Discover more from Morning Martini
4/7/2022: Kardashian Tell-All
PLUS: Send ‘Em to DC, Joe Rogan Death Hoax, and CC Sabathia’s New Gig
Today is Thursday, April 7, 2022.
It is the 97th day of the year.
268 days remain.
TRENDING
Joe Rogan was trending Wednesday morning after several sources claimed the controversial podcaster had died. He did not. More in Showbiz.
#DoctorStrange landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends as Marvel fans started a one month countdown until “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hits theaters.
On #NationalStudentAthleteDay, schools, coaches and teammates celebrated Student Athletes, calling out their “hardwork” and “dedication” to not only their sport, but also their “education and community.”
Some on Twitter celebrated #InternationalAsexualityDay on Wednesday. Tweets included messages of positivity and support.
Stephen King was trending yesterday because fans of his books wanted to share how much they love him.
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HIT LIST
Add bears and lions to the threats facing Ukrainians.
A rep for Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv says that Russian shelling attacks have mostly killed the animals housed there, but some larger animals remain alive. Unable to continue to maintain the facility, zookeepers now face the complicated task of deciding whether to euthanize the animals – but also face the concern of zoo staff dying and being unable to care for them.
If their cages get destroyed from shellings, the surviving animals could break free and be on the prowl for food.
Officials are desperate for help from any organization able to safely take and rehome the animals that remain alive.
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The New England Journal of Medicine reports that the fourth covid booster’s efficacy wanes quickly, especially compared to a third shot at the same point in time.
The study did show even stronger protection against severe illness, however.
The participants were also at least 60 years old.
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The Los Angeles Times reports that gang violence was likely behind the deadly shooting early Sunday morning.
MEANWHILE: One of the main suspects in the case was reportedly out early on a 10-year sentence for violently assaulting his girlfriend. Prosecutors protested the early release on the grounds he posed “a significant, unreasonable risk of safety to the community,” the New York Post reports.
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The first completely private mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to blast off on Friday.
A company called Axiom Space in Houston arranged the mission, which will fly on a SpaceX rocket and include three paying space tourists alongside a former NASA astronaut in the pilot’s seat.
The group will stay onboard the ISS for eight days.
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There’s a fox on the loose on Capitol Hill.
A Representative from California was even bitten by one on Monday before fending it off with his umbrella. He’s also a doctor – so consulted with the physician on site and began treatment for rabies as a precautionary measure.
Capitol Hill Police say a few different fox sightings have been reported in recent days and animal control is checking things out.
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CHARTS
A video of a referee being violently attacked following a youth basketball tournament at Stronghold Christian Church in Georgia has gone viral.
The ref was rushed to the hospital after suffering serious injuries. He reportedly had to get 30 stitches.
WATCH: (WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT)
https://www.tmz.com/watch/2022-04-06-040622-referee-fight-1390173/
WORTH NOTING: The incident happened last weekend. No word of any consequences for those who attacked the ref.
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DEATHS
NEHEMIAH PERSOFF has died.
The actor, known for his roles in “The Twilight Zone” and “Yentl,” passed away Tuesday at a rehabilitation facility in California. No cause of death was shared.
He was 102.
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THE SWAMP
HOW TO FIGHT BACK: Texas Governor GREG ABBOTT announced Wednesday he is chartering up to 900 buses to send illegal immigrants encountered at the border to Washington D.C.
He said the buses will be ordered to drop the passengers at the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
The move comes as Title 42 is set to expire, which went into effect under former PRESIDENT TRUMP and gave border officials expanded power to deny illegal immigrants entry into the country.
WORTH NOTING: That border officials don’t have the power to explicitly deny entry into the country to people entering illegally is, on its face, absolutely insane.
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Remember when President JOE BIDEN said on the campaign trail he’s never discussed his son HUNTER BIDEN’s business dealings?
That’s getting increasingly impossible to believe.
A new email from the CEO of a Chinese investment and management fund sent to Hunter and his associates in January 2017 shows the Chinese executive sending his son’s resume and a list of American universities he’d like to attend. The CEO then asks, “please can you provide some advice for his applications.”
