1/22/2024: Forcible Cat Ejection
PLUS: Ecuador Update; Swift’s Stalker; and “Living Legend”
Today is Monday, January 22, 2024.
It is the 22nd day of the year.
344 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The fifth country in history successfully lands a spacecraft on the moon and hotel guests leave a bizarre assortment of items. Details in HIT LIST.
ALEC BALDWIN is charged again and ANTHONY HOPKINS is working on his own biography. Details in SHOWBIZ.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE heads to “SNL” and a JIMMY HOFFA docuseries is in the works. More in CASTING CALL.
New Instagram posts raise more concerns for YE’s wife BIANCA CENSORI. Details in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY gets an award in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Authorities in Ecuador have arrested two suspects connected to the murder of a prosecutor investigating the gang that broke into a TV studio and wreaked havoc in the early days of the ongoing gang war that erupted when gangleader JOSE “FITO” VILLAMAR disappeared from prison.
MEANWHILE: Fito’s family reportedly bought a house in cash in Argentina just days before he disappeared from prison.
At least eight family members have since been deported from Argentina, though they entered legally. Officials in Ecuador held them at an airport upon their return, but did not have legal grounds to keep them longer. [via CaracolTV]
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Japan safely put a lander on the Moon on Friday, making it the fifth nation to achieve the feat.
Unfortunately, an issue with the lander’s solar panels imperil its ability to generate power. Japan’s space agency believes an incorrect angle could be to blame. Its onboard battery will only power it for a short time. In the meantime, they’re hoping the solar panels catch sunlight as the moon and Earth continue their orbit around the sun. [via Reuters]
MEANWHILE, ON MARS: The Ingenuity helicopter exploring Mars has ceased communications with the Perseverance rover.
The last data came during a 40-foot ascent, then stopped transmitting on its way back down. Ingenuity has already vastly exceeded expectations since it landed in 2021, flying dozens more missions than the handful it was originally designed to. [via Engadget]
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LAST WEEK: A judge scrapped a proposed merger between SPIRIT AIRLINES and JETBLUE.
In the aftermath, Spirit’s stock tanked, but rebounded Friday after the company announced plans to refinance its debt and reported a stronger earnings forecast thanks to lower fuel costs.
STILL: The budget airline’s stock is still down 55% last week and lost more than $870 MILLION in value. [via CNBC]
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A Russian train conductor faces calls to be fired after she threw a passenger’s cat out the window in freezing temperatures while making a stop last week.
A petition has amassed more than 300,000 signatures demanding the unnamed conductor get the ax.
The tom cat reportedly got out of its pet carrier and wandered the train, when the conductor mistook it for a stray and “forcibly ejected the animal from the carriage,” ABC News reports.
Upon realizing the mistake, hundreds of people went in search of the cat, named Twix, which was found dead on Saturday, frozen, with multiple animal bites.
While another petition calls not just for the conductor’s firing, but for criminal charges to be brought, prosecutors so far say they're going to pass. [via ABC News]
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British travel company EasyJet Holidays surveyed 100 of its in-network hotels, asking about the strangest things that have been left behind by guests.
Topping the list is dentures, followed by witchcraft paraphernalia and prosthetic limbs.
Rounding out the top ten, items include a glass eye, grandma’s “lucky” tea cup, thousands of German Mark coins stashed behind a toilet’s water tank, a clown costume, an inflatable boat, caviar, and rosary beads. [via EasyJet Holidays]
DEATHS
ADAM HARRISON, the son of “Pawn Stars” host RICK HARRISON has died.
Few details are known about his passing, except that it was due to an overdose.
He was only 39.
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World champion pole vaulter SHAWN BARBER has died.
He passed away on January 17 at his home in Texas. An exact cause of death was not shared, though his agent said he had been experiencing health issues.
Barber took home back-to-back NCAA championships while attending the University of Akron, and participated in the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, where he took 10th place.
He was only 29.
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WEDDINGS
Actor JOSH RADNOR has tied the knot with clinical psychologist JORDANA JACOBS.
The pair said “I do” at the Cedar Lake Estate in New York on January 6, where the 164 guests in attendance sat through falling snow and 22-degree temperatures.
Radnor and Jacobs met in 2022 and got engaged last year.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Poor Things: $2 million (up from 13)
9. The Boys in the Boat: $2.5 million (down from 8)
8. Night Swim: $2.7 million (down from 7)
7. I.S.S.: $3 million (new)
6. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: $3.6 million (stayed at 6)
5. Migration: $5.3 million (stayed at 5)
4. Anyone But You: $5.4 million (stayed at 4)
3. Wonka: $6.4 million (stayed at 3)
2. The Beekeeper: $8.4 million (stayed at 2)
1. Mean Girls: $11.7 million (stayed at 1)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 395 points (1.05%) to close at 37,863 on Friday. The S&P gained 58 points (1.23%) to close at 4,839 and the NASDAQ increased 255 points (1.7%) to close at 15,310.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $73 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $78.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.07 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN was mostly flat for the weekend, trading around $41,700.
