Today is Monday, August 21, 2023.
It is the 233rd day of the year.
132 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Find out if you’re an 818 or more a 301 in HIT LIST.
Things are getting contentious between BRITNEY SPEARS and SAM ASGHARI. More in SHOWBIZ.
A guy with ties to the original “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” has some harsh words for the new, woke remake. More in CASTING CALL.
YE married into a family of Australian mobsters. Find out more in KARDASH.
KING CHARLES has some major meetings in the works. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
FOLLOW UP: A few weeks after Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles recalled a license plate someone deemed offensive, the plate’s owner will be allowed to keep it after all.
Adam Steelmon says he’s driven with his “GOBK2CA” – shorthand for “Go Back to California” – plate for twenty years without trouble, but the state got in touch with him in July when a picture of it went viral on social media. They vaguely said it was inappropriate and would need to be replaced.
GET THIS: Reps for the DMV say a single complaint can trigger a recall process – but only if the plate specifically goes against statutory regulations. In this case, the DMV’s review board sided with sanity. [via KOLO]
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A Tennessee couple hiking in Alaska were found after spending more than a week roughing it in the wilderness when they somehow managed to veer off a well-established trail.
GET A LOAD OF THIS: Another hiker luckily spotted them – just two miles from where they had left their car.
Authorities began looking into their disappearance when they didn’t check out of their AirBnB on August 11. Search teams deployed helicopters, drones, dogs, and ATVs to try to find them. EMS was on hand to treat them once they returned to civilization, but no other details have been released. [via WKRN]
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Keeping in great Soviet tradition, Russia’s lunar lander failed to successfully touchdown near the Moon’s south pole over the weekend, instead crash-landing and losing all communication with Earth.
The Luna-25 mission was a direct successor of Luna-24, which put a probe on the Moon in 1974. Russia’s space agency is forming a committee to try and figure out what went wrong.
MEANWHILE: India’s space agency is expected to put its own lander on the lunar surface some time this week. [via CNN]
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Two teenage boys, on their first-ever python hunt, nabbed a big one.
Jack and Brendan Cronin, along with their dad Chris, were wading through the Big Cypress Swamp when they stumbled on a 15-foot-6-inch, 100 pound python.
They were out there searching for snakes as part of the state-sanctioned Florida Python Challenge, an annual contest that offers incentives for removing the invasive non-native species from the ecosystem.
After capturing and snapping some pictures with the giant reptile, it was killed, which is standard procedure, and then handed over to the state for research.
As for the challenge, the group was five hours too late to enter their giant find. [via CBS News Miami]
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A Reddit thread reveals codes bartenders use for both work-related and non-work-related issues.
For example, “86” means a product ran out, while “200” means a customer is waiting and “601” or “602” means a bathroom break. On the non-professional side, there is an “area-code scale” for rating attractive customers.
According to the thread, the first number is 0-9 based on the person’s face attractiveness, the second is either a 0 or 1 for “would or wouldn’t”, and the third number is also 0-9 for body attractiveness. So, an 818 is pretty damn attractive, while a 301 means they are a goblin.
Also, a “900” represents a man who has a hired “friend” for the evening, which bartenders say means he will tip big in an effort to show off. [via Reddit]
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DEATHS
JAMES BUCKLEY has died.
The conservative politician and brother of National Review founder WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY Jr. held jobs in all three branches of government over the course of his career, including a term in the US Senate.
No specific cause of death was shared.
He was 100 – making him the oldest living former US Senator before he passed.
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Actor RON CEPHAS JONES has died.
He passed away over the weekend after a battle with chronic pulmonary disease, according to his rep.
Ron is best known for his playing William Hill on “This Is Us,” a role that won him two Emmy Awards.
He was 66.
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Broadway actor CHRIS PELUSO has died.
He passed away unexpectedly on August 15, according to his family. No other details of his death were shared.
Peluso is best known for appearing in “Mamma Mia!” on Broadway.
He was only 40.
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HGTV alum CAROL DUVALL has died.
She passed away on July 31 in Traverse City, Michigan, according to a family member. No cause of death was shared.
