5/15/2023: You Old Dog!
PLUS: Meet Twitter’s New CEO; Johnny Depp’s Record Deal; and Modernizing the Monarchy
Today is Monday, May 15, 2023.
It is the 135th day of the year.
230 days remain.
PROGRAMMING NOTE
There will be no newsletter on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.
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WHAT’S ON TAP
A Florida professor has set a new record for living under the sea and the top 20 baby names of 2022 have been revealed. More in HIT LIST.
JAMIE FOXX is out of the hospital and ADELE is earning big bucks for extending her Vegas residency. More in SHOWBIZ.
A former judge returns for the “American Idol” finale and a “Freaky Friday” sequel is in the works. More in CASTING CALL.
YE is trademarking more Yeezys. More in KARDASH.
Watch PRINCE WILLIAM, PRINCESS KATE and their kids partake in coronation weekend festivities in a very modern (for the monarchy) clip. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
ELON MUSK announced that TV advertising exec LINDA YACCARINO will take over as Twitter’s CEO in a couple of weeks.
The pick has drawn the ire of Musk fans: Yaccarino is influential within the controversial World Economic Forum organization and took hardline mask-mandate and vaccine-mandate positions during the pandemic.
BUT WAIT: Some on the left don’t like her much either; turns out she was also appointed by former President DONALD TRUMP to serve on a presidential council on sports, fitness, and nutrition.
EITHER WAY: Musk says she’ll focus on business operations and how to monetize the platform while Musk spends his energy on optimizing the platform itself. [via Business Insider]
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The International Astronomical Union will soon designate Saturn as the planet in the solar system with the most moons – after new studies recognize an additional 62 orbiting objects officially as moons.
That will bring Saturn’s total to 145, healthily beating Jupiter’s 95.
BY THE WAY: These aren’t like Earth’s Moon, which is nice and round and glows in the night sky; some of these “moons” around Saturn are just a mile or two across and irregularly shaped, sometimes orbiting as far as 18 million miles away. Some astronomers believe they’re fragments of a larger orbiting body that, for some reason, was once obliterated. [via NYT]
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University of South Florida professor Joseph Dituri has set a new record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization at 74 days.
Dituri, who goes by the nickname “Dr. Deep Sea,” has been living in Jules’ Undersea Lodge at the bottom of a 30-foot deep lagoon in Key Largo since March 1. To pass the time, he exercises, naps and also teaches online classes in marine science and biomedical engineering.
While he has beaten the previous record of 73 days, two hours and 34 minutes, Dituri says he plans to stay at the lodge until June 9, when he hits 100 days. [via AP News]
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The 20 most popular baby names of 2022 have been released by the Social Security Administration.
For girls, the top three names were: Olivia, Emma and Charlotte. For boys they were: Liam, Noah and Oliver.
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Bobi, the world’s oldest dog, turned 31 last week.
According to Guinness World Records, the pup celebrated over the weekend with a birthday party at his home in Coqueiros, Portugal. His owner, Leonel Costa, invited more than 100 guests.
In addition to currently being the world’s oldest dog, Guinness says Bobi is also the oldest dog ever recorded.
BY THE WAY: Bobi is a purebred Raferio do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog that is trained to guard livestock. [via CNN]
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DEATHS
MLB umpire DON DENKINGER has died.
He passed away Friday at Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa, according to his daughter. No cause of deaths was shared.
Denkinger was best known for making “The Call,” an infamous moment in the 1985 World Series between the Cardinals and Royals when he called a runner safe at first, who he later acknowledged wasn’t. Remember, this was before instant replay. After the game, Denkinger received threatening notes, but still returned to the field to do his job.
He was 86.
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BABY NEWS
“Dancing With the Stars” pro WHITNEY CARSON has welcomed her second child with husband CARSON MCALLISTER.
The baby boy arrived on May 13, just in time for Mother’s Day.
Carson and McAllister are already parents to 2-year-old son, Leo.
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WEDDINGS
“Bachelor” alum COLTON UNDERWOOD has married political strategist JORDAN C. BROWN.
The two tied the knot on Saturday at the Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley in front of 200 guests.
The couple started dating in 2021 and got engaged in February 2022.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: $741k (down from 7)
9. Air: $768k (down from 8)
8. Love Again: $1.5 million (down from 5)
7. John Wick: Chapter 4: $1.9 million (down from 6)
6. Hypnotic: $2.3 million (new)
5. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.: $2.5 million (down from 4)
4. Evil Dead Rise: $3.7 million (down from 3)
3. Book Club: The Next Chapter: $6.5 million (new)
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie: $13 million (stayed at 2)
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: $60.5 million (stayed at 1)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 8 points (0.027%) on Friday to close at 33,300. The S&P lost 6 points (0.16%) to close at 4,124 and the NASDAQ lost 43 points (0.35%) to close at 12,284.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70; BRENT CRUDE at $74.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked up over the weekend after a brutal week, trading around $26,850.
