Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Sep 27, 2011

Polling America:

Where do you get your news?
A survey from the Pew Research Center has found that when it comes to the most widely followed sources of local news, word of mouth tops every other new and traditional form of news media except for television. That includes newspapers, radio and the internet.
By word of mouth, they mean "through friends, family, neighbors and colleagues."
Fifty-five percent said they get their local news via word of mouth at least once a week. Compare that to 74 percent for television, 51 percent for radio, 50 percent for the local newspaper, 47 percent for the Internet, and 9 percent from a printed community newsletter.
It is not clear from the report if word of mouth includes text messages and Twitter posts among acquaintances, but the NY Times notes that it most likely does.)

Sloppy Smooch Secrets Revealed:

Ever wonder why guys like giving sloppy kisses? Science has the answer.
A research scientist named SHREIL KIRSHENBAUM has written a whole book called The Science of Kissing. The Nerve.com story says the reason guys tend to get sloppy with the smooching is because kissing is sort of the natural equivalent of spiking her drink:
“...Men's saliva is packed with testosterone, which raises a woman's libido. Literally, swapping spit is a good way to prime the pump, so to speak. For men, it's a way to legally slip her a natural sex stimulant" (Bartha)

Taking everything much too seriously:

It's the latest fitness craze to hit China --male pole dancing!
The Huffington Post reports men in Beijing have been flocking to pole dancing classes around the city. Chinese fitness experts say the activity is quickly losing its reputation as un-macho as more and more men discover what an effective method it is for achieving "a stronger, more supple physique." (Still)

Grace notes:

JAY-Z is bringing basketball to his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. The rapper is co-owner of the New Jersey Nets, but yesterday, he announced that the team will be renamed the Brooklyn Nets and starting next fall, the team will play at the brand new Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn. The arena is set to open on September 28th, 2012, with a series of concerts by Jay-Z and special guests, which may include his wife, BEYONCE. The arena is offering all-access passes which get you a courtside side for all 44 Nets home games, free food, and first crack at tickets to all concerts, boxing matches and other special events. The cost? $15,400-dollars... each! (Marino)

Stars and their movies:

SEAN PENN reportedly gets some credit for freeing JOSH FATTEL and SHANE BAUER, the two hikers who were imprisoned in Iran for two years.
Reuters says Sean met with Venezuelan President HUGO CHAVEZ several months ago and asked him to intercede by talking to his Iranian ally, MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD.
Sean’s rep told the Hollywood Reporter "Yes, he was involved in working towards their release. He is not, however, providing detail or offering a statement."
The Reporter also notes that Sean is known for his political and social activism; he picked up a humanitarian award last year for his efforts following Haiti's earthquake as well as Hurricane Katrina.