6/5/2023: No More Horsin’ Around
PLUS: Best Beaches; “Idol” Winner Tops Billboard Chart; and The End of Luke Skywalker
Today is Monday, June 5, 2023.
It is the 156th day of the year.
209 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Churchill Downs announced it is suspending all racing after a dozen horse deaths and a mixed bag of numbers for the economy. More in HIT LIST.
“Shark Tank” star DAYMOND JOHN has asked for a temporary restraining order against an entrepreneur he made a deal with on the show and actress NATALIE PORTMAN is trying to save her marriage. More in SHOWBIZ.
KIM CATTRALL had a list of demands before agreeing to film a cameo in the “Sex and the City” reboot “And Just Like That…” and there was a pink paint shortage prompted by the new “Barbie” movie. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN has “krossed” the line. More in KARDASH.
The KING offloads some property. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, is suspending all racing after a dozen horse deaths at the iconic track over the past month.
Investigations have yielded no single factor as a potential cause of the deaths.
According to a statement from Churchill Downs Inc., the remainder of the Spring Meet will be moved to another Kentucky venue -- Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson.
The racing season ends on July 3. [via NBC]
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The Labor Department announced on Friday positive new job numbers for May, with an estimated 339,000 positions filled. Year to date, that’s about 1.5 million new jobs on the books for the American economy. The news sent stocks soaring heading into the weekend.
BUT WAIT: The Wall Street Journal points out that labor productivity ticked down over 2% year over year during the first quarter. Some analysts think employers are holding onto staff despite a decrease in output because hiring has been such a struggle in recent years; in this case, it could be less expensive to pay someone even when they’re not needed full time than have to try to hire someone back later.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: That all this working from home isn’t as productive as many might think. [via WSJ]
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Coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman aka “Dr. Beach” has compiled his annual list of the 10 Best U.S. Beaches.
Topping the list is St. George Island State Park in Florida, followed by Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, and Coopers Beach in New York.
Fourth on the list is Caladesi Island State Park (Florida), followed by Lighthouse Beach (North Carolina). The rest of the list includes Coronado Beach (California), Wailea Beach (Maui), Beachwalker Park (South Carolina), Poipu Beach (Kauai) and Coast Guard Beach (Massachusetts).
Leatherman, who has been releasing the list since 1991, uses 50 criteria to evaluate the hundreds of beaches across the country, including beach width, sand softness, water temperature and color and wildlife. [via CNN]
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New York State’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana hasn’t yielded the profits many pot farmers were expecting.
ABC News reports that many such farmers are still sitting on their stock from last year, because not enough legal, licensed dispensaries have opened up shop. In the entire state, only 12 shops have opened up so far this year – well short of the 20 shops a month that Governor KATHY HOCHUL had anticipated. [via ABC News]
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A Los Angeles-based urologist posted a clip to Instagram sharing all of the things he has pulled out of patients’ rear ends.
The items include billiard balls, a toothbrush, a glue bottle, markers, a bottle cap, and a toy rocket.
To avoid such a situation, the Cleveland Clinic suggests that one “lube up before getting too creative.” [via NY Post]
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BABY NEWS
Actor JONAH HILL and girlfriend OLIVIA MILLAR have welcomed their first child.
A rep for the couple confirmed the news on Friday, but did not reveal any specific details about the newborn or the birth.
Hill and Millar, who owns an online clothing store, started dating last year. Rumor is they are engaged, but that has not been confirmed.
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JEDIDIAH DUGGAR, of “19 Kids & Counting” fame, and his wife KATEY NAKATSU have welcomed their second child.
The couple announced the news on social media, introducing their daughter Nora.
The couple are already parents to 1-year-old son Truett.
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SICK BAY
DANNY BONADUCE will undergo brain surgery today.
The “Partridge Family” alum suffers from hydrocephalus, which has been affecting his ability to speak and walk.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the disorder is caused by “an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles deep within the brain [...] putting harmful pressure on the brain’s tissues.”
If the surgery is successful, Bonaduce says he will be “50 percent better right away.”
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WEDDINGS
Actress BEANIE FELDSTEIN married longtime partner BONNIE-CHANCE ROBERTS in Upstate New York on May 19.
