9/18/2023: Three Strikes ⚙️, Two Fouls ⚾

PLUS: Inside SBF’s Head; Dolly & Elvis; and Harry’s Birthday

Today is Monday, September 18, 2023.

It is the 261st day of the year.

104 days remain.

WHAT’S ON TAP

KIM JONG JUNIOR returns from his travels abroad to Russia and an infamous painting goes up for auction. More in HIT LIST.

AARON RODGERS has some unique plans to heal his torn Achilles and LANCE BASS is taking advantage of the renewed interest in NSYNC. More in SHOWBIZ. 

“Paranormal Activity” is heading to the stage and “The Wonder Years” reboot has been canceled. More in CASTING CALL. 

YE and BIANCA CENSORI take their fashion faux pas to Germany. More in KARDASH. 

PRINCE HARRY celebrated his 39th birthday in Germany during the Invictus Games. Details in ROYALS.

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HIT LIST

While under house arrest, SAM BANKMAN-FRIED wrote a 15,000 word stream-of-consciousness screed to work through his feelings and the failure of his business. He sent the document to crypto journalist and Youtuber TIFFANY FONG back in January, who recently shared the documents with the New York Times.

SBF appears to have intended to publish his thoughts as what would have been a very long thread of posts on social media platform X. Fong says she got the documents because he believed she would come to her own conclusions, because she didn’t work for anybody else. 

The writings reveal that SBF sees himself as one of the most hated people in the world and at this point there is nothing he can do to make his “lifetime impact net positive.”

He lays much of the blame for the collapse of FTX at the feet of his ex-girlfriend CAROLINE ELLISON, who he says dodged his suggestions to minimize risk as she oversaw the hedge fund at the center of the scandal. Ellison is actively cooperating with prosecutors and will likely testify against him at the trial that begins next month. [via NYT]

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KIM JONG JUNIOR is heading home to North Korea after a six-day trip to Russia’s east coast to finalize an arms deal with VLADIMIR PUTIN and inspect various military sites. Before getting back on his laboriously slow train back to Pyongyang, Junior reportedly watched a “walrus show” at the Primorsky Aquarium, which Russian state media say he thoroughly enjoyed. 

The excursion marked Junior’s longest trip outside of North Korea in the twelve years since he took power. [via AP]

WORTH NOTING: The only thing more farcical than the UN Security Council banning North Korea from exporting weapons is that Russia is a member of the very council that has banned such exports. 

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The painting that is rumored to have ended PABLO PICASSO’s marriage is hitting the auction block. 

The “Femme a la Montre” (“Woman in Watch”) is being prepped by Sotheby’s auction house and is expected to sell for more than $120 million. If that happens, it would be the second most expensive Picasso painting to sell at auction. Picasso’s “Les femmes d’Alger” (Version ‘O’) sold for $179.4 million in 2015.

It has long been believed that the painting is based on Picasso’s muse and mistress, Martie-Therese Walter, which is said to have ended his marriage to Russian-Ukrainian dancer Olga Khokhlova. [via Fox Business]

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COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Just hours after United Auto Workers initiated a strike at a FORD plant in Wayne, Michigan, the company announced 600 temporary support staff layoffs – since there was no work for them to do. 

MEANWHILE, IN KANSAS CITY: General Motors expects to let nearly 2,000 workers go for the time being at its plant in Kansas City, where it manufactures a Cadillac SUV and the popular Chevy Malibu. Workers at this plant won’t have the input parts to get their jobs done.

The White House has dispatched Labor Secretary JULIE SU and adviser GENE SPERLING to Detroit to aid in negotiations.

Targeted strikes remain active at plants for Ford, GM, and Chrysler-owned Stellantis until the automakers and union agree to wage hikes and expanded benefits packages. [via Reuters]

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A lucky New York Mets fan named Patrick Wedderburn managed to snag two foul balls within the span of three pitches on Friday night.

The 23-year-old sat two levels behind home plate, where he grabbed the first ball during the eighth inning. Two pitches later, a foul ball zinged right into the same spot, and Wedderburn snagged it from the empty seat behind him.

He says he’s gifting both of the foul balls to his mother – who was with him celebrating her birthday Friday night. [via ESPN]

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DEATHS

Soap opera star BILLY MILLER has died. 

