Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - May 24, 2011

Today:

Night Baseball Day (75th anniversary of the first night game, as the Reds played the Phillies at Crosley Field in Cincinnati).

End of the World, Part III:

California preacher HAROLD CAMPING wants a do-over.
He came out and spoke with the press yesterday to explain that his Judgment Day prediction was five months off: Not May 21st; October 21st. The timing will be the same as before: 6 pm, whatever time zone you're in.
He had said before that the October date was when the planet would be consumed by a fireball.
Saturday was "an invisible judgment day," he explained, in which a spiritual judgment took place.
Editor's note: So, instead of apocalypse now, it's apocalypse later... (Maiman)

IMF Update:

Conspiracy theories abound in France about the arrest of IMF Managing Director DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN for allegedly sexually assaulting a maid at a New York City hotel.
French socialists are blaming everyone from Russian PM VLADIMIR PUTIN to French President NICOLAS SARKOZY, and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan (in English!) “Yes We Kahn!”
Bloggers are warning that it’s all a frame-up ordered by powerful members of the financial establishment with Sarkozy’s support because his presidency, after all, has served the interests of the U-S at the expense of those of France and the European Union.
Editor's note: So far, there’s no evidence of any conspiracy. (Kaye)

Sucking the life out of the wire services:

PRINCESS BEATRICE made quite a splash at the royal wedding with her pretzel-shaped hat and the unique headpiece has made a mint for children across the globe. Us Weekly reports the "fascinator" pulled in 130-thousand-bucks on eBay and the money will be donated to UNICEF and Children in Crisis --two of the twenty-two-year-old's pet charities.
The daughter of PRINCE ANDREW and DUCHESS SARAH FERGUSON says the number has it's "own personality" and is "so happy" the accessory will change the lives of "the most vulnerable children across the world."
Meanwhile, PRINCE WILLIAM and DUCHESS KATE had a wild time on their honeymoon in the Seychelles. A government rep for the islands tells Us Weekly their A-list guests enjoyed swimming with sharks, giant turtles and giant stingrays! The new groom is a die-hard diver and said the scenery was some of the best he's ever seen. (Lee)

The Reel Deal:

Hollywood insiders say even though JOHNNY DEPP's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie did very well last weekend, racking in over $90 million, this weekend's "Hangover" sequel is going to do even better.
The Hollywood Reporter says the R-rated sequel has the advantage of a four-day weekend because of Memorial Day, and gets an additional day because it's opening Thursday night at midnight.
This is kind of a big deal, too, since no R-rated film has ever opened with over $100 million in box office receipts. But tracking reports show the buzz on "Hangover 2" has been stronger than "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Chic Sh*t:

JUSTIN BIEBER is launching a new fragrance --for women.
“Someday” by Justin Bieber is a fruity, floral scent designed to appeal to the singer’s fanbase of 14 to 18 year old girls. Justin said he had an active role in designing the perfume.
“Let's be real, the way a girl smells is very important to a guy, I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them closer to my world," he told Women’s Wear Daily.
“Someday” will be for sale this June at retailers like Macy’s, Sephora and Dillards. It will sell for $35 to $55 as a fragrance. There will also be a hair mist and a body lotion sold for between $20 and $25. (Bartha)