take her apology seriously, and believe we can be part of helping her use this as a way to address such issues in the future, if she so desires. Tell her to contact us at editor@foodchannel.com.

We’re getting her mail anyway.

Sample emails:

You have made a huge mistake today. Your choice to cancel Paula’s show has been a deciding factor for my husband and I never to watch your channel again.

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I am writing to you concerning statements that Paula Deen made 20 years ago. They are not really relevant to who she is now. I for one am no longer watching your program–and I am taking the time to email your sponsors, if this persists.

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I have been a long time viewer of the Food Channel. I watch every day and in the evening as well. I understand that Paula Deen has been released from her show. I am very angry and many of my friends are angry that you have released her.

If there is a man or woman on this earth that has never called a black person, or an Italian, or an Irishmen, or a Polish person, or a Jewish person a bad name when they have done something horrible, I would not believe it. You know you have, as we all have.

Paula Dean has publicly apologized for it. This happened years ago. She is no different that many others who have had a slip of the tongue and apologized for it, yet they have kept their contracts. Why is the Food Channel doing this?

Well, you have lost me and you have lost my friends. We are outraged at this inability to forgive her. She has made you millions and now you drop her? Sorry, but this was a stupid error on your part. You will lose many many viewers.

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I have enjoyed the food channel for many years. Unfortunately, your decision to cancel Paula Deen makes me realize how very petty and PC the management is. There is not a person over the age of 50 that has not used the “N” word. That word is still very much in vogue with black entertainers. What a shame that words used decades ago can have this effect. The liberal management of the Food Channel is gutless, and has lost me as a viewer and hopefully anyone with a sense of right and wrong.

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Cowards!

I am in the food service industry and in my area, south GA, most folks love Paula Deen, because she cooks like most of us do. For you to not renew her contract shows how big cowards you are. The accusations against her are crap, and you know it. You have bowed to the altar of political correctness and for that, you should and will suffer. I will no longer recommend any of my customers to you and, for sure, will no lover watch your . . . channel.

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Please put Paula Deen back on; don’t let her slip through your fingers. She made a mistake, a bad choice of phrase, and has apologized. Many have done worse and bounced back. She has done a lot of good, is good entertainment, and has a strong following. Please do not cancel her program.

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if this is how you treat honest people – we will not watch your channel anymore – I can’t believe how un-smart you are! – your contract is not renewed!

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I have been a fan of the Food Channel for several years. While the Paula Dean show is not my favorite, I object to your eliminating of her show just because she admitted to using the “N” word in the past. I don’t believe you will find many people in this country that can honestly saw they have never used this word and object to the networks position on this matter. I, for one, will discontinue to watch your network based upon the network’s decision. This country was built upon free speech.

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LEAVE HER ALONE HAVE YOU COMPLETELY LOST IT ?? WAKE UP. HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

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I can’t believe you are cancelling Paula Deen for a one-word mistake! She’s so popular, I hope you know that you are cutting your own throats by doing so. You should re-think it. She’s apologized for crying out loud!! Bet you’re going to be saying more than that after your ratings drop through the floor.

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Shame on you for firing Paula Deen. You just created prejudiced in its purist form.

I will never watch your channel ever again. I will make it my mission to tell everyone I know, face-to-face, through the social media to do the same, and all the major and local networks how ashamed I am of your actions. Shame on you! I hope I can convince 10 people, who will convince 10 more, who will convince 10 more, and so on. It will be my mission to have your network off the air in less than 12 months (maybe less).

Click! Good bye!

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Never again will I, nor any of my family, watch your channel. I will do everything I can to have it removed from the lineup on any cable or satellite provider that I use. I am going to post my displeasure of your actions on my Facebook page along with all groups, pages and blogs I participate in.

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As someone who has enjoyed your shows for years, I am quite disappointed in your firing of Paula Dean over alleged racial slurs made many years ago. This demonstrates significant short sightedness on your part and a pathetic attempt to demonstrate political correctness. I will no longer watch anything on your channel and will encourage friends and family to do the same.

