5/17/2022: Fake Royals Fool Fans

PLUS: Teen Climbs Mt. Everest, Trump’s Book, and Kim Lands SI Swimsuit Issue

May 17, 2022

Today is Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

It is the 137th day of the year.

228 days remain.

HIT LIST

An Illinois high school student has set the record for the youngest American woman to summit Mt. Everest.

Lucy Westlake from Naperville, Illinois made it to the peak on Friday.

It’s not her first major record either. When she was 17 she reached the highest point in all 50 states, People Magazine reports.

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Here’s how pointless Europe’s energy sanctions on Russia are: The European Commission announced Monday procedures that energy companies can follow to legally circumvent the sanctions and import Russian natural gas.

It’s a lot of bureaucratic showmanship about how Russia gets paid and by what banks. But ultimately, Russia is still generating near-record income from its natural gas exports.

IN OTHER WORDS: Tell me this isn’t a government operation.

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NOW I’M PISSED: Police in Washington state are investigating the manager of an Arby’s for urinating into a bag of milkshake mix.

IT GETS WORSE: Not only did this d-bag film the act – cops only discovered the video because they seized his phone as part of a child pornography investigation.

The Huffington Post reports that the weirdo says he threw out the bags after he did the deed, which he said gave him sexual gratification.

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Some animals just love the city, apparently.

In January, officials in San Diego had to rescue a sea lion that made its way onto the freeway. It was taken to Sea World.

But now, the same sea lion was spotted in a storm drain that could’ve taken it to the same spot on the freeway it was first found.

Veterinarians are studying the animal to try to figure out a reason for its hijinx.

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Stocks were flat Monday, with the Dow picking up just 26 points.

West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude are slowly ticking back up, both exceeding $110 a barrel as of Monday evening.

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CHARTS

Top 5 Songs on iTunes:

Morgan Wallen, “You Proof”
Lizzo, “About Damn Time”
Jack Harlow, “First Class”
Harry Styles, “As It Was”
Morgan Wallen, “Thought You Should Know”

Top 5 Songs on Spotify:

Kendrick Lamar, “N95”
Lizzo, “About Damn Time”
Harry Styles, “As It Was”
Jack Harlow, “First Class”
Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, “Bam Bam”

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DEATHS

MAGGIE PETERSON has died.

The actress, known best for her role as Charlene Darling on “The Andy Griffith” show, passed away Sunday. Her niece issued a statement, saying her aunt “passed away peacefully in her sleep with her family present.” A cause of death was not shared.

She was 81.

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BABY NEWS

Actress SARAH LEVY, 35, is expecting her first baby with husband, actor GRAHAM OUTERBRIDGE, 39.

Levy shared the news on Instagram with a photo of her growing baby bump.

The couple tied the knot last October.

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BREAKUPS

“Real Housewives of Miami'' star LISA HOCHSTEIN, 39, and plastic surgeon LENNY HOCHSTEIN, 55, are calling it quits.

Lenny confirmed to Page Six that he and Lisa are going their separate ways after 12 years of marriage.

He also revealed that he is dating Austrian model KATHARINA MAZEPA.

Neither have officially filed for divorce yet.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Actress JESSICA SZOHR, 37, is engaged to NHL player BRAD RICHARDSON, 37.

The “Gossip Girl” star shared the exciting news on Instagram, with a photo of the couple and her new bling.

This will be Szohr’s first marriage, while Richardson was previously married to LAUREN HUNT.

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THE SWAMP

Former President DONALD TRUMP says he’s writing a book about the 2020 election.

Tentatively titled “Crime of the Century,” Trump told a rally over the weekend: "This is the greatest hoax, heist. This is one of the greatest crimes in the history of our country. And sadly, the prosecutors don't want to do anything about it."

In a rare turn away from touting his own perpetual awesomeness, Trump added, "I don't think you'll enjoy it. You'll be very depressed when you read it, but we want to have it down for historic reasons.”

No word yet on a publication date.

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Remember when President JOE BIDEN so eagerly pulled out American troops from Afghanistan to disastrous results so that he could celebrate the first time in decades the country wasn’t at war?

He’s awfully eager for conflict again.

The New York Times reports that Biden has authorized the deployment of American special forces to Somalia.

Former President DONALD TRUMP had previously ordered the withdrawal of the troops stationed there.

IT GETS WORSE: Biden issues the order secretly earlier this month, the Times reports.

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LOTTERY

No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $112 million jackpot or a $64.9 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

ARIANA GRANDE is taking a break from music to focus on her role as Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked.”

In a recent video, Grande explained to fans that she has not even started thinking about her next album because she is “spending all of [her] time with Glinda.”

“Wicked” will be released in two parts, the first of which hits theaters in December 2024.

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“Rust” producer ANJUL NIGAM believes that after the investigation into the tragic death of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS, filming on the movie will continue.

That being said, Nigam and fellow producer and star of “Rust,” ALEC BALDWIN, face legal issues related to Hutchins’ death. Her husband filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the producers in February, alleging that cost-cutting led to the accidental shooting.

