Tigger Vs. Teen
(CBS/The Early Show)
The Monaco family was posing with Tigger while Jerry filmed them with his video camera. Suddenly, Jerry's teenaged son, Jerry Jr., was "smack[ed] in the face" by Tigger, as "Early Show" anchor Hannah Storm characterized it. Jerry Sr. called the incident a "sucker punch." Jerry Jr., who later "woke up with neck pain," was eventually taken to the hospital for treatment. As of this morning, Jerry Jr. says, "most of the pain is gone 'cause I have medicine."
Here at Public Eye, we've long been opposed to people dressed as fictional characters punching teenagers in the face. But we urge you to watch the video of the incident and decide for yourself what, exactly, Tigger did – the "Early Show" helpfully plays the video over and over during the course of the interview.
We can sort of understand why the "Early Show" had the Monacos on – video footage like this is hard to resist, and the folks at the "Early Show" have a couple hours to fill in the morning. But we'd like to think that we would have brought somewhat more skepticism to the table than Storm, who did not challenge the family's characterization of the incident.
To her credit, Storm did ask, at the end of the interview, what the family was hoping to get from Disney. And while the Monaco's lawyer said only that they want an apology, it's safe to assume that the family is open to compensation. As for the interview, it took place because both sides got something out of it – the "Early Show" was able to run some moderately compelling video, and the Monacos got a platform that allowed them to put pressure on Disney. Everybody, it seems, was a winner. Well, except maybe Tigger. And Disney. And us.
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To Disney: Give Tigger his job back!
The kid and father need to be arrested for filing a false police report! It is VERY obvious the kid was trying to yank the head off the actor.
Disney is VERY strict about keeping heads on costumed characters and stiff about the penalties for not abiding to that. This is a clear attempt of Jr. trying to %u201Cde-head%u201D Tigger and get it caught on tape! I wouldn%u2019t be surprised if dad was behind the whole thing as well. (With a plan of getting money for %u201Cruining his trip%u201D, if the process failed OR succeeded.)
Shame on the Monaco%u2019s for their extortion attempts! They need to come clean and/or Jerry Sr. AND Jr. need to pay the price for lying to not only the public, but to the Police
How can supposed news professionals accept a story at face value that a costumed employee decided to assault a theme park guest for no reason at all? If you watch the video even once, it is convincing that the kid is doing something. As Tigger attempts to move away, Jerry Monaco Jr's arm moves with Tigger instead of slipping away, which suggests that he was either grabbing on to something, pulling a zipper, or sticking his hand into Tigger's head.
Sadly, Disney will probably pay to make this problem go away, and possibly the employee will be fired or reprimanded unfairly. But the way that the news media treats this story is a shame and one more reason I have no respect for television news as a legitimate source. Finally, this wouldn't even be considered newsworthy by any real standards... it should not have caught the attention of the Early Show. Shame.
Second, this dad is clearly using his son in an attempt to score big against Disney. It is so obvious the kid is up to something behind the character's back. I've been to Disney properties a number of times and I have to say so many of the kids 10-15 seem to take it as a challenge to see what they can get away with in regards to the characters. I think the kid is lucky he didn't get worse.
Want to know why tickets prices are so high at Disneyland and DisneyWorld? Part of it is the insurance premiums to cover ridiculous lawsuits and settlements over frivolous claims like this one!
Finally, look for the following down the road from this family: wife divorcing this crackpot scammer, junior in rehab and younger siblings in counseling. They appear to epitomize the term 'dysfunctional family' Sad...sad...sad.
And also try owning up to your responsibility. You want an apology only, I'm sure Disney would more be happy to provide one, but you and your kid need to provide one to Disney also. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Make an example for others in the world and apologoze for your actions. Listen to your lawyer and it will get you nothing. Maybe Disney might even provide some compensation of park tickets or special passes. I'm sure that would be good business for them too. But you and your son need to provide the apology here! You put tigger into a dangerous situation that could have been harmful to others even your younger children.
Look at the picture and really tell everyone in the world your kid didn't do anything! Or tell everyone it was a mistake and teach your kid something he'll rmember the rest of his life.
- by dbroker1982 January 8, 2007 2:58 PM EST
- This kid obviously pinched or poked Tigger in the back area during the photo as you can clearly see Tigger reacting to something the kid was doing by pushing him away. This family is a bunch of liars by blaming Tigger for this incident. Once again it's parents not teaching there kids personal responsibility. This kid is not telling his parents what HE DID to cause this reaction from Tigger. Anyone will half a brain can see from the video he did something! The kid should apologize to Tigger and the parents and their lawyer should crawl back under their rocks instead of looking for free money from Disney for NOTHING. The nerve of idiots nowadays!
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