Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Overheard on Sunset Blvd:

   --The Hollywood Reporter says EWAN McGREGOR is in negotiations to join the cast of "Jack the Giant Killer." Add this one to the fairy-tale films like "Little Red Riding Hood," except so far, there's nobody worth mentioning in the cast except for STANLEY TUCCI, who's playing an advisor to the king (read: mortgage payment).
   --Here's a bit of a shocker. TMZ.com says busty and booty-licious reality star KIM KARDASHIAN may join the upcoming JOHN GOTTI biopic which is already starring JOHN TRAVOLTA. The web site claims Kim is reportedly being considered for the role of John's daughter-in-law, who (coincidentally enough) was also named Kim.

Best Picture Odds (Bookmaker.com):

The Oscars are this Sunday night...
   --"The Social Network" -350 (favorite)
   --"The King's Speech" -400
   --"The Fighter" +2500
   --"True Grit" +2500
   --"Toy Story 3" +4000

Roger Ebert's Oscar picks:

   --Best Picture: "The King's Speech" (favorite)
   --Best Actor: Colin Firth ("The Kings Speech")
   --Best Actress: Natalie Portman ("Black Swan")
   --Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush ("The King's Speech")
   --Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit")

STEPHEN KING's top-10 movies of 2010:

10. 'Green Zone.'
9. 'Jackass 3D'
8. 'Monsters'
7. 'Splice'
6. 'Kick-ass'
5. 'Takers'
4. 'The Social Network.'
3. 'Inception'
2. 'The Town'
1. 'Let Me In'

Grace notes:

The White House became the basement of a house in Detroit last night. President BARACK OBAMA and first lady MICHELLE OBAMA celebrated all things Motown as part of Black History Month. SMOKEY ROBINSON and STEVIE WONDER were in the house along with the label's founder, BERRY GORDY, Jr.
   There were performances of Motown classics by JOHN LEGEND, SEAL, JAMIE FOXX, SHERYL CROW, NICK JONAS and others, Smokey and Stevie also took the mic. Smokey joined Sheryl for a duet on the MIRACLES' hit, "You've Really Got A Hold On Me," which was also covered by THE BEATLES. And, Stevie was not scheduled to sing, but he did "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life," and joined in with everyone for the big finale, "Dancing In The Streets." You can see the entire event Tuesday night on PBS. (Marino)

Wanna buy a lock of JUSTIN BIEBER's hair? He got his signature bowl cut redone into something more hip earlier this week, and the singer gave ELLEN De GENERES a single lock. She immediately put it up for auction on eBay, with all the proceeds going to charity. As of last night, the high bid was seven-thousand dollars. The auction ends March 2nd.
   Meanwhile, the charmed life of The Bieber continues. He turns 17 on March 1st and has just been invited to visit the Playboy Mansion. HUGH HEFNER was on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" this week and said that Justin and his father will be paying the bunnies a visit soon. All of the Playmates reportedly can't wait to meet The Bieber. (Marino)