3/8/2022: ACM Awards
PLUS: Bat at "The Batman," Gaga Goes on Tour, and the NHL's New Logo
Today is Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
It is the 67th day of the year.
298 days remain.
TRENDING
In honor of #NationalCerealDay, social media users shared their favorite cereal to chow down on for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
Under Trump was trending Monday. Tweets were a mixture of pro-Trump and anti-Trump messages. Some tweeted about cheaper gas under 45, while others claimed “we were the laughing stock of the world.”
#ChromaticaBall landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends yesterday. Head to Showbiz to find out what’s going on.
Fleetwood Mac fans reacted to British musician Mick Fleetwood being named the new face of Harry Styles’ brand, Pleasing. More on the collaboration in Showbiz.
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HIT LIST
Reuters reports that a spokesman for the Russian government has outlined its four demands to cease war efforts against Ukraine:
Ukraine would amend its Constitution to formally take a neutral stance toward European Union or NATO membership. (Ukraine has already submitted its desire to join the EU, and several countries are opposed).
Surrender claim to Crimea.
Surrender Donetsk and Luhansk, the eastern cities Putin declared independent states just hours before activating military operations into Ukraine.
End military operations, setting up a standoff situation.
MEANWHILE: Vodka brand Stolichnaya is changing its name – sort of. They’ll just be “Stoli” Vodka from now on. In a statement, owner Yuri Shefler says he was exiled from Russia in 2000 because he opposed Vladimir Putin’s rise to power and remains opposed to his regime. “More than anything, I wish for 'Stoli' to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine,” he said.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to England to meet with his British counterpart Boris Johnson Monday. Trudeau reportedly had to take an alternate route to Downing Street because so many people were in front to protest his visit, on account of his crackdowns on freedom protestors.
WORTH REMEMBERING: The UK has ended virtually all covid mitigation mandates.
MEANWHILE, IN CANADA: Trucker convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been released, after a higher court judge let her go. Lich was released on the condition that she not participate in any covid protest within Canada or disparaging Trudeau’s Covid policies. This is what not having the First Amendment looks like.
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Elon Musk wants to promote nuclear energy.
To show it’s safe, he says on Twitter he’ll go to any nuclear power plant and eat a meal made with food grown right next door to the reactor on live TV to make the point.
MEANWHILE: In the last week, gas prices jumped on average nationally 49.1 cents, a record increase; 13 states have recorded the highest prices ever; and 21 states are averaging over $4 a gallon.
WORTH NOTING: Just as a point of editorial insecurity: Oil accounts for a tiny fraction of how Americans consume energy, excluding cars. Expanding nuclear energy wouldn’t ease America’s need for oil to power cars. But it’s still a good idea.
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The Dow got walloped Monday, losing 797 points as America braces for oil prices that could exceed $200 a barrel in coming months, by some estimates.
Oil’s currently trading in the $120-range.
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SPACE LASERS: A new theory posits that humans could study the universe by propelling tiny instruments through space using laser technology way faster than booster rockets allow.
With some improvements to existing technology, they say they could send a device about the size of a cell phone at speeds up to 20% the speed of light.
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An Austin, Texas-area cinema had to dispatch animal control to a showing of “The Batman'' after one attendee released an actual bat in the theater.
No reports yet of bites or anything too traumatizing happening to other guests.
Reps for the theater say they’ll be increasing their security checks.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on iTunes:
Camila Cabello, “Bam Bam (ft. Ed Sheeran)”
Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)”
Kane Brown, “Leave You Alone”
“Encanto” Soundtrack, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
Cody Johnson, “Til You Can’t”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
Justin Bieber, “Ghost”
Dove Cameron, “Boyfriend”
Ed Sheeran, “Shivers”
Lil Nas X, “THATS WHAT I WANT”
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DEATHS
LAUREL GOODWIN has died.
The actress, who appeared in “Girls! Girls! Girls!,” passed away February 25. Her death was confirmed by her sister, but no cause of death was shared.
She was 79.
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SICK BAY
JESSIE CAVE, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, has been hospitalized with COVID-19.
The actress, known for playing Lavender Brown in “Harry Potter,” posted a series of photos on social media revealing that she is in the hospital.
Other than exhaustion, Cave did not share any symptoms she is experiencing.
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WEDDINGS
Actor JOSH HARTNETT, 43, quietly tied the knot with his longtime love TAMSIN EGERTON, 33, in November.
Hartnett’s rep confirmed the news to Page Six this week, saying the couple got married at The Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.
The couple are parents to three children.
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THE SWAMP
A Quinnipiac Poll sheds some light on which Americans feel loyal to the ol’ Red, White and Blue.
When asked how they would react if put in the same position as Ukrainians are now: 55% said they would stay and fight and another 38% would leave.
Broken down by party:
68% of Republicans would stay and fight.
57% of independents would stay and fight.
40% of Democrats would stay and fight; 52% would get out of the country.
WORTH NOTING: Makes sense when you figure who the pro-gun party is.
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As American diplomats figure out how to supply the American economy with affordable oil, they’ve run into a major roadblock: Existing sanctions mean they can’t just outright buy from oil-rich Venezuela. In order to purchase those resources, some sanctions will have to be lifted.
