Disney Marathon, Half Marathon to Run on Separate Days Jan. 7th and Jan. 8th 

Disneyland: Working the crowds 

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues Through 2006 

HK Disneyland to Release Limited Edition Pin Sets for Festivals 

Darren Star gets development deal with ABC 

Disney Resort Guests Get More Perks 

NTU's Disney connection 

ABC Family Airs 'Wife Swap' Marathon Sunday, January 15 

Disney revamps its 'Jungle' shows 

Ricci Accentuates 'Anatomy' 

A Disney double for special twin sisters 

ABC Bets Again on Hayek's 'Betty' 

How Do You Disney-fy a Famous Wit and Manwhore

Disney Marathon, Half Marathon to Run on Separate Days Jan. 7th and Jan. 8th

 

The 13th annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Jan. 5-8 includes a new split-day format, with the 13.1-mile half marathon on Saturday, Jan. 7 and the 26.2-mile full marathon on Sunday, Jan. 8.

With the races occurring on separate days for the first time, a new competition, Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge, is offered for registered participants who complete both races -- a total of 39.3 miles -- across Walt Disney World Resort during the two days. Competitors who accomplish this impressive physical challenge will receive a special Goofy Medal in addition to the Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse medals, which are awarded to half marathon and marathon finishers, respectively.

With the deadline passed, some 30,000 participants are signed up to compete in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (16,000 in the half marathon, 14,000 in the full marathon). More than 3,000 participants have registered to compete in both races. Also featured during the weekend: Disney's Health & Fitness Expo at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Jan. 5-7.

Disneyland: Working the crowds

Visitors making their annual pilgrimage to Anaheim over the next 10 days could be greeted by this sign: Disneyland is full.

The holidays are the busiest time of year at the Disneyland Resort and this year, with heavy marketing for the 50th anniversary, even more people are trekking to see the Christmas tree, entertainment and nighttime snow on Main Street.

While "sold-out" is good news for most businesses, it puts Disney officials in a bind: How do they provide the expected level of customer service to people inside the park, and not disappoint those who are waiting outside?

"We're very sensitive to both," said Jon Storbeck, vice president of park operations, "to those in the park who want a great experience, and for their safety. But we're also sensitive to that guest who has traveled a long way to get to Disneyland and wants to come in. It's a balancing act."

The company will restrict access by halting ticket sales to Disneyland once it reaches capacity, which is estimated at 75,000 to 80,000 people. During those peak times, people who already have admission tickets normally will be allowed to enter, but no new tickets will be sold until enough people leave the park. Visitors are encouraged to go next door to California Adventure as an alternative.

Disneyland was so crowded Dec. 10 that it closed the gates to everyone temporarily, something that rarely happens, Storbeck said. Disney has implemented plans since then to avoid another closure, if possible, and to augment its usual crowd-control measures.

Officials use a database of information to gauge when they are likely to be at peak capacity. That allows them to extend the park's hours, boost staffing and be on alert to halt ticket sales, if necessary.

To help manage the throngs inside, Disneyland calls for volunteers from its executive and administrative staff to work shifts on the front line. Roughly 600 office staff have worked in the park so far this month, trading time at their desk jobs to bus tables, stock shelves or work crowd control.

The additional staff improves customer service, Storbeck said, and it also gives the office workers a better understanding of park operations. The program, called "cross utilization," also was put into action during the busy July anniversary.

Karen Cortez, a Whittier High School student working at the Plaza Inn restaurant, got a hand this week from Lori Krug, a finance manager who volunteered for park duty.

"We have to teach them where everything is, but it helps," Cortez said. "It's better than having only one pair of hands."

Grouchy visitors seem to recognize that the regular cast is getting some help to serve them, said Heather Gardner, a training manager who poured beverages Tuesday at the River Belle Terrace.

"As a trainer, it has been highly beneficial for me to see what our cast does each day," she said. "It helps me understand what they need."

In a move to enhance traffic flow, Disney officials also did something highly unusual. They're allowing visitors to walk "back stage" - in the employees-only area - to avoid jams on Main Street. During peak times, visitors are guided on specific routes that go behind the facades, emerging at the end of Main Street or in Tomorrowland.

Disney also hands out a daily guidebook with tips on how to optimize your visit, including a recommendation to rent strollers early. To improve traffic flow around the entrance to Disneyland, stroller rentals were moved into the esplanade this month.

"We also urge people to call ahead for an estimate of how busy that day might be, and what attractions are open or closed," Storbeck said.

Along with crowds at the park, there's little room at the inn - the Disneyland hotels. The 50th anniversary promotions have been so successful that the resort's three hotels are at near peak capacity, stirring speculation that Disney is considering plans to build another hotel.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues Through 2006

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is poised to ring in 2006 with the stage set for an exciting era of future growth in the family vacation market. This follows an historic year in 2005 that was highlighted by the kick off of the global celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary and the opening of Disney's first theme park in China -- Hong Kong Disneyland.

"We believe the best is yet to come," said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo.

"As proud as we are of all we accomplished in this phenomenal, landmark year, we are even more excited about what is ahead," Rasulo added. "The 50th anniversary global celebration, coupled with our exciting menu of attractions, live shows and entertainment at Disney's theme parks, has strengthened our deep relationships with millions of families around the world."

Rasulo said these relationships will form the foundation for growth, and cited the following key building blocks for Disney's future in the family vacation market:

-- New technologies and breakthrough innovations that allow Disney to bring favorite stories and characters to life in whole new ways;

-- New ways to vacation with Disney and experience its unique, immersive form of entertainment outside of the traditional theme park offerings;

-- And the continual evaluation of opportunities to bring the Disney theme park experience to new parts of the world.

Historic Milestones Celebrated by Millions Worldwide

In May of 2005, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts kicked off its first-ever global celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Disneyland -- the park that started it all. The 18-month celebration continues in full swing at the Disneyland Resort in California and Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. All Disney destinations are part of this historic celebration -- and have added new attractions, shows and other offerings to entertain families all over the world.

"Disney theme parks touch people on an emotional level," said Rasulo. "The anniversary celebration is a golden opportunity to encourage Guests who have made memories with us to return and re-live them and to make more. And, through our innovative marketing campaigns, the anniversary is attracting waves of first-time Guests and establishing what we hope are lifelong relationships with them."

Rasulo also points to the September opening of Hong Kong Disneyland as a major milestone in the company's ongoing growth strategy. "Establishing a foothold in Asia introduces a new generation to the Disney experience," Rasulo said, "and in return, we're extending the Disney brand to millions of potential consumers in one of the fastest-growing regions of the world.

"We are pleased with the success of Hong Kong Disneyland to date," Rasulo added. "Having already entertained well over one million Guests, we know our Guests in Hong Kong love our product and expect our newest theme park will continue to be a success."

50 Great Years. What's Next?

In addition to the continuation of the 50th Anniversary celebration that lasts throughout the new year, immersive Disney experiences that combine innovative, high-quality content with cutting-edge technology are in the works around the globe for 2006 and beyond.

At Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, a massive recreation of the Himalayas is the setting for a thrilling adventure called Expedition Everest, scheduled to open in April 2006 at Disney's Animal Kingdom. In their quest to bring authenticity to this new attraction, Walt Disney Imagineers partnered with Discovery Networks and Conservation International in a scientific expedition to the Himalayas for a first-hand exploration of the legend of the mysterious Yeti.

"Our passion for bringing great stories to life has taken Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to amazing places over the last 50 years," said Rasulo. "Over the next 50 years, we will continue to scale new heights in our ongoing quest to create great experiences for our Guests."

In California, the Disneyland Resort is bringing to life a popular creative franchise with Monsters Inc: Mike & Sully to the Rescue, which will open at Disney's California Adventure on January 23, 2006. And in 2007, new technology will take Disney storytelling to the next level as the "subs" return to Disneyland in Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. In this all-new adventure, Guests will travel to the undersea world of "Finding Nemo," where they'll see and interact with characters that appear exactly as they do in the Disney/Pixar Animated Studios film.

At Hong Kong Disneyland, Autopia, a classic Disney favorite, will let Guests of all ages drive along futuristic highways through surreal, out-of-this world landscapes. It will be the first Autopia with electric powered vehicles -- and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2006.

Disneyland Resort Paris also plans several major new attractions to open over the next three years. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, based on the highly popular attractions at other Disney parks around the world, will open at the Disneyland Park in 2006. In 2007, Walt Disney Studios Park will add a new land called Toon Studios, which will immerse Guests in the magical world of Disney's animated movies. And in 2008, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will come to Disney Studios -- plunging Guests into a thrilling experience based on the iconic attraction at other Disney parks.

In the fall of 2006, Tokyo DisneySea also will open its own Tower of Terror.

Disney Cruise Line will offer Guests new experiences as well in 2006. In May, a new seven-night itinerary will be available that includes two stops at Disney's private-island getaway, Castaway Cay. The itinerary will also include a stop at Cozumel and a new port of call -- Costa Maya. Additionally, in September the Disney Wonder will embark on two extended itineraries -- one 10-night and one 11-night cruise to Southern Caribbean ports, including Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua and Castaway Cay.

"As exciting as all these activities are, they represent only a few of the new products and experiences in development for 2006 and beyond," Rasulo added. "As Walt once said, 'Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world.'

"That statement continues to hold true today as we constantly look for new and compelling ways to entertain our Guests throughout the world," Rasulo concluded.

HK Disneyland to Release Limited Edition Pin Sets for Festivals

Hong Kong Disneyland announced on Thursday that it is to issue limited edition Disney pin sets in celebration of the park's first festive season.

Starting from Friday, the Happy Holidays 2005 six-piece collection will be on sale, and features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto -- complete with gifts and a centerpiece Christmas tree.

Hong Kong Disneyland Director of Merchandise Phyllis Wong said, "the Happy Holiday collection captures the warmth and magic of the holiday season at Hong Kong Disneyland and is the perfect way to commemorate our first Christmas in Hong Kong."

Only 2,005 Christmas pin sets will be available for sale, which is presented a golden gift box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Then on New Year's Eve, guests can usher in 2006 with a walk down memory lane as Hong Kong Disneyland releases another 500 limited edition pin sets featuring Mickey Mouse in his mot acclaimed films through the years.

The park will also arrange one of Hong Kong's most magical countdown this New Year's Eve.

Hong Kong Disneyland has just launched cooperation on ticket selling with quite a number of local travel agencies, in an effort to attract more visitors.

Darren Star gets development deal with ABC

"Sex and the City" creator Darren Star is developing two projects for ABC, one of which is guaranteed to be made into a pilot next year.

One project is already in the works, Daily Variety reported Thursday, a half-hour comedy by writer Darlene Hunt of "Good Morning Miami."

The comedy working under the title "The Model" is set along New York's fashion runways, Variety said. The executive producers of Bravo's reality show, "Project Runway," are also involved in the project.

Star told Variety work on a second ABC project is under way, but no details were offered.

Disney Resort Guests Get More Perks

Disney water parks join the roster of theme parks participating in the Extra Magic Hours feature at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests staying at any Disney hotel will be able to enjoy an additional hour of splashy fun at Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. The water parks will open one hour before the regularly scheduled opening time, providing access to all attractions and preferred seating.

Extra Magic Hours also are available at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom -- on select days one hour prior to regularly scheduled park opening, and on other days up to three hours following the park's closing. Selected attractions are available for the exclusive use of Disney Resort hotel guests.

Guests are required to present their Disney Resort identification card along with a valid theme park admission ticket.

NTU's Disney connection

A BIT of Disney magic is emanating from a corner of Tuas now.

All thanks to Professor Isaac Kerlow, the new dean of Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Art, Design and Media - Singapore's first professional art school offering degree courses.

Prof Kerlow, 58, a leading authority on 3-D computer-generated animated design, was a top executive in Walt Disney from 1995 to 2004. (See report on facing page.)

Before he was offered the job as dean, his knowledge of Singapore was limited to Singapore Airlines, his 'favourite airline'.

He also did not realize that Singapore was starting to take big strides in the art, design and film industries.

Since the beginning of this year, he has been tasked with developing the art school, with a budget, that 'exceeds' that of the top 10 art and design schools in the US.

But he did not want to disclose the amount.

Prof Kerlow, a Mexican who has worked in New York and Los Angeles for over two decades, said: 'I think it's a great opportunity to build a new school from scratch with such amazing support. Not only from the university, but from the country.

'It's not that often you get this opportunity. I know the deans in the top 10 art schools in the US. Nobody has a budget that we have. We have a very generous budget, which is a great thing.'

Before Disney, he was a professor in well-known design school Pratt Institute in New York for 10 years.

He is also the author of several books, including a textbook, called The Art Of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, that has been translated into several languages including Russian and Mandarin.

At Disney, he led a group of animators and digital artists in Disney Interactive that developed and produced CD-ROM, online and platform games. He was also involved in cutting production costs.

Before taking up the job here, he said, he was doing consulting for animation companies around the world and in Asia, while working on two animation films.

One of them, a Christmas animation movie, is due to be released in 2007.

He has been here for less than a year, but has made some observations about how things work, and how they expect things to be done - at short notice.

He said: 'We hired 20 people in a few months, put together the first year curriculum in a few short months, got some interim space built for us, and here we are!

'We viewed 1,000 applications... and we started with 108 people in July.'

He noted that Singapore was behind South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, in terms of its 'social understanding of art, in terms of the development of design, in terms of creativity of entertainment industry'.

But, he notes, the Government is addressing the problem.

Which is why it has started the school and is wooing big names in the industry here.

ABC Family Airs 'Wife Swap' Marathon Sunday, January 15

Have you ever wondered what life was like in someone else's shoes? Find out during ABC Family's Wife Swap marathon on Sunday, January 15 (12:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET/PT) featuring seven back-to-back episodes of the hit series.

In each episode, two wives discover that the grass is not always greener on the other side when they hand over the keys to their homes and literally switch families for two weeks on the reality show Wife Swap. In the first week of the swap, the wives move in with their new family and adopt their very different lifestyle. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household. But in the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge and introduce their own set of rules and run the new household their way. At the end of the show, the two couples meet for the first time. In a highly-charged exchange of views, both couples make a frank assessment of each other and talk about what they've learned from the experience.

WIFE SWAP MARATHON SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 15 (12:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm WIF-1008 Pyke/Smith
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm WIF-1009 Cedarquist/Oeth
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm WIF-1010 Flummerfelt/Bray
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm WIF-1011 Burkhalter/Elliot
4:00 pm – 5:00pm WIF-1012 Paiss/Davis
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm WIF-1013 Parsons/Bramhall
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm WIF-1014 Harris/VanNoy

Please note, the Wife Swap Marathon replaces the previously scheduled Gilmore Girls Marathon on January 15th.

Disney revamps its 'Jungle' shows

There are some new adventures lurking in Disney on Ice's jungle.

"3 Jungle Adventures'' has been reworked since it debuted in 2000 and played in Cleveland in early 2001, according to skater Craig Horowitz. The show features highlights from three Disney favorites - 1967's "The Jungle Book,'' 1994's "The Lion King'' and 1999's "Tarzan.''

"This one has been updated,'' Horowitz said. "It's a really cool, kind of newfangled story. Timon and Puumba (from 'The Lion King') are trying to find their perfect home. It's narrated very well, and they've actually shortened it a little bit.''

The production still preserves the big musical numbers from those shows - "I Wanna Be Like You'' and "The Bare Necessities'' from "The Jungle Book''; "Hakuna Matata'' and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight'' from "The Lion King''; and "Trashin' the Camp'' and "You'll Be in My Heart'' from "Tarzan.''

The action plays out on a set that transforms the ice into a botanical paradise with a massive tree as the centerpiece, and vines, scenery and sound effects used to recreate the temperate locale. Costuming also turns skaters into a herd of elephants and other jungle species.

So as not to destroy the magic for the young children who are the core audience, it's Disney on Ice's policy that skaters do not specify what roles they skate in interviews, but Horowitz did say he is featured in "The Jungle Book'' portion.

"Once you cross that curtain line, you actually become that character,'' he said. "You feel it's a part of you, a second skin almost.''

Staying in character is important because the cast brings the jungle adventures into the audience.

"With this show, there's a lot of audience participation, which is fun to be able to get off the ice and interact directly with the audience,'' he said. "Really, that interaction is what's so great about this production. When you go to a movie theater, you don't have Baloo or Goofy come off the screen and interact with you.''

Horowitz has climbed inside the skin of many Disney characters. This is his 17th year with Disney on Ice, and he's skated roles in "Mickey's Diamond Jubilee,'' "Beauty and the Beast,'' "Aladdin,'' "Toy Story'' and Feld Entertainment's "Grease on Ice.''

Playing the Genie in "Aladdin'' was his favorite role because, "It fit my personality to a tee.'' Not surprisingly, he also sang the praises of his current production, particularly the acrobatics in the "Tarzan'' segment and the aerial moves executed without a net by Tarzan and Jane on a vine over the ice.

When he first auditioned and was cast while in college, Horowitz thought he would stay with the ice show for a year at most.

"It just worked out and was perfect for me,'' he said. "Ive been to Japan six times. Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, everywhere in the United States and Canada. It's a very close-knit family. We celebrate all the holidays together. I can't give you enough superlatives about it.''

Horowitz also met his fiancee, who also is a skater, through the show. The tour for "3 Jungle Adventures'' ends in April, his wedding is slated for June, and Horowitz said he is ready leave the ice, but not the ice show.

"I want to stay with the company in a different aspect, maybe getting into the promotions side of it.''

Ricci Accentuates 'Anatomy'

A Disney double for special twin sisters

Santa might not have been able to grant their wish, so the Make a Wish Foundation has stepped in to help.

Jessica will celebrate her 14th birthday in Disneyland.

It will be her second trip to the theme park. She shares the Disney fascination with her twin sister, Stephanie, who was granted the same wish seven years ago. It just took Jessica all that time to decide her wish.

The sisters suffer from the same degenerative disease.

The funds were raised by Wok In A Box stores with their Wok A Wish Day. Raising more than $10,000, AMP Foundation stepped in to match the funds dollar for dollar.

ABC Bets Again on Hayek's 'Betty'

Monsters to the rescue 

Pleasure Island may get makeover 

Disney launches Web personalization with Zazzle 

Settlement reached with teacher who tried to sell Disney tickets 

Disney Cruise Line Tropical Hideaways and Black-Sand Beaches Beckon 

ABC News' Brian Ross Wins Award for Congo Coverage 

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe'' Releasing in China 

Cincinnati ABC affiliate says 'don't waste your money' on Apple iPod

Monsters to the rescue

Mike and Sulley, characters from the "Monsters, Inc." movie, are off to the rescue once again, this time in a new attraction that Disney hopes will lead the revival of California Adventure.

The nearly 5-year-old theme park, struggling to connect with visitors, might be able to attract some of the big holiday crowds away from Disneyland with the Monsters, Inc. ride and a new piece of interactive technology - the first three-dimensional figure that can talk to guests.

The family-friendly attraction, the first of more to come, opened this week for sneak previews. An official opening is scheduled for January.

As riders turn the final corner in Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, they come upon Roz, an animated version of the crotchety dispatcher in the film. She twists her long neck and turns her spectacles toward them, using several of her 19 programmed functions. Then she surprises them with a personalized greeting.

"Lady in the second row, is that your husband with you?"

Tiffany Gillespie of Portland, Ore., nodded and then laughed as Roz growled: "Well you better keep an eye on him. He's been winking at me."

Disney Imagineers who created the ride won't say exactly how Roz works. That's part of the "magic" and they decline to reveal it. But it's safe to say a human being watches who is in the approaching cars and then programs Roz to deliver an appropriate line. After one day's testing, concept creator Kevin Rafferty was already jotting down ideas for new lines.

While Disney infused more thrills in the park last year with Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, this addition delivers delight.

"It's surprising and reassuring at the same time," Rafferty said. "You know the story and characters from the movie, and you know what to expect from a Disney dark ride. But there are a few surprises."

The theme park industry recognizes the need to make its attractions more interactive, particularly as it targets the teen and tween markets that expect that element in their entertainment. Disney Imagineers are leading the way with characters such as Roz, which they classify as a "living character." The characters utilize Disney's groundbreaking audio-animatronic technology, developed in the 1960s, and then take it to another level to "communicate" with visitors.

Disney has entertained generations of visitors with passive shows, including parades, live stage shows and traditional dark rides. But this year it opened Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Disneyland, giving riders a laser gun to aim at targets and earn points. California Adventure also debuted Turtle Talk with Crush, a movie-screen character who interacts with guests.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction invites visitors to line up at the Monstropolis Transit Authority to catch a taxi from the human world into the monster world. Once there, they are purely observers of the action: Two monster "heroes" evade an evil monster and help Boo, a lost child, get back home.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction would rate as a high "C" if Disney still used its original ticket books, with rides starting at "A" and working up to "E" for the biggest thrills. It's likely to be most popular with younger children and fans of the movie. While it's not a blockbuster, it provides a much-needed boost for California Adventure and it signals Disney's intent to accelerate development of a park that opened in 2001.

"We're just getting started," said Rafferty, who is working on several Disney attractions. "This is the first step into the future for Disney's California Adventure."

While the major work will be done next year, Disney has begun improvements already. The area leading to the Monsters, Inc. attraction, called the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, has a new fountain and two rows of trees. Visitors had complained that California Adventure lacked enough shade on sunny days.

Food service, which was shut down in this area because of lack of traffic, resumed this week. The Studio Catering Co. offers take-away food with tables out front.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction includes 40 custom-sculpted characters and thousands of details, and there's a reason behind every prop, gag and sound. From the facade of doors outside that leads you into another world to the cold blast of air that hits riders passing a monster snowman, each piece must contribute to the story line, said Jodi McLaughlin, the show producer.

McLaughlin's job was to design every square inch of space with the kind of detail that ensures "high repeatability." While the ride has a simple story, people are expected to board again and again - justifying Disney's expense - because they see something different each time.

They're also likely to watch for their favorite parts, like the distinct smell of ginger in the chaotic Japanese restaurant scene, or the sudden apparition of Randall, the evil chameleon, in the bathroom scene.

Something as subtle as the soundtrack, which begins playing in the ride's line, was so critical that Imagineers hired a 48-piece orchestra to help "capture the emotion" of the theme.

Another unique feature is the video terminal in the ride vehicle. As riders board their taxi, they see and hear a news clip that sets the stage for the four-minute story they're about to experience.

Though it doesn't officially open until January, visitors are likely to be able to catch a ride on most days as Imagineers test and tweak it. Disney fit the attraction into the same building as the old Superstar Limo ride, and the vehicles follow the same track.

Pleasure Island may get makeover

 

Don't be surprised if the new year brings some changes to Disney's Pleasure Island.

I'm hearing Mouse officials are reviewing the nighttime entertainment complex with the idea of some updates. Given the competition from places like Universal's CityWalk, that's understandable.

Among the things under consideration, I'm told, is opening a bowling alley and dropping the every-night-is-New-Year's-Eve theme, which has been around since 1990.

And, for certain, the West End stage on the Island, where a deejay is often found, is going away to make entering the island easier.

Earlier this year, Disney got rid of the admission charge to the Island, replacing the $20.50 gate charge with individual covers at the clubs.

Disney launches Web personalization with Zazzle

The Walt Disney Co.'s online shopping site on Wednesday launched its first "You design it" feature in a move aimed at riding the fast- growing trend toward giving choosy Internet shoppers exactly what they want.

Disney partnered with online customization site Zazzle.com, which licenses thousands of images from Warner Bros., Marvel Comics Inc., Lucasfilm Ltd. and 20th Century Fox, among others, and also allows users to sell their own art for use on personalized T-shirts, greeting cards and postage stamps.

It took Disney, which aggressively protects its copyrights, about two years to figure out how to open its vast art archives, while controlling how consumers could use its characters.

"Disney very much wanted to create the Disney experience and insure products we ultimately sell to consumers protect the brand and reinforce a lot of what it stands for," Zazzle co-founder and Chief Executive Robert Beaver said. "That was our challenge from an engineering standpoint."

Zazzle's Disney boutique, which can be accessed via disneyshopping.com and disneyinkshop.com, allows consumers to select a Disney character, T-shirt style and color and to add a name or phrase from an approved list.

The 4,000-plus Disney images can also be used on stamps or greeting cards on Zazzle.

Disney, which has long allowed customers to add their names to items sold at its stores and theme parks, is "constantly looking to add personalized items for guests," said David Barad, Disney's vice president of marketing for Disneyshopping.com.

"Everything we look at we are now looking at ways to let the guest make it their own," Barad said.

Online holiday shopping was expected to reach $26 billion in 2005, an 18 percent increase over 2004, according to JupiterResearch.

Sales of Disney personalized products were expected to rise 25 percent to 35 percent over last year's holiday quarter, Barad said. Personalized products made up 10 percent to 12 percent of Disney Shopping's overall business last year and were expected to grow to 15 percent, he said.

"Of the items that we have for personalization, over 90 percent (of consumers) personalize them," Barad said. "That is telling us pretty powerfully that they want to personalize it."

The partnership with Zazzle allows Disney to market its secondary characters, which usually are not licensed by traditional retailers and to tap into emerging, consumer-driven trends, Barad said.

"That's the great thing with the Zazzle business -- we can try to take advantage of characters we didn't see (as pop culture icons)," he said.

Settlement reached with teacher who tried to sell Disney tickets

Florida's Education Practices Commission issued a one-year retroactive suspension that ended last year to a former music teacher at Glade View Elementary who tried selling Disney World tickets purchased by the school, according to a settlement reached earlier this month.

Elizabeth Wacker and her husband were caught by Orange County sheriff's deputies in 2003 with 56 tickets that were supposed to go to Glade View Elementary students.

The school board suspended her for 30 days. Wacker also agreed to be placed on probation for two years, take a 3-credit hour college course in ethics, pay a $100 fine and restrict her employment to jobs where she won't handle school funds. She no longer works for the school district. 

Disney Cruise Line Tropical Hideaways and Black-Sand Beaches Beckon

Now that cold winter weather is here, Are you  daydreaming about tropical breezes, sparkling-blue oceans and sandy beaches? Then there is no better time to book a 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises aboard the Disney Wonder.

Did you know this is the first time Disney Cruise Line has included exotic Barbados and the black-sand paradise of St. Kitts as ports of call? Here’s a closer look at these special itineraries:

September 7, 2006 This breathtaking, 10-night cruise takes you to the heart of the Caribbean and Disney’s Bahamian paradise, Castaway Cay. Linger in luxurious ports of call, such as lush St. Lucia, vibrant Barbados and glittering Antigua. Snorkel in the sparkling waters, discover pirate coves or just bask in the warmth of the tropical sun.

September 17, 2006 Sail away for 11 nights to the emerald tropics of the Southern Caribbean. From the warm hues of Barbados to the black-and-white sands of St. Kitts, feast your eyes on the lavish colors that bloom at each enticing port of call. Splash in the pearly waters at Castaway Cay or bargain hunt at the shops of St. Thomas.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe'' Releasing in China

--"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will be released Spring 2006 in China it was announced by Mark Zoradi, President, Buena Vista International, Inc. (BVI).

Zoradi said, "It is a great honor for us to have the film accepted by China Film for release in China. It truly highlights the universal appeal of the film's story and how it is connecting with audiences worldwide. We have had tremendous success with our recent releases in China including 'National Treasure' and 'The Incredibles.' We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with China Films, with what is sure to be another huge box office success."

C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of "Narnia" through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming world inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over "Narnia" in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free "Narnia" from Jadis' icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar-winning "Shrek," "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Ann Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

Since its December 8 opening, the film has earned $200M+ in global box-office receipts and has achieved numerous Walt Disney Studios box-office records. With the Christmas holidays just beginning, "Narnia" looks to re-write box-office history in numerous territories. The following are some key highlights:

North America

Posted the second biggest December opening in industry history earning $65.5M from 3,616 theaters and the industry's third biggest bow of 2005. Following this auspicious start "Narnia" has held exceptionally well ultimately crossing the $100M+ U.S. box-office mark in only nine days matching a TWDC company record for a live-action film. As of today "Narnia" has now earned more than $125M+ since beginning its domestic release on December 9th.

International Marketplace

Internationally "Narnia" has generated more than $85M since beginning its release on December 8 from only thirteen territories. Considering that the majority of these results were posted during the non-holiday play period, it is truly an exceptional performance. The following individual territory achievements are particularly noteworthy:

U.K.

Generated the biggest BVI UK of all-time surpassing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" debut by 20%.

SPAIN

Registered the fifth biggest opening in industry history (behind only "Torrente 3," "Harry Potter 4," "Star Wars 3" and "Lord of the Rings 3") and the biggest ever for a non-sequel. Setting a new high for BVI Spain eclipsing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" start by almost 30%.

MEXICO

Posted a new all-time high for BVI in the territory exceeding Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo" by almost 30%.

NEW ZEALAND

Posted the biggest non-sequel debut ever, the best ever for BVI and the fourth biggest, sequel or non-sequel, of all-time.

MALAYSIA

After only two weeks of release, the film is now the biggest BVI release ever in this territory.

About Buena Vista International, Inc.

Buena Vista International, Inc. is the international theatrical distribution arm of The Walt Disney Studios. It is headquartered in Burbank, California with 27 offices worldwide.

Cincinnati ABC affiliate says 'don't waste your money' on Apple iPod

"One of the hottest selling items this holiday season has been Apple's iPod. But many stores ran out by early December [sic]... And many of us don't have 200 bucks for a music player. So should you consider a cheaper, off brand player? Kathy Grau, like many parents, found an iPod atop her daughters wish list this year. 'My daughter wanted an MP3 player...She'd prefer an iPod...But shes 11 so she's going to get an MP3 player.' Why? Because Kathy learned there's a big difference between the hot iPod and the not-so-hot mp3 players from Sony, RCA, and others. The price! While the red-hot iPod nano sells for 199 dollars...Kathy could grab an RCA Lyra for just 39 bucks. 'You can find them as cheap as 39 dollars...they do the exact same thing.' Here at hh gregg's florence store... Digital music expert Chris Benzinger says if you can live without the iPod name ...You'll find lots of cheaper alternatives. Chris says this imitation iPod from Toshiba has the same bells and whistles for a lot less... So don't waste your money," John Matarese writes for WCPO in Cincinnati.

Disneyland's spell fades in expectant Hong Kong 

Ten thousandth participant in “Around the World at Epcot” tour recognized 

'Casanova' crew rose to Venice challenges 

Shanghai underwear firm gets Disney magic 

ABC gets real on riots 

Jose Miguel Arroyo plays Santa Claus 

Make it work 

Drawn to Florida 

Disney Channels celebrate first birthday 

"Little House on the Prarie" on DVD 

Christmas Around the World from Walt Disney World Radio Program

"Desperate" Dismissee's Bad Rap

Jose Miguel Arroyo plays Santa Claus

True to his promise, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo yesterday played Santa Claus to Filipino gold medalists in the recent Southeast Asian Games by taking them to Hong Kong for a fling at its magical Disneyland.

All told, 337 people left on four separate planes -- one of them a chartered flight -- to celebrate in the magical kingdom of Mickey Mouse, Peter Pan and Tarzan the country's feat of winning the overall Games championship for the first time ever.

Arroyo said the treat was financed by private sponsors and his friends who wanted to reward the athletes for propelling the Philippines to the top of the Games' gold medal chart.

Airport officials, who had been previously reprimanded by their superiors for talking to media about the movements of members of the First Family, declined to release the full list of contingent members. But some 200 gold medalists were believed among those bound for Disneyland.

Each athlete reportedly received $300 pocket money.

Of the 337 holiday makers, officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said 142 left on Philippine Airlines flight PR 300 at 8 a.m. They included 80 athletes, Arroyo, his son Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo and the latter's family.

Make it work

When Walt Disney World launched a free shuttle service between the theme park and Orlando International Airport last May, few imagined it would be so wildly successful -- and controversial.

Customers love the service, dubbed Disney's Magical Express. And for good reason. It allows them to check luggage at their hometown airports, and never see it again until they arrive at one of Disney's on-site hotels.

Convenient, absolutely. But other travelers reap considerable benefit, as well. The shuttles handle an average of 10,000 visitors a day, exceeding even Disney's initial projections. That's 10,000 fewer passengers clogging baggage-claim carousels and waiting in line at airport ticket counters to check luggage. Thousands of customers also get boarding passes at Disney resorts, further diminishing airport-ticket lines. Passenger bags also are screened at a remote location leased by Disney, requiring fewer federal security personnel and reducing by as much as 20 percent baggage handling demands at the airport.

Clearly, similar shuttle services are the travel wave of the future. And it's in everyone's best interest -- including the airport's -- that the Disney project succeed.

Unfortunately, however, airport executives seem to view the service as more of a threat to airport revenues than a significant improvement to airport operations. While they're still crunching numbers, they worry that Disney's service may reduce concession fees from rental car operators, which now support about 17 percent of the airport's operating budget.

There's a simple answer to that potential problem: Reduce the airport's dependence on car-rental fees by exploiting the economic development potential of its massive land holdings -- particularly at Orlando Executive Airport.

This isn't just about Disney, after all. Airport officials fully anticipate that other tourism interests will want to replicate the hugely popular service. What's more, it's a definite precursor to mass-transit links at the airport. What will the airport do then to make up for lost rental-car revenue?

The status quo clearly isn't an option. Disney estimates, for example, that airport efficiencies resulting from its express bus service could forestall construction of an additional terminal at the airport by as much as seven years. In the long run, that's a significant cost savings for airlines that are obligated to pay for the new facility.

Clinging to an outdated financing paradigm only puts the airport -- and all of Central Florida -- at competitive risk. In a post-9-11 era, additional aviation-related security concerns make customer-service innovations even more imperative.

Orlando International Airport's stellar reputation was built upon a strong foundation of passenger-related amenities. That focus worked well then, and it will continue to serve the airport and the community well in the future.

"Little House on the Prarie" on DVD

The Wonderful World of Disney's spring 2005 mini-series "Little House on the Prarie" is coming to DVD on March 28th, 2006. The 2-disc set will contain all the installments of the studio's retelling of the pioneer life of Laura Ingalls, her family and neighbors. The 254-minute series will be presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Bonus features (if any) have yet to be announced.

Christmas Around the World from Walt Disney World Radio Program

Check your local radio station for Christmas Around the World, live from MGM Studios at Disney World. A special featuring celebrity guests and music. Orlando's WDBO will air the program for 11 hours beginning at 9a Christmas morning. Los Angeles' KABC will air the program beginning at 6p Christmas Eve through 6p Christmas Day.

"Desperate" Dismissee's Bad Rap

He's no K-Fed, but recently dismissed Desperate Housewives cellar dweller Page Kennedy is following in Mr. Spears' media-hatin' musical footsteps.

The actor has released a rap track, "Hold On," via his Website, chronicling his hiring and rapid firing from the ABC mega-hit over an alleged flashing incident on the set.

Kennedy's song starts off harmlessly enough, with the actor rapping about his excitement over his new status as a Wisteria Lane resident: "Best show on the air/Best show in America/ That's right, Page is right there...25 million viewers a week/25 million connoisseurs that'll speak highly of me."

His enthusiasm quickly wanes, though, when as his career goes from "on the verge of striking like matches" to his termination for what ABC called "improper conduct." Variety subsequently reported Kennedy's "improper conduct" involved someone on the crew, while the National Enquirer claimed he was let go for flashing two female coworkers.

"I'm wondering when I can hold up my chin/When this nightmare'll finally end...Follow me as I show you/What goes on in Hollywood/ Where everything is so wrong/Where they build you up just to tear you down," he raps on the track.

"Tabloids...Started spreading all of these rumors and allegations/Sad thing is they weren't even exaggerations/They were complete lies and the media seems to stick together like fat guys and Supersize fries."

Kennedy has stood by his original claim that Touchstone Television--the show's producer--simply decided to "go in a different direction" and bought out his contract.

Or, as Kennedy, raps: "Let me set the record straight/ My departure was part of a particular incident/That I'm done mentioning/What else can I say/They went another way/They recast me/Right after they unmasked me."

Kennedy also worries aloud over what his kids will think of the rumors, and at one point in the song there is a gunshot, followed by a little girl crying "Daddy?"

The actor, who has been off the radar since his dismissal, also addresses why he decided to release his song now, long after the tabloids have moved on from the incident.

"I put my words to music/Maybe I need a pen to get in all of my feelings/So the healing can begin...They goin' regret it/After they recast it won't be the same/You can tell 'em I said it/But no hard feelings," he raps.

Clearly.

The song can be listened to in its entirety on the actor's Website, www.pagekennedy.com.

French antitrust watchdog fines Disney unit for price-fixing 

'Commander In Chief' Joins iTunes Playlist 

Hang on (to your), Disney 

Mourning for Monday Night Football 

King Kong vs. Narnia 

For These Sisters, Walt Disney World is Only 26.2 Miles Away 

Disney Starts Walt Disney World Podcast 

Elephant Family Grows Again At Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Great Raid 

The Brothers Grimm 

Chicago: The Razzle Dazzle Edition 

Once Upon A Mattress 

Britney Spears Sues Magazine

ABC has added another of its hit shows, the first-year drama "Commander In Chief," to the roster of TV series available for download onto an iPod.

Starting Tuesday (Dec. 20), all nine episodes of the show, in which Geena Davis plays the first female president of the United States, are available on Apple's iTunes service. New episodes will pop up the day after they run on ABC; the show is scheduled to return to the air Tuesday, Jan. 10.

As will all other TV offerings on iTunes, episodes cost $1.99 each.

"Commander In Chief" is the third ABC series to join the iTunes list, following "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives." The network's parent, Disney, also offers three Disney Channel shows, while NBC Universal has placed several of its current shows, clips from "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and past shows like "Knight Rider" on the service.

The series is the most-watched new show of the season, drawing an average of about 14.7 million viewers per week. Joining iTunes could conceivably help bring some younger viewers to "Commander In Chief," which skews somewhat older than ABC's other big hits.

The Great Raid

 

Miramax Home Entertainment presents THE GREAT RAID, an epic WWII adventure in the tradition of "Saving Private Ryan," on DVD December 20. This thrilling film is the inspirational true story of the most successful rescue mission in U.S. military history, where a courageous U.S. Army Battalion and their freedom-loving allies liberate over 500 prisoners from an enemy camp. The film's sweeping storyline enlists a large, excellent cast that includes Benjamin Bratt ("Miss Congeniality," "Catwoman"), James Franco ("Spider-Man"), Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator," "One Hour Photo"), Marton Csokas ("The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"), Mark Consuelos (TV's "All My Children") and Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare In Love").

THE GREAT RAID will be available in separate editions: the Theatrical version (single disc in full frame aspect ratio) and an Exclusive Unrated Director's Cut Edition (2-disc in widescreen aspect ratio, with full novel The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer included).

Never-before-seen bonus features are: deleted scenes (with optional director commentary); "The Price of Freedom" - Making The Great Raid; "Captain Dale Dye's Boot Camp"; War In The Pacific Interactive Timeline; Sound Mixing The Great Raid; The Mix Board; The Veterans Remember; Feature Commentary with the director, producer, technical advisor, editor and book author. The 2-disc Director's Cut edition includes everything in the Theatrical Edition plus: more deleted scenes, "The Ghosts of Bataan" 60-minute documentary; "The Veterans Remember"; history lessons with author Hampton Sides; boot camp outtakes; and a "Dedication to the Soldiers of Bataan."

Set in the Philippines in 1945, The Great Raid tells the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Bratt) who undertake a daring rescue mission against all odds. Traveling deep behind enemy lines, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp.

In the camp, a group of American POWs struggle to survive in appalling, disease-ridden conditions. Although their leader Major Gibson (Joseph Fiennes) does his best to keep his men alive, their fortunes grow worse when an enemy order is given to kill the prisoners. In occupied Manila, Gibson's love Margaret (Connie Nielsen) works with the underground resistance and tries to shuttle black-market supplies to the prisoners. Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Mucci's team, with Captain Prince (James Franco), fights against the odds and races against time, with only one chance to rescue their comrades.

Screenplay by Carlo Bernard & Doug Miro. Based on the books The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer, and Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. Directed by John Dahl ("Rounders," "The Last Seduction").

On DVD, never-before-seen bonus features for THE BROTHERS GRIMM are: feature audio commentary with director Terry Gilliam, deleted scenes with optional director commentary; "Bringing the Fairytale to Life" (behind-the-scenes featurette); and "The Visual Magic of The Brothers Grimm."

