Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

He's dead, Jim:

actor PETER GRAVES has died just before his 84th birthday, which would have been Thursday. The LA Times says Peter, who starred in the TV series, "Mission Impossible" and also performed in the movie "Airplane!" was found dead Sunday afternoon in front of his Pacific Palisades home from apparent natural causes. One of his daughters administered CPR but was unable to save him.
Editor's note: one of my all-time favorite drop series comes from "Airplane": "Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?" Find 'em here: www.wavcentral.com/movies/airplane.html or here: http://www.wavsource.com/movies/airplane.htm

Your tax dollars at work:

The Sacramento Bee reports that Internal Revenue Service agents recently showed up at a local carwash to demand payment on a delinquent tax bill. The total bill? Four cents.
   That's right, four cents.
   Carwash owner AARON ZEFF claims that the IRS tacked $202.31 in additional penalties and taxes on that delinquent four cents from the 2006 tax year, putting his total bill at $202.35. (Pacelli)

Guilty Pleasures:

Just one winner in New Jersey for Saturday night's Powerball Lottery drawing walks away with $200 million. Winning numbers: 6, 16, 20, 31, 36; Powerball: 8. Powerball is played in 41 states, Washington DC and the U-S Virgin Islands. Chances of winning the grand prize (all five numbers plus the powerball) are 1 in 195.2 million.

Bottom feeding:

Warning: note religious and potentially-offensive content.
   The future of Judaism may lie with BAR RAFAELI! Haaretz.com reports the supermodel is being urged not to accept a proposal from longtime boyfriend LEONARD DICAPRIO by a conservative group called "Lehava." BARUCH MARZEL wrote a letter to the catwalker on behalf of his religion claiming that while Leo is a talented actor, they believe the Israeli beauty shouldn't marry outside of the Jewish faith. They contend assimilating with other cultures has "forever been one of the enemies of the Jewish people" and warn that her choice of groom could harm future generations. (Lee)
Editor's note: Of course, this brings up the phone topic, "Ever gotten crap because you dated somebody outside your (religion, race, etc. --fill in the blank)."

The Apocalypse is near:

HEIDI MONTAG has been cast in a movie. "Access Hollywood" reports she's got a cameo in the upcoming ADAM SANDLER movie, "Just Go With It," which also stars JENNIFER ANISTON, NICOLE KIDMAN and Sports Illustrated cover girl, BROOKLYN DECKER. The film will be out next year. (Lee)

Grace notes:

The father of an "American Idol" judge is running for Senator of New York State. The Daily News says KARA DIOGUARDI's dad, JOSEPH, will announce his candidacy next week as a Republican for Senator KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND's seat. Joseph was a congressman for Westchester County from 1985 to 1988. He plans to make Kara the co-chair of his finance committee. (Marino)

TOMMY JAMES says that a movie based on his autobiography, "Me, The Mob And The Music," will be directed by MARTIN SCORSESE. He told BlogTalk.com that he had to finish the book in six weeks after Marty called expressing interest in a film version. Tommy says VAL KILMER is in negotiations to play him, but another actor will probably have to be hired as the young incarnation of the singer. Look for an official announcement in three weeks. (Marino)