Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Separating:

CHRISTINA AGUILERA and JORDAN BRATMAN are on hiatus. The singer released a statement to Us Weekly saying she's separated from her husband but they remain committed to their son, MAX. "Extra" says this is not a legal separation since the couple has no immediate plans to divorce. Sources tell the glossy they're living apart and plan to see how things go. The two tied the knot back in '05 and hooked up when he produced her "Stripped" album in '02. (Marino /Lee)

Married:

Congratulations to DAVID SCHWIMMER, who secretly said "I Do" to ZOE BUCKMAN last June. His rep told E! Online that the couple tied the knot four months ago --they've been together since '07 and met while she was waiting tables in a London restaurant. (Lee)

Halloween:

NRF's 2010 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey finds Americans will spend $5.8 billion on the holiday, with average households spending $66.28 on costumes, candy and decorations, up from last year's $56.31 and comparable to 2008. (Kaye)

Shopping Around:

Toys R Us has unveiled its "hot list" for the holiday shopping season. Consumers can expect to see plenty of offerings in four key categories:
   --Cute, Cool, Collectible choices. The trend sparked by Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters in 2009 and the Silly Bandz this summer is likely to continue with Squinkies, Sing-a-ma-jigs! and Zoobles!, which come to life in their Happitats.
   --Global influences. Die-Cast Licensed Cars from TOMY in Japan, where kids can choose from models from leading Japanese carmakers; Italy's hot Cicciobello Doll from Giochi Preziosi; the Ladybug Smart Trike from Israel, and Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey from the U.K., a YouTube favorite.
   --18-inch dolls, including Disney Princess & Me dolls (Ariel, Tiana, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora are all in the lineup); Journey Girls, a Toys R Us private-label offering, and Best Friends Club, Ink, a new line from MGA Entertainment.
   --Trains, such as TOMY's Road and Rails Train Set, a direct descendent of the Pla-Rail toy train system launched in Japan in 1959; Geotrax Transportation System Christmas in Toy Town RC Set from Fisher-Price, and Thomas & Friends Thomas' Mountain Adventure by MEGA Bloks.
   And of course, Toys R Us expects to sell lots of Dance Star Mickey, a plush toy from Fisher Price designed to get toddlers dancing, programmed with music and with music: Press his foot, and you'll get Disco, Latin, Techno, and even a Moonwalk. (Kaye)

Crooks too stupid to live:

Criminal Mastermind of the Day: The guy in High Point, NC, entered the Red Top Convenience Store with a gun and demanded cash from the register. The clerk opened the register. To get as much cash as possible, the clerk used both hands. How'd he use both hands? He put down the gun down on the counter.
   So the clerk just kinda picked up the gun and pointed at him. He ran out. He's still on the loose. (video report)
   Editor's note: Rule #1: Never give the clerk you're robbing your gun. (Maiman)

Broadcast, cable and video news:

ANDY RICHTER is re-teaming with CONAN O'BRIEN when the late-night talk-show, "Conan" begins on TBS Nov. 8. The network released a statement confirming the pairing yesterday, noting that the couple has worked together since September, 1993.
   Andy added, "I'm thrilled to be going back to work with Conan, and very excited to start a whole new venture on TBS. However, I am mostly looking forward to getting out of the house again."
   Conan said: "This decision was made without my authority. I will get to the bottom of this."