9/6/2023: Post-Pandemic Peloton Slump 🚴🏼
Discover more from Morning Martini
9/6/2023: Post-Pandemic Peloton Slump 🚴🏼
PLUS: Delta Diarrhea; Cher Doesn’t Need to Turn Back Time; and Royal Hierarchy
Today is Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
It is the 249th day of the year.
116 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
ALEX MURDAUGH’s attorneys want a new trial and another Italian artifact gets damaged. More in HIT LIST.
BOB BARKER’s cause of death has been revealed and TOM BRADY gets Botox. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Barbie” heads to PVOD and a potential boycott of “The Crown” may be on the horizon. More in CASTING CALL.
KYLIE JENNER was seen smooching rumored beau TIMOTHEE CHALAMET. More in KARDASH.
MEGHAN MARKLE won’t bow down to PRINCESS KATE. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
ALEX MURDAUGH’s attorneys are requesting a new trial based on evidence they say shows Colleton County Clerk Rebecca Hill “tampered with the jury by advising them not to believe Murdaugh’s testimony.”
As for why Hill would violate the former attorney’s constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury, the defense says it was to cash in on “the post-verdict media blitz” for her book “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.”
Several jurors from the murder case came forward with their own claims of tampering by Hill, including several “private conversations” she had with the jury foreperson and possible “fabricated” stories she told.
Remember, Murdaugh was found guilty in March of fatally shooting his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son Paul, at their Moselle estate in June 2021. [via USA Today]
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Four astronauts splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after spending six months at the International Space Station.
Returning were NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev and United Arab Emirates’ Sultan al-Neyadi.
Later this week two Russians and one American will also return home from the ISS after having been up there for a year. [via ABC News]
SPEAKING OF SPLASHING DOWN: A bunch of students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison fell into Lake Mendota on Monday when the pier they were standing on collapsed. Watch here>>>
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The pandemic surge of PELOTON purchases has fizzled out and are being replaced with treadmill purchases.
Lou Lentine, chief executive of exercise equipment company Echelon Fit, says that people are trading in fitness instructors yelling at them for streaming platforms.
“People want their 30 minutes of cardio in but they also want to watch the latest Netflix show,” he explained.
According to Jungle Scout, which tracks sales of these sorts of things, treadmill sales have soared 99% from last year, compared to a 3% drop in stationary bike sales. Another point in favor of treadmills is the price point; they are significantly cheaper than Pelotons.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Last year, Peloton laid off more than 5,000 employees, founder and CEO John Foley stepped down and the company issued several recalls. In light of those occurrences, subscribers dropped by 29,000 in the most recent quarter. [via NY Post]
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A DELTA flight heading to Barcelona, Spain was forced to return to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport in Georgia after a passenger’s explosive diarrhea got everywhere.
Other passengers quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their disgust. One person wrote, “My partner was on that flight! It was pretty bad. It was dribbled down the aisle, smelled horrible.”
No word on the passenger’s condition or level of embarrassment. [via Independent]
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Another Italian landmark has been vandalized by an idiot tourist.
A 22-year-old German man climbed the Fountain of Neptune in Florence for a selfie, breaking off a piece of marble in the process. He also damaged the horse’s hoof on his way down.
“There is no justification against vandalism of cultural heritage,” Florence’s Mayor Dario Nardella said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) about the 16th-century site.
Officials say there is about $5,400 damage, which the vandal may be responsible for. [via Insider]
MEANWHILE IN CHINA: Two construction workers were arrested after allegedly making a giant hole in the Great Wall of China with an excavator to create a shortcut through it. Both have been charged with destroying a cultural relic. [via China Daily]
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DEATHS
Singer-songwriter GARY WRIGHT has died.
He passed away Monday at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, according to his son, who shared that his dad had Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Wright is best known for his single, “Dream Weaver.”
He was 80.
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BREAKUPS
JOE JONAS has officially filed for divorce from actress SOPHIE TURNER after four years of marriage.
According to the petition, Jonas states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. It also notes that while the couple’s two children have been primarily with him, he is seeking joint parental responsibility.
Jonas has retained TOM SASSER, who handled TIGER WOODS’ divorce. No word on who Turner may have tapped.
REMEMBER: Celeb powerhouse attorney LAURA WASSER is busy working on BRITNEY SPEARS’ divorce.
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SICK BAY
JILL BIDEN has once again tested positive for covid.
The First Lady is currently isolating at her home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, away from her husband President JOE BIDEN, who is at the White House.
A WH source says she is “experiencing only mild symptoms.”
