2/1/2023: Too Broke to Date?
2/1/2023: Too Broke to Date?
PLUS: The Biden-China Connection; Gisele to Spill Divorce Details; and Harry the Horrible
Today is Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
It is the 32nd day of the year.
333 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The last 747 to be built takes off and Netflix starts its password crackdown. More in HIT LIST.
President JOE BIDEN would rather enrich the Chinese government than mine for natural resources in the United States. He’s also lost his mind, apparently. More in THE SWAMP.
ALEC BALDWIN has officially been charged in the fatal “Rust shooting and FALL OUT BOY is heading on tour. More in SHOWBIZ.
JAMES GUNN and PETER SAFRAN have shared their game plan for the next few years in the DC Universe. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
At least one thing ELON MUSK and JEFF BEZOS can agree on: they’re big fans of HBO’s “The Last of Us.”
Bezos tweeted on Tuesday, “Episode 3 of Last of Us is unbelievably good story telling. I am in awe of @Nick_Offerman performance. Incredible.”
Musk replied simply, “Great game, great show.”
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Earlier this month, a family of four miraculously survived a crash after the vehicle fell off a 250-foot cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway just south of San Francisco. An early investigation suggested the driver, and father of the family, intentionally drove off the road.
NOW: That driver, 41-year-old Dharmesh Patel, has been formally charged with three counts of attempted murder.
NBC News reports that his wife has not yet been interviewed by authorities – but told first responders that the crash was no accident. Patel was moved to jail late last week. [via NBC News]
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If you’re earning less than $30,000, you’re less likely to hold down a relationship, a new study finds.
Making less than $29,878 is the average dealbreaker amount when it comes to picking a mate. Likewise, having more than $28,076 in debt would be enough to call it quits.
IT GETS WORSE: More than one-fourth of respondents said they only talked about their finances after they got married. [via CNBC]
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BOEING has shipped its last 747 jet. It’s headed to a cargo carrier called Atlas Air.
In total, the company built 1,574 of the iconic plane model, which has served as the shell for Air Force One and was used to fly around the Space Shuttle when it wasn’t in space. [via Associated Press]
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Here’s how NETFLIX plans to crack down on your password-sharing schemes: any device using the platform that’s not connected to the same WiFi as the main account holder will be prompted to login again. If you sign in away from your home base, your device will risk getting locked out.
HOWEVER: When traveling, you can request a seven-day temporary passcode.
Netflix sees this as the only way to grow market-share in North America, where widespread password sharing is most common. [via The Streamable]
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“It Starts With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“The Cabinet of Dr. Leng,” Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
“Verity,” Colleen Hoover
“Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
NON-FICTION
“Spare,” Prince Harry
“The Light We Carry,” Michelle Obama
“The Nazi Conspiracy,” Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch
“The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
“I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy
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DEATHS
IRA “Bob” BORN, the man behind the iconic Easter treat, Peeps Marshmallow Chicks, has died.
Born passed away Sunday, according to Just Born Quality Confections. No cause of death was shared.
He was 98.
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THE SWAMP
President JOE BIDEN just does not have his mental faculties anymore.
When asked by a reporter on Tuesday what was behind his decision to end the covid emergency – which the White House announced on Monday would formally end on May 11 – Biden said the decision is up to the Supreme Court.
WATCH:
“We’ve extended it to May the 15th to make sure we get everything done,” he says.
WORTH NOTING: There currently aren’t any cases about the public health emergency pending before the Court, either.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: The directive Biden’s own people put out is for the public health emergency to end on May 11.
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President JOE BIDEN really wants everyone to drive an electric car.
On Twitter Monday, he even touted the $7,500 tax credit for buying a new EV. But in the photo accompanying the tweet, he was behind the wheel of a car that retails for north of $80,000, making it too expensive to even qualify for the credit. Oops.
BUT ANYWAY, GET A LOAD OF THIS: The Center Square points out that Biden has banned mining on land full of minerals and metals essential to the construction of lithium-ion batteries. More than 225,000 acres in northern Minnesota are off limits to mining companies, but the land is believed to contain 95% of the nation’s nickel reserves, 88% of the cobalt, and nearly half the platinum and palladium available within the country.
