December 7th, 2010
01:00 PM ET

Gotta Watch: Kettle charity, Pacino's sober decisions, kids get 'Urkeled'

What's in your kettle? There are still quite a few days left in the holiday season, and Salvation Army bell-ringers are receiving generous but unusual donations. A few days ago, it was reported that a rare coin was anonymously placed in a kettle in Dallas, and in Pennsylvania, the organization received a diamond ring and wedding band wrapped in a dollar bill.

'Dog Day Afternoon' without Al Pacino? It almost happened. On "Larry King Live," the legendary actor said he turned down the iconic role but reconsidered because he reread the script sober. Pacino looked back on his most celebrated roles, such as Tony Montana in "Scarface," and said few people realize that the line "Say hello to my little friend" came from Oliver Stone, who wrote the script.

And ... Michael Corleone speaks - What’s an Al Pacino interview without a question about the Corleones? Here, Pacino talks about why so many people relate to “The Godfather.” The clip is long, but it’s a must-see for Pacino fans.

You've been 'Urkeled': A middle school principal in Tennessee is calling out the fashion police on students wearing baggy pants. Offenders get their droopy drawers zip-tied so they look like nerdy Steve Urkel from the TV sitcom "Family Matters," and they have their photos posted on a wall of shame.

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Filed under: Education • Gotta Watch • Holidays • Movies • Pennsylvania • Showbiz • Texas
soundoff (78 Responses)
  1. McDuck

    I soiled myself. This is the second time in the past 30 minutes.

    December 7, 2010 at 11:42 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Richard

    First, it is not bullying (as some people have posted). It is teaching kids respect for themselves. Cosby had it right when he said black kids want respect, but do little to earn it. They talk and act and dress like thugs, that's how they are going to be treated.
    My daughter dated a black and I flat refused to allow him in my house until he buckled up those pants – and he did. That kid is now in college and out of the baggy pants – because AN ADULT did the right thing.
    I can promise you many parents of these kids either don't know their kids are dressing that way or don't care. But the teachers do, and taking that action is not bullying.
    They are teaching them to dress and behave in a manner that will garner them respect not only from others, but for themselves.
    Those who throw out lawsuit and teachers stepping over the line don't seem to get it.
    They are not beating those kids – they are not bullying those kids. They are teaching them self respect. And someone that mad mention of prison – they are right; and that is what these young kids are doing; emulating prison dress thinking it's cool and hip. It's not – it's leading them to prison.
    So what that teachers are doing something off-the-wall – nothing else has worked; and this seems to be working.
    Give it a try – what's it going to hurt – a bruised ego that does heal?

    December 7, 2010 at 11:45 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Richard

    One other thing: If we keep worrying about a bruised ego from a child, and continue to pamper and coddle these kids, they are never going to learn that life can be hard, and it's going to take a thick skin to get through it.
    All we do is worry about damaging a child emotionally with petty little squabbles like this – fearing it's going to humilate them.
    What's going to hurt them is whent they get out in the real world and find life can be tough – and sometimes going through tough times in school will help deal with the tough times that life will hand them.

    December 7, 2010 at 11:51 pm | Report abuse |
  4. sunbum

    Now if all schools would follow suit & use this method- also I must commend this school for having the teachers & staff dress like professionals. Schools in California see to allow the teachers to dress like the kids. I have seen teachers in flip-flops, severly wrinkled clothes, & very short skirts. Looking like you have authority is the first step in getting it.

    December 8, 2010 at 1:30 am | Report abuse |
  5. nijode

    The fashion police need to give it a rest. We do this to kids because we can, not because it has ever been shown to solve any problems. You have proof that it does? Where is it? There never has been any proof that rules against low riding pants, tight pants, short skirts, hooded sweatshirts, long hair or any of the other items aging schools administrators have found so offensive over the years has done anything other than convince teenagers that adults were not to be trusted. You want to help these kids? Educate them, quit scapegoating what you personally do not like.

    December 8, 2010 at 1:41 am | Report abuse |
  6. jimiamn

    I've never understood the pants hanging too low style, and think it looks really moronic. When I was in school you couldn't even wear a fancy belt buckle. The teachers and principals could swat you across the back of the head, and if you talked back it was down to the boiler room with the principle and his paddle. When you were seen going with the principle it spread to everyone in school. There were only a defiant few who didn't fear that scenario. I had my knuckles smacked with a hardwood pointer for asking the guy next to me a question when I couldn't hear what the instructor said during class. If you didn't dress per code you would get suspended and your parents were notified. If you talked during study hall or class without permission you got detention and got to walk home afterward. Do I feel sorry for the kids today? Give me a break!!

    December 8, 2010 at 1:49 am | Report abuse |
  7. OmahaAnnie

    Wearing low saggy pants began in the prisons to show that you were taken and "had".

    December 8, 2010 at 5:02 am | Report abuse |
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