Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Top talkables of the day:

Everyone's still talking about disgruntled JetBlue flight attendant STEVEN SLATER. He's been suspended by his employer (even though he "quit") and he faces up to seven years in jail, but he's become a national folk hero for much of America.
   Flight attendants have been quoted as saying they've had that same fantasy of being able to tell rude passengers a thing or two. "He is the Thelma and Louise of flight attendants," said one.
   Local New York media speculates that Slater has displaced Hudson River Captain SULLY SULLENBERGER in the spotlight, praising Slater as the new "hero to wage earners everywhere."
   But Slater's classic exit inspired another person to leave the job in fine style. Once the Washington Post reported it, "Jenny" became a viral sensation. The administrative assistant submitted her resignation through a series of messages written on a dry erase board --one message at a time, one photo at a time. She then e-mailed all 33 photos to everyone in the office. Embarrassing for her boss, Spencer.
   Alas, a classic bit too good to be true: It was a hoax; Jenny revealed that she's an actress named Elyse. Still, reading the messages in each photo is worth the ride. (Maiman)

Trolling for publicity:

Here's some great news --MICHELLE and JIM BOB DUGGAR are hard at work on their 20th child! The reality mom-and-dad tell People magazine that they're ready to conceive again --just weeks after they brought their latest child home. Seems little JOSIE had a perforated bowel and digestive problems and had to spend a whopping six months in the hospital, but that's not stopping their passion for procreation. The mister realizes some think they're "overpopulating the world," but he says they're just following "our convictions." (Lee)

On, off and way-off Broadway:

GEORGE WENDT will lead the cast of "Elf" when it hits Broadway as a musical this fall. George will play Santa Claus in the musical, which hits the Hirschfeld Theatre for previews beginning Nov 02. Daily Variety magazine says casting for the roles of the central elf and his love interest, the parts played by WILL FERRELL and ZOOEY DESCHANEL in the original film, has yet to be nailed down.

Reality Round-Up:

The Hollywood Reporter says that TV executives and none of the top networks are interested in buying a reality show about LEVI JOHNSTON running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. The Hollywood Reporter says one network exec contacted by the show biz daily said, "I'm just incredibly uninterested. We've seen him naked. We've heard him bash the Palins. What more is there that we need to know? He's a cute kid but not the most interesting person to watch."
   Another "cable network insider" called Levi "JON GOSSELIN with abs."

Grace notes:

PAUL STANLEY of KISS says his son EVAN is a better guitarist than he'll ever be, but he doesn't want the 16-year-old to follow in his dad's footsteps. Paul told the New York Daily News that even though Evan sometimes jams with Kiss during soundchecks, he wants all three of his kids to find their own paths. Paul said (quote), "Being Frank Sinatra Jr. is a hard cross to bear." (Marino)

SUM 41 has cancelled their stint with the Vans Warped Tour so injured bandmate DERYCK WHIBLEY can recover from the injuries he sustained when he was attacked in a bar in Japan last week. People.com says Whibley has a slipped disc, which he reinjured in the attack.

Space, the Final Frontier:

Tonight and early tomorrow morning will be your last chance to catch the annual Perseid meteor shower. Skywatchers can catch up to 70 meteors an hour. For the best view, choose a location outside the city with an open view of the sky. (Page)