Pop's Publicity Push

Last year, actor Michael Douglas brought his dad an ice cream cone at the end of a show, publicly embracing father Kirk, forgiving him for whatever drawbacks he might have had as a father. [Earlier: Buy vs. Build] Now, the star of the past Wall Street is on the publicity path for the remake, releasing March.

Playing the father card — since that is a much more sympathetic public persona than old lech with young(ish) hottie — Douglas is talking of how he failed his felon son, 31, and might not be active enough to beat up the young studs who arrive on his doorstep when his six-year-old daughter is ready to step out  as a swan-like teen.

Curses

"But it's not my fault!"

Which father hasn't endured that plaintive progenal plea, often following some parental curse at events? Sometimes, of course, it is the child's fault, but it certainly seemed like a reasonable course of action at the time. Such a series of events is reported from Nakuru, Kenya.

Rather then celebrating and offering his blessing when he returned from a business trip to discover his son was newly married, Kelvin Ochoko cursed his son and caused him to be cast out of the local society. But it wasn't really his fault. Really.

Ochoko elder had been presumed dead when his family heard nothing from him for a long time after he went off to pursue money enough to make up for what his second wife's dowry cost him. And a body was found and identified as him. Soooooo..., in accordance with custom, childless Brian Ochoko, one of two sons took a wife. Actually, he took his father's new wife. This was the unfortunate surprise when dad finally came home. Thus, dad was declared alive (and cleansed). Dad cursed son. Son was cast out. His fault? Really?

The only good news for young Ochoko is that Justin Halpern, currently underemployed and living in his parent's house, has landed all sorts of attention by keeping track of his father's curses and other critical comments. He Twitters pop's invectives and agents, publishers and even film producers have all come calling. So get those thumbs moving BO.

Picture This

Somewhere there's a line separating what is and isn't appropriate daddy-daughter behavior. And it is a hard line to draw for another pairing, particularly when the judgment is being made based on celebrity photos.

Still, there is something creepy about the Billy Ray - Smiley Cyrus picture taken for the Vanity Fair article on daughter "Hannah Montana." [Earlier: Achy Breaky Dad] And Cyrus's explanation may be true, but it still isn't satisfying to read him explain the picture away as, "I'm sorry if I offended somebody, but that's just a daddy that loves his daughter a whole lot. I'm her daddy, she's my daughter so if a daddy hasn't hugged his daughter recently, I recommend he does."

And, yes, it is true as aspiring singer/porn star (?) Brooke Hogan says about the paparazzi pic of daddy Hulk rubbing suntan lotion on her backside that, "I know I'm a grown woman, but it's like he's touching an old car ... He used to change my diaper!" And it is also true that unlike the Cyri the Hogans didn't pose in the position so perhaps even more slack should be cut.

But neither one looks right and perhaps every pop needs not to condemn, but only consider from the flack-facers what his own actions look like from the outside — and whether or not he gives a damn about what others think about his daughter((s) and/or sons) and him.