3/17/2022: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
PLUS: Siri Goes Gender Neutral, CMT Award Nominations and Smollett Gets Released
Today is Thursday, March 17, 2022
It is the 76th day of the year.
289 days remain.
TRENDING
#Daredevil was trending Wednesday following an announcement from Disney+ that the fourth season of the Marvel show will begin filming at the end of 2022.
Football fans reacted to Browns QB Baker Mayfield posting a heartfelt message to the city of Cleveland on social media.
University of the Southwest was trending after news broke that a vehicle carrying members of the school’s golf team crashed in West Texas. Multiple fatalities were reported.
Zelensky was trending Wednesday after his speech to Congress, begging for help from the US. More in Swamp.
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HIT LIST
An unnamed “senior US defense official” tells CNN that Russian forces have not made any significant progress in their advance on Kyiv in recent days.
The news comes as the Russian military increases its attack on civilian areas. Strikes have included a theater and public swimming pool.
MEANWHILE: On Wednesday, President Joe Biden for the first time called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal.
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Remember how China defeated Covid and their model of strict lockdowns was to be applauded here? When covid maximalists in the West yearned for the oppressive authoritarian policies of Xi Jingping to subdue a virus that we now know rarely seriously affects most of the population?
While the rest of the world moves on and most of those wannabe tyrants hope everyone forgets about their neurotic delusions, China is re-imposing its strictest lockdowns yet amid fresh surges of covid cases. It remains committed to an impossible “Covid Zero” policy.
Now, 37 million Chinese people are believed to be in total lockdown. For households, this means only one designated person is allowed to leave a few times a week for groceries only. Travel beyond a neighborhood is strictly banned.
WORTH ASKING: And this is what the Chinese Communist Party is letting people know about. How strict are their measures really?
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The Guinness Book of World Records has disqualified what was believed to be the world’s largest potato ever recorded, weighing in at over 17 pounds.
A husband-and-wife team of gardeners discovered the massive sprout in New Zealand last August. But after a more careful look, Guinness determined it wasn’t a potato at all, but rather a tuber from a gourd.
The record will remain with an 11-pounder discovered in the UK in 2011.
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An eastern black rhino has been born at a zoo in Czechoslovakia, giving more hope to save the endangered species.
Less than a thousand such rhinos are believed to remain on Earth.
Zoo staff named the baby rhino “Kyiv” as a gesture of support for Ukraine.
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Remember murder hornets? They’re still a problem, but researchers may have a solution.
The Independent reports that they’ve created a spray that replicates the queen bee’s sex phermones to draw male bees into lethal traps. Some studies so far say they can detect the scent up to a mile away.
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Americans tend to overestimate their perception of small populations and underestimate the bigger ones, a new YouGov study shows.
Respondents were given a series of demographics, and asked to estimate what percentage of the population fit that bill. The report compares those results to reality. Here’s what some people thought:
% of households making over $1 million a year: 20% (actually a fraction of a percent, statistically)
% of transgender people: 21% (actually 1%)
% living in New York City: 30% (actually 3%)
% who have an advanced degree: 37% (actually 12%)
% who own a gun: 54% (actually 32%)
% who have read a book in the last year: 77% (actually 50%)
% who own a house: 65% (actually 49%)
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Apple is rolling out an update to give Siri a gender-neutral voice. The rollout is part of its wider efforts to be more inclusive.
WORTH ASKING: Maybe it was recorded by Elizabeth Holmes?
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CHARTS
The Chicago River has turned green again in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
The 60-year old tradition took place over the weekend.
Check out this drone footage of the process, shared by Twitter user @SSCrypto_.
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DEATHS
MARILYN MIGLIN has died.
The “Queen of Makeovers” on HSN passed away in Chicago on Monday of complications from a stroke, according to her son.
She was 83.
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BABY NEWS
Reality star CASEY COOPER, 34, and her husband KYLE TOUPS, welcomed their first child on March 2.
They named the little girl Kinsley Lulabelle Toups.
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BREAKUPS
“Vanderpump Rules” stars KATIE MALONEY, 35, and TOM SCHWARTZ, 39, have called it quits on their marriage.
The pair each announced the split on their respective social media pages on Wednesday, with both writing about how much love they still have for each other. No reason for the split was shared.
Maloney and Schwartz were married in 2016.
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SICK BAY
NORMAN REEDUS is recovering after suffering a head injury on the set of “The Walking Dead.”
The incident occurred last week in Georgia as the AMC series films its final episodes.
Reedus’ spokesperson told Deadline that the actor suffered a concussion, but is recovering well and is expected to return to work soon.
No other details regarding the incident were shared.
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THE SWAMP
Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY addressed Congress in a video stream Wednesday, delivering an address that evoked memories of Pearl Harbor and 9/11 while seeking the implementation of a US-back No-Fly Zone over his country.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Zelensky is, after all, an actor, and knows how to evoke emotions from an audience. This isn’t a judgment call, but an important factor to remember.