Matt Damon and Heath Ledger team up to bring you one of the year's most fantastic adventures in this magical tale based on the lives of the legendary storytellers. Will and Jake Grimm (Damon and Ledger) dazzle small towns with their imaginative folklore and elaborate illusions. But when the brothers journey into a real enchanted forest they encounter many of the fantastic characters and thrilling situations found in their beloved fairy tales. THE BROTHERS GRIMM also stars Peter Stormare (TV's "Prison Break"), Lena Headey ("The Cave"), Jonathan Pryce ("Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl") and Monica Bellucci ("The Passion of the Christ," "The Matrix Revolutions").

CHICAGO is the big, brassy hit movie that wowed audiences and garnered six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Stars Catherine Zeta-Jones ("Ocean's Twelve"), Renée Zellweger ("Cinderella Man," "Bridget Jones's Diary"), Richard Gere ("Shall We Dance?"); Queen Latifah ("Bringing Down The House"), and Lucy Liu ("Charlie's Angels") lead a singing, dancing cast that heats up the screen.

In CHICAGO, it's 1929. The city's hot with murder… passion… fame… sex… And All That Jazz. The Windy City's promise of adventure and opportunity dazzle Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), who wishes to follow in the golden footsteps of sensational vaudeville performer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Roxie gets her wish when some very wrong steps land both the star and starlet in prison for separate murder charges. Under the crooked care of the prison's Matron Morton (Queen Latifah), Roxie meets up with legendary lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). Roxie's career skyrockets, but the clever Miss Kelly has some surprises left for her second act.

Catherine Zeta-Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress 2002 for "Chicago." Renée Zellweger won the Golden Globe for Best Actress and Richard Gere won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Based on the award-winning musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Screenplay by Bill Condon. Directed by Rob Marshall.

When Sir Harry (Broadway star Matthew Morrison) and Lady Larken (Zooey Deschanel, "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy") learn that they are to become parents, wed or not, Sir Harry takes matters into his own hands and goes into the swamp to search for a bride for the prince. There he discovers Princess Winnifred (Tracey Ullman). The Queen is horrified and schemes to get rid of Princess "Fred," but aided by Sir Harry and the Jester (Michael Boatman, TV'S "Spin City"), Winnifred stakes her place in the kingdom. Tom Smothers (of the famous "Smothers Brothers" comedy duo) and Edwin Hibbert ("The Lion King 1 ½") also star. Available for $19.99 (SRP) on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Touchstone Television.

The DVD is packed with fun bonus features including: "The Making of Once Upon A Mattress;" hilarious outtakes; and a rehearsal to film comparison.

Teleplay by Janet Brownell. Based on the Broadway Musical by Marshall Louis Barer, Dean Fuller, Jay Thompson and Mary Rodgers. Directed by Kathleen Marshall (Tony award winner, Best Choreography, Broadway's "Wonderful Town" 2004).

Britney Spears Sues Magazine

"Laughter, disgust or goofy behavior": Just part of being a celebrity? Not according to Britney Spears.

The gyrating songstress sued paparazzi glossy Us Weekly to the tune of $20 million Monday.

The saucy warbler's libel lawsuit claims the magazine published a false story reporting that she and her husband, dancer Kevin Federline, made what an older generation called a "stag film."

The article claims the duo viewed the homemade sex video with their estate planning lawyers, as they were anxious about its release. According to the lawsuit, the Oct. 17 story allegedly added insult to injury by stating that Spears and her husband were "acting goofy the whole time" while viewing the supposed blue movie with the lawyers.

As many readers know--whether they admit to it or not--heiress Paris Hilton seemed to appear in such a video, spread virally throughout the Internet. But perhaps la Hilton enjoys staying on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list for its own sake. (see: "Gorog's Napster Striptease Ad Banned In U.S.")

Spears, on the other hand, is a new mom--so the stakes may be higher when it comes to how she's perceived, not to mention the very question of the as-yet unverified existence of the alleged tape.

"There was no laughter, disgust or goofy behavior while watching the video in the company of lawyers because they did not watch any video, and because there is no such video," the lawsuit stated.

A telephone call made by The Associated Press after business hours Monday to the glossy's Los Angeles office was not immediately returned.

Us is owned by Wenner Media, one of the last privately held publishers, comprising Rolling Stone, Men's Journal, and Us magazines. According to reports, Us neared oblivion when Wenner relaunched the struggling celebrity monthly into a weekly in 2000, burned through some $50 million--then was rescued in 2001 when The Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS) bought a 50% stake in the magazine.

Britney Spears filed a $20 million libel lawsuit Monday against celebrity magazine Us Weekly, charging it published a false story reporting she and her husband, Kevin Federline, made a sex tape and were worried about its release.

The lawsuit seeks $10 million in libel damages and $10 million for misappropriating Spears' name and image to promote sales. It also seeks unspecified punitive damages.

A telephone call made after business hours Monday to the magazine's Los Angeles office was not immediately returned.

According to the lawsuit, the article was published Oct. 17 in the magazine's "Hot Stuff" column and claimed that Spears and her husband feared the release of a secret sex tape, which they had viewed with their estate planning lawyers.

The article stated that Spears gave a copy of the tape to the lawyers on Sept. 30 and that she and her husband were "acting goofy the whole time" while watching the video.

"There was no laughter, disgust or goofy behavior while watching the video in the company of lawyers because they did not watch any video, and because there is no such video," the lawsuit stated.

According to the lawsuit, Spears went to court after Us Weekly refused her request for a retraction, saying it stood by the story.

Spears and Us Weekly also tangled in February after the magazine published pictures of her October honeymoon in the Fiji Islands.

She issued a statement criticizing the magazine for publishing photos taken by resort staff members. Us Weekly responded with its own statement saying Spears had sold pictures of her wedding and stepdaughter to publications.

"Could it be that Britney is seeing red after not seeing the green from these photos?" Us Weekly asked. "Britney Spears should start a magazine if she'd like to dictate her own coverage."

Original pictures for early Disney animation films found 

Cox, Arquette sign TV production deal at Disney 

Roger Corman joins Disney in DVD pact 

ABC Wins Overnight Ratings 

Disney's marketing menagerie 

ESPN has big plans for its return to NASCAR coverage starting in '07 

Big U.S. brands cashing in on retro craze 

'Lost' Actress Complains About Arrest 

ABC Daytime Supports Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids With An All-Star Broadway Extravaganza 

TCL joins Disney to tap cartoon-image electronic market 

Emmy Award-Winner Cady Mcclain Returns To "All My Children" 

Sadly, the new 'Nightline' is a failure 

The Premiere Event 'If Only' Sunday, January 15th On ABC Family 

Religious Services at Walt Disney World on Christmas 

Kodak, REAL D Ink 3-D Systems In Australia

Original pictures for early Disney animation films found

 

Original pictures for early Walt Disney animation films, including "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty," have been found stored in a warehouse in Chiba University, the university said Monday.

The some 250 items consist of celluloid and background pictures that were used to make animation films as well as sketches for the films. The pictures were donated by Walt Disney Co. of the United States to the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, after they were exhibited at some department stores in Japan around 1960.

Cox, Arquette sign TV production deal at Disney

Courteney Cox and David Arquette have signed a first-look deal with Disney's Touchstone Television for their Coquette Prods. banner.

Under the two-year pact, which took effect retroactively November 1, Touchstone TV will have first crack at Coquette's development.

Coquette first partnered with Touchstone TV this past development season to co-produce UPN's comedy pilot "Talkshow Diaries," starring Nancy Travis.

Cox and Arquette come to Touchstone Television from Warner Bros. Television, where Coquette had a first-look deal since its launch in 2004.

Under that deal, the husband-and-wife duo developed and are executive producing "Dirt," a comedy from writer Matthew Carnahan, recently picked up by FX to pilot. WBTV has opted not to produce the project, and there is a possibility for Touchstone TV to come in as producer.

Additionally, Coquette and WBTV have a comedy in development at Disney's ABC. Arquette is attached to star in the show.

On the unscripted side, Cox and Arquette executive produce TBS' comedy reality series "Daisy Does America."

Roger Corman joins Disney in DVD pact

 

For better or worse, Roger Corman has been one of the true mavericks of American independent movies, which makes Corman's new affiliation with Disney-based behemoth Buena Vista Home Entertainment a minor surprise.

"We've always had our own home video company and in the last couple of years, we've seen the majors start to dominate," explained Corman. "On the old basis of 'You can't beat 'em, join 'em,' we thought we would go with a major."

Corman emphasizes that Disney's bid for the Concorde- New Horizons catalog wasn't the highest, but that the company made the best pitch for handling the material. In coming months, Buena Vista will be gradually disseminating parts of Corman's vast 400-film library, along with newer releases that have never been seen on DVD. The process began last week, when "Rock 'n' Roll High School," "Death Race 2000" and "Big Bad Mama" hit shelves in special editions along with the self-explanatory 2004 Costas Mandylor opus "DinoCroc."

"I thought it was going to be a daunting chore," Corman says of contributing to DVD bonus features. "I thought 'I really don't want to sit in a room day after day.' Luckily they didn't all get bunched together. ... And we just started talking and laughing and it ended up being sort of a reunion."

ABC Wins Overnight Ratings

ABC won the Nielsen overnight ratings for the night of Sunday, Dec. 19, with 5.8 rating/9 share in households with the Wonderful World of Disney presentation One Upon a Mattress, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy.

CBS was second for the night with a 9.1/14 for 60 Minutes, Cold Case and its holiday movie Christmas Blessing, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Rebecca Gayhart.

Third for the night was NBC with a 4.4/7 for Dateline, the news special Tom Brokaw: To War and Back, and a broadcast of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Fox came in fourth with a 5.5/9 for The OT (preempted by an NFL runover), The Simpsons, The War at Home, Family Guy and American Dad. It switched to local programming at 10 p.m.

The WB came in fifth place with American Girl Holiday and a showing of The Wizard of Oz.

Programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox was preempted from 9 to 9:30 p.m. by an Oval Office speech from President Bush.

Disney's marketing menagerie

 

THINK, THINK, THINK. Even a Bear of Very Little Brain could work out why Disney is replacing Christopher Robin after 80 years in Hundred Acre Wood with a "tomboyish" six-year-old girl. She may defile A.A. Milne's literary creation, but with all that hunny to be made from merchandising, why should a childhood classic escape a shareholder-pleasing corporate makeover?

There is nothing new in Disney exploiting children's imaginations in its quest to create ever younger consumers. Walt sold the rights to put Mickey Mouse on school writing pads in 1929; the Mickey Mouse Club followed a year later. In management speak, it was vertically integrated synergy: use the cartoons to push merchandise and theme parks, use merchandise and theme parks to flog the movies. As Walt's brother Roy put it: "The sale of a doll to any member of a household is a daily advertisement in that household for our cartoons and keeps them all 'Mickey Mouse Minded'."

Trouble is, the financial stakes are now so high for the Mousehouse that children's everyday lives are being bombarded by its inescapable promotional messages. From broadcast channels to burger bars, churches to classrooms, Disney is targeting the under-10s ever more shamelessly as malleable consumers. Since Pooh Bear was rebranded in 1966 as the American-accented, T-shirted plushie demanded by toy stores ("a complete travesty", lamented his illustrator, Ernest Shepard), Disney's "key pre-school property" is now worth up to $5 billion a year, thanks to everything from Pooh branded waffle irons to "Roo Juice".

Lord knows what C.S. Lewis would make of Narnia, now transformed by Disney's curse into a marketing extravaganza. The company's former boss, Mike Eisner, once said: "We have no obligation to make art. To make money is our only objective." So why wouldn't Disney squeeze every penny from The Chronicles of Narnia? Disney's genius has been to take its brand to magical lands far beyond conventional advertising via the various Disney channels, cereals and comics. This time Christ himself (in the guise of Aslan the lion) has been co-opted to tap into little minds.

Even the clergy have bought into Disney's "faith and family outreach campaign" and have screened the film in churches and Sunday schools. In an attempt to emulate the church-based campaign that boosted Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, two Christian marketing companies have been hired to promote sermons designed to push the film's "spiritual" values; the children's department of the Methodist Church has even developed an entire Narnia-themed service, with images provided by the film's distributors.

Schools are particularly important in the marketing drive. Even before the studio began working on the script executives were consulting teachers about how to work the plot into lessons. Every elementary and middle school in America has been blitzed with Narnia teaching guides about "an epic film set in a breathtaking world", and libraries have received donations of new paperbacks. Oh, and then there are the displays in shopping malls of McDonald's Narnia Happy Meals, the promotions on everything from Oral B toothbrushes to Quilted Northern toilet paper . . .

Surely, if C.S. Lewis's intention with Narnia was to stimulate children's spiritual development, he would not have supported the commercialization of schools and churches like this. Nor should clergy and teachers, however well-intentioned, allow themselves to be used to boost the fortunes of Narnia "marketing partners" such as Unilever and General Mills.

You heathen, the Disney PR machine will doubtless reply: our agenda is simply to delight hundreds of millions of children, harmlessly purveying the wholesome, uplifting values of community decency. To which the Christian response would be: no, what you're really doing is flogging, among other things, high-fat, high-sugar burgers and cereals on the back of a film. If manipulating children to pester their parents for junk is the "family magic" to which Disney aspires, then put this parent back in the wardrobe.

The truly brilliant part of Disney's plan is its ability to bypass parental concerns altogether by targeting children when they are beyond the adults' reach. Mum and dad might conscientiously monitor junior's exposure to television advertising, but online he is far less likely to be supervised. So Disney is exploiting its trusted reputation to serve up "advergames" — immersive games that have inbuilt marketing messages. At its online Virtual Magic Kingdom, for instance, children are invited to "chat, play and trade with friends" for free while learning all about the benefits of persuading parents to take them to a Disney theme park or resort — neatly blurring the line between advertising and entertainment.

True, that leaves those inconvenient slivers of a child's day when he is off-line, insulated from television and magazine advertisements, unreachable even by a Narnia-preaching vicar.

Thoughtfully, Disney is addressing those lost sales opportunities too. Next year the company intends to launch a mobile-phone service targeted at children as young as eight — a perfect way to sell those branded ring tones and logos. It also plans its own portable music and video player which, according to a patent application, might be replenished once its young owner had paid sufficient visits to McDonald's.

All our dreams can come true, Walt Disney once said, if we have the courage to pursue them. But need his successors' dreams commercialize childhood quite so brutally?

ESPN has big plans for its return to NASCAR coverage starting in '07

The ESPN Christmas party the other night was a bit merrier than usual, according to executive John Wildhack.

That's because of an upcoming reunion of ESPN and NASCAR.

"I've been around here a long time," said Wildhack, ESPN's senior vice president for programming acquisitions and strategy. "I don't remember too many days or too many deals that generated this type of excitement across the entire network as did last week's announcement."

The announcement was that ESPN and Disney Media Networks sibling ABC Sports would end a six-year separation from NASCAR.

Beginning in 2007, ABC/ESPN will broadcast the final 17 Nextel Cup series races of the season. That would include all Chase for the Nextel Cup races, including the event at Kansas Speedway.

The company will also broadcast the Busch Series over the life of the eight-year deal.

"We are very well positioned to further grow NASCAR," said George Bodenheimer, ESPN and ABC Sports president and co-chairman of Disney.

The Disney group will share NASCAR coverage with Fox, Turner Sports and the Speed Channel — all of which are included in the current deal that was struck in 2001 and continues through next season.

NBC will be on the outside when the new, $4.5 billion deal takes effect. The people at ESPN/ABC know how that feels.

Even though the sport was surging in terms of popularity five years ago, ESPN/ABC opted not to plunge into a deal whose $2.8 billion price tag was considered by some to be excessive.

Yet Wildhack says the decision not to renew was a tough one. His company's relationship with NASCAR had been long and beneficial.

But, he said, ESPN did what it had to do.

"At that time, as we looked at the decisions we had to make as a company, we made the decision not to renew NASCAR," Wildhack said. "And at that particular time, it was the right decision."

In the five years since, ESPN has continued to report on the sport and has followed its growth.

It became clear to the folks at Disney that their role would have to change.

"Clearly, one of the goals we had at the beginning of 2005 was to try to get back together with NASCAR," Wildhack said.

Last week, ABC/ESPN was welcomed "home" to NASCAR.

Over the last five years, the NASCAR landscape has changed dramatically. It has almost completely shed its perception of being a regional sport and now claims a national following.

ESPN couldn't afford to miss out on it.

"The sport continues to surge in popularity," Wildhack said. "You're seeing tracks open up across the country, whether it's in your Kansas City or Chicago, California, etc. It resonates with advertisers and sponsors."

Wildhack said that one of his company's goals for 2007 is to make viewers notice a difference in coverage — for the better.

To do that, ABC/ESPN will utilize all of its "platforms" when it comes to NASCAR.

Those platforms include its various broadcast entities — ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN News on cable and ABC over the airwaves.

All will be involved with live race-day programming, as well has things such as reality programming.

Look for NASCAR to have "a continuous, seven-day presence" on ESPN's family of broadcast affiliations, Wildhack said.

ESPN is also heavily involved in multimedia, meaning its coverage is not confined to television.

Among resources at its disposal are its weekly magazine, a Web site and Internet broadband capabilities. All of those resources can put fans in contact with news, statistics and features.

All of that appealed to NASCAR.

"As we charted the course and wanted to see how do we maintain the kind of growth we've had over the last several years for the next eight," said Dick Glover, NASCAR vice president for broadcast and new media, "one of the things which was very important was to be able to provide opportunities for the telecasters to do more than just show a race."

Wildhack said much of his company's precise plan has yet to be developed. But Wildhack said that viewers can expect that ABC/ESPN will emphasize innovation.

One of the innovations apparently will not be use of a split-screen format during commercials. ABC/ESPN used this technique in Indy Racing League broadcasts.

Wildhack said his network will do its best to tell the complete story of the race and racers. But, he said, "We're also working for our advertisers and provide them the value they covet by being associated with our coverage as well."

ESPN could face the problem of overexposure with its lofty plans for NASCAR. But Wildhack said he is confident that his company will strike the right balance when it comes to NASCAR.

"There is an insatiable thirst among the NASCAR fans," he said. "Really, our objective is to serve those fans, to do so in the best extent possible so they will come back. NASCAR has a tremendous fan base, a loyal fan base and we are going to serve them."

Big U.S. brands cashing in on retro craze

Everything old is new again for many of the best known U.S. brands.

From Walt Disney Co. to Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc. to Burger King Corp., corporations are resurrecting decades-old mascots, logos and slogans in a bid to cash in on consumer nostalgia for the "good old days" and the craze for anything classic, vintage or retro.

"People like to bring back the old stuff," said Jack Trout, president of marketing strategy firm Trout & Partners. "These are all classic brands so they have a history ... it is sort of reintroducing the brand to a new generation, using the old symbols."

In the last year alone, Anheuser-Busch launched a series of retro Budweiser cans, Yum Brands Inc. unit KFC revitalized the name "Kentucky Fried Chicken," and General Mills Inc. brought back the Jolly Green Giant from a decade-long hibernation.

Kellogg Co. put vintage packaging designs on a new line of cereal bowls, Peanuts characters like Snoopy and Charlie Brown turned up on high-end T-shirts, and McDonald's Corp. will launch a vintage-inspired clothing line for young adults next year featuring the chain's old advertising themes and characters.

Playboy Enterprises Inc. has tapped into the swinging history of its adult magazine by putting retro images of its bunny logo on items from clothing to martini shakers. In Britain, a photo exhibit of Playboy images from the past 50 years is also tied in with luxury department store Harvey Nichols, which will sell T-shirts featuring vintage Playboy magazine covers.

Classic images of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters have also undergone a renaissance after the company in 2003 struck a deal to sell retro-Mickey T-shirts and other clothing at the Los Angeles celebrity shopping haven Fred Segal.

RETRO-MICKEY

Since then, couture designers like Dolce & Gabbana have also latched on to retro-Mickey, helping add $200 million to the $1 billion in sales growth of Mickey products since 2003, said Dennis Green, Disney Consumer Products' creative head.

The aim of the revitalization, Green said, is twofold.

"Number one is to get Disney and the brand and its characters cool, and the number two hope is that the mass market will jump on it," he said in an interview, adding that nearly three years after appearing at Fred Segal, retro Mickey products are now being sold at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Reinforcing a brand's history and tradition is useful, according to Trout, because it gives corporations a way to stand out from the crowd at a time when the market is being bombarded with cheaper, healthier or newfangled alternatives.

"These things stick in people's minds," Trout said. "Heritage in a category is a very powerful differentiator."

Levi Strauss & Co., where vintage details have been sewn into everything from $500 premium denim to its more modest $39 518 jeans, is banking on just that.

"You see a lot of people coming to brands like ours for nostalgic reasons, for simplification," said Amy Jasmer, a spokeswoman for privately held Levi. "There is so much in the market, they don't know which brand to choose."

Budweiser's limited edition series of three retro cans and one bottle served a similar purpose.

"It reinforced the incredible heritage and quality that only Budweiser can own," Anheuser-Bush's vice president of brand management, Marlene Coulis, said in a statement.

The idea of heritage and tradition has also been key to revitalizing the sales of some struggling brands, including hamburger chain Burger King.

As part of a broad turnaround of the No. 2 burger chain, Burger King in 2004 brought back its "Have it Your Way" slogan 30 years after it debuted.

"Even though billions of dollars have been spent on other ad slogans, somehow 'Have it Your Way' continued to shine through as one of the more indelible ad campaigns we ever introduced," said Russ Klein, Burger King's chief global marketing officer.

'Lost' Actress Complains About Arrest

 

Michelle Rodriguez, a star on ABC's "Lost," complained after her arrest for drunken driving earlier this month that police were taking away her freedom.

Officers pulled Rodriguez over early on Dec. 1 after spotting her black Mercedes allegedly weaving down Pali Highway in the Honolulu-bound lanes from Kailua.

Another "Lost" star, Cynthia Watros, was arrested 15 minutes later on the same road when police saw her car also moving erratically.

Both allegedly failed sobriety tests. Rodriguez had a blood alcohol level of 0.145, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to documents obtained by KITV-TV.

KITV quoted court and police documents that said Rodriguez was "very argumentative" and kept interrupting the officer who was explaining drunk driving sanctions to her.

"I don't (expletive) belong here! Why don't you just put a gun to my head and shoot me! You've already taken my freedom! You might as well take my life too!" she said, KITV reported Friday.

The officer who took Rodriguez in a police car to the Kailua substation quoted her as saying "Just take my car and I'll walk all the way to the North Shore but don't leave me in the back of this car poppie."

Rodriguez' lawyer declined comment.

The actress plays police officer Ana Lucia on the hit ABC drama series filmed in Hawaii.

ABC Daytime Supports Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids With An All-Star Broadway Extravaganza

On Monday, February 6, 2006, Susan Lucci headlines a musical celebration featuring stars from ABC's top-rated Daytime lineup, "The View," "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital," as they perform on Broadway for one night to support Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. The event will be sponsored in part by ABC Daytime, The Walt Disney Company and SOAPnet.

Among the cavalcade of stars confirmed to join Ms. Lucci on stage are Bobbie Eakes, Kelli Giddish, Jill Larson, Cady McClain, Cameron Mathison, Sydney Penny, Tonya Pinkins, Aiden Turner, Walt Willey and Jacob Young from "All My Children"; Kristen Alderson, Kathy Brier, Kassie Depaiva, Kamar de los Reyes, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Catherine Hickland, Matt Metzger and Robin Strasser from "One Life to Live," and Scott Clifton from "General Hospital." In addition the evening will include surprise appearances from additional cast members from all three Daytime dramas.

Television icon Barbara Walters, creator/executive producer and co-host of "The View," will open the evening with a tribute to BC/EFA. Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck from "The View" will also take part in the evening's festivities.

"ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS" marks the second benefit the network has produced with and in support of this organization. Last year the cast of "All My Children" celebrated the show's 35th anniversary, raising $250,000. The event will be held at The New Amsterdam Theatre on 214 West 42nd Street, current home to the Broadway smash hit "The Lion King". The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.bcefa.org for ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities.

Said Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime: "The Walt Disney Company and ABC Television Network have a long standing commitment to community outreach. Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is a remarkable organization. With this special night on Broadway, our goal is to once again raise awareness and substantial funds helping BC/EFA help those in need." He added: "Due to the overwhelming support from our fans, we are able to give back to them, as well as the community at large."

"One of BC/EFA most successful one-night events was last year's 'All My Children' 35th Anniversary Celebration on stage at Town Hall," said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "We were sold out to the rafters; the daytime stars were great fun to work with and terrific on stage. I think we were about halfway through the post-party before we started talking about doing something together again. We are most grateful the ABC Daytime's support. This year's event, I'm certain, will be every bit as wonderful, with even more one-night-only surprises!"

TCL joins Disney to tap cartoon-image electronic market

China's electronic giant TCL Corporation and US entertainment conglomerate The Walt Disney Co announced yesterday a joint program to tap China's cartoon-image electronics market, which as yet remains unfilled, www.sina.com reported.

TCL attributed the huge potential of the market to this Sino-US cooperation.

"The domestic market for cartoon-image electronic products are in a fledgling state," TCL group's chief executive officer Yuan Xincheng said.  Estimating that "the potential demand accounts for 2 percent of the total consumer electronics market", he expected the market for 2006 would be valued at up to 12 billion yuan (US$1.5 billion).

The first group of products from the partnership will be television sets, DVD players, phones, CD players, clocks and radios in the image of classic Disney cartoon characters including Mickey Mouse, Snowwhite and Winnie the Pooh.  They will be marketed in 13 major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chongqing, the Sina report said.
Market analysts and industry insiders seem optimistic about this TCL-Disney tie-up.
"It provides a new idea to tap China's surging electronics market," said Professor Hu Zuohao of Tsinghua University's management school.

Sharing this view, vice secretary-general Wang Ning with the China Electronics Trade Association said "cartoon-image products, with higher added value, will improve manufacturers' profitability."

Emmy Award-Winner Cady Mcclain Returns To "All My Children"

Cady McClain makes a triumphant return to "All My Children" and the role she created, that of Dixie Martin, on December 23, it was announced today by Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime.

For the first time Ms. McClain will treat her fans to a weekly blog posted exclusively on ABC.com, where she will document her return to the show, sharing her thoughts and interactions from the set. An online streaming video component is also being planned to enhance the fan experience.

"Dixie Martin is such a beloved character, with deep ties to our present storylines, and fans have long awaited her return to Pine Valley. I am delighted that Cady will be reprising the role she made famous, and we can look forward to the mysterious events surrounding Dixie's homecoming," said Mr. Frons in making the announcement. "Cady agreeing to document her behind-the-scenes experiences on the set via a weekly blog not only enhances the viewing experience for the audience but demonstrates her commitment to the fans and 'All My Children,'" he concluded.

"I am thrilled to be returning to a show where I have such a long and beautiful history. It is an especially excellent cast, and I am looking forward to working with some new and very talented actors, as well as revisiting with some dear old friends. I hope the audience will enjoy the incredibly thrilling storyline Megan McTavish has created as much as I am going to enjoy playing it. Brian Frons and Julie Hanan Carruthers have been exceptionally welcoming, and I am excited about the innovative technologies that are allowing for the audience to get more involved. It's going to be a great 2006," said Ms. McClain.

Ms. McClain's initial tenure on the show was from 1988-1996, when she won her first Daytime Emmy Award. She later returned to the show in 1998-2002, and then joined the cast of "As the World Turns" as Rosanna Cabot, which garnered her a second Daytime Emmy. She also received Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1991 and 1999.

No stranger to television audiences, Ms. McClain's extensive credits include "Law & Order SVU," "A Father's Homecoming," "Home Fires," "Who Will Love My Children?," "St. Elsewhere," "Spencer: For Hire," "Cheers," "One Big Family" and "Lou Grant."

Her award-winning independent film credits include: "Alma Mater," which premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 2002 and was nominated for the Golden Starfish Award (the film also won the Audience Award for Best Film at the Austin Film Festival); "Retreat," which won the 2004 Wood's Hole Film Festival, as well as the Telluride Indiefest; and she recently completed shooting "Soldier's Heart." Additional film credits include "My Favorite Year," where she played Peter O'Toole's daughter, Tess, and "Pennies from Heaven."

On stage Ms. McClain has appeared in David Ives' "The Red Address" at the second stage, opposite Kevin Anderson, which garnered excellent reviews, including from The New York Times. Additional credits include "The Comedy of Errors," as Adriana, "Much Ado About Nothing," as Hero, at Lincoln Center, "Barefoot in the Park," as Cory, and "Quiet on the Set," as Tamara/Bridget. She also wrote, produced and co-directed a surrealist one-woman piece, "Mona7," and performed in "Inventions of Farewell," another one-woman piece, compiled from Wallace Stevens' poetry.

"All My Children" celebrated its 35th Anniversary on January 5, 2005. The program has successfully maintained its popularity and continues to be one of daytime's most compelling dramas. "All My Children" took home the 1998 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, the third time the show received this top honor, having also garnered the award in 1994 and 1992. In 2004 the show also received its third consecutive Emmy® Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Writing, its third Writers Guild Award and its third GLAAD Media Award in April of 2004.

Created by Agnes Nixon, "All My Children" premiered on the ABC Television Network on January 5, 1970, as a half-hour show; seven years later it expanded to an hour. Julie Hanan Carruthers is executive producer, Megan McTavish is head writer with Conal O'Brien, Casey Childs and Angela Tessinari directing. "All My Children" is produced in New York and airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Sadly, the new 'Nightline' is a failure

ABC, which is owned by Walt Disney Co. DIS Walt Disney Company (The) (Holding Company) has gotten its wish with the revamped "Nightline," which had its debut a few weeks ago. It is, indeed, fast-moving, lively and provocative -- but then so are most rock videos.

So far, the new "Nightline" strikes me as being something else, too. It's practically unwatchable at times.

Granted, it's illogical, if not downright unfair, to expect a new program to measure up to its predecessor this early in the game.

But sadly, it doesn't even come close. That's too bad. It would have been nice to have a legitimate alternative to the procession of happy-talk celebrities on Letterman and Leno at that hour.

"Nightline Jr." loses me because so many of its segments have a jarring, end-of-the-world tone. The show would grab me if its chief goal was to tell fascinating stories -- as Koppel's version did -- and let them resonate on their own merits. But to make it on TV nowadays, a show has to hype its findings and claim to have Deep Meaning (whether its segments really do or not).

Thursday night's report on global warming, for instance, impressed me, but I would've appreciated it even more if it hadn't lurched into a gloom-and-doom strain.

The new hosts -- Terry Moran, Cynthia McFadden and Martin Bashir -- are seasoned journalists and they have compelling stories to tell. But they try too hard on most broadcasts to stress that This Show Is Serious, folks.

Nor is this "Nightline" hardly first with the news. Its segment on military wife-turned-author Sarah Smiley was well presented. Unfortunately, I'd already seen her profiled on CNN.

The new "Nightline" is capable of strong work. McFadden's interview with attorney Alan Dershowitz, addressing the accusations that the American military tortured prisoners of war, was well-paced. Playing to McFadden's legal knowledge -- she's a trained attorney, after all -- the segment was the best report I've seen yet on this "Nightline."

Pedigree problem

If this "Nightline" had appeared out of nowhere, with a different name and no pedigree hanging over its head, it might garner some polite reviews. Critics would probably dismiss it as being disjointed and aimless but well intentioned -- a symbol of what television news shows might yet become.

But all bets are off when your show is the successor to Koppel's "Nightline," one of the most durable and consistently excellent programs in TV history. It's reminiscent when greedy CBS created a second installment of "60 Minutes" to air during the week.

The pressure on the show to extend the brand name of the established program became so great that it invariably sensationalized many segments, including the disastrous one on President Bush's National Guard duty.

One more thing about the weekday version of "60 Minutes." Its 15 minutes of fame is up. The show went off the air.

Is there any doubt that "Nightline Jr." is destined to share the same cruel fate?

Probably not.

Bashir

For me, the nagging question is why does ABC think Bashir is qualified to sit in Koppel's seat -- even one-third of it?

Bashir's claim to fame in the U.S. was his interview with Michael Jackson a few years ago. It reeked of sensationalism (which, considering Jackson's nutty persona, was no surprise). The interview was like a pile-up on the highway. You desperately want to turn your head away but you just can't.

As the Washington Post's Tom Shales wrote last week of Bashir, he "might as well be from south Pluto. He is jarringly incompatible with his colleagues, and he slows the program with the old-fashioned formality of his questioning. He also manages to combine solemn pretentiousness with a hefty trace of the tabloid."

In other words, Bashir is perfect for this show. The brain trust of the second "Nightline" has created an atmosphere that's long on shrill and woefully short on thoughtful. At its worst, the new "Nightline" seems to be more modeled after MTV than "60 Minutes."

To that, I can picture those ABC suits nodding their heads and declaring, "Exactly!"

Let's face it. Like CBS and NBC, ABC salivates after MTV's demographic group.

The Premiere Event 'If Only' Sunday, January 15th On ABC Family

ABC Family will air the premiere event movie IF ONLY, Sunday, January 15 (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT). IF ONLY is the romantic story of one man's second chance to save the love of his life. The film stars Jennifer Love Hewitt ("Ghost Whisperer"), Paul Nicholls ("Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason") and Tom Wilkinson ("Batman Begins").

Samantha Andrews (Hewitt), an impulsive and free-spirited violin student, is in love with her English boyfriend Ian Wyndham (Nicholls), a sensible young business executive. Ian's in love with Sam but he either can't or doesn't know how to tell her the extent of his feelings, but to Sam it seems that Ian's only love is his job. After receiving some sage advice from an all knowing taxi driver (Wilkinson) Ian half-heartedly tries to tell Sam how he feels over a romantic dinner. Distraught over the state of their relationship, Sam abandons Ian at restaurant and her taxi is tragically hit by an oncoming car. Ian is devastated by the loss of Sam and can only think "if only" he had handled things differently. The next morning Ian is shocked to find out that he has a second chance to relive that day and possibly change the outcome. Can Ian show Sam how he truly feels before it's too late or will he loose her again?

IF ONLY is directed by Gil Junger and written by Christina Welsh. Moritz Borman, Gub Neal and Basil Iwanyk act as executive producers with co-executive producer Jeffrey Graup. The film is produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jill Gilbert, Gil Junger, Bobby Newmyer and Jeffrey Silver.

Religious Services at Walt Disney World on Christmas

Religious Services will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Catholic Mass will be at 8:00a.m. and 10:15a.m.
Protestant Service will be at 9:00 a.m.

Kodak, REAL D Ink 3-D Systems In Australia

Los Angeles-based REAL D said over the weekend that it has inked a deal with Kodak Digital Cinema to roll out digital 3-D cinema in Australia. The two companies are working together to roll out 3-D cinema systems in conjunction with Disney's Chicken Little premiere in the country in January. REAL D has been providing 3D technology for Chicken Little in the United States since early November. Kodak will provider projectors and software for the 3-D systems, as well as service and support.

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights 

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney 

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005 

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive 

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter 

The top movies at the North American box office12/18 

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights

 

When your holiday decor is larger than life, it's hard to stay low to the ground. The Jennings Osborne family of Arkansas, which moved its renowned residential light display to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, is known for flashy designs that use hundreds of thousands of lights and reach heights of 100 feet or more.

Besides decorating almost 20 sites in Arkansas, the family's holiday projects include an enormous display at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.

Though an Osborne employee last year fell from a roof and broke his arm, this year's installations were injury-free, says Paul Young, 25, Osborne's son-in-law. During particularly precarious work, the crew wears both safety harnesses and safety belts.

That's not to say there aren't harrowing moments. When no one in the crew wanted to work atop a 115-foot Christmas tree at Graceland this year, the task fell to Young. He was lifted by a crane to the tree's top, where he hooked up 100-foot strands of lights.

"I'm a pilot, and I never thought I was scared of heights," he says. "It was like standing on the head of a pin 115 feet in the air. It got my attention."

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney

Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an "affront" by several unions.

Blaming poor results, management has cut the 100-euro (120-dollar) gross handout to between 7,000 and 7,500 employees, CFDT union delegate David Charpentier told AFP.

Three unions are circulating a petition which has already been signed by "several thousand workers to tell management of their indignation at this affront," according to a CFDT statement Saturday.

The petition will be presented to management on Monday.

"While for months Euro Disney staff have been subjected to a corporate and operational policy which is as unjust as it is inefficient, due to budgetary constraints, increasing understaffing and a range of pressures, the management of the company has now gone even further: it is cutting the modest end-of-year bonus of 100 euros except for management," the CFDT complains.

Euro Disney countered that it "never paid end of year bonuses".

"It is an 'exceptional bonus' which allows management not to pay welfare contributions linked to classic end-of-year bonuses," agrees Charpentier.

"But in fact, it's the first time since the opening of the park in 1992 that the staff will not get their end-of-year bonus."

According to his union, the company "intends to preserve the bonuses paid to management staff amounting to over three million euros".

The management denies this, saying: "These 'bonuses' for managers are part of their salary package".

The park, which changed its name to the more popular Disneyland Paris in 1994, currently employs over 10,500 staff at the Marne-la-Vallee site.

In November operator Euro Disney announced a 35-percent cut in net losses for the previous nine-month period and said investors would have a better ride next year.

The debt-ridden group has had to restructure its finances twice since being launched in the early 1990s and completed a 253.3-million-euro capital increase in February to avert a risk of insolvency.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of Magic Kingdom, with special performances from Disneyland Resort in California. America's favorite television and radio personality, Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while America's hottest morning talk show duo, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host in Walt Disney World Resort.

For more than two decades, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade has been a family tradition featuring Disney's most cherished characters including: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pinocchio, Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, as well as the Disney Channel's favorite Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House; Stanley; Little Einsteins; The Wiggles; JoJo's Circus and others.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to noon (EST), 9 to 11 a.m. (CST), 8 to 10 a.m. (MST) and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST). Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.

Star-Studded Guest List

In addition to featuring charismatic hosts on both coasts and the Brian Setzer Orchestra headlining the show from Walt Disney World Resort, the two-hour parade special will highlight a variety of celebrity appearances and musical performances including: country superstar band Lonestar; acclaimed model, actress and singer Vanessa Williams; The View's Star Jones; Mary Poppins' Julie Andrews; golf champion Tiger Woods; Grammy® award-winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall; R&B singing sensation Fantasia; award-winning actor John O'Hurley, best known for his appearance on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars; sister songstresses Aly and AJ; tween pop group The Cheetah Girls; and young stars of Disney's newest movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley.

A Disney Family Tradition

In addition to the parade's impressive list of performers, the 22nd annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will feature fanciful pageantry from Disney's globally renowned theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. At the heart of the show, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade takes center stage, with Disney favorites making their way down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. 

Walt Disney World Resort presents

Brian Setzer and his 18-piece band performing his rockin' big band version of "Jingle Bells"
Latin recording artist Paulina Rubio singing "Joy to the World" at Cinderella Castle
Christmas Tree float with Mickey and Minnie
Villains Car with Yzma, Kronk and Cruella
"Cinderellabration" at Cinderella Castle
Ice Pond float with Donald and Daisy
Princess Carriages carrying Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora with princes
Performance of Beauty and the Beast starring John O'Hurley singing "Be Our Guest" at Cinderella Castle
Power Rangers Car featuring the Power Rangers
U.S. Military Processional with remarks from President George W. Bush
Toy Factory float featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bullseye, toy soldiers and green army men
Bakeshop Factory float carrying Mrs. Claus, gingerbread men, elves and maids
Herbie from the Disney-MGM Studios "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" attraction
Candy House float
Sister act Aly & AJ will perform a song from the "Jingle Jams" CD
The Cheetah Girls to perform a song from their "Cheetah-licious Christmas" CD
Greetings from Tiger Woods plus others to follow
Cirque du Soleil will perform a living Christmas card spectacular

Disneyland Resort in California presents

Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams highlights the 50th anniversary of Disneyland with spectacular musical numbers featuring one of the largest casts of Disney characters ever assembled
A Christmas Fantasy Parade featuring Goofy, Chip n' Dale, the Seven Dwarfs, Rudolph and reindeer friends, plus Stitch as Santa in fun-filled Yuletide vignettes on Main Street, U.S.A.

Other Disneyland highlights include:

Space Mountain, America's favorite Disney theme park adventure, has recently been re-Imagineered for the 21st century
Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! a sneak peek at the newest attraction to open in Disney's California Adventure as part of the 50th anniversary celebration
A Float Fit for a Princess featuring special performances in the shadows of Sleeping Beauty Castle, which has been transformed into a "Crown Jewel" for the park's 50th anniversary

Disney's Final Christmas Wish

Both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will give a very special Christmas closing with performances of "Joy to the World" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." To celebrate Disney's milestone year and for the first time in the parade's history, the show will expand its final number to create an unprecedented moment including all of the parks around the world. The finale will feature an international choir with Disney theme park cast members from Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong joining in for Disney's final Christmas wish.

