12/6/2024: ¡Viva Chi-Chi’s!
PLUS: NYC Hit Updates; Record-Breaking Eras; and Rumors to Rest
Today is Friday, December 6, 2024.
It is the 341st day of the year.
25 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
NASA sets a new launch window for its manned space program and an historic violin hits the auction block. Details in HIT LIST.
The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Biggest Winners and Losers is in SHOWBIZ.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD returns to ABC’s “New Year's Rockin’ Eve” and PETE DAVIDSON says he was paid this much while on “SNL.” Details in CASTING CALL.
Another former employee is suing YE. Find out more in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY puts rumors of chaos at home to rest – for now. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
In January, NASA delayed its Artemis program’s next launch until at least September next year.
NOW: Artemis II will fly as soon as April 2026. The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022 and carried an unmanned rocket into orbit around the moon, making it the farthest from Earth a human-rated spacecraft has ever flown.
Artemis II will eventually carry astronauts in a flyby of the Moon. If all goes to plan, its follow-up mission in mid-2027 will put human boots on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. [via Morning Martini]
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Restaurant chain CHI-CHI’S will begin reopening locations next year, more than two decades after the final location closed in 2004 amid financial troubles and health-related lawsuits.
As part of the chain’s shutdown, food processing company HORMEL FOODS bought the trademarks for Chi-Chi’s. The son of the chain’s original founder has struck a deal with Hormel to use the Chi-Chi’s brand in a re-launch of multiple locations. No word yet just how many locations will be a part of the deal.
DID YOU KNOW: Chi-Chi’s operated on a limited basis in Europe starting in 2002, but never got big. The last location closed in late 2022. [via Chi-Chi’s, Morning Martini]
SPEAKING OF BURRITOS: Your CHIPOTLE order is about to be inflated – in price, not size.
The fast casual chain announced it has increased prices 2% across the board nationwide. The change comes after former CEO BRIAN NICCOL departed the top job to lead STARBUCKS.
BY THE WAY: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dining-out prices have increased at least 28% since the start of the pandemic. [via Restaurant Dive]
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A violin made by iconic craftsman Antonio Stradivari in 1714 will hit the auction block in February.
The historic instrument, dubbed the “Joachim-Ma,” was played by Si-Hon Ma after Joseph Joachim, who worked with legendary composer Johannes Brahms in the 19th century.
Auction house Sotheby’s estimates the violin could fetch up to $18 MILLION. [via Sotheby’s]
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The search for a missing grandmother who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole turned into a recovery effort on Thursday.
Crews have been looking for any sign of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard in a defunct mine located behind a Pennsylvania bar & grill. She disappeared early Monday while searching for her missing cat, Pepper.
“It’s now a matter of trying to find her and do right by her family,” police spokesperson Trooper Steve Liamini told reporters yesterday. [via USA Today]
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Some new developments in the search for United Healthcare CEO BRIAN THOMPSON’s killer:
– NYPD sources tell the New York Post the suspect used a fake New Jersey ID to check in at a nearby hostel. Officials believe the suspect stayed at the HI New York City Hostel the night before.
– Analysis of the bullets and shell casings show the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” engraved on them. The words eerily parallel a 2010 book critical of the healthcare industry called “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why insurance companies don’t pay claims and what you can do about it.” The book’s author, a law professor at Rutgers, has so far declined to comment.
– The New York Times reports that local police investigated a bomb threat at Thompson’s home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, on Wednesday, while the Wall Street Journal reports that Thompson and his wife have been living in separate homes less than a mile apart for a few years, according to property records and intel from neighbors.
– Also from the Times: authorities believe the suspect purchased the gun used in the hit in Connecticut.
– Other evidence collected so far include a discarded water bottle and a burner cell phone, according to CNN.
– NBC News reports that Thompson didn’t travel with personal security.
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DEATHS
Singer SAMANTHA LAWRENCE has died.
She passed away on December 1, according to an Instagram post from a close friend. No further details were shared.
Lawrence was one half of the UK hip-hop group WEE PAPA GIRL RAPPERS.
She was only 55.
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BABY NEWS
Actress AMBER HEARD is expecting baby #2.
She’s 38.
Heard is already mom to 3-year-old daughter Oonagh Paige.
No other details are known.
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BREAKUPS
“Access Hollywood” host KIT HOOVER and her husband, CEO of Athlete Advantage CROWLEY SULLIVAN, are calling it quits after 25 years of marriage.
She’s 54 and his age is not readily public.
