Of Human Interest: News-lite

MOVIE MADNESS

ConAgra Foods says it believes it has set a new record for continuous moving-watching.

The company, which makes ACT II brand microwave popcorn, sponsored a three-day movie marathon March 1-3 in Minneapolis. 28 movies were shown back-to-back during the ACT II PopFest. Out of the original 34 contestants, 12 people lasted the entire 53 hours and 22 minutes. The prior Guinness World Record was 50 hours, 55 minutes -- set in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 2000.

Those seeking to set the new record had to stay awake for the entire event and watch every movie, from the beginning sequence to the final credits. Five-minute breaks were allowed after each movie and a 15-minute break after every third movie. Throughout the weekend, a total of 585 pounds of ACT II popcorn was consumed by movie buffs who packed the theater around the clock.

The record-breakers will receive a year's supply of ACT II Microwave Popcorn, and they'll also be featured on special packages of the popcorn. Pending approval, they may also receive recognition from the Guinness World Record people as the new record holders for continuous movie watching.

YOU JUST CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE

When officials at the Dr. Pepper soft-drink company tried to foster a spirit of national unity after Sept. 11, they didn't anticipate the trouble they were getting into.

The company printed up 41 million special cans with a small graphic of the Statue of Liberty and the words "One nation ... Indivisible" on them. But, as PR Week reports in its March 11 issue, efforts -- led by the conservative American Family Association -- left the company awash in e-mail messages complaining that the words "Under God" had been omitted from the phrase, which itself was taken from the Pledge of Allegiance.

According to Phillipa Dworkin, a corporate communications vice president for the company, the decision to delete the religious reference was made for considerations of space, not political correctness.

After 15,000 e-mail messages, the AFA dropped its campaign when the company ran out of the cans and promised that it would not print anymore.

(From UPI's Capital Comment)

BUT THEY'RE STILL LEAVING THE TOILET SEAT UP

Men are doing 33 percent more housework today than they did in 1965.

That's according to a survey by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, which found American men performing 16 hours of housework a week -- compared with 12 hours in 1965.

Researchers analyzed data from time diaries and questionnaires asking men and women to recall how much time they spend on housework in an average week. Housework included cooking, cleaning and doing other work around the house.

Women are still doing much more housework than men, about 27 hours a week. Said ISR researcher Frank Stafford, "Our research shows that most people rate routine housework as the least enjoyable use of their time."

The study also found Swedish men put in 24 hours a week on chores, more than men in other countries, while Japanese men do the least housework, about four hours a week. Hungarian women do the most housework while Russian women do the least.

PARTY POOPERS

The vibrant nightlife of Shanghai and Beijing is about to dry up. The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is complaining that the party's finest are partying too hard.

"If leading cadres fail to discipline themselves, not only will they be looked down on by the masses, but also their behavior will directly affect the images of the party and government," warned conference spokesman Yang Xingkai in a speech reported only in the Chinese language version of the official Xinhua news service.

Yang wants "a sound supervision and restraining mechanism" -- including overt and covert inspections -- in restaurants, hotels, and other places providing entertainment. "These are strict demands imposed on leading cadres as well as a way to show our love for them," he added.

(From UPI Hears)

REASONS TO CELEBRATE TODAY:

THURSDAY: Today through March 21 is National Toad Hollow Week, aimed at encouraging people to nourish their imagination.

(Thanks to Chase's 2002 Calendar of Events)

BY THE WAY...

How long has the FBI published its "10 Most Wanted" list?

The first FBI "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list debuted on this date in 1950.