The Inside Scoop

And On CBS.com

(CBS)  QUOTE OF THE DAY
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
Voltaire

---

DID YOU KNOW?
Ever wonder why there are no letters assigned to the numbers 1 and 0 on a phone keypad? These numbers remain unassigned because they are so-called "flag" numbers, kept for special purposes such as emergency or operator services.

---

BRAIN TEASER
What is the next number in this sequence?

1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 22, 23, 46, 47, ...

---

SOLUTION
Find the answer in tomorrow's Scoop!

---

Last updated at 5:15pm on Wednesday, December 16, 2009


TONIGHT ON THE CBS EVENING NEWS

Here's a look at what we are working on for tonight's broadcast of The CBS Evening News from Anchor and Managing Editor, Katie Couric:

Hi everyone.

The drive by Senate Democrats to pass health care reform by Christmas sputtered a bit today. Moderate Ben Nelson of Nebraska said he still has concerns about abortion and other issues. Nelson is the only known holdout among the 60 senators whose votes are needed to move the bill forward. This came as Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma forced the clerk to read the 767 page document out loud. We'll have complete coverage of the day's events from CBS News Congressional Correspondent Nancy Cordes and CBS News Investigative Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. For more on this story, Click Here

Also tonight, in an extraordinary gesture, President Obama has sent a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, urging him to come back to the bargaining table over its nuclear program. For more than a half century, the U.S. and South Korea have been on alert to repel a potential attack from the north. So, what if the unthinkable actually happened? What would a second Korean war look like? CBS News National Security Correspondent David Martin reports that experts believe it would be a disaster for all sides. For more on this story, Click Here

And, we end tonight with a "monumental" project to honor the culture and heritage of Native American Chief Crazy Horse. Kaz Ziolkowski and his family have spent the past 50 years carving Crazy Horse's image out of the side of a mountain in South Dakota. Their story is tonight's American Spirit.

See you tonight. Katie

Here's an early look at one of the stories we are working on for Thursday night's broadcast of The CBS Evening News: As the U.S. Congress debates healthcare reform, Mexico has a plan that's luring thousands of Americans. But is it too good to be true? We'll take a look Thursday night, only on The CBS Evening News.

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us: [e-mail]

---

TONIGHT ON DAVID LETTERMAN
Tonight, actor Robert Downey Jr. joins Dave along with musical guest Kris Allen.

---

THURSDAY MORNING ON THE EARLY SHOW

Harry Smith, Debbye Turner Bell and Russ Mitchell will anchor from New York. Dave Price will bring us the weather. Maggie Rodriguez is on assignment. Julie Chen is on maternity leave.

In addition to the day’s top news, here's a look at some of the stories we are working on for Thursday morning's broadcast:

Mirror mirror on the wall -- who's the wrinkliest of them all? According to a new study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, it’s women who wrinkle more easily, showing more wrinkles and deeper lines than their male counterparts. Their analysis attributes a woman's wrinkles woes to fewer sweat and sebaceous glands, fewer blood vessels and a different muscle structure. CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton will detail the study’s findings. She'll also have some great tips for you that will help you prevent those pesky wrinkles. Definitely a great report you won't want to miss.

For many people, an extra holiday tip for the mailman or newspaper boy is a customary way of saying “thanks” at the end of the year. But how do you know who it is you should be tipping? How much should you give? And what if you're having difficulty pulling together a few extra dollars in today's turbulent economy? CBS News Financial Contributor Ray Martin will have the answers to those questions and more Thursday morning, so don’t miss out if you’re feeling topsy-turvy about tipping!

He’s the king of romantic comedies, and his upcoming film Did You Hear About the Morgans? is no exception. Hollywood heartthrob Hugh Grant joins us Thursday morning to dish on his new movie, why he’s so picky about his films and what it’s like working opposite of some of Hollywood’s most popular leading ladies.

And, part two of our special two-day cooking segment with Iron Chef Michael Symon! He won the first season of the Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef, and now he’s winning his way into your recipe books with two great dishes! In case you missed out on his beautiful braised veal shanks on Wednesday, you can find the recipe here. Thursday morning, check out what delicious dish Michael has in store for the lamb leftovers! Two great recipes for the price of one!

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us: [e-mail]

---

TO SUBSCRIBE
Click here to subscribe to the Inside Scoop.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE
Unsubscribe information is included in each e-mail you receive.

TRANSCRIPTS AND VHS TAPES
For transcripts of our CBS News broadcasts, please call 1-800-777-TEXT. To order VHS copies, please call 1-800-934-NEWS

COMMENTS
Please know that we do read all the e-mails that are sent to this newsletter and when appropriate, these e-mails are forwarded to the each of the respective broadcasts.

Email us at [e-mail]. While we do try to answer each e-mail, please be advised that sometimes we are just not able to.

Thank you. Your friends at the Scoop.