Today is Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
It is the 45th day of the year.
320 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Even the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has car trouble. More in HIT LIST.
The 2024 presidential race gains steam with a big expected announcement and another high-profile Senator joining the fray. More in THE SWAMP.
Walter White’s tighty-whities hit the auction block and BOB ODENKIRK wrote a book. More in SHOWBIZ.
“SNL” alums TINA FEY and AMY POEHLER are heading out on a comedy tour -- their first! More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
German theater critic Wiebke Huester recently panned a ballet performance directed by Marco Goecke held at The Hague.
On Saturday, Goecke spotted Huester during intermission at a performance in Hannover, Germany – and proceeded to chew her out publicly for her bad review, accusing her writing of causing people to cancel their tickets.
IT GETS WORSE: That’s when Goecke pulled out a bag full of dog poop and smeared it on the critic’s face before running off into the crowd.
The critic has filed a police report, the director has been suspended and banned from the performance hall, and reps for the performance hall have issued the critic a sincere apology. [via Associated Press]
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Want to get paid to smoke a whole lot of weed?
A German-based company called Cannamedical is looking to pay a “cannabis sommelier” up to $142,000 a year to work with growers of cannabis around the world, sampling various strains as the company curates its portfolio of offerings.
The company currently sells directly to pharmaceutical companies, but Germany recently adopted a plan to legalize possession of marijuana in small quantities some time next year. [via The Growth Op]
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Last December, news broke about a close-call event during a flight from Maui to San Francisco, when the plane suddenly nosedived during takeoff in inclement weather.
Now, flight data reveals that just as the plane reached 2,200 feet, it descended at a rate of 8,600 feet per minute and flew below 775 feet before recovering, and climbing at a similar speed. The sudden acceleration created an environment 2.7 times the force of gravity inside the aircraft.
While harrowing, the entire incident took no more than 45 seconds – and ultimately landed about a half hour ahead of schedule. [via The Air Current]
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Stealing parts off a car is a good way for criminals to make quick cash – even if they’re ripping off the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
While in Las Vegas last week, the iconic vehicle had to go in for service after its catalytic converter was stolen. The shop temporarily sealed up the space where the converter had been cut, and the Weinermobile was able to complete its weekend events. [via Fox 5 Las Vegas]
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A mouse named Patrick Stewart has been certified as the oldest mouse ever recorded, at 9 years, 210 days as of last Thursday.
Patrick the Mouse beats the last record by nearly two whole years and has lived its life in captivity at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The mouse’s breed typically only lives a year or two in the wild, and up to six in captivity. [via Guinness World Records]
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CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on iTunes:
Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
Rihanna & Jay-Z, “Umbrella”
Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)”
Rihanna, “Diamonds”
Linkin Park, “Lost”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
SZA, “Kill Bill”
RAYE & 070 Shake, “Escapism”
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2”
The Kid LAROI, “Love Again”
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DEATHS
Actor AUSTIN MAJORS, known for starring in “NYPD Blue,” has died.
He passed away Saturday night while staying at a homeless housing facility in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. A source told the outlet that no foul play is suspected, and some believe he may have ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl.
An autopsy, and final toxicology report, will determine an official cause of death.
He was 27.
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Washington Nationals owner TED LERNER has died.
He passed away Sunday of complications from pneumonia at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, according to the team.
He was 97.
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SICK BAY
QUEEN CONSORT CAMILLA has covid.
Initially Buckingham Palace said she had a “seasonal illness,” before updating it to covid. Due to the diagnosis, her calendar has been cleared for the rest of the week.
As for symptoms, the Palace said she is “experiencing cold-like symptoms.”
This is Camilla’s second bout with the virus.
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THE SWAMP
South Carolina Republican Senator TIM SCOTT is preparing a presidential run. While there’s no formal committee or announcement date set yet, one of his team tells the Wall Street Journal that Scott is “excited to share his vision of hope and opportunity and hear the American people’s response.” Scott’s entry into the race is on the heels of fellow South Carolinian NIKKI HALEY’s official campaign announcement, which is expected some time this week. [via WSJ]
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 376 points (1.11%) to close at 34,245. The S&P added 46 points (1.14%) to close at 4,137 while the NASDAQ added 173 points (1.48%) to close at 11,891.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.41 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN slid on Monday, trading around $21,600.
🛩 There were more than 2,838 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 50 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $67 million jackpot or a $35.1 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Kansas City Chiefs QB PATRICK MAHOMES and his wife BRITTANY MAHOMES, along with their two kids, were treated like royalty while visiting Disneyland on Monday.