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Boy, stupid stunt on your part today! I will never watch your channel again, jerk! One person can put her off the air. Paula is too nice! She should never have said she was sorry! I’m her age! That was common language in the south when I grew up. But what do you know, jerk!

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If you choose to fire Paula, my wife and I are firing you!

Let’s hope you fire every single person associated with your product that has ever used the N word. A thorough investigation of every staff member and contributor is demanded.

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My mother is 91 years old, a shut in and loves to watch Paula Deen. You have taken one of her favorite shows off the air by firing Paula. I hope who ever fired her has never said a bad word in their life or done anything that is dishonest. People are getting too thin skin and are so afraid of offending someone else of a different religion and race.

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You are making a huge mistake with Paula Deen…people in glass houses should cast the first stone…we will find another source of cooking….

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I just read with great sadness that you have fired Paula Dean. If you put every chef on your channel under oath and asked them if they have ever made a racial slur or told a racial joke, and all were truthful you would have to fire the entire group.

What someone did years ago and now regrets should not be reason for firing them. Paula is one of the most honest, tell the truth people in today’s spotlight. Political correctness on your channel has gone to far, and you are punishing her for telling the truth.

I will never watch your channel again. You are prejudice yourself, and hiding behind political correctness.

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Shame on you for firing this woman. You politically correct morons.

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Your treatment of Paula Deen is one of the cruelest things I have ever witnessed. The woman begged for forgiveness. She is a good woman. We all have said things we shouldn’t and just about. Everyone has used a racial slur at least in jest. (I do not find that acceptable or funny)

Paula Deen is a wonderful human being who will be scarred for life over this and who has she hurt?

You have lost many faithful viewers tonight. I am one of them.

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Dear Food Channel,

I like Paula Deen. I am not a racist, nor do I support racism. I am finding it very difficult to believe Paula Deen has done anything that rises to the level of the attention she is getting. Food Channel’s response to this is a bit cowardly considering how important Paula Deen has been to you for all of these years.

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Your announcement to take Paula Dean off your network has extremely disappointed us. AND for the reason you state is unacceptable. We are sending this email to our entire distribution list and suggesting all our friends and acquaintances do the same.

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I have been a daily viewer of the food channel for many years. However, unless you rehire Paula Deen, I will no longer watch your programming. She has done absolutely nothing wrong. She told the truth about having used the “N” word in the past, a word most likely used in the past by every southern person. Paula Deen is a sweet, entertaining woman who does not deserve the treatment you are subjecting her to. Again, renew her contact and let her get on with her life as a southern gentlewoman and entertainer.

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Paula Deen is one of my favorite shows, I think she has more than apologized for any misunderstanding, and if her show is pulled, I will no long watch your network. Because she has accepted any and all responsibility for any misunderstandings, I expect this network to stand behind her. I and ‘fifty seven bus loads of friends’ and greater are together on this.

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I LOVE PAULA DEEN. I’M BLACK. FIRE PAULA AND ITS MY LAST DAY OF WATCHING THE FOOD CHANNEL. END OF DISCUSSION. I ACCEPT HER APOLOGY. I WANT TO SEE HER COOK AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN HER BE ANYTHING BUT NICE TO HER GUESST. I CUSS A LITTLE MYSELF…SOMETIMES A LOT IN TRAFFIC!!! LEAVE HER ALONE!

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I will no longer be watching any of your programing, either on the Food Channel or your HGTV, I will really miss those shows that I have come to love and can’t live without. However your blatant stupidity and ignorance concerning the Paula Deen situation really saddens me.

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Food Channel, you lost two viewers today.

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When it comes to stupidity I have to believe you clowns at THE FOOD CHANNEL take the cake.

What’s next? I’m going to start sending out an e-mail asking friends and relatives and their friends and relatives to give your sponsors calls and e-mails to boycott their products, and THE FOOD CHANNEL altogether. The BOYCOTT starts with my wife and me.

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I will NEVER watch your channel again after you fired Paula Deen. She apologized for a comment . GET OVER IT!!!

I will encourage everyone I know to boycott your channel.