In response to the suit, producers argue that the case should be thrown out because it was a workplace accident, which should be handled through the state workers’ compensation program.

ALSO: New Mexico safety agency found that the producers demonstrated an “indifference” to the welfare of the cast and crew and issued a fine of nearly $137,000 for safety violations in April. The producers are challenging that report as well.

WHAT’S MORE: While all of this is going on in the background, Nigam and Baldwin are moving forward with several other projects, with no fear of retribution. Nigam seemed to allude to this when he told The Hollywood Reporter that he is “confident about continuing to make quality movies.”

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“Friends” actor MIKE HAGERTY reportedly died after having an adverse reaction to a new medication.

Sources told TMZ that the 67-year-old was given an antibiotic following a leg infection that caused him to have a seizure and go into a coma.

As previously reported, Hagerty passed away on May 5.

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CASTING CALL

CAMILA CABELLO is heading to “The Voice.”

She joins fellow coaches GWEN STEFANI, BLAKE SHELTON and JOHN LEGEND.

Cabello confirmed the news on TikTok.

Season 22 of the NBC singing competition show debuts this fall.

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DAN STEVEN will star in a sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong.”

According to Deadline, plot details are not known at this time. It is also unclear if any of the original cast members plan to return for the sequel.

“Godzilla vs. Kong” earned over $48.5 million domestically on its opening weekend last spring. It was the largest turnout for a movie since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The New York Times.

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TOM BLYTH will play a young President Coriolanus Snow in the upcoming “Hunger Games” prequel film, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”

The story, set 64 years before the first book in the original trilogy, follows an 18-year-old Snow, who eventually becomes the tyrannical president of the dystopian nation of Panem.

Snow was played by DONALD SUTHERLAND in the first four films.

The prequel will hit theaters in November 2023.

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REBA MCENTIRE has joined the cast of “Big Sky” for Season 3.

She will play Sunny Brick, a successful backcountry outfitter with a history of missing customers.

McEntire joined new series regular JENSEN ACKLES.

The Season 2 finale airs this week.

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MILEY CYRUS will return to host “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” for NBC.

She hosted last year alongside “SNL’s” PETE DAVIDSON. It is unknown if he also plans to return for the 2022-23 event.

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FOX has renewed the following shows:

Bob’s Burgers (Seasons 12 & 13)
The Cleaning Lady (Season 2)
Crime Scene Kitchen (Season 2)
Family Guy (Seasons 19 & 20)
Fantasy Island (Season 2)
Hell’s Kitchen (Seasons 21 & 22)
Housebroken (Season 2)
Lego Masters (Season 2)
The Masked Singer (Season 8)
MasterChef (Season 12)
9-1-1: Lone Star (Season 4)
Welcome to Flatch (Season 2)

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CBS has renewed the following shows:

The Amazing Race (Season 34)
Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (Season 3)
Blue Bloods (Season 13)
Bob (Hearts) Abishola (Season 4)
CSI: Vegas (Season 2)
FBI (Seasons 5 & 6)
FBI: International (Seasons 2 & 3)
FBI: Most Wanted (Seasons 4 & 5)
Ghosts (Season 2)
NCIS (Season 20)
NCIS: Hawai’i (Season 2)
NCIS: Los Angeles (Season 14)
The Neighborhood (Season 5)
Secret Celebrity Renovation (Season 2)
Survivor (Season 43)
S.W.A.T. (Season 6)
Tough as Nails (Season 4)

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COURT CASES

AMBER HEARD testified Monday that she is not to blame for the feces found in JOHNNY DEPP’s bed.

She told the jury that the actor’s dog was experiencing some “bowel issues” after eating his weed and had an accident in the bed.

As many may recall, Depp testified that the poop was too large to be from such a tiny dog and he believed it to be human.

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STEPHEN ANDREW WALTER, 48, has been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for his part in selling fentanyl-laced pills to MAC MILLER, leading to his 2018 overdose.

Walter pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl in November 2021, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

Rolling Stone reports that Walter addressed the court at his sentencing Monday, saying he was “truly remorseful.”

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

KIM will be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue.

In the photo, she is wearing a nude bikini from her own Skims swimwear line, according to SI.

The magazine also features a letter Kim wrote to her past self about ignoring the critics, helping others and changing the narrative by “doing” rather than “engaging.”

Others featured in the issue include KATE BOCK, CAMILLE KOSTEK, CIARA, MAYE MUSK and YUMI NU.

The issue hits stands on May 19.

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Following KOURTNEY and TRAVIS’ courthouse wedding, the pair will host a lavish ceremony in Italy in the near future for friends and family, insiders told Page Six.

The news comes amid reports that none of the couple’s children were in attendance when they said “I Do” on Sunday.

Kourt’s grandmother and Travis’ dad were the only ones on hand to witness the weekend’s courthouse nuptials.

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

A PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE look-alike couple were spotted walking around Windsor Castle with a camera crew in tow.

The fake Meghan wore a white pantsuit, while the fake Harry donned royal garb. The two stopped to take photos with royal fans — some of whom actually thought they were the real deal, according to TMZ.

After circling the castle, the two stopped by a pub for some lunch, where they took more selfies.

