5/3/2022: Roe No More?
PLUS: Putin’s Cancer, Shaq Goes Vegan, and Kardashians Win!
Today is Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
It is the 123rd day of the year.
242 days remain.
TRENDING
Supermodel Pauline Porizkova started an #OldAndUgly trend to clap back against the ageist haters.
#TeacherAppreciationWeek kicked off Monday. Several tweets offered free food and beverages to educators, while other tweets promoted funding for America’s schools.
#DontWorryDarling was trending after the first trailer for the flick, starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles dropped
The Met Gala landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends yesterday. More on the annual fashion event in Showbiz.
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HIT LIST
Vladimir Putin might be getting ready for cancer surgery and recovery in the coming weeks, then transfer power to the head of Russia’s federal police force while he’s out, the New York Post reports.
Putin would likely only be sidelined for a few days if this happens.
MEANWHILE: Russia’s natural gas exports to China are up 60% year over year, thanks to a deal completed in February – stemming the economic pain of European countries cutting ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
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Fortune magazine has reported a detailed, deep-dive into the mechanics of the financing behind Elon Musk’s bid to take over Twitter.
For the first time, they report that Musk has personally guaranteed the $12.5 billion worth of bank loans for the deal – meaning if Musk’s Tesla shares tank, the banks have dibs on any of his assets, including stock in SpaceX and any other things he owns.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Amid all this speculation and hand-wringing about changes that may have already taken place, remember that Musk still doesn’t own the company. There’s lots of due diligence to be done yet, and it always could fall through still.
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Amazon has begun reimbursing employees up to $4,000 a year for medical procedures that require traveling more than 100 miles to obtain – including abortions. The announcement coincidentally came the same morning that news was leaked the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.
Also in the health care change, Amazon has stopped providing paid time off for a positive covid diagnosis, instead opting for five days of excused absences – but are unpaid.
MEANWHILE: Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island rejected a unionization effort on Monday. The results still need to be certified by the National Labor Relations Board, but everything so far appears to be above-board.
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More than 100,000 acres of land in New Mexico have been scorched by ongoing forest fires that started April 19.
On Monday, local officials ordered hundreds of people out of their homes, according to the New York Times.
So far, 6,000 people have left their homes, and more than 170 houses have been destroyed.
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Imagine returning from vacation not only to find all your stuff missing, but the people who took it laying in your bed.
Baltimore’s ABC7 reports that a couple left their apartment in late March, and when they got back, they found their living room empty, their kitchen cleaned out – including the cabinet doors – and a few bags of trash laying around.
The only thing left was their bed – which had two people laying in it. The intruders said they took everything else, and quickly ran out.
Some security footage grabbed pictures of the culprits, but no identification has yet been made.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on iTunes:
PSY, “That That (ft. SUGA of BTS)”
Harry Styles, “As It Was”
Jack Harlow, “First Class”
3 Doors Down, “Kryptonite”
Lizzo, “About Damn Time”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Justin Bieber, “Honest (Don Toliver)”
Jack Harlow, “First Class”
Harry Styles, “As It Was”
Camila Cabello, “Bam Bam (ft. Ed Sheeran)”
Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
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DEATHS
RIC PARNELL has died.
The British musician, who took on the role of drummer Mick Shrimpton in “This Is Spinal Tap,” passed away Sunday. A cause of death was not shared.
He was 70.
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WEDDINGS
Actor JOEY LAWRENCE, 46, and actress SAMANTHA COPE, 34, tied the knot at Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California on Sunday.
The intimate ceremony was attended by family and close friends.
Lawrence was previously married to CHANDIE YAWN-NELSON for 15 years. They split in 2020.
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THE SWAMP
Politico reported late Monday that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that made abortion legal in the United States.
A draft opinion was leaked to Politico, which was reportedly written by Justice SAMUEL ALITO.
Politico says this about the draft: “The draft opinion is a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights and a subsequent 1992 decision – Planned Parenthood v. Casey – that largely maintained the right.”
And in the opinion itself, Alito writes, “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start.”
If it weren’t clear enough, he adds, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” and, “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”
WORTH NOTING: Abortions will remain legal in many states. However, a handful of states have trigger-laws written, that would go into effect upon the overturning of Roe.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: This has not yet been formally released and published by the Supreme Court.
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Department of Homeland Security Secretary ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS is backpedaling hard to reshape the narrative about the newly-formed Disinformation Governance Board under his supervision.
