Discover more from Morning Martini
4/11/2022: Ben & Jen Together Again
PLUS: Stolen Sneakers, Will Smith’s 10-Year Ban, and Ye Seeks Treatment
Today is Monday, April 11, 2022
It is the 101st day of the year.
264 days remain.
TRENDING
Saturday was National Unicorn Day.
Twitter users reacted to the news of NFL player Dwayne Haskins’ passing on Saturday. More in Deaths.
#JusticeForJohnnyDepp was trending over the weekend ahead of his upcoming trial against his ex, actress Amber Heard. More in Showbiz.
Sunday was National Siblings Day. Twitter users celebrate with photos of their beloved brothers and sisters. Some even counted their pets as siblings.
Palm Sunday was yesterday. The Christian holiday marks the beginning of Holy Week.
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HIT LIST
The Washington Post, owned by aspiring Bond villain Jeff Bezos, isn’t happy about Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter stock that makes him a 10% shareholder – and the largest single investor – in the company.
One headline ominously declares, “"Elon Musk’s vision of ‘free speech’ will be bad for Twitter.”
WORTH NOTING: The headline puts “free speech” in quotes, a tacit acknowledgment that there’s absolute free speech, and the diet “free speech” trumpeted by leftist activists that really only covers thoughts and ideas they approve.
The writer of the piece then worries about the need for "regulation of social media platforms to prevent rich people from controlling our channels of communication."
IN OTHER WORDS: It’s cool for my billionaire boss to buy a newspaper to disparage his rivals and control the channels of communication but it’s a real nightmare when another billionaire buys a social media platform to liberate channels of communication from politically-fueled censorship.
MEANWHILE: Musk continues to have fun in his new role. He tweeted a poll over the weekend asking if Twitter should convert its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter “since no one shows up anyway.”
(More than 90% of the 1.5 million respondents said yes.)
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Spanish officials are investigating a man believed to have a collection of thousands of stuffed animals in a taxidermy collection worth millions.
More than 400 of the specimens are protected. One, the North African oryx, is already believed to be extinct.
They were all stashed in two warehouses spanning more than 50,000 square feet, the Associated Press reports.
The owner of the collection is facing charges of trafficking and environmental crimes.
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If you’re feeling particularly forgetful lately, you’re not alone.
A Wall Street Journal report covers a recent phenomenon of the masses unable to retain short-term information more than ever. They talked to one neuroscientist who compared the situation to “computers with so many tabs open” – “this slows down our processing power, and memory is one of the areas that falters.”
Beyond the many distractions in day to day life, there’s also the pandemic hangover and war news out of Ukraine to give people extra grief.
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The state of Utah is approaching a tragic milestone: The state is on pace for a record number of pedestrian deaths from car accidents.
In March alone, 11 people were killed after getting hit by a vehicle.
Year to date there have been 20 such deaths – twice the number at the same point in 2019.
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A Cincinatti man is out tens of thousands of dollars after thieves walked off with an expansive sneaker collection he kept in a storage unit.
The victim sold the kicks online as his main source of income, and was sitting on an inventory of roughly 300 pairs that he estimates was worth $100,000.
There’s security camera footage of the heist, but nothing particularly helpful to catch the culprits.
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CHARTS
Weekend Box Office
10. Sing 2: $220k (up from 11)
9. Selena: $402k (re-release)
8. Spider-Man: No Way Home: $625k (down from 7)
7. Uncharted: $2.6 million (down from 4)
6. Everything Everywhere All at Once: $6 million (up from 9)
5. The Batman: $6.5 million (down from 3)
4. Ambulance: $8.7 million (new)
3. The Lost City: $9.1 million (down from 2)
2. Morbius: $10.2 million (down from 1)
1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2: $71 million (new)
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DEATHS
DWAYNE HASKINS has died.
The Steelers QB was reportedly jogging across a South Florida highway when he was struck by a dump truck. It is unknown why he was walking on the highway. A traffic homicide investigation has been opened into the incident.
He was 24.
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HENRY PATTERSON has died.
The best-selling author, who published under the name Jack Higgins, passed away at his home on the Channel Island of Jersey on Sunday. A cause of death was not shared.
He was 92.
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RELATIONSHIPS
BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER LOPEZ are engaged…again!
JLo shared the news with her fans via a video message on Friday, showing off her green diamond ring.
