Here's what's being talked about in pop culture:
• Celebrity cook Paula Deen made a tearful appearance on "The Today Show," and defended herself from charges of racism. [Entertainment Weekly]
• Will Smith may have priced himself out of an "Independence Day" sequel, but Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are coming back for more alien butt-kicking. [Vulture]
• Comedian and Twitter star Jenny Johnson, whose profane tweets have included an epic online fight with Chris Brown, has signed a book deal. [The Hollywood Reporter]