After days of justifiable criticism that the Orwellian, “Ministry of Truth”-style bureaucracy would be weaponized against Americans committing wrongthink counter to the Biden administration’s narrative, Mayorkas now says there’s little to worry about. He tells CNN it’s just an “internal working group” with no authority to do anything, and won’t even be looking at American citizens.
WORTH NOTING: Perhaps on paper that’s the purpose of this group. But that would betray Mayorkas’ recent comments that he believes there should be laws that outlaw specific speech with law enforcement officers deployed to squash that speech.
MEANWHILE: During the press briefing Monday, White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI further clarified the Board’s mission: "The mandate is not to adjudicate what is true or false online or otherwise, it will operate in a non-partisan and apolitical manner," she said.
IN OTHER WORDS: The Board’s mission is probably to adjudicate what is true online or otherwise, it won’t operate in a non-partisan and apolitical manner.
IT GETS WORSE: Last week, some weird social media videos of the NINA JANKOWICZ – the new head of the Disinformation Governance Board – resurfaced, including her singing original songs about lockdowns. She’s also been an occasional guest talking head on news shows, opining about lockdowns and the Russia collusion hoax.
On CNN Monday, even JAKE TAPPER noted about her comments: “There does seem to be a partisan interpretation of various forms of information or disinformation.”
OH. BY THE WAY: In March 2020, Jankowicz was anti-mask. She tweeted that she wished the “adtech industry stops placing ads for masks and worse (straight up disinfo!) on articles and info about coronavirus.”
WORTH ASKING: Is that disinformation? Should she atone? Should she appear before her own Ministry of Truth?
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President JOE BIDEN is less popular with Hispanic voters than with white voters, according to a new NPR/Marist poll.
Biden’s favorable rating among white voters is 40%, but just 37% among Hispanics.
By contrast, heading into the 2010 Red Wave, former President BARACK OBAMA had a 59% approval rating with Hispanics.
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BILL CLINTON had lunch with President JOE BIDEN at the White House on Monday.
An unnamed White House official told the Washington Post the men are “looking forward to catching up and discussing a range of issues.”
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $57 million jackpot or a $33.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Hollywood’s biggest stars stepped out for the annual Met Gala on Monday night. The theme of the evening was “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” complete with 13 rooms dedicated to different periods of fashion.
Hosts of the event were BLAKE LIVELY, her husband RYAN REYNOLDS, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA and REGINA KING.
Now for the red carpet looks:
Vogue guru ANNA WINTOUR, who has presided over the Gala since 1995, ditched her signature shades, opting for a tiara and feather-adorned multi-colored dress.
HILLARY CLINTON walked the red carpet in a burgundy off-the-shoulder gown designed by Altuzarra. The dress featured the names of 60 women who inspire her, including Rosa Parks and her own mother Dorthy Rodham. The last time Hillary attended the Gala was in 2001.
For the first time ever, all of the KarJenners received an invite to the coveted event. KRIS JENNER and her boyfriend, talent manager COREY GAMBLE arrived first. She wore a flowy yellow gown from Oscar de la Renta and he wore a navy tuxedo.
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN and TRAVIS BARKER arrived next, marking their first time at the Gala both solo and as a couple. The pair wore matching black-and-white skirts by Thom Browne.
KYLIE JENNER showed up to the event in an Off-White wedding dress, which was complete with a veil attached to a backward baseball hat — perhaps an homage to all-American sports???
KHLOE KARDASHIAN arrived alongside her younger sister wearing a sheer Moschino gown and black opera gloves. This was her first time at the event.
KENDALL JENNER walked the red carpet in a two-piece black Prada gown. She was sans her NBA boyfriend DEVIN BOOKER, who is currently battling an injury.
KIM KARDASHIAN appeared at the event wearing a glittering dress and platinum blonde hair. The gown was easily recognizable as the same one worn by MARILYN MONROE when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” Meanwhile, her boyfriend PETE DAVIDSON wore a simple black Dior tux.
WORTH NOTING: Kim and Pete first “connected” at the 2021 Met Gala, according to Kim herself. In a recent podcast, Kim revealed that the two chatted for a while about her upcoming “SNL” hosting gig.
ALSO: KANYE did not attend the event.
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Fans are coming hard for Ulta Beauty after the company sent out a “tone-deaf” email promotion.
On Sunday, the cosmetics company sent out an email for KATE SPADE perfume with the subject line: “Come hang with Kate Spade.”
As many will remember, Spade died by suicide when she hanged herself in 2018.
On Monday, Ulta apologized in a statement to The Post, emphasizing how important mental health is.
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The ax used by JACK NICHOLSON in “The Shining” has sold for $175,000.