🛩 There were more than 3,090 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 400 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $262 million jackpot or a $123.5 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $133 million jackpot or a $63.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
ALEC BALDWIN is once again facing involuntary manslaughter charges for the shooting death of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
There are two charges listed on the new indictment: involuntary manslaughter involving negligent use of a firearm and involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection. Sources say the D.A. will likely only pursue one of the charges, however.
Baldwin pled not guilty to the first round of charges (which were eventually dropped) and will likely do the same this time.
He faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted. [via TMZ]
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A man attempting to make his way into TAYLOR SWIFT’s Tribeca apartment was arrested over the weekend.
While the NYPD would not confirm that the guy was there to see Swift, several others at the scene told Page Six he made his way to her door. They also stated that the unidentified guy has been hanging around the neighborhood “for a few weeks” and “generally making everyone uncomfortable.”
Though unconfirmed, there is a chance Swift was home at the time of the incident as her boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE and his Chiefs took on the Buffalo Bills in NY on Sunday. [via Page Six]
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ANTHONY HOPKINS is working on his own biography.
“I do have quite a memory,” the 86-year-old told People while explaining how easy it is for him to recall past events. “I remember days of the months in the years.”
And while Hopkins works on that, his wife is busy working on a documentary about him, which includes interviews from some of his many co-stars, including JODIE FOSTER.
BY THE WAY: Hopkins’ latest film, “Freud’s Last Session,” is currently in theaters. [via People]
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“Southern Charm” stars CRAIG CONOVER and AUSTEN KROLL are opening up a “neighborhood tavern” in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, called By The Way.
“It's going to be a really intimate space,” Conover told ET, while Kroll said the plan is to have a space where you “lose track of time and before you know it, hours have passed.” They also plan to bring in local, “talented musicians” to perform every week.
In addition to appearing in the Bravo show, Conover and Kroll also collaborate on the “Pillows and Beer” podcast.
The news comes just after Season 9 of “Southern Charm” wrapped. [via ET]
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TODD CHRISLEY might be relocated to a new prison after complaining about the conditions at FPC Pensacola, where he is serving a 12-year sentence.
His attorney, Jay Surgent, told Radar Online that Todd doesn’t want to be moved -- despite the horrid conditions -- because he fears he could be relocated further away from his family.
Todd’s daughter, SAVANNAH CHRISLEY, opened up about the alleged transfer on social media, claiming the prison is retaliating against her dad for speaking out by threatening to move him to a prison in Alabama.
No one from the FCP Pensacola has confirmed the rumors. [via Radar Online]
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CASTING CALL
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE will be the musical guest for the upcoming episode of “SNL.”
He joins actress DAKOTA JOHNSON, who will be hosting for the second time.
The appearance will mark Timberlake’s 11th on the show -- five as host and six as a performer. [via ET]
SPEAKING OF JT: During his free concert in Memphis on Friday, he performed a song, titled “Selfish,” from his forthcoming album. JT also unveiled a trailer for his sixth album, called “Everything I Thought I Was.” [via Billboard]
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SOFIA VERGARA is being sued by the family of Griselda Blanco over her role as the Colombian queen-pin in a new Netflix mini series.
The adult children of Griselda claim the streamer and actress did not get permission to use their family’s image or likeness for the show.
“Griselda” is set to debut on Friday, though the family is asking that a judge delay that.
Vergara, who is also an executive producer on the show, has not responded to the suit. [via TMZ]
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With the blessing of his family, Village Roadshow will produce a docuseries about notorious mob consort JIMMY HOFFA.
President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1957 to 1971, Hoffa helped the union win several major agreements, while also dipping his toes in the world of organized crime.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 1967 for a handful of crimes, including jury tampering, attempted bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud, but would have the sentence committed by President Nixon in 1971.
Perhaps the most notable part of Hoffa’s story is his disappearance in July 1975, which many believe came at the hands of the Mafia.
Hoffa’s story has been depicted several times in movies, with several big names playing him, including AL PACINO in “The Irishman,” SYLVESTER STALLONE in “F.I.S.T.,” and JACK NICHOLSON in “Hoffa.” [via Deadline]
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SAOIRSE RONAN was originally supposed to play a “Weird Barbie” in 2023’s blockbuster film, but had to exit due to a scheduling conflict.
“I had a scene, but didn’t ever get to do it, and it wasn’t in the movie,” she told Variety Studio at the Sundance Film Festival.
As for what the scene was going to be, Ronan said she was going to star opposite fellow “Weird Barbie” played by KATE MCKINNON as a “strange girl who talked to herself and always had her pet dog with her and always talked to the dog and wouldn’t look at anyone.”
Ronan was at Sundance to promote her new film “Outrun.” [via Daily Mail]
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“Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning” will land on Pararmount+ on January 25.
Originally called “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One,” the “Part One” has been dropped following the announcement that the upcoming eighth film, originally titled “Dead Reckoning Part Two” will receive a new name. Also, that film has been pushed back from June 2024 release to a May 2025 theatrical release.
