5/16/2023: (e)Scape Goat
PLUS: Sauron Butterflies; Britney’s Marital Issues; and “Avatar: The Way of Water” Streaming Debut
Today is Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
It is the 136th day of the year.
229 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
SpaceX partners with a private space travel and tourism company and a herd of cows help a local police department catch a bad guy. More in HIT LIST.
MARTHA STEWART makes history as the oldest person to be featured on Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue and HAILEY BIEBER shares why she is “scared” to have children. More in SHOWBIZ.
REBA MCENTIRE joins “The Voice” and “Kitchen Nightmares” returns to FOX. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN shares her sweet and silly Mother’s Day gifts. More in KARDASH.
QUEEN CAMILLA was not happy about PRINCE HARRY getting invited to the coronation. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
A newly-discovered group of butterflies with dark eye-shaped patterns and orange wings have been named Sauron, after the evil lord featured in the “Lord of the Rings” novels.
The new species, one of two recently discovered by an international research group, are part of a 10-year study of the Euptychiina group of butterflies. The findings were recently published in the journal Systematic Entomology.
The Natural History Museum in London called the name an “homage to an eye-conic villain” and hopes the pop-culture reference will get more people interested in nature. [via Washington Post]
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A herd of cows helped officers from the Boone Police Department, located in North Carolina, catch a bad guy.
According to a Facebook post from the department, a 34-year-old man fled from officers during a traffic stop. Eventually the guy ditched his vehicle and continued to evade the officers on foot; which is where the cows come in.
The herd, located in a large fenced area, led the officers to where the man was hiding.
The department is now looking into a “Bovine Tracking Unit,” the department joked.
As for the fugitive, he was arrested and charged with fleeing arrest with a motor vehicle, driving with a revoked license and disorderly conduct. [via CNN]
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Residents in one New Jersey town have been told to keep an eye out for a peeping goat.
Chatham Township Police shared a post about the wandering animal on Facebook saying they are aware of the rogue animal creepily staring into peoples’ houses and have been in contact with its owner. They also advised residents to avoid trying to capture the goat themselves.
Comments on the post quickly turned comical, with one person writing, “His name has got to be (e)Scape Goat.” [via UPI News]
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SPACEX will launch the first-ever private space station as early as August 2025, on behalf of private space travel and tourism company VAST.
Vast is selling as many as four seats on the mission, which would apparently both deploy the space station and take a crew with it – you have to email them for pricing and more information, but the fees would include extensive space training, according to their website.
The company’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Business said in a statement, “A commercial rocket launching a commercial spacecraft with commercial astronauts to a commercial space station is the future of low-Earth orbit.” [via Tesla Mag, VAST]
SPEAKING OF SPACE FLIGHT: The UK Civil Aviation Authority is researching the effects of short-term suborbital space flights, to determine how to regulate future flights from London to Sydney. A transport plane capable of reaching such altitudes could make the trip in about two hours – quite an improvement over the current 22. [via DailyMail]
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On Friday, 38-year-old Michael Stevens II was released from a jail in Maryland.
By the end of the day, he was rearrested – after stealing and taking a 923-A military truck on a joyride that ended in a police chase.
WORTH NOTING: The truck was privately owned, so at least he didn’t jack it from a military base.
Stevens was arrested after getting out of the vehicle and trying to make a run for it as police closed in. Now he’s being held again – without bond. [via NPR]
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DEATHS
DOYLE BRUNSON – known as “The Godfather of Poker” – has died.
He passed away Sunday at his home in Las Vegas, according to his agent. No cause of death was shared.
Brunson was well-known in the world of poker, where he won 10 World Series of Poker tournaments.
He was 89.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 47 points (0.14%) to close at 33,348. The S&P added 12 points (0.3%) to close at 4,136 and the NASDAQ added 80 points (0.66%) to close at 12,365.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71; BRENT CRUDE at $75.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN continued to rebound Monday, up over 1.7% and trading around $27,380.
🛩 There were more than 3,270 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 150 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $113 million jackpot or a $60.3 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
In the documentary about BRITNEY SPEARS’ life post-conservatorship, TMZ alleges that her marriage to SAM ASGHARI is “in deep trouble;” going so far as to say it has become “toxic.”
Insiders claim that the couple often get into screaming matches that become physical. One source added that their fights have gotten so heated that security has had to step in.
TMZ also says that Asghari doesn’t spend much time at home anymore amid the tension.
Meanwhile, Asghari defended his wife and marriage on social media, calling the claims “disgusting.” [via TMZ]
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MARTHA STEWART has made history as the oldest person to pose for the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.
At 81-years-old Stewart said she was apprehensive at first, but ultimately up for the challenge.
