The wacky love affair between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Posted Friday, June 10, 2005 at 4:25 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

What kind of drug is Tom on? According to him, it's the love of a beautiful young -- nearly 16 years younger to be exact -- woman named Katie. Surely you've already heard tell of this very public and unlikely romance.

Is it the real thing? Is it a clever marketing scheme? (After all, they both have huge movies opening in June.) Whatever it is, it has the nation spellbound as they hop from TV show to TV show extolling their love for one another.

Their romance has been punctuated by Tom's over-the-top enthusiasm during his appearance on Oprah. A jumping and screaming Tom could barely be contained by Ms. Winfrey, saying things like Katie was "beyond cool". Tom's "antics" had people mocking him on Jimmy Kimmel -- watch this hilarious video clip. Then Tom mocked himself on Jay Leno's show by dancing around once again. Then their love affair became a viral email cartoon.

Since Katie has been a little less exuberant in expressing her affection, people are wondering if it's for real. In fact, it's even started a "Free Katie" crusade complete with T-shirts and bumper stickers.

Last night on David Letterman, Katie gushed about Tom. She even inferred -- but never actually said -- they might be getting engaged. The two are reportedly already living together. Katie even brushed off the fact that she's two inches taller than him.

Will this love affair last past the summer when Batman Begins and War of the Worlds are gone from the box office? We'll see.