10/27/2023: The (Other) Boy Who Lived ⚡
PLUS: More Bud Light Drama; Death Row Bling; and Harry’s “Wall”
Today is Friday, October 27, 2023.
It is the 300th day of the year.
65 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED takes the stand and the Golden Arches starts a big change. More in HIT LIST.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is being supported by his former band members as the world comes at him and MADONNA gets recertified as No. 1. More in SHOWBIZ.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE is working on a documentary about the life of his “Harry Potter” stunt double. More on the project in CASTING CALL.
What would KIM KARDASHIAN’s name be if she joined the SPICE GIRLS? One member of the girl group knows! Find out what she said in KARDASH.
How NETFLIX manages both a controversial period drama and its relationship with PRINCE HARRY in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED took to the witness stand in his fraud trial Thursday – sort of.
The judge dismissed the jury and supervised examination of SBF from both the defense and prosecution to inform the scope of SBF’s testimony that will be admissible in open court.
While there is no live recording of this or any federal trial, one independent journalist live-tweeting the proceedings from the courtroom relayed one incident: after the judge sustained the defense’s objection to the prosecution’s line of questioning, SBF still answered the question anyway.
In exasperation, SBF’s attorney admonished him for responding and added, “Haven’t you been here for four weeks?” – to which SBF said he felt he had to answer the question.
The jury is expected back this morning and is likely to begin formal deliberations early next week. [via Morning Martini]
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McDonald’s announced this week that all locations will begin phasing out its iconic hollow McFlurry spoons this month.
A spokesperson told Insider that after nearly three decades, the ice cream treats will now come with a smaller black spoon that “uses less plastic.”
FUN FACT: The hollow spoon doubled as a spindle, creating a healthy mixture of toppings (M&Ms or Oreos) and ice cream in each McFlurry. Going forward, the company says they will have reusable spindles. [via Insider]
WORTH NOTING: The new spoons will be individually wrapped in…wait for it…plastic.
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BUD LIGHT is still grappling with fallout from its advertising campaign involving trans activist Dylan Mulvaney earlier this year.
Shortly after UFC announced Bud Light as a major sponsor, fans took to social media to threaten a boycott of the organized fighting group with the #BoycottUFC hashtag.
Bud is expected to spend about $100 MILLION a year on the deal. [via DailyMail]
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Last October, an antique map dealer spotted in an online estate sale an old nautical chart that was worth up to $150,000. At auction, the dealer bought it for $239,400.
TURNS OUT: The map truly is one of a kind and worth much, much more.
Pigment analysis and carbon dating tests prove the map likely dates back to Venice around 1360 – about 150 years earlier than the original auction estimated.
The dealer now has it back up for sale – for $7.5 MILLION. [via ArtNEWS]
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Researchers in Brazil say they’ve developed a vaccine for cocaine addiction.
The formula has so far only been tested on animals, but shows promise in inhibiting the drug’s stimulating effects on the brain, virtually eliminating the high from taking it.
So far, 3,000 people have reached out to the research team to volunteer for clinical trials. [via Barron’s]
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BABY NEWS
JAMES MIDDLETON, the youngest brother of PRINCESS KATE, and his wife ALIZEE THEVENET have welcomed their first child.
No details about the newborn or when he/she arrived have been shared.
James and Alizee tied the knot in 2021.
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Olympic figure skater TARA LIPINSKI has welcomed her first child with husband TODD KAPOSTASY.
The pair welcomed the baby girl, named Georgie Winter Lipinski Kapostasy, via surrogate. They announced her arrival this week on their “Unexpecting” podcast.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 251 points (0.76%) to close at 32,784 on Thursday. The S&P lost 49 points (1.18%) to close at 4,137 and the NASDAQ lost 225 points (1.76%) to close at 12,595.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $83; BRENT CRUDE at $87.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN’s surge this week stalled on Thursday, down about 1% and trading around $34,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,230 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 165 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $137 million jackpot or a $59.6 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL will be for a $125 million jackpot or a $54.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Black Pumas, “Chronicles of a Diamond”
Duran Duran, “Danse Macabre”
In This Moment, “Godmode”
James Blunt, “Who We Used To Be”
Jessi Colter, “Edge of Forever”
Motley Crue, “Year of the Devil”
The Mountain Goats, “Jenny From Thebes”
Rett Madison, “One for Jackie”
Taylor Swift, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”
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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has the support of his *NSYNC bandmates as the world reacts to BRITNEY SPEARS’ memories of their past relationship.