The family-of-four was escorted through the park in an open shuttle as fans lined up to get a glimpse.
Patrick looked to be feeling okay, considering he was out late celebrating his team’s big Super Bowl win the night before. [via TMZ]
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RIHANNA complemented her all-red Super Bowl Halftime Show ensemble with a rare 19-carat ruby and diamond ring worth more than $1 million.
She paired it with some diamond earrings by Messika Jewelry and several diamond ear clips.
MEANWHILE: During the performance many viewers questioned whether RiRi was announcing her second pregnancy, showing off what appeared to be a baby bump. After the show her rep confirmed that she is in fact expecting her second child with boyfriend, rapper A$AP ROCKY. They welcomed their first child last May. [via People]
WORTH NOTING: Now that it has been confirmed, Rihanna is the first woman to headline a Super Bowl Halftime Show while pregnant.
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Propstore, a film and TV entertainment memorabilia auction, is auctioning off a pair of tighty-whities worn by Walter White, played by BRYAN CRANSTON, in “Breaking Bad.”
The briefs are expected to go for around $5,000.
Other items in the auction include production pages from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and dresses worn by soap star LISA RINNA and actress PAMELA ANDERSON during their time on “Dancing With the Stars.”
The auction closes at the end of the month. [via TMZ]
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MEGAN FOX and MACHINE GUN KELLY reportedly got into a fight over the weekend, leaving her “very upset.”
A source told People Magazine that the actress is not speaking to the musician following the argument, while adding that she also took off her engagement ring, though they still appear to be engaged.
Fox hinted there were issues in the relationship when she removed all photos of MGK from her Instagram account, before deleting it all together.
The two were last spotted together at DRAKE’s Super Bowl Party on Friday night. [via People]
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“Better Call Saul” star BOB ODENKIRK has written a children’s book.
The book, titled “Zilot & Other Important Rhymes,” is made up of poems he would write with his children when they were younger.
It will hit shelves this fall. [via People]
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Several extras working on the set of “Joker: Folie a Deux” have filed a complaint about being denied potty breaks during filming.
Sources close to the situation told the New York Post that the actors were forced to work non-stop for two hours with no access to a restroom or water. Those who did ask to use the john were “berated,” the insider added.
An official complaint was filed with the Screen Actors Guild and production bosses have been spoken to about the issue, according to the source. [via NY Post]
SPEAKING OF HAVING TO GO: Singer and actress JESSICA SIMPSON shared a photo of her peeing in the grass during a recent outdoor photo shoot. “When you gotta go, you gotta go,” she captioned the post. [via Page Six]
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POST MALONE was denied entry into a bar in Perth, Australia over the weekend because of his expansive ink.
“They turned me away for my tattoos,” he told The West Australian. “I’ve never really experienced anything like that.”
The hotel did issue an apology shortly after the incident. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
Sunday night’s Super Bowl drew in an average of 113 million viewers.
That is a 1% increase from last year’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, according to Nielsen.
For comparison, in 2021, only 91.6 million tuned in to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. [via Variety]
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TINA FEY and AMY POEHLER are going on their first-ever live tour.
The Restless Leg Tour will hit four cities -- Washington, DC; Chicago; Boston; Atlantic City -- kicking things off on April 28.
“If this tour goes right, we can finally end this friendship!” the “SNL” alums joked. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
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A “Children of the Corn” remake, which was made three years ago, is finally heading to the big screen.
According to Screen Rant, the film will “put a new prequel spin” on STEPHEN KING’s original 1984 flick.
SYNOPSIS: “Possessed by a spirit in a dying cornfield, a twelve-year-old girl in Nebraska recruits the other children in her small town to go on a bloody rampage and kill all the adults and anyone else who opposes her. A bright high schooler who won’t go along with the plan is the town’s only hope of survival.”
The film hits theaters on March 3. [via Screen Rant]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE’s new wife BIANCA CENSORI is wearing the pants in the relationship and making all the decisions for the rapper, including his daily routine and business affairs.
An insider told The Sun that the 28-year-old, who married the 45-year-old rapper last month, is “calling the shots.”
Speaking of their shocking union, the outlet revealed that the two exchanged vows at the $5,000-a-night Amangiri Resort in Utah, and not in Los Angeles, as was originally reported.
WHAT’S MORE: The Sun reports that the couple did not register for a marriage license in Utah.
ALSO: A source told the outlet that Censori has now met all of Ye’s kids, whom he shares with ex-wife KIM KARDASHIAN. As for Kim, she has not commented on the union, only telling reporters only that she is going into her “quiet girl era.” [via The Sun]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY is ready for people to stop talking about his virginity.
