Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Immigration Update:

A major crackdown on a big illegal alien smuggling operation yesterday. U-S and Mexican agents arrested at least 50 shuttle drivers who were allegedly using their vans to conduct a massive operation to sneak illegals from the U-S-Mexico border area into the greater Phoenix metro, and other parts of the U-S.
   One of the operation's big wigs was arrested by Mexican authorities in Mexico. Hundreds of agents participated in the operation. (Pacelli)

On, off and way-off Broadway:

DANIEL RADCLIFFE is coming back to Broadway.
   Daily Variety magazine says he'll star in a revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" next spring. The "Harry Potter" actor, who starred in "Equus," will play the lead role of J-Pierrepont Finch, who gets elevated from the mailroom to the VP's office, thanks to some comedically iffy business practices.
   The last time "How to Succeed" was revived in 1995, MATTHEW BRODERICK starred in the lead role, with MEGAN MULLALLY as the secretary who's Finch's love interest.

Broadcast, cable and video news:

You've heard of "The Dog Whisperer." That's for sissies. Real men take on Grizzly bears!
   That's right, the Hollywood Reporter says Animal Planet has picked up a new series called "Bear Whisperer," in which a real-life professional bear wrangler tries to control the bear population in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
   STEVE SEARLES will star in the limited series.
   Still not impressed? OK --try this one. Animal Planet has also ordered up several episodes of a series called "Skunk Whisperer," as well. Yikes!

Grace notes:

The next new SMASHING PUMPKINS single is available today as a free download. "Astral Planes" is the fourth track from the band's 44-song project, "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope," and you can grab it now at amoeba.com, the Web site for the Amoeba Records chain of retail stores. All four of the tracks available as free downloads will be released on CD and vinyl May 25th. It will be the first of 11 EPs that will eventually contain all 44 tracks that make up the new Pumpkins album. The Pumpkins will perform "Widow Wake My Mind" Tuesday night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." (Marino)

Weekend fun:

Big weekend ahead in lovely Beaver, OK: The annual World Cow Chip Throwing Championship. It's the highlight event ending a week-long celebration called the Cimarron Territory Celebration.
   Town folk refer to it as "a highly specialized athletic event which draws dung flingers from around the world."  Established as a tribute to the unique natural fuel source of the town's early settlers, Beaver has hosted the World Cow Chip Throwing Championship every April since 1969.
   Years ago early settlers would take their wagons to the pastures to load up cow chips for the winter. They used them for fuel, so that tells you right there that they don't smell.
   Throwing cow chips became an event in 1969 and draws competitors from all around the world. Official chips must be 6 inches in diameter. You get two throws; judges take the best of the two. Sometimes contestants lick their fingers between the two throws. Ick.
   The world record for women is 132 feet; for men it's 182 feet, 4 inches --set by a Mr LELAND SEARCY, and has remained unbroken since 1979.
   Beaver Chamber of Commerce: 580-625-4726
   Editor's note: How'd ya like to shake hands with the winner?
   --Imagine how proud Mamma Searcy must be!
   --A special division of this competition is held for politicians, who are known to be highly practiced in this area. (Maiman)