WORTH NOTING: A no-fly zone remains a contentious policy prescription, that would require NATO pilots, and perhaps American pilots, to shoot down Russian planes that enter that airspace. It would mark a significant escalation of the conflict.
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A Wall Street Journal poll shows a record number of respondents in demographics that reliably vote Democrat are considering crossing the aisle during this fall’s midterms.
46% of Hispanics say they’re planning to vote Republican, while 37% say they’ll vote Democrat.
A similar poll in November showed 56% of Black voters would vote for Democrats; that number has fallen to 35% in the most recent poll, while Republican support increased 15 points, the Daily Caller reports.
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The Senate on Wednesday voted to end the mask mandate on federally-regulated transportation, which would primarily impact people in airports, on planes, and on Amtrak trips.
MITT ROMNEY disappointingly was the only Republican to vote against the measure, while eight Democrats voted with Republicans.
WORTH NOTING: President JOE BIDEN threatened a veto ahead of the vote anyway.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Friday night’s drawing will be for a $29 million jackpot or a $18.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
KANE BROWN leads this year’s pack of CMT Music Awards nominees with four nominations.
Behind him are MICKEY GUYTON, BRELAND and CODY JOHNSON who each landed three nods.
The fan-voted awards show will air live from Nashville on April 11.
KELSEA BALLERINI, who hosted the show last year, will do so again along with actor ANTHONY MACKIE.
Also, Ballerini is nominated for three awards, including video of the year.
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“The Adam Project” was a major hit for Netflix.
For the week ending March 13, the film had over 92.4 million hours watched. Those numbers land the flick at No. 3 on the streamer’s list of “10 Most Watched Movies.”
No. 1 on the list is “Red Notice,” followed by “Don’t Look Up.”
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The 2022 Critics Choice Awards brought in 1.1 million total viewers, nearly matching 2020’s pre-pandemic ceremony which brought in 1.2 million total viewers.
2021’s virtual ceremony only landed 365,000 viewers.
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DR. DREW, the famous tv doc, will soon be counseling SHANNA MOAKLER and her ex-boyfriend -- and father of her unborn child -- MATTHEW RONDEAU.
Insiders say Moakler reached out to Drew to see if he could help them form a healthy co-parenting relationship for the sake of their child.
As previously reported, Rondeau was arrested for domestic felony battery earlier this month after getting violent with Moakler during an argument.
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Fans trying to check out BRITNEY SPEARS’ Instagram account on Wednesday were met with a “Sorry, this page isn’t available” message.
According to TMZ, Instagram said they did not remove her page. The only other explanation is that Brit decided to take a break from social media.
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CASTING CALL
Netflix announced Wednesday that it is bringing back Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY’s “Servant of the People.”
The show follows a teacher, played by Zelensky, who unexpectedly becomes President of Ukraine after a video of him complaining about corruption goes viral.
The streamer previously aired the show from 2017 to 2021.
It originally aired in Ukraine for three seasons between 2015 and 2019. Zelensky ran for office on the popularity he gained from the show, and like his character, ran on a platform of rooting out corruption in government.
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PAUL WESLEY is joining the cast of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.”
He will take on the iconic role of James T. Kirk.
The series premieres on Paramount+ in May.
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ISLA FISHER has signed on to star alongside WILL FERRELL, JAMIE FOXX, WILL FORTE and RANDALL PARK in the animated comedy “Strays.”
The flick follows an abandoned dog (Ferrell) who teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner (Forte), according to Deadline.
Fisher's role was not shared.
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GWEN STEFANI will headline the Hollywood Bowl’s 2022 summer lineup.
The June 3rd event will mark the kickoff of the venue’s 100th such season.
The event will also feature members of both the UCLA Bruin and USC Trojan marching bands — together for the first time ever.
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SYDNEY SWEENEY will star opposite DAKOTA JOHNSON in Marvel’s “Madame Web.”
It is unknown what role the “Euphoria” star will have in the flick.
Johnson will take on the titular role.
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JULIETTE LEWIS will star opposite KUMAIL NANJIANI in the Hulu limited series “Immigrant.”
The series tells the true story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Nanjiani), the Indian-American entrepreneur who started Chippendales.
Lewis will play Denise, a Chippendales groupie turned right-hand consigliere to choreographer Nick De Noia.
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COURT CASES
JUSSIE SMOLLET is going free.
The appeals court ordered the actor’s release on a $150,000 bond Wednesday. He will remain free while the appeals process plays out.
He was released Wednesday evening.
Smollett began serving his five months last Thursday.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KANYE WEST does not appreciate “Daily Show” host TREVOR NOAH speaking about his estranged relationship with KIM KARDASHIAN.
Noah discussed the ongoing feud between Ye, Kim and PETE DAVIDSON on his show Tuesday night, comparing their situation to his mother being shot by his stepfather.