WORTH ASKING: Why is everything Democrats do shortsighted?
WORTH REMEMBERING: If former PRESIDENT TRUMP so much as sneezed he’d be accused by JIM ACOSTA of trying to destroy the Constitution. His moves always had a longer-term objective, many of which panned out. But the grieffarazzi and hair-on-fire anti-Trumpists hated him so much they refused to even consider a larger picture.
ALSO WORTH ASKING: What else might Venezuela do with removed sanctions? Why were sanctions established in the first place – what behaviors were the United States trying to curtail? And by lifting them, is the State Department no longer concerned Venezuela will do these Very Bad Things? If so, what evidence do they have that something will change?
WORTH NOTING: Among ALL OF THIS, there’s a very simple solution: Drilling and refining domestically. They’re creating a false choice narrative that it either has to be Russia or Venezuela/Arab countries.
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Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG has a simple solution for high gas prices: Buy an electric car!
WORTH ASKING: Why hasn’t the White House more actively embraced ELON MUSK, who has made it his life mission in part to make electric cars affordable?
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $126 million jackpot or an $86.1 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
The 57th annual Academy of Country Music Awards took place last night in Las Vegas. The show was hosted by DOLLY PARTON, along with JIMMIE ALLEN and GABBY BARRETT.
And the winners are…
Entertainer — Miranda Lambert
Female Artist — Carly Pearce
Male Artist — Chris Stapleton
Duo — Brothers Osborne
Group — Old Dominion
New Female Artist — Lainey Wilson
New Male Artist — Parker McCollum
Album — “Dangerous: The Double Album” – Morgan Wallen
Single — "If I Didn't Love You" – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Song — “Things A Man Oughta Know” – Lainey Wilson
Video — "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" – Elle King and Miranda Lambert
Songwriter — Michael Hardy
Music Event — "Never Wanted to Be That Girl" – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
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LADY GAGA’s long-postponed Chromatica Ball tour is back on.
Starting in Germany on July 17, Gaga will hit up stadiums across Europe before heading back to the US in August.
The tour had originally been set for 2020, but was postponed due to covid.
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SHAQUILLE O’NEAL took over Miami hotspot Prime 112 on Sunday to celebrate his 50th birthday.
The shindig was full of delicious eats, Shaq-themed decorations and celebrity guests. At one point a huge tribute video was played on a big screen, showing a bunch of birthday messages from some of the NBA star’s famous friends.
There was also a walkway featuring all the Sports Illustrated Covers that Shaq has graced over the years.
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BETHENNY FRANKEL’s BStrong foundation has raised more than $25 million for Ukrainian relief.
Of that, $10 million has been allocated to help in the relocation of Ukrainian refugees and the remaining $15 million will be used to provide goods, medical aid and other necessities.
Frankel told TMZ that her foundation is continuing to raise more funds.
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MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY may have saved Regenix hair-care business from going under.
According to Bill Edwards, CEO of Regenix, after the actor attributed his full head of hair to the use of daily hair ointment, their product has been flying off the shelves.
The “McConaughey effect” has increased demand so much, the company had to initiate a new mail-order program for International clients.
As a thanks, Bill said McConaughey will enjoy free products for life!
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MICK FLEETWOOD, a close friend and confidante of singer HARRY STYLES, is the new face of Pleasing, Styles’ beauty brand.
The pair first met in 2014, when Mick’s daughters begged him to take them to see Harry in concert. He was part of One Direction at the time.
Styles, who has long been a Fleetwood Mac fan, introduced himself after the concert. And the rest is history.
Now, Mick is the face of Pleasing’s Shroom Bloom line, which offers products such as hand and nail balm and four new nail polish shades. There is also some psychedelic limited-edition apparel.
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CASTING CALL
PAMELA ANDERSON will take on the role of Roxie Hart in “Chicago.”
The 54-year-old actress will make her Broadway debut at the Ambassador Theatre on April 12.
Her run as Hart will go through June 5.
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ARIEL WINTER will star in the upcoming NBC sitcom “Hungry.”
DEMI LOVATO was set to star in and produce the comedy series, but had to step down due to scheduling conflicts.
“Hungry” chronicles a group of friends who attend a food issue support group and help each other as they look for love and success.
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LAUREN COHEN and JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN will star in a spinoff of “The Walking Dead.”
According to AMC, the six-episode series, “Isle of the Dead” will see Maggie (Cohen) and Negan (Morgan) travel to a post-apocalyptic Manhattan.
The series will launch in 2023.
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Actor VINCE VAUGHN has teamed up with former NFL players RYAN KALIL and GREG OLSEN for a new podcast network and production company, called Audiorama.
The first podcast, “Youth Inc.,” hosted by Olsen, will explore the changing world of youth sports in America. It debuts on Wednesday.
Other podcasts and programming will be announced at a later date.
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LEBRON JAMES is investing in a new live-streaming platform for those obsessed with culinary creations.
Kittch is a place for foodies to interact and learn from some of the most famous chefs in the world.
The platform officially launches today.
It is unknown if James will make any appearances on the platform.
