K-Bug's high school recently did Fiddler on the Roof. The lead grew his own beard and just powdered it for the show. It was FANTASTIC. And made all the kids with fake beards look silly.

Disney's having a hell of a time with its child stars. Course, this scandal is pretty mild, comparatively.

Which is what makes me think its manufactured.

But as soon as you can shave, you can start growing an awesome mustache!!!!

I wish they'd listen, because I do try and tell them they look stupid. I don't understand why my word counts for so little. I mean, are teen girls impressed?

I've been watching Ultimate Fighter on UFC, since apart from the stuntman and the standup comedian comedy show it's most targeted to my demographic. Except, ick. It's a bunch of men who can barely talk around their facial damage with some extremely sketchy facial hair. Soul patches are bad enough--why have an asymmetrical one? Who told you that didn't look like crap? I don't care if you can kick my ass.

Miley: I don't see the big deal. She's growing up and it's a tasteful shot - an Annie L. shot that she'll be happy to have when she's older. It's nothing compared to Britney's Lolita Rolling Stone spread at about the same age. Those were totally all kinds of wrong.

After getting recent interview requests to talk about Disney's Jonas Brothers, I've decided that the red flag for exploiting kid performers is pretty simple: is the family on the payroll.

They almost always are at that level and that almost always leads to some situation where they sign on to a tour of the Far East and with millions of dollars on the line, you shove your kid out on to stage with a fever of 100 degrees. Or some similar scenario where the kid's interests are not foremost.

So, Miley's already opted into the exploitation business. Or her parents did for her.

Also, I'll note that Annie Leibowitz is famous for asking people to take their shirts off for her photographs. Not just sexy starlets but old folks and famous writers and others. It's not usually sexualized but vulnerable and open.

Also, I'll note that Annie Leibowitz is famous for asking people to take their shirts off for her photographs. Not just sexy starlets but old folks and famous writers and others. It's not usually sexualized but vulnerable and open.

Absolutely. But if my daughter were 15 that would either sit on the mantle or wait until she was 18.

::stabinates erin's boss::

Miley seems to be one of the few in this bunch of star kids whose parents have some career other than her. I mean, Billy Ray hadn't really been in the public eye much between Achy Breaky Heart and Hannah Montana, but he still had those royalties and stuff, and it looks like he did have a bunch of songs in between that got some decent airplay on the country charts. With Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, on the other hand, it seems like the kids' careers are the only thing the parents have.

hey Kat, did you get my other email this morning?

I've decided that the red flag for exploiting kid performers is pretty simple: is the family on the payroll.

Isn't that true of every kid performer? I don't even think being the family breadwinner is a sure bet to be fucked-up -- look at Sarah Jessica Parker. She may or may not have been exploited, but she never flipped out.

I think Hil's point is a good one, that Miley was hardly the only way the Cyruses were getting dinner on the table. Most of the other Disney kids, though...