Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Equal time:

Interesting piece from The Wall Street Journal about the one TV show that many politicos now consider a prime spot to push a new book, candidacy or policy point. "The Daily Show?" Nope. "The Colbert Report?" Nope. "The View" on ABC. That's right, the BARBARA WALTERS-produced gab fest is now considered a "must-appear" venue by the high and mighty, such as VP JOE BIDEN and former and likely future GOP presidential candidate MITT ROMNEY. (Pacelli)

Father's Day:

The National Retail Federation reports that the average person will spend $94.32 on dad this year, up from $90.89 last year, with total Father's Day spending expected to reach $9.8 billion. The most popular way to celebrate is with a meal out, chosen by 39.9% of offspring, followed by clothing (36.7%), and gift cards (31.2%). Electronics, greeting cards, tools and automotive accessories are also popular. (Kaye)

What's Poppin':

WARNING: Note Content
   Is SARAH PALIN sporting a new set of breast implants? That rumor is still gaining steam after she showed up in New York last weekend at the Belmont Stakes looking a tad "healthier" than many folks seem to recall.
   The main photo that seems to be stirring the rumor shows Palin milling around all the VIPs while wearing a somewhat tight fitting white tee-shirt. (Pacelli)

On, off and way-off Broadway:

Look for former "Grey's Anatomy" star T-R KNIGHT to try his hand on Broadway.
   Knight will be in DAVID MAMET's new show, "A Life in the Theater," opposite Sir PATRICK STEWART, who was recently knighted by QUEEN ELIZABETH II at Buckingham Palace. In the show, Knight will play a young actor who gets mentored by an older, more experienced actor, played by Stewart.
   Daily Variety magazine says the show is set to begin previews Aug 23 and open a month later at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.

Casting Call:

Casting is being firmed up for that Warner Brothers' big-screen remake of "Arthur." So far RUSSELL BRAND will play the DUDLEY MOORE role and Oscar-winner HELEN MIRREN will play his longtime nanny, instead of the butler played by Sir JOHN GIELGUD in the original, 1981 comedy. Now, the Hollywood Reporter says JENNIFER GARNER and NICK NOLTE are now in talks to join the movie as well.
   Jennifer would play a wealthy heiress who's about to marry Arthur in an arranged marriage. Nolte would play her deeply religious father.

Grace notes:

THE GO-GO's have canceled what would have been the group's farewell tour. EntertainmentWeekly.com says guitarist JANE WIEDLIN fell 20-feet off a mountain near her home in Northern California, and will have to undergo knee replacement surgery. That will put her out of commission for at least a year. So, the band's entire summer tour is off, including a July 16th performance on "Good Morning America" from New York's Central Park. (Marino)

OZZY OSBOURNE wants to hear you scream! During the fifth inning of tonight's game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, Ozzy will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest and loudest scream. A representative from Guinness will be there to measure the length and audio level as Ozzy has the entire stadium scream. This is all part of the third annual "Think Cure! Weekend" which raises funds for cancer research. (Marino)