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James Gandolfini’s Last Director on His Death: ‘I Wanted to Make Him Proud’

James Gandolfini's final film will be Fox Searchlight's crime drama "Animal Rescue," starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace.

The film's director Michael Roskam offered this statement to TheWrap regarding Gandolfini's tragic death:

"It was such an honor to work with Mr Gandolfini and nothing but a pleasure to see him perform. He was one of the greatest. I'm so sad and thinking about his family. I wanted to make him proud with the movie we made together and now it will be in his loving memory."

See photos: James Gandolfini's Most Memorable Roles

Gandolfini played the owner of a bar that Hardy's character worked at. Enter a pit bull and a romance sparks between Hardy's character and Rapace's character.

Written by Dennis Lehane ("Shutter Island," "Mystic River"), the film is slated for a 2014 release.

The 51-year-old actor died while on vacation in Rome, Italy of a possible heart attack, an HBO spokesperson confirmed to TheWrap.

In addition to "Animal Rescue," Gandolfini has another movie slated to release in the next year, the untitled project from director Nicole Holofcener.

"I'm so heartbroken and shocked," Holofcener told TheWrap. "I'm honored to have known him and worked with him. He was wonderful."

He also just finished shooting a new HBO limited series, "Criminal Justice."

Jeff Daniels, who costarred with Gandolfini in the Broadway production of "God of Carnage," praised the actor's work ethic and reflected, "I now miss him like a brother."

"If Broadway has a version of a guy you want in your foxhole, Jim Gandolfini was mine," Daniels said. "During our time together in 'God of Carnage' we played 320 performances together. He didn't miss one. Sadly, I now miss him like a brother."

James Gandolfini, ‘Sopranos’ Star, Dead at 51

James Gandolfini, who helped usher in a new golden era of television in his Emmy-winning role as Tony Soprano on HBO's "The Sopranos," died suddenly in Rome of a possible heart attack. He was 51.

A spokeswoman for the cable network said that Gandolfini was on holiday in Italy, and provided the apparent cause of death.

"He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that," "Sopranos" creator David Chase said in a statement. "He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone."

Also read: James Gandolfini Death: Hollywood Reacts to 'The Sopranos' Star's Passing

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," HBO said in a statement. "He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility.  Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us."

Gandolfini won three Emmys for anchoring "The Sopranos," which changed TV with novelistic, nuanced writing that invited us to root for the bad guy. Tony Soprano, a beleaguered mob boss with mom issues, was one of many brusque, intimidating Gandolfini characters whose big frames concealed often generous hearts. 

It is impossible to overstate the show's impact on recent television dramas, or Gandolfini's role in its success.

Only his charm made it possible for us to stay with Tony as he betrayed and murdered those he loved most. Lugging us along on an empathy crash course, Gandolfini asked us to understand Tony without necessarily liking him.

In spite of ourselves, we usually did both.

Also read: James Gandolfini Death: 10 of Tony Soprano's Most Memorable Moments (Videos)

"We lost a giant today," said Lorraine Bracco, who played Tony's psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi. "I am utterly heartbroken."

Gandolfini had recently filmed "Criminal Justice" for HBO, which had received a limited series order. Among his breakthrough roles was playing a fake-friendly wiseguy in "True Romance." He also showed his gentle side in "Where the Wild Things Are," playing wild thing Carol as a depressed middle-aged malcontent, and last year portrayed former CIA director Leon Panetta in "Zero Dark Thirty."

But he will always be best known as Tony. "The Sopranos," widely cited as one of the best shows in the history of television, opened the door for similarly daring series including HBO's "The Wire," AMC's "Mad Men" -- created by "Sopranos" alum Matthew Weiner -- and AMC's "Breaking Bad," which also features a criminal protagonist. "The Sopranos" also influenced HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," from "Sopranos" veteran Terence Winter.

One could make a convincing case, in fact, that it has influenced every scripted series since its 1999 debut, by creating a culture in which showrunners like Chase have as much control over their shows as directors have over their films.

Born in Westwood, N.J. on September 18, 1961, Gandolfini performed in the 1992 Broadway production of "On the Waterfront" prior to the 1999 premiere of "The Sopranos."