So instead, EV companies have to buy through countries like Congo. [via The Center Square]
WORTH ASKING: Which country do you suppose has more sophisticated environmental regulations – the United States or Congo?
ALSO WORTH ASKING: Who owns all these mines in Congo? (It’s China).
STILL WORTH ASKING: Do you remember to which country a shell company organized by HUNTER BIDEN was going to sell natural gas from Louisiana, and hold 10% of profits “for the big guy”? (Also China).
YET ANOTHER QUESTION: Which country swooped in to Afghanistan after the United States hastily withdrew in 2021 and took over near-total control of the country’s rich natural resources? (China again).
BONUS INQUIRY: To which country did Biden sell two million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve last year as domestic energy prices reached record levels? (Surprise! China).
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 368 points (1.09%) mostly thanks to a late-day rally as earnings reports continued to report in to close at 34,086. The S&P added 58 points (1.46%) to close at 4,076 and the NASDAQ added 190 points (1.67%) to close at 11,584.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.50 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was up about $300 on Tuesday, trading over $23,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,550 flights delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 1,760 such cancellations, and ice storms across the country upended travel plans.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $653 million jackpot or a $350.5 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
ALEC BALDWIN was officially charged yesterday with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
The film’s armorer HANNAH GUTIERREZ-REED was also charged.
Both face up to five years in prison, if convicted.
WORTH NOTING: Baldwin is being blamed for his failure to act as a producer, to “mitigate numerous reckless and dangerous actions” on set.
ALSO: Hutchins’ widow MATT HUTCHINS tweeted out his appreciation to the Santa Fe District Attorney for the “thorough investigation” and subsequent filing of charges. He also said that he supports the charges and “will fully cooperate.”
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GISELE BUNDCHEN will spill her side of the divorce with TOM BRADY in an upcoming Vanity Fair cover story.
Insiders told Page Six that the 42-year-old will speak “in depth” about her divorce for the first time with the publication.
No word on what issue it will be, though one source said they could see it as April’s issue in honor of Earth Month, which is a topic close to Bundchen’s heart. [via Page Six]
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Comedian HASAN MINHAJ will host the 38th annual Spirit Awards.
Known for his inclusive humor and political satire, he is the “ideal host” to celebrate the artists at the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraising event, Film Independent president Josh Welsh said in a statement.
The 38th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on March 4, live from Santa Monica. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
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Actress KERRY WASHINGTON is releasing a new book called, “Thicker Than Water.”
According to People Magazine, the memoir will give readers “an intimate view into both her public and private worlds -- as an artist, an advocate, an entrepreneur, a mother, a daughter, a wife, a Black woman.”
“Thicker Than Water” will hit shelves this September. [via People]
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FALL OUT BOY is heading on tour for the first time since 2018.
The pop-punk band will hit 29 stages across North America this summer in support of their upcoming studio-album “So Much (for) Stardust,” which is due out March 4. [via Variety]
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GREGORY PECK’s copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” screenplay is headed to auction.
The artifact is one of 250 items from the actor’s personal collection that will be part of the Property from The Estate of Veronique and Gregory Peck event, hosted by Heritage Auctions.
Peck earned an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in the 1962 drama based on the 1960 novel by author HARPER LEE.
Other items in the collection include Peck's script from ALFRED HITCHCOCK’s thriller “Spellbound,” and his script from the 1976 supernatural horror film, “The Omen.” [via The Hollywood Reporter]
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CASTING CALL
Newly appointed co-executives JAMES GUNN and PETER SAFRAN have announced their future plans with the DC Universe, which includes two movies a year, and two series for HBO Max, over eight to ten years.
The first films that will be released, include “Superman Legacy,” a Batman and Robin project called “The Brave and the Bold,” a “Swamp Thing” feature, and one film centering on Supergirl and another on the DC rogue squad known as The Authority.