Duvall is best known for hosting HGTV’s “The Carol Duvall Show.”
She was 97.
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Beloved killer whale LOLITA has died.
She passed away at the Miami Seaquarium on Friday, where she lived for the past five decades. Lolita’s death comes just as the aquarium was preparing to send her back to her native waters.
In a Facebook post, the Miami Seaquarium said they believe she died from a renal condition.
She was believed to be at least 57-years-old, making her the oldest killer whale in captivity.
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BABY NEWS
“Bachelor” host JESSE PALMER and his wife, model EMELY FARDO are expecting their first child.
The couple shared the news on Instagram, telling followers that their daughter is due in early January.
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Actor CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY and model SARAH ROEMER welcomed baby #3.
The couple announced the arrival on Instagram, sharing a glimpse of their newborn, a little girl, in a sweet snap.
Murray and Roemer are also parents to an eight-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.
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WEDDINGS
Music producer JACK ANTONOFF and actress MARGARET QUALLEY are married.
The pair tied the knot in front of family and friends in New Jersey on Saturday, including TAYLOR SWIFT, ZOE KRAVITZ and CHANNING TATUM.
By the way -- he is 39 and she is 28.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. The Last Voyage of the Demeter: $2.5 million (down from 5)
9. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One: $2.7 million (stayed at 9)
8. Haunted Mansion: $3 million (down from 6)
7. Talk to Me: $3.1 million (stayed at 7)
6. Meg 2: The Trench: $6.7 million (down from 4)
5. Strays: $8.3 million (new)
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: $8.4 million (down from 3)
3. Oppenheimer: $10.6 million (down from 2)
2. Barbie: $21.5 million (down from 1)
1. Blue Beetle: $25.4 million (new)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW ticked up 25 points (0.075%) to close at 34,500 on Friday. The S&P was mostly flat (4,369) and the Nasdaq lost 26 points (0.2%) to close at 13,290.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $81 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $84.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.86 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN was trading around $26,100 Sunday.
🛩 There were more than 3,384 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 1,020 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday nights MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $33 million jackpot or a $15.8 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $291 million jackpot or a $139.6 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
BRITNEY SPEARS addressed her split from SAM ASGHARI on Instagram, telling fans that she “couldn’t take the pain anymore.”
She also acknowledged the many messages of support that she claims to have received in “some sort of telepathic way.”
Meanwhile, insiders told Us Weekly that things have gotten “nasty” between the two and they are no longer speaking. [via Us Weekly]
WORTH NOTING: Sam and Brit didn’t have any children together, but they did share two dogs. Sources say Brit is now worried about losing the pups, one of which was gifted to her by Sam. [via Daily Mail]
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Swifties, You Need To Calm Down.
TAYLOR SWIFT was swarmed by fans as she left a restaurant on Long Beach Island in New Jersey on Friday. She was there for friends JACK ANTONOFF and MARGARET QUALLEY’s wedding rehearsal dinner.
Some eyewitnesses said Swift appeared almost “scared” by the huge crowd. [via NY Post]
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*NSYNC is back together…sort of.
The boy band -- JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE too -- has reportedly reunited for a song that will be featured in the newest “Trolls” film.
The other guys -- JC CHASEZ, JOEY FATONE, CHRIS KIRKPATRICK and LANCE BASS -- also have roles in the upcoming musical comedy alongside Timberlake, according to ET.
“Trolls Band Together” is due out November 17. [via ET]
WORTH ASKING: When is the reunion tour?!
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OLIVER ANTHONY’s song “Rich Men North of Richmond” is a huge hit.
The ballad, which complains about injustices placed on the rural working class, has been viewed more than 28 million times on YouTube as of Sunday.
WORTH NOTING: The song’s success has drawn public criticism in a variety of lefty magazines, like The Atlantic and Rolling Stone, which have called it a right-wing anthem. Politics aside, that pop culture magazines call a ballad written and performed by a factory worker griping about the struggles and strife of the lower-middle-class some kind of right-wing screed shows just how topsy-turvy these times are. [via Deadline]
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After shooting up a case of Bud Light with a rifle months ago, KID ROCK was spotted with a Bud in hand at COLT FORD’s show in Nashville on Thursday night.
