1/24/2024: Fyre Festival II Update
PLUS: Teslas Tank; Swift’s Stalker Strikes Again; and The Doting King
Today is Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
It is the 24th day of the year.
342 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
KIM JONG JUNIOR alienates his southern neighbors and a Canadian Court rebukes Trudeau. Details in HIT LIST.
Check out which films got nominated and which ones got snubbed in SHOWBIZ.
Some big things are heading to NETFLIX. Details in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN is apparently done “re-evaluating” her relationship with this brand. Find out more in KARDASH.
KING CHARLES is quite the doting grandpapa. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The average resale value of a TESLA EV has slid 4% just since the start of the year, according to an analysis of CarGurus data.
Between January 1 and January 21, the average Tesla sale decreased by $1,536. Overall used car sales went down just $377. [via New York Post]
WORTH NOTING: In that time, freezing temperatures across the country left many EV batteries quite literally out dead in the cold, and car rental company HERTZ announced it was selling off a big portion of its EV fleet, with many of those going for half the retail price of a new one.
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Preparations for whatever tropical music festival convicted fraudster BILLY MCFARLAND – the Fyre Festival guy – has in the works continue to develop.
On Monday, McFarland announced only 100 tickets remained in the last tranche of pre-sale tickets – but buying one requires screening through an application process.
Then on Tuesday, in a follow-up post on X, McFarland said he had received 73 applications “worth a potential $15,564,355.90 in 24 hours.”
Some back-of-the-napkin math suggests that’s about $213,000 per pre-sale ticket.
It appears much of this process is intentionally shrouded in mystery and exclusivity – which was the whole schtick the first time around. [via X]
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LAST WEEK: North Korea formally abandoned the pretense of reunification with South Korea, eliminating any language about a united Korea from its Constitution.
NOW: Satellite imagery suggests the North Korean government has dismantled the 100-foot-tall and 200-foot-wide “unification arch” in Pyongyang, a statue symbolizing efforts to one day reunite the nations.
KIM JONG JUNIOR ordered the removal and destruction of the statute on January 15. [via NK News]
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In case you forgot how nutty things got in Canada in the final months of covid-era restrictions and lockdowns, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU ordered seizures of bank accounts and imprisonment of many protesting his government’s rules.
NOW: Canada’s Federal Court rebuked Trudeau for broadly invoking the “War Measures Act” he used to justify the measures.
The Counter Signal reports, “The court found that the use of the Emergencies Act, a measure reserved for situations of severe national crisis, was disproportionate and infringed upon freedom of thought, opinion, and expression rights” of protestors. [via The Counter Signal]
MEANWHILE: Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND said later in the day the government intends to appeal the ruling.
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A man from New Jersey is putting his professional tree climbing skills to good use, by rescuing local cats who find themselves stuck in tall trees.
Steven Murrow, owner of Tesla Tree Service, said it all started when friends of his reached out asking if he would be willing to rescue a cat that had gotten stuck, with no one around to help it. From there a new hobby began.
An avid animal lover, Murrow never asks for any sort of compensation from the family members of the furry ones he saves.
Last year he rescued 39 cats. [via 6ABC]
DEATHS
Actor GARY GRAHAM has died.
He passed away Monday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to his wife.
Graham starred in the TV series “Alien Nation,” and various other “Star Trek” projects.
He was 73.
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BABY NEWS
Olympian MICHAEL PHLEPS and his wife NICOLE PHELPS have welcomed baby #4.
Nico Michael Phelps arrived on January 16, according to an Instagram post from the couple.
He joins big brothers, 7-year-old Boomer, 5-year-old Beckett and 4-year-old Maverick.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 96 points (0.25%) to close at 37,905 on Tuesday. The S&P added 14 points (0.29%) to close at 4,864 and the NASDAQ added 65 points (0.43%) to close at 15,425.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $74; BRENT CRUDE at $79.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.08 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid again on Tuesday, trading around $39,200, as investors anticipate massive crypto assets held by FTX to be liquidated as part of paying debts to creditors, among other ongoing crypto bankruptcies.
🛩 There were more than 3,450 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 540 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $145 million jackpot or a $69.7 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Nominations for the 96th annual Oscars were announced Tuesday.
“Oppenheimer” topped the list with 13 nods, followed by “Poor Things” with 11, “Killers of the Flower Moon” with 10, and “Barbie” with eight.
