Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Feb 13, 2018

Mardi Gras!

Today is Fat Tuesday --the culmination of 11 days of partying and parades called Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Traditionally, Mardi Gras (and the companion holiday, Carnival in Brazil and other places) are supposed to be the last days of partying before the 40 days of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday (tomorrow).
Quotable: "The week of drinking, partying and doing bizarre things comes to an end. Unless you're CHARLIE SHEEN."

Culture Shock:

Headed for Walt Disney World with the kids this year? Get ready to shell out more for that entry pass.
At the front gate, a one-day regular Magic Kingdom ticket for adults will cost $119, up $4 from last year. Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will run you $114 for a one-day ticket. And they even get you in the parking lot, where they charge you $22 a day, up from $20, and preferred parking $45, up from $40.
Tickets for children ages 3 to 9 will also become more expensive.

London tabloids:

Did O.J. SIMPSON land a new job? Rumors are swirling that SACHA BARON COHEN has paid the disgraced athlete 20-thousand big ones to star in his next movie and a few folks ain't pleased. TANYA BROWN --the sister of O.J.'s late wife NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON --tells the UK's Daily Mailthat she was "brutally murdered" along with RON GOLDMAN and says it's "not a joke, nor is it entertainment."
Meanwhile, attorney DAVID COOK spouted off to the NY Postthat any money paid to The Juice should be handed over to settle his $25-million-dollar civil penalty and anything done in secret is "unadulterated sleaze." (Lee)

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

METALLICA frontman JAMES HETFIELD will hit the big screen in a dramatic role. The Hollywood Reporter says he'll play the Utah highway patrolman who first arrested serial killer TED BUNDY in 1975. The movie is called "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile." The film is directed by JOE BERLINGER who also did the Metallica documentary, "Some Kind Of Monster." (Marino)