Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

The Economy:

Who do you blame for the recession? A new poll shows most people big banks think are the bad guys.
   Nearly six in 10, according to a new ABC News / Washington Post poll. An overwhelming number --77 percent-- feel these institutions haven't done enough to make amends for their part in the economy's meltdown, and nearly seven in 10 believe the banks owe it to the country to try to help Americans who are still struggling economically.
   Fed head BEN BERNANKE put it to big banks yesterday. He told attendees at a community banking conference "it's unconscionable the fate of the global economy should be so closely tied to a relatively small number of giant financial firms." (Maiman)

Fast Food:

The Wall Street Journal reports that beverage and junk (sorry) snack food giant PepsiCo is trying out a "designer salt" that is a powdery version of the regular stuff. But the shape of its crystals will allow the food processor to use less of it without sacrificing the hypertension-threatening taste consumers have become addicted to. PepsiCo hopes it will cut sodium levels in its Lay's Classic Potato Chips by as much as 25 percent. (Kaye /Pacelli)

Watercooler:

Tony the Tiger is certainly a safer bet to endorse a product than TIGER WOODS lately, but he's only third on the list of the most beloved spokescreatures in America. Those walking, talking M&Ms are in the top spot, according to a poll of 1,500 people by E-Poll Market Research for Forbes magazine. Here's the full list:
10. (Tie) Kool-Aid Pitcher & Nesquik Bunny, appeal: 38%
9. Colonel Sanders, 39%
8. Snap, Crackle & Pop, 40%
7. AFLAC Duck, 41%
5. (Tie) Aunt Jemima & Geico Gecko, 42%
4. Mrs. Butterworth, 43%
3. Tony the Tiger, 45%
2. Pillsbury Doughboy, 47%
1. M&Ms, Appeal: 64%

Reality Round-Up:

Looks like CBS has a solid winner with its "Undercover Boss" franchise. Overnight Nielsen ratings showed Sunday night's episode gave a beat down to "Celebrity Apprentice" with a nearly 20 percent drop-off from the debut of DONALD TRUMP's show.
   And ABC's "Desperate Housewives" also had the worst 18-49 ratings for a new episode in the show's history.

Casting Call:

Look for "Twilight" star KELLAN LUTZ to join the ensemble cast of the Greek drama, "War of the Gods." He'll play Poseidon, the Lord of the Sea along with "Tudors" star HENRY CAVILL as Theseus, the hero of the story, MICKEY ROURKE as the villainous King Hyperion and FREIDA PINTO as Phaedra, an oracle priestess who must team up with Theseus to save mankind.

Grace notes:

MICHAEL JACKSON's doctor stopped CPR and waited a while before calling paramedics so he could gather up empty prescription bottles. That's what the Los Angeles Times says DR. CONRAD MURRAY did the night Michael died. This is according to the singer's logistics director, ALBERTO ALVAREZ who was in the room on June 25th. Alberto said as he got to Michael's room, he was lying in bed with an I.V. bag attached to his leg. His eyes and mouth were open but he was not moving. Dr. Murray's attorney said Alberto has already given police two different accounts of what happened that night, and neither one included the doctor gathering up prescription bottles. (Marino)

Off the beaten path:

Legos --they're not just for kids anymore.
   The New York Press says 36-year-old artist NATHAN SAWAYA has spent the past 10-years building life-sized 3-D sculptures out of Lego bricks (picture). Sawaya says some of his sculptures take four weeks to build and contain 35-thousand individual Legos. Nathan has even sold some of his sculptures for over 30-thousand bucks.
   Sawaya's new exhibition --based on the human body-- opens at the Agora Gallery in New York today (Tuesday). (Still)