It is unknown if the beer was the best of the worst to choose from at the venue or what, but fans were shocked to see the blue can in the rocker’s hand. [via TMZ]
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CHARLIZE THERON did not get a facelift and would appreciate it if people stopped asking if she did.
The 48-year-old actress told Allure magazine that she gets asked all the time what she has had done to her face, to which she says “I’m just aging! It doesn’t mean I got bad plastic surgery. This is just what happens.” [via Allure]
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“Shark Tank” star MARK CUBAN said he regrets turning down the chance to invest in Uber.
He spoke about the deal that got away on KEVIN HART’s “Hart to Heart” podcast, saying he was offered a chance to invest in 2009. He said it was a $250,000 investment at a $10 million valuation, which would have given him 2.5% of the company.
Had he made the deal, he would be about $2.5 BILLION richer today.
Hart said he also had the chance to invest in the company, but thought the idea of strangers driving around strangers sounded like “Murderville.” [via YouTube]
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DOLLY PARTON’s forthcoming album, “Rockstar,” features a new cover of BEATLES’ hit “Let It Be.”
Parton teamed up with surviving Beatles, PAUL MCCARTNEY and RINGO STARR for the track.
“Rockstar,” due out November 17, is Parton’s 49th studio album. [via HuffPost]
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DRAKE narrowly avoided getting hit in the face by a book that was thrown at him during his concert on Friday night in San Francisco.
Thanks to his quick reflexes, he caught the book midair.
To the fan who threw it, Drake said, “You’re lucky I’m quick. I would’ve had to beat your a** if that hit me in the face.”
BY THE WAY: The book was a copy of Drake’s poetry called “Titles Ruin Everything.” [via Hollywood Unlocked]
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CASTING CALL
The son of one of the co-directors of the 1937 Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” thinks the new movie is “lacking respect” for the original.
David Hand told The Telegraph that the live-action remake, starring RACHEL ZEGLER, is “a disgrace.” He also questioned why the new movie is taking a different route when the original was “such a great success.”
“They’re making up new woke things, and I’m just not into any of that. I think Walt [Disney] and my dad would be turning in their graves,” he continued.
“Snow White” hits theaters in March 2024. [via The Telegraph]
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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK
NFL star JIMMY GRAHAM was arrested in Southern California on Friday night after several calls to law enforcement about a person acting erratically.
The 36-year-old was reportedly not cooperative with officers, who arrested him for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer.
He was booked and released, according to police sources, who also said the incident is currently under investigation.
On Saturday the Saints addressed the arrest, saying Graham suffered a “medical episode.” After being taken into custody he was sent to a nearby hospital to get checked out. It is believed that he may have suffered a seizure. [via TMZ]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE’s wife BIANCA CENSORI is related to a couple of well-known Australian mobsters.
According to the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old’s dad is ELIA “Leo” CENSORI, a kingpin who was convicted in 1982 for heroin possession, among other crimes. Her brother is ERIS CENSORI, a notorious killer, who is known as “Melbourne’s Al Capone.”
WORTH REMEMBERING: Ye and Bianca spent time with her family last month in Tokyo. [via Daily Mail]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES has a busy – and consequential – schedule for September.
He arrives for a late summer stint at Balmoral today, but is beginning work on a summit that will include QUEEN CAMILLA, PRINCE WILLIAM, and PRINCESS KATE next month. That discussion will focus on the four of them defining their roles and charting a path forward that not only keeps the Commonwealth together but strengthens it.
In particular, Charles wants to leverage Kate’s popularity around the world and let her and William begin building their own inevitable legacy, in terms of their roles and causes. [via The Mirror]
THEN: Charles and PRINCE HARRY are set to meet in person on September 17 to try to thaw their frosty relationship in London. Harry will be in Europe for the Invictus Games in Germany around that same time.
Charles reportedly moved a state visit to France to allow for time to meet with Harry. MEGHAN MARKLE will not be part of any discussion.