On the TV side of things, the duo are creating an animated series called “Creature Commandos,” a “Peacemaker” spinoff called “Waller” and two series based off of “Green Lantern,” called “Booster Gold” and “Paradise Lost.”
Gunn and Safran explained their plan to Deadline, saying they want to use main characters, such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, to “prop up other characters that people don’t know.” [via Deadline]
SPEAKING OF DC FILMS: Gunn and Safran confirmed that “The Batman Part II,” starring ROBERT PATTINSON as the caped crusader, will hit theaters on October 3, 2025.
WORTH NOTING: Gunn and Safran also committed to maintain quality by not greenlighting production on a movie until the script is completed. They said movie quality suffers when production is up against a release deadline, and filming often begins without knowing how the story is supposed to wrap up.
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WILL SMITH and MARTIN LAWRENCE have confirmed that a fourth installment of “Bad Boys” is happening!
Both men shared the news on their respective Instagram accounts on Tuesday.
The original “Bad Boys” film was released in 1995. The original and subsequent sequels have made more than $840 million at global box offices. [via People]
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Hulu has ordered a revival of the adult animated series “King of the Hill.”
Original cast members MIKE JUDGE, KATHY NAJIMY, STEPHEN ROOT, PAMELA ADLON, JOHNNY HARDWICK and LAUREN TOM are all set to return.
“King of the Hill” ran for 13 seasons, with over 250 episodes, from 1997 to 2009 on FOX. [via Variety]
WORTH NOTING: This is the second FOX animated comedy to land a revival on Hulu; following “Futurama,” which will also see the original voice cast return.
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The “Real Housewives of New York City: Legacy” series is officially dead.
Page Six reports that all talks between Bravo and the cast have ended, and there are currently no plans to move forward with the show that would have starred original housewives, RAMONA SINGER and LUANN DE LESSEPS.
Sources told the outlet that the network “never says never” and the show could be revived, like the “Real Housewives of Miami” that returned after eight years off the air. [via Page Six]
MEANWHILE: A revamped version of “Real Housewives of New York City” is moving forward with a fresh new set of women.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
No one appears to be supporting YE’s political aspirations.
According to campaign finance reports, obtained by The Daily Beast, not one person donated to the rapper’s presidential campaign last year.
The filing, which itemized expenses for the end of 2022, also shows that while no money came in, lots went out.
Ye paid political commentator NICK FUENTES more than $9,000 for “travel reimbursement” in November after the duo dined at Mar-a-Lago with former president DONALD TRUMP.
Commentator MILO YIANNOPOULOS, who was also at the dinner, was paid $10,000 for a “domain transfer” and then a month later was given $40,000 for “campaign wrap up services” after Ye fired him.
While Ye has not officially declared his candidacy for 2024, he did post what many assumed was a campaign video on Twitter last November. The video has since been removed, though he continues to promote “Ye 24.” [via The Daily Beast]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
QUEEN ELIZABETH’s former chaplain, Dr. Gavin Ashenden, does not think PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE can be trusted.
Not only that, he doesn’t think they should be allowed at KING CHARLES’ upcoming coronation, either.
Ashenden told GB News that he is “flabbergasted” over the fact that anyone thinks having the Sussexes at the ceremony would be a good idea.
“[Harry and Meghan] have broken every piece of trust you could imagine and they’re really not safe, so I think they should be kept away,” he explained. [via GB News]
WORTH NOTING: Ashendon also pointed out that Harry and Meghan have been rude to not only PRINCE WILLIAM, but also his wife PRINCESS CATHERINE and QUEEN CONSORT CAMILLA. Healing may need to start with the brothers, but Harry also needs to make amends with his sister-in-law and step-mom.
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PRINCESS CATHERINE has launched a new campaign, her first as Princess of Wales.
The project, called “Shaping Us,” focuses on the importance of the first five years of a child’s life, which Kate referred to as “the most preventative years” in a recent speech about the new venture.
