Morrow: Knoxville mother, Deen to fry

Photo by Clay Owen

Leanne Morgan

Knoxville resident Leanne Morgan can be seen in the kitchen with Paula Deen, frying up anything that isn't nailed down (5:30 today on Food Network).

Morgan, a comedienne whose material is culled from her life as a harried West Knoxville wife and mother, shot the "Fried Christmas" episode of "Paula's Best Dishes" in July. The two became fast friends after Deen and Morgan collaborated on a network sitcom idea last year.

There's talk, too, that Morgan may be a regular on a proposed daytime talk show set for next year featuring Deen.

Morgan and her children have bonded with Deen in very Southern ways when the cameras weren't rolling on "Best Dishes."

"My kids laid up with her in the bed while she smoked cigarettes and we watched Court TV," Morgan deadpans with that signature deep drawl of hers. "She was a doll to my children."

On the show, which premiered midday Saturday, Morgan and Deen deep fried a ham and asparagus with creole sauce. They did not deep fry the red velvet cake with red pudding.

But I'm sure they considered it.

Morgan says she's not the best holiday cook. "I guess I could pull that off," she says of making a huge holiday spread, "but I have not been responsible for a whole (family Christmas dinner) yet."

Deen doesn't claim to be making healthy food. "She says 'I'm your cook, not your doctor,' " Morgan quotes Deen as saying.

But Morgan will admit she gains weight whenever she and Deen are in the kitchen together. "You are tasting (Deen's dishes) and then Food Network has (off-camera meals) catered," Morgan says. "And then you have people who send her all kinds of cupcakes and things like that.

"I have eaten ribs and corn bread with her. She doesn't eat a lot, but she samples a lot. She samples a lot of bad stuff all day long."

Morgan isn't a sampler. She's an eater. She has promised her manager she won't be your typical needy star.

"I told him, 'I won't call you from jail. I won't show up late (for shows). I won't be on dope.

"I just need for you to tell me I don't look fat in that dress.' "

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/.

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