In her memoir, Spears details how JT talked her into getting an abortion, cheated on her and broke up with her in a text message.
Despite the backlash, insiders say he has no plans to hide and his tour for next summer is still a go. [via TMZ]
BUT: He did turn off followers’ ability to comment on his Instagram posts.
MEANWHILE: Spears’ ex-husband SAM ASGHARI says he is “freaking proud” of her for putting herself out there with the memoir, while adding that he hopes she “takes over the world.”
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MADONNA was recertified as the biggest-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records this week.
The Material Girl, who has sold over 400 million records over her 40-year career, has held the record since 2009. [via People]
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A pair of diamond-encrusted Death Row Records pendants, once worn by TUPAC SHAKUR and SNOOP DOGG, are hitting the auction block.
The pendants were given to Gotta Have Rock And Roll by the former head of Death Row security, Reggie Wright Jr. and are expected to go for up to $1 million.
Other items up for auction include some partial diamond pendants, which are estimated to go for up to $500,000 and Tupac’s “SNL” performance envelope and ticket, which are expected to fetch up to $12,000. [via CitizenSide]
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TODD CHRISLEY’s attorney, Jay Surgent, claims the reality star has fallen victim to the “broken and inhumane system” at FPC Pensacola in Florida.
In addition to the inhuman conditions Chrisley already spoke out about, he has reportedly been given medication intended for another inmate on a handful of occasions.
Surgent told RadarOnline that the “mix-ups and mistakes are inexcusable” and “another indication of how terrible these conditions have become.”
Remember, Chrisley is currently serving a 12-year sentence for bank and tax fraud. [via Radar Online]
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“Southern Charm” star KATHRYN DENNIS was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run at her children’s school last week.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, a vehicle registered to Dennis hit a school resource officer who was directing traffic in front of the school. After hitting the officer, the SUV drove off. It was later found at Dennis’ home.
The officer was treated for his non-life threatening injuries at the scene.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Here’s the thing though, it has not been confirmed that the reality star was the one driving at the time. [via Decider]
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AL PACINO has settled a custody agreement with his 29-year-old girlfriend NOOR ALFALLAH over their 4-month-old son Roman.
He will also pay all attorneys’ fees.
Many may recall that she filed for full custody of their son last month, with the intent to give the 83-year-old actor “reasonable visitation rights” as well as shared legal custody and the option to weigh in on major life decisions.
While the filing led many to believe the two had called it quits, insiders say they are still very much together. [via Page Six]
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TARA REID spoke out this week about fans’ concerns that she has an eating disorder.
The actress told the Los Angeles Inquisitor that she does not have anorexia or bulimia and “never [has].” Adding, “I love food too much.”
As for all the criticism over her slim frame, Reid said that if she were overweight the comments would be considered bullying, but she feels like it's also bullying to someone who is skinny. [via L.A. Inquisitor]
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Comedians PETE DAVIDSON and JOHN MULANEY have canceled their shows in Maine scheduled for this weekend in light of the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday.
The two were set to perform in Bangor and Portland, which are only about 30 miles from where a man went on a shooting rampage at a bowling alley and bar.
Davidson and Mulaney released a statement on social media Thursday, saying they are “devastated” by the incident. [via Deadline]
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CASTING CALL
The story of how DAVID HOLMES became paralyzed while working as DANIEL RADCLIFFE’s stunt double on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1,” will be told in a forthcoming HBO Original documentary.
“David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived” begins with Holmes’ time as a teenage gymnast in Essex, England, to his time working with Radcliffe. It was during the filming of “Deathly Hallows” that an on-set explosion sent Holmes plummeting to the ground. In the fall he suffered a debilitating spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Radcliffe is executive producing the documentary, which is set to air on November 15. [via People]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
If KIM KARDASHIAN was a SPICE GIRL she would be “Smart Spice,” according to 51-year-old GERI HALLIWELL-HORNER aka Ginger Spice.
Speaking to E! News, Geri reacted to Kim discussing how she was once jokingly asked to join the girl group on a recent episode of “The Kardashians.”
