Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

I'm a poll, man:

Data from Americanexpress.com and MoneyBundle.com compares generational differences in money attitudes --and finds the younger the consumer, the sneakier they are with their partner about finances.
   --41% of Gen Y consumers --those born between 1981 and 1991-- hide purchases, versus 31% of boomers
   --45% of Gen Y misrepresent what they paid, versus 24% of boomers
   --59% of Gen Y consumers buy something their partners don't agree with, versus 45% of boomers
   --17% of younger consumers are not forthcoming about their credit score versus 7% of boomers
   --20% of all couples over the age of 18 keep some or all of their debt separate from their spouse, versus 43% among young professionals. (Kaye)

Stupid people, stupid places:

Chinese animal rights groups want TV stations to stop show a magic trick involving goldfish because they say it harms the fish.
   According to the BBC, a magician named FU YANDONG has become a huge television attraction ever since a New Year's Eve special in which he somehow gets six goldfish to swim in formation.
   Animal activists think he's using magnets. Mr Fu denies that but won't say how he performs his trick because of the magician's code: Never reveal your secrets.
   The head of one group said, "Goldfish are small creatures that anyone can easily buy and abuse, or even kill."
   "If I used magnets," said the magician, "the fish would stick together," adding that he doesn't care what his critics say, the fish are safe."
   Editor's note: And did you ever stop to think that from inside their tank, they're probably watching us more than we watch them. They might be plotting world takeover even now.
   --China: Where the goldfish have more rights than do the people. (Maiman)

Face time with the judge:

Looks like HALLE BERRY will be appearing in the star-studded flick "New Year's Eve," after all. TMZ.com reports a family court judge gave the A-lister permission to bring her daughter, NAHLA, to New York City for filming --despite the fact that GABRIEL AUBRY was trying to stop the cross-country trip.
   But CNN reported yesterday that Aubry had dropped the child custody and support petition, despite the fact that the documents in family court are sealed and neither lawyer in the case would comment.
   Halle made a stink at the beginning of the year when she dropped out of the film due to child custody issues with her baby daddy. Word is her replacement, KATHERINE HEIGL, will still stay on the cast and the Oscar-winner is going to pick up a different part. (Lee)

DAVID CASSIDY won't be able to drive the multi-colored school bus for a while. TCPalm.com says the former 70's teen idol and star of "The Partridge Family" pleaded no contest yesterday to driving under the influence on Florida's Turnpike. David's license has been suspended for six months and he'll be on probation for a year. Police pulled David over back in November after they saw his car weaving near Ft. Pierce. (Marino)

Grace notes:

The history of Motown will be saluted at the White House. In honor of Black History Month, President BARACK OBAMA and first lady MICHELLE OBAMA are hosting a concert on February 24th featuring SMOKEY ROBINSON, JOHN LEGEND and others. The event will air March 1st on PBS. (Marino)

NFL update:

The NFL is upping the ante on appeasing those 400 fans who had tickets but got shut out of the Super Bowl over problems with temporary seats.
   The league is now offering five grand or full reimbursement for all documented Super Bowl expenses. Their original offers was $2,500.
   The seating issue has sparked at least two lawsuits against the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys. (Maiman)