The pair met on the set of “How to Build a Girl.” They got engaged last June.
WORTH NOTING: Feldstein’s brother is JONAH HILL, who was noticeably absent from the nuptials, likely due to the birth of his first child.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Kandahar: $765k (down from 7)
9. You Hurt My Feelings: $769k (down from 8)
8. The Machine: $1.7 million (down from 5)
7. About My Father: $2.1 million (down from 6)
6. The Super Mario Bros. Movie: $3.3 million (down from 4)
5. Fast X: $9.2 million (down from 2)
4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: $10.2 million (down from 3)
3. The Boogeyman: $12.3 million (new)
2. The Little Mermaid: $40.6 million (down from 1)
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: $120.5 million (new)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 701 points (2.12%) to close at 33,762 on Friday. The S&P added 61 points (1.45%) to close at 4,282 and the NASDAQ added 139 points (1.07%) to close at 13,240.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $76.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.55 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked up over the weekend, trading just over $27,100.
🛩 There were more than 1,040 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 70 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $218 million jackpot or a $113.8 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $269 million jackpot or a $139.8 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
“Shark Tank” star DAYMOND JOHN has asked a judge for a temporary restraining order against entrepreneurs he made a deal with on the reality TV show.
According to the filing, Al “Bubba” Baker, Sabrina Baker and their daughter Brittani Baker have made claims against John in recent months, saying he has “attempted to take over their business -- Bubba Q’s Boneless Baby Back Ribs -- and cut them out of potential profits.”
During the Bakers’ appearance on the show they were offered $300,000 for 30% of their company, but they say that after the show John altered his investment, dropping it to $100,000 for 35%.
In response to John’s filing, the Bakers told the judge that they have a right to “share [their] experience on social media,” adding that “the truth is in the best interest of the public.” [via ET]
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NATALIE PORTMAN is trying to keep her marriage to ballet dancer BENJAMIN MILLEPIED intact after reports that he had a “short-lived” affair with a much younger woman.
Sources close to the couple told People Magazine that the affair “is over” and the pair are “still together.”
Portman and Millepied met on the set of her film “The Black Swan.” They married in 2012. [via People]
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Rapper REMY MA turned 43 last week, but at her party over the weekend said she is actually years younger.
During the speech at her surprise birthday party Remy explained that she doesn’t count the years she was in prison and also doesn’t count the years lost to COVID, so therefore she is only 35. [via People]
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Reality star KIM ZOLCIAK (she has filed to drop Biermann from her name) allegedly punched her estranged husband KROY BIERMANN in the head early last month while the two were discussing marital assets.
Insiders told TMZ that the police were called, but Kroy refused to press charges, so Kim was not arrested. She, meanwhile, told officers that Kroy had taken several items belonging to her and locked them in a safe. He said the pieces are “marital property” and he planned to sell them to pay off her gambling debts.
It was the following day that Kroy filed for divorce. [via TMZ]
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The newest “American Idol” winner has made another big achievement.
IAM TONGI, who was recently crowned the winner of Season 21, has the top spot on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart, with his single “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
Tongi performed the original song on finale night.
The hit has picked up over 911,000 official streams, according to the music site. [via Billboard]
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CASTING CALL
MARK HAMILL is ready to hang up the lightsaber and retire from his role as Luke Skywalker.
The 71-year-old told “CBS Sunday Morning” that while he is grateful for the happiness the “Star Wars” character has brought fans, he never sought out to be an icon.
“I just wanted to make a living doing what I liked. And I thought, ‘Well, it could be worse. I could be, like known as being the best actor who ever played Adolf Hitler, you know?’ At least Luke is an admirable fellow!” he quipped.
While noting he is a believer of “never say never,” Hamill said that there are “so many stories to tell, they don’t need Luke anymore.”
Hamill first played Luke in 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope.” He last appeared as him briefly in “The Mandalorian” on Disney+. [via CBS]
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KIM CATTRALL had some very specific needs she wanted met before agreeing to make a cameo appearance in Season 2 of the “Sex and the City” reboot “And Just Like That…”
First, she refused to film with SARAH JESSICA PARKER, CYNTHIA NIXON or KRISTIN DAVIS, who star in the show. Cattrall also asked that showrunner Michael King Patrick not be on set during her scene.