He passed away Friday -- just two days before his 44th birthday. No cause of death has been shared. 

Miller is best known for his roles on “The Young and the Restless” and “General Hospital.” He also appeared on “Suits,” “Ray Donovan” and “Truth Be Told.” 

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Singer IRISH GRINSTEAD has died. 

She passed away Saturday after a lengthy battle with an undisclosed illness, according to a post from her sister. 

Grinstead was a member of the R&B group 702. 

She was 43. 

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BREAKUPS

Actor HUGH JACKMAN and his wife DEBORRA-LEE FURNESS have separated after 27 years of marriage.

He’s 54, she’s 67. They share two adopted children who are 23 and 18 years old.

Insiders say the break was a long time coming, even though the relationship never reached a boiling point. One person in the know tells Page Six that the couple turned more into roommates than a married couple. 

“Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” they said in an official statement. 

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Rapper JEEZY has filed for divorce from TV host JEANNIE MAI JENKINS.

He’s 45, she’s 44. The couple got hitched in March 2021 and welcomed their daughter in January the following year. Jeezy is seeking joint legal custody. 

The divorce petition cites “no hope for reconciliation” in an “irretrievably broken” marriage.

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SICK BAY

DERYCK WHIBLEY is fighting against potential heart failure after he was hospitalized for pneumonia late last week.

The Sum 41 founder entered the ER on Friday night. His wife posted a photo of Whibley on a stretcher getting loaded into the ambulance to her Instagram and promised to share updates with her followers.

WORTH REMEMBERING: Whibley faced liver and kidney failure in 2014 from alcohol abuse and was comatose for a week. He says he’s since stayed sober.

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WEDDINGS

JOHN LEGEND and CHRISSY TEIGEN renewed their vows Saturday in Lake Como, Italy, where they tied the knot 10 years ago. 

This time around the couple’s four kids, Luna, Miles, Esti and Wren, joined them. 

In total, the pair have been together for 17 years. 

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: $2 million (down from 9)

9. Oppenheimer: $2.1 million (down from 8)

8. Gran Turismo: $2.3 million (down from 7)

7. Blue Beetle: $2.4 million (down from 6)

6. Jawan: $2.5 million (down from 4)

5. Barbie: $3.9 million (stayed at 5)

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding: $4.7 million (down from 3)

3. The Equalizer 3: $7.2 million (down from 2)

2. A Haunting in Venice: $14.5 million (new)

1. The Nun II: $14.7 million (stayed at 1)

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BY THE NUMBERS

📈 The DOW lost 288 points (0.83%) to close at 34,618 on Friday. The S&P lost 54 points (1.22%) to close at 4,450 and the NASDAQ lost 217 points (1.56%) to close at 13,708. 

🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $91 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $94. 

⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.87 on Sunday.

₿ BITCOIN earned modest gains over the weekend, trading around $26,500 Sunday evening.

🛩 There were more than 3,214 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 65 such cancellations.

💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $183 million jackpot or a $87.4 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $638 million jackpot or a $304.2 million cash payout.

SHOWBIZ NEWS

RUSSELL BRAND has been dropped by his agent following accusations of rape and sexual assault. 

The allegations come from four women, including a 16-year-old who claims the comedian was “emotionally and sexually abusive” during their three-month relationship.  

Trevi Women, a charity that supports mothers dealing with substance abuse and addiction, also cut ties with him, saying they are “deeply saddened” by the victims’ stories. 

Brand has denied the accusations. [via The Guardian]

WORTH NOTING: The age of the accuser is not the issue in this instance -- legally speaking -- as the age of consent is 16 in England, which is where the relationship allegedly took place. 

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AARON RODGERS is researching some odd ways to heal from his torn Achilles. 

Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers brought up how “noises from dolphins when they’re love-making, the frequency of that is actually healing to the body.” 

This tracks as Rodgers has been known to seek out lesser known practices to heal and calm his body. [via NY Post]

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Actor ASHTON KUTCHER has resigned from Thorn, the anti-sex trafficking organization he helped create. 

He sent a letter to the board with his intention after serious backlash over his support of convicted rapist, actor DANNY MASTERSON. 

