Today is Friday, June 2, 2023.
It is the 153rd day of the year.
212 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
NASA breathes a sigh of relief as the Ingenuity helicopter comes back online on Mars and data from MACY’S and COSTCO loom ominously over the economy. More in HIT LIST.
Another former model has come forward with sexual assault accusations against BILL COSBY and TUPAC is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. More in SHOWBIZ.
KIM CATTRALL returns to “Sex and the City” and another “Spider-Man” flick is in the works. More in CASTING CALL.
KYLIE JENNER needs a hairnet and KIM KARDASHIAN says she was YE’s “cleanup crew.” More in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE say they’re done showing their lives on camera – for now. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
ELON MUSK is once again the richest person on Earth.
The continued surge in TESLA’s value has brought the eccentric tech tycoon’s net worth to $192 BILLION. His appointment of a CEO for Twitter appears to have eased investor concerns. The stock’s value has rebounded 92% since the start of the year.
In the same time, BERNARD ARNAULT took a $25 BILLION cut – but he’s still in the second spot as head of the Louis Vuitton empire with $187 BILLION.
IN THEIR DUST: JEFF BEZOS and BILL GATES come in third and fourth. [via BBC]
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The Ingenuity Helicopter that’s been operating on Mars since May 2021 has well outperformed NASA’s expectations – but recently went dark for six days while crews on Earth scrambled to figure out what happened.
To communicate with the chopper, NASA sends signals to the Perseverance rover, which then communicates with Ingenuity. But its signal had gone totally silent.
After a week of troubleshooting, engineers determined that the communication blackout came down to a problem even people on Earth can relate to when they can’t get a cell signal: The tall ridges and mountains of the area it had been exploring were getting in the way of the signal between the rover and aircraft – meaning the fix was the relatively simple task of getting the rover closer to Ingenuity.
Ingenuity is expected to keep flying as long as it’s able, soon to perform its 53rd mission – well beyond the five it was originally slated to complete. [via Universe Today]
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A Nashville man says he’s lost 58 pounds in 100 days by getting each meal from McDonald’s – three meals a day.
THE CATCH: He says he only eats half of each order. Doing so, he says, helped manage his total caloric intake. His wife got in on the program about 50 days in and lost 20 pounds herself.
No word what this guy’s exercise program was like, if any. [via WSMV]
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The CEO of MACY’S department store said on Thursday during an earnings call that the retailer is revising down its profit forecast as buyers spend less on luxury goods and more on the basics like food and essential services.
He said the pullback in spending habits was more than anticipated.
BUT WAIT: Even discount grocery store COSTCO says that customers are buying fewer steaks and opting instead for cheaper pork and chicken options – behavior shifts that in the past have preceded formal recessions. [via CNN]
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Forty-four-year-old Manchester resident Stuart Gilmour likes to be naked. In fact, he embraces nudity so much that his license plate is “NA 02 KED,” which was spotted at a gas station last week, along with a naked Gilmour.
An eyewitness took a video of him pumping gas in the nude, and shared it on social media. Gilmour spotted the clip and commented on the post, explaining that he has been practicing naturism for about eight years now and does everything naked.
In addition to having better mental health and a more positive body image, Gilmours said that he also saves “a fortune” on energy bills because he rarely has to do laundry. [via NY Post]
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WEDDINGS
Former “Bachelorette” ANDI DORFMAN married real estate agent BLAINE HART on Wednesday in Sorrento, Italy.
“I couldn’t have dreamt of a more perfect day,” 36-year-old Dorfman said on social media.
The nuptials come one year after 35-year-old Hart popped the question.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 153 points (0.47%) to close at 33,061 on Thursday. The S&P added 41 points (0.99%) to close at 4,221 and the NASDAQ added 165 points (1.28%) to close at 13,100.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70; BRENT CRUDE at $74.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.57 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN fell nearly 1.2% on Thursday, trading around $26,900.
🛩 There were more than 4,100 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 170 such cancellations. Both AIR CANADA and SPIRIT were plagued with technical glitches gumming up their systems, contributing to the cascading effects of delays.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $203 million jackpot or a $104.6 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $262 million jackpot or a $133.2 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Avenged Sevenfold, “Life Is But a Dream…”
Beach Fossils, “Bunny”
Ben Folds, “What Matters Most”
Ben Harper, “Wide Open Light”
Bully, “Lucky For You”
Foo Fighters, “But Here We Are”
Jake Shears, “Last Man Dancing”
Metro Boomin, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack)”
Scrawny, “Out of the Noise”
The Aces, “I’ve Loved You For So Long”
Toosii, “NAUJOUR”
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Former Playboy model VICTORIA VALENTINO is suing BILL COSBY for sexual assault.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Valentino claims Cosby took advantage of her in 1969 when she was trying to make it big in Hollywood. She states in the suit that he forced himself on her after giving her two pills that made her feel helpless.