The couple first got engaged in late 2002, but called things off in 2004.
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SICK BAY
New York Mayor ERIC ADAMS has covid.
A spokesperson confirmed the news on Sunday, explaining that Adams woke up with a “raspy voice” so he took a test, which came back positive.
He has canceled all public events for the week.
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WEDDINGS
Musician RYAN CABRERA, 39, and wrestler ALEXIS BLISS, 30, are married.
The couple tied the knot in a non-traditional, rockstar-themed ceremony at the Kempa Villa in Palm Desert, California on Saturday.
The pair got engaged in November 2020.
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BROOKLYN BECKHAM, 23, the eldest son of DAVID and VICTORIA BECKHAM, and actress NICOLA PELTZ, 27, are married.
The couple tied the knot at Peltz’s family estate in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday.
The newlyweds first met in 2017, but didn’t start dating until two years later. They got engaged in July 2020.
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THE SWAMP
America’s Governor RON DESANTIS’ re-election campaign has hit a major milestone for a governor’s race: He’s racked up more than $100 million in his warchest strictly from donations. Only two previous candidates for governor are believed to have done that – JB PRITZKER in Illinois and MEG WHITMAN when she ran in California, but they both chipped in millions of their own cash.
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Here’s a CBS News/YouGov poll on Biden’s handling of various issues:
On crime: 61% disapprove
On immigration: 62% disapprove
On the economy: 63% disapprove
On inflation: 69% disapprove
IT GETS WORSE: A Rasmussen poll shows a majority of likely voters say President JOE BIDEN’s presidency has hampered the long-term progress of the country, while 62% say the economy has gotten worse in the last 15 months. A striking 83% see violent crime levels across the country as an important issue for November’s midterms.
WORTH NOTING: That’s pretty bad news for a party that championed a movement to cut police department payrolls in 2020.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tuesday night’s drawing will be for a $106 million jackpot or a $65.3 million cash payout.
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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $288 million jackpot or a $178.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards took place live from the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California on Saturday evening.
The event was hosted by MIRANDA COSGROVE and ROB GRONKOWSKI.
And the winners are…
TV
Kids Show — “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
Family Show — “iCarly”
Reality Show — “America’s Got Talent”
Cartoon — “SpongeBob SquarePants”
Female TV Star (Kids) — Olivia Rodrigo, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
Male TV Star (Kids) — Joshua Bassett, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
Female TV Star (Family) — Miranda Cosgrove, “iCarly”
Male TV Star (Family) — Tom Hiddleston, “Loki”
Film
Movie — “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Actress — Zendaya, “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Actor — Tom Holland, “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Animated Movie — “Disney’s Encanto”
Voice From An Animated Movie — Scarlett Johansson, “Sing 2”
Music
Female Artist — Ariana Grande
Male Artist — Ed Sheeran
Group — BTS
Collab — The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
Global Music Star — Adele
Song — “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
Breakout Artist — Olivia Rodrigo
Album — “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
Sports
Female Athlete — Chloe Kim
Male Athlete — Tom Brady
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WILL SMITH has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years for his assault on CHRIS ROCK.
The Academy handed down their ruling on Friday.
IN RESPONSE: Smith said, via his rep, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
BUT WAIT: Actor HARRY LENNIX thinks the punishment is “nothing more than an extended time out for a playground bully.” He called on Smith to return his Oscar in an effort to “redeem the integrity of the Oscars.”
CHRIS’ SIDE OF THE STORY: Rock did not comment on the Academy’s ruling. He did, however, tell the audience at his Indio, California show that he will not be discussing the slap until he gets “paid,” according to the Palm Desert Sun.
WORTH NOTING: It is unclear what he means by “paid.” Could he be waiting to do an exclusive interview? Has he filed a civil lawsuit? Or is he simply joking and plans to talk about it when he is ready?
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JOHNNY DEPP’s defamation suit against his ex, actress AMBER HEARD begins this week.
Depp previously lost a trial against The Sun, after he sued the British tabloid for calling him a “wife-beater.” He then tried to have the ruling overturned, but was overruled in March 2021, so now, he is suing Heard directly.
Along with the famous exes, several celebrities, including JAMES FRANCO, ELON MUSK and PAUL BETTANY will be called to testify.
MEANWHILE: Ahead of the trial, Heard took to Instagram to announce she will be taking a social media break while the case plays out.
