Paula Deen's Sons Were Mad About Pharma Deal, Say Rumors

Paula Deen's diabetes announcement has stirred up anger and loathing from across the food world. For evidence, you don't need to look much further than the comment boards of any story HuffPost Food has posted on the topic.

But the circle of critique seems to get narrower and narrower. First, it was revealed that Paula didn't have the support of fellow celebrity chefs, or even her own publicist. And now rumors say that even Deen's own sons opposed her decision to endorse diabetes drug Victoza.

Allegedly, Deen had been taking a different diabetes medication before she inked her $6 million to rep Victoza, which is injected daily. And the New York Post reports that Bobby and Jamie, the hosts of new Cooking Channel show "Not My Mama's Cooking," were afraid that switching away from her successful treatment to a new one -- just for the sake of a few million dollars -- could endanger their mothers' health.

That's because Victoza, which is manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, is just one of several high-profile diabetes medications on the market. Today even brought the news that a drug, Bydureon, which has to be injected just once a week, had just been approved for use by the FDA. Like Victoza, it's derived from a hormone found in Gila monsters -- but unlike Victoza, it isn't being endorsed by a famous celebrity chef.

But even if the Victoza deal did set off a Deen family feud, the trio seems to have patched things up. Bobby and Jamie had said at first that they were going to stick by Paula's now-ex publicist Nancy Assuncao, perhaps a show of solidarity with Assuncao's anti-Victoza views. But since then, they have allegedly decided to hire Paula's new publicity firm, the Rose Group in Los Angeles.

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Comments

[EnjoyLife9]

04:27 PM on 02/02/2012

Big Pharma and it's endorsers...yeah that's the solution to our obese society getting fatter every year and just want a pill or injection to fix it vs our lazy lifestyle choices and eating fast food. The low fat diet so many bought into actually has made us Fatter. Instead let's look at a trial that was done with several people who were diabetic and changed their diet for 30 days and their results here
http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?af=1391543 or choose to look for the magic pill and believe your Drs like my Mom did 24 years ago and has suffered with weight gain bc of insulin and now limited mobility, back pain and worse. She did not cook like Paula at all and now barely has an appetite. Glad I don't have the mindset to blindly accept the Dr's solution especially if it is a Rx. Wish my Mom was paid millions for taking those meds but I would have used it for hiring a cook and holistic team to work with her and get her off it and cure her vs masking it.

[texarican]

02:25 PM on 02/01/2012

Sheesh. Paula Deen is not handing out freebies of this medication on the streets. The drug can only be taken with a valid prescription. What counts is a doctor's approval, not Paula Deen's endorsement.

Same with managing one's diet. I don't see Paula Deen or any other celebrity chef force-feeding anyone. Grow up, folks.

[hutom]

10:39 PM on 02/24/2012

That's a classic straw man. Nobody is talking about force-feeding. But the entire business of pushing food that causes diabetes and then peddling diabetic drugs for money - people do have the right to make comments - even nasty ones - at that. You need to grow up - really.

[Suzanne4sure]

06:11 PM on 01/31/2012

Yea two things about this: They will not turn down the money she makes from the pharma endorsement and banks when her estate is settled, which proves the "apple does not fall too far from the tree" and maybe Paula should have eaten more apples then saturated fat laden apple pie.

[Frog in a pot]

03:12 PM on 01/31/2012

Just anouther example of the lengths Americans will go for a buck.
Killing americans used to be profitable just during wars...

[NLPMan]

01:04 PM on 01/31/2012

Paula Deen with the help of her new PR firm have decided to silence all of her detractors with a promotional strategy that steers the ship right into the iceberg. She is releasing a new cookbook which says adios forever to calorie counting and sayonara to life expectancy concerns. Her new book will feature such hidden Deen family favorites such as Peanut Butter and Jelly Donut sandwich, Bear Paw BLT, Deep Fried Egg McMuffin, Grilled Ham and Cheese Eclair, Turkey, Ham and Cheese Club Sandwich on Strawberry pop-tart and Tuna Salad and Cinnamon cruller sandwich. To keep the dietary induced health crisis cash flow going she will be opening nationwide clinics to help people break the spirit crushing habit of eating vegetables and fruits. She will call it "Not Your Momma's Healthy Cooking". Michelle Obama has already been targeted in a series of ads as the Anti-Christ or "Muslim Fiber Consumer".

