TV Week recently reported:

Telepictures, Warner Bros.’ production arm, is adding to that roster by signing a deal with Food Network star Paula Deen to host a daytime cooking show, sources familiar with the matter said.

Ms. Deen would become the next big name to come out of Food Network, following Rachael Ray’s ratings success in her debut season. Ms. Deen is currently one of Food Network’s top draws with her Southern flair, hosting series Paula’s Home Cooking and Paula’s Party for the cable channel.

[...] “It seems like, unlike recent years, distributors are taking a particularly aggressive look at 2009 and going back to developing around marquee names,” said Bill Carroll, senior VP and director of programming at Katz Media. “When you look at the most recent successful entry into the talk show ranks in Rachael Ray, it makes sense to turn to someone with the appeal of Paula Deen for a show of her own.”

{23 Apr 2008}