4/26/2023: The Secrets of Happiness
PLUS: More Debt Ceiling Silliness; Carrie Fisher Gets a Star; and Backroom Deals at Buckingham
Today is Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
It is the 116th day of the year.
249 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A long-missing, ancient Roman bust will return home after spending decades collecting dust in the US and a Japanese space company regroups after a botched moon landing. More in HIT LIST.
President JOE BIDEN and Speaker KEVIN MCCARTHY still aren’t talking as the debt ceiling deadline looms. More in THE SWAMP.
JOHN STAMOS got the OLSEN TWINS fired from “Full House” and a fan is suing MORGAN WALLEN over his no-show. More in SHOWBIZ.
HARRISON FORD is hanging up the whip and BRIAN COX will host a James Bond-themed reality competition show. More in CASTING CALL.
TRAVIS BARKER says enemas are the key to success. More in KARDASH.
New court documents suggest a shady deal between Royal Family handlers and media executives. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The mission by a Japanese company to safely land the first privately-funded spacecraft on the Moon has failed.
The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander successfully made it into lunar orbit in March, but after initiating the protocol to land in the Atlas Crater, mission control back on Earth never got the signal that it touched down. It did, however, relay data as it descended to the lunar surface, which scientists will analyze to try to figure out what went wrong.
The unsuccessful landing also means that two rovers cannot be deployed. One belonged to Japan’s space agency, the other to the United Arab Emirates’ space program. They would’ve been the first lunar rovers for each country. [via NYT]
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A 2,200-year-old Roman bust is making its way back home to Germany after being sold at a Goodwill in Austin, Texas for $35 in 2018.
As for how the bust ended up in the States, it is believed to have been stolen in the 1950s by a US soldier, who swiped it from a storage unit. Prior to being placed in the storage unit, the piece was housed in a replica of a Pompeii house, known as Pompejanum.
It is unknown for sure who the bust is a recreation of, but some curators from the San Antonio Museum of Art, where it is currently on display, believe it could be the Roman military leader Sextus Pompey.
According to the museum, the artifact, along with two other Roman sculptures, will travel back to Germany next month. [via CNN]
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Mattel has revealed the first-ever Barbie with Down syndrome in an effort to “inspire all children to tell more stories through play.”
The new doll is part of the 2023 Fashionistas line, which “champions diversity,” according to the toy company.
In an effort to accurately represent a person with Down syndrome, Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). [via People]
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Two pups flew in style from the UK to their new home in Brooklyn, New York earlier this month after their owners were shocked over the cost (and stress) of flying them commercially.
After searching the best ways to travel across the Atlantic with dogs, owners Maddie and Stephen were stunned when they saw the $7,000-$14,000 per dog price tag to fly them as cargo on a commercial plane. Another issue they came across was that several airlines don’t fly certain breeds, such as those with flat-faces like their pug, Violet.
A second option that the owners discovered was traveling via ocean liner, but with that came a two-year waiting list.
Maddie eventually found a Facebook group that was looking for people to charter a private plane to travel with their pets and split the cost. With eight dogs and 10 humans, Maddie and Stephen ended up only paying about $8,700 for the four of them to fly to their new home. [via Fox News]
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A new poll from the Wall Street Journal, shows that the happiest people in America tend to be older women who believe in God, and value marriage, community and close personal ties.
The survey of 1,019 adults revealed that 56% of Americans are “pretty happy,” while 12% reported being “very happy.”
There was little difference found between those who identify as Republicans or Democrats and money was not a factor in one’s happiness level. [via WSJ]
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DEATHS
HARRY BELAFONTE has died.
He passed away Tuesday at his home in Manhattan of congestive heart failure.
Belafonte is best known for his hits “Banana Boat Song” and “Day-O.”
He was 96.
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BABY NEWS
“Harry Potter” star DANIEL RADCLIFFE and actress ERIN DARKE have welcomed their first child together.
Reports of the birth surfaced after the two were spotted pushing a baby stroller in NYC.
The couple, who have been together since 2012, have not publicly announced the arrival.
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RUMER WILLIS has given birth to her first child with boyfriend, musician DEREK RICHARD THOMAS.
The eldest daughter of DEMI MOORE and BRUCE WILLIS shared a photo of her sleeping daughter on Instagram Tuesday, while also revealing her name -- Louetta Isley Thomas Willis.
According to the post, she was born at home on April 18.
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BREAKUPS
HALSEY and boyfriend, producer ALEV AYDIN have called it quits on their three-plus year relationship.
No word on why the split, though Halsey is adamant about getting full custody of their 1-year-old son, Ender. Though in the court documents, she states she is fine with Aydin getting visitation.
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THE SWAMP
Instead of sitting down to negotiate a debt ceiling increase, House Speaker KEVIN MCCARTHY and President JOE BIDEN are trading barbs through prepared statements sent by underlings.
THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS: Republicans’ insistence that a debt ceiling increase is met with spending cuts “is an attack on American manufacturing, American law enforcement, and American families…”
MCCARTHY SAYS: “President Biden’s reckless spending has already threatened the financial well-being of every American family, and now his irresponsible refusal to negotiate with Speaker McCarthy threatens the entire American economy with the first default in our history.”