Kutcher co-founded Thorn in 2012 alongside then-wife DEMI MOORE. [via Time]

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MAREN MORRIS is quitting country music. 

The 33-year-old announced Friday that she feels like the genre has “reverted back to its racist and misogynistic roots,” so she is giving herself “permission to walk away.” 

Morris’ decision comes after she spoke out about JASON ALDEAN’s new song “Try That in a Small Town,” which she called a “racist,” and “pro-lynching” anthem. 

Remember, she also previously got into a social media spat with Aldean’s wife over their differing political beliefs. [via Page Six]

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LANCE BASS is taking advantage of the renewed obsession with NSYNC. 

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Bass has filed to trademark “Dirty Pop” for a line of sweet treats, including candy, chocolate and popcorn. 

Fans of the boy band will recognize the phrase from their song “Pop.” 

Bass also filed to trademark “Frosted Tips” -- a clear reference to bandmate, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’s, former frosted ‘do -- and “Boy Band Wars.” [via TMZ]

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LAMAR ODOM crashed his Mercedes into a parked car last week, causing extensive damage to them both, as well as a vehicle the parked car was pushed into. 

An insider told TMZ that Odom reportedly dropped his phone and when he reached down to retrieve it, lost control and smashed his car. 

Responding officers asked Odom if he’d been drinking, to which he replied no, explained that he is sober and owns rehab facilities. The explanation must have been enough for the officers who did not perform a field sobriety test. 

The owners of the vehicles exchanged information with Odom, who then got his car towed and was driven home by his security. No one was injured. [via TMZ]

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DOLLY PARTON revealed that she wanted ELVIS PRESLEY to sing her song “I Will Always Love You,” but his manager made that impossible.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Parton explained that Colonel Tom Parker told her that he doesn’t allow Presley to record anything without “at least half of the publishing rights.” 

Parton, who had already snagged the No. 1 spot of the Billboard Hot Country Songs with the single, replied, “This is the most important copyright in my whole publishing company, and I can’t do that.” 

WORTH NOTING: Elvis did sing it, just not professionally. According to PRISCILLA PRESLEY, he sang “I Will Always Love You” to her when they exited the courthouse after their divorce. 

REMEMBER: The song would be sung by WHITNEY HOUSTON in “The Bodyguard.” [via LA Times]

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CASTING CALL

DREW BARRYMORE has decided to postpone the return of her daytime talk show until after the writers’ strike is over. 

The actress announced the decision Sunday after the backlash she received for taping her show during the ongoing strikes. 

She also apologized for her initial plan to kick off Season 4 and said she hopes “for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.” [via NY Post]

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A stage adaptation of horror franchise “Paranormal Activity” is in the works from veteran producer SIMON FRIEND. 

The series of movies follow a family terrorized by a demon. They grossed almost $900 million in theaters. [via THR]

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ABC has axed “The Wonder Years” reboot after two seasons.

The reimagining of the 1988 series followed a Black middle-class family in Alabama during the late 1960s. [via Variety]

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

YE and BIANCA CENSORI said arrivederci to Italy and are now in Germany. 

The pair were spotted at an art museum in Berlin, where Censori once again left little to the imagination with her form fitted outfit. For his part, Ye was dressed head to toe in black. 

While Italian residents were not pleased with Censori’s clothing choices, Berliners are reportedly a bit more accepting. [via TMZ]

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

PRINCE HARRY celebrated his 39th birthday on Friday in Germany for the Invictus Games – but there was no official statement on social media or anywhere else from The Firm to commemorate the Duke of Sussex’s special day.

Despite rumors that Harry and KING CHARLES would meet while they were both again on the same continent, that never happened. 

PARTYING DOWN: The public address announcer did acknowledge Harry’s birthday during the events at one point. The DailyMail reports that Harry had six beers, bratwurst and schnitzel on his big day while Meg nursed a single small lager. [via DailyMail]

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DAY OF THE YEAR

US Air Force Day

Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day

National Day of Civic Hacking

National Cheeseburger Day

National First Love Day

Read An Ebook Day

World Water Monitoring day

National Respect Day

Rice Krispies Treats Day

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ON THIS DATE

1793 - President George Washington lays the cornerstone of the recently-approved Capitol building.

