Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Reality Round-Up:

ABC says TOM BERGERON will be on hand to announce his new co-host on "Dancing With The Stars" on this morning's edition of "Good Morning America." Whoever it will be will replace the departing SAMANTHA HARRIS, who left to concentrate on her reporter's career. She's also one of the hosts on "The Insider."
   The latest edition of "Dancing" debuts Mon, Mar 22 and will feature no eliminations in the first week. As in the last edition, the scores from the first show will be added to the scores from the second week of the competition, and the couple with the lowest combined scores will be sent home on Tue, Mar 30 results show.

Broadcast, cable and video news:

As if you didn't see enough promos: JENNIFER LOPEZ guests on "How I Met Your Mother" tonight.

Fashion Emergency:

Looking red-carpet ready on Oscar night doesn't come cheap. Fashionisto PHILLIP BLOCH tells the NY Daily News' Gatecrasher gossip column that while most of the actresses borrow their gowns and jewels, A-list ladies still have to pony up for hair, makeup and pay about 1,500-dollars for a professional stylist to pull it all together. (Lee)

Grace notes:

Sir BOB GELDOF is very upset about a report by the BBC that claims the money raised by the 1984 BAND AID "Do They Know It's Christmas" single and the 1985 Live Aid concert was used by rebels in Ethiopia buy weapons. Bob insists that (quote), "not a single penny went to the armaments, not a pound, not a penny," and that the BBC has no evidence to back up its claims. The BBC said it stands by the report. (Marino)

Lowering expectations:

An Australian clothing manufacturer says their new line of underwear is made from bananas.
   According to Reuters, the company --called AussieBum-- makes the eco-friendly undies with 27-percent banana fiber, 67-percent cotton and a small amount of spandex.
   Spokesperson LLOYD JONES says, "Naturally you can't really add any more banana fiber than that because it might be a bit squishy." Jones says the underwear is comfortable, lightweight and doesn't smell like bananas. (Still)
Editor's note: And of course, it gives new meaning to the phrase, "Is that a banana in your pants... or are you just glad to see me?

Digital Domain:

Got a desktop computer at work or at home? Don't get used to it. In a couple of years, you'll be using a smartphone for everything. At least, that's what Google Europe CEO JOHN HERLIHY says.
   Herlihy told people attending a conference in Ireland that desktop computers will be "irrelevant" in just three years, and that mobile devices will be the main way people interact with the internet.
   In fact, Herlihy said that in Japan, "most research is done today on smart phones, not PCs."
   Soon, desktop computers will only be used for things like video production or other work-related functions. But as a foprm of communication and entertainment, they're on their way out, as your laptop will be shortly afterward.
   Herlihy sees Apple's new iPad as an entertainment device as well, as opposed to any form of work-related device.

Speaking of the iPad, Apple said Friday that the Wi-Fi versions of the iPad will arrive in stores Apr 03. The models that use AT&T's 3G network will be available later the same month. And, you can pre-order the iPad on Apple's Web site beginning next Friday.