Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Apr 19, 2018

Allthe President's Women:

TheNew York Times reports that former Playboy model KAREN McDOUGAL has been released from a contract with the parent company of theNational Enquirerand can now talk freely about her alleged affair with PRESIDENT TRUMP. That deal with American Media Inc. now frees her from the deal for the exclusive rights to her story.
McDougal had sued to be released from the agreement, claiming she was misled about the terms. AMI Chairman DAVID PECKER (ha!) --a friend of President Trump's-- bought the rights to her story for $150-thousand dollars before the 2016 election but never ran any pieces on it, using what's referred to as a tabloid "catch and kill" maneuver. (Pacelli)

Trendspotting:

Obsessed with all-pink Starbursts? Now you can become one with the candy with the new Starburst clothing line. People says after seeing all the "I am a pink Starburst" memes going around social media, Starbursts decided to launch a pink Starburst clothing line, including a denim jacket, a sweatshirt, t-shirts, and a scarf. (Bartha)

Broadcast, cable and video news:

Tonight is the series finale for ABC's "Scandal" after seven seasons and 124 episodes. The SHONDA RIMES series stars KERRY WASHINGTON as a woman who fixes problems for politicians in Washington, DC.
Kerry says "I think that the way the show ends is the way it should be ending. The last episode will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will shock you a little bit. It will inspire you a little bit. It will make you think. It'll make you feel. We're really ending in the way that we've lived."

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

HEART may still be a group. ANN and NANCY WILSON had a huge falling out over a family incident a few years ago, and since then they have both gone on to solo projects. But, yesterday Nancy Tweeted this: "I believe Heart can make magic. Both with the classics that the fans love and other song discoveries that make new magical imprints as well. Heart is a great band with a lot of range. We are not confined by the oldies either done by others or our own. I hold out hope for Heart." No response from Ann, but this could be very good news. (Marino)