Just when I was ready to give Sundance a plug for two great movies on HBO this week ("Grey Gardens," "Gimme Shelter,") along comes news of the latest venture out of la-la land:

A film documentary about the man who had sex with a horse and died. Due to be shown at Sundance Film Festival in January:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003466529

The point is -- what is the point??? -- that this story apparently got more hits when it was first printed in the Seattle Times than any other piece. Which prompted one comlumnist to say, during his year-end review, "I should have focused more on people having sex with horses."

This is pure journalism and really nothing new in one sense: animal stories sell. Years ago I wrote about a Hoosier pastor who told Bible stories using birds, including birds who sat on his head. Best-read story etc.

But the sex angle? As my reader noted: "Last year Brokeback Mountain

Mountain. This year: Zoo."

comments: ruth@ruthhollady.com