“She deserves something like Inner Strength Spice. I think she’s Smart Spice. She’s smart,” Geri told the outlet.
Fans may recall that MEL C aka Sporty Spice once jokingly asked Kim if she wanted to replace VICTORIA BECKHAM aka Posh Spice on their reunion tour. [via E!]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The final season of “The Crown” on NETFLIX promises to show more of a young PRINCE HARRY – which could make for some awkwardness when he talks to the company’s leadership about his own production deals.
But the streamer’s head honcho says he and Harry have informal barriers and an agreement to just not bring it up. “We keep a wall around this topic when we talk,” TED SARANDOS says.
MEANWHILE: “The Crown”’s creator PETER MORGAN tells Variety that he hasn’t read Harry’s autobiography “Spare.” Morgan says that the arc of the show is about the monarchy, and while Harry’s story may be interesting, it isn’t the point of the program. He adds that he didn’t want any of his sympathy toward Harry to affect his writing. [via Variety]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Nevada Day
Global Champagne Day
National American Beer Day
National Parmigiano Reggiano Day
National Black Cat Day
Cranky Co-Workers Day
Navy Day
National Bandana Day
Frankenstein Friday
National Mentoring Day
National Breadstick Day
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ON THIS DATE
1775 - King George III addresses Parliament, first reading the colonies’ proclamation of rebellion issued a few weeks earlier.
The king compelled the Parliament to send British troops to take control of the rebelling by force. At the time, many colonists believed the king would not put his own subjects in the way of his own army’s harm.
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1873 - Joseph Glidden, a farmer from Illinois, submits a patent for barbed wire.
He came up with the idea when trying to improve upon Henry Rose’s earlier design.
Plains farmers were eager to use the cheap, strong, defensive wire fence.
The innovation allowed new homesteads on the plains to flourish; farmers could protect their animals and crops without having to import lumber for fences.
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1904 - New York City Mayor George McClellan inaugurates the city’s first subway car.
More than 100,000 people paid a nickel that evening to take the first rides through underground Manhattan.
Though systems in London and Boston predated New York’s subway, the Big Apple would soon boast the country’s largest and most extensive system.
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1936 - American socialite Wallis Simpson is granted a divorce from husband Ernest Aldrich, and the wheels are set into motion for a way for her to marry King Edward VIII.
A morganatic marriage was suggested, by which Edward could remain king but his wife would not be queen; the prime ministers of Australia and South Africa objected to this measure.
Ultimately the King abdicated the throne to his brother, the Duke of York, who later ascended the throne as George VI.
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1994 - The American prison population surpasses one million for the first time, according to the Justice Department.
With 1,012,851 men and women incarcerated, it made the US second only to Russia for incarceration rate.
A majority of the prisoners were being held for drug-related convictions.
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2004 - The Boston Red Sox take home their first World Series victory since 1918, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.”
In the ALCS that year, the Sox had trailed the Yankees three-games-to-none, but ended up sweeping the last four -- advancing them to their first World Series since 1986.
The Sox ended up sweeping the St Louis Cardinals in four games.
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2020 - Amy Coney Barrett is added to the Supreme Court.
And…
A record 69.5 million Americans already cast votes -- a week before election day. The amount is half of total votes cast in 2016.
Also…
Europe is hit with a second wave of COVID-19 with rapidly rising cases.
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BIRTHDAYS
Lonzo Ball - basketball player - 26
Samantha Logan - actress, “General Hospital” & “All American” - 27
Islam Makhachev - MMA fighter - 32
Casanova - rapper - 37
Alba Flores - actress, “Money Heist” - 37
Kelly Osbourne - TV show host & daughter of Ozzy & Sharon - 39
Marla Maples - reality star & ex-wife of Donald Trump - 60
John Cleese - actor, “Monty Python” films - 84
Lara Parker - actress, “Dark Shadows” - 86
Born On This Date
Sylvia Plath - poet - 1932 (d. 1963)
Roy Lichtenstein - pop artist - 1923 (d. 1997)
Leif Erickson - actor, “Istanbul” & “Eagle Squadron” - 1911 (d. 1986)
Theodore Roosevelt - 26th POTUS - 1858 (d. 1919)
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