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom guests can count down to 2006 with double the parades and fireworks, with the "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., and festive firework shows at 8:30 and 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Epcot

Epcot's New Year's Eve Countdown Spectacular offers exciting entertainment for those who want to bring in the New Year with a bang. The party includes the Tom Butler Orchestra playing big band and swing music in the Grand Ballroom at World Showplace, Latin dancing at American Gardens Theatre, Euro music in Italy, a DJ spinning techno-rock music in China, DJ Scooter at Future World Fountain Stage, and two special showings of "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.) with a New Year's countdown and an "Auld Lang Syne" finale to the late performance at World Showcase Lagoon. The fun is included with regular Epcot admission. Park hours are from 8 a.m.-1 a.m. in Future World and from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. in World Showcase.

Disney-MGM Studios

At Disney-MGM Studios, high-energy rock group Mulch, Sweat & Shears will entertain guests at the Sorcerer Hat Stage. Also at the Sorcerer Hat, DJ Charles Miles is set to keep the crowd pumped with a variety of energized music spanning the decades. The party escalates as guests countdown to the magic hour with "Lights, Camera, Fireworks!" -- a fireworks spectacular featuring great music from classic movies. Complimentary hats and horns will be distributed (while supplies last). The park is open from 8 a.m.-midnight and the New Year's Eve entertainment is included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island ushers in the New Year with pizzazz, hosting its annual, island-wide street party. The special-ticket event features live performances by music artists Smash Mouth, S.O.S. Band and Paul Jackson Jr. A midnight fireworks spectacular lights the sky and the New Year is ushered in with a champagne toast. The party is for revelers 21 and older and takes place from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $89 plus tax, and includes entry to all Pleasure Island nightclubs. For more information or to order tickets, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY.

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive

The ultimate symbol of centuries of Russian power, the Kremlin, was taken over at the weekend by Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella and hundreds of excited Russian children as Disney came to town.

Russian guards in dark woolen coats and fur hats looked on as crowds packed the Kremlin for a "Cinderella Ball" thrown by the Walt Disney Co. as part of its campaign to expand into Russia's booming entertainment market.

"The Russians are hungry for entertainment, and that's why we're here," said Rob Jongmans, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney International for northern, central and eastern Europe.

"We are surprised by the popularity of the Disney brands here only 15 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain," Jongmans told Reuters. "Look at these kids and their dresses. Even the boys are in prince costumes. I've never seen anything like it."

Outside, the Kremlin's golden domes and red stars shimmering under a gentle snowfall themselves looked part of a Disney fairy tale. But inside the Kremlin ballroom hosting the party, the scene was enough to make Lenin spin in his Red Square tomb nearby.

At the ballroom of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, a concrete and marble triumph of Soviet 1960s architecture, girls accompanied by mothers in designerwear sat at Disney beauty stands, having their hair sprayed with sparkles and adorned with Cinderella tiaras.

On the parquet dance floor a colorful mix of Disney characters danced with children in prince and princess outfits.

Champagne flowed for parents while children were served from tables piled high with pink cakes and candies served on glass stands -- all for free.

Jongmans said the event, attended by some 2,000 people, cost up to $1 million.

Disney characters -- which have generated some $3 billion in worldwide consumer retail sales since 2000 -- are familiar in the West. But they are relatively new in Russia, which discouraged them under 70 years of Soviet rule.

Disney has achieved massive revenues from character and brand licensing as well as lucrative merchandising to extend its brands. Now, it is seeking to make a business out of entertaining 150 million Russians.

Jongmans said Russia's entertainment market was the fastest growing in the world. "We think Russia will overtake China in the next five years," he said.

A recent report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers said Russia's entertainment and media market is the fastest growing in Europe, surging 27.4 percent last year. That compares to flat growth in most Western developed countries.

The Russian market including film, video, Internet products, print media, sporting events and theme parks hit $12.45 billion last year, PwC said in a study of global entertainment industry.

That is just a fraction of the global $1.3 trillion market but growing fast, driven by the film and advertising industries and fueled by higher disposable incomes on booming oil prices.

Jongmans said Walt Disney saw big opportunity in local entertainment and productions with a Russian cast.

"We shall look at the retail market too," he said. "The Russians are family-oriented and have a lot of spending power. We think this market is a sleeping giant."

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter

ABC News will appeal a ruling by a British employment panel that found the network unfairly dismissed a London-based freelancer because he refused an assignment to Iraq.

Richard Gizbert, a longtime war correspondent, claimed he had been sacked because he refused an assignment to Iraq. The 48-year-old Canadian had covered wars in Bosnia, Somalia and Chechnya for ABC News beginning in the early 1990s. But he didn't want to after he had children.

Last year, the network declined to renew his contract. ABC News said it made the decision for strictly financial reasons and not for his refusal. But the panel disagreed, saying that ABC News' testimony during the case was inconsistent. Gizbert is seeking $4 million in damages.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said Friday that the network planned to appeal the decision. He also rejected Gizbert's contention that he had been penalized for his desire not to go to Iraq.

"We have a long-standing policy that the assignments to war zones or other dangerous places are completely voluntary," Schneider said. "And that is understood by everyone who works here."

He said that Gizbert's contract was not renewed during a time of cutbacks at ABC News, including the London bureau out of which Gizbert worked.

"Some of these people (cut) went to war zones, some of them didn't go," Schneider said.

The case is thought to mark the first sign that British health and safety legislation has been used by journalists covering war zones.

The top movies at the North American box office 12/18

Following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office during the Dec. 16-18 weekend, led by new release "King Kong," according to studio estimates collected on Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued on Monday.

1 (*) King Kong ........... $ 50.1 million

2 (1) The Chronicles of Narnia ........... $ 31.2 million

3 (*) The Family Stone .... $ 12.7 million

4 (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire $ 5.9 million

5 (2) Syriana ............. $ 5.5 million

6 (4) Walk the Line ....... $ 3.6 million

7 (5) Yours, Mine & Ours .. $ 3.4 million

8(15) Brokeback Mountain .. $ 2.4 million

9 (7) Just Friends ........ $ 2.0 million

10 (6) Aeon Flux ........... $ 1.7 million

NOTE: Last weekend's ranking in parentheses (* = new release). "King Kong" opened on Wednesday, "The Family Stone" on Friday.

TOTALS TO DATE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .. $252.5 million

The Chronicles of Narnia ............. $112.5 million

Walk the Line ......... $ 82.5 million

King Kong ............. $ 66.2 million

Yours, Mine & Ours .... $ 45.1 million

Just Friends .......... $ 29.4 million

Aeon Flux ............. $ 23.1 million

Syriana ............... $ 22.3 million

The Family Stone ...... $ 12.7 million

Brokeback Mountain .... $ 3.3 million

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

It wasn't exactly open-microphone night at the Chuckle Hut, but Democrats floated more than a few one-liners aimed at Republicans and President George W. Bush during their convention last week at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort.

We went to the convention so you didn't have to. Here are a few samples of the Donkey humor:

Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman seized on the Disney motif, saying she met many folks walking into the convention.

"We ran into the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You know: Goofy!

"Then I ran into Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff: Pinocchio!

"And even Cruella De Vil, whom I ran into when I was checking in, remarked to me that even she couldn't vote for Katherine Harris."

Howard Dean didn't scream, but he did mock President Bush's efforts to boot undocumented aliens from the country.

"I say, if the president can't find a 6-foot-4 Saudi [Osama Bin Laden], he's not going to find" -- we presume he was going to say "undocumented aliens," but he was drowned out by applause.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was the main speaker and won the audience over with this opening line as he praised the large conference room filled with party loyalists: "I feel like Katherine Harris. I can't count all the Democrats."

We were busy meeting deadlines and missed this crack from Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a millionaire who co-founded cellular phone giant Nextel. Courtesy of FL Politics blog: Warner told the crowd in his opening lines to keep their cell phones on. When he heard the rings that most find annoying, he said he heard "ca-ching."

And reporters were also the targets of at least one barb. Gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith was bemoaning the use of standardized tests when he attempted to draw an analogy to the difficult Law School Admissions Test.

"I don't know if you took the LSAT," he said to a roomful of reporters before pausing. "Well, I know you didn't."

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights 

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney 

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005 

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive 

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter 

The top movies at the North American box office12/18 

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights

 

When your holiday decor is larger than life, it's hard to stay low to the ground. The Jennings Osborne family of Arkansas, which moved its renowned residential light display to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, is known for flashy designs that use hundreds of thousands of lights and reach heights of 100 feet or more.

Besides decorating almost 20 sites in Arkansas, the family's holiday projects include an enormous display at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.

Though an Osborne employee last year fell from a roof and broke his arm, this year's installations were injury-free, says Paul Young, 25, Osborne's son-in-law. During particularly precarious work, the crew wears both safety harnesses and safety belts.

That's not to say there aren't harrowing moments. When no one in the crew wanted to work atop a 115-foot Christmas tree at Graceland this year, the task fell to Young. He was lifted by a crane to the tree's top, where he hooked up 100-foot strands of lights.

"I'm a pilot, and I never thought I was scared of heights," he says. "It was like standing on the head of a pin 115 feet in the air. It got my attention."

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney

Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an "affront" by several unions.

Blaming poor results, management has cut the 100-euro (120-dollar) gross handout to between 7,000 and 7,500 employees, CFDT union delegate David Charpentier told AFP.

Three unions are circulating a petition which has already been signed by "several thousand workers to tell management of their indignation at this affront," according to a CFDT statement Saturday.

The petition will be presented to management on Monday.

"While for months Euro Disney staff have been subjected to a corporate and operational policy which is as unjust as it is inefficient, due to budgetary constraints, increasing understaffing and a range of pressures, the management of the company has now gone even further: it is cutting the modest end-of-year bonus of 100 euros except for management," the CFDT complains.

Euro Disney countered that it "never paid end of year bonuses".

"It is an 'exceptional bonus' which allows management not to pay welfare contributions linked to classic end-of-year bonuses," agrees Charpentier.

"But in fact, it's the first time since the opening of the park in 1992 that the staff will not get their end-of-year bonus."

According to his union, the company "intends to preserve the bonuses paid to management staff amounting to over three million euros".

The management denies this, saying: "These 'bonuses' for managers are part of their salary package".

The park, which changed its name to the more popular Disneyland Paris in 1994, currently employs over 10,500 staff at the Marne-la-Vallee site.

In November operator Euro Disney announced a 35-percent cut in net losses for the previous nine-month period and said investors would have a better ride next year.

The debt-ridden group has had to restructure its finances twice since being launched in the early 1990s and completed a 253.3-million-euro capital increase in February to avert a risk of insolvency.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of Magic Kingdom, with special performances from Disneyland Resort in California. America's favorite television and radio personality, Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while America's hottest morning talk show duo, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host in Walt Disney World Resort.

For more than two decades, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade has been a family tradition featuring Disney's most cherished characters including: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pinocchio, Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, as well as the Disney Channel's favorite Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House; Stanley; Little Einsteins; The Wiggles; JoJo's Circus and others.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to noon (EST), 9 to 11 a.m. (CST), 8 to 10 a.m. (MST) and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST). Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.

Star-Studded Guest List

In addition to featuring charismatic hosts on both coasts and the Brian Setzer Orchestra headlining the show from Walt Disney World Resort, the two-hour parade special will highlight a variety of celebrity appearances and musical performances including: country superstar band Lonestar; acclaimed model, actress and singer Vanessa Williams; The View's Star Jones; Mary Poppins' Julie Andrews; golf champion Tiger Woods; Grammy® award-winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall; R&B singing sensation Fantasia; award-winning actor John O'Hurley, best known for his appearance on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars; sister songstresses Aly and AJ; tween pop group The Cheetah Girls; and young stars of Disney's newest movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley.

A Disney Family Tradition

In addition to the parade's impressive list of performers, the 22nd annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will feature fanciful pageantry from Disney's globally renowned theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. At the heart of the show, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade takes center stage, with Disney favorites making their way down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. 

Walt Disney World Resort presents

Brian Setzer and his 18-piece band performing his rockin' big band version of "Jingle Bells"
Latin recording artist Paulina Rubio singing "Joy to the World" at Cinderella Castle
Christmas Tree float with Mickey and Minnie
Villains Car with Yzma, Kronk and Cruella
"Cinderellabration" at Cinderella Castle
Ice Pond float with Donald and Daisy
Princess Carriages carrying Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora with princes
Performance of Beauty and the Beast starring John O'Hurley singing "Be Our Guest" at Cinderella Castle
Power Rangers Car featuring the Power Rangers
U.S. Military Processional with remarks from President George W. Bush
Toy Factory float featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bullseye, toy soldiers and green army men
Bakeshop Factory float carrying Mrs. Claus, gingerbread men, elves and maids
Herbie from the Disney-MGM Studios "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" attraction
Candy House float
Sister act Aly & AJ will perform a song from the "Jingle Jams" CD
The Cheetah Girls to perform a song from their "Cheetah-licious Christmas" CD
Greetings from Tiger Woods plus others to follow
Cirque du Soleil will perform a living Christmas card spectacular

Disneyland Resort in California presents

Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams highlights the 50th anniversary of Disneyland with spectacular musical numbers featuring one of the largest casts of Disney characters ever assembled
A Christmas Fantasy Parade featuring Goofy, Chip n' Dale, the Seven Dwarfs, Rudolph and reindeer friends, plus Stitch as Santa in fun-filled Yuletide vignettes on Main Street, U.S.A.

Other Disneyland highlights include:

Space Mountain, America's favorite Disney theme park adventure, has recently been re-Imagineered for the 21st century
Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! a sneak peek at the newest attraction to open in Disney's California Adventure as part of the 50th anniversary celebration
A Float Fit for a Princess featuring special performances in the shadows of Sleeping Beauty Castle, which has been transformed into a "Crown Jewel" for the park's 50th anniversary

Disney's Final Christmas Wish

Both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will give a very special Christmas closing with performances of "Joy to the World" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." To celebrate Disney's milestone year and for the first time in the parade's history, the show will expand its final number to create an unprecedented moment including all of the parks around the world. The finale will feature an international choir with Disney theme park cast members from Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong joining in for Disney's final Christmas wish.

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom guests can count down to 2006 with double the parades and fireworks, with the "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., and festive firework shows at 8:30 and 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Epcot

Epcot's New Year's Eve Countdown Spectacular offers exciting entertainment for those who want to bring in the New Year with a bang. The party includes the Tom Butler Orchestra playing big band and swing music in the Grand Ballroom at World Showplace, Latin dancing at American Gardens Theatre, Euro music in Italy, a DJ spinning techno-rock music in China, DJ Scooter at Future World Fountain Stage, and two special showings of "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.) with a New Year's countdown and an "Auld Lang Syne" finale to the late performance at World Showcase Lagoon. The fun is included with regular Epcot admission. Park hours are from 8 a.m.-1 a.m. in Future World and from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. in World Showcase.

Disney-MGM Studios

At Disney-MGM Studios, high-energy rock group Mulch, Sweat & Shears will entertain guests at the Sorcerer Hat Stage. Also at the Sorcerer Hat, DJ Charles Miles is set to keep the crowd pumped with a variety of energized music spanning the decades. The party escalates as guests countdown to the magic hour with "Lights, Camera, Fireworks!" -- a fireworks spectacular featuring great music from classic movies. Complimentary hats and horns will be distributed (while supplies last). The park is open from 8 a.m.-midnight and the New Year's Eve entertainment is included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island ushers in the New Year with pizzazz, hosting its annual, island-wide street party. The special-ticket event features live performances by music artists Smash Mouth, S.O.S. Band and Paul Jackson Jr. A midnight fireworks spectacular lights the sky and the New Year is ushered in with a champagne toast. The party is for revelers 21 and older and takes place from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $89 plus tax, and includes entry to all Pleasure Island nightclubs. For more information or to order tickets, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY.

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive

The ultimate symbol of centuries of Russian power, the Kremlin, was taken over at the weekend by Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella and hundreds of excited Russian children as Disney came to town.

Russian guards in dark woolen coats and fur hats looked on as crowds packed the Kremlin for a "Cinderella Ball" thrown by the Walt Disney Co. as part of its campaign to expand into Russia's booming entertainment market.

"The Russians are hungry for entertainment, and that's why we're here," said Rob Jongmans, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney International for northern, central and eastern Europe.

"We are surprised by the popularity of the Disney brands here only 15 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain," Jongmans told Reuters. "Look at these kids and their dresses. Even the boys are in prince costumes. I've never seen anything like it."

Outside, the Kremlin's golden domes and red stars shimmering under a gentle snowfall themselves looked part of a Disney fairy tale. But inside the Kremlin ballroom hosting the party, the scene was enough to make Lenin spin in his Red Square tomb nearby.

At the ballroom of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, a concrete and marble triumph of Soviet 1960s architecture, girls accompanied by mothers in designerwear sat at Disney beauty stands, having their hair sprayed with sparkles and adorned with Cinderella tiaras.

On the parquet dance floor a colorful mix of Disney characters danced with children in prince and princess outfits.

Champagne flowed for parents while children were served from tables piled high with pink cakes and candies served on glass stands -- all for free.

Jongmans said the event, attended by some 2,000 people, cost up to $1 million.

Disney characters -- which have generated some $3 billion in worldwide consumer retail sales since 2000 -- are familiar in the West. But they are relatively new in Russia, which discouraged them under 70 years of Soviet rule.

Disney has achieved massive revenues from character and brand licensing as well as lucrative merchandising to extend its brands. Now, it is seeking to make a business out of entertaining 150 million Russians.

Jongmans said Russia's entertainment market was the fastest growing in the world. "We think Russia will overtake China in the next five years," he said.

A recent report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers said Russia's entertainment and media market is the fastest growing in Europe, surging 27.4 percent last year. That compares to flat growth in most Western developed countries.

The Russian market including film, video, Internet products, print media, sporting events and theme parks hit $12.45 billion last year, PwC said in a study of global entertainment industry.

That is just a fraction of the global $1.3 trillion market but growing fast, driven by the film and advertising industries and fueled by higher disposable incomes on booming oil prices.

Jongmans said Walt Disney saw big opportunity in local entertainment and productions with a Russian cast.

"We shall look at the retail market too," he said. "The Russians are family-oriented and have a lot of spending power. We think this market is a sleeping giant."

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter

ABC News will appeal a ruling by a British employment panel that found the network unfairly dismissed a London-based freelancer because he refused an assignment to Iraq.

Richard Gizbert, a longtime war correspondent, claimed he had been sacked because he refused an assignment to Iraq. The 48-year-old Canadian had covered wars in Bosnia, Somalia and Chechnya for ABC News beginning in the early 1990s. But he didn't want to after he had children.

Last year, the network declined to renew his contract. ABC News said it made the decision for strictly financial reasons and not for his refusal. But the panel disagreed, saying that ABC News' testimony during the case was inconsistent. Gizbert is seeking $4 million in damages.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said Friday that the network planned to appeal the decision. He also rejected Gizbert's contention that he had been penalized for his desire not to go to Iraq.

"We have a long-standing policy that the assignments to war zones or other dangerous places are completely voluntary," Schneider said. "And that is understood by everyone who works here."

He said that Gizbert's contract was not renewed during a time of cutbacks at ABC News, including the London bureau out of which Gizbert worked.

"Some of these people (cut) went to war zones, some of them didn't go," Schneider said.

The case is thought to mark the first sign that British health and safety legislation has been used by journalists covering war zones.

The top movies at the North American box office 12/18

Following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office during the Dec. 16-18 weekend, led by new release "King Kong," according to studio estimates collected on Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued on Monday.

1 (*) King Kong ........... $ 50.1 million

2 (1) The Chronicles of Narnia ........... $ 31.2 million

3 (*) The Family Stone .... $ 12.7 million

4 (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire $ 5.9 million

5 (2) Syriana ............. $ 5.5 million

6 (4) Walk the Line ....... $ 3.6 million

7 (5) Yours, Mine & Ours .. $ 3.4 million

8(15) Brokeback Mountain .. $ 2.4 million

9 (7) Just Friends ........ $ 2.0 million

10 (6) Aeon Flux ........... $ 1.7 million

NOTE: Last weekend's ranking in parentheses (* = new release). "King Kong" opened on Wednesday, "The Family Stone" on Friday.

TOTALS TO DATE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .. $252.5 million

The Chronicles of Narnia ............. $112.5 million

Walk the Line ......... $ 82.5 million

King Kong ............. $ 66.2 million

Yours, Mine & Ours .... $ 45.1 million

Just Friends .......... $ 29.4 million

Aeon Flux ............. $ 23.1 million

Syriana ............... $ 22.3 million

The Family Stone ...... $ 12.7 million

Brokeback Mountain .... $ 3.3 million

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

It wasn't exactly open-microphone night at the Chuckle Hut, but Democrats floated more than a few one-liners aimed at Republicans and President George W. Bush during their convention last week at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort.

We went to the convention so you didn't have to. Here are a few samples of the Donkey humor:

Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman seized on the Disney motif, saying she met many folks walking into the convention.

"We ran into the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You know: Goofy!

"Then I ran into Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff: Pinocchio!

"And even Cruella De Vil, whom I ran into when I was checking in, remarked to me that even she couldn't vote for Katherine Harris."

Howard Dean didn't scream, but he did mock President Bush's efforts to boot undocumented aliens from the country.

"I say, if the president can't find a 6-foot-4 Saudi [Osama Bin Laden], he's not going to find" -- we presume he was going to say "undocumented aliens," but he was drowned out by applause.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was the main speaker and won the audience over with this opening line as he praised the large conference room filled with party loyalists: "I feel like Katherine Harris. I can't count all the Democrats."

We were busy meeting deadlines and missed this crack from Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a millionaire who co-founded cellular phone giant Nextel. Courtesy of FL Politics blog: Warner told the crowd in his opening lines to keep their cell phones on. When he heard the rings that most find annoying, he said he heard "ca-ching."

And reporters were also the targets of at least one barb. Gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith was bemoaning the use of standardized tests when he attempted to draw an analogy to the difficult Law School Admissions Test.

"I don't know if you took the LSAT," he said to a roomful of reporters before pausing. "Well, I know you didn't."

Hong Kong Tourism Board launches marketing campaign in India 

Reese photographer faces arrest 

MCC students headed to Walt Disney World 

Disney Wilderness Preserve 

Disney on Ice brings magic to Pepsi Arena 

Who killed Christopher Robin? Disney, that's who

429 Extension Opens In Orange County

Hong Kong Tourism Board launches marketing campaign in India

 

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), which is celebrating 2006 as the Discover Hong Kong Year, launched its promotional campaign in India. The 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign is a part of the organization's global initiatives to promote the country's tourism sector.

Officiated by HKTB's South and Southeast Asia regional director David Leung, the launch held in Mumbai showcased the colorful journey of discovery of Hong Kong's new image with its array of diverse and multidimensional offerings leveraging on the opening of various tourism projects in Hong Kong in 2005 and 2006.

Addressing the guests at the launch event, Leung said the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year global marketing campaign would not only generate immediate visitor arrivals, but also provide the impetus for sustained growth from the Indian market during the coming years. The campaign is expected to bring total arrivals to a new record of 27 million and total tourism expenditure to exceed the HK$100 billion mark to reach HK$114.7 billion.

"India is a very important market for Hong Kong. Last year, we welcomed 244,364 Indian residents, the highest number ever, and the 11.2 per cent growth in arrivals in the first ten months of 2005 equally underlines the depth of Hong Kong's appeal in India, one of our key markets in this region." he said.

As a prelude to this global promotion, Hong Kong recently hosted a shoot for the popular Star Plus serial Kavyanjali. The shoot was held in various Hong Kong's attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Avenue of Stars, Murray House, and Symphony of Lights.

This promotion was further supported by a consumer contest with Red FM in Mumbai; and HKTB has also developed a drama map titled "Discover Kavyanjali in Hong Kong" with Hindustan Times as the media partner to bring visitors on the trail of the Kavyanjali's Hong Kong experience.

To maximize the campaign's impact and effectiveness, high yield business travelers from India will be one of priority market segments for HKTB. "More than 60 per cent of our overnight arrivals from India come on business. We'll therefore take advantage of our new tourism assets and host mega events to encourage business visitors to stay longer and also bring companions with them, so that their loved ones can experience Hong Kong's myriad attractions." added Leung.

Reese photographer faces arrest

An arrest warrant has been issued for a photographer who allegedly struck a 5-year-old child with his camera while trying to take pictures of Reese Witherspoon and her children at an amusement park.

An Orange County judge issued the warrant Friday after Todd Kevin Wallace, 44, failed to show up for a bail hearing.

Wallace had been free on his own recognizance while awaiting trial on six misdemeanor charges stemming from the Sept. 2 incident at Disney's California Adventure.

He allegedly became angry when Witherspoon and her friends declined to be photographed and cursed them. Witherspoon's group was at the amusement park for a birthday party for her 6-year-old daughter.

Police said Wallace took photos from afar, but once he got close to the group, he became aggressive and scared some of the people, including some children, who were in tears.

The city attorney's office requested the bail hearing after learning that Wallace had been arrested Dec. 5 for allegedly stealing from an electronics store in the San Fernando Valley.

Wallace had posted $20,000 bail and was freed after the arrest pending arraignment on a felony charge of petty theft with a prior conviction, said Nancy Lidamore of the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

The photographer served more than four years in prison after a 1993 conviction for second-degree burglary and receiving goods by fraud, according to state corrections records.

Wallace has an unlisted phone number and could not be located for comment Friday.

MCC students headed to Walt Disney World

Six Meridian Community College students will be starting the new year with a new journey, while another will be returning to the Walt Disney World College Program.

Brandon Gordon, 20, Mason Williams, 18, Ericka Griffin, 18, Morgan Shepperd, 18, Stephen Wilson, 19, and Tacara Turner, 18, will be traveling to the Orlando, Fla., resort in January to take part in a one-of-a-kind, paid living, learning and earning experience for college students from all majors and backgrounds.

Students live in gated apartment communities and work in one of the resort's four theme parks. They also have the opportunity to enroll in courses at Disney University.

MCC Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Shirley Nell Goodman said to the students during a reception held Wednesday, "This is a great honor for you to go. Education doesn't have to take place in a classroom. It will be an amazing experience."

MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott also congratulated the students and noted that they are ambassadors for the college as well as the entire state.

Shepperd is excited about the opportunity. "I'm wanting to learn whatever Disney throws my way," she said, noting she's never been away from home before.

Turner, who aspires to become a real estate entrepreneur, said she's eager to learn at the Florida resort.

Both Griffin and Williams are hopeful about the experience, and Gordon, who moved to Mississippi from another state, said "Now I'm taking another step and I have no fear. I know it will be exciting."

Making his second trip to the Disney College Program will be Jeffrey Shane Martin, 24. Martin, part of the Disney Class of 2004, said he had great time.

"I met people from all over the world," he said.

Martin worked with Hong Kong Disney workers as well as people from Brazil.

"The friendships you make there last. Disney has this theme of 'Creating Magic through Diversity' and it really is a learning experience," Martin said. He added that, like any other job, there will be times when it's not so enjoyable. Martin auditioned earlier and has landed a position as a Disney character.

According to Deborah Nettles, MCC Career Development Center coordinator, the students will be working and also continuing their college studies. All of the students chosen to participate in the Disney internship program will be taking distance learning online courses through MCC. Additional credit courses are available through Walt Disney World.

Disney Wilderness Preserve

WHAT: The Nature Conservancy maintains the Disney Wilderness Preserve, which was established in 1992 by the Walt Disney Co., the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature Conservancy and public agencies. The 12,000-acre site features a 3-mile hiking trail, picnic areas on Lake Russell, an information kiosk, an interpretive trail and buggy tours.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with buggy tours (pictured) at 1:30 p.m. Sundays.

WHERE: 10 miles south of Kissimmee on Pleasant Hill Road.

COST: $3 adults, $2 students ($12 adults, $6 children for buggy tours).

CALL: 407-935-0002.

Disney on Ice brings magic to Pepsi Arena

Little girls came in fancy dresses and sparkling crowns and little boys brandished lighted swords, ready to be the hero. It was definitely a show for everyone.

The dazzling costumes, spectacular lighting, true-to-form Disney sets and nonstop action on -- and above -- the ice create a wondrous feeling, but it is the elaborate castle that turns 360 degrees, that creates the magical backdrop for the different stories.

And what would a Disney show be without the music, and 'Princess Classics' has all the favorites, including 'Prince Ali' and 'A Whole New World' from 'Aladdin'; 'Once Upon a Dream' from 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'Under the Sea' and 'Part of Your World' from 'The Little Mermaid'; 'Reflection' from Mulan; 'Silly Song,' 'Whistle While You Work,' 'Heigh Ho' and 'One Song' from 'Snow White'; 'Beauty and the Beast' from 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Cinderelly,' 'Sing, Sweet Nightingale,' 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,' 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo' and 'So This is Love' from 'Cinderella.'

The performance flows from one princess to another, beginning with Princess Jasmine of 'Aladdin' and her dream to meet just the right prince before her birthday. Enter 'Prince Ali,' aka Aladdin, his comical genie and his monkey-turned-elephant Abu. Ali sweeps Jasmine off her feet -- literally -- with the help of his magic carpet and the two take a special ride.

As the carpet flies away, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are getting ready to bring Princess Aurora back home to meet Prince Phillip, whom she has met 'once upon a dream,' but the evil Maleficent intervenes and puts the princess into a deep sleep.

From there, the journey travels deep into the ocean to the neon world of fish and fun and Princess Ariel. Sebastian the crab tries his best to talk her out of becoming a human, but the lure of Prince Eric proves too much, and she trades her voice to the sea witch, Ursula, to get legs. This brightly colored world features the amazing 'skateless' number between Ariel and Eric that is a true show of endurance.

The show then heads out of the water and into the warrior world of Mulan, as she struggles to find a way to fight for her country and save her father from having to go into battle.

The stage is set for battle but things are soon transformed from the battlefield to the quaint cottage where seven strange little men are going about their day -- off to work, of course -- leaving Snow White alone. As the wicked Queen plots to be the 'fairest in the land,' the children in the audience tried to warn Snow White not to take a bite of the poisoned apple. The dwarfs come home to find Snow White in her 'deep sleep' and mourn her, encasing her in glass and placing a rose on the ice.

That rose is found by Belle, but the Beast is not happy. 'Get out,' he yells before he and Belle discover 'there's something there that wasn't there before.' Unfortunately, Gaston steps in and fights with the Beast, wounding him and leaving Belle crying by his side.

These mini cliffhangers are left for the audience, who knows what is going to happen anyway, as the stage is set for the last princess tale -- Cinderella.

Nothing, not even her evil stepmother or bumbling stepsisters, can keep her from finding love. With a little help from her mice friends and a fairy godmother, who descends from above, she is whisked away in a magical coach, complete with four sparkling white horses to the fanciest royal ball ever. But the clock ticks closer to midnight and Cinderella will soon have her dream come to an end.

Luckily that famous glass slipper saves the day as the prince finds his true love. The finale brings all of the stories to a close, with each prince and princess decked out in their finest wedding attire as they dance into the night.

In the end, you know everyone will live happily ever after.

Disney on Ice 'Princess Classics' continues through Sunday at the Pepsi Arena in Albany. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 and $18. A limited number of Royal Rinkside and VIP seats are available. Prices do not include the facility fee. Tickets are available at the Pepsi Arena Box Office or by calling (800) 30-EVENT. For information, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Who killed Christopher Robin? Disney, that's who

It's enough to bring out the Eeyore in us all. The Disney Corporation has announced that Winnie the Pooh is about to relegate Christopher Robin, his faithful friend of 80 years, in favor of a six-year-old girl.

For Disney, it is a rebranding opportunity. But for the legions of fans who grew up with AA Milne's whimsical stories, it is nothing short of sacrilege.

It is hardly the first time Disney has outraged Pooh purists, of course. They bought the rights to the Pooh stories and images in 1961. Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the rest were duly Americanized and their characters changed; the wistful bear of little brain, who was regularly described as "growling", acquired an effete little voice and West Coast perma-cheer.

By the end of the decade the original cast had been augmented by a new character called, with crushing inevitability, Gopher. "The latest stories are just regular American cartoons with Pooh and friends as characters in them," writes one angry blogger. "I have a book where Christopher Robin goes to school, through the Hundred Acre Wood, in an American yellow school bus. Ouch!"

"The charm and flavor is not there in Disney," says illustrator Anne James, whose South Melbourne shop, Books Illustrated, does not stock the Disney versions of Pooh. "The fact that they took it and changed it so drastically means they haven't got a sense of the thing they wanted in the first place." Sadly, she says, many children now know Pooh and his friends only as Disney characters. "Disney overshadows everything else. Their versions are like the sweet biscuit that gets picked up before the dry biscuit."

Lumpy, another new character, was introduced in this year's film, Pooh's Heffalump Movie. In Milne's original story, the Heffalump was a phantom conjured by Pooh and Piglet as they puzzled over footprints in the snow that were, in fact, their own. In the film, Lumpy is a literal baby elephant. And now comes a red-haired girl, quaintly described by Disney's people as "a tomboy", to show that adventures with stuffed toys are not just for boys.

A company spokeswoman cautioned that the new character "is not a replacement for Christopher Robin" but the character based on author AA Milne's son will not be central in a new Disney channel series planned for 2007.

For many children's literature buffs, this is just one step too far. Christopher Robin, after all, really existed. Alan Alexander Milne, who was already a successful playwright when his son was born in 1920, wrote the stories specifically for and about him. One was published in the Evening Standard newspaper on Christmas Eve, 1925, and the first book appeared three years later.

"Did I do something and did my father then write a story around it?" wrote Christopher in his memoir, Enchanted Places. "Or was it the other way about, and did the story come first? He wanted ideas for his stories, I wanted them for my games; and each looked towards the other for inspiration."

Winnie the Pooh was young Christopher's teddy. He was named after a tame Canadian bear in the London Zoo he was allowed to visit. One of the most delightful bits of Pooh memorabilia is a photograph of the real Christopher Robin sitting in the zoo's bear pit, feeding Winnie condensed milk. Piglet was given to him by a neighbor who saw him out for walks with his nurse. Owl and Rabbit, by contrast — and as the original illustrations by EH Shepard show — were based on real animals that father and son had spotted in the woods near their home.

Christopher Robin Milne died in 1996, so at least he will never see himself squeezed out of his own story. His widow, Leslie, said last week that she thought he wouldn't have cared. His fame meant that he had been bullied at school; until late in his life he always resented it as a burden. "He hated the character Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh and Disney," she said. "He detested the whole set-up so much that I don't think he would have minded the loss."

The new heroine, as yet unnamed but successfully piloted with focus groups, will star in a computer-generated television series called My Friends Tigger and Pooh, to be shown on Disney channels worldwide in 2007. Pictures on the internet show her in combat trousers and a bicycle helmet, wearing a backpack.

"The feeling was these timeless characters really needed a breath of fresh air that only the introduction of someone new could provide," Nancy Kanter of the Disney Channel said last week. Christopher Robin would not be written out entirely; he would "still be out in the woods, playing. The last thing we want to be is the ones who brought the franchise down."

Indeed, Winnie the Pooh has been crucial to Disney's prosperity. It is a property the studio protects jealously. Disney is still fighting an appeal in a 14-year-old Los Angeles lawsuit by heirs of Milne's former agent, Stephen Slesinger, who sold them the rights to the character in 1961 in return for annual royalties. Slesinger then sued for royalties on items that did not exist at the time of the original agreement, such as videos and DVDs. They claimed about £35,000 ($A82,000) outstanding, plus hundreds of thousands in damages.

Sales of Pooh merchandise are worth at least $1 billion each year, more than all their other core characters combined.

"They are not changing Christopher Robin to a girl because of gender equality," opined one chat room objector under the name of Mars 13. "They are doing it to sell girls more Winnie the Pooh crap."

429 Extension Opens In Orange County

County and state leaders cut the ribbon Friday on a new leg of the 429 Western Beltway that will alleviate some traffic on Interstate 4 and provide a faster way to travel through west Orange County.

The section of the 429 Western Beltway from county Road 525 in Winter Garden to New Independence Parkway will officially open to Central Florida motorists Friday at 5 p.m.

Next week, a new section of the road will open to U.S. 192 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Walt Disney World has started building a new entrance road off the tollway in the same area.

Also, next December, the Beltway will connect to Interstate 4, according to the report.

"This is a great day for west Orange County," Winter Garden Sen. Daniel Webster said. "I'm really excited for what this can do the economy here. But not only that, when this is completed, it is going to relieve much of the traffic in downtown Orlando. It still will now."

When the road connects to Interstate 4 next year, it will take an estimated 46,000 cars out of downtown.

"This new toll way extension, for better or worse, will dramatically change the rural landscape out here," DeForest said.

The new roads are being built at a cost of $450 million and are paid for by tolls.

Chemicals send Disneyland workers to hospital 

Disney believes in Petaluma PhotoTLC 

Twirlers to join Mickey on Main Street 

ABC reporter wins unfair dismissal case 

Florida tourism expected to jump 3.2 percent 

ESPN signs exclusive ad deals for Mobile ESPN 

Rumor Has It Prince Caspian Is a Go 

Disney stars in festive campaign 

Disney sues Beltsville man accused of illegal file-swapping 

Chicken Little Prepares for DVD Launch 

ESPN Signs Six Sponsors for its Mobile Service

Chemicals send Disneyland workers to hospital

 

Three workers at Disneyland were taken to the hospital early today when one mixed two chemicals that created a noxious vapor, fire officials said.

The incident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. when one worker was attempting to chlorinate a water-spray system near the Flix Fanfare attraction, said Maria Sabol, a spokeswoman for the Anaheim Fire Department.

The chemicals were hydrochloric acid and sodium hydrochloride, a bleach, she said. She said the result was a vapor similar to that which occurs when household bleaches are mixed with some other household chemicals against the advice of product warning labels.

Sabol said the chemicals were being used to chlorinate a water system that feeds water jet sprays for a children's play area.

Firefighters and the Anaheim hazmat unit were supervising the cleanup. No interruption in park activities is expected, she said.

Disney believes in Petaluma PhotoTLC

A Petaluma company that turns photos into personalized gifts and restores more old photos than any other in the country announced a $10million infusion of cash Wednesday from The Walt Disney Co. and two other investors.

The deal gives PhotoTLC Inc., a 3-year-old company with 100 employees, the ability to expand its manufacturing facilities and opens the door to working with Disney to create personalized products with Disney characters and companies.

"It's a dream come true," said Ed Bernstein, PhotoTLC's founder and chief executive.

"We already sell our retailers' products with Disney characters. We can put a child's photo on a melamine plate with Winnie the Pooh or Tigger," Bernstein said. "Now we are having discussions about other products we might do with Disney. I can't think of a better combination of investor and strategic partner."

The other investors are JP Morgan's Bay Area Equity Fund in San Francisco, which invests in socially responsible companies, and El Dorado Ventures in Menlo Park, which seeks out entrepreneurs in information technologies.

PhotoTLC has made its mark by working through retail chains to offer professional-quality photo restoration and a full range of personalized photo gifts, including mouse pads, T-shirts, knitted blankets and commemorative plates.

A customer scans his photo at a store's digital photo kiosk. The store sends the scanned copies to PhotoTLC, which processes the order in two days and returns the fully restored photo or gift item to the store for the customer to pick up.

Each day, PhotoTLC processes thousands of orders from 15,000 retail stores across the country, including Walgreens, Rite Aid and Albertsons.

"It's an Amazon.com type of challenge," Bernstein said. "We're the only high-volume mass market provider of photo restoration in the country."

In years past, photo restoration was provided by custom labs, while small manufacturers turned out photo gift items. Generally, the cost was higher and the turnaround time longer than PhotoTLC's.

The company is able to provide high quality at lower prices by developing its own, exclusive technology and software systems, Bernstein said.

Several social trends have fueled PhotoTLC's rise - the widespread use of digital cameras, the growing popularity of genealogy and scrapbooking, and consumers' fascination with personalized items of all kinds.

"We're having a great time. It's a great time to be in this business," Bernstein said.

The company started out in 2002 in Larkspur as a marketing partner for retailers, then moved to Corte Madera and to Novato as business grew.

But outsourcing the manufacturing didn't work well, Bernstein said.

PhotoTLC obtained $5million in venture capital from El Dorado Ventures last year and in May moved to Petaluma to open its first manufacturing facility.