They share three children, ages unknown.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 248 points (0.55%) to close at 44,765 on Thursday. The S&P lost 11 points (0.19%) to close at 6,075 and the NASDAQ lost 34 points (0.18%) to close at 19,700.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $68; BRENT CRUDE at $72.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.03 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN recovered slightly from an evening crash, bottoming out around $92,000 before rebounding.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $579 million jackpot or a $276.6 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $260 million jackpot or a $123 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
New Music Friday
Ashley McBride, “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs”
Cameron Winter, “Heavy Metal”
Dua Lipa, “Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall”
Hozier, “Unreal Unearth: Unending”
Interpol, “Live at Third Man Records”
Jethro Tull, “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album - Fresh Snow At Christmas”
Lauren Mayberry, “Vicious Creature”
Rose, “Rosie”
Tori Amos, “Diving Deep Live”
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The Hollywood Reporter released its annual list of Hollywood’s Biggest Winners and Losers.
Winners include: ZENDAYA and other former child stars; JOE ROGAN and other podcasters; musical movies; everyone involved with “The Penguin”; prolific showrunner TAYLOR SHERIDAN; and “skeezy streaming dating shows.”
Losers include: KEVIN COSTNER and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA; the JOE BIDEN / KAMALA HARRIS cheer squad; everyone involved with “Joker: Folie a Deux;” Cable TV; and “Star Wars.”
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TAYLOR SWIFT’s “Eras Tour Book” sold 814,000 copies in its first weekend, making it the top-selling book of the week and most successful publishing launch of the year.
The 256-page book features over 500 photos and anecdotes from her record-breaking 20-month tour.
The book hit Target shelves on Black Friday. [via AP]
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FLAVOR FLAV posted, and shortly after deleted, a post accusing NBC of having him kicked out of backstage areas during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. According to his original post on X, Flav was hanging with the BACKSTREET BOYS in their dressing room when security asked him to leave the area.
He said that the confusion started after he was asked to pose with the boyband for content, only to later be told he was not welcome backstage.
Later on Thursday, Flav clarified that he was “embarrassed by some language and actions by security guards throwing their weight around” and that he “didn’t realize how many people would care.” [via TMZ, Flavor Flav]
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SEAN COMBS’ first (of many!) Christmases behind bars will include a day filled with card games, dominoes, a three-on-three basketball tournament, and soccer game.
He will be served a special holiday lunch of Cornish hen, mac & cheese, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and a dessert. [via Page Six]
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Before becoming a big movie star, ANGELINA JOLIE says her dream job was to be a funeral director.
It was the death of her grandfather that made her consider the career path, telling JIMMY FALLON, “I remember thinking this is not how they should be. This should be a celebration of life … I thought, ‘This would be a great career path for me … I could, like, make this better.” [via People]
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CASTING CALL
CARRIE UNDERWOOD is set to perform at ABC’s 54th annual “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” taking the stage just before the ball drops at midnight.
Other performers include MEGAN MORONEY, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, LENNY KRAVITZ, TEDDY SWIMS, TINASHE, CODY JOHNSON, and THOMAS RHETT.
RITA ORA will co-host the night alongside RYAN SEACREST, who is marking his 20th year as host. [via Deadline]
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RUMOR IS: Actor PAAPA ESSIEDU is in the running to play Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming “Harry Potter” tv series.
HBO would neither confirm nor deny the rumor.
IN OTHER NEWS: The show is set to start filming next summer. More than 32,000 kids auditioned for the young roles, including the titular character. [via Variety]
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PETE DAVIDSON says he only made about $3000 an episode during his eight-year run on “SNL.”
“I think I got dinner!” he joked in an Instagram video.
Former cast member JASON SUDEIKIS also spoke about the pay, saying, “You don’t really make enough money to make big purchases,” explaining that his checks mostly went to rent.
ELSEWHERE: Actors JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS and BOWEN YANG used their paycheck to splurge on some high-end shoes. [via THR]
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SUSAN SMITH -- the mom who murdered her two young sons and has spent the past 30 years behind bars -- was hoping to be on “Dancing With the Stars” if paroled.
Last month, a parole board denied her release, shutting down her dreams of winning a mirror ball trophy.
Casting criminals has been a topic ever since ANNA DELVEY, a convicted swindler who ripped off wealthy individuals, banks, and hotels while pretending to be a German heiress, appeared on the most recent season. [via NY Post]
ELSEWHERE: There have been rumblings that should LYLE and ERIK MENENDEZ be released in the near future they should be cast on the show. Or perhaps producers could make a spin-off show -- “Dancing With Convicts.”
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Another day, another lawsuit for YE.
A former employee is taking the rapper to court for allegedly sending “sexually explicit” text messages and using anti-semitic language.
The accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, plans to claim “religious discrimination, sexual harassment, and whistleblower retaliatory termination,” for which she is seeking $150 MILLION in damages.
A source familiar with the situation tells The Mirror that the suit will include “direct communication from Ye sent to a Jewish female employee.” The insider describes the messages as “extremely graphic and grotesque.”
