Radio shock-jock Howard Stern is retracting his previous comments following the controversy surrounding southern chef Paula Deen.
According to E! News, Stern previously came to the defense of Deen after a deposition she gave admitting to using the ‘n-word’ and wanting to hire African American’s to pose as slaves in a wedding surfaced. At the time Stern questioned, “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?"
Deen’s past come back to haunt her in the weeks that followed. Her contract with the Food Network was not renewed, her partnership with QVC remains under review. Deen released a video apology, and rather than make Stern stand by his views, instead it sent him roaring in laughter.
In her video Deen defended that she can't determine what "offends" people, explaining that most jokes are of a racist nature.
E! notes that Stern followed playing more interviews Deen had previously given before dubbing her a “racist.”