🛩 There were more than 2,850 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 355 such cancellations.
💰 Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $113 million jackpot or a $60.3 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $135 million jackpot or a $72.3 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
DAN SYNDER has agreed to sell the Washington Commanders to Philadelphia 76ers owner JOSH HARRIS, his business partner DAVID BLITZER, NBA legend MAGIC JOHNSON and billionaire MITCHELL RALES.
Both sides confirmed the sale on Friday.
Before it is official, however, all NFL owners will vote on the transaction, though there are expected to be no issues there.
As previously reported, the price tag was set at $6.05 BILLION, which is a new record for the sale of an American franchise. [via CBS News]
SPEAKING OF OWNING SPORTS TEAMS: Former QB TOM BRADY is reportedly in talks with Raiders owner MARK DAVIS about buying a piece of the team.
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JAMIE FOXX has been out of the hospital for weeks and “recuperating” at home, according to his daughter CORINNE FOXX.
Corinne took to Instagram Friday to let fans know that reports of her dad still being in the hospital were not true. “In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday!” she wrote.
As previously reported, Jamie was hospitalized last month after suffering an unknown medical issue. He has not been spotted publicly since. [via TMZ]
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Dior has reportedly signed JOHNNY DEPP to a three-year deal worth over $20 million. According to Variety, it is the most lucrative men’s fragrance deal of all time.
With the deal, Depp overtakes actor ROBERT PATTINSON as the highest-paid spokesman for a cologne. Also, it is nearly three-times the amount Chanel paid BRAD PITT to be the first ever man behind their Chanel No.5 perfume in 2012.
Initial reports of the deal surfaced last summer after Depp’s highly-publicized trial against his ex-wife AMBER HEARD. [via Variety]
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ADELE will earn around $2 million per performance during her Las Vegas residency extension. That amount marks the richest detail in Las Vegas residency history for an extension, per the New York Post.
As previously reported, she has agreed to an additional 34 shows. That is in addition to the 26 shows she has already done.
The second set of shows will kick off next month and run through November. [via NY Post]
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KELLY CLARKSON addressed claims that the backstage environment of her self-titled talk show is “toxic.”
In response to a report in which a current employee and nearly a dozen former employees were quoted about their negative experiences on the show, Clarkson shared her plans to address the claims on Instagram.
Moving forward, she wrote that there will be “leadership training for all of the senior staff” as “there is always room to grow and ensure we are all being/becoming the best version of ourselves.” Clarkson stated that she too will take part in the training.
WORTH NOTING: Employees voicing their issues did say that Clarkson is “fantastic” and was unaware how “unhappy her staff is.” [via Billboard]
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CASTING CALL
KEITH URBAN is returning to “American Idol” as a performer and mentor.
The former judge will appear on the show’s finale episode where he will perform his single “Wild Hearts” and offer advice to the final three contestants.
Urban was a judge on the show for Seasons 12 through 15. [via Billboard]
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“Sesame Street” has introduced its first Filipino muppet.
TJ is a four-year-old second generation Filipino American who likes playing with his little sister, working in the garden with his grandparents and visiting his family members who live in California, a spokesperson told CNN.
He made his first appearance on an episode alongside actor KAL PENN. [via CNN]
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A “Freaky Friday” sequel is in the works.
According to Decider, original stars JAMIE LEE CURTIS and LINDSAY LOHAN are expected to reprise their roles as a mother-daughter duo who accidentally swap bodies.
Curtis shared her wishes to make a sequel in February, with a post reading, “It’s Friday. I’m just sayin! Freaky fingers crossed!” [via Decider]
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WILLIEM DAFOE has been added to the cast of “Beetlejuice 2.”
He joins fellow newcomers JENNA ORTEGA and JUSTIN THEROUX, and original stars MICHAEL KEATON, WINONA RYDER and CATHERINE O’HARA.
Just like with Theroux, insiders are not spilling any details about Dafoe’s role.
“Beetlejuice 2” is set to debut on September 6, 2024. [via Deadline]
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**SPOILER ALERT**
DWAYNE “The Rock” JOHNSON has apparently changed his mind about being done with the “Fast & Furious” franchise. According to The Wrap, Johnson shows up in a post-credit scene of the new “Fast X.”
As previously reported, Johnson reportedly walked from the franchise in 2021 after co-star VIN DIESEL begged him to stay saying he has a “very important role to play.” This of course all happened after things got heated between the two men on set, with Johnson alleging Diesel doesn’t act like a “true professional.”
“Fast X” hits theaters this Friday. [via The Wrap]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN was spotted heading to a meeting in Beverly Hills with a binder featuring the words “American Horror Story” across the cover.
