Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Those WikiLeaks:

The latest drop of WikiLeaks documents apparently verifies what many terror experts have been saying for some time --al-Qaeda is still trying to get its hands on workable biological, chemical and perhaps even nuclear weapons. As suspected, al-Qaeda is trying to build a "dirty bomb" which would use a conventional explosive to scatter nuclear material over a large area.
   The documents detail one incident in September of 2009, in which two employees at a uranium mine in Namibia smuggled almost half a ton of concentrated uranium powder --or yellowcake-- out of the compound in plastic bags. (Pacelli)

Groundhog Day:

Time for you to do what no one's ever thought of: truck out audio from the BILL MURRAY movie and play it on the air. Better yet, grab the hook from SONNY & CHER's "I Got You, Babe" and play it outta every break. Creative, hysterical. You're such a genius! Don't feel bad. The networks will all probably do their dumb cutaways in good ol' Puxatawney, PA, to find out if the oversized rat has a hangover.

In case you can't keep it straight:

if the sun shines and that little devil, PUXATAWNEY PHIL, sees his shadow, we get six more weeks of winter.
   They've been celebrating this thing in Puxatawney, PA, since 1887. The Groundhog legend is based on an old Scottish rhyme: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." February second used to be referred to as Candlemas.
   Editor's note: Groundhogs, by the way, drink no water. It's the only way they can make it through the winter without having to go to the bathroom! (Maiman)

Groundhog facts, courtesy Nickelodeon magazine:

   --A Groundhog is the same thing as a woodchuck. It's the largest member of the squirrel family.
   --Groundhog Day comes from a European holiday called Candlemas.
   --A Groundhog removes about 700 pounds of dirt from the ground to dig a burrow.
   --Groundhogs live alone.

Royalty Report:

If you're a royal wedding nut, then you'll love this. Star magazine has an ad for the KATE MIDDLETON royal engagement doll. A limited edition, fully poseable porcelain figure including a replica engagement ring exactly like PRINCE WILLIAM gave his bride to be. Retail price: five easy installments of $29.95. Check HERE for details. (Myers)

Lifetime has settled on young British actress CAMILLA LUDDINGTON to play KATE MIDDLETON in the movie about the upcoming royal couple's romance. NICO EVERS-SWINDELL had previously been cast as PRINCE WILLIAM and BEN CROSS will be his father, PRINCE CHARLES, in the film. In order to have the film out before William and Kate's Apr 29 wedding, production is set to begin next week.

TV Briefs:

That controversial mini-series about the Kennedy family has finally found a home. The ReelzChannel will air the eight-part series starting on April 3.
   "The Kennedys" was commissioned by the History Channel, which decided against airing it after reportedly getting pressured by the Kennedy family, including MARIA SHRIVER and CAROLINE KENNEDY. The series was also turned down by Showtime.
   The series stars GREG KINNEAR as JOHN F. KENENDY, and KATIE HOLMES as JACQUELINE KENNEDY. Check out the trailer here. (Pacelli)

CHRIS BROWN will release a new album on March 22nd. His fourth full-length effort is called "F.A.M.E." Chris will make his debut on "Saturday Night Live" when he is the musical guest on the February 12th edition. The host that night is RUSSELL BRAND. That probably means his wife, KATY PERRY, will be on the show too. (Marino)