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Following a short jail stint, JUSSIE SMOLLET released a new song, called “Thank You God.”
The single features lyrics that seem to reference his hoax hate crime, with him still claiming his innocence.
Smollett dedicated the song to “the people who kept it real, who kept it true.” Also, he claims that he is donating all proceeds from the track to the Rainbow Push Coalition, Secure the Bag Safety and the Illinois Innocence Project.
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CASTING CALL
“Dancing With the Stars” is leaving ABC after 30 seasons.
The competition series, which debuted in 2005, is headed to Disney+, with Season 31 premiering this fall.
It will be the streamer’s first live show.
No word on whether host TYRA BANKS will continue with the show.
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TOM HIDDLESTON will star in a limited series based on David Grann’s nonfiction book, “The White Darkness,” for Apple TV+.
According to Variety, the series is inspired by the true life account of Henry Worsley (Hiddleston), a devoted father and husband, a former soldier, and a man of deep honor and sacrifice who becomes obsessed with adventure and manifests a journey crossing Antartica on foot.
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BRYAN CRANSTON and AARON PAUL will reprise their “Breaking Bad” roles in the final season of “Better Call Saul.”
Cranston played Walter White, while Paul played Jesse Pinkman in the “Better Call Saul” predecessor.
Co-creator Peter Gould revealed the news at a Paleyfest event over the weekend and AMC confirmed the news to Deadline.
The sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul” will air in two parts. Part one kicks off on April 18 and runs until late May, before picking up again in early July.
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ANGELA BASSETT is set to star in Netflix’s fantasy film, “Damsel,” opposite MILLIE BOBBY BROWN.
In the movie, a princess named Elodie (Brown) is shocked to find that she will be sacrificed to the kingdom’s sacred cave dragon after marrying her prince charming. She must survive long enough for someone to save her, but it seems no one is coming.
Bassett will play Lady Bayford, the stepmother to Elodie.
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JOHN CENA is starring in Amazon’s newly acquired comedy “Officer Exchange.”
According to Deadline, he will play Shepard “Shep,” a wrecking ball of a cop who teams up with an Indian police officer to take down a diamond smuggling ring in India.
The project is currently in development.
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BRIE LARSON is joining the cast of “Fast and Furious 10.”
Franchise star and producer VIN DIESEL revealed the news on Instagram Saturday night.
Details about Larson’s role in the flick were not shared.
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“The Real” has been canceled after eight seasons.
Co-host LONI LOVE confirmed the news, tweeting out that she feels “Covid costs killed [the] show.”
The show was Warner Bros. Longest-running daytime syndicated talk show behind “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Jenny Jones Show,” according to Deadline.
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LAURA DERN and LIAM HEMSWORTH will star in “Lonely Planet” for Netflix.
The movie is a love story set in Morocco. Other plot details are being kept under wraps.
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COURT CASES
A jury acquitted two men of all charges Friday in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. GRETCHEN WHITMER, but were deadlocked on verdicts for the other two men.
DANIEL HARRIS, 24, and BRANDON CASERTA, 33, were found not guilty of conspiracy. Harris was also acquitted of charges related to explosives and guns.
The jury could not reach verdicts for ADAM FOX, 38, and BARRY CROFT JR., 46.
WORTH NOTING: Ultimately, there were more undercover FBI agents involved in the kidnapping plot than regular Joes.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: STEVEN M. D’ATUONO is the FBI agent credited with overseeing the sting operation.
He’s since been promoted and is now part of law enforcement leadership overseeing the January 6 investigation.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KANYE WEST is scoping out treatment centers.
Insiders told Page Six that his team is looking at places “with a luxury component,” for Ye to enter treatment “to be a better human and a better dad.”
A source added that “for the sake of his kids,” Ye is currently not making any public appearances or social media statements about his ex KIM KARDASHIAN.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
QUEEN ELIZABETH marked the first anniversary of PRINCE PHILIP’s death with an emotional tribute.
A video and photo montage of the late royal was shared on the Royal Family’s official Twitter account on Saturday. It ended with a black and white photo of the Duke tipping his hat as if saying goodbye.
Philip passed away on April 9, 2021 at 99-years-old.
He was married to the Queen for 73 years.
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SPORTS
Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN reacted to DWAYNE HASKINS’ death saying that the QB was one of the “hardest workers, both on the field and in the community.”
