Happy Birthday to English rapper Tricky (1968), Faith No More signer Mike Patton (1968), X-Men actor Alan Cumming (1965), actress Bridget Fonda (1964), Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers (1957), actress and former Mrs. Cruise Mimi Rogers (1956),

I'm sitting with my family at the Thanksgiving table. At the focus is the bird carcass, a bulging centerpiece surrounded by newly stuffed bodies. The cranberry jello, still quivering in the shape of the can, is the only untouched side dish. There is a settling quiet as the full-stomached groans subside and give way to satisfied smiles, until finally somebody strikes up a conversation. Like the feeding frenzy that preceded it, it starts out slow and steadily grows more frantic.

Happy Birthday to tennis pro Marat Safin (1980), English rapper Tricky (1968), Faith No More signer Mike Patton (1968), X-Men actor Alan Cumming (1965), actress Bridget Fonda (1964), Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers (1957), actress and former Mrs. Cruise Mimi Rogers (1956), Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948), Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason (1944), "Six Feet Under" actor James Cromwell (1940), American actor Troy Donahue (1936; d. 2001), Actress Donna Reed (1921; d. 1986), "Alice In Wonderland" author Lewis Carroll (1832; 1898), and Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756; d. 1791).

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the top pick among holiday movie renters. When Americans watch holiday movies, they love to laugh and be jolly. Comedies are overwhelmingly the top rental choice among holiday-themed films by Blockbuster members.