Following the wrap of "The Sopranos" in 2007, Gandolfini took on a number of big-screen roles in films such as the 2009 remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123," and "Welcome to the Rileys." He also displayed his comedic chops this year in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone." 

He also produced two HBO documentaries about war veterans' physical and mental sacrifices, 2007's "Alive Day: Home From Iraq" and 2010's "Wartorn: 1861-2010."

Also read: Notable Hollywood Deaths of 2013

In 2009, he appeared on Broadway with Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden and Hope Davis in "God of Carnage." It marked a return to Broadway after a 1992 run in "On the Waterfront."

"If Broadway has a version of a guy you want in your foxhole, Jim Gandolfini was mine," said Daniels. "During our time together in 'God of Carnage,' we played 320 performances together. He didn't miss one. Sadly, I now miss him like a brother."

Recently, Gandolfini had turned his attention back to television with a series of projects for HBO, including an adaptation of the book "Big Dead Place," about workers on the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Gandolfini understood how much the "Sopranos" meant to so many people, but responded to their praise with self-effacing sense of humor and humility.

"I can't really explain this except I think the Academy has an affinity for slightly overweight bald men," he said after winning his first Emmy in 2000. He had beaten Dennis Franz, a four-time winner in their category, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Franz had played a deeply flawed cop on "NYPD Blue," but Gandolfini's character was even more damaged: a murderer and serial philanderer who also aspired to be a dutiful son, loving husband and generous father.

The show looked frankly at the fragility of life and death, including in a still-debated final scene in which Tony happily ate with his family, before an abrupt cut to black.

Hollywood was stunned by Gandolfini's death.

"It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy. Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply," said  Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders. "He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving." 

Said Albert Brooks: "R.I.P James Gandolfini. One hell of an actor."

"For Deborah and Michael and Liliana this is crushing," Chase said of Gandolfini's wife, son and daughter. "And it's bad for the rest of the world. He wasn't easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain."

James Gandolfini Death: ‘Sopranos’ Family Devastated by Loss

James Gandolfini's "Sopranos" family eulogized the late star of HBO's mob drama on Wednesday as word of his death spread throughout the showbiz community.

Calling Gandolfini a "genius," "Sopranos" executive producer and creator David Chase said he was "one of the greatest actors of this or any time."

"He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that," Chase said in a statement. "He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it.  You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone."

Also read: James Gandolfini Death: Hollywood Reacts to 'The Sopranos' Star's Passing

Chase acknowledged that the actor "wasn't easy sometimes." "But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain," he added.

Tony Sirico, who played Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri alongside Gandolfini called him "one of my closest friends."

Sirico particularly remembered the support that Gandolfini -- the actor had produced the documentary "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq" -- had for U.S. troops when remembering his costar.

Also read: James Gandolfini Death: 10 of Tony Soprano's Most Memorable Moments

"Jimmy was one of my closest friends in life. He helped me with my career as well as my personal life," Sirico said. "We visited troops together in Iraq and became very close. He will be missed and I love him."

"Sopranos" costar Steve Schirripa -- aka Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri -- reflected: "Jimmy was a dear friend and like a brother to me. He was a great actor and a great father. I will miss him terribly. I am very sad."

"I have lost a brother and a best friend," co-star Steven Van Zandt, who played Sylvio Dante, said on Twitter. "The world has lost one of the greatest actors of all time."

Lorraine Bracco, who played Tony Soprano's therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, said she was "utterly heartbroken" by Gandolfini's death.

"We lost a giant today. I am utterly heartbroken," Bracco said.

‘World War Z’ VFX Studio Will Open China Office

Prime Focus will open a new office in Beijing later this year, the visual-effects company said Wednesday. 

In addition to effects work, Prime Focus said it will also offer 3D conversion and animation work. The company, which has worked on recent big-budget films such as "The Great Gatsby" and "World Wars Z," expects to open its doors in the third quarter of 2013. 

