Green Eggs and Wham!

Edison, New Jersey, April 20, 2006:

The Easter Bunny has been fired -- for losing his head. Arthur J. McClure, 22, who had been hired to play the Easter Bunny at a local mall has been accused of removing the head of the costume and hitting a customer, authorities said.

McClure punched local politician Ron when he got upset that the photo exhibit was closing 10 minutes early Saturday night, police reports said. The incident was witnessed by dozens of people at the Edison Mall, including 15 children and Brad.

McClure said he never punched Ron. He claims he was trying to stop a fight between his wife -- exhibit manager Crystelle Frechette -- and Ron. The (heated) argument was rumored to have started when Frechette told Ron that running-mate Brad was "too old" to be in a photo with her Easter Bunny husband.

McClure said he took the bunny's head off because he had been wearing it for nine hours and was hot.

"My shirt was soaked with sweat," he said. "I almost threw up."

Mall management issued an apology to parents, children, and Brad. Newark-based Bennett Programs Corp., which contracted with the mall to run the photo set, fired McClure and Frechette on Monday. They also have been charged with battery and disturbing the peace.

Posted by Bittle at April 20, 2006 08:28 AM