The campaign aims to “build a supportive, nurturing world around the youngest members of society and those caring for them.” [via Town & Country]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
National Signing Day
World Hijab Day
National Freedom Day
Federal Territory Day
Robinson Crusoe Day
National Dark Chocolate day
Spunky Old Broads Day
National Serpent Day
National Baked Alaska Day
Decorating With Candy Day
Car Insurance Day
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ON THIS DATE
1790 - The US Supreme Court convenes for the first time.
John Jay sits as the Chief Justice.
He was accompanied by five associate justices, including John Rutledge and John Blair.
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1861 - Texas secedes from the Union, against the wishes of governor Sam Houston, and joins the Confederacy.
Houston sat in the state house as the legislature voted to withdraw from the Union.
He later refused to pledge an oath to the Confederacy, and was replaced by his lieutenant governor.
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1884 - The Oxford English Dictionary is published for the first time.
It was considered then and remains the most comprehensive and accurate index of the English language.
For those wondering if something is an official world in the English lexicon, consult the OED.
The first edition was assembled by the Philological Society of London. They sought a dictionary to cover all of English since 1150 A.D.
The final product would take another 40 years to finish, weighing in at 400,000 words and 10 volumes.
The official OED provides a chronology of the history of words -- the word "set" takes 60,000 words to explain its definitions and history.
BY THE WAY: The OED says there are 171,476 words in current use – but that doesn’t include things like scientific terminology. A typical English speaker has a vocabulary of between 20,000 and 30,000 words – using less than 20% of those available.
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1968 - Richard Nixon announces his CANDIDACY for president.
This would be like Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis announcing his candidacy over a year from now, just nine months before the general election.
Nixon had previously lost to JFK in the 1960 general election.
Since then he had also lost a run for governor of California.
He eventually chose Maryland governor Spiro Agnew as his running mate.
Nixon and Democrat Hubert Humphrey nearly tied in the popular vote, but Nixon won the electoral college in a blowout.
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2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia explodes on re-entry after a 16-day mission, killing all 7 crew members.
A review of the disaster revealed that a piece of insulating foam fell off during launch, puncturing the shuttle’s left wing. That small hole likely caused gasses to interfere with the hydraulic system during re-entry, causing the eventual breakup and explosion.
The next shuttle mission would not be until 2005, with the launch of Discovery.
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2016 - The WHO declares a global public health emergency over the rapid spread of zika-linked conditions.
The spread of the virus and its suspected link to birth defects raised the cause for alarm.
It was predicted that between three and four million people would be infected within the year. By December, only 5,000 cases would be reported in the US.
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2019 - The Bureau of Meteorology reports that January was Australia’s hottest month on record, with the average temp exceeding 86 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time.
At least five days in the month were among the 10 warmest on record with daily high temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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2021 - Wisdom the albatross hatches a chick at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge.
The egg was laid sometime during the last few days of November 2020.
The birth is noteworthy because at 70-years-old, Wisdom is the world’s oldest known bird.
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BIRTHDAYS
Stormi Webster - Kylie Jenner’s daughter - 5
Thaddeaus Ek - actor, “Wet Hot Summer: Ten Years Later” - 15
Jessica Baio - pop singer - 21
Myles Truitt - actor, “Stranger Things” - 21
Landon Cube - music producer - 25
Richard Wisker - actor, “Dani’s Castle” - 28
Julia Garner - actress, “Ozark” - 29
Harry Styles - pop singer - 29
Davi Santos - actor, “Power Rangers Dino Charge” - 33
Heather Morris - actress, “Glee” - 36
Ronda Rousey - MMA fighter - 36
Lauren Conrad - reality star, “Laguna Beach” - 37
Big Boi - rapper - 48
Born On This Date
Lee Thompson Young - actor, “The Famous Jett Jackson” - 1984 (d. 2013)
Lisa Marie Presley - pop singer & only child of Elvis - 1968 (d. 2023)
Brandon Lee - actor, “The Crow” - 1965 (d. 1993)
Rick James - funk singer - 1948 (d. 2004)
Elisabeth Sladen - actress, “Doctor Who” - 1946 (d. 2011)
Langston Hughes - poet - 1902 (d. 1967)
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