There were several notable snubs, but the biggest was “Barbie” star MARGOT ROBBIE being left off the list for Best Actress, and GRETA GERWIG being shut out as director of the blockbuster. Meanwhile, RYAN GOSLING, who starred opposite Robbie as Ken, landed a Best Actor nod. [via Deadline, Variety]
WORTH NOTING: Earning his 10th nomination, with his latest film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” MARTIN SCORSESE is now the most-nominated living director, surpassing STEVEN SPIELBERG. [via EW]
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Actress ANNE HATHWAY walked out of a Vanity Fair photoshoot in full glam on Tuesday as the Screen Actors Guild joined in solidarity with unionized staffers at Conde Nast, the parent company behind publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair.
According to Variety, over 400 employees walked off the job in protest of looming layoffs. They were heard chanting, “Bosses wear Prada, workers get nada!”
The protest follows CEO Roger Lynch’s announcement that the company will lay off 5% of the staff, which is about 300 employees. [via Variety]
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TAYLOR SWIFT’s stalker showed up at her Tribeca apartment again Monday -- just days after being arrested for trying to get inside and see her.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that David Crowe, who on Saturday made his way to Swift’s front door, was booked on stalking and harassment charges after showing up at her pad again.
No word on whether or not Swift was home during either incident. [via TMZ]
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A pair of MADONNA fans are suing the Material Girl after she was late taking the stage at a concert in NYC last December.
Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden claim Madonna was scheduled to start singing around 8:30 pm, but didn’t end up coming out until after 10:30 pm.
By the time the show was over it was after 1 am and the two say they were “left stranded” because of “limited public transportation.” They also claim that the late night affected their ability to “take care of their responsibilities the next day.”
It is unclear what sort of compensation Fellows and Hadden are seeking. [via The Guardian]
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Actress KATE HUDSON is ready to release her first single.
She teased a clip of the song, titled “Talk About Love,” on Instagram this week, with a plug about a release date of January 30. [via ET]
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Fans think 50 CENT might be the latest celebrity to jump on the Ozempic bandwagon after the actor showed off his svelte figure on social media.
“Ozempic takes another, but I like Teddy Bear 50,” one follower wrote, while another said he now looks like “25 Cent.”
An insider told Page Six that 50 is not using the diabetes drug for weight loss, and instead has been on a “rigorous” training program for eight months. [via Page Six]
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SUNNY HOSTIN vented to her co-hosts on “The View” Tuesday about people criticizing her style.
“I get criticized often on these stupid social media things about, ‘That’s too young for you.’ Well guess what? I don’t care. I like to wear what I want to wear,” she explained.
Body image and body positivity were the topics of the day yesterday after SELENA GOMEZ reflected on how her body has changed over the years, sharing old and current photos on Instagram.
“She shows what actual bodies look like, and we need more of that,” Hostin’s co-host ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN concluded. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be home to WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.”
According to Deadline, the 10-year deal is worth $5 BILLION.
“Raw” has aired on the USA Network since its inception in January 1993. [via Deadline]
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A docuseries centering on BON JOVI is in the works for Hulu.
The four-part docuseries, titled “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” is the first in the band’s 40-year history that includes all past and present members, including frontman JON BON JOVI.
It will premiere on April 26. [via People]
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Netflix announced this week that BRITNEY SPEARS’ 2002 film “Crossroads” will soon be streamable.
“Crossroads” is "the story of three childhood friends, Lucy, Kit and Mimi, who, after eight years apart, rediscover their friendship on a cross-country trip. With barely a plan, practically no money but plenty of dreams, the girls catch a lift with Mimi's handsome friend Ben in his convertible," per the film's description.
The movie, which also stars TARYN MANNING and ZOE SALDANA, will hit the streamer on February 15. [via ET]
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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK
Country singer CHRIS YOUNG landed in the slammer on Monday night after an obnoxious night out in downtown Nashville.
According to multiple sources, the 38-year-old was drinking at the Tin Roof bar when agents from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission showed up checking IDs.
After checking his ID, eyewitnesses say Young started following the agents, recording them and asking questions. He also followed them to an adjacent bar called the Dawg House, where he allegedly put his hands on one of the men.
From there, things got even more hostile and Young was arrested and booked for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault on an officer. All three charges are misdemeanors.
Young posted a $2,500 bond and was released on Tuesday. He is due back in court on February 16. [via TMZ]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN is the new brand ambassador for Balenciaga.
The move comes two years after Kim told fans she was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand after its 2022 scandal, in which it released a pair of controversial ads featuring children holding teddy bears dressed in BDSM gear.