The next month, Hunter was copied on an email from one of his colleagues, sent to the Chinese executive, with a copy of a letter written by Joe Biden attached, that was apparently sent by FedEx to the universities of choice. (The contents of that attachment have not been released.)
In response to receiving the letter, the Chinese executive replies, “It is just great! Thank you very much!” and “Hunter, thank you very much too. All the best to you all."
WORTH NOTING: The executive specifically singles out Hunter and says thank you.
The entire premise of this email exchange is that a Chinese business associate of Hunter Biden asked his father, former Vice President Joe Biden, for a letter of recommendation. In order to facilitate this, Hunter inherently would have had to discuss his business dealings with his father.
IT GETS WORSE: Joe Biden maintains he’s never discussed Hunter’s business dealings. When pressed about this claim on Tuesday, White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI maintained that Joe and Hunter have not discussed Hunter’s business dealings.
WORTH NOTING: Psaki will soon leave her post for a cable TV job – maybe she knows she won’t be responsible when the administration’s feet are really held to the fire.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Friday night’s drawing will be for a $94 million jackpot or a $59.7 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
JOE ROGAN is alive and well, despite some sources claiming otherwise.
The 54-year-old podcaster was trending Wednesday after news of his alleged death circulated on social media.
The death hoax even contained false statements from UFC President DANA WHITE, that claimed he was grieving for Rogan’s family.
Rogan took to Twitter himself to clarify that he had in fact not died.
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Oscar viewers are still frustrated with the fact that WILL SMITH was not escorted out of the awards ceremony by officers after assaulting CHRIS ROCK.
LAPD sources explained that the only way the actor would get arrested would be if an officer witnessed the slap — which none did — or if Rock wanted to press charges, which also didn’t happen.
There is still some discrepancy when it comes to the details about why Smith was allowed to return to his seat and later accept an award.
SPEAKING OF THE SLAP: The Academy announced Wednesday that they are moving up an annual meeting by 10 days to more quickly address possible sanctions for Smith.
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No Doubt bassist TONY KANAL and his family have been harassed for months by a man named GEORGE LEONARDOPOULOS who claims HEATH LEDGER is living on their property.
The man, who claims to have lived on the property with Ledger, has shown up at the home multiple times, sometimes with weapons in hand. He told Kanal that he needs to be let onto the property — specifically into the garage — so he can “wake” Ledger.
Kanal has gotten a restraining order against Leonardopoulos.
WORTH NOTING: Ledger did own the home before selling it to Kanal in 2005 — three years before his passing.
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THE WEEKND and SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA will take over KANYE WEST’s vacated headliner spot at Coachella.
The latter group was supposed to perform Friday, but will now hit the stage with The Weeknd on Sunday.
WORTH NOTING: The pairing makes sense as the two have a hit song, “Moth to a Flame,” together.
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Former Secret Service agent CLINT HILL has created a book of rare photos and stories from his time with the Kennedys.
After discovering a trove of gifts, letters and a long-lost diary from his travels with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Hill got the idea for a book.
“My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy” is slated for publication later this year.
WORTH NOTING: Hill was in the motorcade when JFK was assassinated.
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Rapper GOONEW’s family is defending his memorial service.
His mom, Patrice, told TMZ that she made it clear to the funeral home that she didn’t want anyone “looking down on her son” and that he should be “propped up on display.”
His sister later added that Goonew was the “life of the party” and would not have wanted a “somber funeral.”
As previously reported, many were shocked to see Goonew dressed and propped up at Bliss Nightclub over the weekend for the service. The club has since apologized for the display and claimed they had no idea about it.
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CASTING CALL
AUSTIN STOWELL, PATRICK FISCHLER, BREE ELROD and PHILIP ETTINGER have joined the cast of “A Friend Of The Family.”
The Peacock series is based on the true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by an obsessed family friend.
They join previously announced stars ANNA PAQUIN, JAKE LACY, LIO TIPTON, MCKENNA GRACE and HENDRIX YANCEY.
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The upcoming third season of Netflix’s “Locke & Key” will be the end.
Insiders told Deadline that from the beginning the show was only meant to last three seasons.
The supranational thriller series is based on the IDW comic books.
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ANGOURIE RICE will star opposite JENNIFER GARNER in “The Last Thing He Told Me.”