EITHER WAY: Republicans will get accused of not spending enough
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 344 points (1.02%) to close at 33,530 on Tuesday. The S&P lost 65 points (1.58%) to close at 4,071 and the NASDAQ lost 238 points (1.98%) to close at 11,799.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $77; BRENT CRUDE at $80.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.65 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was up over 0.9% on Tuesday, trading just over $27,700.
🛩 There were more than 2,325 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 110 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $37 million jackpot or a $19.6 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
CARRIE FISHER will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next month. The event will take place on May 4th aka Star Wars Day to fans.
She will join her “Star Wars” costars MARK HAMILL and HARRISON FORD who already have stars.
Fisher’s daughter BILLIE LOURD will be on hand to accept the star on her late mother’s behalf. [via Metro]
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During a recent appearance on the “Good Guys” podcast, actor JOHN STAMOS revealed that he once got twins MARY-KATE and ASHLEY OLSEN fired from “Full House.”
“Get rid of them. I can’t work like this,” Stamos said after a particularly long day on set during which the girls, who were only 11-months-old at the time, would not stop screaming.
Their replacements were not exactly what Stamos had in mind, however, saying “I’m sure their parents loved them and thought they were attractive. It had nothing to do with them being red-headed…but they weren't attractive.”
After a few days, Stamos said he demanded the Olsen twins come back.
When asked if the Olsen twins know he got them fired, Stamos replied, “They do now.” [via Page Six]
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RAY ROMANO appears to be taking his heart health seriously, as he was out walking in Los Angeles this week.
The actor was getting some steps in while listening to some tunes (or maybe a podcast?), which is part of his post-heart surgery plan.
Romano revealed last week that he had to have a stent placed to clear some blockage in one of his arteries. Following the procedure, he has vowed to do better with his health, including staying active. [via TMZ]
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Kentucky native CARLY PEARCE will return to her roots at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
The country superstar will not only attend the event, but will also perform the National Anthem.
Pearce tol People Magazine that this will be her first time at Churchill Downs. [via People]
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MELISSA MCCARTHY has landed the cover of People Magazine’s “Beautiful Issue.”
In her cover story, the actress told the publication that she wants to remind people that “the simplest rule is just to be kind.” It hits shelves this Friday.
As previously reported, McCarthy stars as Ursula in the upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which debuts next month. [via AP News]
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Country singer MORGAN WALLEN is being sued by an irate fan who had tickets to his show in Oxford, Mississippi on Sunday night only to be sent home at the eleventh hour.
Brandi Burcham filed the class action lawsuit “on behalf of herself and all other similarity situated” fans who were told five minutes before Wallen was due on stage that he would not be performing.
According to a message from Wallen’s camp, he was unable to sing due to losing his voice. Concertgoers were only made aware of the cancellation after Wallen’s openers HARDY, ERNEST and NATE SMITH had already performed.
Wallen did post a message to fans on social media, apologizing for his absence and posting dates for rescheduled shows, but even that did not seem to appease some. [via Page Six]
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CASTING CALL
HARRISON FORD will be hanging up his brown fedora and whip, following the latest Indiana Jones film, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”
“This is the final film in the series, and this is the last time I’ll play the character,” Ford told Total Film magazine.
As for the television series, Ford said that he “will not be involved in that if it does come to fruition.”
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will hit theaters on June 30. [via Total Film]
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“Succession” star BRIAN COX will take on a new role in a James Bond-inspired competition show, called “007’s Road To A Million.”
The show will see contestants competing in two-person teams as they try to correctly answer questions hidden in different locations around the world. The locations are all based on those featured in Bond films, including the Scottish Highlands, Venice and Jamaica.
As for Cox’s role, he will act as “The Controller” and determine contestants’ fates as they try to navigate the world of Bond.
“007’s Road To A Million” will air later this year on Prime Video. [via Daily Mail]
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A docuseries about CONOR MCGREGOR will air next month on Netflix.
The MMA fighter tweeted about the show on Tuesday, letting fans know that the show will be “the only place to hear [his] true story.”
“McGregor Forever,” which details his rise to fame in the UFC world, will debut on May 17. [via Deadline]
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Actress PERI GILPIN will reprise her role as Roz Doyle in the “Frasier” reboot at Paramount+.
Roz was Frasier Crane’s radio producer on the long-running series. Frasier was, of course, played by KELSEY GRAMMER. He will reprise the role in the reboot.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new series will “find Frasier returning to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two that he might finally get to fulfill.” [via Hollywood Reporter]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
TRAVIS BARKER has a new luxury enema kit called “Liquid Death.”
The kit, which costs $182, includes a black enema bulb and a can of water signed by the BLINK-182 drummer.
In a promotional ad for Liquid Death, Barker jokes that the enema is what led to his successful music career and him landing his wife KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN.
SPEAKING OF ENEMAS: Kardashian fans may recall that Kourtney is a fan of the colonic tool. She famously got an oil enema on the premiere episode of “Keeping Up” spin-off “Kourtney and Kim Take New York.” [via E!]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Court papers filed in PRINCE HARRY’s suit against The Sun over the paper’s alleged illegal information gathering techniques suggest an unholy alliance between The Firm’s handlers and the media company.
