Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Election 2012:

Handicapping on the upcoming 2012 is in full swing in Washington and the latest forecast predicts that Republicans are poised to take back the Senate.
   According to the Congressional newspaper, The Hill, the GOP needs a net gain of three seats to win control of the Senate, and five Democratic-held seats are "in the toss-up column." Sen JON TESTER from Montana and Sen BEN NELSON from Nebraska are the two vulnerable incumbents, while another three Democratic seats are toss-ups thanks to retirements.
   On the House side, things are a bit more complicated because redistricting could change the shape of some contests. But so far, things aren't looking too good for Democrats, who must pick up 25 seats to win back the majority. (Maiman)

I'm a Poll Man:

A lot of folks are no doubt giggling at a possible DONALD TRUMP presidential candidacy, but some info from a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll might make people think differently. Among major Republican figures polled, Trump had the highest "positive" rating at 26 percent --higher than both MITT ROMNEY, and TIM PAWLENTY.
   Trump would of course be an extreme longshot to win, but he would likely serve a vital purpose by just getting in the race. He would say things about the current world and national scene that no other candidate would dare.
   He's already made the rounds of the major conservative radio shows, blasting the governments of both China and South Korea for their restrictive trade practices, as well as Saudi Arabi and OPEC for manipulating the price of crude oil.
   Would anyone from either party touch seriously on those issues? (Pacelli)

Bid'ness is Bid'ness:

Penthouse Magazine just launched the world's first 3-D porn channel. But, don't get too excited --it's in Europe, not the U-S.
   AOL News says the channel will broadcast original hardcore and softcore videos from 11 at-night until 5 in-the-morning every day.
   No word on which 3-D technology they'll be using. At this point, there are several different types of 3-D televisions out there. And, so far, there's no real standard.
   Editor's note: Finally --3-D and Double-D together! (Still)

Designer Update:

Want to smell like GEORGE CLOONEY? Beware --it's gonna cost 'ya! Perfume insiders tell the NY Post' s Page Six gossip column the grey fox was negotiating a deal with Coty to distribute a new fragrance, but the company backed out because he wanted more than thirty-million-bucks to stamp his name on a bottle. Word is his price was just too high and it didn't make financial sense. (Lee)

Broadcast, cable and video news:

"Saturday Night Live" opened with a slam at CHARLIE SHEEN (are you surprised), with BILL HARDER playing the host of the new show, "Duh! Winning!"
   Guests on the parody included a fake JOHN GALLIANO, MUAMMAR GADDAFI and host MILEY CYRUS as LINDSAY LOHAN.
   Editor's note: video at the NBC website HERE.
   Also on the show, Miley told the audience in her opening monologue that "Hannah Montana" was the Disney Channel version of "Black Swan." She also dressed up as JUSTIN BIEBER for a skit and played FERGIE from the BLACK EYED PEAS.
   Overnight ratings for SNL showed it pulled eight percent more audience than last year's edition.

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

PHIL COLLINS has officially retired from the music business. He told FHM (quote), "I don't really belong to that world and I don't think anyone's going to miss me." Phil is also tired of all the critics bashing him and apologizes for being so successful. He said (quote), "It's hardly surprising that people grew to hate me."
   Editor's note: C'mon, Phil. You were the drummer and singer for GENESIS and took them from a progressive rock band for pot smoking hippies to a stadium act. Ok, so maybe not all of your solo stuff was great, but "In The Air Tonight" remains one of the best "screw you" songs of all time, and an easy opportunity to play air drums. We'll miss you, Phil... maybe. (Marino)