The Apple series is based on Laura Dave’s best-selling novel of the same name. It follows Hannah (Garner), a woman who forms an unexpected bond with her sixteen-year-old stepdaughter while searching for the truth about her missing husband.
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A “Killing Eve” spinoff is in the works at BBC America.
The series delves into the early life of MI6 spymaster Carolyn Mertens, who plays a major role in all four seasons of the drama.
The news comes ahead of Sunday’s finale episode of “Killing Eve”
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COURT CASES
After a ruling was made Wednesday concluding that ED SHEERAN did not rip off another song for his hit “Shape of You,” the British singer called for an end to “baseless claims” of plagiarism.
Last month, Sheeran and his “Shape Of You” co-writers appeared in court to fight accusations that they stole phrases from the 2015 song “Oh Why” by SAMI CHOKI and ROSS O’DONOGHUE. Sheeran denied the claim, taking the stand in his own defense.
In a breath of relief — and also frustration — Sheeran posted a video to Instagram condemning a growing culture of copyright claims.
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CRIB NOTES
MARK WAHLBERG is selling his 12-bedroom, 20-bathroom, 30,500-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion for $87.5 million.
The house features a library/study room, waterfall pool, grotto, tennis court, basketball court, private spa, 5,000 bottle wine cellar, full-equipped gym, movie screening room and separate living quarters for staff.
Mark is set to make quite the profit as he purchased the land for $8.25 million in 2009. He then spent years working on the home.
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WHITNEY HOUSTON’s longtime New Jersey home has hit the market.
The late singer purchased the house in 1993 for $537,000 — a year after marrying BOBBY BROWN and giving birth to BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN.
The pad was used as a guest home until 2010 when she sold it to the current owners for $940,000.
It is currently listed for $1.6 million.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
The Kardashians sat down with ROBIN ROBERTS for a special tell-all last night.
KIM spoke about her ongoing divorce from KANYE and how their four kids are handling the split. She told Robin that she has an “open dialogue” with her children and is Ye’s biggest cheerleader in front of them.
“Kanye and I will always be family,” she said.
On the topic of Kim’s relationship with PETE DAVIDSON, her mom KRIS said “he’s great.”
Kim meanwhile, said she is “very happy” “content” and “at peace” in her relationship.
Khloe spoke a bit about her ex, TRISTAN THOMPSON, saying that she always felt “safe” with him, but is now at a point where she believes he is “a great guy and a great dad…but is just not right for [her].”
KOURTNEY spoke about her relationship with TRAVIS BARKER -- who she is not legally married to -- explaining how she always knew their relationship would become intense if they moved beyond their friendship.
She also credited her mom with teaching her and her sisters how to “hustle.”
KYLIE is the only sister who made her beauty brand boom by marketing solely on social media. When she created her Kylie Lip Kits, all she had to do was show them off to her millions of followers and the lot would be sold out in minutes.
WORTH NOTING: Kylie was the first woman to rack up over 300 million followers on Instagram.
The most mysterious of the KarJenners is KENDALL. She has often been described as the one who struggles the most with fame. This is something that she has spoken out about and tried to help others who may be dealing with similar feelings.
Of course, the struggles us mere peasants deal with compared to the KarJenners is not comparable, but at least she is making an effort to relate.
CAITLYN JENNER was discussed. When Robin asked Kris where she stands with Cait today, she curtly responded, “We’re fine.”
As for how the KarJenners continue to stay relevant, celeb blogger PEREZ HILTON said it best: “There are so many of them. There is alway something going on with a family member.” -- Truer words have never been spoken.
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PETE DAVIDSON has been introduced to KIM KARDASHIAN’s kids.
The comedian was spotted cruising around SCOTT DISICK’s gated community in Kim’s pink, electric MOKE car with her daughter NORTH WEST in tow.
Insiders later told TMZ that PENELOPE DISICK was also in the car.
WORTH NOTING: CAITLYN JENNER has also met Pete.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY is trying to reconcile with his family in the UK.
Celeb astrologer EMILE ADAME, who has been working with Harry, revealed on the “ToDiForDaily” podcast that Harry “wants to reconnect” with his family and has been discussing options with MEGHAN MARKLE.