The company chose Petaluma because officers wanted to stay in the Bay Area, and Petaluma could provide the manufacturing space and access to a good labor pool, Bernstein said.

The company occupies 40,000 square feet in the former IDC Building on Cypress Drive. It employs 100 workers year-round, and swells to as many as 400 workers during peak demand seasons such as Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day, Bernstein said.

Last month, the company acquired an additional 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Austin, Texas.

PhotoTLC will use the new $10million in venture capital to expand its manufacturing capacity and the technology needed to serve its stores and online customers.

"PhotoTLC has rapidly emerged as the leading retail supplier of personalized photo gifts and photo restoration services," said Shanda Bahles, general partner at El Dorado Ventures. "(They) are transforming this industry segment and delivering a significantly higher-quality service."

Twirlers to join Mickey on Main Street

When 60 little girls, spangled in sequins and pepped up on adrenaline, finish marching down the length of Disneyland's Main Street on Saturday night, it will herald the end of an era. For many of the girls in the Desert Delight Twirlers, The Holiday Magic Extravaganza will be the first time that they get to frolic in a parade with Mickey Mouse.

But for their baton teacher, Peggy Risk, it will probably be the last time.

As Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary, she will wrap up her own 50th anniversary.

Risk began teaching twirling lessons five decades ago and is now winding up her career in anticipation of her retirement in the spring.

For the last few years, she's been teaching at St. Theresa Catholic School in Palm Springs and Amelia Earhart Elementary in Indio.

Countless little girls in Ohio and the Coachella Valley have raised their chins and spun their batons above their heads under her eagle eye, which misses nothing.

And for a little while longer, the 60-plus girls in the Desert Delight Twirlers will continue to refine their twirling technique under her tutelage.

"Keep your eyes up, Bailey," she called to 7-year-old Bailey Levine during a recent afternoon practice. "Big smiles."

"They've really gotten the routine down," parent Amber Schwan said, as she watched her daughter, Marissa Wells, 10, practice with the other girls.

"They're going to look really good."

For her part, Marissa's excited, if a little nervous.

"I haven't marched in Disneyland before," she said. "It'll be amazing to do it."

Will Risk miss little faces like Marissa's, like those of sisters Alana and Alexus Lozano, or Carli Roe, or Samantha Spurgin, or Gabrielle LeCroy?

She gulped and nodded hard, her eyes reddening as she turned away to look at the girls, her girls, still practicing getting those knees up, those spins right.

She inhaled and kept on teaching.

"Girls, good job," she said. "I want all of you to put your arms out to the side like this and give yourselves a big hug."

ABC reporter wins unfair dismissal case

The tribunal ruled for former correspondent Richard Gizbert, who claimed ABC News ended his freelance contract last year because he would not cover the war in Iraq, where foreigners, including journalists, have been targeted for kidnapping and murder.

The American network says that all assignments to war zones and other dangerous areas are voluntary.

Gizbert, 48, is seeking £2.3 million ($4 million) in compensation, which the tribunal plans to rule on early next year.

The court rejected ABC News' contention that its dismissal of Gizbert was not linked to his refusal to cover wars, but came because he was inessential and it was making severe cutbacks.

It said testimony by ABC News executives was at times inconsistent and "not entirely reliable."

The tribunal said in a written verdict that "the principal reason for dismissing (Gizbert), in circumstances where (ABC News) was cutting back its budget, was his refusal to go to war zones."

"This ruling amounts to a vindication for an individual, it amounts to an indictment for one particular company, ABC News/Disney, and it's a warning to other news organizations that your voluntary war zone policy has to mean what it says," Gizbert said.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said network officials were still reading the decision and would consider their options.

"Mr. Gizbert was not dismissed because he wouldn't go to a war zone," Schneider said. "As we said throughout the tribunal, ABC News' long-standing policy is and always will be that assignments to war zones and other dangerous places are completely voluntary."

Gizbert, who began working in ABC's London bureau in 1993, had been a war correspondent for years, covering conflicts in Bosnia, Chechnya and Somalia for ABC. He said he became reluctant to do so in the late 1990s, as his children grew up.

ABC initially had little problem with his decision, said Gizbert, who is from Ottawa. But after the 2001 attacks on America, an intense new focus on foreign news meant London correspondents were badly needed in war zones.

Gizbert said he gave up at least $150,000 a year in salary and benefits to go freelance so he wouldn't have to cover conflicts.

ABC News decided last year not to renew his contract, a decision the tribunal said amounted to dismissal.

Gizbert's lawyer Patrick Green said the ruling "shows that the media do not get to make their own rules."

"It marks an important step in the case law, by recognizing the global workplace and the real risks of reporting from war zones," he said.

Florida tourism expected to jump 3.2 percent

About 3.2 percent more visitors are expected to come to Florida next year, but worries about busy hurricane seasons are keeping some travelers away, the state's tourism marketing agency said Thursday.

Next year's outlook is higher than the national forecast of up to 2 percent more visitors to the U.S. next year, Visit Florida said at its board meeting. Tourism is Florida's biggest industry, with revenues of about $57 billion last year.

Last year, 79.7 million people visited Florida, the most ever and a 6.8 percent increase from 2003. Florida should surpass the 80 million visitor mark this year for the first time, said Barry E. Pitegoff, the agency's vice president of research. The state may have already exceeded that, but results won't be in until Feb. 15.

If that figure holds, and the forecast is correct, that would mean at least 2.5 million more people would visit the state in 2006.

"If we did not have the challenge of hurricanes, our visitor numbers could be higher," said Bud Nocera, president and chief executive of Visit Florida.

The prediction for next year includes the possible effects of more hurricanes hitting the state, Pitegoff said. Hurricanes are the single biggest factor affecting tourists' decision to visit Florida, he said.

The agency is noticing that some tourists are planning to avoid Florida during the peak hurricane months of August, September and October, said Dale Brill, chief marketing officer. That is a change from the past, when Florida's balmy climate attracted visitors during all seasons of the year, he said.

He said the agency will focus more on advertising to the meeting and convention market and less on leisure travelers to counter negative effects from hurricanes

"The reason we're so cautious is that it's very, very difficult to attract the amount of leisure vacations that you need to make up for what one (convention) group delivers," he said.

Apart from the hurricanes, economic factors like gasoline and heating oil prices and rising interest rates will also impact travel plans, but they shouldn't keep people away, Pitegoff said. They mostly will make visitors adjust how long they stay and how much they'll spend while here, he said.

"The first thing that we saw when gas prices went to close to $3 a gallon ... was that visitors coming here wanted to spend less on eating out," he said.

Still, he expected tourist spending to increase more than the predicted 3.2 percent jump in visitors.

Another concern is that other states and destinations are catching up to Florida in the amount they spend on tourism marketing, Brill said. Oregon spends just $1 million less than Visit Florida on advertising, he said.

The bulk of Visit Florida's $24.7 million annual budget comes from rental car surcharges, which rose 14.7 percent through October this year.

ESPN signs exclusive ad deals for Mobile ESPN

The Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) ESPN said on Thursday that it has reached advertising agreements with six major corporations for its soon-to-be launched Mobile ESPN wireless phone service for sports fans.

The cable sports network has signed year-long agreements with Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) , Molson Coors Brewing Co (TAP.N) , General Motors (GM.N) , Hilton Hotels Corp. (HLT.N) , Nike Inc. (NKE.N) and Visa.

The sponsorships start Feb. 5, the day Mobile ESPN becomes nationally available.

Each corporate logo will appear on the phones on animated billboards, banner ads and on scoreboard and columnist pages as well as the trivia-and-polls page SportsNation.

An ESPN spokeswoman said the companies were also exploring sponsored features, such as a sports question-and-answer page called "Answer Guy" as part of the agreements.

The Mobile ESPN phone service is available only through a specially-designed and branded Sanyo handset and carries sports statistics, short video clips and other short-form content.

The service now can be ordered online and will be widely available through Best Buy stores in February.

Rumor Has It Prince Caspian Is a Go

Aslan and The Chronicles of Narnia roared into theaters in North America and numerous international markets last week, enjoying the year's third-largest opening-weekend box office haul. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe pulled in $65 million ($107 million worldwide) – an excellent start towards recouping the $180 million that Disney and Walden Media spent on the film. The movie also fared well among critics, earning a 76% approval rating among professional film reviewers.

Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In 

Airport revises rules in response to Disney shuttle 

Disney, News Lead Hallmark Bidding 

More Flexibility Makes Hong Kong Disneyland Easier to Visit 

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire taping at Disney-MGM Studios in January 

CoolBrands hopes Disney ice cream will animate sales 

Grand Toys and Zizzle Sail the High Seas and Take Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest to Canada 

Disney sued again by Bucks company 

Desperate Housewives to Debut in China 

Jobs' Pixar In First-Ever NYC Museum Exhibit 

Disney Helps Toys for Tots 

Pixar, Disney keep investors on the edge of their seats

Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In

 

Walt Disney World Resort takes listeners inside the world's No. 1 vacation destination with "Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In," a weekly podcast debuting as part of the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," a global commemoration of 50 years of Disney theme parks.

From a Christmas Day launch, the official Walt Disney World podcast is featuring a lively mix of exclusive content -- behind-the-scenes tours of Disney's four Florida theme parks, celebrity interviews, news about upcoming events, and conversations with Disney Imagineers, the men and women responsible for the design, creation and expansion of the company's theme parks and resorts.

Listeners can subscribe to the free audio program at disneyworld.com/podcast or through the iTunes Podcast Directory. The podcasts are being produced exclusively for the fast-growing medium and can be enjoyed at the listener's convenience with a computer or portable audio player such as the Apple iPod.

Upcoming podcasts will include interviews with celebrities such as Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa ("Live with Regis & Kelly"), Susan Lucci ("All My Children"), John Stamos ("Jake in Progress"), Raven ("That's So Raven"), the Cheetah Girls, Aly & AJ, Kelly Monaco and John O'Hurley ("Dancing with the Stars"), singer-actress Vanessa Williams, and the young stars of the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media motion picture "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

Listeners also will have unprecedented access to the thoughts of Imagineers as they discuss the design and construction of Expedition Everest, a thrilling new runaway train attraction debuting at Walt Disney World Resort in spring 2006.

"Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In" joins several official podcasts from The Walt Disney Company, including free programs from Disney Online, Radio Disney, ABC, ESPN and Disneyland Resort.

Airport revises rules in response to Disney shuttle

 

The chairman of the board that governs Orlando International Airport said Wednesday that the airport made "mistakes" when it agreed to support Disney's Magical Express.

Jeffry Fuqua, chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the airport should have required Walt Disney World to operate the free shuttle and baggage service from both sides of the terminal instead of one. The airport also should have limited how many people could ride the service during the 18-month pilot period that began in May, he said.

"Yes, we made some mistakes," Fuqua said. "Pilot means pilot. It [Magical Express] should have been capped."

The comments came after months of criticism from other ground transportation companies at the airport that say their businesses have been damaged by Magical Express' success. The free Disney shuttle averages about 10,000 people each day, according to Disney figures.

On Wednesday, the airport board voted to revise some of the rules for ground transportation companies, including changes that some board members indicated could be unfair to Disney.

The new rules say that Disney cannot post "greeters" on the second level of the airport, where most transportation companies meet their customers near baggage claim. Instead, the rules say, Mears Transportation Group -- the company that operates the shuttle for Disney -- can post its employees there to meet Magical Express riders.

"To say to them [Disney] you can't have your two employees there, but you can have two employees of the company you hired to do this work, is really splitting hairs in my mind," said board member and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty.

The new rules create a new category of ground transportation companies called "resort transportation service." Only Disney currently meets the definition of that new category.

But, Fuqua said, it won't be long before more companies begin to follow Disney's lead. Already two more groups, including Universal Orlando, have expressed interest in creating a baggage and shuttle service.

Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said the company does feel "singled out" and would prefer a Disney employee greet its guests, but it "will follow the rules" as discussions continue on the future of the program.

Disney and airport officials negotiated for months before signing an agreement a year ago to launch an 18-month pilot program.

In November, airport officials stopped Disney from posting employees on the main level of the terminal because no other transportation companies were allowed to welcome passengers there. It also prohibited Disney from letting travelers who had not pre-booked a reservation from riding Magical Express, because the airport has a policy against soliciting customers in the terminal.

According to a Disney analysis, the program has so far provided a net revenue increase of $1.6 million compared with 2004 and is helping to increase the capacity at the airport by moving passengers and bags efficiently.

On the flip side, other ground transportation companies say they were given no warning of the vast changes Magical Express would bring when it began seven months ago.

"Disney is taking a majority of the traffic at the airport," said Hesam Sahraian, operations manager for L&M Car Rental. "The small businesses count on walk-up business and that has basically disappeared."

Still, board members said change was inevitable and planned a more detailed review of the impact of Magical Express by February.

"It's important as far as I'm concerned to understand that we're going into a new era and we have to change the way we're doing things to move forward," board member Jeanne Van Meter said.

Disney, News Lead Hallmark Bidding

News Corp. and The Walt Disney Co. are emerging as the most serious suitors for Hallmark Channel, according to Wall Street analysts.

So far, Hallmark parent Crown Media Holdings Inc. has received a half-dozen bids for the network, with several potential buyers now engaged in due diligence. But of that group of possible acquirers — which includes Viacom and Time Warner Inc. — Rupert Murdoch and Disney are the most interested and ardent potential buyers, according to Wall Street officials.

Disney officials, who have previously denied any interest in Hallmark, Wednesday couldn’t be reached for comment. News Corp. president Peter Chernin last week confirmed that his company was bidding for Hallmark.

Crown spokeswoman Mindy Tucker denied a Wednesday report in The Wall Street Journal which said a lack of interest from buyers might force Crown to pull the network off the block. But she declined to comment on the bidders.

Hallmark would be a good fit with Disney, according to Robert Routh of Jefferies & Co.

“They can take the content library, they can leverage it across their other platforms,” he said. “It’s family-oriented fare. It’s totally non-controversial. … It’s worth more in their hands than in any other potential buyer’s hands.”

Routh views Crown’s nearly $50 million settlement of a dispute with one of its investors, the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, as positive in terms of any sale. That because the NICC, claiming $100 million in damages, had threatened to sue Crown over a production deal it has with Hallmark.

The settlement was disclosed this week by Crown in a securities filing. Under the agreement, the interfaith group would get nearly $50 million in funding to produce programming for Hallmark. The arrangement also calls for the NICC to receive from $15 million to $25 million if Hallmark is sold to a third party.

More Flexibility Makes Hong Kong Disneyland Easier to Visit

 

Experiencing the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland will soon be easier than ever with the introduction of flexible date tickets. Starting January 3, 2006, guests may purchase non-date specific tickets and use them during a 6-month period following their purchase.

The new tickets are part of Hong Kong Disneyland's commitment to making the guest experience as seamless and magical as possible, while allowing greater flexibility in planning a full day of fun at the park.

"Our parks are always evolving and we receive a steady stream of feedback which allows us to adapt in order to make a great experience even better. Our guests and travel industry partners around Asia have told us they want the opportunity to buy tickets that are not date specific. As a result, we're happy to introduce new flexible tickets that will make planning a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland easier and more convenient," said Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland.

The Honorable Howard Young, Legislative Counselor representing Tourism Functional Constituency, said, "The new strategy enhances and widens the partnership with the tourism industry. I am confident it will bring win-win results."

Hong Kong Disneyland will offer three types of park tickets (for more information, guests can visit hongkongdisneyland.com ):

Regular days -- Monday - Friday
(Adults HK$295, Kids HK$210, Seniors HK$170)

Peak days -- Weekend and certain vacation periods
(Adults HK$350, Kids HK$250, Seniors HK$200)

Special days -- Holidays or other date-specific special occasions (e.g. Christmas Day, New Year's Day and days during Chinese New Year and Golden Week). Peak days and Special days (priced the same) are expected to be very popular with guests.

Guests who purchase Regular day and Peak day tickets can visit the park on the same day type within six months of their ticket purchase. Guests who purchase Special day tickets will receive a date-specific ticket for their chosen date.

For guests who already have purchased date-specific tickets, they can exchange the original tickets for the new flexible tickets at Guest Relations window at the Main Gate at the front of Hong Kong Disneyland Park.

"This new ticket offering means our travel industry partners will be better able to provide options to Mainland China and overseas guests who will want flexibility when visiting Hong Kong Disneyland," said Hardy.

Tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland are available through a variety of channels: Travel agents, online at hongkongdisneyland.com , the Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express at MTR Hong Kong Station, the Main Gate at the front of Hong Kong Disneyland Park and Group Sales office for groups of 100 and larger.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire taping at Disney-MGM Studios in January

Meredith Vieira will be at the Disney-MGM Studios on Thursday, Jan. 12, Friday, Jan.13 and Sunday, Jan. 15 to tape episodes at the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" attraction.

Guests can request tickets for the tapings by visiting millionairetv.com. Tickets include complimentary parking plus entry to Disney-MGM Studios. Everyone in the party must have a ticket.

CoolBrands hopes Disney ice cream will animate sales

CoolBrands International Inc. is hoping Mickey Mouse and The Incredibles can sell more ice cream than Weight Watchers and Dr. Atkins.

The struggling frozen treats maker, which posted a $74-million (U.S.) annual loss yesterday, unveiled a licensing deal with Disney Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Walt Disney Co.

Starting in March, Markham, Ont.-based CoolBrands will launch five new frozen novelty items in the U.S. market based on popular animated characters. Among them, Mickey Mouse and Finding Nemo ice cream bars, an ice cream cone based on The Incredibles and a Wheelies ice cream sandwich tied to the coming Disney release Cars.

"Disney is the No. 1 entertainment company in the world," said CoolBrands president David Stein.

"So if you've got a good product that's branded in a way that draws on their animated characters you've got a good chance to appeal to kids."

Analysts said the deal has the potential to be a promising one for CoolBrands.

"If you're a kid and you're shopping with your mom, you're more likely to want to buy a Disney ice cream product than something else," said Robert Gibson, an analyst at Octagon Capital.

CoolBrands is now canvassing U.S. retailers in an attempt to strike distribution deals for the Disney frozen treats.

The ice cream bars and sandwiches will be so-called "better for you" items that are fortified with vitamins, according to CoolBrands.

"We will draw from the entire family of Disney characters. As we go along each year, we'll hope to add more products. There's certainly a deep well to draw on in terms of character equity," Mr. Stein said.

Analysts are hoping for further financial details about the arrangement on a company conference call scheduled for Monday.

They are also anxious to hear about efforts to refinance roughly $33-million in short-term debt due Jan. 3.

Yesterday, Mr. Stein said he was "confident" an agreement would be reached with lender J.P. Morgan by the deadline.

The Disney agreement was a bright spot amid the company's dismal fourth quarter and year-end results.

CoolBrands' earnings were sideswiped by the loss of a Weight Watchers licensing agreement, the virtual-collapse of its Atkins diet branded products and a $55.5-million goodwill impairment charge taken in the fourth quarter.

CoolBrands lost $64-million in the quarter ended August 31, or $1.15 per share, compared to a $12-million profit in the same period last year.

Revenue at the company whose brands also include Eskimo Pie, Breyers Yogurt and Yoplait Frozen Yogurt and cereal bars dropped almost 4 per cent during the quarter to $124-million.

For the year, CoolBrands lost $74-million or $1.32 a share. The company posted a $23.5-million profit or 42 cents last year. Revenue plunged 14 per cent to $385-million.

CoolBrands also said it will abandon its dual class share structure that gives management -- including Mr. Stein, co-chairman Michael Serruya and others -- majority control of CoolBrands votes.

The collapse of the company's multiple voting shares will not take place until May, 2007.

Grand Toys and Zizzle Sail the High Seas and Take Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest to Canada

The box-office bonanza that made pirates cool again is back in action with the next installment of Disney's PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST. And to accompany one of the most anticipated films of 2006, Grand Toys International Limited announced today that Grand's Canadian Subsidiary, under its' distribution agreement with Zizzle LLC, will deliver in Canada the first mass market toy line ever offered behind the Disney franchise, which encompasses the coming sequel and the yet to be named final film in the trilogy, scheduled for release in 2007.

Jason Mars, Grand's Vice-President of Sales and Merchandising said, "With multiple years of entertainment support between Dead Man's Chest in summer 2006 and the third movie in 2007, we believe that Pirates of the Caribbean has longevity in the marketplace, and we are excited to be working with Zizzle to build this franchise." Mr. Mars added that, "Grand will support the product line with comprehensive TV and PR programs for the Canadian market."

Zizzle, with its team of proven toy marketers led by Roger Shiffman, has come on the scene and is gaining momentum quickly. Product development for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, created by the Zizzle team, will be innovative, and marketing will seek unique, fun ways to drive Pirates at retail.

"Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean was tremendously successful, and the inherent excitement for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest combined with our fresh ideas on product development make for a powerful opportunity," said Mr. Shiffman. "The play pattern and property are the perfect fit for kids, and we hope to drive the business worldwide to a magnitude that few other major film properties have seen before."

Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean products, which will launch just prior to the movie release, will include: action figures, play sets, role play, interactive hand held games, novelty electronics and more. The line will play off the incredible depth of characters, storylines, movie sets/locations and pirate fantasy covered by the sequels. Highly detailed action figures will include all of kids' favorite characters, from Captain Jack Sparrow to Will Turner to the new villain character, Davy Jones. Figures and accessories will be launched in multiple sizes/scales and with built-in features from slashing swords to smoking cannons. Kids will be able to take to land or sea with different play sets, including an Ultimate Black Pearl ship measuring nearly three feet long! And, of course, role play toys will allow any child to become "one" with their favorite pirates, Captain Jack Sparrow, using all of his great gear.

Disney sued again by Bucks company

A Bucks County technology firm is alleging unfair competition in a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Walt Disney Co., continuing a long-standing dispute over the Mission: Space ride at Walt Disney World.

Environmental Tectonics Corp. said in its filing in federal court in Philadelphia that Disney showed "utter disrespect" for its intellectual-property rights and its role in designing the ride.

The Southampton company, which builds flight simulators, began working with Walt Disney Imagineering in 1998 to simulate the gravitational forces of spaceflight.

Its complaint alleges that Disney misrepresented the origin of Mission: Space, causing "confusion and mistake" among park owners seeking to build similar attractions. The lawsuit does not specify damages.

"We believe that the claims are without merit, and we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously," said Jacquee Polak, a Disney spokeswoman.

Environmental Tectonics sought $15 million from Disney in a lawsuit filed in June 2003, alleging that Disney reduced its role in the project in 2002 contrary to prior agreements. The ride opened in 2003.

Disney, whose $48.09 billion market capitalization is more than 1,000 times that of Environmental Tectonics, filed a counterclaim in August of that year, alleging negligence and poor performance.

The case is expected to go to trial next month.

In its latest quarterly Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Environmental Tectonics said that it had "valid defenses" against Disney's claim, which seeks $65 million in damages.

The company referred questions to its attorney, Jeremy Mishkin of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads L.L.P., who did not immediately return phone calls.

In preparing for the trial, Environmental Tectonics says in the new lawsuit, the company discovered that Disney had divulged details of its technology to competitors, including one who presented himself at the company's Southampton offices as a Disney employee.

Disney also sought to remove the company's name from engineering drawings, the lawsuit says.

Desperate Housewives to Debut in China

Touchstone Television hit series "Desperate Housewives" will debut in China on December 19, 2005 on state run CCTV8, it was announced jointly today by Laurie Younger, president, Buena Vista Worldwide Television; Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television and executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group; and Steve Macallister, senior vice president and managing director, Buena Vista International Television - Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP). In an agreement brokered by BVITV-AP and London based Zone Vision Networks, the hit series will be dubbed into Mandarin and will air as three back-to-back episodes per night, with the entire first season running in one week.

"As part of the company's continuing strategy to expand internationally, it's a privilege to bring the award-winning 'Desperate Housewives' to the great people of China. The series' addictive blend of dark comedy and gripping drama is sure to thrill audiences in China the same way it does in 202 other territories around the world," said Ms. Younger.

"Quality productions with fantastic storytelling transcend culture and language," added Mr. Pedowitz. "Fans worldwide relate to these characters."

"We are delighted to be working with Zone Vision as a partner in China," commented Mr. Macallister. "'Desperate Housewives' has been breaking records around the world and we are sure it will be a hit with Chinese viewers."

"As part of our commitment to our relationship with CCTV and our viewers in China, we have made it a priority to acquire the very best top-quality Hollywood and international series and movies for our 'Jiayi' program block," said Chris Sharp, general manager and chief programming officer, Zone Vision Networks. "Certainly the multi award-winning 'Desperate Housewives' series satisfies those very high standards. It is a truly unique series and a worldwide phenomenon, and we are delighted to work with Disney and Touchstone Television to bring this incredible series to China for the first time."

"Desperate Housewives," winner of two Golden Globes and two Emmys, takes a dark, comedic look into the secret lives of suburban families and neighbors living on Wisteria Lane. The international phenomenon continues to break ratings records around the world. The series ranked as the no.1-rated series in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and Germany. At the time of its launch on Channel 4 in the UK, the series garnered the channel's highest-ever audience share of a U.S. series launch, and was its most-watched debut of a U.S. series in 10 years. "Desperate Housewives" claimed the title of the most-watched new drama in Australia's history, and more than tripled Net5's primetime averages in the Netherlands. In Singapore the series set a record as the highest-rated acquired drama for its season premiere. In 2006 local versions of "Desperate Housewives" will go into production across five countries in Latin America.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Mark Moses as Paul Young, Richard Burgi as Karl Mayer, Roger Bart as George Williams, Cody Kasch as Zach Young, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Mehcad Brooks as Matthew Applewhite, Jesse Metcalfe as John and Zane Huett as Parker Scavo.

Created by Marc Cherry ("The Golden Girls"), the series is executive-produced by Cherry and Tom Spezialy ("The District," "Ed"), and is produced by Touchstone Television.

Touchstone Television has established itself as one of Hollywood's leading production companies, supplying critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the television industry. For the 2005-06 TV season, Touchstone Television has a slate of 16 new and returning series on broadcast and cable networks.

Buena Vista International Television is responsible for The Walt Disney Company's branded and non-branded filmed entertainment distribution, licensing over 30,000 hours of programming to over 1,300 broadcasters across 240 territories. BVITV licenses movies from producers including Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, programming from Touchstone Television and ABC News, along with the annual Academy Awards. BVITV also distributes Disney-produced animated and live action series, Disney Channel Original Movies, pre-school programming, and services the distribution of the Jetix Europe portfolio of content.

Jobs' Pixar In First-Ever NYC Museum Exhibit

The Museum of Modern Art, which has intrigued and perplexed crowds since the 1930s, led the movement to recognize comics and cartoons as "valid" popular art, along the same lines as jazz.

So it's a natural for the New York City institution to host a retrospective of that contemporary wellspring of animation, Pixar (nasdaq: PIXR).

The firm, led by Chief Executive Steve Jobs, has been drawing and key-padding for two decades, linking traditional and digital cartooning. Thus, the "Pixar: 20 Years of Animation" exhibit, boasting more than 500 works of original art on loan for the first time from Jobs' company. It includes paintings, sculptures and digital installations, as well as a zoetrope, the 19th century motion simulator pre-dating "movie" film.

The exhibit also has a complete retrospective of Pixar's brilliant--and brilliantly money-making--animated films, including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles and the ultra-blockbuster Finding Nemo.

Of course, history has shown us that art can also be a useful tool of propaganda.

The exhibit is ever-timely in highlighting the lucrative genius of Pixar even as The Walt Disney Co.'s (nyse: DIS) new CEO Robert Iger seems to hint at a new agreement with the animation house.

Under Iger's predecessor, Michael Eisner, Disney's relations with Pixar--and with Jobs himself--became ragged, including caustic public comments about Jobs' "other" role as CEO of Apple Computer (nasdaq: AAPL).

And consider this: Disney's recent solo effort, Chicken Little, apparently missed that Pixar gift of enthralling both kiddies and adults: It opened Nov. 6 and to date has grossed $127,280,176 at the U.S. box office, according to Internet Movie Database. Compare that to Finding Nemo, a joint effort of the two firms, which grossed $339,714,367, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. Even the weakest of the MoMA roster, A Bug's Life, pulled in $162.8, according to The Movie Times Web site.

So enjoy the exhibit--and ask yourself whether cartoons are really just kids' stuff.

Disney Helps Toys for Tots

Walt Disney World cast members are giving back to the community, in helping to stock one of the nations best known holiday charity drives. The Marine Corps vehicles will be making a big pickup today.

"Preliminary numbers indicate that we have collected 21, 260 toys, 20 bikes and 1 television."

That's Lisset Campos of Disney says those items will become presents for needy children in Central Florida.

"The Central Florida toys for tots will helping an estimated 16,000 families in Orange County and Seminole."

You can help the toys for tots campaign to this holiday season.

Click here to go to their website to find out how.

Pixar, Disney keep investors on the edge of their seats

As the courtship between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Co. drags on, some investors and analysts have started wondering whether a future partnership could be deeper than a straightforward distribution deal for Pixar's movies.

For months, the companies have been in talks about continuing one of the most successful partnerships in the entertainment industry, which dates back to 1995's "Toy Story," the pioneering computer-animated movie that was the first of six major hits created by Pixar. Under the current deal that expires with next June's "Cars," Disney co-finances Pixar's movies, and the companies equally split film profits after Disney takes a distribution fee and is compensated for marketing and other costs.

Having established a stellar track record, Pixar has been seeking a more lucrative deal that would involve Pixar picking up all the production costs of its movies and simply paying Disney a distribution fee.

There is another, more fanciful, theory buoying Pixar's share price, though: Disney could buy Pixar and make it, in effect, Disney's animated-film division. That idea has been floated in recent research reports, including several by Credit Suisse First Boston analyst William Drewry, who doesn't own any Pixar shares and has an outperform rating on the stock. Mr. Drewry further speculated that Pixar's chief executive, Steve Jobs, could become a member of the Disney board and a significant shareholder in the media giant. CSFB has provided investment-banking services to Pixar of Emeryville, Calif.

According to people familiar with the talks, Pixar and Disney of Burbank, Calif., are still toying with a broad range of options. For instance, these people say, one idea that has been kicked around by the companies is that Pixar could sell Disney a minority stake or give Disney a participation in the performance of its movies in exchange for sequel rights to Pixar's existing library of films, including "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." It has long irked Mr. Jobs that Disney controls the sequel rights to his movies. However, such an option would be complex to pull off.

A Pixar spokesman and a Disney spokeswoman declined to comment.

In a recent interview, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said that "I've concluded that for the company to be successful long-term creatively, it must get animation right. That does guide a bit of what we end up doing with Pixar but it's not fully determinate. ... The nature of the deal is what is most important, it's not whether there is a deal or not."

Messrs. Jobs and Iger have sidestepped questions about a possible acquisition in recent conference calls with investors and analysts, further fueling chatter about such an option. Analysts estimate such talk has boosted Pixar's stock by several dollars -- a so-called takeover premium that could evaporate if the two end up not tying the knot. Pixar's shares rose 8 percent the day after CSFB's Mr. Drewry issued a report Oct. 6 titled "What if Disney Buys Pixar?" and the company's shares are up more than 22 percent since that date.

In 4 p.m. composite trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Pixar's shares were down 62 cents to $54.72, giving the company a market capitalization of about $6.5 billion. On the New York Stock Exchange, Disney, with a market value of about $51 billion, fell 13 cents to $25.

In a research report following Disney's recent fourth-quarter earnings, Prudential Equity Group analyst Katherine Styponias noted that Mr. Iger said Disney's top priority is animation. "Although very little color and commentary was given on the Pixar discussions, we felt that the potential for an outright purchase of Pixar is not out of the realm of possibilities based on management's tone and comments," Ms. Styponias said in her report. She has an overweight rating on Pixar and doesn't own any Pixar stock. Prudential doesn't do any business with the animation company.

Such an outcome seems like a long shot to some investors. "I think they feel their process is very different from Disney's and they wouldn't want to risk losing control over that," says Anthony Valencia, a media and entertainment analyst for the TCW Group Inc., an investment firm with $118 billion under management that is the second-largest shareholder in Pixar, after Mr. Jobs. Mr. Valencia, who doesn't have ratings on any stocks, doubts that an acquisition of Pixar makes sense, but adds: "Obviously, Jobs has some duty to shareholders -- there might be some price he couldn't turn down."

Kevin Landis, chief investment officer at Firsthand Funds in San Jose, Calif., with about $700 million in assets, echoed the view that Mr. Jobs is unlikely to relinquish the autonomy that has helped Pixar thrive. From its perch in the San Francisco Bay area, hundreds of miles from Hollywood, Pixar has stuck to the leisurely pace of releasing a new film about every 18 months, while competitors are pumping out multiple computer-animated movies a year. Pixar has said it aims to step up its production to one movie a year. But investors believe any change in ownership could force Pixar to speed up its creative output even more.

"In buying it, there's the risk you destroy what makes it special," says Mr. Landis, who estimates the fund holds about 200,000 Pixar shares. "There's no one there who needs to cash out."

Price, too, is another big potential stumbling block. Pixar shares, adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split in April, are up 28 percent for the year, and the company's market value is prohibitively high for Disney, some analysts think.

Indeed, the gap between the market value of Pixar and its nearest rival, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., has reached a high. DreamWorks has a market value of about $2.6 billion. Part of the difference can be attributed to factors such as DreamWorks's recent problems with its "Shrek 2" DVD, but the contrast is still striking when considering that DreamWorks's two-movies-a-year release schedule gave it revenue last year of more than $1 billion, almost four times that of Pixar. The price-to-earnings ratio of Pixar, based on projected earnings for this year, is 46, considerably richer than the P/E multiple of 30 for DreamWorks, according to Thomson Financial.

Mr. Jobs began negotiating a new deal with Disney's former CEO Michael Eisner nearly two years ago, but the talks between the two executives, who had a rancorous relationship, collapsed after Mr. Jobs publicly halted the negotiations early last year.

When Mr. Eisner handed the CEO reins to his more conciliatory deputy, Mr. Iger, this year, many saw an opportunity to revive the discussions. Indeed, one of Mr. Iger's first moves as CEO was to reach out to Mr. Jobs, and the two companies have been in talks since. The two executives even struck a deal for Mr. Jobs's other company, Apple Computer Inc., to sell Disney-produced television shows, such as "Desperate Housewives," over the Internet.

Yet the Pixar-Disney discussions are taking longer than both sides expected. In a recent conference call with analysts, Mr. Jobs said he would like to reach an agreement with Disney by year end, but he said the conversations are taking longer than expected. People familiar with the talks say the two sides are still some distance apart on any agreement, and there is a strong chance the negotiations will push into next year.

Narnia Fans Invited to Review The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 

Disney Vacation Club Expedition Everest preview dates 

Alan Bergman named president of Walt Disney Studios 

Disney Announces Film Production in China 

Opera fans honored on ABC's SuperSign this New Year's Eve 

The Chronicles of Narnia McDonald's Happy Meals & Mighty Kids Meals 

Chicken Little on DVD 

Rising Tower 

Euro Disney plans reverse share split of 1-for-100 

Would C.S. Lewis Have Risked a Disney ‘Nightmare’? 

Disney's Steamboat Ventures Provides Expansion Capital to Leading Provider of Personalized Photo Gifts and Digital Photo Restorations 

Disney defends its shuttle-bus service 

Gov't in talks over Disney directors 

Burnett: Queen of this comedy 

Disney rejigs EMEA under ex-Turner exec

Narnia Fans Invited to Review The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

 

NarniaFans.com invites fans everywhere to submit their own Narnia Fan Review of Disney and Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

There, you have an exclusive opportunity to voice your opinion on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Andrew Adamson's first installment of C.S. Lewis' epic story the Chronicles of Narnia. Users fill out a detailed form based on the entire production.

From Cinematography to Direction, Liam Neeson's performance as Aslan to Georgie Henley's performance as Lucy; we want you to review 10 main categories, as well as 20+ optional questions that will rate the abilities of the cast and the crew. You will also be able to post a 5,000 character review that will be read by fellow Lewis fans around the world.

Take a moment to read some of the reviews already in the database and then make your voice heard! And to keep things nice and clean, all reviews will be edited for foul language. The whole family is encouraged to participate in this area of NarniaFans.com.

To submit your review, please log on to: www.narniafans.com/lww_review

For additional information on Narnia Fan Reviews, contact Paul Martin or visit www.narniafans.com/lww_review

Disney Announces Film Production in China

The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday announced its first film production in China, adding to its efforts to break into the booming Chinese entertainment market.

The Chinese-language film, "The Secret of the Magic Gourd," began shooting in October in the eastern city of Hangzhou and is due to be released next year, Disney said. It is based on a popular children's book by the late Chinese novelist Zhang Tianyi.

Disney's partners are state-owned China Film Group Corp. and Hong Kong's Centro Digital Pictures Ltd., a special-effects house best known for its work on director Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill."

Burbank, Calif.-based Disney has opened Disney-brand stores in several mainland Chinese cities and is reportedly in talks on setting up a Shanghai theme park and a television channel. But its film offerings to mainland audiences have been mostly imported U.S. productions.

The company didn't release the film's budget.

Foreign film and television distributors are eager to expand in China, but face regulatory obstacles.

China's state-owned film distributor frequently releases foreign titles at awkward times and limits the length of time they are shown in order to minimize competition with China's own film industry.

Chinese studios have tried without success to create franchise characters that can match the success of Mickey Mouse and other Disney icons with Chinese children.

Chinese regulators also are especially sensitive to entertainment aimed at children, insisting that most cartoons on state television be domestically made.

An official of China's main TV regulator said in June that Beijing might further reduce the amount of foreign cartoons that broadcasters can show once Chinese producers can meet demand.

China Film Group is the mainland government's main film production and distribution company, with interests in studios, a movie channel and DVD sales.

Centro also worked on Chinese director Chen Kaige's newly released "The Promise."

Opera fans honored on ABC's SuperSign this New Year's Eve

Opera Software today announced that one lucky Opera user will have his or her face on the gigantic ABC SuperSign in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve. In honor of its dedicated fanbase, Opera has chosen this high profiled venue to celebrate its community of users. Nearly one million party-goers will witness Opera's supersized fan tribute on the 585 square foot (54 square meter) screen.

All Opera users have the opportunity to be spotlighted, with one lucky user chosen. They simply have to send their photograph to Opera, along with the reason why they think they deserve to be featured on the big screen.

"Opera owes everything to the millions of devoted Opera users around the world, and we want to finish our 10th year with a big splash to thank them," says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "I hope 2005 will be remembered, not as the year of my overly optimistic attempt to swim to the USA, but as the year the Opera browser went free and the Opera community grew larger and stronger than ever before."

Opera will fly (or bike) the lucky Opera user with a guest to New York City for the New Year's celebrations, where they will be staying at one of New York's premiere hotels and receive two tickets to ABC's New Year's Eve party.

Starting on December 26 and climaxing on New Year's Eve, the video tribute will be on rotation at least nine times a day on the gigantic 585 square foot (54 square meters) ABC SuperSign in the heart of Times Square.

The Chronicles of Narnia McDonald's Happy Meals & Mighty Kids Meals

Characters from the new Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media live action theatrical release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are climbing through the enchanted wardrobe into McDonald's Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals beginning December 16, 2005 through January 12, 2006. McDonald's guests will receive one of eight characters and a specially designed pop-up diorama inspired by the film, with the purchase of a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal, at participating restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.

Each McDonald's Happy Meal featuring The Chronicles of Narnia includes an articulated action figure and interactive pop-up book that provides a richly detailed play environment to bring the film to life. Lucy Pevensie and the Wardrobe features a charming Lucy action figure. The door of Lucy's wardrobe diorama opens so she can enter the mystical world of Narnia on the reverse side. Mr. Tumnus and his Home includes Tumnus, who sports a scarf that doubles as a whistle, and a detailed pop-up book depicting his wintry home. Edmund Pevensie and the White Witch features Edmund and a pop-up sleigh with a 3-D White Witch inside, led by four reindeer. The Mr. Beaver and his Home diorama depicts Mr. Beaver's abode with pop up furniture -- press Mr. Beaver's tail and he flaps it up and down.

The White Witch and her Castle features The White Witch, Jadis, who raises her wand as if to cast a spell when the lever in her back is pushed, and an elaborate diorama of her castle and dungeon. Susan Pevensie and the Wolves includes a picturesque winter scene diorama with pop-up wolves and Peter with his sword.

Touch the lever on Susan's back and she raises her magic horn to her lips. Aslan and the Return of Spring features a pop-up dimensional tent for Aslan -- press the back of his mane to open and close his mighty jaws. Rounding out the elaborate collection is Peter Pevensie and Aslan's Army. Peter leads his troops with articulated arms and legs, and the prelude to battle diorama features a pop-up satyr, unicorn, and horse Peter can ride.