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WHOOPI GOLDBERG has covid.
She missed the Season 27 premiere of “The View” on Tuesday due to the virus.
Her co-host, JOY BEHAR, told viewers that Goldberg is “on the mend.”
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW was down 196 points (0.56%) to close at 34,642 on Tuesday. The S&P dropped 19 points (0.42%) to close at 4,497 and the NASDAQ was down 11 points (0.077%) to close at 14,021.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $87; BRENT CRUDE at $90.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.81 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN dropped 0.36% on Tuesday, trading over $25,722.
🛩 There were more than 2,309 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 57 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $461 million jackpot or a $223.5 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
BOB BARKER’s cause of death was reportedly due to Alzheimer’s disease.
According to several sources, the “Price Is Right” host was diagnosed years ago, though never spoke about it publicly.
He passed away at his home on August 26. He was 99-years-old. [via TMZ]
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New music is on the way from THE ROLLING STONES.
The band announced this week that they will be releasing a new album, titled “Hackney Diamonds.” It is their first album of original material since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang.”
It is also the first since the death of Stones’ drummer CHARLIE WATTS, who passed away in 2021.
More details are expected to come out today! [via AP News]
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In spite of the fact that she will be 80 in a few years, CHER says she has no plans to put away her jeans or chop off her lengthy locks.
Speaking to “Good Morning Britain” hosts about her youthful appearance, Cher said, “I will still be doing the same stuff I’ve always done,” referring to her choice of clothing and hairstyle.
“I am who I am, whatever that means,” she added. [via Page Six]
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TOM BRADY may have overdone it on the Botox.
After appearing in a new promo for the NFL, fans were quick to call out the former QB’s tight-looking face.
“Dude needs to chill on the plastic surgery,” one fan wrote, while another suggested he “lay off the botox.”
Others speculated that his new romance with model IRINA SHAYK has him wanting a more youthful appearance. [via Page Six]
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Actress ASHLEY TISDALE is being sued by a woman who claims the former Disney star caused a car crash that left her with “severe injuries” to her neck and back.
In the suit, Lina Gonzalez states that she has had to pay $140,000 out of pocket in medical expenses and wants that back in damages from Tisdale.
As for the accident, which happened last year in Hollywood, Gonzalez claims she was waiting to turn left when Tisdale allegedly switched lanes and hit her. After the crash, Gonzalez says Tisdale called her names.
Tisdale has not addressed the lawsuit. [via Metro]
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CASTING CALL
SEAN “Diddy” COMBS will be honored with the Global Icon Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12.
He will also perform at the awards show, which will be his first performance at the VMAs since 2005.
Diddy is also nominated for four VMAs, including two for Best Collaboration, Best Rap and Best R&B. [via ET]
###
During a recent appearance on the “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” podcast, actor LIAM NEESON said while filming “Star Wars” flick “The Phantom Menace” director GEORGE LUCAS scolded him for making lightsaber noises.
“We can add that in later,” Lucas told Neeson and co-star EWAN MCGREGOR, who both automatically started making the lightsaber noises during one of the scenes.
Neeson also threw some shade at the franchise, calling fans of the movies “a cult.” [via YouTube]
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DENZEL WASHINGTON’s “The Equalizer 3” made $42 million at the domestic box office over the four-day holiday weekend, making it the second-highest Labor Day weekend opening ever.
The record holder is Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which brought in $94.6 million in 2021. [via Variety]
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“Barbie” will be available for digital purchase and rental starting next Tuesday.
The billion-dollar flick will be available to own on digital for $29.99 and rent for 48-hours at $24.99 on a host of platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV and Google Play. [via Deadline]
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Some royal fans are refusing to watch the upcoming season of Netflix’s “The Crown” after a sneak peek posted on X (formerly Twitter) revealed what appears to be an order of service for Charles and Camilla’s wedding.
“Team Diana,” several users commented, while others stated they will not be watching.
Production on the sixth and final season is now underway. [via Daily Mail]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KYLIE JENNER was spotted snuggled up with and smooching actor TIMOTHEE CHALAMET at BEYONCE’s concert in Los Angeles on Monday night.
The couple were spotted hanging out with Kylie’s sisters KENDALL JENNER and KIM KARDASHIAN, and friends, including JUSTIN and HAILEY BIEBER and ZENDAYA.
Kylie and Timothee have been linked since April, though neither has officially confirmed the relationship. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
One royal biographer believes that PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE won’t return to the UK because she wouldn’t want to curtsy to PRINCESS KATE when PRINCE WILLIAM ascends the throne.
