2/9/2023: Get Your Goat
PLUS: White House Shakeup; Paula’s Psychic Predictions; and Zelenskyy Visits the UK
Today is Thursday, February 9, 2023.
It is the 40th day of the year.
325 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Twitter is expanding its character limit while Google stumbles on its foray into AI tech. More in HIT LIST.
There’s a new Chief of Staff at the White House as the 2024 presidential primary race heats up. More in THE SWAMP.
LEBRON JAMES set a new NBA all-time record and DURAN DURAN is heading out on tour! More in SHOWBIZ.
An old Comedy Central game show will take over the spot left vacant by JAMES CORDEN’s late-night talk show and LANCE BASS talks all things space. More in CASTING CALL.
Is there a new feud brewing in the KARDASHIAN-JENNER family? More in KARDASHOPUS.
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HIT LIST
Going bankrupt sure is expensive: The legal and financial team that have taken over control of FTX billed for $19.6 million in fees last year – but that was over the course of less than two months.
New CEO JOHN RAY III has billed for $690,000 in the fifty days since he took control of the company.
WORTH NOTING: The point of paying these lawyers, in theory, is to find as many assets as possible to make whole the people that FTX ruined.
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The death toll following earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria on Monday is now over 12,000.
Rescue teams continue to work around the clock to rescue people who have been trapped under rubble from the countless buildings that were totally leveled during the quakes.
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Twitter went wonky on Wednesday as the social media platform rolled out a new feature: Subscribers to Twitter Blue can now tweet up to 4,000 characters.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Twitter’s original novelty was capping tweets at 140 characters – which at the time was to accommodate the maximum number of characters that SMS texting permitted. In 2017, the character limit expanded to 280.
ELON MUSK has said that expanding the character limit is part of a broader strategy to bring more internet creators to Twitter and produce blog-like longform content.
BUT WAIT: As social media users whined about Twitter’s functionality being on the fritz, Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram were also offline for many users. No word yet if there’s any common thread between the outages. [via Reuters]
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Google’s foray into the AI chat bot realm is off to a clumsy start. Shares of parent company Alphabet slid 9% after a promotional video touting their AI technology was revealed to have inaccurate information.
In particular, a demo of the program asked about the James Webb Space Telescope; Google’s AI program, nicknamed “Bard,” responded that the JWST took the first pictures of a planet outside of the solar system. Turns out that’s not true; a European astronomy program captured the first photos of an exoplanet back in 2004. [via Reuters]
The snafu comes just a day after Microsoft’s Bing search engine incorporated technology from the AI chatbot leader, ChatGPT, earlier this week.
WORTH NOTING: A 9% stock slide for Alphabet is about $100 BILLION in market cap.
MEANWHILE: After announcing disappointing numbers for its streaming platform, Disney announced 7,000 layoffs and efforts to cut $5.5 billion in annual spending. The company also lost 2.4 million subscribers from its streaming platform.
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A bunch of leftist hippie activists in Portland protested the city’s sweep of homeless encampments in a very leftist hippie way: They released a herd of goats.
The owner of the goat pen found a note rolled up in the fence, signed by “some anarchists” who wrote, “In what reality is the comfort of five goats valued over the shelter of more than fifteen people. So, it’s time for the Belmont Goats to enjoy a little walk in the park.”
WORTH NOTING: All the goats have since been safely returned. [via Associated Press]
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CHARTS
Recommended Reading
Gaudy on-screen graphics and ostentatious whip pans so characteristic of “Elvis” writer and director Baz Luhrman’s projects match the film’s namesake’s on-stage wardrobe but otherwise haunt a movie seemingly made exclusively for The King’s superfans. The inevitability of Elvis’ story simmers under the performances but exposes the rationale for showering the movie with award nominations. It’s a case study in Hollywood’s narcissism, where they see themselves in a performer who can’t handle worldwide stardom and wheelbarrows of money, whose generosity never satiates the hangers-on who always want a little bit more, and business managers and accountants who feel entitled to the fruits of their talent. Read the review >
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DEATHS
Emmy-winning production designer, and Wisconsin native, EUGENE LEE has died.
He passed away Tuesday in Providence, Rhode Island, according to several outlets. No other details were shared.
Lee was one of the most celebrated set designers, having worked on “SNL” and several Broadway hits, such as “Wicked” and “Sweeney Todd.”
He was 83.
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RELATIONSHIPS
BILL GATES, 67, is reportedly dating PAULA HURD, 60, the widow of Oracle co-CEO MARK HURD.
The couple have been together for over a year, a friend told Page Six.
Gates was previously married to MELINDA GATES. The two finalized their divorce in 2021.
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THE SWAMP
White House Chief of Staff RON KLAIN left his post on Wednesday, a few weeks after announcing he’d be stepping down.