Others appearing on Sports Illustrated swimsuit 2023 covers include actress MEGAN FOX, singer KIM PETRAS and model BROOKS NADER. [via Variety]
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Actress ANNE HECHE was laid to rest on Sunday, nearly eight months after passing away in a fiery car crash.
Heche was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Cathedral Mausoleum. She crypt is located near CHRIS CORNELL, JOHNNY RAMONE and MICKEY ROONEY, according to Page Six.
As many may remember, in August 2022 Heche crashed her Mini Cooper into a home in Los Angeles. She was severely burned in the crash and later fell into a coma, from which she never regained consciousness. Heche was 53. [via Page Six]
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HAILEY BIEBER says she definitely wants to have children with husband JUSTIN BIEBER, but is also “scared.”
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Hailey explained that “It’s enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can’t imagine having to confront people saying things about a child.”
Meanwhile, Justin is ready to start a family. He told ELLEN DEGENERES when it comes to kids he “wants as many as Hailey is wishing to push out.” [via Sunday Times]
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MORGAN WALLEN may be on vocal rest, but his hit song “Last Night” continues to dominate the music charts.
The song has claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs for a sixth week.
“Last Night” is also sitting on top of the Hot Country Songs chart for a 14th week. [via Billboard]
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CASTING CALL
Just days after CORINNE FOXX updated fans on her dad JAMIE FOXX’s condition, the two have announced they will be co-hosting a new game show.
“We are thrilled to be developing ‘We Are Family’ with Jeff Apploff and our friends at FOX Entertainment,” the pair said in a statement on Monday.
The show will feature celebrities’ non-famous relatives performing duets with their famous family members who will be hidden. Contestants can win up to $100,000 by correctly guessing who the other celebs are.
“We Are Family” is set to premiere next year.
As for Jamie and Corinne’s other gameshow, “Beat Shazam,” NICK CANNON has temporarily taken over hosting duties as the actor continues on his road to recovery. [via Page Six]
SPEAKING OF JAMIE: An insider told TMZ that he is currently at a physical medicine and rehabilitation center in Chicago. While it is still unknown what sort of medical issue Jamie suffered, the facility he is at specializes in stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury rehab, spinal cord injury rehab and cancer rehabilitation. [via TMZ]
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REBA MCENTIRE is taking over the red swivel chair left vacant by BLAKE SHELTON on “The Voice.”
The country star will serve as coach on the upcoming 24th season of the NBC competition series. She will be joined by fellow coaches NIALL HORAN, GWEN STEFANI and JOHN LEGEND.
McEntire is no stranger to the show, as she has appeared several times throughout the years as a mentor. [via People]
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After a nearly 10 year hiatus celebrity chef GORDON RAMSEY will once again be helping failing restaurants revive their businesses on “Kitchen Nightmares.”
The show initially ran for seven seasons from 2007 to 2014.
“Kitchen Nightmares” is just another Ramsey-fronted show for FOX, joining “Next Level Chef,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “MasterChef” and “MasterChef Jr.” [via Deadline]
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“Avatar: The Way of Water” will hit both Disney+ and Max (formerly HBO Max) on June 7.
The film, released 13 years after the original, is set more than a decade after the events of “Avatar.” It follows the Sully family as they leave their homes to venture into unknown parts of Pandora. When an old threat resurfaces, Jake Sully (SAM WORTHINGTON) is once again forced to battle humans.
Along with Worthington, the film stars ZOE SALDANA and SIGOURNEY WEAVER. [via Variety]
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Those in the running to take over the role of Superman from HENRY CAVILL include, JACOB ELORDI, DAVID CORENSWET, TOM BRITTNEY and ANDREW RICHARDSON, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Cavill has played the superhero since 2013’s “Man of Steel,” reprising the role again in 2016 for “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and in 2017’s “Justice League.” Last fall he announced that he would once again put on the red cape for a role in “Black Adam,” but only a month later had to walk back the news after he was axed from DC by director JAMES GUNN.
Cavill’s successor will first appear in the upcoming film “Superman: Legacy,” which is set to hit theaters in July 2025. [via Hollywood Reporter]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN isn’t too famous to be roasted by her kids on Mother’s Day.
The mom-of-four showed off some of the cute gifts she received on Mother’s Day, including an “All About My Mom” card from her 5-year-old daughter, CHICAGO WEST.
On the card under “The best thing she cooks is…” Chicago put “Mom doesn’t cook, she has a chef.”
Meanwhile, Kim’s 7-year-old son SAINT WEST took the sentimental route, writing that his mom “means the world” to him, adding that she is his “favorite in the family.”