In theatres December 9, Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia is a live-action film based on the book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe -- one of seven novels in the popular children's fantasy book series by C.S. Lewis. Originally published in 1950, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe follows the adventure of the four Pevensie siblings who enter the world of Narnia though a magical wardrobe while playing 'hide and seek' in the country home of an elderly professor.

McDonald's guests now have the opportunity to enjoy additional food choices with their Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals including Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices) served with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, and beverage choices including 100% pure Minute Maid apple juice and low-fat white and chocolate Milk Jugs, served in easy to handle containers.

Euro Disney plans reverse share split of 1-for-100

Euro Disney (EDLP.PA) plans to propose to reduce the number of its shares through a reverse share split in order to temper price volatility of its stock, the French theme park operator said on Wednesday.

The company that runs Europe's most visited tourist attraction said it would propose at its annual shareholder meeting to exchange one new share with a nominal value of 1 euro for 100 old shares bearing a nominal value of 0.01 euro each.

A reverse share split will reduce the number of outstanding shares without affecting the company's overall capital.

Euro Disney, 39 percent owned by the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), carried out a financial restructuring that was completed with a capital increase earlier this year.

Euro Disney shares hit a year-high of 0.18 euros in February and a year-low of 0.10 euros earlier this week.

The authorization of the reverse split would last until the following annual shareholder meeting in 2007.

Would C.S. Lewis Have Risked a Disney ‘Nightmare’?

A newly published letter by C.S. Lewis shows how clearly he would have objected to a live-action version of his Chronicles of Narnia story, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Lewis writes in the letter dated Dec. 18, 1959, “I am absolutely opposed … to a TV version. Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare.”

The Christian apologist was primarily concerned with the depiction of Aslan, the lion character who functions as an allegory of Jesus Christ: “A human, pantomime, Aslan [would] be to me blasphemy.” He further comments that an animated version would be acceptable, but laments that Walt Disney combines “so much vulgarity with his genius.” The letter raises a critical question for devotees of Lewis’s work: Should we be opposed to this past weekend’s live-action release?

On one level, the answer might be simple. Lewis explicitly says he is adamantly opposed to a live-action version. Therefore we should be, too. But on further inspection, the basis for Lewis’s opposition was the propriety of human pantomime of talking animals, particularly that of the lion Aslan. But the just-released Disney version answers this concern to a large extent, because Aslan is a CGI (computer graphics imaging) creation, much like The Lord of the Rings’ Gollum, a 21st century version of Lewis-era animation.

And since Lewis approves of this kind of depiction of Aslan, his major complaint seems to be answered. But his comment about the “vulgarity” of the work of Walt Disney raises a somewhat more complex question. Is there something about the medium of motion pictures (animation included) that is morally questionable?

One way to get at answering this question is to briefly review how a particular American denomination tackled the issue in the last century. The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) is a small, historically ethnic denomination founded by immigrants from the Netherlands. In the first generations of immigration, these Dutch settlers were concerned about accommodation of their church to American culture. One of the salient points of concern was the so-called “film arts.”

In 1928, the governing assembly of the denomination, the CRC Synod, put forth its first official position on the Reformed Christian attitude toward movie-going, issuing a warning against theater attendance. The 1928 decision held that such “worldly amusements” as theater attendance were not inherently evil, but that their actual institutionalization in America was corrupt. Hollywood was seen as a haven for anti-Christian messages. Indeed, the temptation to worldliness in a medium renowned for its depictions and glorification of violence, lust, and depravity made it clear that Christians ought to avoid such practices.

In the ensuing decades, debate about the synodical decision grew, and the church’s position was clarified and modified to the current position: “film is a legitimate cultural medium to be used by Christians,” who “must exercise responsible, Spirit-guided, and enlightened discrimination in the use of the film arts.” The emphasis now is that the Christian should “engage in constructive critique of the film arts with the help of specialists, and cooperate with others to produce Christian films, videos, and television.”

So which of these positions does Lewis’s concern about Disney’s “vulgarity” agree with? And are these positions mutually exclusive? It’s clear that both Lewis’ opinion and the contention of the 1928 decision have in mind the proclivity of secular movies to be rife with themes that run contrary to the tenets of biblical Christianity. The situation in 1928 was such that the prudent course of action appeared to be complete withdrawal from the medium.

The wisdom of this course has been questioned in the following years, and the consensus is that rather than a complete withdrawal, the best course for Christians to take is a discriminating stance towards secular movies, and to actively participate in the creation of films consistent with biblical standards. Groups like The Dove Foundation have been created “to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment.”

The Narnia phenomenon illustrates the rather striking reversal of the 1928 decision. Of the film’s $180 million budget, nearly $80 million has been spent on marketing, with primary focus on the use of churches and Christian groups in the marketing strategy. This past Sunday, at least one CRC congregation showed the complete 9-minute movie trailer during the actual worship service. While we should wonder whether churches’ embrace of movie marketing has taken us a bit too far in the opposite direction, we can agree with Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham, that “the Enemy has been running the cinema. It’s time we took it back from him.

Disney's Steamboat Ventures Provides Expansion Capital to Leading Provider of Personalized Photo Gifts and Digital Photo Restorations

PhotoTLC, the industry leader in personalized photo gifts and digital photo restorations, said today that it has closed $10 million in new venture capital financing. The round was led by Steamboat Ventures, the venture capital arm of The Walt Disney Company. Also participating in the round are the company's existing investor, El Dorado Ventures, and another new investor, the Bay Area Equity Fund, managed by JPMorgan.

"From both a financial and strategic perspective, we're thrilled to have Steamboat Ventures as a new investor in PhotoTLC," said PhotoTLC CEO Ed Bernstein. "Steamboat brings not only its sophisticated investment perspective, but also access to business relationships within the Disney organization that will help drive PhotoTLC's continued growth."

"We're also delighted to welcome the investment from the Bay Area Equity Fund, whose charter includes both helping companies to grow financially and to create jobs and advancement opportunities for area residents," Bernstein said.

As the venture capital arm of the Walt Disney Company, Steamboat Ventures helps build relationships between the companies it invests in and Disney, ESPN and ABC, and provides access to a broad network of industry leaders.

Working with many of America's largest retailers, PhotoTLC offers a full range of personalized photo gifts and digital photo restorations at more than 15,000 retail locations across the U.S., including Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Meijer and Albertsons.

This holiday season, the company is filling thousands of orders every day for its distinctive line of photo restorations and photo gifts, including photo books, personalized calendars and knitted photo blankets, commemorative plates and photo crystals.

"PhotoTLC has rapidly emerged as the leading retail supplier of personalized photo gifts and photo restoration services. Their focus on serving the retail channel coupled with state of the art logistics and manufacturing are transforming this industry segment and delivering a significantly higher quality service," said Shanda Bahles, General Partner at El Dorado Ventures. "PhotoTLC's strong talent, leadership and innovative market solutions are consolidating this highly fragmented industry and delivering exciting growth."

In other news, PhotoTLC has acquired Club Photo, its largest outsource supplier of photo gifts. "The acquisition of Club Photo expands PhotoTLC's manufacturing capacity, including both photo prints and gifts, and provides us with a distribution facility centrally located in Austin, Texas. In addition, the acquisition gives us access to Club's web-based technical capabilities and expertise," noted Bernstein. "This web expertise will be a strong asset to our retail partners. Whether retail customers want to order their photo gifts online or in a store, have them shipped directly or available for store pickup, PhotoTLC can meet their needs."

About Steamboat Ventures

Steamboat Ventures (Burbank, CA) is the venture capital arm of The Walt Disney Company and invests in early-to mid-stage technology-focused companies that are pursuing opportunities in emerging media and entertainment markets. Other portfolio companies backed by Steamboat Ventures include Iridigm Display Corp., Fastclick, EMN8, Quigo and BitPass. For more information, visit www.steamboatvc.com.

Disney defends its shuttle-bus service

Walt Disney World executives say their free shuttle-and-luggage service between the resort and Orlando International Airport has boosted airport revenue by $1.6 million and helps move passengers so efficiently that it could delay the airport's need for a second terminal.

The analysis prepared by Disney came in response to criticism of the 18-month pilot project, Disney's Magical Express, which began in May.

Critics -- mostly other ground-transportation companies at the airport -- have said the service has cut deep into their business and that portions of Disney's original contract with the airport gave the entertainment giant an unfair advantage.

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Jeffry Fuqua declined to comment Tuesday on the figures provided by Disney. He said airport officials are working to prepare their own analysis of the shuttle service's effect on airport finances and operations.

"What do you expect them to say?" Fuqua said of the Disney analysis. "I would expect them to do nothing else than toot their own horn."

The recent back and forth between the airport and Disney is a rare public power struggle between two dominant forces in Central Florida tourism that typically work out their disagreements behind closed doors.

Since Disney's Magical Express began seven months ago, the airport has changed several key parts of the service -- over Disney's objections.

In August, the airport reduced the number of parking spaces available to the shuttle service's buses from six to four. And in November, it banned Disney greeters -- employees who wore oversize Mickey Mouse gloves -- from the main level of the terminal because no other companies were allowed to meet customers there.

Disney's Magical Express, which is provided free to people staying at Disney-owned lodgings, is the first large-scale passenger-and-luggage service operating at a U.S. airport and is changing the way airports operate, said Jerry Montgomery, a Disney senior vice president.

"It's transformed, in a unique way, the airport experience for folks," Montgomery said. "When you change the paradigm in the market, there's going to be some shifts. There's no doubt about that."

He said the airport's $1.6 million net increase in revenue from May to September when compared with 2004 is the result of rent Disney pays, a 50-cent-per-passenger fee, and fees generated by Mears Transportation Group, which operates the shuttle, and two luggage-transport services.

Still in question is how much money, if any, the airport is losing because of downturns experienced by other businesses, such as rental-car companies and limo services.

In addition to the revenue, Montgomery said, the Disney service is also extending the airport's capacity.

Airport operations are streamlined by the bus service, he said, because about 20 percent of OIA's luggage is screened outside the main terminal, in space Disney rents from Delta Air Lines.

That frees up space at airline ticket counters and within the terminal's baggage system, which in turn could delay the need for the long-talked-about south terminal by seven years, he said.

Airport Executive Director Bill Jennings and Finance Director Maureen Riley were not available Tuesday to comment on those claims, spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said.

Jennings has said the south terminal would be built after 45 million passengers pass through OIA in a single year. About 34 million are expected to use the airport this year.

Montgomery said Disney's Magical Express has done with private money what backers of a high-speed rail system had hoped to do with public dollars by "approximating a high-speed rail model" with a fleet of buses.

Fuqua, the airport board's chairman, acknowledged that the Disney service is a form of mass transit -- something the airport will need as it continues to grow.

"If you have an airport designed for 80 million passengers, it's relatively easy to draw the conclusion that it's going to be very difficult to move 80 million passengers out of the airport in small vehicles," he said. "At some point, you're going to have to build transit, because you can't build enough roads out of the airport. And this [Disney's Magical Express] is a form of transit."

"The question is: How disruptive is it and how financially disruptive is it?" Fuqua said. "I don't really know the answer to this question."

Today, the airport authority will consider proposals that would keep Disney from greeting customers near the baggage claim, where transportation companies typically find their passengers.

Airport officials want Mears employees, not Disney workers, to perform that role for Disney's Magical Express. Both Disney and Mears have objected to that change.

Meanwhile, Disney officials are trying to come to terms with airport officials on how the service will operate after the pilot program ends in December 2006. Because it plans its vacation packages a year in advance, the company wants to know by early next year what the service will look like in 2007.

"No one really forecast how successful it would be," Montgomery said.

Gov't in talks over Disney directors

The Government is in discussions with Walt Disney Company over the appointment of  independent non-executive directors to the Board of Hong Kong Disneyland Management Limited, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip says.

In a reply to legislators, Mr Ip said the theme park's board currently has nine members.

The Government appointed five of them, including the Financial Secretary, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works and Commissioner for Tourism.

The other four members are appointed by Walt Disney Company. The Government and the company may appoint up to two independent non-executive directors to the Board.

Both parties agreed in 2000 that it was not the appropriate time for the appointment of independent non-executive directors. Now that the Hong Kong Disneyland is in operation, there is a wider spectrum of matters for the board to supervise, he said.

"In line with our original plan, the Government considers it opportune now to consider the appointment of independent non-executive directors."

Mr Ip said HK Disneyland is a private company, and has no requirement under the Companies Ordinance to publish its directors' reports and audited financial accounts.

Hong Kong Disneyland's interests respected

The Government must respect the company's interests, and its operation under commercial principles will not be compromised due to the disclosure of commercially sensitive information, he said.

"The directors' reports and audited financial accounts of Hong Kong International Theme Park Ltd contain commercially sensitive information regarding the operation of  Hong Kong Disneyland. In accordance with its way of commercial operation, Walt Disney Company would not disclose individual accounts of its theme parks. 

"But being a listed company, Walt Disney Company will disclose information on the performance of its theme parks in its annual report," he said.

Burnett: Queen of this comedy

ABC's remake of Once Upon a Mattress, a humorous musical take on The Princess and the Pea, didn't skimp on comic royalty.

Carol Burnett, who first breathed life into the boisterous Princess Winnifred in a 1959 off-Broadway production, returns in Sunday's movie (7 p.m. ET/PT) as Queen Aggravain, the nasty ruler who tries to keep Winnifred from marrying her son, Prince Dauntless.

But don't worry about Winnifred becoming a wallflower. Burnett says a next-generation comic icon, Tracey Ullman, has the chops to become the brassy princess, a role that requires both precise comic timing and the ability to belch.

"Tracey is a force of nature," Burnett says. "She knows how talented she is. She has that good kind of confidence, not divadom." And she has a rare trait Burnett has been cited for: "She's fearless."

Burnett, 72, who hosted a classic CBS comedy-variety series, says she had been thinking for 10 years about a new version of Mattress, which she also starred in on Broadway and in two TV productions, one in black-and-white in 1964 and one in color in 1972.

The latest remake was first planned for CBS, before moving to ABC. It was filmed last year but postponed for broadcast until getting a holiday slot under the Wonderful World of Disney banner.

"I got to be a Disney princess in my early 40s," jokes Ullman, who has recently been doing comedy specials for HBO. "And I love being able to sing, dance and act."

Burnett says the latest Mattress was worth the wait. It's the first filmed without a studio audience, which allows it "to have the scope of the countryside and courtyard and big ballroom to make it look like quite a fairy tale," she says.

And it has a strong theatrical pedigree, starting with director Kathleen Marshall, a Tony Award-winning choreographer for Wonderful Town making her TV directorial debut.

Broadway stars Denis O'Hare (Sweet Charity, Assassins) as Prince Dauntless and Matthew Morrison (The Light in the Piazza) as Prince Harry are part of a cast that also includes Tom Smothers, Michael Boatman, Zooey Deschanel and Edward Hibbert.

The ABC production allows younger viewers to see Mattress as a movie, since the earlier versions aren't readily available, Burnett says.

Ullman, 45, who grew up in England, hadn't seen the musical, but she liked the cast and director and the chance to work with the legendary Burnett, who did not try to tell Ullman how she should play Winnifred.

"She's such a generous person," says Ullman, who offers her own homage to Burnett's physical comedy skills "by sticking my bum in the air when I'm on the mattress."

Ullman, who will appear in the upcoming film I Could Never Be Your Woman, likes Mattress' filmed look: "It's cool. It's all colored, washed over. We look like we all had collagen put in."

Winnifred is older in this production, but that works perfectly, Burnett says. Since Queen Aggravain was always delaying her son's betrothal, an older Dauntless and Winnifred wouldn't be surprising. The setup also allows three generations of couples, Aggravain and King Sextimus (Smothers), Dauntless and Winnifred, and Harry and Lady Larken (Deschanel).

For Burnett, the opportunity to play Aggravain, whose wicked ways prevent anyone in the kingdom from marrying until her son does, offers a fresh opportunity in a play she knows so well.

She turned to familiar friends from her Carol Burnett Show days. Ken and Mitzi Welch wrote Queen Aggravain a new second-act song, This Baby of Mine. (She's thinking about working with them to expand a popular segment from her variety show days — writing one-act plays featuring songs of famous composers — into a special, possibly for CBS.)

Another Burnett colleague, designer Bob Mackie, created the queen's costumes.

"He always helps me find my character by (the outfit) he puts me in," Burnett says. And what did that make Queen Aggravain? "A cross between a medieval Joan Collins and a drag queen."

Disney rejigs EMEA under ex-Turner exec

Walt Disney TV EMEA is restructuring, bringing the company's UK, Scandinavian and Middle East channels together under the control of Robert Gilby, who has been poached from Turner.

The move comes as Disney aims to push further into new technology and business sectors.

Gilby joins the company as VP and MD for the newly merged UK, Scandinavian and Middle East operations. He is currently VP of network development and strategic marketing at Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.

Meanwhile, an internal reshuffle sees Geoff Ellis, currently VP and MD of Disney Channel, Scandinavia and the Middle East, promoted to senior VP for business development and distribution.

Melissa Dixon, currently EMEA finance VP, will become VP of business operations and finance in Hong Kong. Simon Bailey, formerly VP and deputy MD at Disney Channel UK, becomes VP business operations and finance at Walt Disney TV EMEA.

Casper Bjorner, currently marketing director for Disney Channel, Scandinavia, becomes executive director of marketing for the UK, Scandinavia and the Middle East, reporting to Gilby. Nick Fuggle becomes finance director, also reporting to Gilby.

"We want more people to get to see Disney Channels and this new structure will allow our talented team to concentrate even more on harnessing new technology and expanding into other countries in the region," said John Hardie, MD and executive VP of Walt Disney TV EMEA.

Areas such interactive TV gaming and mobile telephony have become of increasing interest to the Mouse of late. In June, the company paid a rumored £10m for UK iTV games specialist Minds Eye.

Disney's European arm has also widely been tipped to follow its parent's lead in the US, where the company's set itself up as a branded mobile network operator.

ABC receives 16 Golden Globe Award Nominations 

Christians flocking to see 'Narnia' film 

Avaxx banks on Mickey Mouse to clear Disney mobile phones 

ABC Promotes George Stephanopoulos 

Rooms To Go adds Cindy and Disney to its No mix 

Popular Kids Radio Show on AOL to Broadcast Live from Disney World! 

One-year-old Disney India plans foray into new media 

Hong Kong Disneyland Spreads the Magic of Christmas 

Narnia film breaks British Disney box office record 

The Chronicles of Narnia in JPEG2000 Digital Format 

The Lion, the Chicken, and the Dividend 

'Housewives' Star Wants to Swap Spouses 

Valiant The Perfect Holiday Gift Soars Onto DVD 

Kronk's New Groove on DVD 

New Groove, New Toys: Disney Hosts Holiday Event For The Venice Family Clinic 

Christmas Market in the Street 

ABC radio staff strike

Christians flocking to see 'Narnia' film

Area churches are preparing for the new Disney movie "The Chronicles of Narnia," by targeting sermons to the movie and encouraging members to take followers of different faiths to see the film.

The movie, based on the C.S. Lewis book "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," is about a fantasy world in which the characters face issues such as temptation.

Pastor John Motz, of New Life Community Church in Atwater, said the packaging makes the message more powerful.

"It's happening because this book the movie is based on has been so popular over the years," he said. "A lot of people and a lot of churches have people who read it."

He planned to take about 30 people, mostly youths, to a Friday night showing.

This isn't the first time the church has tried to reach out to members through movies.

"I use it as a springboard on how we can apply it to our everyday life," said the pastor.

At Yosemite Church, pastor Jeff Leis said he has a series of sermons for three weeks on why adults are hiding and seeking, entering the wardrobe (a fantasy world) and the great exchange.

They sold 800 tickets for two showings of the movie and were encouraging people to take their friends. He said this brings an open door to a conversation about spiritual things.

Christian Life Center rented a 400-seat movie theater for Tuesday night's showing and gave young people a free ticket if they bought one.

Senior Pastor Kevin O' Connor said the free ticket will draw people into a dialogue about spiritual issues.

It's also a fresh way of sharing the message to those who may not come to a church service, he said.

O'Connor has sermons dealing with temptation and what would happen if Jesus was never born.

He said this will create an open door to conversation and recognize there's a story within a story that God wants to be involved with.

Avaxx banks on Mickey Mouse to clear Disney mobile phones

ABC Promotes George Stephanopoulos

ABC News has appointed "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos as its chief Washington correspondent, adding duties to his weekly job at the helm of the Sunday morning political talk show.

Stephanopoulos, about to start his 10th year at ABC News, will also report for network programs "World News Tonight," "Nightline" and "Good Morning America," ABC News President David Westin said Monday.

He will also oversee the network's coverage of Congress with the impending departure of reporter Linda Douglass.

The new job title will put Stephanopoulos, an adviser to President Clinton before joining ABC News, in line with his Sunday-morning competitors: Bob Schieffer is chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, and Tim Russert is Washington bureau chief at NBC News.

"This Week," where Stephanopoulos has been anchor since 2002, is currently third in the ratings behind NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS' "Face the Nation," but Westin said it had its best November sweeps performance in three years.

Stephanopoulos will anchor a one-hour ABC News special on the nation's political divisions next year, Westin said.

Rooms To Go adds Cindy and Disney to its No mix

Here’s a fun little quiz for you this week. What do these things have in common?

Cindy Crawford. No. The Hollywood living room. No. Disney. No. Winnie the Pooh. No. Disney. No. Lizzie McGuire. No.

I found all of those items, attractively packaged, of course, in a recent newspaper insert that arrived in my morning paper. There is a Rooms To Go store in nearby Greensboro, N.C., so I get to see how that retailer promotes on a regular basis.

The recent insert was pure Rooms To Go: Strong finance offers backing lots of sharply priced rooms of furniture. That’s what we have come to expect from the retailer.

If a no-no-no promotion is a good thing, and at Rooms To Go it usually is, then a second triple-no offer is even better. Thus we had a total of six “no” offers leading off the recent insert.

Plan 1 was free interest for over three years, and no down payment, (except amount equal to sales tax), no minimum purchase and no interest payment until January 2009.

Plan 2 offered no down payment (except amount equal to sales tax), no minimum purchase and no interest payment and no payment until September 2007. (That is actually four “no” offers. I’m losing track of them all. Sorry about that. Also, while we are clearing up the fine points, I should note that there was some fine print with both offers. For further details, see your own Rooms To Go insert.)

I was particularly impressed with the way the retailer promoted its new Cindy Crawford Home program. In the center spread, Cindy says: “I wanted to design furniture that is comfortable, well designed and affordably priced. I found the perfect partner … Rooms To Go.” Living room, bedroom and dining room groups were featured.

It’s common to see manufacturers rolling out celebrity and licensed lines. Such offerings are far less common from retailers. But this is a retailer that continues to shake up the marketplace.

Rooms To Go doesn’t just appeal to adult tastes. Rooms To Go Kids & Teens introduces the Disney furniture collections, with a Winnie the Pooh Collection and a Lizzie McGuire Collection. I mean, there is something here for everyone.

Winnie the Pooh has a honey jar stuck on his nose, as one of my favorite songs goes, so I’ll end my column here. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, Rooms To Go is hitting on all cylinders.

Popular Kids Radio Show on AOL to Broadcast Live from Disney World!

With more than one million weekly kid viewers and listeners, Radio KOL is set to broadcast a week full of live shows from one of the hottest kid spots in America: Walt Disney World Resort. The webcam in the studio will allow fans to watch DJ Rick live on the web as he spins the tunes, plays games and conducts interviews with Hilary Duff, Herbie the Love Bug, Mickey Mouse and unique 'Disney Experts' - just to name a few.

Airing daily December 12 -16, from 3:00PM to 7:00PM EST, on AOL Keyword: Radio KOL, the show blends popular music with listener participation. DJ Rick (formerly of Nickelodeon and Children's BBC) brings his fast paced energy and cheeky humor to kids nationwide all while broadcasting from a fish bowl type studio for all to observe.

To celebrate Radio KOL's week 'live from Disney World(R)', three lucky families will also get a chance to win an all expense paid vacation to the popular destination resort in Central Florida, including: airfare, four night's hotel stay, free admission to the Disney theme parks and 500 Disney dollars. To win, kids will have call in to Radio KOL (1-877-565-3574) during the show and do their best imitation of DJ Rick riding a roller coaster with Mickey Mouse.

DJ Rick, who has received more than eight million IM messages since the show's debut two years ago, will also investigate the Vacation Kingdom's Epcot Center, where he will learn how different families celebrate the holidays around the world, and plans to explore the 110-acre Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

"This is going to be an incredible week. I can't wait to bring the magic of Disney World to kids across the country! And that's the great thing about our live webcast, who knows what the kids might see. I will be their eyes and ears - which are big, but not as big as Mickey's!," said DJ Rick Adams. "Kids love Radio KOL because it's always there for them when they have had a good day or bad, right there on their computer with brilliant music and a whole lot of stupidity from me! They can also do other cool things while they watch and listen, like IM friends and play games!"

This marks the third time Radio KOL has taken the show on the road - including a week live from NYC as well as a special week on tour with Hilary Duff this past summer. Kids can tune to Rick's show on AOL Keyword: Radio KOL.

During this week in December, Disney's Magic Kingdom will also present Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade with an exciting all-new fireworks show. The celebration will feature live Disney Character stage shows, Character greetings throughout the Park, cookies and cocoa, and even snow on Main Street, U.S.A.

Also, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, featuring millions of sparkling holiday bulbs designed by Osborne, an Arkansas businessman and philanthropist will be on view. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights display started at the Osborne home 18 years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter Breezy. Soon their 22,000-square-foot home was covered in millions of lights. By 1995, the display had made its way to the guests of Walt Disney World Resort and is now a beloved tradition.

One-year-old Disney India plans foray into new media

Walt Disney India, which is close to completing the first year of its television foray in India, is planning to invest big monies on its other businesses such as merchandising and new media.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Rajat Jain, Managing Director, Walt Disney India, said: "Television, globally, is just one-third of our business. Our strategy in India, in the first year of operations was to build the television business and set up the organization. We are now going to use television to drive our other businesses."

The company, said Mr Jain, would in the coming months play an active role in the gaming and mobile platforms.

"Mobile is a big story in India today. With secondary buying of mobile handsets becoming prevalent today, and kids and the younger family members also being given access to mobile phones, there is growing demand for gaming and downloads. All these are revenue opportunities for us, which we will definitely tap."

Apart from television, the company also plans to leverage its film content on the various new media platforms. Mr Jain said the coming months would see the release of two Walt Disney films in India, Chicken Little and Chronicles of Narnia.

As far as the merchandising business is concerned, Mr Jain said the retail boom in India has given a huge opportunity for Disney's merchandising products.

"The key focus is to build franchisees around the Disney characters and get revenue out of it."

On the TV programming front, Mr Jain said the coming months would see a lot of emphasis on the localization of content. "This would include both creating as well as acquiring local content. For instance, we have recently acquired Karishma Ka Karishma from Star. We are also trying to generate more half-hour local programs, as we don't have too many of them."

On whether distribution was an issue, Mr Jain said, "We are already present in 25 million homes. The only State, where distribution is an issue, is Tamil Nadu."

Mr Jain is quite pleased with the channel's performance in the first year of operations. "We are the number two player after Cartoon Network and Pogo, with a market share of five per cent. Our objective is to become the market leader and grow this business by serving our consumers with the kind of service and experience they would expect from a brand like Walt Disney."

Hong Kong Disneyland Spreads the Magic of Christmas

People around the world can share in the fun of Hong Kong Disneyland's first Magical Christmas with a personalised and interactive online holiday "D-card" (Disney card) featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals against the winter wonderland backdrop of Main Street USA.

Visitors to www.hongkongdisneyland.com are invited to swing into the holiday spirit by simply clicking on the "Create a Christmas D-card' icon to design their own special snow-capped greeting that is available in English, traditional and simplified Chinese.

Budding designers can choose which Disney friend – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip 'n' Dale or Santa Goofy - will be the star of their personalized D-card, while a host of colorful Disney-inspired ornaments and stars are available to adorn the towering Christmas tree. And to add to the magic, a selection of adorable gifts can be placed under the tree for a true holiday atmosphere.

For those inspired to own an actual piece of Disney magic, all of the tree ornaments and Christmas gifts featured on the D-card are available for purchase throughout December at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Narnia film breaks British Disney box office record

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" topped the British box office with the biggest-ever opening weekend receipts for a Disney film, figures showed.

The film version of author C. S. Lewis's novel took eight million pounds (11.9 million euros, 14.2 million dollars), beating the previous record set by "Toy Story 2".

Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and his wife Camilla attended the world premiere in London on Wednesday, as well as stars from the worlds of pop and film.

The grandiose surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall were transformed for the occasion into a giant ice palace to reflect Narnia, Lewis's imagined snow-covered world of good and evil.

The film recounts the classic tale of four siblings evacuated from London during World War II who discover the secret world through a wardrobe while playing hide-and-seek in a rambling country house.

Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's film reportedly cost more than 200 million dollars (170 million euros) to make and market.

By contrast, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" -- the fourth film in the adventures of the schoolboy wizard -- broke four British box office records during its opening weekend from November 18-20, its distributor said.

Warner Bros Pictures International UK said the movie took 14.9 million pounds (21.7 million euros, 25.6 million dollars) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, making it the biggest three-day weekend in British cinema history.

Friday -- the opening day when many cinemas around the country opened at midnight for eager fans -- took 4.0 million pounds; Saturday saw 5.6 million pounds of tickets sold; while 5.2 million pounds were taken Sunday.

All three were British records for daily takings.

The Chronicles of Narnia in JPEG2000 Digital Format

In another digital cinema technology "first," Access Integrated Technologies, Inc., in cooperation with The Walt Disney Studios and media player hardware provider Doremi Labs, Inc., said today, it has premiered Disney's and Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" at its Pavilion Digital Showcase Theatre in JPEG2000 compression format as provided for in DCI specifications. The Pavilion Theatre is the first, and to date, the only movie theatre equipped to show digital movies to paying audiences utilizing this advanced technology standard. By December 31, 2005, an additional 150 digital cinema systems currently being installed by Christie/AIX, a subsidiary of AccessIT, with regional theatre chains under its 4,000-screen rollout plan will be JPEG2000-capable. Disney's "Narnia" was released nationally December 9th in both analog and digital versions.

"Today, thanks to the efforts of the talented team at AccessIT, we have been able to achieve a significant digital cinema milestone, the presentation of a full-length movie to audiences in compliance with the compression standards created by the industry's Digital Cinema Initiatives. AccessIT's technology leadership, operating digital cinema equipment at its Pavilion Showcase theatre, was instrumental in making this important development possible," said Chuck Viane, president, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Disney's distribution arm.

"We are pleased to play a supporting role in the effort to bring the most advanced technology to exhibitors and audiences nationwide," said Bud Mayo, chairman and chief executive officer of AccessIT. "This presentation of Narnia, the first to use DCI specified JPEG2000 before a paying audience, is a major technological advance for everyone that has worked long and hard to see digital cinema become a reality."

In July 2005, Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI), a joint venture formed by Disney and the six other major studios in 2002, issued the Version 1.0 Technical Specification for digital cinema systems. Included in the Specifications was the designation of JPEG2000 as the uniform file compression format. While movies have previously been shown on 2K digital projector systems, the commercial presentation of full-length films in DCI-conforming JPEG2000 format had not been previously achieved.

AccessIT's Pavilion Theatre features five state-of-the-art 2K DLP Cinema(R) digital projection systems produced by Christie Digital Systems as well as media player hardware developed by Doremi Labs, among others. Doremi's DCP-2000 digital cinema server, like the unit deployed at the Pavilion, is the first commercially available server capable of playing DCI-JPEG2000 digital movies. It is AccessIT's intent to include Doremi players in many of the digital system installations anticipated under its 4,000-screen rollout plan.

Russell Wintner, President and COO of AccessIT's Digital Media Division, added: "As soon as we decided to partner with Christie in a major deployment of Digital Cinema systems, we set our goal on JPEG2000 for installations to begin this same year. Our ability to support Disney's ambitious agenda using JPEG2000 for 'Narnia' marks a critical objective met by our dedicated development team and further evidence of the value of having a digital cinema showcase theatre for advancing the joint goals of our movie industry partners."

Camille Rizko, President and CTO of Doremi Labs, Inc. added: "We have been at the forefront of JPEG2000 technology integration since its introduction. The DCP-2000 server is the culmination of our effort to provide the Digital Cinema market with the first server capable of playing digital movies with JPEG2000 compression. We are proud to participate in this historic event.

The Lion, the Chicken, and the Dividend

Disney (NYSE: DIS) needed a couple of hit movies this box office season. So far, so good.

Chicken Little has surpassed $120 million at the domestic box office and should prove to be a favorite children's DVD for years to come. It also showed both Pixar (Nasdaq: PIXR) and DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA) that the Mouse should never be underestimated.

Now, we have the magic of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. According to estimates at Boxofficemojo.com, the fantasy film grossed $67 million over its pilot weekend at domestic auditoriums. Globally, the site reports about another $40 million in ticket sales, bringing the initial worldwide gross above the $100 million mark.

Many observers want to compare Narnia to either of Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) killer franchises, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I personally doubt that Narnia will live up to their financial standards; in my opinion, the better comparison here is with Disney's Pearl Harbor.

I view Narnia as another attempt at celluloidic cloning, piggybacking the success of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter just like Pearl Harbor was  influenced by James Cameron's Titanic. Pearl Harbor opened with a $59 million gross back in 2001, and that was in the summertime. It eventually snared about $450 million around the globe. I hope Narnia has legs strong enough to best this number; we'll have to wait until next weekend to see what the dropoff turns out to be. The competition will be tough, since General Electric's (NYSE: GE) Universal picture King Kong is set to open. Judging from a small, unscientific sampling of reviews and opinions, it seems to me that Narnia is well-liked but not necessarily utterly loved, so the film might have a challenging run.

There's no question that this box-office result is good news for shareholders. After all, we weren't too happy about the loss that the studio operating segment had to endure in the latest quarter. But 2006 promises to be a better box office year for the Mouse, with Pixar's Cars and the first of two sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean scheduled to hit the multiplexes.

Narnia alone probably won't raise the stock too much, since Disney is a large conglomerate. But here's something for shareholders to remember: The company recently raised its dividend by more than 12%. Last year, Disney upped the payment by 14%. If the dividends continue a financially rational march upwards, then perhaps the stagnation in the capital price can be forgiven for a little while longer. I have a feeling, though, that many want new CEO Bob Iger to finally make next year be the year of Disney, and for such glamour to be reflected in the share price.

'Housewives' Star Wants to Swap Spouses

The whole world is looking for a hero, and it's up to a little pigeon named Valiant to step up and bravely serve his country. Valiant (Ewan McGregor, "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith") and his fine feathered friends take to the sky on a wing and a prayer and prove that it's not your wingspan but the size of your spirit that truly counts. Together, this ragtag squadron of birdbrains engage in hilarious aerial adventures at a spitfire pace. From the first bumbling day of basic training through the final feather-raising mission, VALIANT'S flock of comical characters save the day.

Bonus features created exclusively for this DVD release include: hysterical, never-before-seen bloopers; and the "Valiant Training Challenge," a game which takes you through 3 levels of special training to become a member of the Royal Homing Pigeon Service.

VALIANT brings together a top flight voice cast of British vocal favorites including Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais (TV's "The Office"), Tim Curry ("The Wild Thornberrys Movie"), Jim Broadbent ("Bridget Jones's Diary;" Oscar-winner, Best Supporting Actor, "Iris" 2001), Hugh Laurie (TV's "House"), legendary comedian John Cleese, John Hurt ("Hellboy"), Pip Torrens, Rik Mayall, and Olivia Williams ("The Sixth Sense").

The entire voice cast from "The Emperor's New Groove" returns, with Patrick Warburton as Kronk, David Spade as Kuzco, John Goodman as Pacha, and Eartha Kitt as that villainess of villainesses, Yzma. Plus, there are fantastic new characters including Kronk's dad Papi (John Mahoney) and Miss Birdwell (Tracey Ullman).

Bonus materials are "Kronk's Brain Game;" "Pyramid Scheme;" and the Backstage Disney featurette "How To Cook A Movie." Overflowing with groovy tunes, including music from Earth, Wind and Fire, and R&B sensation B5, KRONK'S NEW GROOVE is the perfect holiday gift, available for $29.99 (SRP) on DVD and VHS.

New Groove, New Toys: Disney Hosts Holiday Event For The Venice Family Clinic

More Than 1,200 Children Enjoy a Special Screening of Disney's all new movie "Kronk's New Groove" and Take Home a New Disney Toy As Part of The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Campaign

The holidays came early this year for more than 1,200 children in need who are affiliated with the Venice Family Clinic. To celebrate the upcoming release of the all new movie "Kronk's New Groove" on DVD, Disney hosted a screening of the animated film for the kids, who then enjoyed a holiday party and the gift of a new toy provided by Disney and distributed as part of The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Stars from the movie, including Patrick Warburton and Wendie Malick, were on hand at the party to help spread cheer by donating $50,000 to Toys for Tots on behalf of Disney. The special event took place at the Loews Marina Marketplace Cinema in Marina Del Rey on Saturday, December 10.

Christmas Market in the Street

Disneyland Paris - The Christmas Market has established itself as a standard feature beloved by locals and regular guests every Christmas Season - but this year they are due for a change. Not only is there the usual new "theme" for the market, as this year it is supposed to be a "Bavarian Christmas Market", but also a new location!

Even so the removal of the giant columns in the first half of the Disney Village has created additional space the Christmas Market this year has been erected on the "Esplanade", which is the large walkway leading from the Fantasia Gardens and the entrance of the Walt Disney Studios to the IMAX theatre, the NEX arcade and the Disney Village parking structure. Thus the Christmas market is located in front of the security check allowing guests leaving the parks to enjoy it without any delays.

ABC radio staff strike

An ABC spokesman said the strike began at 5.30am (AEDT) and was affecting the station's national current affairs programs and was expected to last 24 hours.

The ABC is broadcasting music in place of its usual current affairs program AM this morning.

Morning talk shows are expected to be broadcast as usual.

ABC executive manager news and current affairs Lou Lander said the strike took management by surprise.

She said it was over "work practice changes that would affect some staff" in the radio current affairs division.

Ms Lander said ABC talk shows and news bulletins would not be affected.

"All other radio programs will be normal," Ms Lander said.

"Radio news will have normal bulletins. Only the radio current affairs programs will be affected and it's anticipated at this stage normal programming will resume at 5.30am (AEDT) tomorrow."

'Narnia' Turns Fantasy Into Hard Cash With Debut 
VMK Frontierland Now Open

‘Wardrobe’ shows glaring highs and lows in film production 

ABC takes ‘Nine‘ pilot to bank 

ABC Touts Live News Show for West Coast 

Disney exit won't hurt local animators 

Would You Like Some Fries With That Download? 

Internet Radio Station Spreads Disney Magic Throughout World 

Playhouse Disney Launches in the Philippines 

Narnia Soundtrack Release

'Narnia' Turns Fantasy Into Hard Cash With Debut

 

Another fantasy world has joined Hollywood's instant-blockbuster club.

Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" -- adapted from C.S. Lewis' tale of enchantment, epic battles and talking animals -- debuted as the weekend's top movie with $67.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Expanding nationwide after two weekends in limited release, the Warner Bros. thriller "Syriana," an oil-industry saga whose ensemble cast includes George Clooney and Matt Damon, ran second with $12 million.

Warner's "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the No. 1 film the previous two weekends, slipped to third with $10.3 million, raising its domestic total to $244.1 million.

"Chronicles of Narnia" kicked off what is likely to be a strong finish for Hollywood after a box-office slump that has lingered most of the year, leaving attendance down 7 percent compared to 2004.

The top 12 movies took in $117.8 million, up 17 percent from the same weekend last year.

Right behind "Chronicles of Narnia" comes Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong," expected to open to huge audiences Wednesday.

"We've never needed two films like this more than we do now," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "It's the knockout punch that Hollywood needs."

"Chronicles of Narnia" follows the "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" films as the latest fantasy franchise making the leap from book to screen courtesy of dazzling computer animation.

The three "Lord of the Rings" movies had respective debuts of $47.2 million, $62 million and $72.6 million. The first three "Harry Potter" flicks each opened in the $90 million range, with the fourth film, "Goblet of Fire," debuting in November with $102 million.