A spokesperson for Max (formerly HBO Max) told Elle Magazine that in the scene Cattrall’s character Samantha Jones makes a phone call, which was “shot alone as most calls would be.” The insider also called it “an easy and convenient way for Samantha to return.”
Fans will recall that Cattrall had a major falling out with the rest of the cast (and some crew members) prompting her refusal to appear in Season 1.
WORTH NOTING: Insiders noted that the cameo does not mean Cattrall will be returning to the show as a regular. [via Elle]
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Longtime “Top Chef” host PADMA LAKSHMI is exiting the show after the current 20th season.
In a statement on social media, Lakshmi called her decision to leave “a difficult one,” while explaining that she is moving on to have more time for her “books and other creative pursuits,” including her docuseries “Taste the Nation.”
Season 20 wraps this week. [via ET]
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A sequel for “The Flash” has already been written, in the hopes that the original film has a successful release this month.
According to Variety, EZRA MILLER would return as the titular superhero in the sequel, which will also feature cameos from MICHEAL KEATON as Batman and SASHA CALLE’s Supergirl, who both appear in “The Flash.”
Miller’s casting comes amid a lack of appearance at promotional events for the film. Remember, Miller got into some legal trouble, including alleged assault, grooming, breaking and entering, harassment and more. After an apology, though, the studio decided not to recast the role, and instead just keep Miller out of the spotlight.
“The Flash” will hit theaters on June 16. [via Variety]
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“Barbie” director GRETA GERWIG wanted the set of the film to be overwhelmingly pink, and in doing so created a pink paint shortage.
Speaking to Architectural Digest, Gerwig said she wanted to “literally” create “the alternate universe of Barbie Land.” In order to accomplish that, “everything needed to be tactile [...] handpainted” and not CGI.
Production designer SARAH GREENWOOD said the construction of the Dreamhouse required an “excessive need for Rosco paint, which caused an international run on the fluorescent shade.”
“The world ran out of pink!” she quipped.
“Barbie,” starring MARGOT ROBBIE and RYAN GOSLING, hits theaters on July 21. [via Architectural Digest]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN was spotted crossing through a picket line of striking writers in Manhattan last week. She was in the area filming “American Horror Story.”
Playwright -- and strike captain -- Warren Leight tweeted about the incident writing, “Writers aren’t keeping up, but Kim Krossed Our Line.” He also said that Kardashian “absolutely did not acknowledge the pickets.”
Insiders told The Daily Beast that production is moving forward on Season 12 “despite the ongoing writers’ strike.” [via Daily Beast]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
A quick refresher on how the Royals stay so rich: they’re landowners who rent out acreage and buildings for a variety of agricultural, residential, and commercial applications. These land and building assets are held in a “Duchy,” a legal organization similar to a trust.
FOR THE KING: The assets are held in the Duchy of Lancaster, which is owned by the monarch but managed by a government official.
FOR THE HEIR: The Prince of Wales owns the Duchy of Cornwall.
Before he ascended the throne, KING CHARLES bought an estate in Wales in 2007 for a little over One Million Pounds, through the Duchy of Cornwall.
When his mother, QUEEN ELIZABETH, died, the Duchy of Cornwall passed to PRINCE WILLIAM, which includes the Welsh estate. Since then, Charles has paid to rent the estate from the Duchy of Cornwall.
NOW: The King is letting his lease on the property lapse when it ends later this year. The Prince of Wales, Charles and his wife seemed to truly enjoy the property and were often spotted visiting the community – but as King, he won’t be able to enjoy it in the same way. [via BBC]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Veggie Burger Day
National Gingerbread Day
World Environment Day
National Thank God It’s Monday Day
Hot Air Balloon Day
National Sausage Roll Day
Love Island Day
National Coworking Day
HIV Long-Term Survivors Day
National Moonshine Day
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ON THIS DATE
1832 – Parisian students rise up against the French monarchy of Louis-Philippe in the June Rebellion.