It is safe to assume the binder contained a script for her role in the FX series, especially as the cover had been watermarked specifically for Kim.
Season 12 of the show is expected to debut this summer. Insiders told TMZ that the writers’ strike should have no impact on the upcoming season. [via TMZ]
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YE recently filed to trademark “YZY SOCK SHOES.”
According to TMZ, the filing covers “socks” and “socks with leather soles.”
The rapper and designer was first spotted in what is believed to be the “sock-shoes” in 2019.
No word on a retailer that could be attached to the new gear, as Ye has already burned several of those bridges. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCESS KATE have released a surprisingly high-energy, behind-the-scenes video of coronation weekend on social media. The montage shows clips of the couple and their kids in their home at Kensington Palace, preparing for the celebration concert, and working at volunteering events following the big event.
WORTH NOTING: This is likely a signal from the heir apparent that his monarchy will be modern and relatable when his time comes to assume the throne. The Daily Mail reports that the Waleses commissioned the video from a prominent, London-based video producer who specializes in branded films for major corporations – and the monarchy itself is certainly a brand unto itself in the modern digital era.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Family Day
National Straw Hat Day
National Chocolate Chip Day
Bring Flowers To Someone Day
International Vascular Birthmarks Awareness Day
National Nylon Stocking Day
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ON THIS DATE
1252 – Pope Innocent IV authorizes the use of torture in the Inquisition.
"Ad extirpanda" was the edict that said it was okay to hurt people until they decided to believe in God, but with a few caveats.
The beating could not cause loss of limb, each method could only be used once, and the Inquisitor had to be certain that the person being beaten was a heretic.
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1536 - Anne Boleyn is accused of incest, adultery and treason against her husband, King Henry VIII.
She would be tried and beheaded at the Tower of London four days later.
Henry had commuted Anne’s sentence from burning to beheading.
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1800 – John Adams orders that the federal government move from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
The Congress and Cabinet had one month to make the move, effective June 15, 1800.
There were at the time only 125 federal employees. Any archives and documents accumulated in the eight years of the young country's existence were transported by barge using inland waterways.
The Adams Family wouldn't move into the still-unfinished White House until November that year.
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1869 - The National Woman Suffrage Association forms in New York.
It was founded by abolitionists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stantion.
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1963 – Faith 7 blasts off from Cape Canaveral. It was the last mission of the Mercury Program.
Pilot Gordon Cooper orbited Earth 22 times over the course of 34 hours. It made him the first American to spend more than 24 consecutive hours in space.
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1972 – A gunman shoots Governor George Wallace of Alabama. Wallace was the governor, running for president for the third time.
Wallace was historically very pro-segregation. In 1972 he ran on the Democrat ticket.
The day after his shooting he won primaries in Michigan and Maryland. But soon it became evident that the attack would leave him paralyzed from the waist down.
George McGovern would get the nomination.
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1973 – Nolan Ryan throws his first no-hitter in a game against the Kansas City Royals, striking out 12 batters. Ryan would throw 5 more no-hitters in his career. His last would be 19 years later, at the age of 44.
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1988 – Soviet troops begin withdrawing from Afghanistan.
They left after eight years of support for the pro-communist movement in the country. The Afghanis detested the communist uprising, and the Soviet occupiers even more.
Neither side ever gained an edge in the ongoing fighting for nearly a decade. As the Soviet Union was headed for collapse, it began consolidating its armed forces across Europe and Asia. Pulling troops out of Afghanistan was just one element of that action.
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2002 – “Bowling for Columbine” premiers at the Cannes Film Festival.
The documentary, directed by Michael Moore, explores primary causes for the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and other acts of gun violence.
Moore looks at the background and environment in which the massacre took place and public opinions and assumptions about related issues. The film also touches on the nature of violence in the United States.
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2019 - The birthrate in the United States hits a 32-year low with a fertility rate of 58.3 births per 1,000 women.
Teen births were also at a record low.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jackson Mahomes - brother of NFL star Patrick Mahomes - 23
SmokePurpp - rapper - 26
Jed Elliott - bassist, The Struts - 32
Jasmin Brown - comedian - 34
Andy Murray - tennis player - 36
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - actress, “The Sopranos” - 42
Zara Phillips - second-eldest grandchild of QE2 and Prince Philip - 42
David Krumholtz - actor, “Numb3rs” - 45
Ray Lewis - football player - 48
David Charvet - actor, “Melrose Place” - 51
Desmond Howard - football player - 53
Emmitt Smith - football player - 54
George Brett - baseball player - 70
Born On This Date
Roger Ailes - CEO of Fox News - 1940 (d. 2017)
Madeleine Albright - 1st female US Secretary of State - 1937 (d. 2022)
Joseph Cotton - actor, “Citizen Kane,” - 1905 (d. 1994)
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