[Mr Hoodoo]

10:54 AM on 01/31/2012

Regarding this and her being "Busted" for chowin' on a big ol' cheese burger and all the Deen-apologists who screach "Leave Paula Alone!" like that Chirs Crocker kid of "Leave Britney Alone!" silliness, and who say that Paula's entitled to do what ever she wants and it's her private business and maybe only between her and Novo Nordisk my reply to that is as follows as posted to here in this exchange:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Mr_Hoodoo/paula-deen-cheeseburger_n_1234721_131858710.html

“She IS part of the product as she and what she sells, her integrity as the product, in the way she conducts herself, how she eats, what she eats, and is trying to sell via those things and her lifestyle, is what both the Cooking Channel and now, for some six million dollars, Norvo Nordisk, are selling as a quality product.

Being the pitchperso­n is very much part of the product. And We, The Buying Public, have every right and legitimate reason to call into question Paula Deen as the product.

Sorry, that's the reality of being a public salesperso­n that sells a lifestyle.”

[Mr Hoodoo]

10:43 AM on 01/31/2012

"Paula Deen's Sons Were Mad About Pharma Deal"

Until they took a few minutes to think long term and thought, "mom ain't gonna be around for much longer, especially if she keeps chowin' on those Ladies Brunch Burgers, so all that will come to us."

"Hey, ma! Let us make you a couple double cheese Ladies with a big ol' bowl of Krispie Kreme Bread Pudding, you sweet thang you! Extra butter an' sugar? Well, DUH!"

[Halsey]

10:23 AM on 01/31/2012

First, Hold the phone..WHO discovered (or even thought of) "..hormone found in Gila monsters.." I mean WTH? do Gila's never get diabetes? Please..someone TELL me..do they have to kill the gila's or just take some blood and filter it?(gila's aren't warm and fuzzy..but I still don't like the killing of something when diet.lifestyle change is the first option).
My guess, her sons, while at first tee'd off..KNOW who butters their bread. Without big Mama..there'd be no "No my Mama's cooking" show.

I think many of us are disappointed with the blantant money grab. If I were offered $6 mill..sure..I'd be a hyprocrite..but Paula is already rich! How much is enough? Next..and trust me I DO NOT wish this..what happens with Norartis, if the change from her reg. medicine..has Paula fall into a diabetic coma? I don't think this was a wise move on Norartis part (biz wise)...I HOPE she does okay. I may not approve of her antics.but don't want anything bad to happen..that is very very true.

[Mr Hoodoo]

10:59 AM on 01/31/2012

To the first, it's likely they can, as with snake venom, retain the chemical in some non-invasive method.

To the latter, as we've found out over the last couple decades, especially since pResident dubya/cheney's illegitimate regime and onward, that with 1%ers there's never enough money. They need to grab it all, in any way possible, no method is off limits, no amount of craven, nlatant, hypocrisy in seeking it is too great. Where the aquisition of money is concerned there is no shame, no low too low.

[timeformusic]

08:27 PM on 01/31/2012

It's not made from the Gila Monster's blood; it's made from the saliva. Byetta is also an injectable that's been around since about 2005 and it's made from the saliva, too. This stuff sounds like the same thing, only made by a different company and with a higher price tag. Byetta is only $300+ per vial.

My husband's doctor put him on Byetta instead of insulin because of his job. If he would have been prescribed insulin, his job would have been history in the blink of an eye.

[RazorClam61]

09:00 AM on 01/31/2012

she is disgusting and all, but why is HP featuring her with hate everyday?

