5/22/2023: No More Wienermobile

PLUS: Preakness Stakes Winner; Alec Baldwin Lashes Out; and Scorsese’s Standing-O

Today is Monday, May 22, 2023.

It is the 142nd day of the year.

223 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

There is another FTX lawsuit and a grandmother-grandson duo complete their goal of visiting all the US National Parks. More in HIT LIST. 

JOHNNY DEPP is keeping his nose clean and MILEY CYRUS says she may never tour again. More in SHOWBIZ. 

A new face will star as Moana in the live-action remake of the Disney film, while DWAYNE JOHNSON will return as Maui. More in CASTING CALL. 

KIM KARDASHIAN says parenting is hard. More in KARDASH. 

PRINCE ANDREW is holding on strong to the Royal Lodge. More in ROYALS.

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HIT LIST

National Treasure won the 148th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, shattering Kentucky Derby winner Mage’s hopes of capturing the Triple Crown. 

It was jockey John Velazquez’s first Preakness win. 

The win landed trainer Bob Baffert his eighth Preakness title, the most of any trainer.

Mage took third place. [via Bleacher Report]

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One of the world’s largest and most influential advertising agencies has removed its “high-risk” designation from Twitter, which it implemented following the initial chaos of ELON MUSK’s takeover.

The company, GROUPM (sounds like “Group M”), was largely assuaged by the appointment of LINDA YACCARINO to helm the company as CEO; she’s been a power player in network television advertising for decades. 

The Financial Times reports that GroupM is still working with Twitter to ensure ads for their clients don’t appear alongside “problematic content” – which in this climate really is subjective. [via TheVerge]

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A new lawsuit in the FTX saga reveals another staggering example of SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s total lack of oversight and actual business acumen – qualities you’d expect someone managing billions of other peoples’ dollars to have. 

Just weeks before the crypto platform imploded, the company spent $220 MILLION to acquire a software company called Embed, which FTX would use to integrate stock trading into its services. Keep in mind that this was purchased through Alameda Research, the hedge fund accused of misusing customer funds for purchases and the executives’ own enrichment.

BUT WAIT: Turns out Embed is relatively worthless. As new FTX leadership seeks to dig out from its collapse and hopefully claw back money owed to customers and creditors, it has sold off whatever assets and subsidiaries it can – one of which was Embed. 

GET THIS: The only person interested in actually buying Embed was the guy who sold it, Michael Giles – who offered a paltry $1 Million to buy his own company back … after getting more than 200 times that just a few months earlier. 

NOW: FTX is suing to claw back much of that $200-Million-Plus in a new lawsuit. [via Reuters]

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The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is getting a rebrand. 

After 100 years, the iconic hotdog-shaped vehicle will now be known as the Frankmobile and its drivers will be known as Frankfurters, rather than Hotdoggers. Also, going forward the Wiener Whistles will be called Frank Whistles. 

According to Kraft, the new name “pays homage to the brand’s 100% Beef Franks as it debuts a tasty new recipe with a more balanced flavor profile and iconic beefy taste that is more flavorful than ever.” [via CBS]

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Grandmother-grandson duo Joy Ryan and Brad Ryan have completed their goal of visiting all 63 US National Parks. 

Seven and a half years after starting, the pair ended their adventure with a visit to the National Park of American Samoa. In addition to being awarded certificates for their achievement, 93-year-old Joy also made history as the oldest living person to visit every US National Park. 

“We defied erroneous assumptions about the limitations of aging. We defied financial and logistical constraints,” Brad said. 

As for how it all started, Brad said he got the idea after his grandmother said that she regretted how few trips she had taken during her life. [via CNN]

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DEATHS

Novelist MARTIN AMIS has died. 

He passed away Friday at his Lake Worth, Florida home after a battle with esophageal cancer. 

Throughout his career Amis penned 15 novels, including “Time’s Arrow” and “The Information.” 

He was 73. 

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BABY NEWS

Actress CLAIRE HOLT is expecting her third child with husband ANDREW JOBLON. 

The 34-year-old “Originals” star debuted her baby bump over the weekend at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. She also posted about the news on Instagram. 

Holt and 40-year-old Joblon are already parents to son James, 4, and daughter Elle, 2.

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

10. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: $385k (stayed at 10)

9. Love Again: $400k (down from 8)

8. Hypnotic: $825k (down from 6)

7. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.: $1.32 million (down from 5)

6. John Wick: Chapter 4: $1.33 million (up from 7)

5. Evil Dead Rise: $2.3 million (down from 4)

4. Book Club: The Next Chapter: $3 million (down from 3)

3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie: $9.8 million (down from 2)

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: $31.9 million (down from 1)

1. Fast X: $67.5 million (new)

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BY THE NUMBERS

📈 The DOW lost 109 points (0.33%) to close at 33,426 on Sunday. The S&P lost 6 points (0.14%) to close at 4,191 and the NASDAQ lost 30 points (12,657) to close at 12,657.

🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71; BRENT CRUDE at $75.

⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Sunday.

₿ BITCOIN continued its slide, losing 1.3% on Sunday and trading around $26,700.