He also called him a “great teammate” and “tremendous friend to many.”
MEANWHILE: During an interview on NFL Radio over the weekend, NFL executive GIL BRANDT chose to criticize Haskins. Brandt said that maybe he “would have made better choices had he stayed in school,” referring to Haskins’ decision to leave Ohio State a year early to enter the draft.
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SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER won the 86th Masters.
With the win, Scheffler joins DUSTIN JOHNSON (2020), TIGER WOODS (2001, 2012), FRED COUPLES (1992) and IAN WOOSNAM (1991) as Masters champions to win while holding the No. 1 ranking.
MEANWHILE: Tigers Woods finished +13, but called the comeback one of his “greatest triumphs.” He is committed to play in the British Open in July, but is unsure about the PGA Championship next month in Oklahoma.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National BarberShop Quartet Day
National Cheese Fondue Day
National Eight Track Tape Day
National Pet Day
National Submarine Day
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ON THIS DATE
1814 - Napoleon Bonaparte gives up his empire.
He leaves for Elba, in the Mediterranean.
Napoleon managed to escape the following year and rallied enough supporters to take bake his title. But the victory was short-lived, in a period called The Hundred Days.
He lost again at the Battle of Waterloo, after which he left for Saint Helena in the Atlantic, where he died.
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1898 - President William McKinley asks Congress for authorization to end the fighting in Cuba between the rebels and Spanish forces.
He also requested to establish a stable government that would maintain order and ensure peace and tranquility and the security of Cuban and US citizens on the island.
Days later, a resolution would be passed establishing Cuba’s independence.
All of this would culminate into the Spanish-American War.
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1912 - The RMS Titanic leaves Ireland for New York.
On board are an estimated 1,316 passengers.
It sank three days later.
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1951 - The conflict between General Douglas MacArthur and President Harry Truman peaks when the Commander in Chief dismisses the military leader of his duties in Korea.
MacArthur had been ardently encouraging an invasion of the North to completely eliminate the communists, but Truman feared military pushback from the Chinese.
General Matthew Ridgeway replaced MacArthur.
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1970 - Apollo 13 begins its ill-fated mission to the Moon.
Jim Loveel, John Swigert and Fred Haise piloted the ship. They were tasked with conducting geological experiments on the Moon and bringing back samples. It would have been the third manned exploration mission of the Moon.
The mission was aborted when an oxygen tank failed two days into the mission.
It would return back to Earth less than six days later.
1993 - 450 prisoners riot at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
The inmates were irate about prison conditions and the forced vaccination of Nation of Islam prisoners for tuberculosis.
Several inmates and one guard were killed. Rioters caused over $40 million in damages to the facility.
The chaos ended after 10 days, when rioters surrendered.
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2004 - Phil Mickelson wins his first Masters Golf Tournament.
The win at Augusta was his first major championship in nearly 12 years in the PGA.
He would win the PGA championship in 2005 and the Masters again in 2006.
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2020 - Brazil is the first country in the southern hemisphere to report over 1,000 deaths from COVID-19.
There were more than 19,638 cases in the country.
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2021 - Daunte Wright, 20, is shot and killed by Minnesota police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop, when she mistook her gun for her taser.
The shooting would lead to more rioting and Officer Potter being charged with manslaughter.
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BIRTHDAYS
Morgan Lily - actress, “X-Men: First Class” - 22
Summer Walker - R&B singer - 26
Josh Brueckner - MMA fighter - 27
Duncan Laurence - world music singer - 28
Marcus Johns - actor, “Expelled” & “Cold” - 29
Kid Buu - rapper - 34
Joss Stone - British singer - 35
Alessandra Ambrosio - model - 41
Matt Ryan - actor, “The Tudors” & “Torchwood” - 41
Jennifer Esposito - actress, “Blue Bloods” & “Taxi” - 49
Goldust - wrestler - 53
Steve Azar - country singer - 58
Jeremy Clarkson - TV show host, “Top Gear” - 62
Ana Maria Polo - TV show host, “Caso Cerrado” - 64
Peter Riegert - actor, “Animal House” - 75
Ethel Kennedy - wife of Robert F. Kennedy - 94
Born On This Date
Doug Hopkins - guitarist, Gin Blossoms - 1961 (d. 1993)
Glenway Wescott - writer, “Apartment in Athens” - 1901 (d. 1960) *born in Kewaskum, WI*
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