BUT WAIT: Insiders close to Harry and Meg denied the meeting outright to the New York Post on Sunday. [via NY Post]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Spumoni Day
Poet’s Day
National Senior Citizens Day
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ON THIS DATE
1831 - A slave named Nat Turner leads a rebellion against his owner in Southampton County, Virginia.
Over 70 enslaved and free blacks eventually joined the uprising, which traveled between plantations killing whites and freeing slaves. In total, 55 were killed.
Though the rebellion was squashed in two days, Turner remained on the lam until October 30. He would be tried, sentenced to death and hanged on November 11.
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1878 - 100 lawyers from 21 states gather in Saratoga Springs, New York and form the American Bar Association.
The organizations sought to normalize ethical codes for lawyers. Today there are more than 410,000 members, organized out of the association's Chicago headquarters.
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1888 - William Seward Burroughs receives a patent for his adding machine. He was a bank clerk working in New York who was determined to simplify the monotonous process of adding and printing sums for records.
While working at a machine shop, Burroughs developed his first machine, which he continually simplified over the years and later founded the American Arithmometer Company.
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1911 - The Mona Lisa goes missing from the Louvre in Paris. It took two years to track down the real culprit after some were falsely accused -- including one Spanish painter, Pablo Picasso.
The real thief was a museum employee named Vincenzo Peruggia. He was an Italian patriot who thought the masterpiece painted by Leonardo belonged in his home country.
The theft was simple: he waited in a broom closet for the museum to close, then yanked the painting off the wall and smuggled it out under his jacket.
The thief was hailed as an Italian hero, and only spent six months in jail.
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1944 - The Dumbarton Oaks Conference begins in Washington, D.C.
The meeting included American, Soviet, and British delegations, and later Chinese representatives. The delegates were designing what would become the United Nations.
Later, meetings at Yalta and San Francisco would solidify the UN Charter and Security Council.
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1959 - An executive order authorized by President Eisenhower makes Hawaii the 50th state in the union.
Today the state commemorates the occasion with Hawaii Admission Day.
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1993 - NASA inexplicably loses contact with the Mars Observer, which was scheduled to orbit Mars and completely map the planet.
A commission later concluded that a fuel pressurization tank ruptured, causing the spacecraft to spin wildly out of control.
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2008 - The US Women’s Soccer team beats Brazil 1-0 to take home the gold at the Beijing Olympics.
Striker Carli Lloyd scored the game winning goal in extra time.
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2020 - Actress Lori Loughlin is sentenced to two months in prison for her role in the college admissions scandal.
Her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli, was given five months for his role in the scandal.
The pair pleaded guilty in May to fraud charges related to their efforts to have their daughters admitted to the USC as rowing recruits, despite not actually taking part in the sport.
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BIRTHDAYS
Alex Cooper - podcast host, “Call Her Daddy” - 29
Mike Evans - football player - 30
Jesse Rutherford - pop singer - 32
Bo Burnham - comedian - 33
Hayden Panettiere - actress, “Heroes” & “Nashville” - 34
Robert Lewandowski - soccer player - 35
Kacey Musgraves - country singer - 35
Usain Bolt - Olympic runner - 37
Jake Pitts - guitarist, Black Veil Brides - 38
Brody Jenner - reality star, son of Caitlyn Jenner - 40
Tarek El Moussa - reality star, “Flip or Flop” - 42
John Brotherton - actor, “One Life to Live” & “Fuller House” - 43
Kelis - R&B singer - 44
Joe Gorga - reality star, “Real Housewives of New Jersey” - 44
Kim Cattrall - actress, “Sex and the City” - 67
Loretta Devine - actress, “Grey’s Anatomy” & “Family Reunion” - 74
Born On This Date
Stephen Hillenburg - director, “SpongeBob SquarePants” - 1961 (d. 2018)
Kenny Rogers - country singer - 1938 (d. 2020)
Wilt Chamberlain - basketball player - 1936 (d. 1999)
Princess Margaret - youngest daughter of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth - 1930 (d. 2002)
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