The move is only the latest in a series of Hollywood investments in China, which surpassed Japan last year to become the second largest market for films. Lured by its burgeoning population of moviegoers and its financial resources, companies like DreamWorks Animation and Legendary Entertainment are establishing Chinese footholds.

Prime Focus will team up on the venture with Hong Kong-based private equity firm AID Partners Capital and its Chinese partner Zhejiang Jingqi Wenhua Chuanbo Company. In March, Prime Focus announced that AID Partners had made a $10 million equity investment in return for a stake in the visual-effects company.

"We are enthusiastic about the shared opportunities our expansion into China brings," Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus, said in a statement. "We have always recognized the advantages that globalization coupled with intense localization brings and have evolved our business strategy accordingly. After India, Europe and North America, China was the growth story waiting to happen."

Prime Focus also maintains offices in Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, London and Mumbai.

 

Bryan Cranston Dishes on His ‘Power Rangers’ Past (Video)

Bryan Cranston reminded fans just how much of a mighty morphin' actor he really is during an AMA session on Reddit this week.

Although Cranston rose to fame as Hal, the quirky dad on Fox sitcom "Malcom in the Middle," and has won three Emmys for his critically-acclaimed portrayal of meth chef Walter White on AMC's "Breaking Bad," the 57-year-old thespian began his three decade-long career like any other actor -- taking any gig he could get.

Also read: 12 Things We Learned About Ethan Hawke From Reddit

And as any nostalgic child of the '90s should appreciate, two of those gigs were voicing bad guys on the original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" television series. His voice can only be heard in two episodes, but his name was never forgotten.

"I did voice work for the 'Power Rangers' years and years ago," Cranston wrote. "Someone once told me they named the blue Power Ranger after me, his last name was Cranston. I found out years later that was true."

According to his IMDb profile, Cranston voiced alien foes Snizard and Twinman in two 1993 episodes titled "Foul Play in the Sky" and "A Bad Reflection of You," respectively.

"Breaking Bad" fans see Cranston's involvement in the children's show as just fate's way of foreshadowing his biggest role to date. 

"Blue for the meth," one user immediately commented after Cranston shared the Blue Ranger revelation.

Listen to Cranston's voice egging on the Rangers during battle:

Geraldo Rivera Sparks Backlash Over Tweets on the Late Michael Hastings

Geraldo Rivera just put his foot in his mustache-topped mouth. The Fox News correspondant and former talk show host took to Twitter to criticize late journalist Michael Hastings, prompting outrage amongst the journalism community that is still mourning Hastings' death.

Tributes have been pouring in for Hastings, who died June 18 in a car accident – check out BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith, Guardian national security editor Spencer Ackerman, and Rachel Maddow's for a start.

Also read: BuzzFeed Journalist Michael Hastings Dead at 33

Rivera also wanted to express his sympathies, but apparently couldn't resist this caveat:

Reporter Michael Hastings KI tragic car wreck Condolences to familyBut hard to forget he destroyed career of 1 of our best fighting generals

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) June 19, 2013

Rivera was referring to Stanley McChrystal, who resigned after Hastings' Rolling Stone profile quoted him and his staff criticizing various government officials.

Also read: Geraldo Rivera Issues Snarky Non-Apology for Trayvon Martin Comments

Many responded to Rivera by pointing out some of the mistakes he made during his career, prompting him to follow up with this:

Regarding the virulent response to my Hastings tweet, Capone's vault was 27 years ago. If that's the best you've got please don't follow me

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) June 19, 2013

Followed by this:

@lawyerron degenerate asshole

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) June 19, 2013

Charming.

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‘The Heat’: Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock Get Their Drink on in New Clip (Video)

Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock are wasted and doing a little dive-bar dancing in the latest clip from their new film, "The Heat." The duo are also doing something weird involving their faces and masking tape.

And lets not get into what McCarthy is doing with a fork and Bullock's breasts.

Also read: Sandra Bullock Won't Be in 'Annie' Remake After Negotiations End (Exclusive)

Bullock plays an uptight, by-the-book type of FBI agent to McCarthy's rogue wild type of cop in Paul Feig's buddy comedy. There's just one problem: Neither law enforcement professional has ever worked with a partner before...and they could not be less similar! We'll see how this plays out. One thing is for sure, it is going to be a rocky path to their ultimate friendship.

