Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jan 15, 2018

Making the rounds in Tinseltown:

SYLVESTER STALLONE was on Instagram over the weekend and posted a photo of himself along with JASON STATHAM and RANDY COUTURE with the caption: "Just when you thought it was safe to go outside...They're coming back!" People are (of course) figuring this is a tease for another "Expendables" film --the fourth in the series.
There was some question about whether it was going to happen --Deadline had reported that Stallone and the film company could not agree on a director or a script for the film, but now it appears it could be happening.

Guess who doesn't like either the FOX movie about her or the upcoming CNN documentary series about her 1974 kidnapping.
If you said PATTY HEARST, you're right on target. She issued a statement yesterday slamming both projects and said "I am saddened and appalled that Fox 2000 agreed to finance and produce a movie based on JEFFREY TOOBIN's book (with a similarly themed screenplay, also written by men) and that CNN has agreed to continue to perpetuate a one-sided dialogue romanticizing my torture and rape by hosting a podcast and docuseries through Toobin's distorted lens."
Patty claims Toobin's book uses one of her kidnappers as its main source, and "romanticizes my rape and torture and calls my abduction a 'rollicking adventure'."
In response, Fox said they have decided to cancel the movie.

Today's police blotter:

Mooning might be funny to you, but is still a crime to the police. Fort Pierce, Florida Police arrested ALVIN WILSON, who's 44, after he dropped trou and mooned a bunch of people. A deputy was sent to investigate and didn't have any trouble finding Alvin as witnesses described him quite clearly, including the exposure of "both cheeks in plain view." Wilson was arrested for disturbing the peace. Thankfully, there are no pics of video of this crime. (Myers)

Food glorious food:

If you weren't in Augusta, Maine, lastWednesday, you missed out on the first annual Augusta gourmet grilled cheese sandwich contest.
Since nobody knows grilled cheese like kids, and all thecompetitors were 12-years-old or younger. The top prize went to 10-year-old JADE EASTMAN. Competitors were given a half-hour to prepare their best sandwich. Jade won a supermarket gift bag, along with an apron and chef's hat. The event took place at the 77th Agricultural Trades Show. (Still)

On, off and way-off-Broadway:

BETTE MIDLER bid farewell to the Broadway revival of "Hello Dolly" last night. It was her final performance in the show, along with DAVID HYDE PIERCE, TAYLOR TRENSCH and BEANIE FEDLSTEIN. BERNADETTE PETERS and VICTOR GARBER will step into the main roles beginning January 20th. The show will be dark until then. (Marino)

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

JOHN MELLENCAMP's son will be picking up trash for a while. The Indianapolis Star says 22-year-old SPECK has to do 25 hours of community service and serve six months of probation after he pleaded guilty last week to public intoxication. This goes back to a bar fight Speck and his brother HUD got into outside a bar in Bloomington, Indiana, back in July of 2017. (Marino)