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Unless you reinstate Ms. Dean/s show, you will lose me and my family as viewers and supporters.

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I have been reading about the latest problems of Paula Dean and the racial slurs she has made. And I just saw where you will not renew her contract. I think this is too harsh. I am from the South and all of us are guilty of having uttered racial slurs in the past. But that is something we no longer do. Our parents were raised using those words and slurs and it rubbed off on lots of us. Once we found out how derogatory and hurtful they were, we never used them again. And we have taught our children and grandchildren not to use them and are very thankful that they do not use such language. They are helpful in erasing that kind of conduct, not only in the South, but everywhere. Paula Dean was raised in the South and was exposed to that kind of language. She admitted using such language in the past and has apologized for her past actions. Give her a break. Accept her apology and let her get on with her life. She has entertained millions and as you know, we Americans are a very forgiving bunch of people. So let’s back off and give this belle of the South a chance to prove how sorry she is for her past remarks. She could become a spokesperson for good manners and respecting the rights of people around the world. It is time for both sides to back off, regroup and see what good examples you can set for everyone else.

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If the Food Channel cancels Paula Deen’s show(s) many people, including myself, will not tune in to watch your channel ever again. There are many channel options for us foodies. I feel Paula Deen is being treated unfairly.

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What Paula Deen said years ago has no bearing on what she is today. I too grew up in an era when the N word was used freely, and yes I used it. I don’t use it or condone the use of it today. So now one of her previous employees, who is obviously disgruntled and looking for an easy payout from a wealthy television star, pulls the race card and you buy into it. I sincerely hope that the injustice that you have laid on Paula Deen today doesn’t cost you numerous viewers, but I have a suspicion that it will. Remember, “Let him that has no sin cast the first stone.”

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I can’t believe that you are cancelling Paula’s show because she said something wrong and apologized for it. You have chefs on there with spiked hair, bare feet, piercings and tattoos galore. You have chefs that cuss and swear. Haven’t you ever heard of forgiveness? My friends and I will be tuning out your channel. I hope America does the same.

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I am very disappointed in your action. Americans do have free speech….I do not use the word but I do defend the right of individuals to voice their opinion. It is alright for a person of that ethnicity to call one another that but a white or Caucasian can not.

I will now exercise my right and decide not to watch your channel.

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How very politically correct you are. I will never watch any shows on this channel again. Your dumping of Paula is despicable. Who and what are you afraid of

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I will not be watching food channel again. I have watched your show since it can on the air. I watch several hours a day. From this day forward I will not watch again and most of my friends will not watch either.

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Kicking Paula Deen to the curb for something she said twenty years ago, is ridiculous! As a wise man once said, “ He who is without sin cast the first stone.” This is not equality, it is cow-towing to a few “sacred cows”.

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If the Food Channel does not renew Paula Deen’s contract at the end of the term, I hope we are able to have enough signatures to have the Food Channel removed from all networks serving our part of the country.

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I will never watch the Food Channel or anything to do with it again since you fired Paula Deen. This is craziness.

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Hello, guess its time to find a different favorite channel, Paula Dean goes so does my Family….

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Taking Paula Deen off the Food Network will cause me and many family and friends from avoiding your channel and website. Please reconsider. Everyone makes a mistake and she is a wonderful woman and TV personality.

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I support Paula Deen. Please do not a “cultural indiscretion” ruin her. That’s the way she was reared and the “norm” for that area.

We can’t hold Emerile’s dialect against him; nor the Neely’s. We accept people for their uniqueness!

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And . . . one lone voice:

Thank you for sacking Paula Deen.

I have enjoyed her shows immensely through the years, but there is no excuse in this day and age for racism and for those who harbor racist views.

Ms. Deen had an obligation to uphold the values and integrity of the Food Channel, who caters to people of all races, religions, and genders. She had other options than to fail on that score. Instead, she self-destructed.

Please do not bow to any public pressure to rescind your justified actions in dropping Paula Deen. You did the right thing. Stick to it!

Address:

The Home of The Food Network

75 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10011