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Critics of Baby Einstein DVDs say Disney pressed landlord to evict them

iteach — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:04:59 +0000

Remember those studies showing that Baby Einstein DVDs are more likely to turn Junior into a Baby Homer Simpson? You know, the studies that helped the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood persuade Walt Disney Co. to offer full refunds to parents who were under the impression that the company’s videos were supposed to be educational? Understandably, Disney — which acquired Baby Einstein Co. in 2001 — wasn’t happy to be viewed as acknowledging that its products were scholastically worthless. (For its part, Disney says the money-back guarantee demonstrates the degree to which it stands behind the videos.) Apparently the Burbank-based media behemoth has responded by pressuring the Campaign’s landlords to evict the tiny children’s advocacy group from its Boston office. The New York Times reports that the Campaign's director, Susan Linn, and the head of its Media Center, Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, were contacted by their landlord a few weeks after the refund offer was publicized last fall. The landlord, a Harvard-affiliated children’s mental health center called Judge Baker Children’s Center, made an unusual request. According to the New York Times:“The Judge Baker staff informed us they didn’t want us to talk to the press, or to say anything about Baby Einstein,” Poussaint said. “They suggested to me that Disney was threatening to sue Judge Baker.” It was an odd request, considering that the Judge Baker Children’s Center had just decided to h…[...]

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Critics of Baby Einstein DVDs say Disney pressed landlord to evict them

Matt Damon: Daughters In Awe Of Meeting Mandela

iteach — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:04:58 +0000

George Pimentel/WireImage Having a parent in the public eye certainly brings about its fair share of perks. For Matt Damon’s daughters, having a famous dad recently meant a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Nelson Mandela. “That was one of the great thrills of my life,” the actor raves during a recent appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. While in Africa filming his latest movie Invictus, Matt and his wife Luciana were approached about a possible get-together with the former South African president. “They said, ‘Madiba is going to be nearby and we could go see him,” he recalls. The couple initially turned down the offer. “My wife and I said, ‘You know what, we would rather give him the gift of five minutes where he doesn’t have to take a picture and make small talk with somebody,’” he admits. Insisting that he was up for the visit, the Damons’ excitement quickly turned to shock when it was suggested they bring along their three girls as well. “So we did … it was amazing to watch him,” he marvels. “Lucy and I didn’t even talk to him, we just let him hang out with the kids. He bounced them on his knee.” Noting that it was “great to watch the kids get that they were in the presence” of Mandela, the actor was struck by then 2-year-old Isabella’s insight minutes prior to the special occasion. “We were standing outside waiting for security…[...]

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Matt Damon: Daughters In Awe Of Meeting Mandela

Post-Baby Gisele & Tom, Kristen Covers Joan Well, & Madonna Is a Marriage Ref

iteach — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:05:02 +0000

Gisele Bundchen emerges after the birth of baby Benjamin to promote the WWF’s Earth Hour with Tom Brady. Kristen Stewart, meanwhile, proves that she really can sing, and Madonna joins Larry David and Ricky Gervais on The Marriage Ref – get the whole scoop on PopSugar Rush![...]

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Post-Baby Gisele & Tom, Kristen Covers Joan Well, & Madonna Is a Marriage Ref

Al Franken Jokes, But Google Fiber Is No Laughing Matter

iteach — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:05:00 +0000

Minnesota seeks to distinguish itself in the increasingly reality TV-esque race to convince Google to build a high-speed fiber optic network there with a video featuring junior US Senator (and former comedian) Al Franken. It’s funny stuff, but also serious business as Google shakes up the notoriously uncompetitive ISP business just by showing up.[...]

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Al Franken Jokes, But Google Fiber Is No Laughing Matter

Former NFL star, actor Merlin Olsen dies

iteach — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:04:59 +0000

Hall of Fame football player and actor Merlin Olsen has died after a long battle with cancer. Fellow broadcaster Dick Enberg described him as “the complete man.”…[...]

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Former NFL star, actor Merlin Olsen dies