Kim is also mom to 9-year-old daughter NORTH WEST and 4-year-old son PSALM WEST. [via NBC NY]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
OK Magazine reports that QUEEN CAMILLA has relentlessly whined about PRINCE HARRY being invited to the coronation ceremony at all after he revealed in his memoir that he begged KING CHARLES not to marry her.
One insider tells Radar that Camilla and PRINCE WILLIAM think Harry and wife MEGHAN MARKLE should be banished from any royal events completely.
BUT WAIT: The King thinks Camilla’s whining is “disruptive and disrespectful” and is “sick and tired of people questioning his decisions and trying to undermine him,” Radar reports. [via OK, Radar]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Mimosa Day
Drawing Day
National Piercing Day
National Waiters Day
National Barbecue Day
National Sea Monkey Day
National Biographers Day
Horse Rescue Day
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ON THIS DATE
1770 – Marie Antoinette and Louis-Auguste are married. He was 15, she was 14.
The marriage was politically motivated. Louis and Marie were cousins, and their union consolidated the royal family's power.
Before the wedding, Marie Antoinette had a dentist try to straighten out her teeth using an archaic form of braces. The apparatus included a metal ring with holes for thin wires, used as leverage to physically pull teeth into place.
But she still wasn't attractive enough for Louis. Even after their marriage, they did not consummate the arrangement. It took another seven years for them to do the deed.
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1868 – Andrew Johnson is acquitted in his impeachment trial by a margin of one vote. It was the first impeachment trial of a sitting U.S. president.
House Republicans cited eleven high crimes and misdemeanors against Johnson. He was accused of dismissing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without the Senate's Approval. Under the Tenure of Office Act, the Senate should have dismissed a cabinet secretary.
Thirty-five senators voted to convict the president, but nineteen dissented, bringing the Republicans short one vote.
In 1887 the Tenure of Office Act was repealed, and later Supreme Court rulings vindicated Johnson's actions: a 1926 case supported the president's ability to remove his appointments without consulting congress.
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1918 - Congress passes the Sedition Act, which forbade "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the government or its army.
It was passed as an amendment to the Espionage Act, approved in 1917.
It was designed to marginalize peacenik protesters as the United States engaged in World War One. The legislation gave the government tremendous power to squash any dissent. Those found guilty faced $10,000 in fines and up to twenty years in prison.
After the war, congress repealed the act in December 1920.
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1929 – At a quiet gathering at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in front of 270 people, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences director Douglas Fairbanks presented the first Academy Awards; handing them all out in fifteen minutes.
There was no Best Picture Award, but rather one called Most Outstanding Production and its cousin, Most Artistic Quality of Production.
Other categories: Best Director, Comedy Picture
Best Director, Dramatic Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Writing, Original Screenplay
Best Writing, Adapted Story
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Engineering Effects
Best Writing, Title Writing
An honorary award went to Charlie Chaplin "for versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing, and producing his film The Circus."
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1975 - Junko Tabei summits Mount Everest — the first woman to do so.
The first American woman would accomplish the feat in 1988.
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2005 – Sony announces its newest gaming platform, the PlayStation 3. It would not hit shelves for another year, however.
It was popular until the release of the XBOX.
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2019 - The final episode of the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” airs.
The show, starring Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons, ran for 12 seasons, and spawned a spinoff series called “Young Sheldon.”
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BIRTHDAYS
Grayson Chrisley - reality star, “Growing Up Chrisley” - 17
Jessica Belkin - actress, “Pretty Little Liars” & “Speechless” - 21
Miles Heizer - actor, “Parenthood” - 29
Atticus Mitchell - actor, “My Babysitter’s a Vampire” - 30
Thomas Brodie-Sangster - actor, “Game of Thrones” - 33
Behati Prinsloo - model & wife of Adam Levine - 35
Megan Fox - actress, “Transformers” & “Jennifer’s Body” - 37
Wells Adams - reality star, “Bachelor” - 39
Joseph Morgan - actor, “The Vampire Diaries” & “The Originals” - 42
Tori Spelling - actress, “Beverly Hills, 90210” - 50
David Boreanaz - actor, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” - 54
Tucker Carlson - journalist - 54
Janet Jackson - pop singer - 57
Krist Novoselic - bassist, Nirvana - 58
Pierce Brosnan - actor, played James Bond in four films - 70
Danny Trejo - actor, “From Dusk Till Dawn” & “Breaking Bad” - 79
Born On This Date
Liberace - pianist, showman & actor - 1919 (d. 1987)
Henry Fonda - actor, “Mr. Roberts” & “12 Angry Men” - 1905 (d. 1982)
H. H. Holmes - serial killer - 1861 (d. 1896)
David Edward Hughes - invented the microphone & teleprinter - 1831 (d. 1900)
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