"The Heat" hits theaters June 28. See the clip below:

Rocket Internet’s Lazada Lands $100M As It Seeks To Become The “Amazon Of Southeast Asia”

Lazada, the e-commerce site founded by Rocket Internet in a bid to build the "Amazon of Southeast Asia," announced today that it has landed another $100 million from returning investors Holtzbrinck Ventures, Kinnevik Investment AB, Summit Partners and Tengelmann Group, as well as new investor, Belgian-based family-owned investment holding company Verlinvest. This is the largest single round that Lazada has raised to date, and brings its total amount of funding raised since its launch in March 2012 to more than $236 million.

FYI: Paula Deen Doesn’t Use The N-Word Anymore

Seen above throwing a “lord, please don’t tell me a Mexican is touching me” side-eye, Paula Deen issued a statement through her rep saying that she doesn’t use racial slurs and she doesn’t like it when others use racial slurs so will the KKK please stop asking her to make a Klan robe butter sculpture [...]

Fox to FCC: Get Out of Indecency Regulation

As other broadcasters urged the Federal Communications Commission to ease up on indecency regulations, Fox urged it to quit regulating broadcast indecency altogether.

"Fox urges the commission to conclude it is legally required and logically bound to cease attempting broadcast indecency limits once and for all," Fox Entertainment Group and Fox Television Holdings said in a filing Wednesday.

"Time and technology have moved inexorably forward, but the commission's untenable effort to define indecent content through a hodgepodge of inconsistent and uneven rulings remain stuck in a bygone era."

Also read: An FCC Complaint Over 'X Factor' Flasher, But Was He Even Exposed?

Fox also said that if the FCC "defies the Constitution and common sense" and continues to regulate indecency, it should do so narrowly.

The comments were filed as the FCC considers how to revise its rules in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that rejected the agency's attempt to step up its policing of potentially offensive content. Several broadcasters urged the FCC to exercise caution in indecency enforcement, but didn't go quite as far as Fox.

CBS and NBC affiliates' associations in a joint filing questioned the FCC's attempt to step up enforcement against fleeting expletives and nudity in live programming, saying the policy could threaten stations' abilities to carry live events.

Also read: Supreme Court Knocks Down FCC Indecency Rules in Fox Case, Ducks First Amendment Question

Consumer groups TechFreedom, the Center for Democracy & Technology, Public Knowledge and the Electronic Frontier Foundation said that the FCC enforcement policy is hurting broadcast TV.

"Broadcasting is no longer the cultural force it once was—or an "intruder in the home," the consumer groups contended. They suggested that given the number of other places consumers can find similar content without restrictions, limiting content on broadcast TV "is neither sound policy, nor constitutionally defensible."

Though broadcasters urged the FCC to ease indecency rules, the FCC has received more than 100,000 comments urging it to step up enforcement. Several groups that want stepped-up enforcement have urged their members to write to the commission.

Also read: FCC Considers New Policy for Policing Broadcast Indecency

"I oppose the media's request to loosen, reduce or eliminate the FCC's programming decency standards," said one viewer's comment. "The media has already effectively destroyed American society. I request that the FCC refuse to loosen its programming decency standards. America must recover its morality if our nation has any hope of surviving."

The fight over the FCC's indecency standards is an outgrowth of two recent trends -- broadcasters' attempt to win back cable viewers by airing more edgy programming, and the FCC's attempts restrict nudity and profanity on broadcast TV.

The Supreme Court last year rejected broadcasters' attempt to overturn the FCC's indecency standards as outdated and a violation of the First Amendment. Instead, the court said the FCC hadn't given broadcasters sufficient notice before starting to view "isolated" instances of nudity and profanity as violations of indecency rules.

Also read: Don't Relax TV Indecency Standards, Viewers Urge the FCC

The high court action stopped the FCC's efforts to chastise Fox stations for the 2002 Billboard Music Awards show, in which Cher uttered an expletive. Nicole Richie did the same at the 2003 awards. The FCC also tried to punish ABC stations for airing pictures of actress Charlotte Ross' bare buttocks on a 2003 episode of ABC's "NYPD Blue."

