Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Halloween:

A survey released by the National Retail Federation estimates that 33% of Americans --including 47 million adults and 58 million children-- will dress up for Halloween, down a bit from 35% last year.

As for how, vampires jumped into the No. 2 spot, from No. 3 last year. Nurses, on the other hand, fell from No. 5 last year to No. 13. Witches continue to grip the No. 1 position in their talons, with 18% of adults saying they plan to wart up.

The NRF survey also finds as many as 17% of consumers were planning to make rather than buy a costume, while 16% were just going to wear last year's. (Kaye)

Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:

LEONARDO DiCAPRIO may be the latest celebrity to lose a valuable endorsement gig due to these cruddy financial times. CINDY ADAMS of the NY Post reports Tag Heuer --a high-end watch company-- may be dumping Leo as a spokesman and hiring ANGELINA JOLIE. Word is the higher-ups think her lifestyle could bring "maximum coverage" to the brand and rumors are swirling UMA THURMAN may also be given her walking papers as well. (Lee)

Models:

HEIDI KLUM is the latest celebrity to go through a big name change. No, she probably won't be doing it every few years like a certain rapper we know --she's decided to add hubby SEAL's name to her own. E! Online reports the yummy mummy just filed the documents with the court and should know the outcome by November 20th. The couple has been married four years.

PS: if you were wondering, the romantic singer's given name is SEAL HENRY OSUSEGUN OLUMIDE ADELO SAMUEL. (Lee)

School makes parents shell out for necessities:

Think the government here in America should be spending more on our schools? Wait 'til you hear about the budget cuts in Ireland.

Reuters says parents in Ireland not only have to pay for school books and uniforms --now they're being asked to buy toilet paper for the schools! Students at St John's Girls National School are being asked to bring toilet paper rolls from home because of cuts in government funding.

Principal CATHERINE O'NEILL says parents have responded positively to the request, with more than half of the students remembering to bring in their own T-P. She says, "I have no doubt that there are an enormous number of schools out there that are doing the same thing." (Still)

Stars and their movies:

The Hollywood Reporter says Warner Brothers is working on a "sequel of sorts" to the 1983 comedy classic, "National Lampoon's Vacation." The difference --this time the movie will focus on Clark Griswold's son, Rusty, who's now a dad himself and ready to take his own family on a road trip vacation.

Look for CHEVY CHASE and BEVERLY D'ANGELO to each have a small role in the flick.

Casting call:

Hollywood trade papers say Oscar-winner ADRIEN BRODY will star in a remake of the ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER classic, "Predator." ROBERT RODRIGUEZ has written the film and will direct Brody, as the mercenary who battles alien hunters. The Hollywood Reporter says TOPHER GRACE is also in negotiations to join him in the action flick, which will be in theatres Jul 09 of next year.

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN had so much fun performing three of his classic albums at Giants Stadium, he'll do them all again at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The Boss and the E STREET BAND will close down the arena forever with a four-show run. Next Tuesday, it's "Born To Run," with "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" on tap for Wednesday, October 14th. "Born To Run" is back on Monday, October 19th with "Born In The USA" closing out the run on Tuesday, October 20th. Newly added seats are now available for all four concerts. (Marino)