HEY, PAULA?

Deen Explains Bailing on ‘Today’ Show

Says she was "physically unable."

Embattled chef Paula Deen says she dropped out of a Today show appearance because she was "physically not able." Deen was expected to respond to a transcript that showed she had used racist slurs and pined for black waiters to serve guests at a “true Southern plantation-style” wedding she was planning. On Friday afternoon, she posted a video to YouTube explaining why she was a no-show. "Matt [Lauer], I have to say, I was physically unable this morning," she says before apologizing for her behavior. "The pain has been tremendous that I have caused to myself and others." She added that "your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to me." Earlier in the day, Deen has also released a video of a shorter, edited apology.