An insider told Us Weekly that the royal thinks it's “a little embarrassing” and is waiting for it “all [to] die down and go away.”
For what it’s worth, the story was mostly out of the news until SASHA WALPOLE, the woman who claims to have taken Harry’s manhood, shared her version of events.
No word on if the two have spoken about their time together since the story broke. [via Us Weekly]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Valentine’s Day
International Book Giving Day
National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
National Ferris Wheel Day
Pet Theft Awareness Day
National Organ Donor Day
Extraterrestrial Culture Day
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ON THIS DATE
278 – A Roman Priest named Valentine is executed.
As legend has it, Emperor Claudius banned marriage between young lovers so that men could focus on fighting in wars. Valentine performed the secret marriages anyway. When Claudius discovered Valentine's defiance, he ordered him arrested and to be killed.
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1779 – Captain James Cook is killed and eaten by Hawaiian natives.
It was Cook's third expedition to the island chain.
In his previous two visits, he was hailed as a god. But when one of his crewmen died, they were exposed as mortals, and the Hawaiians felt cheated and deceived.
The British fled hastily, but within a week had to return when the foremast of one of their ships was damaged in rough seas.
The Hawaiians responded by throwing rocks and killing the landing party.
The rest of the crew escaped and returned to England.
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1884 – Teddy Roosevelt's wife and mother die just hours apart.
His mother died from typhoid; his wife from a kidney ailment only two days after giving birth to their daughter.
Stricken with grief, Roosevelt left his daughter with his sister, and left for the Dakotas to ranch and serve as a sheriff.
He entered politics two years later.
He would later serve as governor of New York and as William McKinley's vice president. When McKinley was killed in 1901, Roosevelt assumed the presidency.
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1929 – The gang war between Al Capone and Bugs Moran reaches its apex when four men dressed as police officers enter Moran's headquarters and shoot seven men to death in what has been dubbed the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
The fake cops were working for Capone.
When real cops arrived on the scene, Frank Gusenberg had not yet died -- he was one of Moran's top killers.
When cops asked him who was responsible, he gasped, "No one, nobody shot me."
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1989 – The Sandinistas controlling Nicaragua agree to hold free elections.
The announcement came after years of pressure from the Reagan administration and nearby Central American countries.
The elections were ultimately held -- and resulted in an overthrow of the communists.
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2013 – Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is arrested for allegedly shooting his model girlfriend to death.
Pistorius made headlines at the 2012 Summer Olympics for making it to the 400-meter semifinals, despite being a double-amputee.
Pistorius was found guilty of the murder in December 2015.
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2018 - Former student Nikolas Cruz shoots and kills 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
He is arrested about an hour after the shooting in a nearby town.
Cruz would later be charged with 17 counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
The killing spree is the deadliest high school shooting in the US — surpassing the Columbine High School massacre that claimed 15 lives in April 1999.
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2022 - Protestors in Canada defy covid mitigation efforts.
Truckers had shut down multiple border crossings between the United States and Canada over the previous weekend.
The Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Canada was entirely blockaded, as well as another nearby route in the area. Crossings in Montana and North Dakota were also blockaded.
A fifth group gridlocked the border crossing in the Pacific Northwest, near Vancouver and northwest Washington state.
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BIRTHDAYS
Ashton Arbab - actor, “Mutt & Stuff” - 20
Harry Holland - actor, “The Impossible” & “Diana” - 24
Madison Iseman - actress, “Modern Family” - 26
Becky Hill - pop singer - 29
Paul Butcher - actor, “Zoey 101” - 29
Shane Harper - pop singer - 30
Christian Eriksen - soccer player - 31
Freddie Highmore - actor, “Bates Motel” & “The Good Doctor” - 31
Karol G - reggaeton singer - 32
Angel Di Maria - soccer player - 35
Justina Valentine - rapper - 36
Edinson Cavani - soccer player - 36
Tiffany Thornton - actress, “Sonny with a Chance” - 37
Danai Gurira - actress, “The Walking Dead” & “Black Panther” - 45
Rob Thomas - rock singer, Matchbox Twenty - 51
Simon Pegg - actor, “Shaun of the Dead” & “Star Trek” - 53
Phil Lewis - actor, “Scrubs” & “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” - 55
Teller - magician and one-half of Penn & Teller - 75
Carl Bernstein - investigative reporter, covered Watergate - 79
Michael Bloomberg - businessman - 81
Born On This Date
Christopher Latham Sholes - invented the typewriter - 1819 (d. 1890)
Frederick Douglas - former slave & abolitionist author - 1818 (d. 1895)
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