Many of the stars from “Dead Reckoning” are slated to return for “Mission: Impossible 8.” [via Variety]
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CRIB NOTES
The Bellevue, Washington home JEFF BEZOS occupied when he founded Amazon is on the market for $2.28 million
The property, located close to Lake Washington, is where Bezos launched the now trillion dollar company from his garage in 1994.
The bungalow last hit the market in 2018 for $1.5 million.
BY THE WAY: Bezos currently lives in a $79 million mansion in Florida’s “Billionaire Bunker.” [via Daily Mail]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
A slew of new Instagram photos has fans once again concerned that YE is controlling BIANCA CENSORI.
“This is actually sickening,” one user commented on a photo in which Censori appears to be making breakfast wearing only a leather face mask, black boots and a barely-there swimsuit.
This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about the couple’s relationship. Months ago Censori’s family and friends reportedly held an intervention, but she was reportedly not receptive, even telling her friends to “[eff] off.”
Since the pair tied the knot in December 2022, there have been many rumors of Ye’s controlling nature, including him dictating what she wears, eats and setting up a workout routine for her. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
It’s official: PRINCE HARRY is a “Living Legend of Aviation.”
Actor JOHN TRAVOLTA presented the prince with the award at a ceremony in Beverly Hills over the weekend.
Travolta and Harry’s mother, PRINCESS DIANA, famously danced together at the White House in 1985. In his acceptance speech, Harry ribbed the actor for frequently talking about the moment, saying, “I was one-year-old when you danced with my mum. As you've told everybody here and continue to dine out on that probably every single night.”
The Telegraph reports that Travolta, himself a pilot, was the “driving force” behind giving Harry the award. [via DailyMail]
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
National Blonde Brownie Day
National Hot Sauce Day
Celebration of Life Day
Community Manager Appreciation Day
National Polka Dot Day
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ON THIS DATE
1901 - Queen Victoria dies, ending the longest reign in British history at the time.
She is credited with maintaining the legacy of the British monarchy while other European states sought revolution and democracy.
The British parliament evolved into a freer political system with time.
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1919 - Representatives of both the Ukrainian's People's Republic and West Ukrainian's People's Republic sign the Act Zluky.
Both states emerged from the turmoil of the First World War and the October Revolution as far-left states.
As Soviet influence increased, the West state threw in with the communists. The other country was strong-armed into Soviet control.
By signing the Act Zluky, the Soviets unified the two countries as a Soviet Republic. But the union wouldn't last long. One fragment of the country would split off into Poland.
With World War II brewing, it didn't matter much anyway.
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1973 - President Johnson dies.
Following his stint in the White House, he retired to his ranch in Texas, where he took on construction projects and maintained the animals.
The day before his fatal heart attack, he attended the inauguration of Richard Nixon, who spoke of peace in Vietnam and dismantling Johnson's Great Society.
ALSO THAT DAY…
The Supreme Court hands down Roe v. Wade, making abortion legal federally.
By 1900, most states had outlawed abortion, which were strengthened in many state legislatures in the 1930s. Meanwhile, on the coasts, pro-life laws were dismantled.
The Justices leveraged the Fourteenth Amendment and the right to privacy to rule in favor of Jane Roe, whose real name was Norma McCorvey.
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2010 - Conan O'Brien ends his brief run as host of “The Tonight Show.”
NBC promised him the show when Jay Leno started to talk of retirement several years earlier. Leno wasn't quite ready to hang up his hat, and took an earlier time slot with a similar show format.
Soon, Conan's ratings would flounder, and NBC executives wanted to move Leno to a half-hour slot before Conan as a lead-in. But Conan wouldn't have it; hosting “The Tonight Show” was his dream, and changing its historic time slot and format just didn't sit right.
NBC ended up paying him a reported $30 million to leave the show.
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2018 - Netflix becomes the largest digital media and entertainment company in the world with a $100 billion worth.
At the end of 2017 the platform had over 110.6 million paid subscribers -- with 8 million of them joining in the fourth quarter of the year.
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BIRTHDAYS
Caitlin Clark - basketball player - 22
Ali Saleh - soccer player - 24
Silento - rapper - 26
Dillon Brooks - basketball player - 28
Logic - rapper - 34
Beverley Mitchell - actress, “7th Heaven” - 43
Gabriel Macht - actor, “Suits” - 52
Guy Fieri - chef - 56
Diane Lane - actress, “The Perfect Storm” & “Man of Steel” - 59
Steve Adler - drummer, Guns N’ Roses - 59
DJ Jazzy Jeff - DJ - 59
Linda Blair - actress, “The Exorcist” - 65
Steve Perry - rock singer, Journey - 75
Born On This Date
Michael Hutchence - rock singer, INXS - 1960 (d. 1997)
John Hurt - actor, “The Elephant Man” - 1940 (d. 2017)
Sam Cooke - soul singer - 1931 (d. 1964)
George Balanchine - founder of the NY City Ballet - 1904 (d. 1983)
Philip Hamilton - eldest son of Alexander Hamilton - 1782 (d. 1801)
William Kidd - Scottish pirate - 1645 (d. 1701)
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