[Halsey]

10:29 AM on 01/31/2012

I see your point razor..but it IS pretty significant "what one puts in one's mouth" news..and the timing, etc. I think this hurt her rep..no..I know it did. From now on..everytime she eats a burger (which should be okay once a month or so)..a camera will focus on her. Paula DID bring this unwanted attetion on herself. Her choice..and this is the cost. She's tough..and very rich...I think she'll be fine(as long as her new drug works as well as the standard she was on). I don't hate her..not at all. I am sorry she blew a great opportunity to help others with her fame but..she's human. You choose to live in front of the camera..well..it backfires..on ever celeb..cooking or singing or acting..at some time or other. This will pass in about 2-3 months..don't worry.

[plasmaorb]

10:34 AM on 01/31/2012

its too easy for her to take a pi|| than to actually eat right and |ose a few lbs... just like most people these days... they dont want to work at something, they would rather take a pi|| cause its easier.

[RazorClam61]

10:45 PM on 01/31/2012

I don't agree, it's an invasion of privacy and not news at all, an actual embarrassment for HP.

[Hlynn]

08:51 AM on 01/31/2012

Family is more important than money, and they already have enough money to last the rest of their lives. I hope they all change their ways of cooking and eating and become newly famous and newly rich all over again for teaching others how to prepare delicious, healthful food. I've never seen a vegetarian or vegan cooking show on any of the food channels and it is a niche that needs to be filled by someone. I think it would be very popular since many people are always looking for the next different thing to try.

[Suzanne4sure]

06:43 PM on 01/31/2012

I am with you. I am a Vegan, and I eat a lot of raw foods that are delicious. My weight is normal, my blood pressure and other vitals are perfect and I have never had any major or minor health issues and I am 52. I have also had a ton of stress due to loss of everything during the financial meltdown. I find I simply feel better emotionally when I eat a vegan diet. When I ate processed, sugary foods I felt depressed and anxious, and gained weight. The average american drinks 44 gallons of soda a year. The health of this country and others that have embraced McDonald's, Burger King, high sugar, high fat is why we are in this health crisis, and Paula Deen is a contributor. And no she won't change. I don't see that happening with this latest burger fest.

[SBinF]

08:34 AM on 01/31/2012

You're pushing rumors off as news?

I'm beginning to wonder what kind of operation you guys are running over there. All the Paula hate is beginning to get old. How about some articles, you know...about FOOD.

[RazorClam61]

08:59 AM on 01/31/2012

no kiddin'! HP really has a hard-on for her I guess.

[startingsomething]

05:34 PM on 01/31/2012

This is about food and her inability to be honest about and change her cooking to be healthier given her new diagnosis.

[SBinF]

09:09 AM on 02/01/2012

What does her honesty have to do with eating a hamburger on a cruise?

Paula doesn't put a gun to anyone's head and force them to cook and eat her recipes. If you're unaware of the risk of eating Velveeta fudge and deep-fried butter, that's hardly her concern.

[ewillies]

08:19 AM on 01/31/2012

OK guys. Get a life and leave Paula alone. There is nothing here. I would have inked the 6 million dollar deal too. Hell it is another way at getting back at the drug companies that pays for her medical care and she makes a profit. Do I smell envy here?
-----
http://books.egbertowillies.com

[plasmaorb]

10:36 AM on 01/31/2012

You are right.. she is a nothing. Its not envy... its hyp.ocrisy... you should look up the word so you know the true definition. She is a fraud just like the |ife she tries to live.

[gemini68]

10:53 AM on 01/31/2012

No you smell hypocrisy. Which is what Paula Deen is full of.

[DanoX]

07:21 AM on 01/31/2012

O.k. this was bemusing at first, but now it is just getting sad. Send her to the dust bin of irrelevance with sar-uh palin please.

[Shauni Waterdragon]

07:08 AM on 01/31/2012

Is Paula Deen running out of money?

[Northern Observer]

08:50 AM on 01/31/2012

She must have been, otherwise what would have led her to not taking the advice of her longtime publicist and in turn having her leave her client, as well as her own families advice. She couldn't have been that naive to think how she handled the whole situation wouldn't create negative press and backlash of support for her. Or, maybe she's simply a money grubbing sellout with no accountability in her own poor decisions.

[Lorenzo46]

03:28 AM on 01/31/2012

What a gross family.