Jessica Simpson has gained weight. This isn't exactly hot-off-the-press news; Kristen reported on Jessica's weight gain back in September. But, ever since she wore an less-than-flattering outfit at a concert last weekend, Jessica's added pounds have been all over the internet. Even sister Ashlee Simpson-Wentz weighed in on the media frenzy.

But the January 28th New York Post cartoon goes too far. (After you click the link, you'll need to select the date to view the Jessica Simpson cartoon.) Yes, Jessica is light years from her super-fit Daisy Duke-wearing body. But she certainly doesn't look like the ridiculously obese image in the cartoon.

In my opinion, Jessica has gained some weight but she still looks good. Her stylist picked out some horrible clothes for her, though. And we all know the media circus that can ensue when a star gains a few pounds and then makes a bad wardrobe choice, right? (Think Britney Spears.)

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This may be a surprise, but kids prefer cartoon characters to look like healthy kids. You wouldn't know it by looking at many of the cartoons that are out now -- many shows feature boys as muscular heroes and girls with unnaturally proportioned body parts.

Recent research shows that what many cartoons deliver isn't what kids actually prefer. More than 1,000 kids between the ages of three and 12 were given a choice between three versions of a female cartoon character -- one with an unnaturally thin waist, one with normal proportions, and one with a chubby waist. Happily, 70% of girls and boys chose the character with the normal proportions. The kids also prefer cartoon characters depicting children instead of adults.

I think it's awesome that kids gravitate toward the healthier, more realistic image. It just goes to show that kids can have a healthy body image. If you're a parent, picking the right shows for your kids to watch is just one way to protect their body image. Kaboose has more ideas.

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I know that I breathed a huge sigh of relief this weekend. Phew. My kids have lost their last icons of bad behavior! I thought. Tom and Jerry, that eponymous animated cat and mouse duo, are destined never to smoke again.

Yes! It is sarcasm. Boomerang has chosen to selectively edit the cartoon episodes where smoking in Tom & Jerry is seen as "condoned, acceptable or glamorised," according to the BBC. Turner Broadcasting, which airs Boomerang in the U.S., is considering following suit. Not up for review? The bonking with a frying pan, the falling out a second-story window, none of these are seen as dangerous. But the cat, when it's smoking a cigar while playing tennis, now that's a bad example.

As a commentator on BBC World Service last night said, there's a lot more disturbing on TV. He was more concerned about the plethora of ED ads, while I'm highly uncomfortable that my 15-month-old will stop breastfeeding to watch those pipe people plug bladder control drugs. Do you think cartoon creatures from the 1950s are influencing your children's propensity for addiction; or is it (like in my family) much more of a problem that the beloved Aunt Erin can't give up the nicotine habit?