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DANIEL RADCLIFFE is set to star in an off-Broadway production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
He will play Charley, one of the show’s main characters.
The story follows the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends, writer Mary and lyricist Charley.
WORTH NOTING: Radcliffe made his Broadway debut in 2008 in “Equus.”
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COURT CASES
The Supreme Court will not reverse the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling that set BILL COSBY free.
SCOTUS voted 4-3 Monday to leave the decision from last summer in place. The ruling nullified Cosby’s conviction for aggravated indecent assault of ANDREA CONSTAND.
Following the ruling, Cosby was released from the Pennsylvania prison where he’d been serving a 3- to 10-year sentence.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Ever wonder exactly how rich KRIS JENNER is?
The KarJenner matriarch — and momager — has so much dough that she has a walk-in closet designated for all her designer dishes.
According to KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN, the room boasts more than 10 complete sets of designer dinnerware, including a $598 Hermes cup and saucer, a $640 Gucci teapot and a $460 Hermes plate.
In total, Kris is worth about $170 million, according to Forbes.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
QUEEN ELIZABETH sat down with Canadian Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU Monday at Windsor Castle. The meeting was her first in-person engagement since conquering COVID-19.
Trudeau is in the UK to meet with Prime Minister BORIS JOHNSON and others to talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
WORTH NOTING: The Queen has known Trudeau since he was a toddler and his father was Canada’s PM.
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SPORTS
The NHL revealed its updated logo for the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday.
The new logo features an image of the Stanley Cup Trophy framed in the shape of a championship banner. The trophy logo also shows the etchings of the past champions, which are featured on the real-life Stanley Cup.
The logo will be used for the 2022 season.
WORTH NOTING: The league used its previous logo for the Stanley Cup for 13 seasons, per CBS Sports.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Women’s Day
National Oregon Day
National Peanut Cluster Day
National Proofreading Day
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ON THIS DATE
1884 - Susan B. Anthony addresses the US House Judiciary Committee.
She was there to argue for an amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote.
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1917 - Riots and protests erupt in Petrograd, marking the start of the February Revolution in Russia.
A week later Czar Nicholas II abdicated.
His brother was put in charge, but refused the title of Czar. (Czar comes from the name Caesar).
The fall of the monarchy and the rise of the People eventually led to communist rule across Russia and its territories.
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1942 - Dutch troops fighting in Japan surrender to Japanese troops on the island of Java.
The Dutch had occupied the south-Pacific island since the late 1500s. It was a base for the Dutch East India Company, known for establishing trade routes throughout the region by sea.
As an Allied force, the Dutch agreed to invade the islands of Borneo and Celebes. This ticked off the Japanese, who later stormed Java.
The Dutch agreed to pull out, and surrendered Java. It then became a part of the Republic of Indonesia.
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1950 - Volkswagen begins production of its microbus.
The official model name was the Volkswagen Type 2.
The Type 1 designation went to the Beetle. Within a matter of years, hippies in the US adopted the bus as their favorite mode of communal transportation.
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1971 - Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier square off in the "Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ali had been suspended from the sport for 3-and-a-half years because the boxing commissions took away his license for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.
At the time of the fight, both Ali and Frazier were undefeated. Both also had Olympic gold medals to their credit.
Celebrities poured in to see the fight firsthand. Frank Sinatra even sat court side, taking pictures for a Life magazine article.
Frazier would win the fight with a left hook to Ali's chin, knocking him down for the first time in his career.
In their subsequent fights in 1974 and '75, Ali won.
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2004 - Iraq agrees to a new constitution.
Its interim Governing Council hammered out the document.
It went into effect that summer, when Coalition Forces transferred power to the Iraqis.
Iraqis knew it would only be temporary, as a full-fledged government was slated to take power in 2006.
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2014 - Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 loses contact and disappears 39 minutes after takeoff.
Radar shows the plane making a series of odd turns before its final turn south, into the Indian Ocean.
The search for the 239 people on board was the most expensive search effort in history.
It remains one of the most enduring aviation mysteries.
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2020 - The US records 521 cases of COVID-19.
Twenty-one deaths across 33 states were also documented.
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BIRTHDAYS
Stephanie Davis - actress, “Hollyoaks” - 29
Devon Werkheiser - actor, “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” - 31
Benny Blanco - music producer - 34
Milana Vayntrub - actress, AT&T commercials - 35
Chad Gable - wrestler - 36
Kat Von D - tattoo artist - 40
Nick Zano - actor, “What I Like About You” & “90210” - 44
James Van Der Beek - actor, “Dawson’s Creek” & “Varsity Blues” - 45
Freddi Prinze Jr. - actor, “She’s All That” & “Summer Catch” - 46
Boris Kodjoe - actor, “Station 19” & “Resident Evil” films - 49
Kenny Smith - basketball player - 57
Camryn Manheim - actress, “The Practice” - 61
Lester Holt - journalist - 63
Gayla Peevey - pop singer - 79
Born On This Date
Alan Hale, Jr. - actor, Skipper on “Gilligan's Island” - 1921 (d. 1990)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr - US 59th Supreme Court justice - 1841 (d. 1935)
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