Would Rudolph Come Out Early?

A lot of people are getting worked up over Florida high school quarterback Tim Tebow, a fact which, we mentioned earlier, somewhat weirds us out. But when you think about it, is the situation any different from what's going on in the beloved Rankin/Bass Christmas TV production Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Consider the Reindeer Games — as explained in the show, a series of athletic contests where adolescent reindeer compete to get coveted future berths pulling Santa's sleigh (a tough starting lineup to crack, by the way — it's been virtually unchanged for more than 60 years). You've got your reindeer coach with a whistle (Comet), your young Tim Tebow (Fireball) and your unrealistic parent (Rudolph's dad, Donner), who wants that scholarship so bad he can taste it. And Rudolph, who is ostracized by his peers due to a deformity, mocked even by the adults. Until he makes the team, that is. Is this the message we should be sending to kids? Something to think about, anyway, as you watch this year — we mean, despite wondering what the deal is with Hermie, the elf who wants to be a dentist.

Gators Get Their Man [The Wizard Of Odds]