TVSquad

Are you like me? Were you too old to audition for American Idol when it first started out. And then when they upped the age limit, were you by then one year older than the new age limit (razzum-frazzum-sunsubitchez!)? Well, fear not, because now you can audition all year round.

The folks behind American Idol have inked a deal to build an Idol-themed attraction at the Hollywood Studios portion of Disney World. Keith Hindle, Executive Vice-President of FremantleMedia (an Idol producer) said "Disney's new attraction perfectly captures what we at American Idol feel is the heart and soul of this brand: real people getting a shot to make their dream a reality." The producers also stressed that winning the theme park "Idol" does not lead to contestants appearing on the real show. It also doesn't net you any money, fame or a record deal of any kind. In fact, the only dream it makes a reality for you is your dream of giving more money to Idol producers and Disney.

I've gotten sick and tired of seeing this story on every single morning, afternoon, and evening news program, so I'm glad someone else has mentioned it.

I'm talking about the controversy surrounding the guy in the Tigger suit who assaults (?) the teenager. His dad filmed the whole thing, and now the family is outraged. They demand an apology (no money so far). Disney has suspended the worker while they investigate.

But is this "news" or just a wacky home video? CJR Daily talks about all of the airplay the story and the video have been getting on all the news shows this past week. Is it an assault? Did the teen do something behind Tigger? Did Tigger lose his balance? Did Tigger mean to hit him in the face? Did he hit him in the face hard? Watch the video after the jump and decide for yourself.

Or, a better question would be: are you watching any television? Christmas Day can be a busy time, what with gifts being opened, dinners being cooked (and eaten) and annoying relatives to entertain (this does not pertain to Joel, who is coming down to visit today). For others, though, Christmas ends at the last present that's unwrapped, which can lead to a very long, boring day.

So, if you can't take the kids, the wife, or the annoying relatives (once again, not Joel, I swear) you can tune into the annual broadcast of the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade (filmed at the beginning of December) hosted by Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest and featuring Beyonce, the cast of High School Musical and the Doodlebops. If that's too much Christmas then you may want to tune into CNN for a, ready, Larry King Live marathon. Other non-Christmas marathons are Crossing Jordan on A&E, My Super Sweet 16 on MTV (they played music videos once, didn't they?), In Living Color on BET, and Super Millionaire on GSN.

Of course, if you are still in the holiday spirit (or, in the holiday spirits, if you know what I mean) TBS airs their annual 24-hour marathon of the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story, while networks like Hallmark and Lifetime will air a variety of made-for-TV holiday movies. Then again, if none of this is of interest you can always pop in a DVD from the complete The West Wing set that you received.

Oh, and Joel, dinner is at 2:00 pm.