"Chronicles of Narnia" follows four siblings who cross into an alternate world, where they join unicorns, centaurs, a talking lion and other beasts to battle an evil witch.

Though Universal's "King Kong" will compete for much of the same audience, distributor Disney expects business to remain strong for "Chronicles of Narnia."

"I think there's more than enough room for two major hits in a season, and because of the length of the holidays, both films are going to be here for a long, long time," said Chuck Viane, Disney head of distribution.

In limited release, Academy Awards hopefuls "Brokeback Mountain" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" had stellar debuts.

Focus Features' "Brokeback Mountain," starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as sheepherders who share a summer of love then conceal an ongoing affair from their families, took in $544,549 in just five theaters. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association picked "Brokeback Mountain" as the year's best movie.

Sony's "Memoirs of a Geisha," starring Ziyi Zhang as a woman born into poverty who becomes a queen bee in the last days of Japan's tradition-bound geisha houses, grossed $674,000 in eight theaters.

Both films go into more theaters Friday and continue to expand through awards season.

‘Wardrobe’ shows glaring highs and lows in film production

With 11 of the top 20 grossing American films of all time classified as either sci-fi or fantasy (six of which were released after the turn of the millennium), it is no surprise that a traditionally more homogenized film distributor, Disney, created the film adaptation of the beloved C.S. Lewis novel, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” released theatrically last Friday.

Although “Wardrobe” is the third of seven “Chronicles of Narnia” books, it is often thought as the quintessential tale in the world of Narnia, so starting here was a natural choice.

Plus, tapping into the same target demographic that made 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ” the 10th highest grossing American film of all time was certainly an added incentive for marketing the film so aggressively.

Marketing has been so aggressive, Disney has received some criticism for going so far as to send company money-changers into various churches across the country to handle advanced ticket sales more smoothly.

Business ethics practices aside, “Wardrobe” weaves together an enchanting, visually stunning fairy tale, often quaint (sometimes to the point of disgust), but occasionally hollow and vaguely unsatisfying.

Presenting a thinly veiled allegory for the Christian faith, which only becomes even thinner when translated to the big screen, the original Lewis narrative remains mostly intact here. Discrepancies in the details of the plot escape me, as I have not read the book since I was probably 8 years old.

After relocating to a countryside home in order to ensure safe habitation in the midst of WWII Britain, four siblings find themselves rather bored one day and partake in an innocent game of hide and seek.

During the game, the youngest of the four, Lucy (Georgie Henley), hides in a conspicuously isolated wardrobe and stumbles into the magical world of Narnia, where talking animals, mythological creatures and a perpetual winter are the norm.

After the initial skepticism, the four children eventually venture into the wardrobe together and they learn that, as told by an ancient prophecy, they are destined to restore peace to Narnia, end the everlasting winter and rule over the land as two kings and two queens.

The rest of the tale recounts the children’s efforts to rescue the younger of the two brothers, Edmund (Skandar Keynes), from the malevolent, powerful White Witch (Tilda Swinton), and the events leading up to her battle with the forces of Aslan, a gentle, messianic lion voiced by Liam Neeson.

Working best during fast-paced, momentous action sequences that blend into one another, “Wardrobe” is an entertaining, technically excellent film despite its occasional fizzle-outs during lengthier moments of exposition among the inconsistent child actors.

Perhaps it was the fact that none of the four lead children had sufficient breathing room except for Lucy, or maybe it was just a lack of nuance in directing. After all, this is only Andrew Adamson’s third time directing a feature film, following the pair of “Shrek” CGI ‘toons. Ironically, the CGI critters seem more sincere and realistic than any of the four “Wardrobe” siblings.

Aside from this, the more-than-flagrant Christ-like imagery associated with all things Aslan can get annoying, regardless of its intent of spreading love and acceptance as its Christian mission.

These content hiccups aside, “Wardrobe” creates a compelling film with enough action to keep things interesting and more than enough integrity within the art direction, visual effects, CGI and lighting design.

The film deserves a nod for at least coming close to meeting the high standard “Lord of the Rings” established in terms of film production. But “Wardrobe” still fails to fully resonate with viewers because it delivers forcibly modernized commentary on family and camaraderie, mostly for using an extremely bland production schematic for the battle scenes, seemingly lifted wholesale from war epics such as “Braveheart.”

Still, “Wardrobe” is one of the most remarkably entertaining PG-rated films I’ve seen since “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” thus making up for its uneven content with a flair for visual spectacle.

ABC takes ‘Nine‘ pilot to bank

 

ABC has given the green light to production of a drama pilot about a bank robbery and its aftermath from "Without a Trace" creator Hank Steinberg.

"Nine Lives," which Steinberg is co-creating with his sister, writer-actress K.J. Steinberg, for Warner Bros. Television, revolves around the experiences of a group of strangers who are caught in a 52-hour hostage crisis stemming from a bank robbery that goes bad a la "Dog Day Afternoon." The series would follow the lives of nine of the people involved in the standoff as they struggle with postsiege traumas and re-evaluate their lives after the incident. There also is a great deal of mystery about events that unfolded during the standoff that will be revealed throughout the course of the season, Hank Steinberg said.

"The show is really about what happens to these people after they come out of the bank," he said. "It‘s about how they have been affected in different ways and how they‘re forced to look at themselves in ways that they hadn‘t before. The idea of people coming out of the catastrophe like this feeling as though they‘ve got a second chance at life -- that‘s what‘s really interesting to me."

K.J. Steinberg, whose TV writing credits include CBS‘ "Judging Amy" and ABC Family‘s "Beautiful People," came up with the premise after watching news coverage of a bombing. She found herself fixated not on the focal point of the camera but on the eyes of a woman who was deep in the background of the shot.

"When the screen changed to a different story, I felt like there was an unfinished piece to the story. I wanted to know what happened to that woman," she said. "It got me thinking about the human drama that surrounds these kinds of events and how catastrophes must touch the human spirit and accelerate relationships among people who have had to face their worst fears."

"Nine Lives" marks the first development efforts from Hank Steinberg since he hit a home run in 2002 for CBS with "Without a Trace," the missing persons procedural that‘s now in its fourth season. Although he has taken a step back from the day-to-day production of "Trace," Steinberg remains an executive producer on that show and is "overseeing it on a macro level," he said.

"‘Without a Trace‘ has been an enormously satisfying, enriching and educational experience for me, especially since I‘d never done TV before," he said. "Moving away from it even a little bit is bittersweet, but I know that it‘s in great hands."

ABC Touts Live News Show for West Coast

In an age when stories spread instantly, ABC News executive Jon Banner says the idea of airing a daily newscast on the West Coast that is three hours old "is kind of an insult."

So when ABC announced last week that Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff were the new anchors of "World News Tonight," the network also said they'd work later hours than predecessor Peter Jennings. They will also anchor two separate live newscasts each night for viewers outside the eastern time zones.

The two live later broadcasts begin Jan. 5.

Time and experience will tell whether the innovation is groundbreaking or a gimmick. But one western journalist already said she's excited by the message it sends.

"We've wanted something like this for quite some time, just to make sure the network's approach is not as New York-centric or D.C.-centric as it has been in the past," said Stacy Owen, news director at the ABC affiliate KXTV in Sacramento, Calif.

"World News Tonight" is broadcast live at 6:30 p.m. in virtually all Eastern cities (Atlanta is an exception), and at 5:30 p.m. in most Central time zone markets.

Since that's the middle of the afternoon out West, ABC stations there air a tape of the national news as much as three hours later. All three network evening newscasts update their broadcasts for the West Coast if stories change.

"There was a reasonably high standard on when you would update," ABC News President David Westin said. "We would frequently update our stories, but not nearly as often as we would like."

The new editions will be made at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET. Vargas and Woodruff will often repeat what they did earlier, but will have the opportunity to add details to a still-unfolding story, such as when U.S. marshals shot an airplane passenger last week in Miami. Sometimes stories of greater interest out West — brush fires in California, for instance — could substitute for stories that aired in the rest of the country, Westin said.

Besides fresher news, ABC hopes there's a psychic advantage of knowing somebody is speaking to you live, taking your schedule into account. Don't expect ABC stations out West to be shy about pointing this out to viewers in advertisements.

"It's something we should have done a long time ago," said Banner, executive producer of "World News Tonight.""When I think about what we're doing, it surprises me that it took so long."

Broadcasters out West said occasionally "World News Tonight" would report something when viewers of local news would already be aware that the story had changed.

When a JetBlue aircraft with crippled landing gear attempted a dangerous landing in Los Angeles in September — an event that TV turned into high drama — Seattle's KOMO pre-empted "World News Tonight" to follow it with local anchors. The assumption was that the national newscast, which KOMO airs at 6 p.m. local time, would not cover it, said Dick Warsinske, the station's general manager.

That actually wasn't the case, Banner said. But the message was clear.

After the changes are made, KOMO will air the 8:30 feed of the news, but on tape a half hour after it is transmitted. Eventually, the station may consider moving "World News Tonight" in its schedule to show it live, Warsinske said. He will promote the fresher newscast.

"We fully intend to make sure our viewers are clear on that," he said. "I have to wonder if the other guys are going to follow suit. I hope they don't."

ABC also hopes this offers a competitive edge at a time its second-place newscast has been slipping further behind NBC's "Nightly News" in the ratings.

"It will certainly put pressure on CBS and NBC to match it," said Andrew Tyndall, a consultant who studies the content of network news broadcasts. "That's always been a weakness of the 6:30 newscasts. It's an impossibly early time anyway, but when it's early and the news is three hours old, that's a double hurdle."

So far, ABC's rivals have reacted with skepticism.

NBC keeps news producers on duty in Los Angeles through 10 p.m. ET with a "hot" control room, meaning they're prepared to break into the "Nightly News" instantly with updates, said John Reiss, the broadcast's executive producer. More than three-quarters of NBC viewers see a live broadcast. The taped newscasts are updated maybe once or twice a week, he said.

"We've done such a good job I suspect we've driven ABC to do this," Reiss said (Banner differed).

Broadcasts of the "CBS Evening News" are updated once or twice a month, spokeswoman Kelli Edwards said. Neither CBS nor NBC expect to change their operations in response to ABC.

"Yes, it does give them a promotional advantage, but not a huge or substantive one," Edwards said. "Most nights, the West Coast show is going to be the same as the East Coast."

Most people in the tech-savvy Bay Area know they're seeing a taped evening newscast, said Tim Goodman, TV critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. The bigger problem is that many potential viewers are stuck in traffic jams trying to get home from work at the time "World News Tonight" is being shown, he said.

A live broadcast "doesn't hurt," he said, "but I think it's too little, too late, honestly."

Even though NBC's "Nightly News" has done it occasionally, Reiss said there's a danger in substituting stories too freely for different regions. "My feeling is it's either a national story or it's not," he said.

Banner said he recognizes this, and that his mission is not to create a local newscast for the West Coast.

"It will be a different experience for all of us," said Westin, who will also be pushing Vargas and Woodruff to do daily Webcasts for computer and mobile phone users. "We'll be inventing it a little bit as we go along, which is exciting as well as challenging."

Disney exit won't hurt local animators

 

Disney's departure from the Australian market will have no impact on local product, the head of the country's largest animation studio Yoram Gross-EM.TV says.

American entertainment giant Walt Disney Co in July announced it would close the DisneyToon Studios Australia (DTSA) by mid next year, cutting about 250 jobs.

Although a blow to those losing their jobs, Yoram Gross general manager Geoff Watson said DTSA was simply a production outpost for Hollywood's Burbank studio district.

"It never made Australian animation," said Watson.

"It was an outpost for Burbank to make animation mostly for the American DVD market."

DTSA general manager Philip Oakes last month expressed concern the closure would mean the end of animation training in Australia, saying he would set up another animation business.

"It is a killer," he said.

"There is no real serious animation training in Australia."

Oakes comments angered Yoram Gross managing director Sandra Gross.

"It is a blow to people ... I wouldn't say it is to the industry," said Gross, whose husband Yoram founded the studio in 1968.

Yoram Gross employs a permanent staff of 60 people, swelling up to 200 during peak production times.

It produces about 50 hours of local product each year including Blinky Bill, Tabaluga, Skippy, Dumb Bunnies, Flipper and Lopaka, Old Tom, Bambaloo and Seaside Hotel.

Yoram Gross also produced iconic Australian animated features such as Dot and the Kangaroo, The Little Convict and The Magic Riddle.

"In some ways it (animation) is more expensive to produce than live action so it makes it a tougher business to raise finance for," Watson said.

"However, it travels better than live action so we can happily sell Blinky Bill and Flipper in Germany and France, where it is much more difficult to sell a live action Australian kids show there."

Watson described the local industry as "reasonably robust".

"We have been on a reasonably steady growth path over the 30 years," he said, noting the company had branched out into toys, games and clothing.

"Yoram (Gross) started doing a feature film every 12 to 18 months, now we are doing five television series a year so it has grown a lot in terms of output."

Would You Like Some Fries With That Download?

If the Walt Disney Company has its way, McDonald's Happy Meal toys could be replaced with portable media players that hold Disney movies, music, games or photos, according to a pending patent application. Users could add files to the devices by earning points with food purchases.

The plan could work something like this: A customer enters a restaurant and buys a meal, receiving the portable media player and an electronic code that authorizes a partial download of a movie, video or other media file, which can be downloaded while in the restaurant, according to a United States Patent and Trademark Office application filed by Disney. Then, with each subsequent return, the customer earns more downloadable data, eventually getting an entire movie or game.

Earning a large file, like a movie, might require five trips - a compelling incentive for a customer to return to the restaurant.

"The reward for eating at a restaurant, for example, could be the automatic downloading of a segment of a movie or the like, or a short animated clip or cartoon," according to the patent application. While the application mentions McDonald's as a potential restaurant partner, such a device could apparently be licensed to other restaurants or businesses as well.

The British journal New Scientist, which recently reported on the patent application, said that the portable media players could be used as part of a McDonald's promotion and create marketing opportunities for electronics companies. They could also carry advertisements aimed at children and teenagers, the most likely targets of the promotion, and customers could transfer downloaded files to other media devices, potentially sharing their files with other users. (A Disney spokeswoman declined comment; McDonald's executives could not be reached.)

The patent application follows efforts by McDonald's to enhance wireless capabilities at its restaurants. The company began outfitting its restaurants with wireless Internet connections in 2003, and since then has installed Wi-Fi services in more than 6,200 restaurants worldwide. For now, Wi-Fi is primarily intended for McDonald's customers to surf the Internet and check e-mail messages on laptops. The restaurant charges customers for Wi-Fi usage and trades promotional coupons and prepaid cards for Wi-Fi time.

The portable media players would require "networking systems, such as Wi-Fi or any other suitable wireless Internet access systems," the application said. By continuing to install Wi-Fi capability, McDonald's may be gearing up for the portable media player to be a staple of its promotional lineup.

But McDonald's customers should not plan on the devices appearing anytime soon. Patent applications currently take an average of 30 months for final approval.

"It hasn't even begun to be reviewed," a spokeswoman for the Patent and Trademark Office said.

Internet Radio Station Spreads Disney Magic Throughout World

“It’s about time.” This has been the reaction among Disney music fans upon hearing news of the creation and success of a round-the-clock internet radio station featuring all the best music from the Disney World Theme Parks. The station’s music library has emerged as one of the largest collection of Disney World Park music in the world.

Through the doldrums of this years struggle with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a magical sound resonates from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Even through the storms, the magical music of Sorcerer Radio played on, never missing a beat.

The styles on the station are, as one might imagine, quite varied, but one thing they all have in common is that they can be heard somewhere on the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort. You may ask, “How can a station broadcast Disney music all day, everyday?” Well, it’s quite simple actually. The ever changing station has a broadcast schedule like any other radio station. They have different shows throughout the day to keep the mood fresh. Shows, such as the “Epcot Hour”, “Bedtime Disney”, “Good Morning WDW”, and the fan favorite “Nighttime Spectacular”, give Disney World fans a wide variety of music to listen to. Follow the regular programming up with the powerhouse Disney podcast, “Inside the Magic” and the new holiday show, “Holiday Magic”, and you have one special station.

Even before any promotion, people from around the country and around the world have managed to find the site. According to station statistics, the stream has been launched from such distant places as Australia, China, Japan and even Turkey.

Wayne Arena, the founder of the site, has been masterminding this mousterpiece since its inception. When asked, with everything going on around him in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, why he keeps it going, he replied, “Well, it use to be a neat hobby, where I could just listen to some soothing music, and get my Disney fix at the same time, but we have so many listeners now, that I just really want to keep it going for them. When you read some of the emails that I get on a daily basis, you realize how much people appreciate the station. Most of them tell me that they would rather listen to Sorcerer Radio than the stuff you have to listen to on regular radio stations, and for me, that makes it worth the time and money.” And so, the music plays on at Sorcerer Radio, giving Disney fans and the like a little bit of magic to look forward to every day at home or work.

Playhouse Disney Launches in the Philippines

 

Walt Disney Television International has launched its second 24-hour channel in the Philippines: the preschool network Playhouse Disney.

The channel is distributed by Asian Cable Communications (ACCION), which is also the distributor of Disney Channel in the Philippines. Raymund Miranda, the managing director of Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia/Korea), said of the carriage deal, “There are an estimated 7.9 million children’ five years old and younger in the Philippines. This is a huge audience who can benefit from the fun learning provided by Playhouse Disney Channel. We’re excited to deliver to Filipino preschoolers a channel which inspires imagination and develops crucial life skills within a safe, entertaining TV environment.”

Playhouse Disney Channel was launched in Asia in April 2004. The Philippines is the 11th market in the Asia Pacific to launch the channel.

Narnia top movie at the North American box office 

A new peak for Disney 

Disney goes mobile but it won't mean Mickey Mouse phones 

Holiday, Disney: Magical mixture 

Disney Princess - A Christmas of Enchantment 

Education Chancellor Help Open 'Journey Into Narnia' Attraction at Disney-MGM Studios 

Disney in Therapy for Relationship Issues 

Disney, China Putian, China Mobile, Alibaba team up in handset market

A new peak for Disney

 

It's close to the holidays, but Daniel Jue figures he'll be getting his big presents late. He can wait: He's been earning them for more than 31/2 years.

That's how long Jue has been working to "make the construction meet the blueprints" for Walt Disney World Resort's next major attraction, Expedition Everest. This specialized roller coaster, which departs from its own mountain village, is likely to begin unannounced rehearsals within a couple of months, and that's when Jue expects his "gifts."

"I want to hear their laughter and their screams - that will be so satisfying," said Jue, the principal production designer, while giving a tour recently of the site in Animal Kingdom.

The shrieks ought to be fairly constant when the ride opens April 7:

- The coaster roars up to 50 miles per hour, mainly inside a nearly 200-foot-high mountain - the tallest designed in Disney's 50 years of park operations.

- The Everest ride is the first in any Disney park in which a roller coaster travels backward.

- The biggest surprise comes near the end of the ride: The passengers will suddenly confront the largest-ever Audio Animatronic robot, the Abominable Snowman.

It may be lost on most riders, but this yeti is as, well, lifelike as Disney's creative team could make it.

"We talked to specialty biologists and scientists to design our own yeti, to make him believable," explained Jue, standing near a huge puppet of a yeti that would be used in the attraction's village rituals.

"We asked them if there is a yeti, what would the bone structure be like, the head shape, where is the skull attached to the neck? Would a yeti walk on two legs or four, would it be a meat eater or a vegetarian? How would its fur look?"

For the record, Disney's yeti is covered in a combination of real animal fur and synthetic fibers.

Moving the mountain

This pursuit of detail is typical of the remarkable effort expended the past five years in planning, refining, then constructing Expedition Everest.

For a project this size, Jue said, "You go through months and months of feasibility studies. . . . We have architects, engineers, landscape architects, production designers, all sitting at the table to address early on what might arise later.

"We worked on paper and in clay, probably 15 to 20 different clay models" of what this mock village and the looming mountains should look like when created on the Central Florida plain. To help convince riders that this 200-foot-tall mountain is 100 times that high, Disney specialists even planted hundreds of trees of varying heights and different leaf sizes.

"The sight line is a key issue," Jue said. "We want the guests to see what they are coming toward (the Himalayan foothills), we want the rest of the park guests to see the mountain, so we moved its location probably five times" before starting its construction.

"Hundreds of people are involved from Imagineering (the creative engineers who make the concepts practical), deciding how to paint a mural, how to carve the (fake) rock to make it look real. We actually sent our rock carvers to the Wasatch Range (in northern Utah and Idaho) because the rock formation there is similar to that of the Himalayas."

But other specialists did go to the Himalayas, a total of 15 trips to Nepal, Bhutan and China. There, they studied everything from culture to construction, from the shrubbery to the Sherpas.

Which is how it came to pass that three members of the real-life Nepal Mountaineering Association agreed to have their photographs and names posted on the walls of the mock office and gear store that riders pass through before boarding the coaster.

Those buildings, whose walls are decorated with mountaineering items and photos of other Nepalese, are part of the village of Serka Zong, "an amalgam of real flavors from southeast China to Nepal," Jue said.

Thus, the buildings resemble the mix of mud and water that the Nepalese and Bhutanese people call rammed earth. There are so few trees at that elevation that wood is too precious to be used as a building material; it is saved for burning in ceremonies. Instead, structures are made of blocks of the adobelike rammed earth.

Florida building codes prohibit that construction, so Serka Zong buildings are made with rebar and then plaster over lathe for the outward shape. The plaster facade has been carved and stained to look aged.

Similarly, the 2,500 pieces of carved wood Disney had made in Nepal have been sandblasted and then stained to look as if they had weathered more than 400 years in the village. The few metallic signs placed on outside walls have even been rusted to imitate aging.

Telling a story

The park guests at Everest theoretically are trekkers who want to ride a train through an abandoned tea plantation to the lower mountains. These trekkers first walk through the village, beneath slightly tattered prayer flags whose decorations are mainly mythical animals, lest copying actual flag designs offend anyone.

Before the trekkers enter the offices to reach the train cars, they are funneled past shrines in a pagoda courtyard with statues and several smaller representations of the yeti, "who is protecting the forbidden mountain, his domain," Jue said. "We have given the riders all these little visual clues" as to what they might encounter.

Again, the penchant for authenticity may be missed by most riders, who won't know that the attraction's prop designer spent 21/2 months in Nepal, buying 90 percent of the items displayed here. Sharp-eyed riders might notice in one shrine the Coke bottle that bears a label in Nepalese.

Expedition Everest "is about the intrinsic value of nature, of preserving it," Jue said. "The yeti is a symbol of that. . . . In the real world, several cultures have set aside land for the yeti's protection.

"If you went to Nepal, you would not see a village like this. We are not trying to duplicate a place but to think like they do. In Animal Kingdom, we try to acquire knowledge" to pass on to guests.

Still, it is hard not to see the irony of preserving nature and celebrating ancient cultures in the world's most popular theme park.

The back story for Expedition Everest is a multilayered drama: man vs. environment, modern inventions vs. ritual, the for-profit generation vs. religious belief.

Two entrepreneurs, Norbu and Bob, have decided to make a buck off an abandoned tea plantation. They ignore the villagers' warning that this is the land of the yeti - "the guardian of the realm of the snows," said Jue - and should be left alone.

Instead, Norbu and Bob use the old "donkey engines" that formerly hauled rail cars of tea leaves to carry 34 trekkers per trainload through a bamboo forest, past waterfalls, across an 80-foot-long bridge - which has minimal guard rails - and into the mountain's caves on the way to their base camp.

That's when the real thrills begin, as the train encounters torn-up tracks, races backward, plunges 80 feet outside the mountain - "That's our Kodak picture shot," Jue said gleefully, pointing toward those tracks - and finally comes into contact with the yeti.

As for all of the details and authenticity before the thrills begin on what is a three-minute ride, Imagineer Mike Lentz says: "Everything we do supports a story. We even imprinted pine straw and horses' hoof prints in the mock mud of the village, and have the guests pass under an arch into the village, so that when they walk through that, they suspend belief.

"If we're not telling a story on the ride, why do it?'

Disney goes mobile but it won't mean Mickey Mouse phones

 

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a partner to launch a "family friendly" mobile phone in the UK.

The media giant, where Bob Iger took over from Michael Eisner as chief executive this year, is launching a Disney Mobile service with US phone group Sprint next year. It has also emerged that Disney is in talks with Vodafone in Japan about launching a service there.

If Disney secures a partner in the UK shortly, it could have a similar service available by next Christmas.

The concept behind Disney Mobile is to have branded phones that appeal to children of eight and above, as well as their parents. Though the phones may feature Disney characters, they will not be the likes of Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, which appeal to very small children. It would prefer to use "older" characters such as Herbie or Aslan from Narnia.

Disney is keen to avoid accusations of using pester power and does not want phones anything like the Teddyphone, launched last month specifically for children as young as four years old.

Disney will operate as a mobile virtual network operator - like Virgin Mobile - piggybacking on an existing network and using spare capacity.

Virgin also has a deal with Sprint in the US and works with T-Mobile in the UK. Disney's British partner is likely to be either T-Mobile or 02.

The Disney phone will have a number of characteristics that the company thinks will make it attractive for parents to buy for children. It will have keys that can call home or to a parent's mobile in an emergency, tracking systems, and controls to stop children accessing unsuitable websites and running up massive bills from ringtone or information services.

The UK is one of Disney's most important markets and Mr Iger's key objectives include increasing Disney's sales outside the US and developing new technologies for the group.

A spokeswoman for Disney said: "Earlier this year, the Walt Disney Internet Group announced plans in the US to develop a mobile phone service specifically designed for families. We constantly evaluate business opportunities around the world and, as such, we have had preliminary discussions with some key stakeholders to help shape our thinking as we explore the possible development of this service in the UK. "

Holiday, Disney: Magical mixture

Short of standing beside Santa prepping the sleigh at the North Pole, few places are quite as magical a destination for children during the holidays as Walt Disney World.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and the whole gang are gearing up for a star-studded celebration at Disney World's four theme parks, which will culminate with its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade, broadcast Dec. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon on ABC.

Hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, and featuring A-list guests including Tiger Woods, Vanessa Williams, Julie Andrews and dozens of others, it's the latest in an 18-month line of events commemorating 50 years of Disney parks with the "Happiest Celebration on Earth."

Disneyland in California opened in 1955. Disney World opened in 1971, and today stands as an ever-expanding 47-square-mile recreation and entertainment center employing 57,000 people. Disney World's four theme parks are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

All four are decked out delightfully for the holidays, as are the resort's 32 hotels, restaurants and vast shopping areas. Whether one's looking for something truly different to make the season special, or simply in search of a sun-splashed southern excursion to provide a respite from the howling winds, drifting snow and bitter cold, Disney is definitely a spot worth savoring during the holidays.

There are some significant benefits to staying at one of Disney World's resort hotels. They cover a wide range in prices and amenities, designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of preferences among families and individuals.

All offer complimentary transportation by special boats, buses and monorails to the theme parks. And, since earlier this year, guests have been able to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express, which offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery for guests of the resort hotels.

It is indeed a very nice benefit to take advantage of, as our party landed at Orlando International Airport late in the evening, and we were able to avoid the hassle of baggage claims. Instead, our bags were transferred to our room, while we were able to simply jump on the Magical Express for the brief ride to Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

With its oak floors, chandeliers and comfortable leather chairs, The Yacht Club is reminiscent of a stylish turn-of-the-century hotel. Each of its 621 rooms has French doors that open onto porches or balconies.

Adjacent to the 576-room Beach Club, The Yacht Club offers the perfect holiday getaway and was decked out in full Christmas regalia by the middle of Thanksgiving week, complete with a beautifully decorated tree in the main lobby and large toy train track running nearby.

And while the mood inside was festive, one needed only to walk out the back door of the lobby to the poolside, where children and their parents were enjoying the near 80-degree weather on Thanksgiving to remember that there are a multitude of reasons to be at Disney during the holidays.

Besides its proximity to Epcot, The Yacht Club, like all other Disney hotels, offers easy access to the three other theme parks. It's also located on a path that leads directly to the Boardwalk, which offers an array of dining options as well as shops and dance clubs.

Another perk that's been added for those who stay at Disney World Resort Hotels is the "Extra Magic Hours" benefit. Each day, one of the four Disney parks opens an hour early or stays open up to three hours late just for resort guests. There is no additional charge for enjoying the extra time in the parks.

That benefit aside, it is highly recommended that those going to the theme parks - and one would suspect that's about 99.9 percent of all guests at Disney - still try to get to the parks early to avoid lines for the most popular rides, even during the holidays.

The "FASTPASS" allows an entertainment aficionado to go to the ride of his or her choice and book a time to return within a designated one-hour time frame. Obviously, those showing up right when the park opens can either get right on the ride, or get a "FASTPASS" to return a short while later without having to wait in an extremely lengthy line.

So whether you're looking to breeze down popular spots like Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Mission: SPACE at Epcot, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, or Aerosmith's "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster" at Disney-MGM Studios, or the fascinating Safari at Animal Kingdom, definitely try to get there early.

"FASTPASS," costs guests nothing extra and more than 100 million "FASTPASS" tickets have been issued since the program was launched in July 1999.

There are also a huge number of very special attractions that Disney has lined up for the holidays.

If you're still looking for that special gift for someone, there's no doubt you'll be able to find it at Downtown Disney, which features more than 70 shops offering everything from stocking stuffers to high-priced memorabilia - like the store that offers such items as a George Washington autograph for $18,000, autographed pictures of Marilyn Monroe or Babe Ruth, or guitars signed by the likes of John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and countless other star-studded high-end items.

At Magic Kingdom, guests can get into the spirit of the season by walking along Main Street, U.S.A., where one can find towering Christmas trees, colorful lights, bows and garland. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, giant gingerbread men and others greet visitors during special daytime runs of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade." The parade is included in regular park admission on select dates.

Epcot also has a special holiday theme with its "Holidays Around the World" celebration, which runs through Dec. 30. Guests cannot only meet Santa Claus in the American Adventure showcase, but they also can hear storytellers detail the adventures of Père Noël in France, La Befana in Italy and other legends from around the world. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah holidays are also observed.

Epcot also holds a nightly tree-lighting ceremony with Mickey Mouse and friends in World Showcase Plaza at 6 p.m. A luminous light bridge envelops the breezeway to the plaza with synchronized lights set to music of the season.

Disney-MGM Studios is promising more nights of lights as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights has been extended to 56 glittering nights - through Jan. 8. It illuminates everything from trees to porches with millions of sparkling bulbs. Some of Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne's original creations include three-dimensional and motion-based displays, a giant holiday-light Mickey Mouse and dozens of flying angels.

Animal Kingdom is also primed for the holiday season. "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade" mixes the spirit of Disney's Animal Kingdom with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade continues through Jan. 8.

Disney Princess - A Christmas of Enchantment

The concept behind the Disney Princess videos, I always assumed by the covers, was that it brought the various characters together into one grand story. After sampling a few, I've become -- ironically -- disenchanted with the concept, as it seems to be a way to continue to push out old clips under new covers.

The framework for this story is that the viewer goes to a virtual theater to watch a series of shows on a stage. Looking to the left and right, you can see (in their separate box seats) Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and her Prince, Aurora and Prince Philip, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric, and Jasmine and Aladdin. Before each featurette, the camera focuses in on one princess, who then introduces, sort of, the next feature.

Among these, there are some gems that make this DVD almost worthwhile. The "Steadfast Tin Soldier" is worthy of mention. It's a 3D animated ballet that tells the story of the one-legged toy soldier who falls in love with the music box ballerina. The one thing that stands in the way of their love is the giant, jealous jack-in-the-box.

Also nice to see is a cleaned up version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Once Upon a Wintertime" (featuring the easily recognizable work of one of Disney's finest animation designers, Mary Blair.)

"The Cookie Carnival" is another old animated short, but it's not one that -- at least in this reviewer's opinion -- merited much attention. It's certainly not that interesting.

And then we get to the cheap stuff. First up is the "Merry Mermaid Christmas", a read-along with minimal animation of Ariel's first "Chrissymas" celebration. The "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" is nothing more than a cut-up of scenes from "Sleeping Beauty" looped over and again while the symphony plays on. And "The Beauty of the Season" is a new song that features all the princesses on stage, barely interacting with each other, as the focus continues to go onto one princess at a time -- again with montages of clips from their various films.

If you watch the film with the Magic Wand option on, you get an intermission at the midway point. Here, you get to help decorate a Christmas tree for your selected Disney princess, selecting ornaments that thematically match her story. Once done, that princess will sing a verse of "O Christmas Tree." This was a pretty inventive little bit -- simplistic, but nice that in its interactivity.

The bonus feature on this disc is the game: a Virtual Snowglobe Maker. It's a memory game where you study a few small snowglobes, which are then shook up. You have to find the one that matches the large snowglobe now revealed. It progresses in difficulty, and as you pass each level, you can select an item to go into a snowglobe you're building as you go along. In a DVD-ROM, you can save the finished snowglobe as a screensaver -- but in regular mode, all you can do is shake it up, virtually of course, and make it snow.

I'm still awaiting some sort of DVD where the princesses truly interact in a single integrated feature, rather than in separated vignettes. As it is, the only time you really see the princesses sharing Christmas together on this DVD is on the cover.

Education Chancellor Help Open 'Journey Into Narnia' Attraction at Disney-MGM Studios

Florida First Lady Columba Bush and Florida Department of Education Chancellor Cheri Pierson Yecke today helped open "Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," a spectacular new Walt Disney World attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park.

In the great tradition of Disney attractions which immerse guests in their favorite movies and stories, Disney-MGM Studios hosts an exciting walk-through experience based on the Disney Pictures and Walden Media motion picture release, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," which premieres today around the world.

For fans of C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure, and for the worldwide audience who will be entranced by the new movie, Disney-MGM Studios transforms a soundstage into the frozen world of Narnia, taking guests behind the scenes of the movie-making magic of the epic film.

Guests enter the frozen world of Narnia through a giant wardrobe and are surrounded by a wintry landscape, enormous trees, and a replica of the lamppost as seen in the movie. In the distance, they see the house of Mr. Tumnus, one of the central characters, beneath a rock bluff outcropping and the White Witch's Castle. All in all, guests will feel as though they have entered the magical world of C.S. Lewis' story. Guests pass through a gallery that showcases elaborate creatures, costumes, armor, maquettes, storyboards, props and set pieces used in the making of the film.

Mrs. Bush and Chancellor Yecke were on hand Friday to award the winners of the reading in the arts contest "Florida's Journey into the Land of Narnia." As a part of Just Read, Florida!'s statewide reading initiative, Florida Governor and First Lady Jeb and Columba Bush created the contest, which was open to all students in grades 3-12 in public, private and home schools.

Contest winners were:

    * Gregory James Grumbar from Del Prado Elementary School in Boca Raton
    * Alexa Jo Udermann from Rochelle School of the Arts in Lakeland
    * Stephanie Marie Hurst, Ariel Faith Peck and Charity Grace Peck from
      Allendale Academy High School in Clearwater

Disney in Therapy for Relationship Issues

The Walt Disney Company has gone into psychotherapy to deal with its relationship problems after a string of nasty breakups, Dateline Hollywood has learned. According to psychiatrists, the media corporation displays signs of a classic "fear of commitment" and "inability to communicate" that have ended its relationships with both Pixar and Miramax.

"I'm really glad that Disney has decided to go into therapy," said Pixar CEO Steve Jobs. "If it doesn't deal with its issues, it's just going to keep breaking up with animation companies and independent labels again and again."

Insiders say Disney's entry into therapy is long overdue. Starting in the early '90s, a string of problems in its animation business and executive ranks caused the corporation to lose the mental stability it enjoyed for the first 70 years of its existence.

Those mental problems manifested themselves in irrational behavior with several top executives at the time. Disney ended up breaking up with long time aide Jeffrey Katzenberg and then, on the rebound, had a tempestuous and short-lived affair with Creative Artists Agency founder Michael Ovitz.

"Disney started dating Ovitz on the rebound, which was a big mistake," said a source close to the company. "We all knew it. But Disney insisted it was true love. What a disaster."

The company thought it had solved its problems in the late '90s and early 2000's, as newly formed relationships with Pixar and Miramax proved successful and the partners all thought they would be together for the long run.

But Disney's problems were apparently sublimated, and as Pixar and Miramax began making more demands, the media conglomerate began to act out.

"Disney was never an easy partner, but in the past few years it has become totally irrational," said Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein. "The other day I just asked it to pass the marketing budget and it threw a bunch of DVDs at me and started crying."

A representative for Disney refused to comment. But sources say the corporation has committed to three psychotherapy sessions per week and is looking to "work out its own issues" before it starts talking to potential new partners.

Disney, China Putian, China Mobile, Alibaba team up in handset market

China Putian, a large Chinese state-owned telecom equipment maker, launched three new handset models designed using animated characters licensed from Walt Disney, Alannah Goss, corporate communications director for Walt Disney (Asia Pacific) Limited, said.

China Putian produced a total of three models using designs from Disney, specifically the Classic Mickey, Fantasy Flower and Pink Love models. Each mobile phone features a 1.3 megapixel camera and MP3 player functions. The new mobile phones will be sold through Shanghai Mobile, a subsidiary of the country's largest mobile carrier China Mobile, as well as through a special Disney shop established at Taobao.com, the online auction subsidiary of Alibaba.com.

All three models will be sold by Shanghai Mobile, but the carrier will be limited to sales of 8,888 units for each model.

"Because only 8,888 units will be available for each of the Disney handset models, we are only allowing people to buy them through pre-ordering at our outlets across Shanghai," Lu Weili, an official with Shanghai Mobile, said.

Shanghai Mobile is in fact using the Disney handsets to sign up more contract users. Only subscribers that sign up for a two-year service package with Shanghai Mobile will be eligible to purchase one the three Disney handsets. The carrier has introduced a total of four service packages featuring the new Disney mobile phones.

Genuine Disney magic 

Animation remains 'core property' for Disney 

Beware the mouse and all his kind 

Disney hosts radio show 

Bit of Disney magic found in used book 

Made in India Mickey Mouse and much more 

Disney--A friend of Friendster's? 

TV producers sued by 'gay' wife swap man 

Oh, to be young and in 'Narnia'

Disney didn't screw up The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — in fact, it's nearly perfect!

Wonders never cease.

I can't be the only lifelong fan of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia book series or the now-primitive animated version who was a little worried that the House of the Mouse was going to a) either water down the story's religious allegory so much it'd be toothless, or b) translate it so heavy-handedly that it'd be annoying, or c) dumb down Lewis' language in an attempt to hip it up for the masses, or d) meddle with the text and decide to kill off somebody's momma, because Disney just loves little motherless children. I don't know why.

But surprise! Your Flick Chick is a happy girl this morning, because director Andrew Adamson and his co-writers Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely and Ann Peacock have figured out when to stay beautifully understated, as in early scenes of grim World War II-era England, and when to pull out the magical, mysterious flourishes, as in any scenes with talking beavers.

My biggest sigh of relief comes from the discovery that Adamson doesn't feel the need to dumb down the story's violence, terror and basic elements of evil for the kiddies, who have seen more than their share in your Harry Potters and your Lord of the Rings.

There are times that it drags ever so slightly, but it's still peppy and majestically fascinating enough that it got the kids next to me to shut up and stop fidgeting. I didn't hear a peep out of them for the whole two hours! And anyone who's ever been trapped in a theater next to sugar-saturated rugrats who haven't learned the concept of inside voices, courtesy or shutting the heck up, knows that this is a miracle.

For those of you who didn't grow up with the Narnia books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first in a series of seven books about a mythical land called Narnia. A family of children evacuated from London during the war find this magical world through a huge wooden wardrobe in the house where they're staying.

Whoops! Turns out that the Pevensie kids, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (the unspeakably adorable Georgie Henley) have escaped one war to wander straight into another. This one's between the armies of Aslan (voice of the calm, cool Liam Neeson), a wise, noble lion, and the eee-vil White Witch (Tilda Swinton, who appears to have been drained of all of her blood).

The Witch has terrorized the citizens of Narnia, including many talking woodland creatures, making them all either revolutionaries or dirty, lousy snitches. (I won't be ruining things for you newbies by telling you who's who.) In fact, I'm really loath to tell you much about it at all, because I hate it when critics assume readers already know the specifics of a story and carelessly spill, thus killing the breathless wonder and magic-type sensation for generations of potential fans. You're welcome!

Basically, this is all you need to know: The Pevensies are fairly realistic children whose lives were already pretty stressful before stumbling into Wardrobe-gate. Adamson's added a tense, scary scene in the beginning to punctuate the peril that the family is in while living in under-siege London.

