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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Nov 26, 2013
November 26, 2013
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Christmas lights:
Think your neighbors go a bit overboard on Christmas decorations? At least you don't live next to the guy with 502,165 Christmas lights.
That's how many LED lights the family of DAVID and JANEAN RICHARDS used to deck out their home in Canberra, Australia, all to clinch the 2013 Guinness World Record for most Christmas lights in one display.
Guinness says the display includes more than 31 miles of lights.
Electric bill, you say? Richard says his electric bill runs about $2,291 each month the lights are up, although a local energy company is covering the cost.
This is actually the second time the Richards have earned the Guinness title. They first set a record back in 2011 with 331,038 lights, but were unseated last year by a family from Lagrangeville, NY. The Richards have been working on the spectacle since early October.
But at least it's for a good cause: they're raising money for a charity called SIDS and Kids ACT, which works to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Whatever the motivation, we're sure Clark Griswold would be very proud. (Maiman)Guilty Pleasures:
No winner in Friday night's drawing for the Mega Millions Lottery. That means tonight's drawing is valued at $205 million ($110 million cash value). Mega Millions is played in 42 states and Washington DC. Chances of winning the big prize are 1 in 175.7 million.
Trash talk and satellite dish:
JUSTIN BIEBER may think he's a grown-up, but make no mistake about it --the teenager is still under the watchful eye of his protective mama. The National Enquirer reports PATTIE MALLETTE went ballistic when she heard her baby boy paid for sex at a South American (ahem) gentlemen's club. Apparently she lectured him about the value of self-respect, the health risks of hiring ladies for the night and told him she refuses to watch him self-destruct. On the bright side, the tongue-lashing worked and friends say his "usual arrogant, self-centered attitude has taken a beating." (Lee)
CHEF MARIO BATALI just dropped a footwear bombshell. In an interview with Details magazine, Batali says he ordered 200 pairs of his signature orange Crocs because he found out that the line is being discontinued. Racked.com has confirmed that Crocs is discontinuing the color. But, they said the chef's namesake line of Bistro Mario Batali Vent Clogs will still be available. They added that they also plan to add a new Crocs design for next year. (Bartha)
Broadcast, cable and video news:
The death of BRIAN, the family dog on the animated series, "The Family Guy," was a hot topic at the office yesterday, so much so that fans of the show have taken to the Internet to try to resuscitate the animated pooch, who has been a major character in the series since its launch over a decade ago.
The dog died on Sunday's "Life of Brian" episode after getting hit by a car. (watch)
Now viewers have put up a petition calling for the writers and producers to bring back Brian on Change.org. As of this morning, 24,974 people have signed the petition.
And the petition links to a Facebook page --"RIP Brian Griffin From Family Guy-- that has already amassed more than 296-thousand likes.
The petition sums up the mood of viewers: "The writers of family guy didn't just kill off one of their creations, they killed off the dog who has lived in our homes for the last 15 years. They killed the dog we all have come to love. They killed America's dog!"
Brian is one of several characters voiced by creator SETH MacFARLANE, who also does Peter, Stewie, Glenn Quagmire and many others. No word on why they decided to kill off the character.
Sheesh. (Maiman)Animal Stories:
A fashion designer is infuriating animal rights groups by designing accessories made from real dead toads.
Polish designer MONIKA JAROSZ is converting thousands of Australian cane toads into expensive designer purses and wallets. But, Jarosz says she's actually doing the world a favor. The highly poisonous reptiles are considered an invasive species in Australia, which means they are a serious threat to the environment. One feature that makes the items so highly sought after: the toad-leather purses and bags come with the head intact. (Still) -
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