Harry’s claim alleges that Buckingham Palace officials made a handshake deal with the newspaper group years ago over the hacking allegations, in which the Royal Family would not sue and that the paper would pay out a settlement later. This would spare a member of the family from having to bare all in open court.
Of course, Harry and wife MEGHAN MARKLE have gone ahead and bared all anyway.
BUT WAIT: Lawyers for The Sun say this deal never happened.
MEANWHILE: The filings also suggest that The Sun paid an undisclosed amount to PRINCE WILLIAM for hacking his phone at one point.
WORTH NOTING: The Sun is owned by News Group Newspapers, which is owned by RUPERT MURDOCH, who owns News Corp., which owns Fox News, which just agreed to a $780-million-plus lawsuit settlement. Cutting corners to get the story sure sounds expensive. [via BBC]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Richter Scale Day
National Library Outreach Day
International Guide Dog Day
Get Organized Day
National Help A Horse Day
Alien Day
National Pretzel Day
Hug an Australian Day
International Chernobyl Remembrance Day
World Burlesque Day
National Administrative Professionals Day
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ON THIS DATE
1865 – Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth is found and killed.
Union soldiers found him 12 days after the murder of the president.
Booth had the help of Confederate sympathizers during his run. A doctor even mended his broken leg, and he had assistance getting across the Potomac river.
A $20,000 reward had been issued for information on his whereabouts.
Union soldiers finally found him at the farm of Richard Garrett, who claimed to not know who Booth was or what he had done.
When authorities surrounded the barn, Booth's much-forgotten accomplice David Herold surrendered, but soldiers set the barn on fire to smoke out Booth. Still, the assassin stayed. He was finally shot, but it took him three hours to die.
His last words, as he stared at his hands, were "Useless. Useless."
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1954 – Just over a year after a cure for polio is announced to the public, its trials begin in earnest.
Officials were willing to take their chances, vaccinating 1.8 million children over the course of a couple weeks.
The first children to receive the shots were from MacLean, Virginia.
Less than a year later, scientists announced that it was a success.
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1977 – Studio 54 opens in New York City.
It was hugely popular in disco music and culture for a brief time in the late '70s, and discotheques boomed.
While it was open, even the likes of Jackie Onassis and Jimmy Carter's chief of staff made their way for a visit.
The club would be shut down three years later after its founders were convicted for tax evasion.
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1986 – The Chernobyl Disaster kills thousands and poisons tens of thousands more with radiation when a Soviet power plant near Kiev explodes.
Nearly 150,000 people in the 18-mile radius of the blast zone were relocated.
Soviet officials did not immediately announce the explosion. But two days later the Swedes started picking up unusually high levels of radiation in the atmosphere and grew suspect.
It wasn't until later that year that the Soviets admitted the disaster, and years later that they released the horrifying details.
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2009 – The United Auto Workers union and Chrysler reach a new labor agreement as the government forces restructuring in order to bail it out.
Ultimately, cost savings were reached by having employees pay more for their health insurance—a move approved by Barack Obama.
The money saved wasn't enough, and Chrysler went bankrupt at the end of the month; the first American carmaker to do so since 1933 when Studebaker went under.
It was bought by Fiat, and given $6.6 billion in rescue money from the US Government.
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2018 - Bill Cosby is found guilty of sexual assault.
The comedian was on trial for three counts of aggravated indecent assault stemming from a 2004 incident.
The jury took only two days to deliberate, finding him guilty on all charges. Months later he would be sentenced to 3-10 years in jail.
He was one of the first celebrities to be jailed in the #MeToo era.
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2021 - US Census results show its population growth as the second slowest in recorded history.
The total population is recorded at 331,449,281. That is only a 7.4% increase from 2010.
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BIRTHDAYS
Hannah Strumner - country singer - 21
Aaron Judge - baseball player - 31
Channing Tatum - actor, “Magic Mike” & “21 Jump Street” - 43
Jordana Brewster - actress, “Fast & Furious” movies - 43
Stana Katic - actress, “Castle” - 45
Jason Earles - actor, “Hannah Montana” - 46
Tom Welling - actor, “Smallville” & “Judging Amy” - 46
Melania Trump - former First Lady - 53
Tionne Watkins - R&B singer, TLC - 53
Kane - wrestler - 56
Kevin James - actor, “King of Queens” & “Grown Ups” - 58
Jet Li - actor, “Lethal Weapon 4” & “Romeo Must Die” - 60
Giancarlo Esposito - actor, “Breaking Bad” & “The Get Down” - 65
Carol Burnett - TV show host, “The Carol Burnett Show” - 90
Born On This Date
Joey Jordison - drummer, Slipknot - 1975 (d. 2021)
Frederick Law Olmstead - landscape artist, designed Central Park - 1822 (d. 1903)
Muhammad - founder of Islam - 570 (d. 632)
Marcus Aurelius - Roman Emperor - 121 AD (d. 180 AD)
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