In response to the filing, Cosby’s rep said that Valentino has “changed her alleged accounts of sexual abuse at the hands of Mr. Cosby over 10 to 15 times.” He continued on claiming the accusations are “bigger than Bill Cosby,” calling them “a target against every black successful man in America like LeBron James, Will Smith and President Obama.”
So there’s that angle…[via TMZ]
WORTH NOTING: Cosby has already been tried and convicted of doing exactly what Valentino states to other women. So there’s that too.
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BRITNEY SPEARS has given her consent, allowing her ex-husband KEVIN FEDERLINE to move to Hawaii with their two teenage sons.
Following her approval, of which she had until today to give or the courts would get involved, K-Fed’s attorney stated, “It’s an opportunity for Kevin and his wife, and the boys are ready to get away from the L.A. microscope.”
A Britney-source told People Magazine that she has “always faithfully supported her children and wants them to be happy.”
No word on when the move will happen or if the boys will see their mom to say good-bye. [via People]
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TUPAC SHAKUR is getting a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the late rapper will be honored on June 7. His sister will be on hand to accept the star.
Tupac was shot and killed in 1996, but his legacy has lived on.
His star will be the 2,758th on the Walk of Fame. [via TMZ]
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QUEEN’s hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” was initially titled “Mongolian Rhapsody.”
The original title was featured on some stationary that FREDDIE MERCURY scribbled down the song lyrics on. On one of the pieces of paper, the word “Mongolian” is crossed out and replaced with “Bohemian.”
The draft, along with several other pieces of Mercury memorabilia will be on display at Sotheby’s Auction House in London in a collection titled, “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own.”
BY THE WAY: The manuscript is expected to fetch between $100,000 and $1.5 million. [via NY Post]
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PETE DAVIDSON recently picked up a new four-legged friend from a Manhattan pet store.
The comedian was spotted at Citipups, along with girlfriend, actress CHASE SUI WONDERS, last week where he adopted a cavapoo puppy.
It is unclear if the yet-to-be-named pup is just Davidson’s or the couple’s new pet. [via TMZ]
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“Vanderpump Rules” alum STASSI SCHROEDER claims she was kicked off a ride at Universal Studios because she is with child.
The reality star shared her anger over the situation on social media, saying, “They just had to stop the Secret Life of Pets ride to kick me off because I am pregnant.”
According to Universal’s website, pregnant women are restricted from 10 attractions, one of which being the ride Stassi was kicked off of.
It is unclear why she was allowed to even board the ride in the first place. [via Page Six]
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Forbes has released their list of “Richest Self-Made Women.”
Celebrities on the list include OPRAH WINFREY at No. 13 with a networth of $2.5 BILLION. Next up at No. 20 is RIHANNA with $1.4 BILLION, followed by KIM KARDASHIAN at No. 21 with $1.2 BILLION.
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CASTING CALL
KIM CATTRALL’s Samantha Jones is returning to the “Sex and the City” sequel series, “And Just Like That…”
Despite rumors of a nasty feud with co-star SARAH JESSICA PARKER, and choosing not to appear in the first season of the sequel, Cattrall agreed to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming season.
Season 2 premieres on June 22 on Max (formerly HBO Max). [via TMZ]
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A fourth “Spider-Man” movie is in the works.
Producer AMY PASCAL recently told Variety that another film featuring real-life couple TOM HOLLAND and ZENDAYA is on the table, but currently halted due to the ongoing writers’ strike.
Of the strike, Pascal said, “We’re all being supporters and whenever they get themselves together, we’ll get started.” [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KYLIE JENNER is being slammed on social media for her lack of cleanliness during a visit to her makeup manufacturing facility, Kylie Cosmetics, in Milan.
While not only was Kylie not wearing any gloves or a hairnet to contain her long black locks, but she was touching everything. At one point she even put a beaker by her mouth and told her crew, “I kind of want to drink it.”
In another instance, she wiped some product on the back of her glove-less hand and then put the tool back into the beaker -- major cross-contamination there.
Of course none of the fully-gowned employees dared call her out on her lack of proper lab protocol. [via Page Six]
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On the most recent episode of Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” KIM KARDASHIAN talks to her mom, KRIS JENNER, about the “hours and hours and hours” she spent being ex-husband YE’s “clean-up crew.”
“I used to run around and call everyone behind his back and be like, ‘It’s gonna be OK. It’s gonna be OK. Just give him another chance.’”