The rebellion protested the July Revolution two years earlier, in which Louis-Phillippe was installed as king.
25,000 French soldiers squashed the riots, killing 800. The insurrection was the basis for Victor Hugo's novel “Les Miserables.”
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1851 - “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe is first published in serial form in “The National Era.”
The novel depicted life for African Americans under slavery. It energized anti-slavery forces in the North, and caused widespread anger in the South.
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1872 - The Republican National Convention convenes in Philadelphia.
That year, the party nominated Ulysses S. Grant, who would run with Henry Wilson.
Grant would win the election the following November, beating Horace Greeley.
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1947 – General George Marshall outlines what would become known as the Marshall Plan.
In a speech at Harvard University, Marshall spoke about the plans to rebuild Europe after World War II, both in infrastructure and in government.
One element included offering financial aid to the Soviets, which they rejected. As Europeans put their lives back together, the U.S. contributed $13 billion to the effort.
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1955 – New York Yankee Mickey Mantle hits his 550th home run.
Mantle knocked a fastball from White Sox pitcher Billy Pierce over the 160-foot-high back wall of Comiskey Park. Outside, the ball smashed a car windshield.
A parking lot attendant took the ball home.
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1956 – Elvis Presley performs "Hound Dog" for the first time in public.
He appeared on “The Milton Berle Show,” a variety program. His swinging hips and charisma were scandalous for its time.
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1968 – Sirhan Sirhan assassinates Bobby Kennedy.
Poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee, Kennedy was campaigning in Los Angeles, when Sirhan jumped the minimal security and shot him three times.
Presidential candidates were not offered official secret service protection at that time. One of Kennedy's bodyguards punched Sirhan in the face while other spectators tackled him.
Kennedy would die 26 hours later. Sirhan was convicted and sentenced to death; that was commuted to life in prison.
That year, Hubert Humphrey would win the Democratic nomination, and lose to Richard Nixon.
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1977 – One of the first personal computers built by Apple goes on sale.
The Apple II displayed 24 lines and 40 columns of uppercase-only characters.
It cost $1,298 and boasted 4 kilobytes of RAM. Today's low-end Apple laptop has more than 500,000 times that much memory.
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1989 – The lone "Unknown Rebel" stands in the face of communist tanks in China.
His protest followed the day after the Tiananmen Square massacre.
As Chinese tanks passed through to assert the government's superiority, the man stood defiantly. The column of tanks were forced to halt.
Two men wearing blue pulled the man away. It is unknown whether they were sympathizers trying to save his life or government agents. Either way, the man was never identified.
It's most likely he was dragged away, beaten, and killed.
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2004 – Ronald Reagan passes away after years of battling Alzheimer's Disease.
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2012 - A gubernatorial recall election is held in Wisconsin.
Governor Scott Walker wins, becoming the first governor to survive a recall election.
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2018 - Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in New York Supreme Court.
The disgraced producer faced two counts of rape and one first-degree criminal sex act charge. He denied all allegations and was able to walk out of court after posting $1 million cash bail.
The accusations against Weinstein played a major role in the #MeToo movement.
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BIRTHDAYS
Gigi Dolin - wrestler - 26
Pete Wentz - bassist, Fall Out Boy - 44
Nick Kroll - actor, “The League” - 45
Liza Weil - actress, “Gilmore Girls” - 46
Joe Gatto - comedian - 47
Mark Wahlberg - actor, “Ted” & “The Fighter” - 52
Brian McKnight - R&B singer - 54
Rick Riordan - author, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” - 59
Jeff Garlin - comedian & actor, “The Goldbergs” - 61
Kenny G - saxophonist - 67
Kathleen Kennedy - producer, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” - 70
Ken Follett - author, “Eye of the Needle” - 74
John Carlos - Olympic sprinter - 78
Robert Kraft - owner of the Patriots - 82
Born On This Date
Frank Esler-Smith - keyboardist, Air Supply - 1948 (d. 1991)
Spalding Gray - actor, “Beaches” - 1941 (d. 2004)
Richard Scarry - children’s author, Busytown books - 1919 (d. 1994)
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