“Do we wish to stand by and watch a car crash when we thought we saw it coming?,” Noah asked viewers.
Ye’s rebuttal came in the form of some very racist commentary.
WORTH NOTING: Noah’s point — and the point being made by so many — is that despite Kim being a billionaire, beauty mogul, fashion icon, etc, she is not above falling victim to a potentially toxic ex. Noah wants people to stop making jokes about the situation and start taking it for what it is…Kanye is a bully, who may intensify his actions if consequences are not put in place.
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During a sit down on her daytime talk show, KIM KARDASHIAN told ELLEN DEGENERES that her name on PETE DAVIDSON’s chest is not a tattoo, but a branding.
She explained that Davidson wanted to do something a little different as he has a history of inking tributes to women — for example, his ex-fiancee ARIANA GRANDE.
As if searing her name into his skin wasn’t enough, Kim also revealed that Davidson has several tattoos in her honor, including one as a tribute to her aspirations to be a lawyer.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Famed photographer DAVID BAILEY spilled some secrets about the late PRINCESS DIANA’s iconic ‘do.
Speaking to The Telegraph about his lengthy career, Bailey said Diana had “terrible hair” while QUEEN ELIZABETH had “beautiful locks.”
Bailey also recalled a time he was shooting Diana and his assistant dropped a light on her head. As he panicked, Diana told him “Don’t think about it; it was a terrible accident.”
One of Bailey’s most famous prints is one of Diana taken in 1989 when she was just 27.
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SPORTS
JOE BUCK and TROY AIKMAN are heading to Monday Night Football.
The former Fox Sports duo will join ESPN for the 2022 season.
When announcing the news, ESPN Chairman, JIMMY PITARO said: “When you have the opportunity to bring in the iconic, longest-running NFL broadcasting duo, you take it, especially at a time when we are on the cusp of a new era in our expanding relationship with the NFL.”
Buck and Aikman will replace STEVE LEVY, BRIAN GRIESE and LOUIS RIDDICK, who called Monday night games for the past two seasons.
ALSO: As part of their contract, Buck and Aikman will produce content for ESPN+.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day
St. Patrick’s Day
National Farm Rescuer Day
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
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ON THIS DATE
461 – St. Patrick dies, after 28 years of preaching and evangelizing in Ireland.
The myths and legends around the man include: that he once baptized a crowd of hundreds in a single day and that he used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity.
It’s also legend he drove all the snakes out of Ireland.
It wasn’t until well after he died that the anniversary of his death turned into a wild celebration. In 1762, Irish soldiers serving in New York City organized a parade through the city. Since then, it’s exploded into a worldwide party.
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1905 – Fifth cousins once removed Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt get married.
She was the niece of President Teddy Roosevelt, who was fond of both of them.
Eleanor would tolerate years of infidelity from Franklin, in the interest of maintaining their public image.
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1992 – South African voters vote to end apartheid through national referendum.
Before the referendum, political pressures had been moving the government toward abolishing their racist laws.
Following the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, the movement gained tremendous support in South Africa and internationally.
Mandela would be elected president of South Africa in 1994.
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2000 – With the release of “Erin Brockovich,” Julia Roberts becomes the first actress to take home $20 million for a leading role at the movies.
It put her ahead of Meg Ryan and Jodie Foster, who at the time were the highest-paid actresses.
The role also helped her win an Oscar that year.
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2013 – Kentucky Senator Rand Paul wins the straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC.
The results of the poll often have little bearing on who gets the Republican Party nomination, except when a clear front-runner has been established.
Earlier this month Paul won the straw poll again, but the results also showed Senator Marco Rubio’s support implode.
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2020 - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on this day:
The European Union announces a 30-day ban on entering its 26 countries
UEFA postpones its flagship nation team football competition UEFA 2020
The French Open is the first Grand Slam tennis tournament to be postponed
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BIRTHDAYS
Katie Ledecky - Olympic swimmer - 25
John Boyega - actor, “Star Wars” franchise - 30
Hozier - rock singer - 32
Grimes - pop singer - 34
Rob Kardashian - reality star - 35
Miles Kane - guitarist, The Last Shadow Puppets - 36
Kyle Korver - basketball player - 41
Nicky Jam - reggaeton singer - 41
Samoa Joe - wrestler - 43
Tamar Braxton - R&B singer - 45
Mia Hamm - soccer player - 50
Bill Corgan - rock singer, The Smashing Pumpkins - 55
Rob Lowe - actor, “St. Elmo’s Fire” & “Brothers & Sisters” - 58
Kurt Russell - actor, “Vanilla Sky” & “The Christmas Chronicles” - 71
Born On This Date
Andrew Martin - wrestler - 1975 (d. 2009)
Alexander McQueen - fashion designer - 1969 (d. 2010)
Nat King Cole - jazz singer - 1919 (d. 1965)
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