He’s been replaced by JEFF ZIENTS, who was previously the Biden Administration’s lead covid response coordinator.
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The inspector general of the US Labor Department reported to the House Ways and Means Committee that nearly $200 BILLION in pandemic-era unemployment benefits were misspent. [via Washington Post]
WORTH REMEMBERING: The first 2020 CARES act included $600-a-week in supplemental unemployment aid to anyone who lost full or part-time employment, on top of whatever benefits state governments doled out. There were virtually zero safeguards in place to clarify whether the funds were going to people in actual need.
ALSO WORTH REMEMBERING: This was on top of the “stimmy” checks that blanketed all Americans under an income threshold.
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Add New Hampshire Governor CHRIS SUNUNU to the list of potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates. He has launched an exploratory organization called the “Live Free or Die” committee.
With the committee setup, he can raise unlimited funds without disclosing donors.
WORTH NOTING: NIKKI HALEY and MIKE PENCE have already formed similar organizations for their own presidential aspirations. Haley’s formal announcement is expected before the end of next week. [via NBC News]
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 207 points (0.61%) to close at 33,949. The S&P lost 46 points (1.11%) to close at 4,117 and the NASDAQ lost 203 points (1.68%) to close at 11,910.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $78. BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.44 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid more than $350, trading around $22,800.
🛩 There were more than 1,730 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 44 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $50 million jackpot or a $26.4 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
BARBRA STREISAND’s long-anticipated memoir is due out this fall.
“My Name Is Barbra” will tell the legendary singer’s life story “in her own words,” according to a press release issued to People Magazine.
It hits shelves on November 7. [via People]
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LEBRON JAMES, 38, recorded his 38,388th point on Tuesday, making him the new leading scorer in NBA history.
The milestone happened as James’ Lakers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The record was previously held by KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR, who was at the game.
Several other celebs, including DWAYNE WADE, RIHANNA and DRAKE sent congratulations to James on social media. [via People]
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Former NFL player MICHAEL IRVIN has been booted from this weekend’s Super Bowl coverage for the NFL Network after an alleged altercation with a woman last weekend.
Irvin told the Dallas Morning News that he spoke with the unidentified woman for less than a minute in a hotel lobby in Glendale -- the site of Super Bowl LVII. He says they had a “non-physical interaction.”
The woman apparently took issue with the interaction and filed a complaint leading to the network pulling him.
“I don’t know. I don't know what this is, and it’s running me crazy,” he told the outlet. [via Dallas Morning News]
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ASHTON KUTCHER says he didn’t want to appear too friendly with his co-star REESE WITHERSPOON at the premiere of their movie “Your Place Or Mine” so no one would think they were having an affair.
Fans noticed the awkward posture of the two stars, including Kutcher’s wife, actress MILA KUNIS, who poked fun at the two for it.
“Here’s the thing,” Kutcher said on the “Chicks In The Office” podcast, “If I put my arm around her, and was all friendly with her, I’d be having an affair with her. Like, the rumor would be that I’m having an affair with her.” [via Daily Mail]
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DURAN DURAN is heading out on a North American tour.
The band will kick things off on May 27 in Napa Valley, California and wrap on September 19 in Toronto.
Joining them on tour is British rock band BASTILLE and NILE RODGERS & CHIC. [via Variety]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November.
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PAULA ABDUL is partnering with popular psychic platform, Psychics1on1.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about the new venture, Abdul shared her love for psychics, mediums and spiritual advisors.
The 60-year-old also shared her own personal experience with psychics, explaining how she was told during two separate readings that she would be on a “reality competition show” in her future, and that she would work with the likes of RANDY JACKSON and SIMON COWELL.
A few years later…”American Idol.”
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The Screen Actors Guild Awards will likely be actress CHRISTINA APPLEGATE’s final awards show as she battles multiple sclerosis.
“It’s my last awards show as an actor probably, so it’s kind of a big deal,” she told the LA Times about the event that took place in February.
Applegate, who most recently starred in Netflix’s “Dead to Me,” was diagnosed with MS in early 2021. [via LA Times]
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BEYONCE’s Ivy Park clothing line fell more than 50% in sales last year.
In 2022, the line brought in $40 million; a significant drop from the $93 million it grossed in 2021, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Bey’s contract with Adidas is set to end this year, and sources told the outlet that execs are looking into potentially dropping her line.
Ivy Park features a wide-range of sizes and includes everything from leggings and dresses to sneakers. [via Wall Street Journal]
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CASTING CALL
RUMOR IS…a reboot of “@midnight” will take over the spot left vacant by “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on CBS.
While not officially confirmed, Deadline reports the former Comedy Central show, which aired from 2013-2017, has been chosen for the late night slot.