Jenner put it simply saying, “That’s why you got divorced.” Adding, “You never deserved to live like that.”
Ye’s manic episodes are well-known -- and well-documented. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The Sun reports that PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE are done appearing on camera for their various creative pursuits.
Instead, anything they produce as part of their development deal with Netflix will keep them in producer roles working behind the scenes. An insider says candidly, “That period of their life is over — as there is nothing left to say.” [via New York Post]
MEANWHILE: The Express reports that the Sussexes will enjoy the outcome of a bidding war for the right’s to Harry’s book “Spare.” At the front of the line is Netflix, which is itching to turn the book into either a movie or TV series.
WORTH NOTING: Netflix also produced the highly successful show “The Crown,” which tells the story of the Royal Family with QUEEN ELIZABETH at the center.
IT GETS WORSE (OR BETTER, DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK): The agreement with the book’s publisher gives Harry and Meg’s production company Archewell rights to produce anything created based on the book – meaning they’ll not just enjoy money from the sale of the rights, but also a cut of streaming and distribution profits. [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Fish and Chip day
National Donut Day
National Rocky Road Day
National Leave The Office Early Day
National Rotisserie Chicken Day
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ON THIS DATE
1692 – Bridget Bishop is convicted of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
She was the first to be executed for the supposed crime — the first of more than 70.
Ms. Bishop was accused of bewitching five women in the town and once putting a spell on a pig after having an argument with its owner.
She would be hanged eight days later.
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1886 – President Grover Cleveland marries Frances Folsom in the White House.
She was 21, he was 49. Folsom was the daughter of one of his business partners, who had died 10 years earlier, leaving Folsom in the care of Cleveland.
Most people thought he’d marry the widow, and were shocked by his marriage to the daughter.
John Philip Sousa was on hand to conduct the music.
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1935 – Babe Ruth retires.
His career spanned 22 seasons, 10 trips to the World Series, and 714 home runs, playing for the Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves.
The next year, he was part of the first class to be inducted to the MLB Hall of Fame.
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1953 – Queen Elizabeth II is formally coronated.
Her father, George VI, died in January of the previous year. During a transition period, Elizabeth slowly began adopting the responsibilities and duties of the sovereign leader, while arrangements were made for the formal crowning.
She is currently the oldest person to occupy the throne of England.
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1997 – Timothy McVeigh is convicted of carrying out the Oklahoma City Bombing attacks two years earlier.
He would be executed in June 2001, after asking the judge to halt any further appeals.
His accomplice Terry Nichols is serving a life sentence.
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2004 – Ken Jennings begins his 74-game winning streak on “Jeopardy!”
He would finally lose, leaving him with only $2,520,700 in November of that year.
In 2020, he would win the “Jeopardy: Greatest of All Time” tournament. Following the death of Alex Trebek he would also fill in as host.
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2017 - “Wonder Woman,” directed by Patty Jenkins, earns over $100 million domestically in its opening weekend, setting a new domestic record for a female director.
The film stars Gal Gadot as the whip-wielding superhero.
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2020 - The UK COVID-19 death toll passes 50,000.
Second only to the US, which has a death toll of more than 106,000.
Globally, more than 379,000 people have died with the virus.
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BIRTHDAYS
Willow Sage Hart - daughter of Pink and Carey Hart - 12
Jeremy Ray Taylor - actor, “Big Sky” & “It” - 20
Brittany O’Grady - actress, “The Messengers” & “Star” - 27
Awkwafrina - actress & rapper - 35
Amber Marshall - actress, “Heartland” - 35
Abby Wambach - soccer player - 43
Dominic Cooper - actor, “Warcraft” & “Mamma Mia!” - 45
Justin Long - actor, “Accepted” & “DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story” - 45
Zachary Quinto - actor, “Heroes” & “Star Trek” - 46
AJ Styles - wrestler - 46
Wayne Brady - actor, “Let’s Make a Deal” & “Hamilton” - 51
Wentworth Miller - actor, “Prison Break” - 51
Jo Koy - comedian - 52
Andy Cohen - TV show host & King of Bravo - 55
Beetlejuice - comedian - 55
Kyle Petty - race car driver - 63
Dana Carvey - comedian - 68
Maree Cheatham - actress, “Days of Our Lives” & “The Wedding Singer” - 83
Born On This Date
Charlie Watts - drummer, Rolling Stones - 1941 (d. 2021)
Johnny Weissmuller - Olympic swimmer & actor, “Tarzan” - 1904 (d. 1984)
Martha Washington - First Lady - 1731 (d. 1802)
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