Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Nov 15, 2011

Equal time:

Rep GABRIELLE GIFFORDS returned to public eye last night, as she and her husband sat for an interview with ABC News (and her memoir is out today, "Gabby").
While Giffords is doing far better than anyone would've predicted after she was shot in the head earlier this year, she's nowhere near as improved as the media rollout may lead you to believe.
You could see that in last night's "20/20" interview with DIANE SAWYER. He smile is captivating but she struggled to form sentences. When asked if she would return to Congress, her response was, "No ... better." While struggling to say more, she waved her hands and repeated the word "better."
She wasn't much a presence in the ABC News interview as its advertisements suggest: She says a few words, but according to a producer, in negotiations, "Gabby was never on the table" to do "a full-length interview." (Maiman)

Trash talk and satellite dish:

MADONNA still refuses to dress like a 53-year-old woman. Photographers for PerezHilton.com spotted the super star out at a dance contest last Saturday night wearing a white blouse, fishnets, thigh-high boots and a pair of black panties!
Phone starter: Does your mom dress inappropriately? Is it embarrassing? (Lee)

Gossip Central:

The royal family isn't too happy about KATE MIDDLETON's new best friend. Star magazine reports that the new princess has befriended CROWN PRINCESS MARY of Denmark, also a commoner who married a royal. Mary is seen as a golddigger and social climber and even PRINCE CHARLES has asked his people to keep an eye on the developing friendship. (Myers)

Grace notes:

KELLY CLARKSON will hit the road in January. It's her Stronger Tour 2012, with special guest MATT NATHANSON. The North American leg of the tour kicks off on January 13th in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and wraps up in San Diego on April 10th. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 am (Eastern), but if you're a member of Kelly's Kellebrities fan club, you can get seats earlier than that. (Marino)

DIDDY will speak at HEAVY D's funeral on Friday. The rap mogul said he was "heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend." The Rev. AL SHARPTON will also say a few words at the historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York. The Soul Train Music Awards in Atlanta will also pay tribute to Heavy D with performances by CURTIS BLOW, NAUGHTY By NATURE, BIG DADDY KANE and other early hip hop stars. BET will air the awards live on November 27th. Heavy D's cause of death has been deferred until the toxicology reports are in. (Marino)

Health and Medical Briefs:

You’ve heard of a “chicken pox party?” That’s where moms and dads choose to expose their kids to the illness, sending Little Johnny and Mary off to play with an infected kid. Parents who engage in the practice are typically skeptical about vaccinations.
But chicken pox parties are so yesterday. Now parents are handing out chicken pox lollipops. Parents believe swapping lollies licked by a sick kid will build immunity in their own kids. And sometimes a kid may live too far away to attend a so-called chicken pox party, so mailing a sucker to the kid’s mom is the next best thing, right? Except it’s illegal.
A federal prosecutor tells Reuters sending a virus or disease through the mail is against the law, and it doesn’t matter if it crosses state lines. It’s also against federal law to adulterate or tamper with consumer products, like candy. (Page)

Polling America:

Women can't keep a secret, and apparently, it's now been scientifically documented.
A survey of three-thousand women by a company that makes a facial skin cream (really scientific!) found that almost half of all women can't resist spreading gossip no matter how personal or confidential the news is. And 85 percent love hearing gossip from others.
Oh, and the typical woman usually waits no more than 32 minutes before spilling the beans.
Editor's note: Proving once again the old adage about the fastest way to spread information: Telephone, telegraph, telewoman. (Maiman)