Camera-shy Bigfoot in commercial, TV and movie spotlight [video]

It sure is squatchy around here. Sasquatchy, that is.

The wily creature known as Bigfoot, though historically camera shy, is getting major face time through a current crop of commercials and cable TV shows. And Hollywood and Madison Avenue seem to be just getting started in spotlighting the hirsute man-beast – there are more advertising, feature films and TV movies on tap.

Even some scientists are getting involved and are conducting DNA testing of purported Bigfoot hair and tissue samples. The results of this long-gestating and highly controversial study are in peer review now, according to its Texas-based authors, on the way to possible publication in a scholarly journal.

PHOTOS: Bigfoot's pop culture footprint

A well-known Idaho State University anthropology professor, who’s often called upon to unravel Bigfoot hoaxes, is working on several Sasquatch-related projects that aim to bring more gravitas to the ongoing “is-it-possible” debate.

Advertising, always ready to ride a pop culture wave, is using Bigfoot as a punch line in a number of campaigns aimed at the young and hip. The current ads follow the immensely popular “Messin’ with Sasquatch” spots from Jack Links Beef Jerky that have played pranks on the legendary creature for years.

Stride Whitemint gum puts a Yeti front and center in its new ad, also starring Olympic medalist Shaun White, and Skittles has made “Sasquatch the Rainbow” part of its new online ad series that features touch-screen tricks.

Heidi Fleiss flies into bird trouble on Animal Planet special

A new kind of creature is roaming Animal Planet: Former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.

In a stroke of programming inspiration -- or perhaps desperation -- the cable network on July 31 will air the one-hour special "Heidi Fleiss: Prostitutes to Parrots."

Parents, prepare an answer for when your curious preschooler asks, "Mommy, what's a prostitute?"

All right, Animal Planet at least has the sense to run the special at 10 p.m., when most of the small fry are presumably in bed.

The release says the program "follows Fleiss as she struggles to care for the new loves in her life -- more than 20 macaw parrots." Given her experience running both male and female bordellos of the human variety, one hopes that Fleiss' natural instincts don't take over this time around.

"With her home covered in bird poop and monthly bills for the birds soaring into the thousands, the former madam must balance her need to tend to the birds at home with the necessity of leaving them to earn a living outside of it," the release adds. 

In fact, this is not Fleiss' first problematic run-in with birds. In 2008, she was accused of leaving a rental house in Nevada trashed by her pet macaws.

Hey, we just write about television. We don't make the programming decisions.

ALSO:

Shannen Doherty to get hitched on reality show

'America's Got Talent': And the semifinalists are ...

'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Master Chef': Booty calls and meat milkshakes

--Scott Collins
twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT

Photo: Heidi Fleiss in Nevada in 2008. Credit: HBO

PETA to protest Mike Tyson's new pigeon show [Updated]

"Taking on Tyson," Mike Tyson's new series featuring his entry into competitive pigeon racing, received some favorable reviews, but an animal rights group is not flying high over the Animal Planet project.

Members of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are planning to protest outside Tyson's gated Nevada community in Henderson. [Updated 12:35 p.m.: An earlier version of this article said Henderson is in New Jersey.]

"If Mike Tyson truly loved birds, he would fight for their protection -- not force them into a 'race' that tears them away from their families and subjects them to injuries, exhaustion and death," PETA Vice President Lisa Lange said in a statement.

In the series, Tyson, who has a lifelong affection and connection to pigeons, puts together a team of veterans to compete in pigeon racing.

Animal Planet had no immediate response to the protest.

--Greg Braxton

Photo: Mike Tyson. Credit: Mat Szwajkis/AP

Mike Tyson exchanges fight for flight in 'Taking On Tyson'

While growing up in the mean streets of Brooklyn, Mike Tyson always had a love of pigeons, raising and caring for them in a rooftop coop. Now, as part of his commitment to ridding himself of personal demons, the former boxing champ has traded fight for flight.

Once known as one of sport's most explosive and self-destructive figures, the calmer, gentler Tyson is in full view in Animal Planet's "Taking On Tyson," which showcases his entrance into the world of competitive pigeon racing. The series, which premieres tonight, focuses on the former champ as he puts together a team of veteran pigeon enthusiasts that will compete in the New Jersey area.

"This is not a hobby," he says. "This is something we're going to do until the day we die."

Read more about Tyson, his new show and his unexpected entry into the comedy arena.

Full story: In 'Taking on Tyson,' Mike Tyson is all for the birds.

RELATED:

TCA Press Tour 2011: Mike Tyson, champion charmer

-- Greg Braxton

Photo: Mike Tyson. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times