A parade preceded the ceremony, and a large feast followed.

It took almost a hundred years to finish the construction. The British practically burned it down in the War of 1812, the Civil War halted construction, and head architects came in and out.

Congress moved into the north wing in 1800. In 1807, the House of Representatives moved into the south wing.

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1851 - The first issue of the New-York Daily Times hits newsstands for one cent a copy. It's the predecessor to the New York Times.

Its founder was Henry Jarvis Raymond, who would become the second chair of the Republican National Committee.

Its original mission statement declared, "We shall be Conservative, in all cases where we think Conservatism essential to the public good."

Ironically, today the publication sometimes receives criticism for apparent liberal political biases.

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1862 - One day after the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Union General, General McClellan allows confederate forces to retreat. It's one confusing blunder of the Civil War.

McClellan's troops severely outnumbered Confederate General Robert E. Lee's by almost three times. McClellan feared Lee was rallying with a force of more than 100,000. President Lincoln urged McClellan to move forward, but he did not budge for another month.

Waiting in Maryland, however, did give McClellan's troops a much-needed rest.

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1947 - The United States Air Force becomes its own branch of the military.

It had been a department of the Army.

Around the same time, the Department of War merged with the Department of the Navy. Two years later, all branches of the armed services were united under the Department of Defense.

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1973 - Jimmy Carter tells the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena that he saw a UFO a couple years before.

Carter called it "the darndest thing I've ever seen."

Others corroborated the report, and said the object in the sky was bright, with changing colors, about the size of the moon. After that, Carter said he'd never laugh at the goons who say they've had similar experiences. 

During the 1976 campaign, Carter said he would demand release of information about UFOs to the public. Once he got into office, his tune changed, saying releasing the information could threaten national security.

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1975 - Federal forces capture Patty Hearst, after she spent a year on the FBI's Most Wanted List.

Hearst is the granddaughter of media mogul Randolph Hearst. She had been kidnapped a year earlier by a small extremist left-wing group called the Symbionese Liberation Army. As ransom, they demanded $70 in food to go to every poor person in southern California. Upon completion, they would negotiate Patty's release.

When Randolph Hearst donated $2 million worth of food, the group demanded $4 million more. Hearst Corporation said it would pay upon Patty's release.

Two months later, Patty said she was joining the group by her own will. Afterward, she participated in an armed robbery with the group, which was caught on tape.

On this date in 1975 she was captured during a raid on her apartment. She would be sentenced to seven years in prison in 1976, but Jimmy Carter would commute her sentence in 1979, and Bill Clinton would pardon her in 2001.

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1996 - Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens pitches 20 strikeouts in one game, tying his own Major League single-season record set 10 years earlier.

The 4-0 win also tied the Sox's record for most shutouts by one pitcher and most wins -- both set by Cy Young in 1911.

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2017 – Hurricane Maria passes over the Caribbean Island as a Category 5 hurricane. 

It would destroy 90% of structures and kill 27 people. 

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2022 - In a CBS interview, President Joe Biden says “We still have a problem with covid [...] But the pandemic is over.” 

Biden’s statement comes a week after the WHO reported that deaths from the virus were at the lowest since March 2020; when the pandemic started. 

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BIRTHDAYS

Christian Pulisic - soccer player - 25

Taylor Dye - country singer - 28

Patrick Schwarzenegger - model & son of Arnold - 30

Angela Simmons - reality star, “Run’s House” - 36

Danielle Jonas - wife of Kevin Jonas - 37

Ronaldo - soccer player - 47

Jason Sudeikis - actor, “SNL” & “Ted Lasso” - 48

James Marsden - actor, “Hairspray” & “Dead To Me” - 50

Lance Armstrong - cyclist - 52

Jada Pinkett Smith - actress, “A Different World” & “The Matrix” - 52

Ben Carson - neurosurgeon & presidential candidate - 72

Scotty Bowman - hockey player - 90

Born On This Date

James Gandolfini - actor, “The Sopranos” - 1961 (d. 2013)

Dee Dee Ramone - rock bassist, Ramones - 1951 (d. 2002)

Samuel Johnson - scholar & lexicographer, A Dictionary of the English Language - 1709 (d. 1784)

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