Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Sucking the life out of the wire services:

CHELSEA CLINTON's Saturday wedding at the Astor Courts Estate in Rhinebeck, NY, is the talk of the tabloids, but there's a few big names that won't be watching our American princess say "I Do." President OBAMA revealed on "The View" that he wasn't invited to the shindig, but admits it's probably for the best --too many leaders at one affair would make security an absolute disaster.
Meanwhile, there's some question over which designer dress Chelsea will wear when she marries MARC MEZVINSKY --VERA WANG or OSCAR de la RENTA? Women's Wear Daily had a pic of Chelsea earlier this week meeting mom outside Vera Wang's New York showroom.
   But HILLARY was also spotted at de la Renta's showroom later that same day. Now the speculation is that Vera --who's dressed the likes of KARENA GORE, JENNIFER LOPEZ, JESSICA SIMPSON, SHARON STONE, UMA THURMAN and MARIAH CAREY-- is doing Chelsea's wedding dress, as well as the bridesmaids' and flower girls' dresses. But it may very well be that the Secretary of State will be wearing de la Renta.
   The NY Daily News says guests are being asked to wear "country chic or cocktail apparel" to the rehearsal dinner... and something equally as elegant to the ceremony.
   And the FAA will not permit tabloids to rent helicopters to take pictures --they've issued a temporary no-fly zone below 2,000 feet for the area.

Out of the closet:

former "Roseanne" co-star SARA GILBERT. Not really a surprise because Sara, who's 35, has two children with TV producer ALLISON ADLER, although she's never been inclined to discuss her private life.
   The details emerged when she was asked at yesterday's Television Critics Association Press Junket in Los Angeles whether she was comfortable being "out" on the new CBS afternoon talk show modeled after "The View."
   Sara said "I don't think [being out] will be a problem... I don't ever really think of things as being out or in...I just think I am who I am, and when topics come up that are appropriate, I'll talk about them and share when it seems right."
   The show, which is tentatively being called "The Talk," will be co-hosted by Sara along with JULIE CHEN, LEAH REMINI, HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE, SHARON OSBOURNE and MARISSA JARET WINOKOUR.

Reality Round-Up:

Was she pushed, or did she go of her own accord? ELLEN DeGENERES is o-u-t as a judge on "American Idol" next season. The move is being positioned as part of the restructuring for the reality series, and Ellen told Variety she told FOX and the "Idol" producers months ago that she wasn't comfortable with returning for a second season.
   "I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next," DeGeneres said. " It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for."
   As for the other judges, RANDY JACKSON still has a year left on his contract, and Variety also says rumors are spreading that KARA DioGUARDI, who joined the show two years ago, might also not return.

Meanwhile, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, NIGEL LITHGOE, SIR ELTON JOHN, BRET MICHAELS and HARRY CONNICK, Jr. have popped up as possible replacements for SIMON COWELL on "American Idol" next season and we can add one more to the list --SEAN "Diddy" COMBS.
   The hip-hop mogul told GEORGE LOPEZ on his nighttime talk show that he wasn't interested when he first heard about the gig, but changed his mind when they told him the salary! Diddy says he'd love the job --and the paycheck --particularly because he's got six little ones to take care of!
   And, if all that wasn't enough, this morning, People magazine web site claims JENNIFER LOPEZ has "closed a deal" to become a judge on American Idol's season 10. (Lee)

Grace notes:

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE's fashion line will be available at Target stores. The singer and his childhood buddy TRACE AYALA call their clothing label William Rast, and yesterday Target announced that a collection of denim, outerwear and sportswear for men and women hits stores in December, and will only be on sale for a month. (Marino)

Chocolate, Caffeine, Alcohol:

A new study says that people who score higher on vocabulary tests are more likely to drink.
   The thinking is, drinking tends to be a way for people to socialize so when the beer or wine flows, so does the conversation. The more you converse with others, the more you're likely to increase your vocabulary.
   Editor's note: Just think, if you're good enough to flick quarters into your drink, the sky's the limit! (Maiman)