Reps for GottaHaveRockandRoll told TMZ that an unnamed successful businessman, who is a big fan of the horror flick, outbid 11 other buyers to snag the ax.
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SHAQUILLE O’NEAL is going vegan.
The former NBA star opened up about his new goal with comedian RIP MICHAELS at a restaurant called Slutty Vegan in Atlanta.
The sit-down was part of Micheals’ new food and travel show “Urban Eats and Treats,” which features the comedian and his celebrity friends as they search for the best food in their respective cities.
As for Shaq, he says Slutty Vegan allows him to eat his favorite foods without the guilt.
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BILL GATES has no plans to get married again.
In a recent interview with the UK’s The Sunday Times, the billionaire spoke about his recent divorce from MELINDA GATES, saying that he “does not regret saying ‘I do’.”
He continued on saying that he would "marry Melinda all over again” though he doesn't see that happening.
Bill and Melinda tied the knot in 1994. They called it quits in May 2021.
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NAOMI and WYNONNA JUDD, RAY CHARLES, EDDIE BAYERS and PETE DRAKE were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday night.
The ceremony came one day after the passing of Naomi Judd, who died by suicide, according to multiple outlets.
Naomi’s daughters Wynonna and actress ASHLEY JUDD were on hand to accept the induction.
The Judds signed with RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. They are one of the most successful acts in country music history.
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ADRIAN PETERSON will not face charges in his domestic violence case.
A source from the Los Angeles DA’s office told TMZ that the former Vikings running back met with prosecutors and resolved the matter. He has agreed to complete 20 sessions of domestic violence and alcohol counseling within the next 6 months, according to the insider.
Peterson was arrested earlier this year after an altercation on a plane with his wife, in which she suffered a mark on her hand.
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CASTING CALL
SYLVESTER STALLONE will star in the upcoming series “Tulsa King” for Paramount+.
He will play New York mob boss Dwight “The General” Manfredi.
An official release date has not been announced, but insiders say it's expected to drop this fall.
WORTH NOTING: This marks Stallone’s first leading role in a TV series despite his nearly 50-year career in acting.
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“Bel-Air” has claimed the throne as the most-streamed original series on Peacock.
The reboot of the ‘90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” has “shattered every Peacock record for new subscribers, usage and upgrades,” the platform told NewFronts on Monday.
No specific viewership numbers were shared.
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Netflix revealed that its all-new “Iron Chef: Quest” will premiere on June 15.
ALTON BROWN and KRISTEN KISH will host, while MARK DACASCOS will reprise his role of The Chairman.
The new season will consist of eight, 45-minute episodes.
In the series, five new trailblazing Iron Chefs will welcome Challenger Chefs to the reimagined Kitchen Stadium where they will face off by cooking extraordinary culinary creations. The most successful Challengers will battle in the grand finale for a chance to be named the first ever Iron Legend, per the streamer.
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“Top Chef,” “Below Deck” and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” are some of the Bravo shows moving from Hulu to Peacock.
The move comes after NBC cut its programming with Hulu in March.
Other shows that will head to Peacock include “Summer House,” “Kandi and the Gang” and “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
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BRUCE GREENWOOD is joining the cast of Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
He will take over the role previously held by FRANK LANGELLA, who exited the project in April after accusations of misconduct on set.
Greenwood will star as Roderick Usher, the head of the Usher family, in the re-telling of the Edgar Allan Poe story.
A premiere date has not been announced for the series.
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COURT CASES
JOHNNY DEPP’s talent manager JACK WHIGHAM took the stand Monday.
Whigham testified that the actor was going to make $22.5 million on the sixth installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, but allegations of domestic violence made by AMBER HEARD cost him the role.
During cross-examination Whigham did note that the alleged deal had not been made in writing, however.
As many know, Depp has starred in all of the “Pirates” flicks as Captain Jack Sparrow.
WORTH NOTING: Heard is expected to take the stand this week.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
The KarJenners have won the legal battle against model BLAC CHYNA, who sued them for defamation.
After weeks of testimony, the jury ruled in the famous family’s favor on Monday, awarding Chyna nothing in damages.
Chyna, who was once engaged to ROB KARDASHIAN, sued the family for $100 million claiming they defamed her and conspired to ruin her career by getting her reality show canceled.
None of the KarJenners were in the courtroom for the reading of the verdict as they all were busy preparing for the Met Gala.
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PETE DAVIDSON may have the initials of KIM’s kids inked on his neck.
Eagle-eyed internet sleuths zoomed in on a recent photo of Pete and spotted what they believe are the initials KNSCP, which could stand for Kim, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.