After the high court ruling, then-FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski dismissed nearly 70 percent of the FCC's indecency complaints and sought comments on what new standard should be used to replace them. 

Among the questions the FCC's Enforcement Bureau asked was whether the FCC should only pursue content that demonstrates "deliberate and repetitive" offensive material.

The agency won't begin working on a response until it gets reaction next month to the initial comments.

Valerie Harper Cancer Documentary Greenlit by NBC News

"Rhoda" star Valerie Harper's battle with terminal brain cancer will be chronicled in a one-hour documentary from NBC News.

The documentary, which will be hosted by Meredith Vieira, will offer a first-person account as Harper pursues experimental treatments and continues on with day-to-day life accompanied by her husband Tony Cacciotti and their daughter Christina.

Also read: Valerie Harper Has Brain Cancer, May Have Just 3 Months to Live

Harper, 73, was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in early March. She subsequently revealed that she could have as little as three months to live.

Since the diagnosis, Harper has allowed camera crews to follow her as she goes on doctor's visits, undergoes surgery and reunites with friends and family.

An air date for the documentary has not yet been set.

Xbox One Drops All Those Annoying E3 Restrictions

Forget everything Microsoft said at the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo last week.

After a backlash from gamers, the folks behind the new Xbox One are backpedaling on a few of the plans they announced for the next-gen console.

For one thing, an Internet connection will no longer be required to play offline Xbox One games. After a one-time system setup, gamers will be able to play any disc-based game without connecting to the web again. Great news for those on nuclear submarines! (That's an inside gamer-nerd joke.)

See video: E3: Sony's PS4 Undercuts Microsoft's Xbox One by 100 Bucks

Microsoft is also reversing course on banning game rental and tightly controlling how games are traded in and loaned out. Now there will be no limitations on exchanging and sharing games.

Sony pretty much won the expo by doing everything Microsoft didn't -- and offering PS4 for $100 less.

We'll find out who ultimately wins when both systems are released near the end of the year.

James Gandolfini Death: 10 Memorable Moments Beyond ‘The Sopranos’ (Videos)

James Gandolfini -- who died in Rome on Wednesday due to a possible heart attack -- may be synonymous with Tony Soprano, but thanks to a plethora of diverse roles and projects, he'll be remembered as much more than a mobster.

Since beginning his Hollywood career in 1987, Ganolfini has appeared in numerous feature films. His most recent was the Warner Bros. comedy "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," with Steve Carell, and the two in April signed on to portray rival paleontologists in "Bone Wars" for HBO Films.

Also read: James Gandolfini, 'Sopranos' Star, Dead at 51


Gandolfini played then-CIA Director Leon Panetta in last year's Best Picture Oscar nominee "Zero Dark Thirty." He was also in 2012's "Not Fade Away" and "Killing Them Softly," and was previously seen in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," "The Man Who Wasn't There" and "The Mexican."

See Video: James Gandolfini Death: 10 of Tony Soprano's Most Memorable Moments

Outside of his big and small screen performances, the actor produced two powerful documentaries about the consequences of war, "Alive Day Memories" and "Wartorn: 1861-2010," as well as the 2012 HBO film, "Hemingway & Gelhorn."

Ten of the actor's most memorable moments beyond "The Sopranos" follow.

His first and only Golden Globe acceptance speech:

Gandolfini's 2003 acceptance speech after winning his last of three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:

Gandolfini candidly discussed his entire career with James Lipton during a 2004 episode of "Inside the Actor's Studio":

Gandolfini gets emotional while talking to NBC News' Brian Williams about his passion project, "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq," a documentary about soldiers who sacrificed their bodies -- and nearly their lives -- for their country during the Iraq War:

James Gandolfini (Virgil) meets Floyd, a.k.a. stoner Brad Pitt, in "True Romance":

Gandolfini singing "O Christmas Tree" with Ben Affleck in "Surviving Christmas":

Gandolfini and Julia Roberts "Are you gay?" diner scene from "The Mexican":

Gandolfini and Brad Pitt in "Killing Them Softly":

"Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update," starring New Jersey resident James Gandolfini:

Gandolfini argues with Kristen Stewart in "Welcome to the Rileys":

Showtime and John Legend Developing Comedy About Music Managers

It's Showtime for John Legend.

