Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

The First lady at play:

First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA took her battle against childhood obesity into the belly of the beast yesterday, addressing the National Restaurant Association, and urging its members to offer healthier foods at all of its establishments. Mrs. Obama noted that Americans are now spending about half of all their food dollars outside the home and eating a third of all meals in restaurants.
   She asked the restaurants to take some small, but significant steps to help kids keep off the excess calories. She suggested getting a bit of the fat out of some dishes, and providing more fruits and vegetables as side dishes. (Pacelli)

Men and women:

Ladies --do you get a nervous twitch when your man wants to head out for a day of golf with the boys or hit the local pub without you? The love experts at Yahoo.com have one suggestion --relax! Truth is, the "bromance" can be good for your relationship!
   Dr. GEOFFREY GRIEF, who wrote a book called "Buddy System: Understanding Male Friendships" says that it's increasingly acceptable for men to express their feelings with other guys and there are lots of benefits to male bonding. Here are just a few:
   1. Men with close friends live longer, healthier lives
   2. Good friends watch out for your man --just like you do with your gals
   3. They help him stay engaged with the world and push him to try new things
   Here's a great tip --get on his B-F-F's good side to find out what's really bothering him. You'll have a useful ally that genuinely cares about your guy. (Lee)

Fashion Emergency:

The biggest fashion surprise at the VMA Awards on Sunday night wasn't any of LADY GAGA's creations, but NICOLE "Snooki" POLIZZI's toned-down 'do. The "Jersey Shore" chick told People magazine that she got tired of her signature "pouf" --which she'd been wearing since the tender age of sixteen. The twenty-three-year-old party girl was ready for a new, mature look so she went stick-straight for the show and even had her hairdresser add some bangs. (Lee)

Wasted away again in Margaritaville:

Authorities say a 58-year-old Pennsylvania man led police on a chase, almost struck a cruiser and was so drunk that he fell asleep more than once at his arraignment.
   Cops were more than a little ticked off when JAMES LYMAN pulled over, waited for them to catch up, and when they pulled over behind him, re-started the car and drove off again. So they tasered him when they finally caught up to him --on his front stoop.
   According to the Lehigh Valley Express-Times, when the cops finally got him to the judge, he had to start the arraignment proceedings for James several times. At one point, after the man had passed out, he awoke, refused to answer any questions but then asked if the judge would feed his cats.
   No word on whether the judge agreed to check on Lyman's pets.
   Editor's note: But he DID sentence the man to nine lives in prison. (Maiman)

Tube Talk:

"Glee" will do the Time Warp next month. E! Online says the show's tribute to the cult classic, "Rocky Horror Picture Show" is set to include two of the film's original cast members.
   BARRY BOSTWICK, who was Brad in the 1975 movie, and MEAT LOAF who starred as the monster, Eddie, will play a TV executive who trys to woo JANE LYNCH's character, Sue Sylvester.
   There is also talk that SUSAN SARANDON, who played Janet in the movie, will also be in the episode that will air sometime this season. (Marino)

Casting Call:

Look for AL PACINO and JOE PESCI to join the cast of the upcoming MARTIN SCORSESE mob drama, "The Irishman," based on the real-life story of mob hitman FRANK "The Irishman" SHEERAN. Scorsese and ROBERT DE NIRO have been reportedly been working on the film together, so we can look forward to another great film in the tradition of "Goodfellas," "Casino" and "Raging Bull."