🛩 There were more than 3,501 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 146 such cancellations.

💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $150 million jackpot or a $77.2 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $179 million jackpot or a $92 million cash payout. 

SHOWBIZ NEWS

JOHNNY DEPP is staying on the straight and narrow to get back in Hollywood’s good graces. 

According to insiders, Depp’s recent appearance at the Cannes Film Festival was different from years past when he would attend every after-party and stay up until the wee hours of the morning. 

Sources told TMZ that instead of partying all night Depp headed back to his hotel room to get some rest in order to be in tiptop shape for the following day's interviews. 

Still no word on whether or not he plans to see a dentist in the near future. [via TMZ]

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ALEC BALDWIN scolded a waitress at the 2023 PEN American Spring Literary Gala last week. 

An eyewitness told Page Six that the actor was chatting with some friends when servers came out to deliver attendees’ meals. 

A young female server, not wanting to interrupt Baldwin’s conversation, silently stood behind him with the plates of food in hand. When she was able, she placed the food on the table, which Baldwin found offensive or annoying or rude and let the girl know. 

“He started scolding her,” the insider said, which left the server “visibly upset.”

No word on whether or not Baldwin later apologized. [via Page Six]

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MEGAN THEE STALLION has been immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds in both New York and Las Vegas. 

The 28-year-old’s wax figure, which features her in a newsprint catsuit and matching cowboy hat, went on display over the weekend in Vegas. 

Her figure in New York will be unveiled on June 1. For that one she is wearing a diamante bikini, cowboy hat, gauntlets and choker. 

It took a team of 20 artists over six months to create the two figures. [via Billboard] 

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MILEY CYRUS isn’t sure if she sees touring in her future. 

Speaking to British Vogue, the singer said she has no “desire” to perform for thousands, and would rather save her talents for her “friends and loved ones in her close circle.” 

Cyrus’ last world tour was in 2014. Since then she has gone on smaller tours, like her “Milky Milky Milk Tour” in 2015 and 2022’s “Attention Tour,” which were mostly festival performances. [via Hollywood Reporter]

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FOO FIGHTERS announced Sunday that drummer JOSH FREESE will permanently take over the spot left vacant by the late TAYLOR HAWKINS. 

The band revealed the news during their livestream “Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts.” 

Freese, a longtime friend of DAVE GROHL and Hawkins, played with the band last year for the Hawkins tribute concerts. He also previously toured with Guns N’ Roses, Puddle of Mudd, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer and Paramore. 

Hawkins died in March 2022 at age 50. [via Deadline]

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A homeless man broke into OWEN WILSON’s home and stole his pajamas. 

According to law enforcement sources, the man broke into the actor’s Santa Monica home last Tuesday night. After searching around the place for a bit, the intruder decided he needed a pair of pjs. Minutes later, the man was spotted by Owen’s assistant, who called police.

The intruder was picked up in a neighbor’s yard where he was still wearing the stolen sleepwear. He was booked on felony burglary. [via TMZ]

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JEFF BEZOS’ new $500 million, 417-foot vessel features all the luxuries that one could want while cruising the sea, including a wooden figurehead that appears to have been carved to the likeness of girlfriend LAUREN SANCHEZ. 

The sculpture is featured on the nose of the boat, which Bezos named Koru, meaning “loop” in Maori. [via Page Six]

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Former “GMA3” co-hosts AMY ROBACH and TJ HOLMES’ relationship has come full circle with this past weekend's 2023 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon. 

Both wore matching smiles as they ran the race side-by-side. Robach also wore a pink top and leggings and Holmes had on a gray top and shorts. 

Many may recall that the co-hosts-turned-couple allegedly started their romance while training for another marathon in 2022. [via OK!]

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CASTING CALL

Actress AULI’I CRAVALHO will not reprise her role of Moana for the live-action remake of the Disney animated film. 

She will serve as executive producer on the upcoming remake, and told fans on Instagram that she cannot wait to “help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength.” 

As previously reported, DWAYNE JOHNSON, who voices demigod Maui in the movie, announced a remake was happening earlier this year. Not only will he reprise his role in the upcoming project, he will also serve as producer. [via Deadline]

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“Killers of the Flower Moon” got a 9-minute standing ovation following its premiere at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival over the weekend. 

Director MARTIN SCORSESE and stars LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ROBERT DE NIRO and the rest of the cast soaked up the boisterous applause, which many said was the “biggest and loudest” of the film festival so far. 

Based on the book by DAVID GRANN, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the movie is set in 1920s Oklahoma and centers on a series of murders in the Osage Nation. The newly-formed FBI arrives on scene to assist in the investigation and ends up uncovering a sinister operation. 

The film marks DiCaprio and Scorsese’s seventh onscreen collaboration. [via Variety]

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CRIB NOTES

BEYONCE and JAY-Z dropped $200 million on their new Malibu home, making it the most expensive to ever sell in California. 

According to TMZ, the 40,000-square-foot home is set on eight acres that overlook the Pacific Ocean. 

