March 7, 2006

Considering the attention a little controversy can get in the media these days, you have to wonder why Disney publicists are sitting on one of the biggest ones in years. Well, this story will remain in the doghouse no longer! Tim Allen, the star of Disney's new comedy "The Shaggy Dog," is not a canine lover. It's true!

"I love cats, man," Allen says. "They crap in a box, and they don't eat until they explode. Dogs will eat until they die. Cats will have a couple of bites and -- ah, that's enough. And they'll leave food in the dish. It's incomprehensible to a dog to leave a dish with food in it."

Disney may have hoped that this story wouldn't get out, but they will have to just be happy that Allen has produced and starred in what should be another in a long line of recent family hits for the studio. From "The Pacifier" to "Eight Below," Disney is currently enjoying a renaissance in live-action family entertainment. And with an overall producing deal with the studio, Allen is making himself at home.

"A month ago I had a marching band come through the studio for no apparent reason, singing all Disney tunes with a big sign saying, 'Tim Allen made us do this,'" Allen says. "I've been getting local high school bands to perk up the studio."

Disney can deal with Allen's good-natured antics. His "Santa Clause" franchise is one of the least-discussed blockbusters in town, and he's also one of the signature voices of the "Toy Story" films (third installments of both are in the works). Speaking of "Toy Story," one of the biggest laughs in "Dog" is when Allen's character repeats his famous Buzz Lightyear line: "To infinity and beyond!" The notoriety of the phrase is actually a source of pride, especially when compared with his co-star from the series.

"The only reason that I'm happy with that is that I somehow beat Tom Hanks at something," Allen says. "Does anyone remember anything what Woody [from "Toy Story"] said?"

Somehow, you can't imagine that two-time Oscar-winner Hanks is sweating that one.

"The Shaggy Dog" opens nationwide on March 10.