Following the announcement, Kim released her own statement, saying that her “long-standing relationship [with Balenciaga] is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what’s right,” and that she is “excited about this next chapter for the brand.” [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
With the sensational stories broken, some more interesting tidbits from Robert Hardman’s biography of KING CHARLES have emerged.
Hardman credits the King with being a “doting” grandfather, who goes out of his way to spend time with the grandkids at least once a week.
In August 2022, PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS KATE moved their full time residence to Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor. Now, Charles has directed his staff to ensure he spends at least one night at Windsor himself to be within walking distance to the Waleses.
Hardman says, “[The King] never really had that sort of proximity to the younger family. Now, there's more overlap." [via Express]
DAY OF THE YEAR
National Peanut Butter Day
National Lobster Thermidor Day
Paul Pitcher Day
Global Belly Laugh Day
National Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day
National Beer Can Appreciation Day
Macintosh Computer Day
National Just Do It Day
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ON THIS DATE
1781 - Brigadier General Francis Marion rallies a militia force to raid Georgetown, South Carolina.
The crew took three officers captive, and later used their uniforms to infiltrate a British camp.
Marion's story served to inspire “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson.
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1908 - Lord Robert Baden-Powell publishes "Scouting for Boys" in England.
The book created buzz around Britain and informal troupes of interested boys popped up around the country.
By the end of the year there were 60,000 scouts. Some girls were interested, and Baden-Powell formed the Girl Guides to be a separate organization.
The program crossed the pond to the U.S. in 1910.
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1935 - The Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company delivers 2,000 sealed cans of beer to a test group of loyal drinkers in Richmond, Virginia.
91% liked the taste and convenience. And an American staple was born.
The cans were a product of the American Can Company. The drinks were pressurized, and the tin was chemically coated so the carbonated beer would not react with it.
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1972 - Farmers living on Guam discover a Japanese man who had been surviving off the land for 28 years.
Shiochi Yokoi was a Japanese sergeant. When Americans invaded, he went into hiding rather than surrender. In the meantime, he wasn't aware the war had ended, and was waiting for the Japanese to return.
Obviously, he was misinformed.
When he got married back in Japan, he chose a tropical place for his honeymoon: Guam.
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1984 - Apple Computer Inc unveils its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer.
It sold for around $2,500.
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2006 - Walt Disney purchases Pixar.
Pixar is the production company behind movies like “Toy Story” and “The Incredibles.” Disney had always been their distributor.
The deal went through for more than $7 billion.
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2010 - Olympian Nancy Kerrigan’s father dies in bizarre circumstances.
It was initially alleged that Kerrigan’s brother Mark choked their father in a drunken rage, triggering heart failure.
The family unilaterally argued that their father died of a heart attack and sought to keep Mark out of trouble.
After the trial, Mark Kerrigan was found not guilty of manslaughter but was on the hook for assault and battery. His sentence was 2 and a half years.
He would be released from jail after 13 months.
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2018 - Former US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar, who was found guilty of molesting over 150 girls, is sentenced to 40 to 175 years in a Michigan state prison.
That is in addition to the 60 years he received on federal child pornography charges from the previous year.
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BIRTHDAYS
Michael Provost - actor, “Insatiable” - 26
Rye Beaumont - pop singer, RoadTrip - 28
Callan McAuliffe - actor, “The Great Gatsby” - 29
Johnny Link - actor, “My Life with the Walter Boys” - 30
James Kennedy - music producer, DJ, reality star, “Vanderpump Rules” - 32
Rege-Jean Page - actor, “Bridgerton” & “For the People” - 36
Luis Suarez - soccer player - 37
Mischa Barton - actress, “The O.C.” - 38
Justin Baldoni - actor, “Jane the Virgin” & “Everwood” - 40
Daveed Diggs - rapper - 42
Tatyana Ali - actress, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” - 45
Kristen Schaal - actress, “The Last Man on Earth” - 46
Ed Helms - actor, “The Hangover” films - 50
Matthew Lillard - actor, “She’s All That” & “Scooby-Doo” - 54
Mary Lou Retton - Olympic gymnast - 56
Neil Diamond - rock singer - 83
Ray Stevens - country singer - 85
Born On This Date
John Belushi - comedian, “SNL” & “Animal House” - 1949 (d. 1982)
Sharon Tate - actress, “Valley of the Dolls” - 1943 (d. 1969)
Maria Tallchief - prima ballerina, The Nutcracker - 1925 (d. 2013)
Edith Wharton - novelist, “Ethan Frome” & “House of Mirth” - 1862 (d. 1937)
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