Just like with the handful of other lawsuits, Ye has not commented. [via The Mirror]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Despite endless rumors to the contrary ever since Megxit, PRINCE HARRY says he has no plans to relocate back to Britain, with or without his wife MEGHAN MARKLE.
At the DealBook Summit in New York City this week, the Duke said he has more freedom to safely spend time with his children in the United States. Harry has waged multiple legal battles in British court trying to compel public funds to cover his protection when he’s in-country, to varying success.
He also addressed the rumors about an impending split with Meg: “It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls. … So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:
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DAY OF THE YEAR
St. Nicholas Day
National Bartender Day
National Gazpacho Day
National Miners’ Day
National Microwave Oven Day
National Pawnbrokers Day
Faux Fur Friday
Put On Your Own Shoes Day
Mitten Tree Day
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ON THIS DATE
1865 - Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment, thus ending slavery in the United States.
The state approved the law only eight months after the end of the Civil War, though of course it would take years before Congress enacted Civil Rights legislation.
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1868 - The Reno Gang pulls off its last train robbery.
Reno brothers Frank, William and Simeon held a short but active robbing career. In this train robbery, they killed a guard on the train, but were caught shortly after the heist.
The public was in uproar over the guard's death -- so much so that the masses busted out the three brothers from their jail cells to have them promptly hanged.
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1884 - Construction crews complete the Washington Monument, adding the nine-inch pyramid at the top of the structure.
It was named, obviously, for the nation's first commander-in-chief.
The Washington Monument stands between the Lincoln Monument and the Capitol Building, near the banks of the Potomac River, just a block from the White House. Architect Pierre L’Enfant decided its location.
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1917 - The Mont Blanc munitions freighter sails full speed to rendezvous with a small convoy it would lead across the Atlantic to Europe.
On board were 2300 tons of picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 35 tons of gasoline and 10 tons of gun cotton.
The Mont Blanc collided with the Norwegian boat in the North Atlantic at approximately 8:45 a.m., as it was exiting the harbor. The collision propelled the Mont Blanc back toward shore. The nearby fire department arrived to try and put out the fire.
When the blaze erupted, almost 1800 people were killed instantly and another 9000 injured. More than 200 were blinded by the bright white explosion.
It's the largest explosion known to man before the detonation of the atomic bomb.
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1969 - The Rolling Stones headline the Altamont Free Concert in northern California.
Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young also performed.
About 300,000 concertgoers attended, hoping to make the event the Woodstock of the west coast. A bunch of hippies in California did not behave as well as some would have hoped: police reported one homicide and three accidental deaths.
Meanwhile, four women gave birth to children, and among the brawling, stampeding, mosh pit of humanity, hundreds were injured. Also, dozens reported stolen cars and other property.
As a result of the mayhem, the Grateful Dead pulled out of performing.
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1992 - 49ers Wide Receiver Jerry Rice catches a ball in the end zone, making him the record-holder for most career touchdown receptions, with 101. It was previously held by Steve Largent.
Rice would play for another eight years, ultimately scoring 208 TDs, leaving the old record in his dust. He also holds the record for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (14) and total combined net yards (23,456).
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2006 - NASA releases photos taken by the Mars Global Surveyor that suggests there could be flowing water on the Red Planet.
The images show deep gullies and canyons that scientists believe could only have been formed from water erosion.
The release came a month after NASA’s last contact with the probe. The agency ultimately blamed human error for the communication loss, but the mission lasted three times longer than they originally planned.
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2017 - Starbucks opens its largest cafe in the world in Shanghai.
The coffee joint is 30,000 square-feet -- about half the size of a football field.
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2018 - Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry lands a franchise-record 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-9 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Henry’s 99-yard touchdown run ties with Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame runningback Tony Dorsett’s for longest run in NFL history, which was set in 1982.
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BIRTHDAYS
Sabrina Ionescu - basketball player - 27
Stefanie Scott - actress, “A.N.T. Farm” - 28
Molly Gordon - actress, “Life of the Party” - 29
A Boogie wit da Hoodie - rapper - 29
Giannis Antetokounmpo - basketball player - 30
Wesley Stromberg - pop singer, Emblem3 - 31
Johnny Manziel - football player - 32
Holly Jackson - author, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” - 32
Zack Fox - comedian - 34
Stormi Henley - model - 34
Dulce Maria - actress, “Rebelde” - 39
Princess Sofia - Swedish royal - 40
Vanessa Rubio - actress, “Cobra Kai” - 41
Sarah Rafferty - actress, “Suits” - 52
Debbie Rowe - ex-wife of Michael Jackson - 66
Kenneth Copeland - religious leader - 88
Born On This Date
Satoru Iwata - President of Nintendo - 1959 (d. 2015)
Frankie Beverly - R&B singer, Maze - 1946 (d. 2024)
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