The comment aired during an interview on Sky News ahead of Harry’s upcoming visit to London for the WellChild awards.
As previously reported, there is no planned meetup between Harry and his royal family members while he is in town. [via NY Post]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Read a Book Day
National Color Blind Awareness Day
National Coffee Ice Cream Day
Global Talent Acquisition Day
Fight Procrastination Day
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ON THIS DATE
1522 - The first recorded ship to circumnavigate the globe docks in Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain.
The Vittoria was only one of five ships under the command of Ferdinand Magellan to return to Europe after setting sail almost three years prior. Magellan didn’t make it either. He died in the Philippines during the voyage.
The ship survived a trip around the southern tip of South America, across the Pacific Ocean; a run-in with natives on the Philippine island of Cebu; a sail through the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope. The Vittoria finally landed in Seville a couple days later.
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1781 - Benedict Arnold solidifies his reputation as a traitor to America when he orders that New London, Connecticut be burned to the ground.
Only 25 soldiers were there to protect the garrison, which was built to hold supplies. With pressure from Arnold's forces and other loyalists, the Continentals were soundly outnumbered, and forced to retreat.
Under Arnold's orders, the British soldiers burned down every building in the small town.
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1819 - Thomas Blanchard is granted a patent for the profile lathe, which allows him to efficiently construct gun stocks. The machine did the work of 13 smiths, drastically reducing the time and cost of production.
Blanchard was eventually hired to produce gun parts at an armory in Springfield Massachusetts. The patent would be extended twice, through 1948.
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1901 - President McKinley is shot while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
Leon Czolgosz ("CHA-glotz") was the culprit. He was an unemployed anarchist from Detroit.
With his gun hidden under a handkerchief disguised as a bandage, Czolgosz approached the president and fired twice, hitting McKinley in the abdomen and the ribs.
Security quickly contained the gunman. An ambulance arrived for McKinley 11 minutes later.
There was no electricity at the hospital, and doctors were unable to locate the bullet, so McKinley was sewn back up with the slug inside him. He would die on September 14th, after making an apparent recovery.
Ironically, an X-Ray machine was on display at the exhibition, but was not used since its side-effects were unknown.
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1946 - The All-American Football Conference's first game is played between the Cleveland Browns and Miami Seahawks.
The NFL-alternative was founded by Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward in 1944.
At first, eight teams would play 14 games in a double round-robin.
The league actually enjoyed better average attendance than the NFL, but was eventually absorbed by the NFL anyway. Three teams survived: The Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts.
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1995 - Cal Ripken plays in his 2,131st consecutive MLB game.
The streak broke Lou Gehrig's record.
President Clinton and V.P. Al Gore were on hand to witness the milestone, along with Joe DiMaggio.
Ripken would finish his career with 2,632 games played in September 1998.
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1997 - Nearly half the planet tunes in to watch the funeral of Princess Diana.
Elton John was on hand to perform a re-written version of "Candle in the Wind," which was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.
The renamed song, "Candle in the Wind 1997," is one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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2017 - Hurricane Irma makes landfall on the Caribbean Islands of Barbuda, Sent Maartens and British Virgin Islands.
The first Category 5 storm of the season, Irma caused widespread damage throughout the Caribbean and the Florida Keys.
It would be the most intense hurricane to hit the States since Katrina in 2005.
The intensity of the storm would lead to the creation of the word “Irmageddon” to describe the damage left behind.
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2020 - A strain of bacteria nicknamed “Conan the Bacterium” survives three years attached to the International Space Station.
The bacteria (real name, Deinococcus radiodurans) was placed outside the ISS by a team of Japanese researchers who wanted to study its survival in outer space.
Experts believe it could lead to better understanding of whether life might exist on other planets.
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BIRTHDAYS
Julian Newman - basketball player - 22
Lil Xan - rapper - 27
John Wall - basketball player - 33
Max George - pop singer, The Wanted - 35
Pippa Middleton - author & sister of Princess Kate - 40
Braun Strowman - wrestler - 40
Anika Noni Rose - actress, “Dreamgirls” & “The Princess and the Frog” - 51
Idris Elba - actor, “The Wire” & “Luther” - 51
Justina Machado - actress, “Six Feet Under” & “One Day at a Time” - 51
Macy Gray - soul singer - 56
Roger Waters - rock singer, Pink Floyd - 80
Born On This Date
Terrence Clarke - basketball player - 2001 (d. 2021)
Dolores O’Riordan - rock singer, The Cranberries - 1971 (d. 2018)
Marquis de Lafayette - war hero, American Revolution - 1757 (d. 1834)