No word from KANYE on how he feels about the new ink.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE ANDREW has been stripped of another royal honor.
The Blast reports that the York Council withdrew Andrew’s “Freedom Of The City” honor in light of his sexual assault case.
Sources told the outlet that the city council of York, in northern England, voted unanimously to suspend the Prince’s honor, which he had held since 1987.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Andrew is the first person to lose the position.
WORTH NOTING: The city council is also seeking to remove Andrew’s title of Duke of York, claiming it “sullies the city’s good name.”
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SPORTS
There will be no Black Friday NFL game this year.
NBC’s Peter King reports that the league will not be scheduling a game on Black Friday this year due to “scheduling issues,” including the World Cup soccer match between the US and England scheduled for that same afternoon.
King noted that the league will revisit the possibility of a Black Friday game for 2023.
WORTH NOTING: The full NFL schedule will be announced on May 12.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Chocolate Custard Day
National Garden Meditation Day
National Lumpy Rug Day
National Montana Day
National Paranormal Day
National Raspberry Popover Day
National SAN Architect Day
National Specially-Abled Pets Day
National Textiles Day
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
National Foster Care Day
National Teacher Appreciation Day
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ON THIS DATE
1802 - Washington D.C. is incorporated as a city.
The creation of a district for operating the federal government was mandated by the Constitution, finally ratified in 1788.
In 1791, the work to create the city began under the direction of a group of three Commissioners who oversaw the development. On this date in 1802, that structure was abolished and the city was formally created.
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1936 - Joe DiMaggio makes his debut with the NY Yankees.
He gets three hits.
The Yankees defeated the St. Louis Browns 14-5.
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1946 - The International Military Tribunals for the Far East begins hearing the case against 28 Japanese military and government officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during World War II.
Twenty-five were found guilty later that year -- of the other three, two died and one was found clinically insane. Seven were sentenced to death.
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1947 - Japan’s postwar constitution goes into effect.
The progressive constitution granted universal suffrage, stripped Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power, stipulated a bill of rights, abolished peerage, and outlawed Japan’s right to make war.
The document was largely the work of Supreme Allied Commander Douglas MacArthur and his occupation staff, who had prepared the draft in February 1946 after a Japanese attempt was deemed unacceptable.
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1952 - A ski-modified U.S. Air Force C-47 piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Fletcher of Oklahoma and Lieutenant Colonel William P. Benedict of California becomes the first aircraft to land on the North Pole.
Fletcher climbed out of the plane and walked to the exact geographic North Pole, probably the first person in modern history to do so.
Standing alongside Fletcher on the top of the world was Dr. Albert P. Crary, a scientist who, in 1961 traveled to the South Pole by motorized vehicle, becoming the first person in history to have stood on both poles.
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1968 - After 34 days of discussions to select a site, the United States and North Vietnam agree to begin formal negotiations in Paris on May 10, or shortly thereafter.
Hanoi disclosed that ex-Foreign Minister Xuan Thuy would head the North Vietnamese delegation at the talks. Ambassador W. Averell Harriman was named as his U.S. counterpart.
The start of negotiations brought a flurry of hope that the war might be settled quickly. Instead, the talks rapidly degenerated into a dreary ritual of weekly sessions, during which both sides repeated long-standing positions without seeming to come close to any agreement.
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1986 - 54-year-old Willie Shoemaker, aboard long shot Ferdinand, becomes the oldest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby.
The victory was just one of Shoemaker’s 8,833 wins, a record that stood until 1999, when it was broken by Laffit Pincay.
Ferdinand was the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races that year, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the Belmont Stakes.
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2020 - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blames China for the spread and severity of COVID-19.
He also said that the Chinese government stockpiled medical supplies while concealing the virus from the rest of the world.
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BIRTHDAYS
Rachel Zegler - actress, “West Side Story” - 21
Noah Munck - actor, “iCarly” & “Swindle” - 26
Poppy Delevingne - model - 36
Cheryl Burke - dancer, “DWTS” - 38
Eric Church - country singer - 45
Dule Hill - actor, “Psych” & “Doubt” - 47
Christina Hendricks - actress, “Mad Men” & “Drive” - 47
Rob Brydon - actor, “Cinderella” & “The Trip” - 57
Bruce Hall - bassist, REO Speedwagon - 69
Frankie Valli - pop singer - 88
Born On This Date
Dwayne Haskins - football player - 1997 (d. 2022)
James Brown - soul singer - 1933 (d. 2006)
Bing Crosby - pop singer - 1903 (d. 1977)
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