It’s unknown why the camera crew was following them -- perhaps to make them seem more authentic?

As for the real Harry and Meghan, they will be in the UK next month to attend QUEEN ELIZABETH’s Platinum Jubilee.

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SPORTS

DREW BREES might not be returning to his sports analyst gig at NBC.

Multiple sources reported that the former QB wanted to do “Football Night in America,” but NBC didn’t have many NFL games to offer him.

After the story broke, Brees tweeted that his future with the network is “in limbo.”

Last year, Brees called Notre Dame games with MIKE TIRICO and did the “SNF” pregame and a few NFL games.

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STEPH CURRY is a college graduate.

The 34-year-old received his college diploma on Sunday — 13 years after entering the NBA.

He celebrated the milestone with a series of photos on social media, which were also shared by the Golden State Warriors and his wife, AYESHA CURRY.

Steph now has a degree in Sociology from Davidson College, which he attended from 2006 to 2009, when he entered the draft.

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Cherry Cobbler Day

National Pack Rat Day

National Walnut Day

World Information Society Day

World Baking Day

World Hypertension Day

International Minecraft Day

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ON THIS DATE

1673 - French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliette set out to explore the Mississippi River. They departed from what is present-day Ashland, WI.

Marquette learned about the route from Illinois Indians who had ventured north. In the Huron language, Mississippi means "big river."

The expedition crossed from Lake Michigan through the Fox River. Five were along for the adventure in two canoes.

After reaching the Mississippi they headed south. Their expedition ended 435 miles short of the Gulf of Mexico. Marquette feared an encounter with Spanish settlers after seeing natives with European goods. After heading south for mile after mile, Marquette also figured the route wouldn't take him to the Pacific Ocean.

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1792 - Twenty-four stock brokers gathered under a buttonwood tree at 68 Wall Street in New York City to sign the Buttonwood Agreement. This document forced the men to only trade with each other and pay a point-two-five percent (.25%) commission on the sales.

This was the first meeting of the New York Stock & Exchange Board, which would later become, simply, the New York Stock Exchange.

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1849 - The paddlewheel steamboat The White Cloud starts on fire. Before the fire department could put it out, The White Cloud's moorings burned through, and the boat was set adrift down the river.

On its way, the vessel started another 23 boats and barges on fire.

The fire on the boats jumped to buildings on shore. In an attempt to impede the blaze, firefighters tried blowing up six businesses with black powder, hoping to create a firebreaker, which eventually did work.

In all, the fire consumed 418 buildings, 23 boats, and 15 city blocks. Three died.

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1939 - The Columbia Lions and Princeton Tigers baseball teams square off at Columbia's Baker Field in the first televised sporting event broadcast in America.

Experimental station W2XBS aired the game in New York City. That station would become WNBC-TV.

Princeton won 2-to-1.

It wouldn't be until August of the same year that the first MLB game was broadcast, a matchup between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.

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1954 - The U.S. Supreme Court rules that racially segregated schools are unconstitutional. The unanimous nine-to-zero decision overturned the separate-but-equal doctrine, noting that separate educational facilities would inherently be unequal, and violate the equal protection clause.

This landmark decision was one of the first major steps in the civil rights movement's victory.

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1973 - The U.S. Senate begins its televised hearings of the Watergate investigation. These of course impelled President Richard Nixon's resignation from office.

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1990 - Kelsey Grammer is sentenced to 30 days in jail and 10 days of collecting highway trash after being charged with a DWI.

His “Cheers” co-star Kristie Alley made a plea on his behalf, but the judge wouldn’t have it.

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2020 - Michael Jordan’s autographed Air Nike 1s trainers from 1985 sell for $560,000 in an online auction.

The sale broke the world auction record for a pair of sneakers, which was set the year prior by Sotheby’s auction of Nike “Moon Shoe” for $437,500.

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BIRTHDAYS

AJ Mitchell - pop singer - 21

Jordan Omogbehin - wrestler - 28

Jill Duggar Dillard - one of the 19 Duggar kids - 31

Leven Rambin - actress, “All My Children” & “The Hunger Games” - 32

Ross Butler - actor, “K.C. Undercover” - 32

Nikki Reed - actress, “Twilight” films - 34

Karrueche Tran - model - 34

Jaime Preciado - bassist, Pierce The Veil - 36

Tahj Mowry - actor, “Smart Guy” & “Baby Daddy” - 36

Derek Hough - dance, “DWTS” - 37

Matt Ryan - football player - 37

Passenger - rock singer - 38

Tony Parker - basketball player - 40

Kandi Burruss - R&B singer - 46

Jordan Knight - pop singer - 52

Enya - world music singer - 61

Sugar Ray Leonard - boxer - 66

Born On This Date

Bob Saget - actor, “Full House” - 1956 (d. 2022)

Bill Paxton - actor, “Titanic” - 1955 (d. 2017)

Dennis Hopper - actor, “True Grit” & “Easy Rider” - 1936 (d. 2010)

Edward Jenner - father of (western) immunology, pioneered small pox vaccine - 1749 (d. 1823)

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