Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Mall Alert:

Could the economy be coming back? Are people back to buying frivolous items? Consumer priorities are shifting from durable goods like furniture and washing machines to electronics like smartphones and flat-screen TVs, according to the Commerce Dep't.
   The Wall Street Journal reports that spending on televisions, computers, video and telephone equipment was up 2% in the first six months of this year compared to the first half of pre-recession 2007, while spending on appliances decreased almost 4%. Furniture decreased 11% during that time. (Kaye)

More Clinton wrap up:

 If you haven't heard, after the CHELSEA CLINTON wedding, the people who were trying to sell Astor Courts, where the wedding was held, have dropped the price tag to $10 million, trying to unload the property.
   Fox News reports the 50-acre property on the Hudson River was originally built by millionaire JOHN JACOB ASTOR IV in 1902 before he died on the Titanic ten years later in 1912. The owners reportedly spent $9 million just fixing it up in the years before the wedding and are now "eager to sell."
   Chelsea reportedly had not one, but two wedding dresses made by VERA WANG --one to wear for the ceremony and one to wear for the reception. People magazine claims this is the latest thing for brides to do, and that CARRIE UNDERWOOD is one of the recent brides who's also shelled out for two dresses for the big day.
   Finally, People also says Chelsea and husband-to-be MARC MEZVINSKY actually hired "Dancing with the Stars" pro MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY to teach them some moves for their first dance so they could look like they knew what they were doing on the dance floor.

Celebrity shoplifting update:

Former NYC Mayor (and presidential candidate) RUDY GIULIANI's 20-year-old daughter, CAROLINE, was arrested yesterday when she allegedly tried to shoplift cosmetics from a Sephora store on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
   ABC News reports cops later said Caroline --who's a student at Harvard University-- tried to take five cosmetics items worth more than $100; she was caught by a store security camera.

More news about "Glee":

Entertainment Weekly's MICHAEL AUSIELLO says CAROL BURNETT will play cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester's mom on an upcoming episode this fall. The only thing we know about Sue's parents is that she said they were "Nazi hunters" on a previous episode.
   In other "Glee" news, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Sue will also publish her autobiography, which may coincide with star JANE LYNCH doing a book tour --in character as Sue.
   That BRITNEY SPEARS episode will have star MATTHEW MORRISON shaving his head like Britney did during her infamous 2007 hair clipping incident
   And finally, sources say this year's Christmas episode will feature "Britain's Got Talent" winner SUSAN BOYLE as a guest star.

Grace notes:

MTV is premiering music videos again. Today, you'll be able to see a new 90-second clip by KANYE WEST. He calls the video for his new single, "Power," a "painting" rather than a traditional video. Also getting its first airing anywhere is EMINEM's video for "Love The Way You Lie," featuring RIHANNA. Next Tuesday, MTV will premiere KATY PERRY's new clip, "Teenage Dream." (Marino)

Off the beaten path:

Cops in Anchorage, Alaska have issued a warning to the public: When being attacked by a bear, avoid using a taser for self-defense.
   KDFW-TV says the statement was issued Monday after reports that a local man tased a black bear that wandered onto his porch. Apparently, after being hit, the animal flipped onto his back. Then, it started "growling and crying" while flailing its legs in the air. Eventually, it rolled off the porch and ran away.
   Police say, even though the taser worked in this case, it's not a good way to deal with the problem. Their fear is, if the shooter missed, the angry bear would have a good opening if it wanted to attack.
   The other concern is that tasing a bear could anger animal-rights groups. (Still)