WORTH NOTING: While it is the most-expensive home to sell in California, it is not the priciest pad in the nation. KEN GRIFFIN holds that title with his $238 million Central Park South home in NYC. [via TMZ]

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

KIM KARDASHIAN says parenting is “really [effing] hard.” 

Speaking with JAY SHETTY on his “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast about the challenges of motherhood and being a single mom-of-four, Kim said that “the days are long and years are short,” while describing her day-to-day as “madness.” 

On a more uplifting note, Kim said being a mom is also the “most rewarding job in the entire world.” [via People]

WORTH ASKING: If parenting is “really [effing] hard” for someone with assistants, drivers, cooks, nannies, etc., how is the rest of the world coping?!

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

A new wrinkle in the effort to get PRINCE ANDREW out of the Royal Lodge, which he’s called home for 20 years: The Times of London reports that the lease agreement for the property is between Andy and Crown Estate.

WORTH NOTING: The Crown Estate is a holding company of the monarch’s extensive property portfolio that is managed by the British government. Profits from the Estate fund the monarchy’s operations.

ANYWAY: KING CHARLES is largely powerless to kick his brother out, unless he were to pressure government officials to turn the screws on Andrew, which would be out of form for the modern monarchy. Andrew has the lease for another 75 years, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Andrew will have to move under his own free will.

Without any legal tools, who-lives-where in the royal portfolio is now a matter of family drama.  [via Metro]

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Solitaire Day

Victoria Day

Sherlock Holmes Day

National Maritime Day

World Goth Day

International Day for Biological Diversity

Harvey Milk Day

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ON THIS DATE

1807 – A grand jury indicts former Vice President Aaron Burr on charges of Treason, at the direction of the Jefferson Administration in his second term.

Burr had been elected Jefferson’s Vice President in 1800. He infamously murdered Alexander Hamilton in a duel three years earlier.

These charges had to do with accusations Burr and co-conspirators were trying to form a separate nation in the region that is now Texas.

Burr was acquitted, but he had no future in politics from there.

This would be like if Joe Biden were to replace Kamala Harris in a theoretical second term, because during their first term Kamala shot and killed Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, everyone knew about it, but no charges were brought. Then Kamala gets dragged before a grand jury because she’s accused of leading a rebellion to create a country separate from the United States.

Politics have never been civilized.

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49 years later, ironically …

1856 – Two Congressmen physically assault each other after a heated debate over slavery.

Preston Brooks from South Carolina attacked Charles Sumner from Massachusetts. 

Sumner had recently given a speech decrying the outbreak of slavery in the Kansas Territory. In particular, he called out three men in a haranguing speech given over three days. One of those men was Preston Brooks' cousin, who was too old and sick to be present at the speech.

To defend the honor of his family, Brooks attacked Sumner at his desk in the Senate chamber using a walking cane. 

Brooks became a hero of anti-abolitionists. His supporters sent him canes as a tribute. He was never arrested or charged.

Sumner recovered over the course of three years before returning to Congress.  

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1972 – President Nixon lands in Moscow to meet with Soviet leaders.

It was Nixon's first trip to the country as president. During the talks, Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev outlined a series of agreeable initiatives between the superpowers. One included plans for a joint space flight in 1975 and arms reduction treaties.

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2002 – The remains of Congressional aide Chandra Levy are discovered, a year after her disappearance.

She worked in the office of Gary Condit, who it was later discovered was having an affair with Levy. National media scrutinized Condit. He was never formally charged in the murder, but many suspected his guilt.

The story was a national frenzy, one of the stories largely forgotten after the terrorist attacks on September 11th.

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2004 – Speaking of which: “Fahrenheit 9/11” wins the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival.

The 9/11-conspiracy-theory film by Michael Moore was released as overwhelming support for President Bush and his efforts to eliminate worldwide terror was ebbing.

The Weinstein brothers wanted to distribute the film in the United States, but their bosses at Disney refused. The rift eventually caused the brothers' company Miramax to part ways with Disney. 

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2019 - Washington State becomes the first US state to legalize composting human bodies. 

The bill, signed by Governor Jay Inslee, would go into effect in May the following year, giving residents another option besides a burial or cremation. 

As for the process, human composting company Recompose explained that the body would be covered in natural materials, like straw or wood chips, and over the course of three to seven weeks it would break down into soil. 

Loved ones would be able to visit the facility during the process and receive some of the soil.. 

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BIRTHDAYS

Peyton Elizabeth Lee - actress, “Scandal” & “Andi Mack” - 19

Anthony Richardson - football player - 22

Novak Djokovic - tennis player - 36

Julian Edelman - football player - 37

Daniel Bryan - wrestler - 42

Maggie Q - actress, “Nikita” & “Divergent” - 44

Ginnifer Goodwin - actress, “Once Upon A Time” & “Ramona and Beezus” - 45

Sean Gunn - actor, “Gilmore Girls” - 49

Naomi Campbell - model - 53

Morrissey - rock singer, The Smiths - 64

Born On This Date

George Best - soccer player - 1946 (d. 2005)

Harvey Milk - gay rights activist & first openly gay public official in California - 1930 (d. 1978)

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