As for JAMES CORDEN, he will officially leave his post this spring. [via Deadline]
For those unfamiliar, “@midnight” was an internet-themed panel game show where three contestants competed in a series of improv games. No word on whether the format will stay the same for the reboot.
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Former ‘NSYNC member LANCE BASS will host a new podcast series, called “The Last Soviet.”
It will focus on the story of Russian astronaut Sergei Krikalev’s 313 days in space during the collapse of the USSR, according to Deadline.
The eight-part series will launch on iHeartPodcasts on February 15. [via Deadline]
WORTH NOTING: Bass is a trained Russian cosmonaut. He underwent training in Star City, Russia to become a certified cosmonaut for a mission on the Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Unfortunately, he was never able to do the mission after his financial sponsors backed out.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Kardashian fans think KENDALL JENNER is feuding with her dad, CAITLYN JENNER (formerly Bruce Jenner).
Eagle-eyed super sleuths recently noticed that Caitlyn no longer follows Kendall on Instagram, though does still follow all of her famous sisters.
“So petty to unfollow your literal daughter,” one person commented, while another wrote “Oh Caitlyn is beyond over. Kendall deserved a better parent.”
Neither of them have publicly addressed any sort of falling out. [via The Sun]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY made a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday, which included a stop at Buckingham Palace to meet with KING CHARLES.
The two men chatted about the ongoing Russian invasion and the role Britain has had in supporting Ukraine in the conflict. Zelenskyy later told the BBC that he is thankful for the country’s support, especially as they continue to train troops on how to operate British tanks.
The Royal Family has been outspoken in their support, with PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS CATHERINE offering words of support in a statement on Twitter in February 2022. [via People]
ALSO: Ukraine’s First Lady OLENA ZELENSKA attended QUEEN ELIZABETH’s funeral last year.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Chocolate Day
National Pizza Day
National Read In The Bathtub Day
National Toothache Day
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ON THIS DATE
1825 - The U.S. House of Representatives decides the sixth president of the United States.
In 1824, no candidate received a majority of electoral votes, though Andrew Jackson received more popular votes than John Quincy Adams. William Crawford and Henry Clay split the remaining electoral votes.
According to the 12th Amendment, when a presidential candidate does not receive a majority of electoral votes, the 3 top popular-vote candidates proceed to an election in the House.
The House ended up electing John Quincy Adams.
Just like his father, he only served one term.
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1950 - In a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy declares there are two hundred known communists working in the state department.
While most accounts will lambast McCarthy for publicly changing the number of commies operating in the government, history has proven otherwise.
Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter White, Lauchlin Currie, Duncan Lee, Harry Hopkins, Henry Wallace, Owen Lattimore, Joseph Davies, and Harold Ickes -- all influential members of the government, had known ties to communists in their professional and personal lives.
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1960 - Adolph Coors is kidnapped while on his way to work in Colorado.
He was the grandson of the founder of the Coors brewing company, and apparent heir to the company.
He was held for ransom, and later shot.
A man named Joe Corbett was eventually convicted for the kidnap and murder. After his parole and release from prison in 1980, Corbett maintained his innocence.
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1971 - Satchel Paige is nominated to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He's the first Negro League player to make the cut.
Paige joined the Majors one year after Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to break the race barrier in the MLB.
Joe DiMaggio once called him the best pitcher he had ever faced.
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1992 - Magic Johnson returns from retirement to play in the NBA All Star Game.
He had stepped away from basketball the year before after contracting HIV.
That summer, Magic would play on the Olympic Dream Team in Barcelona -- and take home gold.
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2006 - Al Michaels joins NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast alongside John Madden.
Michaels spent the previous 20 years announcing “Monday Night Football” on ABC.
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2020 - Deaths from COVID surpass those of SARS (2003) with 813 worldwide and more than 34,800 infections.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jalen Green - basketball player - 21
Isabella Gomez - actress, “One Day at a Time” - 25
Saquon Barkley - football player - 26
Kelly Berglund - actress, “Lab Rats” & “Going for Gold” - 27
Avan Jogia - actor, “Victorious” & “Rags” - 31
Michael B. Jordan - actor, “Black Panther” & “Creed” - 36
Rose Leslie - actress, “Game of Thrones” - 36
Tom Hiddleston - actor, “The Avengers” - 42
Charlie Day - actor, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” - 47
Joe Pesci - actor, “Home Alone” & “Goodfellas” - 80
Carole King - songwriter, “You’ve Got a Friend” - 81
Born On This Date
James Owen Sullivan - drummer, Avenged Sevenfold - 1981 (d. 2009)
William Henry Harrison - 9th POTUS - 1773 (d. 1841)
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