Deen reveals diabetes diagnosis, teams up with drug maker
Celebrity chef and Food Network star Paula Deen is teaming with drug-maker Novo Nordisk to launch a program that aims to help people live with Type 2 diabetes and promote a Novo diabetes drug.
The program is called Diabetes in a New Light and offers tips on food preparation, stress management and working with doctors on a treatment plan. Recipes and tips can be found at DiabetesInANewLight.com.
Ms. Deen, a paid spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk, said she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago, but kept quiet about her condition until she had advice to offer the public.
“I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward,” she said Tuesday during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show. “I’ve always been one to think that I bring hope.”
When asked if the high-fat, high-calorie recipes she champions can lead to diabetes, she hedged.
“That is part of the puzzle,” she said, but mentioned other factors: genetics, lifestyle, stress and age.
“On my show I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes, but I tell people, ’in moderation,’ ” she added. “I’ve always eaten in moderation.”
Government doctors say that being overweight, older than 45 and inactive increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Growth of the disease in the U.S. has been closely tied to escalating obesity rates. About 23 million Americans are believed to have Type 2 diabetes, according to federal estimates.
’Teen Mom’ star arrested for second time in a week
A star of the MTV reality show “Teen Mom 2” has been arrested for the second time in less than a week in southeastern North Carolina.
Jenelle Evans was charged Monday night with violating a domestic violence protection order. Miss Evans was still being held in the Brunswick County jail Tuesday morning, but officials at the jail didn’t have more details on the arrest.
A call to her lawyer was not immediately returned.
The 20-year-old was arrested last week and charged with making harassing phone calls and communicating threats.
Miss Evans also was charged with assault in March. A month later, she received 12 months of probation and community service on a drug paraphernalia charge.
In August, she was charged with a probation violation after testing positive for marijuana and opiates.
Black missing persons the focus of new show
After 16 years of playing a police lieutenant on “Law & Order,” actress S. Epatha Merkerson is turning to some real-life crime stories.
Miss Merkerson is the narrator for “Find Our Missing,” a series that debuts Wednesday on the TV One network. It tells stories about black Americans who are missing, hoping to turn up clues that can solve some of the cases.
The series was born out of a pervasive feeling among many blacks that their missing-person cases don’t get as much attention as missing-person cases involving whites, particularly attractive young white women.
“The local and regional press does a good job,” Wonya Lucas, president and CEO of the cable network aimed at black viewers, said Saturday. “The national press doesn’t really cover these stories to the extent that they should, and that’s a void that TV One will now fill.”
Each hour focuses on two cases. Besides Miss Merkerson’s narration, producers fill time by re-enacting some scenes with actors.
Two people missing since 2009 are featured in the first episode: Pamela Butler, an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency who disappeared from her home in the District; and Hasanni Campbell, a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy from Oakland, Calif.
“We are painfully aware that these are not just stories,” said Donna Wilson, executive producer of the series. “These are people’s lives.”
Blacks account for 13 percent of the population, yet are involved in about a third of the country’s missing-persons cases, said Toni Judkins, programming chief at TV One.
The show will encourage viewers to give tips to law enforcement, hoping to break down some of the attitude that makes people feel like snitches, foundation president Derrica Wilson said. (She and the series producer are not related.)
MTV’s original veejays to share memories in book
MTV’s surviving original veejays have some wild times to share.
Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, announced Thursday that it had signed with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn for an “uncensored” oral history of the music channel launched in 1981. The book is currently untitled and no release date had been set. A fifth veejay, J.J. Jackson, died in 2004.
According to Atria, the veejays will talk about everything from partying with Van Halen to a disastrous “Paint the Mutha Pink” contest with “Pink Houses” singer John Mellencamp.
Regis Philbin and wife sell home in Connecticut
Television host Regis Philbin and his wife, Joy, have sold one of their Connecticut homes for $3 million.
The Greenwich Time reports that town records show the Colonial home in Greenwich was placed on the market for $3.8 million in July and sold for $3 million in September.
The buyer, Raymond LaChance, told the newspaper that the fact Mr. Philbin is the former owner is “kind of neat,” but that did not influence his and his wife’s decision to purchase the house.
The home has nearly 6,000 square feet of space and sits on 6 acres near a state park. It also includes a pool, a tennis court and a gazebo.
• Compiled from Web and wire service reports.
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