Singer-songwriter Legend is teaming up with the cable network to develop a half-hour comedy about big-shot music managers.

Also read: 'The Impossible' Director Juan Antonio Bayona to Direct Showtime's 'Penny Dreadful'

Legend will executive produce the project, as will -- wait for it -- the singer's manager, Troy Carter.

Universal Cable Productions is producing the project, with former "Gossip Girl" producer Austin Winsberg writing.

Winsberg is also executive producing, as are Legend's Get Lifted Film Co.'s partners, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius.

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Big Bird Goes To the Big House

Civil disobedience. HIV. Smoking. Poor diet. Incarceration. What do those things have in common? 

Sesame Street. 

The latest special episode set on everyone's favorite street, Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration, will focus on children who have parents who are in prison. Since an estimated 1 in 28 children have a parent in the pokey, the topic is timely.

"What's 'carcerated'," Zoe asks. "And why was your dad in it?" 

 

The latest Sesame Street special episode features a muppet named Alex and is intended to help children who find themselves in situations where a parent is in prison navigate that life.

If Evil Elmo is Elmo's dad, then Elmo should totally watch this.

With new characters, musical numbers, special storybooks, and even its own app, Incarceration hopes to help ease the fears and frustrations real children feel when a parent is behind bars. Having tackled such topics as divorce and deployment, both of which mark changes to the family unit, Incarceration is an extension of what Sesame Street has already done.

As an online-only kit, Incarceration clips won't air during normal programming, and Alex won't become a regular on Sesame Street.

But since Oscar's been in the can for 44 years now, Alex joining the show could totally work. 

The Jim Henson-created series, which has been on the air since 1969, has rarely shied away from controversy. Its audience was and has always been children and its purpose to talk to children about big issues in ways they can understand.

So what do you think of Sesame Street's latest special, Hollywood Gossips?

Paula Deen Admits Using N-Word, But Not in a ‘Mean’ Way

Paula Deen said in a deposition last month that she has occasionally used the N-word -- but not in a "mean" way.

The Food Network star and her brother, Bubba Hiers, are being sued by Lisa T. Jackson, a former employee of their Savannah, Ga., restaurant, Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House. Jackson says she suffered from Hiers' violent, sexist and racist behavior and that Deen did nothing to stop it.

The Food Network said in a statement that it would "continue to monitor the situation" and that it "does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion."

In a deposition May 17, Deen was questioned about her and her relatives' use of racial terms and humor, and her desire to have a wedding staffed by African-American men.

Jackson, who says she is a white woman with bi-racial nieces, claims in her lawsuit that Deen once expressed a desire for Hiers' wedding to be staffed by a "bunch of little n---ers" wearing "long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties," adding, "you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around." The suit said Deen abandoned the idea because "the media would be on me about that."

In the deposition, Deen defended Hiers and said that while she did say she wanted a "Southern-style plantation wedding" with "professional" African-American waiters, she did not use the N-word.

Asked by Jackson's attorney, Matthew Billips, if she had ever used the word, Deen replied, "Yes, of course."

Pressed for details on when, she replied: "Well, it was probably when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head...I didn't feel real favorable towards him."

She said she likely used the word afterwards, when telling her husband about the robbery.

She also said she has "probably" used the word to recount "a conversation between blacks," who themselves used the word.

"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the '60s in the south," she said. "And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. ... As well as I do."

Deen said that while others in her family, including her brother, have told racial jokes, she has not. But she says she has occasionally told sexual jokes.

"We have all told off-colored jokes," she explained.

Deen also said she generally uses the word "black" rather than African-American because "I try to go with whatever the black race is wanting to call themselves at each given time. I try to go along with that and remember that."

William Franklin, Deen's attorney, said in a statement to the Associated Press that "contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable."

Pamela Chelin contributed to this story.

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