Heidi Hamilton discusses 'Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer' controversy and Katy Perry $50k date

Some people are upset about 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'

As is tradition when Christmas time nears, the 1964 classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" returned to American television screens. But this time around, the once-heralded stop-motion film has made the news for all the wrong reasons.

Viewers may recall its simple plot: The reindeer is mocked and cast away by the majority of his peers when they discover his glowing red nose. Even though Rudolph ultimately returns to save the day -- using his glimmering snout to guide Santa through poor weather -- there's no denying the verbal attacks Rudolph endures early on.

"Hey, fire snout!" one young reindeer says, mocking him. Another teases with "Rainbow puss!"
"Stop calling me names!" Rudolph cries in response.

But was the red-nosed reindeer marginalized? That is the premise of a HuffPost video posted Wednesday to Twitter that has been viewed more than 5.3 million times as of Sunday afternoon.

The video notes an instance in the film where Rudolph's father "verbally abuses him." The father of Rudolph's love interest is called a "bigot" for forbidding his daughter from being seen with the red-nosed one.

The video includes various reactions to the film from Twitter, one saying, "Yearly reminder that #Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is a parable on racism & homophobia w/ Santa as a bigoted exploitative" [the rest is not family-friendly].

It's not entirely clear whether the video was satire or meant to be taken seriously. A corresponding HuffPost article on the film more directly says that the roundup of recent tweets and criticisms of "Rudolph" were posted in jest ("humorous observations"). But that didn't stop others from seeing the video as an unwarranted attack from liberals.

Donald Trump Jr., for example, drew much attention to the video when he shared it Thursday with the caption, "Liberalism is a disease."

On Thursday, Tucker Carlson and political commentator Dave Rubin dissected the HuffPost video for more than three minutes. In a segment titled "Progressives Love Attacking Christmas Traditions," which later warned that "Huff Post Dubs Rudolph Public Enemy Number 1," the pair slammed those who watch films such as "Rudolph" and ascribe notions such as racism and misogyny to them.

On Sunday, one of the original voice actors from "Rudolph" attempted to set the record straight on claims that the film is problematic.

In a video sent to TMZ, Corinne Conley, the voice of "Dolly for Sue" who lived on the "Island of Misfit Toys," said the film is more relevant now than ever given the increase in bullying incidents of late. But it's important to note, she said, that the bullying is "reconciled" in "Rudolph," teaching viewers a lesson at the end of the story.

"I just can't imagine it affecting anyone in a negative way. They must be like Scrooge," she added, referring to Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist of "A Christmas Carol." "Tell them to watch 'Scrooge.'

Katy Perry splashes $50k for a date with her boyfriend Orlando Bloom as she outbids fan at charity auction

Katy Perry ensured her beau wouldn't be going on a date with another woman as she outbid a fan to win time with the hunk at the One Love Malibu charity auction on Sunday.

The Firework hitmaker, 34, was one of the performers at the live Christies auction, held at California's King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, and donated money on the date as well as her time on the stage.

The benefit concert was held to raise funds to help rebuild the city and its community after the devastating wildfires claimed 81 lives and destroyed 13,000 homes.

And Katy ensured they'd raise as much money as possible as she took to the stage to offer a a motorcycle ride with 'the man I'm dating that I love and respect'.

Describing the prize, Katy told the audience: 'You're holding him in a way that I am not excited about! You're holding his pecs and his six-pack - and it's so glorious!

'You get to hold on to Orlando for about 45 minutes... And then, you get to stare into his brown eyes!'

A bid soon came in from a woman named Laura, who put forward $20,000, but the Teenage Dream hitmaker ended up landing the winning bid of $50,000.

She replied: 'Yay! I don't know who you are, but stan for my man!', before adding: 'Laura, I'm sorry - I'm buying it for $50,000.'

The auctioneer then announced: 'Sold - to the lady in the red leather skirt!'

All the money raised from the concert and auction was split between the One Love Malibu fund and the Malibu Foundation.