Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Aug 16, 2017

On, off and way-off-Broadway:

It was a show and a rally. During last night's Broadway show, "The Terms of My Surrender," outspoken filmmaker MICHAEL MOORE invited the audience at the Belasco Theatre to join him in a protest at Trump Tower after the show. Michael's guest, MARK RUFFALO, joined him as busses were provided to take the audience up to 57th and Fifth Avenue. OLIVIA WILDE, who's currently appearing on Broadway in the show, "1984," next door to Moore's show, and actress-writer ZOE KAZAN both joined the protest as well.

Face time with the judge:

Make that TWO lawyers that want off BILL COSBY'sside in his upcoming retrial in Pennsylvania.
Cosby's lead attorney, BRIAN McGONAGLE of Philly, said earlier this month he wanted to remove himself from Cosby's legal team. Yesterday, Los Angeles-based lawyer ANGELA AGRUSA said in her motion to withdraw that Cosby is looking for new counsel but factors beyond his control --including the summer and trial schedules and the "particularities of this high-profile and sensationalized matter"-- are slowing down his search.
The judge in the case said a pre-trial hearing will be held next Tuesday, but now Cosby wants to delay that until Sep 11 so he can have his new lawyers in place.

Broadcast, cable and video news:

"Game of Thrones" star PETER DINKLAGE sent out a message to fans yesterday along with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Botton line --stop buying huskies because they resemble the "Direwolves" on the show.
Dinklage and the PETA people claim the dogs are being abandoned once the novelty wears off, which happens a lot when dogs are an impulse buy.
"Please, please, if you're going to bring a dog into your family, make sure that you're prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, always, adopt from a shelter," he said.