And when they hit Narnia, their reactions vary — cutesy little Lucy, the first to find Narnia, has no trouble wrapping her little brain around magical lands hidden behind the furniture; logical Susan needs some more convincing; oldest boy Peter steps up as the protector; and Edmund, already a slight brat, proves all too willing to drink the evil Kool-Aid, you might say.

The casting's fantastic — all of these kids are unknown, at least to me, and at least two of them, Keynes and Henley, are brilliant. Henley, in particular, is such a natural, and wears the wonder and horror little Lucy sees on her wonderful little moon face. She's as adorable as the talking beavers, voiced by Ray Winstone and Dawn French, and regretful fawn Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy, who's so cute that it's disturbing, because I don't really like the idea of finding things with hooves attractive).

But the acting honors go to Swinton, who's been the best thing in bad movies (Constantine) and is now the best thing in a really wonderful one. She pretty much channels everything that was scary about the Witch in the book — vengeful, smoothly seductive, cruelly efficient with the killing and the turning of living creatures into stone — and cooly ramps it up without making it campy.

Cruella DeVille is campy. This chick is serious — serious about the armies of darkness ruling the earth. And that makes her one formidable incarnation of evil, as well as a perfect note in a near-perfect movie.

Animation remains 'core property' for Disney

 

On the eve of the release of one of the Walt Disney Co.'s most anticipated films, the company's chief financial officer painted a rosy picture on Thursday of where the company is headed with film and television content and opening of new overseas markets.

Speaking at the Credit Suisse First Boston 2005 Global Media Week conference in New York, Tom Staggs pointed to "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" -- released on Friday -- as the type of film franchise the Burbank-based entertainment company will focus on that can generate additional products.

"The good news is the creative community gets the strength of the Disney brand and is showing a lot of interest in those projects," Staggs said. "Our goal is to make sure the studio is a vibrant creative engine and operates on a basis that the returns make sense."

Staggs made his comments just several weeks after Disney released its fourth quarter and year-end financial earnings. The Disney studio took a $313-million hit in operating income for the fourth quarter due to poor theatrical and video releases.

But Staggs, who is also Disney's senior executive vice president, pointed to the recent animated hit "Chicken Little" as a step in the right direction for the studio in general and its animation content in particular.

Animation remains a "core property" for the company and the source of equity for the theme parks and consumer products, Staggs said.

"We have the nucleus around -- which we are well-positioned to continue to attract the right talent and attract the right films," Staggs said.

Film revenues were also discussed at the conference Thursday morning by Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Parsons.

Burbank-based Warner Bros. Studios had four hits -- "Batman Begins," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Wedding Crashers," and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" -- that brought in more than $200 million each in domestic box office earnings, Parsons said, but the challenge facing the studio is limited growth in the future.

"Repeating that is tough," Parsons said of the box office receipts. "Secondly, there is some flattening out in the growth line in DVDs, particularly domestically. It will not be at the rate we've seen in the past."

An anticipated slump in the home entertainment market led the company to cutting 250 jobs at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank last month.

Overseas markets, however, were a bright spot for both Time Warner and Disney.

"Internationally, DVDs still have a lot of growth in front of them," Parsons said. "Even the international box office for us can be twice the size of domestic box office, so you get it on both sides."

Disney is reaching out to tap the market in China, having opened Hong Kong Disneyland in September and offering television content, such as ESPN, to more than 300 million households, Staggs said.

The steps the company has taken are encouraging and in five to 10 years the Chinese market will be an important one, Staggs said.

"Right now our second biggest market for consumer products is Japan," Staggs said. "Down the road China stands to have that distinction."

The first reason not to go to Walt Disney World, the great 47-square-mile theme park in Florida, is that, when you get there, you won't like it. When I went there, I stayed in a hotel complex at the edge of a vast, man-made lake. Every so often, a fake geyser shot up in the air.

People were walking around with what looked like fake grins on their faces. You'd see couples, and they'd both be wearing Mickey Mouse ears. Just walking around, wearing the ears. They must get up in the mornings, I thought to myself, and put on the ears.

Then I started going on the rides. The rides were, I had to admit, pretty spectacular. There was one in which you took a lift to the top of a building, and went into a room, and the floor of the room started feeling funny, and the room just plunged to the ground, and afterwards, I was

so exhilarated that... well, I wondered how else I might find that particular high. Another time, I went into an auditorium, and I swear a giant picked the auditorium up in his hands, and shook it a bit, and put it down. What a buzz. How was I going to find another buzz like that?

That's the second reason not to go to Walt Disney World. You begin to like it a little too much. How long before you start wearing the ears? And what will the world outside - the world without controlled danger and fake geysers - look like? Pretty inhospitable. People will bump into you in the street, and they won't be wearing the ears, which is the third reason not to go to Walt Disney World. It tells you something about yourself. Unless you're strong enough to face this stark truth, don't go there.

Disney hosts radio show

Silliness and more silliness will be the theme as America Online's Radio KOL, an Internet webcast that draws a weekly audience of more than 1 million mostly young viewers and listeners, airs a series of live shows next week from Walt Disney World.

The programs, hosted by Radio KOL's DJ Rick and featuring interviews with the likes of Hilary Duff, Herbie the Love Bug and Mickey Mouse, can be found online at www.radiokol.com from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"Our show is like a radio show with a TV frame around it," said DJ Rick Adams, a former Nickelodeon personality known for his kid-oriented humor. For example, he refers to parents as "wrinklies."

"I'm sort of a one-man band, and our audience consists of small people, long people, people of all ages from about 2 to 97. We think it will be a lot of fun bringing AOL, KOL and Disney all together for Christmas."

The programs, featuring DJ Rick conducting interviews live before a webcam in the studio, could be the first of further entertainment ventures between AOL and Disney, said Malcolm Bird, vice president, AOL Kids and Teens.

There is a lot of synergy between AOL and Disney, Bird said, adding that no formal relationship has been worked out on future projects.

"It's good to partner with Disney on something like this, because we have millions of kids and parents who come to AOL trusting in our experience, just as Disney does," he said.

"It's a merging of two popular brands. Disney stands for family values and entertainment, very similar to AOL and KOL. I'd love to see the relationship grow and develop."

Bit of Disney magic found in used book

Like a scene from the movie "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," Austinite James Peterson found a "golden" ticket — an unused Disneyland ticket from the 1950s — tucked into a book of poetry at Half Price Books on U.S. 183 North.

This week, he sold the complimentary child's ticket to the amusement park in Anaheim, Calif., on eBay for $435.

"In this case the ticket is not golden, but it's blue," said Peterson, an IBM engineer and former University of Texas professor.

Monica Schultz, district manager of Half Price Books, said employees often find photos, letters and diaries in books the stores buy from people, but she hadn't heard of anyone finding a ticket that valuable at a store.

Peterson said he found the ticket in September while looking for comic strip collections at Half Price Books.

He pulled a small book from a shelf because he couldn't tell what it was about, he said. As soon as he opened the volume, a collection of poetry written by Walter Benton called "This Is My Beloved," the ticket fell out. Written on it were the words: "To Barbara Lynne." In the space provided for the ticket giver's name was written, "Your Father."

It bore the serial number 000001.

"I thought, 'Wow, is this real?' " Peterson said. "What is this doing in here?"

He bought the book, printed in 1954, for $5, he said.

The ticket didn't have any sentimental value to him. Peterson said he went to Disneyland in 1955 or 1956, but he doesn't remember anything about the park.

He thought of giving the ticket to the Walt Disney Co., because this year marks Disneyland's 50th anniversary, but he said he couldn't get a response from anyone in the company. So he put it up for sale on eBay.

One of the bidders, Dean Mancina of Seal Beach, Calif., said the ticket seemed authentic. It has a Disney coat of arms that was used in the 1950s, said Mancina, who has been collecting Disney souvenirs for 29 years.

"I've never seen any other ticket like it, but Walt Disney did try a lot of new products and ideas and a lot of things were made in small quantities," he said.

Opening day tickets for Disneyland have been sold for $500, he said.

The winning bidder, David Brandon of Palmdale, Calif., said he thought the ticket may be the first ever printed for the amusement park, which opened in 1955.

"The hair on the back of my neck stood out when I saw the ticket," said Brandon, who collects vintage rock tickets from the 1960s and 1970s.

"I am not easily fooled. To me this is the single most valuable uncashed ticket in the world," he said.

The director of the Disney archives in Burbank, Calif., had a different opinion after looking at Peterson's ticket as it was displayed on eBay. The ticket resembled others in the company archive that were issued in 1959-60, said Dave Smith, the archive's director.

"I won a similar one as a newspaper delivery boy for selling three new subscriptions to our local paper in Pasadena," Smith said.

Made in India Mickey Mouse and much more

 

Furry two-horned moose for football fans at the World Cup in Germany and the entire range of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Donald Duck, Chicken Little and what have you... they're all being rolled out from a factory on the outskirts of this city. Hanung Toys will not only provide Swedish home store Ikea with 400,000 stuffed moose as souvenir for the FIFA World Cup next year but has also tied up with Walt Disney to produce toys based on Disney characters, including those from the forthcoming movie "Chicken Little".

"We have a deal with Disney for the next two years and would be producing special characters pertaining to the demand of its channel," said A.K. Bansal, chairperson and managing director of Hanung Toys, based in suburban Noida.

"By Dec 15, we are ready to push 30,000 toys to the Indian market on special characters of Disney's forthcoming film 'Chicken Little'," Bansal told IANS.

The movie that tests the future of animation is an age-old kiddie tale about a hysterical little chick that thinks the world is about to end. It will be Disney's first non-Pixar animated feature to hit Indian theatres.

Pixar Animation Studios is a computer animation studio that creates a new generation of animated feature films, merchandise and other related products.

The company is also working overtime to roll out 400,000 toy moose in time for the World Cup that kicks off June 9.

"It's an order from Ikea, the Swedish design company, which will market it as a World Cup souvenir. As moose is one of the loved animals of Germany, we are expecting a good response," Bansal said.

According to him, along with the lead characters of "Chicken Little", they are also making characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh and other well-known Walt Disney brands.

"It's a one-time agreement for the next 24 months and Disney will get 13 percent royalty from the total business that Hanung will do from the venture," he said.

He said to meet Disney's standards, the firm has been taking extra care while rolling out stuffed toys for either Indian or foreign markets.

"We have 120 trained inspectors to control quality output of 900 people engaged in production activity. Online inspection is carried out in cutting, stitching and finishing. Apart from it, the toys here go through two levels of metal detectors to make sure no metal part like broken needles are left behind. It's a matter of credibility."

Speaking on the Chinese threat to the toy industry, he said: "Chinese products are cheap but they are not durable. You cannot rely on them. Our mission is to provide (South) Korean quality at Chinese price."

The toys have been priced from Rs.50 onwards.

Meanwhile, the Noida-based company has decided to invest around Rs.250 million ($5.4 million) by the end of the current fiscal year to strengthen its base in the domestic market.

"India's organized retail market has been booming for the last three years and it's the right time to spread your wings.

"While strengthening our base, we have decided to roll out theme-based toys - there are series on wildlife, traffic, home care, primary education etc., aimed at both children and adults," said Bansal whose companies exports under the brand name Play n Pets.

The company has been exporting toys to the US, Europe and Latin America for the last 15 years.

Disney--A friend of Friendster's?

We know that Friendster hired a boutique investment firm earlier this year to shop the social networking site around to a buyer, according to a report. The move made sense given that Friendster faces tough competition from rising star MySpace. But now, Friendster has apparently drawn the fancy of Mickey Mouse.

Media giant Disney has shown interest in the company, according to sources. It's unclear, however, if Disney has backed away from the table, they say. But whatever the case, traditional media companies like Disney have once again been investing in and buying up Internet properties to build out their operations online.

A Friendster representative said via email that the company could not comment on details of any conversations. But added: "There is a lot of interest in Friendster right now." Disney declined to comment.

TV producers sued by 'gay' wife swap man

Producers of the hit TV series Wife Swap are being sued for £5.8million by a participant after his wife was swapped with a gay man.

American Jeffrey Bedford filed a lawsuit against RDF Media, claiming the TV company misled him by replacing his wife with a homosexual man rather than a woman.

The episode featuring Mr Bedford was broadcast on Channel 4 last month but has not yet been shown on US TV.

His claim, filed at the US district court in Oklahoma, says he was threatened that the whereabouts of his wife would not be revealed to him if he did not participate in the show. He also alleges he was forbidden from contacting his wife during filming and was told several times by producers that she was leaving him.

In the lawsuit, which is also against US TV network ABC and its owner Walt Disney, Mr Bedford claims he was so emotionally distraught he became physically and mentally ill.

Mr Bedford, of Haileyville, Oklahoma, also says he was not allowed to continue his college studies during filming and as a result was dropped from a class.

His £5.8million action consists of a £2.9million claim for mental stress, humiliation and hospital bills, and £2.9million in punitive damages.

RDF Media, ABC and Disney reject Mr Bedford's claims.

RDF chief creative officer Stephen Lambert said: 'As with all contributors to Wife Swap, Mr Bedford was made fully aware of what was going to happen, including the fact his new "wife" might be of either sex.'

The case will be heard in September.

William Moseley, 18

Previous experience: William, a native of Gloucestershire, is making his feature film debut.

Why he was chosen: "He came in and he was the person you'd want to be your big brother," Adamson says.

His character: Indecisive Peter is on the cusp of manhood, and his experiences in Narnia allow him to grow up and take charge.

William's take on Peter: "I would describe him as trying to be the father. It's like when you have something thrown at you and you think, 'Oh God, I've got to do this now. I want us to be a happy family and it just doesn't really work.' Peter has the biggest challenge, going from boy to man."

On riding his steed in the film: "I'm a natural bareback rider, I just feel closer to the horse. I get to ride a Spanish Andalusian horse. Actually, it's a unicorn, but those are a little bit difficult to find these days."

If he had a magic wardrobe, where would he go? "I'd like to go to ancient Rome. I would like to see history. I'd like to see the Battle of Hastings if I could."

Favorite movies: "Scarface is a good film, and Goodfellas. I really loved Garden State, and another one I liked is Memento. I've seen it twice and I think I get it."

Fun fact: His dad, Peter Moseley, is a cinematographer. "He gave me some advice. He said, 'You know, people talk on films. People joke a lot. And gossip gets around. Quickly. So just watch what you say.'

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Opens

Latest Photo's from Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest  

Appeals court denies bid by Pooh creator's heir to revoke rights 

Get a glimpse of Narnia at Disney-MGM Studios 

Disney's Holy Celluloid 

Expedition Everest: Journey to Sacred Lands 

'Pooh' purists kick up a stink at Disney's modern rewrite 

Ill-mannered mainlanders taking the Mickey out of Hong Kong Disneyland 

Man with the answers 

CNY Pop Warner Teams in Disney 

Van Blanken murder accused found guilty 

Disney to Release Newest Animated Feature in REAL D Cinema 

ABC's 'Commander in Chief' tries to have it both ways 

ESPN's 'CodeBreakers' breaks no new ground 

Four teachers nominated for 2006 Disney awards 

ABC Blew It By Not Showing Reggie White Ceremony 

Researchers Receive $1.3 Million from Disney for Wildlife Efforts 

Meet Your New Dancing 'Stars' 

Spamalot, Lion King Earn Top Honors at "Gypsy of the Year" 

Disney takes one compliant step forward, two invalid steps back 

Disney on the Mobile for Thailand 

Principal Disney is pretty animated

Appeals court denies bid by Pooh creator's heir to revoke rights

 

A federal appeals court has denied an attempt by the granddaughter of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne to revoke the merchandising rights from a third party.

In November 2002, Clare Milne, who lives in England, notified Stephen Slesinger Inc., the company that owns the North American merchandising rights to the Pooh characters, that she intended to reclaim all copyrights.

Milne then struck a new deal giving all rights to The Walt Disney Co.

Disney had been locked in a long legal dispute with Slesinger over royalties.

Disney obtained the merchandising rights from Slesinger in 1961. The Slesinger estate sued Disney in 1991, saying the company had failed to pay millions of dollars of additional royalties due for Pooh videos, DVDs, computer software and other electronic products not specifically covered under its deal.

That lawsuit was dismissed last year.

Milne's attempt to wrest the licensing rights from Slesinger and strike a new deal directly with Disney was thwarted by a federal court judge in 2003.

Milne relied on changes made in U.S. copyright law in 1976 that gave heirs of authors the right to reclaim the creator's copyrights after a period of years.

But a lower court ruled that A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin Milne, had the chance to revoke the copyright in 1983, but chose not to. Milne instead signed a new, more lucrative, deal with SSI and Disney in 1983.

A panel of three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld the lower court ruling.

"Quite simply, there is no principle of logic, canon of statutory construction, or consideration of fairness that supports Clare's reading" of the copyright law, the court ruled.

"We are very, very gratified by the court's decision in this federal case, and protecting Pooh's American rights," Pati Slesinger said in a statement Thursday.

Slesinger is still pursuing a lawsuit against Disney in state court seeking to revoke Disney's licensing rights.

Get a glimpse of Narnia at Disney-MGM Studios

Movie theaters won't be the only place to catch a glimpse of Narnia today.

The magical world of C.S. Lewis also comes to life at Disney-MGM Studios, where a new attraction called Journey Into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe gives visitors a peek at the props and some of the story line from the new Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media film.

In the new attraction -- which, like the movie, debuts today -- visitors enter the frozen world of Narnia through a giant wardrobe, just as the children do in the film version of Lewis' classic. They exit through a gallery that showcases elaborate creatures, costumes and other moviemaking magic from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The visit lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Journey Into Narnia is the first new attraction at Disney-MGM Studios since the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show debuted in May. The attraction is in the former Haunted Mansion movie set on Soundstage 4 on Mickey Avenue.

Disney's Holy Celluloid

 

Today's theatrical debut of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a pretty big event for family entertainment giant Disney (NYSE: DIS). It's launching early enough in December, and Disney has moved other releases out of the way to position the film as its big holiday hit to close out the year. However, there is also something out of the ordinary as to how Disney is going about in marketing this film. The same company that was once boycott fodder for some church groups has embraced the film's spirituality as a way to promote Narnia to a religious audience.

 

It's a strategy that clearly worked last year with The Passion of The Christ, a film that was passed on by the major studios yet still became the third highest-grossing movie of 2004. Narnia is clearly more subtle about its Christian themes, but Disney has learned well after joining the big studios in watching The Passion of The Christ's success from afar.

As I drove my son to school last week, he asked me when churches began to allow advertisements. Confused over the query, I turned to see a Presbyterian church with a large banner out front promoting Narnia. With nearly 100 million copies of books sold in the C.S. Lewis series -- in more than three dozen different languages -- the appeal was already baked into the film.

Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) had no problem making its The Lord of the Rings trilogy a smash hit without playing up its Christian allegorical themes. Disney won't be taking that kind of chance. It has already treated pastors and religious leaders to complimentary preview screenings while arming them with promotional materials.

There is no denying that there is money to be made in catering to the faithful. Christian books and music accounted for $7 billion and $4 billion in sales respectively last year. However, as Disney is out to prove, you don't have to be Thomas Nelson (NYSE: TNM), Courier (Nasdaq: CRRC), or even ServiceMaster (NYSE: SVM) to grab a slice of that growing pie.

Come back next week, when Steven Mallas will be taking a closer look at how the company's opening weekend ultimately shaped out. A strong showing -- along with Disney's surprise animated hit Chicken Little -- would really help the company's studio keep up the pace in fiscal 2006 with its better performing theme parks and media networks divisions.

The film has been getting generally favorable but still mixed reviews from the leading critics at News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) RottenTomatoes.com site. That contrasts to the overwhelmingly gushing praise that Time Warner's trilogy had received. With more books giving Disney a rich pipeline here to tap over the next few years, it's no wonder why it's willing to tie this to a wing -- and a prayer.

Expedition Everest: Journey to Sacred Lands

 

To build a mountain you start with the Roof of the World...the Himalayas where Earth's mightiest peaks scrape the heavens. When those mountains also are steeped in deep lore and legend, including a fearsome creature, it only adds to the mountain you are building, the story you are telling.

That quest is what inspired Joe Rohde, creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering.

With the just-completed Expedition Everest: Mission Himalayas, the Walt Disney Company joined with Conservation International and Discovery Networks on a cultural and scientific journey from one end of the eastern Himalayas to the other.

The team searched for new plants and animals not yet discovered in the eastern Himalayan region from China to Nepal, one of the most botanically rich temperate regions in the world with an estimated 12,000 plant species, including 3,500 found nowhere else.

Rohde joined the unique journey to investigate the powerful legend of the yeti, the environs and architecture of the Himalayas and the people and culture. His goal was to bring a new level of authenticity to Expedition Everest, an exciting attraction opening spring 2006 at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

Premiering the week of April 9, 2006, on the Travel Channel, "Expedition Everest: Journey to Sacred Lands" follows the journeys and discoveries of Rohde as he embarks on his adventure to Everest. Providing unprecedented coverage of this artist's journey to reveal this complex and unique region, the special will cover the miles traveled to research and replicate so accurately the culture, architecture and customs of Nepal for the newest Disney attraction.

"Imagineers are renowned for our passionate approach to creating the legendary experiences guests have come to expect from Disney," said Rohde. "We are going to incredible lengths to tell this story to our guests: researching cultural and spiritual legends through local people who have reported sightings of the yeti, and governments who preserve pristine lands in the name of the creature known as 'protector of the mountains.' "

Rohde is quite familiar with that part of the world, having traveled there on numerous occasions. In 2004, Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering architect Stefan Hellwig and production manager Chris Kelly went to the Nepalese Himalayas to study the lands, architecture, colors and culture to shape their design for the mythical village area of the attraction they were creating.

After a journey by jet, surrey, helicopter and donkey, the trio reached their destination -- a 1,000-year-old monastery near Mustang. The goal was to immerse themselves in the region, to gain a sense of place that is not possible from looking at photographs or even films. They returned with an understanding of what it feels like to be in the Himalayan culture and environment. And as the Expedition Everest design team focused on creating that "sense of place," it was invaluable.

"Touching the prayer wheels, hearing the tonal spectrum of animal bells, experiencing a 360-degree view from the mountaintop monastery and seeing how the local people applied color to their homes left a deep impression on us," said Rohde. "This experience allowed us to approach this project with an insight and authenticity we could attain only by being there."

When Walt Disney World guests approach the village area that signals the entry to Expedition Everest, they will see how the research efforts paid off. They will be transported to the Himalayan region as they walk by colorful flags looping from building to building and pole to pole. Emblazoned with animal symbols, the banners are inspired by the Himalayan prayer flags that send thoughts and prayers to the wind. Throughout the village area, the yeti appears in architectural details, revealing its dual existence as earthly creature and mythological legend. And the adornments couldn't be more real: Nepalese carvers created these special pieces based on their beliefs and local stories. At the Mandir, a traditional Himalayan shrine structure, wooden doors depict the creature in his very real realm, coming down from the mountain to snatch up a yak.

The team talked with local Himalayan monks about earth-based pigments, studied the carved details of local earthen, rock and wooden buildings and researched cultural iconography -- all with the goal of creating an experience that would be so extraordinarily immersive and real, that guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom would believe, if even for just a moment, that they'd been transported to the other side of the world.

The team also was interested in learning about the beliefs and culture of the region.

For thousands of years, diverse cultures along the Himalayan mountain range have believed in the yeti -- some as a real, living being and others as a spiritual protector. Many believe that sightings of this mysterious, hairy creature mean the forest is pure, pristine and undisturbed, and as the great forests disappear, so, too, does the yeti. Nonetheless, its spirit lives today as a great, mythological creature, important and essential to the Himalayan people.

Local people told Rohde of animal carcasses tossed high in trees, yak skulls broken in half with amazing force, and tufts of bluish hair caught on branches. All these were attributed to the yeti. Many others told stories of yetis eating Spanish moss, a sign of a pristine habitat and underlying signal that the yeti seeks our natural areas to protect.

To learn more about these beliefs, Imagineers made a special visit to the Ding Guo Shan monastery, known for its preservation of sacred lands and belief in the yeti. Accessed by a narrow slippery road with sheer drop-offs, the thousand-year-old Ding Guo Shan sits atop a mountain, surrounded by undulating wreaths of clouds. As the team approached, the clouds parted to reveal the forested mountain surrounding the meadow and the monastery. Young monks were playing on the long trumpets and shawms (ancient woodwinds) as the trekkers approached: the community had come out in full dress to greet the team.

The team stayed at the monastery and joined the monks for meals for three days. Rohde interviewed the Rinpoche, a sacred man known as "the living Buddha," about Ding Guo Shan and the yeti. The Rinpoche said that the last sighting was in June.

The monks described the yeti by placing both hands above their heads in a flattened cone shape to indicate the distinctive shape of the high domed ridge of the yeti's head, which is part of many descriptions. They described the hair of the yeti as radiating from its belly. The older monk tried to indicate the stride of the yeti, which seemed to be about five to six feet. They described its feet as being quite long. Rohde reports, "I asked the Living Buddha point blank what he thought the yeti was. He replied that it was two things at once. A real animal and an immortal, a deity."

Later in the journey, the team reached the Qinling mountains, near Xian, the area known for the buried terra cotta army of the first Chinese Emperor. Dr. Anne Savage, specialist in Golden Monkeys and primatologist from Disney's Animal Kingdom, arranged for the team to hike into a reserve that is home to Golden Monkeys, the animals providing the inspiration for Expedition Everest's yeti. Conservation International President Russ Mittemeier, internationally renowned primatologist, joined the team for this special opportunity.

With strange, haunting faces covered in hair everywhere but the smallest areas around the eyes and nose, blue skin, and unfathomable dark eyes, the Golden Monkeys are a perfect model of a cold-climate primate. "Our yeti is like a huge scary version of one of these monkeys...yet the size of an ape," said Rohde. Seeing these rare animals in their native habitat provides a new perspective on the authenticity of the images the team has blended into the attraction in Florida. The work by Rohde and the Imagineering team to create a believable world around the exciting new attraction continues the real-life storytelling that is the hallmark of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Guests who visit Disney's Animal Kingdom are transported into animal worlds both real and imaginary. Forests, jungles and rivers dominate the landscape, seeming to overpower the buildings themselves. Animals appear to roam without boundaries. The storytellers of Walt Disney Imagineering set out to create a place of striking realism and authenticity, a place that feels so real, that real adventures might happen.

'Pooh' purists kick up a stink at Disney's modern rewrite

It's the Battle of Pooh Corner. Seven years after Disney acquired the rights to Winnie the Pooh from AA Milne's former club, The Garrick, it stands accused of betraying his literary legacy.

Next year, Disney will release a new series called My Friends Tigger and Pooh, from which Christopher Robin, far right - who was named after Milne's own son - has been erased.

Instead, in a bid to appeal to a more modern audience, Disney has decided to replace the character of Robin with a six-year-old girl. She is supposed to share various "character traits" with Pooh and Tigger.

Purists are unhappy at the innovation. They say Milne, above, would be "turning in his grave", and blame the Garrick's decision to surrender artistic control when they sold the rights to Disney for £60m.

"It was short-sighted then, and it is now," reckons one Garrick stalwart. "This is a betrayal of Milne's stories, because he wrote them specifically for Christopher Robin."

Disney intends to tough it out. "These timeless characters really needed a breath of fresh air that only the introduction of someone new could provide," they say. "We hope people will fall for this new tomboyish girl."

* Many an unlikely candidate has considered standing as Mayor of London, but it's surely come to something when Neil Fox throws his hat into the ring.

Following in the footsteps of everyone from Lord Archer to Ivan Massow, Fox, left, tells me he's planning a Dick Whittington-style bid for the job.

"I'd never thought about it until a friend of mine in the City ran a focus group of pundits to see who they thought would make a good mayor, " he says.

"I came third. They want someone who's well known, compassionate and has principles. I'm the man."

If nothing else, Fox - who was speaking at a fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer - does claim to have an astute political brain.

"People think of me as a DJ and Pop Idol judge. But I live in this country and have views on politics too," he adds.

"I think Blair likes Cameron. He's young, he's clever, and underneath it all I reckon he'd like him to beat Brown."

* Sir Elton John's marriage later this month raises an important matter of protocol: how should we address his future spouse, David Furnish?

As commentators in The Spectator and elsewhere have noted, a knight of the realm's other half is usually given the title "Lady." This, they say, means Furnish, right with Sir Elton, could become "David, Lady John," or "Lady David John."

Meanwhile, Debrett's, an authority on such matters, has suggested that "Laddy" might make for a suitable modern alternative.

Mr Furnish may or may not be happy to plump for one of these options, but we are at present unable to find out.

The couple's spokesman describes their future official titles as "a private matter" and, when pressed, says enquiries of this nature are "incredibly homophobic".

* There is excitement at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - stay with me here! - concerning one of its biggest cheeses, Jeremy Leaf.

Mr Leaf, the institution's housing spokesman, owns one of London's finest estate agents. But he's been out of circulation in recent weeks, and friends report few signs of life at his office or his North London home.

This has the rumour mill going a treat, since it turns out Leaf's brother, Ian, was the fraudster jailed for 12 years last week for conning the taxman out of a record £55m.

Fortunately, following a call from Pandora, Rics has now managed to locate its man. "I was indeed away, but I'm back now," he reports.

There was nothing sinister behind Leaf's disappearance. Unlike his brother, the institute's man is pure as the driven snow.

* Jeremy Paxman's "tough guy" image took a hammering yesterday, when it emerged that he'd been reduced to tears during a BBC show about his ancestry.

The Newsnight hardman started blubbing on Who Do You Think You Are? After discovering that his great-great-great-grandmother was a charlady from Glasgow who'd died of TB in her thirties.

It's a laudable display of sensitivity. But how genuine were the tears that Paxo shed into the cuffs of his well-tailored suit?

"Jeremy wasn't very upset when I bumped into him on Monday night at a Christmas party organised by his agents, Capel & Land," says a chum.

"In fact, he slapped one fellow guest on the back and joked that all he'd learnt from the show was that he comes from a long line of scroungers."

Ill-mannered mainlanders taking the Mickey out of Hong Kong Disneyland

 

Though Japan's already prickly relations with China didn't need to be enflamed any further, Shukan Post (12/16) -- one of the country's top-selling weeklies -- has come out with a goofy rant about the foul manners Chinese are displaying at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Running under the headline "Outcry at Hong Kong Disneyland over Chinese pissing and spitting everywhere," Post takes the Mickey out of mainlanders, who have made up 26 percent of the theme park's 1 million-plus visitors since it opened in September. "Actually visiting Hong Kong Disneyland provides you with examples in all sorts of places of some pretty eye-popping behavior," the magazine writes.

Unlike Disney theme parks across the world, including Tokyo Disneyland, lines appear to mean little in the latest Magical Kingdom, where queue jumping is a given, the rag says.

Trash in the form of cigarette butts and discarded soda bottles is strewn throughout the park's sidewalks in such quantities that sanitation staff under strict orders to clean messes as soon as they appear can't keep up.

Hong Kong locals are just as flustered with their mainland brethren.

"Hong Kong was under British control for a long time, so the Chinese living in Hong Kong have at least a basic understanding of acceptable manners," a resident of the Fragrant Harbor city tells Shukan Post. "But Chinese from the mainland don't even know the existence of the word 'manners.' They have no custom of lining up. It's a waste of breath to tell them off."

Mickey's Philharmaqic, a 3-D theater touted as one of the major attractions of Hong Kong Disneyland, has turned out to be a main source of souvenirs for mainlanders visiting the park, the weekly says, saying that they pocket the special glasses used to watch the movie instead of returning them at the end of the film as park operators ask all guests to do.

"These glasses are great souvenirs," a Chinese mainlander tells the weekly. "We're paying big money to get into this park, so I don't see why we should have to give them back."

Rest at the park is also an impossibility, apparently, with park benches frequently occupied by middle-aged men lying down to take a nap, "Chinese-style," according to the magazine.

Shukan Post quotes a Guangzhou daily telling stories of a Chinese mother who let her young son piddle in the pond below Sleeping Beauty's Castle, then sat by idly while he ran around the park without any pants on. When challenged, the mother apparently said she was hamstrung because her little boy couldn't hold on any longer.

Hong Kong Disneyland operators acknowledge there has been a bit of cultural friction."It's a fact that we have received complaints about bad-mannered guests since we opened in September," a park spokesman tells Shukan Post. "However, we have people from a variety of cultural backgrounds coming to the park, so it's understandable that there are all different types of behavior. We train out staff in dealing with this situation."

Birei Kin, a social commentator who claims to be well versed in Chinese culture, says China needs to change.

"China, especially the mainland, has a tendency to regard all actions in terms of whether they will bring a profit or loss. People live with the belief that obeying rules causes them to lose," the commentator tells Shukan Post. "Go to a toilet if you really want to see an example of ill manners. They don't flush and you've got urine and feces overflowing everywhere, but nobody is at all ashamed by it. Beijing is hosting the 2008 Olympics and I find it hard to see morals improving by then."

Man with the answers

Prince or ogre? Michael Eisner has been called both over the years, with good reason. The man who spent the past two decades running the Walt Disney Company has been fawned over – and derided – in equal parts.

Initially, Mr Eisner was the prince who came to the rescue in the dark days of the early 1980s, recreating the magic of Disney by invigorating its theme parks, rediscovering the animation that had made the company famous, expanding into network television, hotels and cruise ships, and successfully selling the iconic brand to a whole new generation.

By the end of his time at Disney, he was regularly compared with Shrek, the ogre made famous by one of Mr Eisner's enemies, former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. Portrayed in an unforgiving media as Machiavellian, headstrong and without shareholder support, Mr Eisner eventually faced an investor revolt.

He stepped down as chairman of the company in March 2004, then quit as chief executive on September 30, 2005 – a year ahead of schedule – allowing him to cash in his options estimated at close to US$750 million.

In his final years, he had fired friends, battled board members, watched the group's share price stagnate, and suffered the indignity of having 43 per cent of shareholders oppose his re-election as a director.

It threatens to overshadow the enormous positive legacy he left at the Magic Kingdom.

Face to face in New York, Mr Eisner seems neither princely nor fiendish. Tall, slightly hunched and in corporate uniform – dark pinstripe suit, white shirt and red tie – he likes being in charge.

He admits he's "up front" but dismisses the Machiavellian label. "All the trouble I have gotten into is (because) I can't control myself and (I) say what I think," he says.

He has not changed his management style since his days as a 16-year-old camp counsellor: "But I've learnt a lot: I've learned to restrain as best I can from saying really stupid things. I'm an enthusiast, I'm eclectic, I like creative things, I bore easily."

There was nothing boring about those final years at Disney, but Mr Eisner has plenty of answers when asked about the enormous – and expensive – controversies that preceded his exit. Why did Disney fall out with Pixar Animation and its head, Steve Jobs, the hugely successful creator of animated movies (including Finding Nemo, Toy Story and The Incredibles)?

"Steve Jobs wanted to own the company," Mr Eisner says. "He wanted to take everything we'd done. I would not succumb to his demands, which would have hurt our shareholders."

And what about the enormous payouts to executives at the group?

Jeffrey Katzenberg quit the company in 1995 and after a lengthy legal battle got $250 million from Disney. He then teamed up with director Stephen Spielberg to create Dreamworks SKG, maker of Shrek.

"Jeff Katzenberg wanted to be president of Disney," Mr Eisner said. "Certain members of the board and I concurred that we didn't think he was ready, so he left."

What about Michael Ovitz, to whom the Disney board agreed to pay $140 million after just 14 months of work? Shareholders sued the company. The court sided with the directors, though the judge called Mr Eisner "Machiavellian". "Michael Ovitz was just a mistake," Mr Eisner says bluntly.

So, how did he feel when 43 per cent of shareholders voted to keep him off the board in early 2004? "That vote was not a vote against me," he says.

It is not a view shared by the investment community but he says many large superannuation funds voted against him so they could look tough on governance.

"I was a victim of the (corporate governance) movement."

Mr Eisner hastens to add that Disney has never had any accounting or ethical problems, and never made a large write-off. That is despite the Disney board, till the last two years, being packed with acquaintances of Mr Eisner, including a priest, three architects, a teacher and an actor, and being labelled by the US magazine BusinessWeek as the "worst board in America".

Mr Eisner counters: "In fact it was the best board in America. It was totally engaged."

Mr Eisner's personal style has been controversial but he has always been driven and hard-working.

"I feel that being organised is essential, because you can't do any of those things if you're not organised."

Mr Eisner was born into a wealthy New York family, and worked in junior jobs at network television stations NBC and CBS. His rise up management ranks began at ABC, where he eventually ran the network's programming and development.

In 1976 he became president and chief operating officer of Paramount Pictures, picked by his mentor Barry Diller who was then running the company.

Under Mr Eisner, the studio released a string of hits including Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Star Trek. When Mr Diller left in 1984, Mr Eisner was overlooked and he quickly began lobbying for the top job at Walt Disney.

Disney had struggled since its founder, Walt Disney, died in 1966. The theme parks had lost their lustre. Disney animation – once legendary – had struggled to find a winning formula.

It had narrowly survived takeover attempts. Major shareholders Roy E Disney and Sid Bass pushed for Mr Eisner to get the chief executive role.

During the next 21 years, he was instrumental in transforming Disney from a theme park and movie studio into a massive entertainment behemoth. He revitalised the group's existing theme parks, and opened new ones in France, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

"We went from 20 million people through our turnstiles to 100 million people through our turnstiles," he says. The movie studio began releasing a string of hits and teamed up with Pixar Animations in one of the most successful combinations in film history.

Mr Eisner created new businesses for the company: he began running cruise ships and went into the hotel business, opening up 50,000 rooms. During his tenure, Disney went from a company with profit of less than $300 million from revenue of $1.5 billion, to one that earned $2.5 billion from revenue of more than $30 billion.

The year 1994 marked a change in Mr Eisner's fortunes. His close associate, Disney president Frank Wells, was killed in a plane crash. Mr Eisner refused to promote Mr Katzenberg to Mr Wells' job, triggering his resignation and big payout.

In 1996, Disney shelled out $19 billion for network television station ABC. It was a bold decision. It gave the group not just network television, but what became one of the most successful cable franchises of all time, ESPN.

But the ABC network struggled and only in the past two years has it become a ratings force again in the United States.

In the late 1990s, Disney's animated film divisions started to splutter and the theme parks, hotel rooms and cruise lines were hit by the economic downturn in 2000, and then the September 11 terror attacks. Top executives started leaving the company.

"Most people I work with have been with me between 10 and 40 years," he says.

After 1998, Disney's share price stumbled along, failing to match the progress of its peers. Adjusted for share splits, the share price peaked in mid-1998. On an adjusted basis, it is now trading about 40 per cent below its peak.

Another humiliation for Mr Eisner came in February 2004, when Comcast Corp made an ultimately unsuccessful bid for Disney just two days after Mr Eisner had knocked back a friendly bid.

AT THE same time, Roy Disney – the man who hired Mr Eisner – and another director, Stanley Gold, mounted a ferocious shareholder campaign against the chief executive, culminating in the vote against him that ultimately undermined his position.

Mr Eisner, who will visit Australia and New Zealand in February to front a global business forum, agrees the last few years running Disney were tough: "We were coming out of recession, coming out of 9/11, coming out of me having to put my foot down fairly strongly against a mediocre executive and I had quite a crossfire of circumstances."

But he argues that since early 2004, the company has turned around again. Its share price has risen and the group has become a favourite of stockmarket investors.

Mr Eisner says he would do some things differently but dismisses suggestions that he handled his battle with directors Disney and Gold poorly.

"They were really irrelevant," he says.

There's no doubt he changed Disney. He believes in sweating the small stuff, saying the best managers are micro-managers: "By micro-managers I mean e-mails, memos, telephone calls, visits to sites, sharing your vision with the people who work for you rather than sitting on the fourth tee and assuming it's all happening just because you hire someone you assume is good."

Even so, his conversation is laced with references to legendary investor Warren Buffet, who is considered a very hands-off manager. Mr Eisner used to talk to Mr Buffet regularly, appreciating how simple the investor made things sound.

His advice to anyone wanting to succeed in business reflects how he views himself: "If you really want a long and successful career you have to have a moral compass. You have to have a sense of fairness; you have to have the ability to stay above the ethical playing field. You have to have a good understanding of fear and greed and keep it in perspective."

Young people should keep their youthful exuberance, he feels, and managers should encourage it. Creativity is crucial, from the finance director to the movie director.

CNY Pop Warner Teams in Disney

The Clay Panther Cheerleaders and the Eastwood Bears Football Team are both competing in National Championships at Disney World this week.

The football team competed in the national semi-finals of the Pop Warner Football Championships in Orlando on Monday afternoon.

