Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Anniversaries:

How about a little trivia for ya: MARILYN MONROE had to be sewn into the long, tight, sexy white dress she wore the night she seductively sang "Happy Birthday" to PRESIDENT KENNEDY in Madison Square Garden on this date --May 19-- back in 1962.

A grim milestone:

The number of American dead in Afghanistan crossed 1-thousand yesterday, after that attack on a convoy which killed five U-S soldiers.
   The rate of death is alarming: It took seven years for the first 500 American deaths; the second 500 have all taken place in fewer than two.
   The average age of the American dead is dropping as well: Between 2002 and 2008 it was 28; last year, it was 26; and so far this year, it's 25. (Maiman)

Guilty Pleasures:

No winner in Saturday night's drawing for the Powerball Lottery. That means tonight's drawing is valued at $145 million ($72.1 million cash value). 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.

Lawsuit of the Day:

Here's a problem for "Love Court" if there ever was one. A Toronto woman is suing her cell phone company for $600,000 for destroying her marriage by sending her bill to her home without permission, where her husband saw it and learned she was having an affair.
   The Canadian Press says GABRIELLA NAGY is suing Rogers, Canada's largest cellphone provider, for alleged invasion of privacy and breach of contract. Then, afterward, she claimed that because of the event, she "wept uncontrollably at her workplace, did so in the presence of other employees, distracted them, was unfocused and became incapable of performing her employment duties." She was later fired.
So, of course, she wants Rogers to pay for her divorce, her job loss, and dam ages.
   For its part, Rogers says they're "not responsible for the plaintiff's affair... or its consequences."
Here's my take on this: how come nobody's willing to take responsibility for their actions these days? It's always somebody else's fault. My question: have you ever discovered a spouse or friend cheating by seeing it on a bill? And what happened?

The Reel Deal:

If you had to guess which BALDWIN brother would make a film about the current oil spill tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico, it would probably be ALEC BALDWIN, right?
   Wrong. The Hollywood Reporter says STEPHEN BALDWIN is currently at the Cannes Film Festival trying to sell a documentary called "The Will to Drill," which he's already begun filming.
   Stephen says he's already shot some aerial footage of the devastated areas in south Louisiana and plans to finish the filming and editing by later this year, in time to submit it to the Sundance Film Festival.

Making the rounds in Tinseltown:

Lotsa buzz about "Sex and the City 2," which opens next Thursday, kicking off the Memorial Day weekend. And Daily Variety magazine says there's been high advance ticket sales for the opening, especially from upscale multiplexes, some of which are planning special events for the openings. Gold Class Cinemas is serving "Sex"-themed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during the film, including a Flirtini drink, along with the more traditional Cosmopolitans and Manhattans.

Grace notes:

That kid who played LADY GAGA's "Paparazzi" on a YouTube video has been signed to a record deal. The New York Post says after 12-year-old GREYSON CHANCE appeared on "Ellen" last week, and took a call from Miss Gaga herself. Now, Interscope Records has offered him a recording contract. Greyson is also reportedly being managed by GUY OSEARY, who guides MADONNA's career. (Marino)

JUSTIN BIEBER has been nominated for best new artist by the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards. Yes, you heard that correctly. The 16-year-old singer is up against fellow Canadian MELANIE FIONA, NICKI MINAJ, WALE and YOUNG MONEY. JAY-Z leads the pack with five nominations. His wife, BEYONCE, has four nods. The 2010 BET Awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on June 27th. (Marino)