Adame also spoke about how there is a strain in Harry and Meg’s marriage as she feels she “doesn’t belong with his family.”
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PRINCE CHARLES once wrote letters to TV presenter JIMMY SAVILE — who was later revealed to be a pedophile — consulting him about the Royal Family’s image.
Savile’s advice and ideas, which were presented to QUEEN ELIZABETH and PRINCE PHILIP, will now be seen for the first time in a new TV documentary.
The Mirror, who first reported on the letters, made it clear that there is no knowledge that Charles or other members of the Royal Family knew about Savile’s assaults.
The documentary, “Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story” is on Netflix.
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SPORTS
CC SABATHIA has a new role within the MLB.
The 41-year-old, who retired from baseball in 2019, has been hired as a special assistant to baseball Commissioner ROB MANFRED. He will work with the Players Alliance to increase Black players in the major leagues.
During his 18-year career, Sabthia played for Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Beer Day
National Coffee Cake Day
National Girl Me Too Day
National No Housework Day
National Burrito Day
National Alcohol Screening Day
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ON THIS DATE
1788 – A group of 48 explorers establish the first permanent U.S. settlement in the Northwest Territory, at Marietta, Ohio. It was named for Marie Antoinette, who was Queen of France when the French assisted the colonies in the American Revolution.
The site sits on the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers.
George Washington celebrated the outpost as an excellent first step in building the country westward. The settlement at Marietta was also a venue for establishing relations and treaties with native tribes.
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1906 – Mount Vesuvius erupts near Naples, Italy and kills over 100 people.
It was the largest recorded eruption of Vesuvius, in terms of total lava that flowed out. At the time, Naples was preparing to host the 1908 Summer Olympics. London was then chosen as the alternative site as Naples rebuilt.
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1933 – The Cullen-Harrison Act goes into effect.
The law was a major step toward ending prohibition in America, legalizing the sale of beer and wine with alcohol content of 3.2% or less. The idea was that such low concentration of alcohol would keep anyone from getting drunk.
Prohibition would be repealed before the end of the year with the ratification of the 21st amendment.
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1948 – The UN establishes the World Health Organization.
Its first major victory was the eradication of smallpox, and today plays a major role in educating and combating AIDS in Africa.
It also coordinates festivities for the annual World Health Day celebrations.
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2003 – Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Saeed al-Shahaf insists that American soldiers were running scared from Baghdad, as American soldiers were taking control of Baghdad.
al-Shahaf would become known as Baghdad Bob for his relentless propaganda campaign. He was later captured, interrogated and released by American troops. He now lives in the United Arab Emirates.
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2013 – NASA announces plans to capture an asteroid and install it in orbit near the moon, for later observation and study in 2019, with a close-up human examination two years later.
The ultimate goal is to gain a better understanding of asteroids in case one is ever headed toward Earth on a collision course.
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2020 - China ends its lockdown of Wuhan, the city at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic after 76 days.
The decision was made after there were no new deaths reported for the first time since the virus started spreading.
It would soon be reinstated.
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2021 - The comic book featuring the first appearance of Superman sells for a record-breaking $3.25 million.
Action Comics #1 was released in June 1938, and sold for 10 cents.
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BIRTHDAYS
Big Scarr - rapper - 22
Anne-Marie - pop singer - 31
Tauren Wells - rock singer - 36
Ahmed Balshe - rapper - 38
Nic Santos - actor, “Superstore” - 43
John Cooper - rock singer, Skillet - 47
Tiki Barber - football player - 47
MacKenzie Scott - former Mrs. Bezos - 52
Russell Crowe - actor, “Gladiator” & “American Gangster” - 58
Jackie Chan - actor, “Rush Hour” films - 68
John Oates - rock singer, Hall & Oates - 74
Francis Ford Coppola - filmmaker - 83
Jerry Brown - politician - 84
Born On This Date
Joe Gallo - mobster - 1929 (d. 1972)
Billie Holiday - jazz singer - 1915 (d. 1959)
Ole Kirk Christiansen - inventor of LEGOs - 1891 (d. 1958)
Will Keith Kellogg - cereal manufacturer - 1860 (d. 1951)
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