The Bears lost 24-0 to a team from Florida. Now they'll enjoy a few days in Disney before playing a consolation game on Friday.

The Bears were able to raise about $40,000 in less than two weeks in order to make the trip to Florida. They'll be back in Syracuse on Saturday.

The cheerleaders also competed Monday afternoon in Pop Warner's National Cheer and Dance Championships. They placed sixth out of 14 teams in their division and were able to cheer for the Eastwood Bears during their game.

The girls didn't win the top spot, but they were nominated for a spirit and sportsmanship award.

Congratulations to both teams on making it to Nationals!

Van Blanken murder accused found guilty

A young Sydney man has been found guilty of strangling his ex-girlfriend and stuffing the teenager's body in a cricket bag.

William Harold Matheson, 23, was tried in the NSW Supreme Court over the murder of his former sweetheart, 18-year-old Lyndsay van Blanken.

The Disney animation trainee went missing on the evening of November 24, 2003. Her badly decomposed body was found in a cricket bag hidden in the storeroom of a unit block in the inner-east Sydney suburb of Queens Park seven weeks later.

A jury on Friday accepted evidence that Mr Matheson had lured her to the unit block - a place the pair had previously visited together several times - and strangled her with cable ties.

He stuffed her body into the bag he had bought three days earlier and left it in the storeroom.

Throughout his trial, Matheson had sat solemn-faced and slouched in his seat in the dock, rarely looking up from the floor.

He continued to show no emotion as the jury - several of whom wept openly - handed down the guilty verdict after three days of deliberation and a three week trial.

Members of Ms van Blanken's family gasped, smiled and cried as the verdict was read out.

Outside the court, Ms van Blanken's mother Cynthia Pleasence said she was "very happy".

Matheson's family was not present for the verdict, which could lead to him receiving a maximum life sentence.

Ms van Blanken first met Matheson in 2001 when he played cello at her mother's wedding.

She ended the relationship in 2003 after falling in love with and becoming engaged to Brandon Leonard, an American she met on the internet.

The court was told Matheson became obsessed with Ms van Blanken after their break-up, often turning up unannounced at her home and workplace.

The prosecution said Matheson killed Ms Blanken because he could not bear to see her move on.

Two weeks after the murder, police stopped Matheson early in the morning "lurking suspiciously" in a quiet Coogee street.

In his backpack they found what one source described as a "body disposal kit": a small axe, a pair of scissors, a Stanley knife, three pairs of surgical gloves, two torches, a candle and candle holder, newspaper, cling wrap, concentrated deodoriser and a bottle of holy water.

Police found Ms van Blanken's body on January 10 after residents at the Queen Street apartments complained of a foul smell.

Two days later Matheson saw the television news reporting the body had been identified, went to his father, showed him a recording of the news item and said: "I think I did that".

The next day police executed a search warrant on Matheson's house.

In his bedroom they found song lyrics in which he described the circumstances of the murder and several hours of dictaphone recordings in which he talked about Ms van Blanken.

Sentencing submissions will be held on Monday, February 6.

Disney to Release Newest Animated Feature in REAL D Cinema

REAL D, the leader in the delivery of premium 3-D experiences, announced today that Disney's newest animated feature, "Meet the Robinsons," will be presented in REAL D Cinema starting December 2006. This announcement follows the historic success of REAL D Cinema's presentation of Disney's "Chicken Little" in 3-D, which has generated more than $7 million through Thanksgiving weekend - nearly three times the screen average of 2-D - since opening Nov. 4. REAL D also announced today plans to expand to Japan with the installation of the first two REAL D Cinema screens at Oriental Land Company's AMC Ikspiari 16 and Warner Mycal's Tama for the presentation of "Chicken Little" starting Dec. 23, 2005.

"Meet the Robinsons" is the latest feature film to be added to the growing roster of REAL D Cinema presentations. Earlier this year, Columbia Pictures announced plans to present "Monster House" in REAL D Cinema starting July 21, 2006.

"The success of 'Chicken Little' in 3-D validates the success of the REAL D Cinema format," said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman, REAL D. "We look forward to continuing to work with Disney and other studios, along with our exhibition partners, to make digital 3-D a mainstream reality for theater audiences worldwide."

"The tremendous performance of 'Chicken Little' in 3-D proves how dramatically REAL D Cinema is changing the theatrical landscape," said Chuck Viane, President, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. "We're thrilled with the possibility of amplifying the success of Disney Digital 3-D by delivering 'Meet the Robinsons' to hundreds of REAL D Cinema screens next year."

Currently, 89 theaters in the United States, Canada and Mexico are equipped with REAL D Cinema systems. REAL D will announce additional exhibition partners in the coming months as the company works towards its goal of equipping more than 1,000 screens globally over the next two years to accommodate the future release of 3-D content, including motion pictures and live events.

To locate a REAL D Cinema, please go to www.REALD.com.

ABC's 'Commander in Chief' tries to have it both ways

At the Commonweal magazine gala dinner in New York City in September, the evening’s first pleasant surprise was a short talk by Kathleen Sebelius. To many, this was our first exposure to the Democratic governor of the predominantly Republican state of Kansas. But quickly the buzz went: Might she be the next president of the United States?

ABC was way ahead of us. That same month it launched “Commander in Chief,” starring Geena Davis. The series focuses on Mackenzie Allen, an Independent grafted onto the Republican ticket as vice president only to have the president-elect die before taking office. Actually, the dying president had asked her to resign to make way for a party successor, Nathan Templeton (Donald Sutherland), speaker of the House. But Mac Allen, indignant at a sexist remark, decides to keep the job.

From that moment on “Commander in Chief” is not just the story of a woman suddenly thrust in over her head proving she’s up to the job but a scenario for American politics for the next two years when the two parties decide not just whether a woman should run for president but which women will run and what will they do to each other.

One of the writers worked for Hillary Clinton, so we are warned that President Allen’s Tuesday night victories may be laying the subliminal groundwork for Sen. Clinton’s campaign. In an excerpt from his coming book Condi vs. Hillary in the Manchester Guardian, former Clinton operative Dick Morris contends that Hillary is on an “uncontested trajectory” to win the Democratic nomination in 2008 and only Republican Condoleezza Rice can stop her.

The theme of “Commander in Chief” is not merely that Allen is capable but that she is Superwoman -- smarter, more politically adept and tougher than the men who hover around and warn her to slow down and listen to their better judgments. That she rejects their advice has made her a feminist hero to Nation columnist Katha Pollitt, who writes that this “feminist fantasy” gives her a thrill. She loves Geena Davis, who is “so unflappable and warm and confident and kind and clever, to say nothing of gorgeous and six feet tall.”

The plots however are more soap opera or “Sherlock Holmes” than “The West Wing.” The great detective waits in his Baker Street apartment, a petitioner brings a mystery. Holmes spies the arch criminal Professor Moriarty’s hand at work. Here Moriarty is the malevolent Templeton, determined to become president himself, smiling in Allen’s face but sabotaging her at every turn.

The story unfolds on two levels: domestic and political. Mac’s husband, Rod (Kyle Secor), accustomed to being No. 1 adviser, is sidelined by the White House staff. Should he accept the offer to become commissioner of baseball, which would give him independent status? Mac and Rod force their son and daughters to go to public schools. Son Horace (Matt Lanter) is flunking a class and starts a fight on the basketball court when a student criticizes Mom. Daughter Rebecca (Caitlin Wachs) loses her diary, which contains bad stuff about Mom, and is lured to a party by a cool guy who secretly films his attempt to seduce her in his bedroom.

Meanwhile, the president of Russia arrives for a summit. The air is tense. President Allen is reluctant to admit Russia into the World Trade Organization and Russia is reluctant to release an American journalist from prison. Our Mac Allen acts extra nice to the Russian’s wife and gets the president out on the dance floor where she clinches a deal.

Another motif recurs: Allen must prove she is as tough as any man, so she does what “men” would do in the same circumstances: She uses force. She readies the Marines to invade Nigeria to rescue a woman about to be executed for adultery. She sends fighter bombers to destroy cocoa fields in a tiny Latin American country to provoke a coup against the president responsible for killing American drug agents. These are small fry operations, like Reagan’s invasion of Grenada and Bush Sr.’s invasion of Panama. But all these killed innocent people. And we aren’t told how many farmers die when President Allen bombs their crops.

The worst have-it-both-ways episode is a “ticking bomb” scenario in which terrorists threaten to blow up some high schools and an adviser convinces President Allen to hand over the suspect to skilled interrogators. “I don’t want to hear about torture,” the president tells her. The suspect talks, and the schools don’t blow up. A win. Templeton meets Allen in the corridor and congratulates her for having a “do-what-you-have-to-do” spine he had not previously perceived. It dawns on the president that she has been duped into authorizing torture. She gives a stern lecture against torture and fires her adviser.

But what will the TV audience remember? That Geena Davis is against torture or that torture works?

As this is being written, “Commander in Chief” has fallen out of the top 10 network ratings. I want it back. And I want to see her take on tougher issues: Roe v. Wade, health care, the pharmaceutical industry, gun control, the death penalty and the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, what about 2008? My information is that Dick Cheney, now an embarrassment to Bush, will be forced to resign to be replaced by Condoleezza Rice, to set her up to run against Hillary Clinton. More liberal Democrats, sensing the national antipathy to Hillary, who has never regretted voting for the Iraq war, will draft Geena Davis to quit the TV series and run against her for the nomination.

ESPN's 'CodeBreakers' breaks no new ground

It bothers me to criticize ESPN's latest made-for-TV movie, CodeBreakers, because I admire the network's trend of finding a compelling moment in American sports history and reminding us of the drama in our mutual past.

Still, there is Basic Movie Rule No. 3 that ESPN has forgotten:

"Thou Shall Not Be Dull."

CodeBreakers is mind-dumbingly dull.

The flick, which debuts at 9 p.m. Saturday on ESPN, deals with the 1951 Army powerhouse football team and a West Point cheating scandal that led to the discharge of 83 cadets, including 37 members of the team.

I have a theory. You want to hear it? My theory is that anyone who makes a movie for TV is terrified of that clicker in your hand. A movie on TV can be discarded in an instant.

Because of this reality, TV movies are more like CliffsNotes. We are immediately shown the main characters with quick tips to their roles in the film. And before the first commercial break, we know what this movie is about -- hard-but-fair coach, terrific team, too much pressure, cheating on exams, scandal on the way.

Can you say "superficial?"

Four teachers nominated for 2006 Disney awards

Marlboro Middle School math teacher Terry Castoria, science teacher Kathy Donohue, Spanish teacher Lina Cifuentes, and Robertsville Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Sandy Cook are each being recognized for their creativity and success in the classroom as a Disney Teacher Award nominee.

These teachers join colleagues from across the country who have been recognized by their communities. The next step in the awards process is for the four Marlboro teachers to submit an application to be considered for the 2006 Disney Teacher of the Year Award, according to a press release from the Marlboro K-8 School District.

"To have four of our staff being recognized as Disney Teacher Award nominees simply confirms what we have always known — that the Marlboro public schools attract top-notch teachers who are dedicated to providing the very best education for our children. We are very proud of them," Superintendent of Schools David C. Abbott said.

Since 1989, Disney Teacher Awards have been presented to teachers who construct learning environments where students and teachers alike explore, imagine and engage in a variety of stimulating ideas and experiences. Specifically, the program honors those teachers whose approaches exemplify creativity in teaching and who inspire a joy of learning in their students.

In addition to letters of recommendation, the nominees will be submitting an application that includes several professional reflection essays describing their individual classrooms and approaches to teaching, the impact of high stakes testing, how they approach collaboration in their respective schools and careers, and an event that shaped them as a teacher. A committee comprised of education experts from around the country will then review the nominee applications and select the 2006 Disney Teacher Award honorees.

The honorees will be announced in late spring and celebrated at an awards gala in June. During the gala, four honorees will be selected as outstanding teachers and one will be named the 2006 Disney Teacher of the Year. In addition, the honorees each receive $10,000, a $5,000 grant for their schools, and a six-day professional development institute with their principals at the Walt Disney World Resort. At the institute, teachers share ideas to refine their innovative teaching approaches and learn how to engage other teachers to build an effective, collaborative teaching culture at their schools.

ABC Blew It By Not Showing Reggie White Ceremony

I am furious and I need to vent. I was hosting my radio show during Mon Night Football, and even though the Seattle Seahawks were blowing out the Philadelphia Eagles, I instructed my audience to tune me out and switch to ABC to watch the retirement ceremony of Reggie White's No. 92 in front of the Philadelphia faithful. I feel terrible that I gave my audience the wrong information, because ABC decided not to show the ceremony, but instead tried to entertain us with a song and a dumb comedy bit.

Monday Night Football has a deal in place with country singer Tim McGraw to play his song "I like it, I love it" along with the highlights from the previous week in the NFL. McGraw changes the lyrics each week to match the corresponding highlights, and even my two young sons dance in front of the TV because they love the beat and the football highlights. But ABC missed the boat this Monday, when they should have played a package of White's best plays instead. How about the McGraw song with a few images of the "Minister of Defense" and the fans in Philadelphia cheering at the top of their lungs?

ABC blew it and went from the McGraw segment into a 60-second comedy piece with Jimmy Kimmel. I like Kimmel and watch his late-night show almost every night, but his bit about the similarities between Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid was pathetic. Kimmel even brought in former wide receiver Sterling Sharpe to play along with this supposed comedy bit and made fun of the fact that both Reid and Holmgren are overweight and even compared them to PGA golfer Craig Stadler.

Think of the members of White's extended family that couldn’t make the trip patiently waiting at home for the tribute that never made it on screen. Imagine what Holmgren and Reid will think after they watch a tape of the broadcast and find out that they were being ridiculed while their former player was being honored on the field?

Researchers Receive $1.3 Million from Disney for Wildlife Efforts

Endangered species on five continents are benefiting from $1.3 in awards recently distributed by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). Projects studying sea turtles, elephants, butterflies, dolphins and gorillas are among the 80 recipients for 2005.

"These awards represent a tremendous commitment to conservation shown by our guests and cast members throughout the year," said Beth Stevens, vice president of Disney's Animal Programs. "They have experienced the wonder of wildlife and have been moved to contribute to the future of wild places, which is paramount to the success of long-term conservation efforts. We have personally visited several projects and continue to be impressed with not just the dedication, but the scope of what these groups are doing to benefit wildlife and people," she said.

Disney guests contribute to the DWCF through a variety of locations, including Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, The Living Seas at Epcot and Disney Cruise Line. The office of worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company supplements the DWCF to make even more projects possible, and Walt Disney World pays all the overhead for the DWCF program.

More than $8.5 million has been distributed to 450 projects since the DWCF began the annual awards in 1995, among them, Operation Migration which has been supported for six years. Operation Migration is a program that seeks to reintroduce migratory populations of endangered Whooping cranes into eastern North America. Each year, chicks are hatched and trained for the migratory route from Wisconsin to Florida. In another program, sea turtle biologists at the University of Florida Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research are working toward a conservation strategy for sea turtles in the Bahamas. "We have been working with Disney on many levels -- to study the movements of sea turtles in the Caribbean and also to monitor nests with Disney scientists at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. What we have accomplished together has contributed significantly to our understanding of these animals," says Center Director Karen Bjorndal.

Several organizations have been supported through DWCF, including noted elephant researcher Cynthia Moss. According to Moss, the support from the DWCF has been "a critical part of our efforts." Moss, founder of the Elephant Conservation Trust, studies elephant families in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. She says the funds enable her to work with the local Maasai community to ensure they recognize the value of sharing their land with the elephants.

For a complete listing of projects visit http://www.disneywildlifefund.com. Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit http://www.aza.org .

Meet Your New Dancing 'Stars'

Spamalot, Lion King Earn Top Honors at "Gypsy of the Year" 

Monty Python's Spamalot earned top fundraising honors in the 17th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition Dec. 5-6, raking in $367,084 toward a $2,972,721.15 total for the event, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

For the second year in a row, the sculpted dancers of The Lion King impressed the judges, winning the coveted award for best stage presentation.

Collected by more than 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring shows over the past six weeks in nightly curtain-call appeals, the total is the second-highest ever, behind 2003's $3,359,000 but ahead of 2004's $2,754,631 total.

The 2005 "Gypsy of the Year" competition gave two performances, Dec. 5 and 6 at the Neil Simon Theatre, hosted by Brad Garrett and Lee Wilkof of The Odd Couple. As has become custom, the event featured a mixture of satirical skits, inspirational songs, and virtuoso dance numbers, all performed by the "gypsies," the Broadway dancers who go from show to show and provide singing and dancing support to the leads. This year's event featured several stars as well, including Cathy Rigby, Rosie O'Donnell, Patti LuPone, Michael Cerveris, Huey Lewis and Harvey Fierstein. Favorite satirical targets included the Tourette's Syndrome musical In My Life and the spare revival of Sweeney Todd, in which the performers also double as the orchestra.

For the winning stage presentation, titled "I Remember He Said...," The Lion King offered two shirtless male dancers performing an elegant pas de deux to electronic music while the voices of young men, apparently dancers, related stories of how they suffered intolerance for being gay or different. One told the story of how his father, a bistro owner, warned that if the customers ever found out the boy was gay, "he would shoot me."

A majority of the competing shows' skits had a far lighter tone, most of them poking sharp-edged fun at themselves or other shows. The runner-up for best stage presentation was performed by the children of the soon-to-close Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, titled "Chitty Chitty Bye Bye," in which they wisecrackingly lamented the fact that their show was closing, to the tune of "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music.. Taking a shot at the prematurely closed The Blonde in the Thunderbird, the battle-hardened tykes moaned, "Being in a flop is sort of a bummer/It could be worse—we could be Suzanne Somers."

In one of a series of Don Rickles-like comments, co-host Garrett applauded them off, observing, "You know, midgets don't work enough."

Fundraising runners-up among musicals were last year's winner Wicked ($221,298), The Lion King ($137,118), Rent ($130,792) and Mamma Mia! ($129,034). The top fundraising national tour was Wicked ($214,000), the top fundraising Off-Broadway show was The Great American Trailer Park Musical ($34,662), and the top fundraising Broadway play was Doubt ($105,715).

BC/EFA channels the money to a variety of activities that support those living with AIDS, and support research into a cure. A special allotment of $25,000 was made this year to charities helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

The show opened with the production number “Just Once,” in which the female gypsies complained that men get all the good roles. The men complained the opposite. So they fulfilled their respective fantasies, with women dancing the “Luck Be a Lady” ballet, a man belting “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, women dressed as sailors singing “New York, New York” from On the Town, a man dancing “The Music and the Mirror” from A Chorus Line and a woman, as Pilate, wailing the title song from Jesus Christ Superstar. In a neat twist, a man played Peter Pan, and another sported a pregnancy to sing “The Story Goes On” from Baby.

Perennial favorites Officer Lockstock and doll-toting Little Sally (Don Richard and Jennifer Cody), characters from the long-closed Urinetown, did not disappoint as they aired Broadway’s dirty laundry. This year they appeared in straitjackets, explaining that the powers that rule Broadway had forced them to be brainwashed so they’d like everything—even thinking “a third vampire musical is a good idea” (a reference to the forthcoming Lestat following recent seasons’ flops Dance of the Vampires and Dracula: The Musical). The treatment apparently failed because they poured on the acid in a vaudeville routine lambasting current shows. After referring to The Color Purple as “Oprah-homa!," Little Sally was told that the brainwashing made her believe bad things didn’t exist. Wide-eyed, she replied, “So you mean Lennon didn’t happen?”

Officer Lockstock noted transit rules that allow police to inspect “random bags on the subway,” to which Little Sally incredulously asked, “The cast of Chicago takes the subway?”

Lockstock earlier observed, “They sure have tightened your braids, Little Sally!”

Hosts Garrett and Wilkoff offered a similarly tense comic duo, with the short, balding Wilkoff trying to stick to the script while the swarthy beanpole Garrett kept launching into streams of comic invective about life on Broadway. “I feel embraced [by the Broadway community]—but also chafed... I’m sweating like Nathan Lane eating a corndog.”

Referring to his height-challenged co-host Wilkof, Garrett said, “I feel like I should pick you up and thank the Academy.” Wilkof did a slow burn throughout and even stalked off at one point, leaving the spotlight to Garrett.

The cast of the Peter Pan revival presented auditions for their show in the form of the opening number from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They made fun of the numbing life on the road, and the fact that many in their cast are a wee bit old for their roles.

There was also no shortage of gay humor. Rigby herself appeared, but Tinkerbell would not join her. “What do you mean, ‘you’re intimidated by all the other fairies in the room’?”

The opening number of Spelling Bee was soon heard again, but this time performed by the cast of Spelling Bee in the style of the new Sweeney Todd, with the hollow-eyed, pale-faced cast punctuating the lyric honking on the kazoo, swatting conga drums, blatting on the trombone and once or twice wheezing on the digeridoo. “At last, my right leg is complete again,” intoned Todd Buonopane, the actor playing William Barfee, the foot speller.

In turn, the cast of Sweeney Todd poked fun at In My Life, whose main character suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, which causes him to erupt in expletives unexpectedly. Pretending to struggle as they tried to act and play instruments at the same time, the cast kept hitting clinkers, and then muttering curses. The skit was titled “Tourette’s Todd.”

For their part, the cast of In My Life celebrated 12-year-old Brynn Williams, the youngest gypsy ever to receive the Gypsy Robe (an opening night tradition). She came out in the Robe itself and cut loose with Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here.” In My Life may be closing, but Williams’ performance stopped the show at “Gypsy of the Year.”

Huey Lewis, currently appearing in Chicago, retooled his pop hit "The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll" to acknowledge "jukebox musicals," saying that the heart of rock 'n' roll is now on Broadway.

Fiddler on the Roof sent Tevye understudy Neal Benari out to lead his dancers in a tribute to “our little village of Times Square,” complete with live appearances by The Naked Cowboy (a street performer who plays guitar wearing nothing but briefs with a cowboy hat and boots) and a retiring officer of the Midtown North police precinct that serves Times Square. Benari also told the audience he had a special message from regular Tevye Harvey Fierstein, and then played a tape recording of Fierstein’s gravelly voice warning, “You’re never going on, Neal.”

Fierstein and co-star Rosie O’Donnell later appeared on the Neal Simon stage to help make announcements and hand out awards, with O’Donnell making a heartfelt plea on behalf of “TV stars who are vocally challenged but get the lead anyway.”

“Gypsy of the Year” winners were announced by Fierstein, Patti LuPone and Tim Curry. Paul J. Smith directed the event. The skit competition was judged by Walter Bobbie, Bryan Batt, Andrea McArdle, Judy Dove, Judy Kaye, Hal Luftig, Marian Duckworth Smith and John E. Walker.

Disney takes one compliant step forward, two invalid steps back

Last month, Disney Store UK confounded the web development community when it switched from its web-standards compliant website to a site which fails to meet even the basic accessibility needs of disabled people.

Launched in October last year, the accessible site was created by Conwy-based website developing company, Stuff and Nonsense, in collaboration with brand agency, Akiko, and internet technology and innovation company, Karova, which provided the e-commerce functionality.

Andy Clarke, creative director of Stuff and Nonsense and founder of Karova, says that Disney’s decision was an internal one but had nothing to do with the site's technical performance.

He recalls that the standards-compliant website was very well received and its performance extremely good. The company, which aims to develop accessible e-commerce solutions, worked with a wide variety of accessibility specialists around the world on the project.

Clarke comments: “The site that we created for Disney was one of the first major accessible and standard based e-commerce sites within the UK. It was the only site within the Disney empire which complied with the W3C guidelines and used a valid XHTML code and CSS for the layout.”

He adds: “It was undoubtedly a real example in showing large corporations that accessible and standard-based e-commerce site could be delivered without compromising on brand, design or visual appeal.”

Like many, Andrea Kennedy, web accessibility officer at Shaw Trust, the pan-disability charity which also provides web accessibility audits, was puzzled by Disney’s decision.

She says: “I do find it strange that such a large organization as Disney that has such a 'warm and caring' image would give accessibility a seemingly low priority."

There are three levels of compliance with Web Accessibility Initiative standards; A, AA and AAA. After a quick look at the new site, Kennedy pinpointed a number of accessibility issues that would need to be remedied to achieve even level A compliance.

She explains: “One such problem would be that a non-sighted user using a screen reading software would not be able to use the combo boxes within the search facility. In this instance there were 67 items to choose from but because of the JavaScript activating on a keystroke, a non-sighted user would only be able to listen to the first option.”

In addition, there are numerous accessibility problems or issues such as the site being tables-based, using non-valid HTML and using images to display information, without providing a text alternative in the mark-up.

Kennedy says: “It does seem really unusual that somebody will actually take a step backward, especially when everybody at the moment is fighting to get their website as accessible as possible.”

In Kennedy's experience, local authorities are currently at the forefront of web accessibility. Clackmannanshire, which has recently become the first local authority website in the country to achieve accessibility accreditation from The Shaw Trust, is a good example.

Community internet groups, people and organizations that work with people with disabilities, and governmental agencies, are also taking on board the need for accessible websites. Even SMEs show a certain level of awareness, whereas large corporations appear to show laxity.

“As far as large organizations go, they are aware no doubt of legal compliances, but there seems to be, in my opinion, a little bit of an attitude that would say there have been no legal cases that have really come out, so I don’t think it’s going to bother me. But I do anticipate a bit of a backlash there," says Kennedy.

She adds: “If Disney require any information on this subject or would like to discuss any accessibility issues, then the Shaw Trust Web Accreditation team would be more than happy to meet with them.”

Of the public reaction to Disney's decision, Clarke comments: “It does show that when a company goes from a standards-compliant and accessible site to a site which is not compliant and not accessible, they must be aware that they will face at the very least, public ridicule and at worst, legal action.”

At the time of publishing, Disney Store UK had yet to respond to Ping Wales' numerous calls for comment.

Disney on the Mobile for Thailand

MovieSeer says that it has signed an agreement with the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) to develop and distribute Disney branded mobile content for the Thailand market. Having experienced joint success in Thailand, with past Disney-movie related mobile promotions, Walt Disney Internet Group and MovieSeer have decided to extend their relationship further. This latest agreement allows MovieSeer to launch a Disney Mobile service via Thai mobile phone operators within Q4 2005, making mobile content based on Disney characters available to the more than 20 million Thai mobile subscribers.

The content will be based on Disney's line-up of classic characters including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, as well as characters from modern Disney classics such as The Lion King, and more recent blockbusters such as Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles. Other compelling mobile content will be introduced on a regular basis such as horoscopes, interactive stories, light-educational games, and other content enjoyable to all mobile users.

"As the Thai mobile market matures, mobile subscribers will increasingly demand sophisticated branded mobile content; the type of content that Disney is delivering across Asia, starting in one of the most advanced and developed markets, Japan. We are looking forward to working closely with MovieSeer to bring Disney Mobile content to Thai mobile phone users, as the market strives to duplicate the success of Japan." said Duncan Orrell-Jones, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for WDIG's Asia Pacific.

Principal Disney is pretty animated

This school principal can wear goofy ties and get away with it.

It comes with the territory when your last name is Disney.

Howard Disney’s name is a hit with students at Stratton Elementary School.

“It is just cool to say,” said 10-yearold student Savannah Long.

“It is easy to remember,” said classmate Jordyn Kratky, 10.

“It is also good professionally,” Disney said. “When I meet people they tend to remember me.”

Sharing the same last name as the great cartoon creator hasn’t always been a laughing matter for the 36-year-old Colorado Springs native.

“It didn’t get to be where it was actually a cool thing until I started teaching,” he said.

“When I was growing up the name Disney was more of a curse. I’ve heard all kinds of Disney and Mickey Mouse jokes.

“One time I was in a college class, one of those auditorium seating classes, must have been a couple hundred kids in there. The teacher was going through the roll . . . Anderson, Beckworth and he comes down to the D’s and he kind of chuckles and I’m thinking, man, here we go again, and he says, ‘We have someone famous here today,’ and he says my name, and asks if I was related. I said, ‘Of course.’”

“People always ask, and I always tell them I am.”

Sure enough, he can boast ties to Uncle Walt.

“He’s a great-great uncle’s brother or something,” the principal said. “I make it sound like I am a lot more closely related. It is always good for shock."

Does he get free admission to Disney World?

“I pay like everyone else,” he said. “A few years ago when I was down there I showed my ID. They started laughing. It didn’t help me at all.”

It isn’t a common name. There are only a few listed in the Colorado Springs phone book.

The name built his tie collection.

“I have a lot of Disney ties I get mostly as gifts from kids during holidays,” he said, sporting a Goofy tie. “This is the first tie I’ve worn twice this year.”

Disney park helps boost tourism in Hong Kong 

Casting Complete for New Disney Musical Tarzan 

Disney plans new 'Peter Pan' prequel 

Disneyland seeks actors for 'Aladdin' 

Celebrities Lend Helping Hand to The Help Group Gala Honoring Disney-ABC's Sweeney and Family 

FamilyFun.com Suggests Festive Family Nights at Home as Perfect Antidote to Hectic Holiday Schedules

Disney radio price off the dial for two 

Kimmel Winning in a Tie 

Mickey's undies to go on sale 

How a 'Lion' tamed New York's mean street 

Is 'Narnia' religious? Yes and no 

'Ollie' goes airborne over name use 

Legendary Boxing Promoter Don King Sues Disney and ESPN 

Dragon Booster

Disney park helps boost tourism in Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong Tourism Board representatives were in Orlando on Tuesday to tout the Chinese territory and promote a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign that starts next year.

Among the pluses: Gross domestic product surged by 8.2 percent in the third quarter, boosted by the new Hong Kong Disneyland, hotels and development. That followed a 7.3 percent growth rate in the second quarter, revised upward from 6.8 percent.

Tourism increased 5.9 percent in September compared with the same month a year ago, and 7.6 percent to 16.9 million people for the first nine months of the year.

But Hong Kong faces challenges as well, with calls for more democracy filling the streets with protesters, and preparations for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic that could smash the golden egg of tourism.

"The protests were peaceful. It's another example of how Hong Kong really is working very well" since the handoff of full control from Great Britain to China eight years ago, said Jeffrey Shubert, regional director of the Americas for the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Shubert said China has afforded Hong Kong considerable self-control, with no media censorship and the ability to start businesses and enjoy other freedoms. "People see that things have not changed for the worse," as many feared, said Shubert, who lived in Hong Kong for three years in the mid-1980s.

As for the threat from bird flu, Hong Kong is perhaps better prepared than any major city in the world because of its experience with SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, Shubert said. SARS brought international travel to a virtual halt in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia in 2003, when the mystery disease struck with little warning.

"They learned their lesson," Shubert said. "Hong Kong is much more aware of the realities of what can happen. They have taken major steps not only to prevent this [bird flu] but to prepare for it. They monitor everything that crosses the border, and they are obsessed with doing everything possible to deal with it."

SARS infected 1,755 in Hong Kong and killed 299 there before fizzling out for unexplained reasons.

Bird flu so far is mainly a killer of fowl, but scientists fear it might develop human-to-human transmission and kill millions of people. Some researchers say that still is unlikely, however, and the longstanding scientific thinking that pandemics occur with regularity has now been largely discarded.

Lillibeth Bishop, another Hong Kong Tourism Board representative from Los Angeles, said Hong Kong has more to offer than many world travelers might think, beyond the shopping and dining for which the city-island of 6.8 million people is best known. The recent opening of Disneyland grabbed headlines, but other new attractions and infrastructure have been added or are in the works, she said.

"Hong Kong is the only city in Asia in the top 10 world destinations for tourism," she said, and a new television ad campaign featuring Hong Kong is now running in cable-TV markets in key U.S. markets, including the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. "Florida is very important to us, especially South Florida," Bishop said.

Among the new features in Hong Kong is the Ngong Ping 360, a cable-car-style "skyrail journey" attraction that opens in early 2006. It will give visitors a stunning view of the green mountain scenery of Lantau Island and access to the Po Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha.

The new Hong Kong Wetland Park, near the Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, offers bird watchers a chance to see some of the more than 300 species that frequent the area.

Casting Complete for New Disney Musical Tarzan

Complete casting has been announced for the forthcoming Disney musical Tarzan, which will begin previews March 24, 2006, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Heading the cast in the vine-swinging title role will be Josh Strickland with Jenn Gambatese as Jane.

The cast will also feature Merle Dandridge as Kala, Shuler Hensley as Kerchak, Chester Gregory II as Terk, Timothy Jerome as Professor Porter and Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton. Daniel Manche and Alex Rutherford will alternate in the role of Young Tarzan.

The ensemble comprises Darrin Baker, Marcus Bellamy, Celina Carvajal, Dwayne Clark, Veronica deSoyza, Kearran Giovanni, Michael Hollick, Joshua Koback, Kara Madrid, Kevin Massey, Anastasia McCleskey, Rika Okamoto, Marlyn Ortiz, Whitney Ostenoski, John Oyzon, Andy Pellick, Angela Phillips, Stefan Raulston, Horace Rogers, Sean Samuels, Nick Sanchez, Niki Scalera, Natalie Silverlieb, J.D. Aubrey Smith and Rachel Stern.

In a statement Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, "The creative team for Tarzan has re-imagined, and in some cases, reinvented characters from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, and Disney’s animated film. We hope to bring a fresh perspective to the Tarzan legend, and we think that we have found a wonderful cast to make these roles their own.”

Tarzan will officially open May 10. Two-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (Aida, Carousel) will direct and design scenery and costumes for the new musical. Oscar and six-time Grammy Award winner Phil Collins has written the music and lyrics, "expanding his songs for Disney's film into a complete theatre score."

Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) has written the book, adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker and Noni White and based on the novel, "Tarzan of the Apes."

Choreography is by Meryl Tankard, with aerial movement by Pichón Baldinu (De La Guarda). Lighting design is by Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aida) and sound design is by John Shivers. Other members of the creative team include Paul Bogaev (Music Producer/Vocal Arrangements) and Doug Besterman (Orchestrations).

Phil Collins composed five songs for the 1999 film, "Disney's TARZAN," including "Two Worlds, One Family," "Strangers Like Me" and "You'll Be In My Heart," which won the 2000 Academy Award for Song of the Year, spent 10 weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.

The soundtrack went double platinum, while the film went on to "instant international success, grossing $447 million worldwide, with subsequent DVD sales in excess of 13 million units."

Collins makes his Broadway songwriting debut with Tarzan — he's penned music and lyrics for eight new songs for the Broadway production, which also borrows from his film score.

Respected designer Bob Crowley makes his Broadway directorial debut with the show. He won the Tony for his scenery for Aida and was acclaimed for his design for Mary Poppins in London.

Josh Strickland has been seen as Mark and Roger in the national tour of Rent. He was a national finalist on FOX-TV's "American Idol" and appeared on "Star Search 2004."

Jenn Gambatese played both Natalie Haller and Ed in last season's All Shook Up. On Broadway she has also been seen in Footloose, Hairspray and A Year with Frog and Toad. Gambatese was also part of Off-Broadway's Reefer Madness and both the European and North American tours of Fame.

The Richard Rodgers Theatre is located at 226 West 46th Street. Tickets are currently available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.DisneyonBroadway.com for more information.

Disney plans new 'Peter Pan' prequel

Peter and the Starcatchers will be Disney's next animated release, the studio has revealed.

The Peter Pan prequel is based on the 2004 children's book by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry, which charts the origins of Peter Pan. It will be scripted by Jay Wolpert, writer of Pirates of the Caribbean.

The story centers on Peter's experiences when he becomes a stowaway on a merchant ship. He finds a trunk full of a magical substance that allows people to fly, and has to save the day when the shipment is hijacked.

The Peter Pan theme has been popular with film-makers in recent years. Successful films include Peter Pan in 2003, last year's JM Barrie biopic Finding Neverland and the classic 1991 fantasy Hook, which starred Julia Roberts, Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams.

Disneyland seeks actors for 'Aladdin'

 

Auditions will be held for the Disneyland production of "Aladdin" on Sunday and Monday at Ballet Hawaii Studios at Dole Cannery.

Men and women are being sought for the title role of Aladdin and leading lady Jasmine (both must look about 18), the Genie (26 to 40s) and the bad guy, Jafar (35 to 55).

Auditions times are noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 11:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday. Bring a photo and résumé. An accompanist -- John Bryan, a veteran of Disneyland Tokyo and many local productions -- will be provided. Call 732-7733.

For full role requirements, visit www.DisneyAuditions.com.

Celebrities Lend Helping Hand to The Help Group Gala Honoring Disney-ABC's Sweeney and Family

More than 700 prominent entertainment industry executives, business and community leaders and a host of celebrities attended The Help Group Teddy Bear Ball 30th Anniversary Gala fundraiser in honor of 2005 Help Humanitarian Award recipients, Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television, her husband Philip H. Miller, attorney with Irell & Manella, and their two children, Christopher and Rosemary. The event raised a record-breaking $850,000 to support The Help Group’s schools and programs serving pre-Kindergarten though high school children with special needs on four major campuses in Southern California.

Country music superstar Martina McBride and Raven-Symone, star of the hit ABC TV “That’s So Raven,” joined more than 60 children with special needs in holiday musical performances that rocked the ballroom of The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Dec. 3. George Lopez, star of The George Lopez Show, and his wife Ann kicked off the evening’s festivities as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, joining The Help Group Children’s Choir, led by Help Group Performing Arts Director Sarah Taylor, for a rousing rendition of “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree.”

Celebrities who participated in the gala included Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher, James Denton, Nicollette Sheridan and Brenda Strong, Grey’s Anatomy Isaiah Washington, acclaimed actor Harry Hamlin and his wife Lisa Rinna, star of SOAPNET’S “Soap Talk.”

The Help Group President and CEO Dr. Barbara Firestone praised the Sweeney/Miller family for being remarkable humanitarians and thanked everyone for their friendship and support. “In 1975, we began our first special education class for children with developmental disabilities. We never could have predicted where we would be today,” she said. “This is a milestone year for The Help Group. Over the years, it has been a labor of love for everyone involved — as vibrant now as it was in the beginning — a labor of love that helps the children to realize their fullest potential. The need is great and so is our resolve to do all that we can. With your support, we will create brighter futures for many more children.

In his opening remarks, actor Harry Hamlin, best know for his role on LA Law, described The Help Group as one of LA’s most precious resources. Isaiah Washington described the The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s year-long fundraising campaign in celebration of The Help Group’s 30th anniversary.

James Denton spoke from the heart when he told the audience, “These days, it seems that everyone knows someone who has autism. I know someone who is very close to me — my nephew,” and applauded hosts of the organization’s autism awareness public service announcements, including celebrity parents of children with autism, Ed Asner, Gary Cole, Joe Mantegna and John Schneider.

President of Christie’s, Andrea Fiuczynski, led a lively auction with the help of celebrities Teri Hatcher, Nicollette Sheridan, Brenda Strong and Isaiah.

Martina McBride sang Let it Snow with the children, followed by a solo of her hit song, Blessed. She later touched the audience with a stirring honoree tribute performance of Over the Rainbow.

Accepting the Help Humanitarian Award on behalf of her family, Rosemary, a high school sophomore, was eloquent and inspirational, leaving many guests teary-eyed. “It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of my family. For my whole life, we’ve been a family dealing with autism. But we aren’t a family defined by it, and for that I thank my parents, our whole family, and our friends.” Chris has been a student at The Help Group for 10 years and he has been fortunate to have had great teachers and caring staff who taught him that he has the power to make a difference in the lives of others, she added. “Every Saturday for the last seven years, Chris has spent his time helping people with mental disabilities. Two years ago, I followed his lead, and now we volunteer together…. Every Saturday I watch Chris become a leader. Someone people look to for help, someone they depend on, and someone who makes a difference. To me, Chris’s challenges are just part of who he is and who we are. I don’t think about being in a family without autism. I’m happy with this one. I know all families have challenges. Everyone does. It’s what you do with those challenges that make a difference in the world.”

About The Help Group: Founded in 1975, The Help Group is one of the largest, most innovative and comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States serving children with special needs related to autism, Asperger’s disorder, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation, abuse and emotional problems. Its six specialized day schools offer pre-Kindergarten through high school programs for nearly 1,200 students on a daily basis. Its wide range of mental health and therapy services, child abuse, foster family and residential programs extend the organization’s reach to more than 5,000 children and their families each year. The Help Group’s state-of-the-art schools and programs with more 700 staff members on four major campuses in the Los Angeles area. The Help Group is inspired by its belief that dignity, hope, opportunity and love are the birthrights of all children. For more information about The Help Group, please call 818-779-5212 or visit www.thehelpgroup.org.