INTERPREP PRO ★ SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
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Audio • Bits & Breaks • Datebook • Datebook Tomorrow • Entertainment • Fun & Games • News & Nuggets • News Attack • Number • TV • Wacky-But-True
DATEBOOK: SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
BIRTHDAYS
• Lily Tomlin is 81
• Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is 74
• Dr. Phil is 70
• Author, model and TV host Padma Lakshmi is 50
• Singer/actress Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming) is 24
IT HAPPENED TODAY
• 1905: Alberta and Saskatchewan became the eighth and ninth provinces of Canada.
• 1972: American Bobby Fischer won the international chess crown in Reykjavik, Iceland, defeating Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
• 1985: A joint American-French expedition located the wreck of the RMS Titanic.
• 2006: Luxembourg became the first country to complete the move to all digital television broadcasting.
SPECIAL EVENTS
• September is Baby Safety Month, Backpack Safety Month, Be Kind To Editors And Writers Month, Children’s Good Manners Month, Fall Hat Month, Hug A Texas Chef Month, International People Skills Month, Library Card Sign-up Month, National Biscuit Month, National Chicken Month, National Coupon Month, National Honey Month, National Mushroom Month, National Piano Month, National Potato Month, National Rice Month, National School Success Month, National Sewing Month, National Velociraptor Awareness Month, Pleasure Your Mate Month, Southern Gospel Music Month, Update Your Resume Month. September is Happy Cat Month.
• Random Acts of Kindness Day / Be Kind Day
• American Chess Day
• Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
• World Letter Writing Day
• Gyro Day
• Cherry Popover Day
NUMBER FOR THE DAY
7 million: Number of pennies estimated to be thrown away each day.
NEWS ATTACK!
The US Open Tennis Championships have begun. [Social distancing means each player will be on their own court and lob the ball over the wall.]
According to a study, no known hangover cure actually works. [But having your boss find pictures of your drunken escapes on Facebook comes awfully close.]
It’s September, which is National Honey Month. [Has anyone told the bees? Are they in the parade?]
It’s September, which is Backpack Safety Month. [Backpack Safety is a real thing. They even sell helmets for backpacks now.]
According to researchers, plants can count, make decisions, recognize their relatives and remember events. [So if you forget to water your plants, it’s probably a good idea to lock your bedroom door at night.]
A study shows that, on average, women have more words in their vocabulary than men. Women know something like 30,000 words. [Men would know more but swear words don’t count.]
A former friend and adviser of Melania Trump says it was “the worst mistake of my life” to work for the president and his family. [I guess we know who was sitting in coach on Air Force One.]
NEWS & NUGGETS
OLDSTERS LIKE NEGATIVE NEWS ABOUT YOUNGSTERS _ A study reveals older people like reading negative news stories about their younger counterparts because it boosts their own self-esteem. German researchers said older people tend to be portrayed negatively in society. Although they are often described as wise, they are also be shown as being slow and forgetful. Living in a youth-centered culture, older people appreciate a boost in self-esteem. That’s why, the study revealed, they prefer negative stories about younger people, who are seen as having a higher status in society.
🎧 ANCIENT BREED OF SINGING DOG RE-EMERGES AFTER BEING BELIEVED TO BE EXTINCT _ An ancient breed of singing dog has re-emerged in Indonesia after being believed to be extinct for 50 years. The New Guinea singing dog, known for making harmonic sounds with its high-pitched barks and howls, was believed to only exist in captivity — until now. Scientists recently spotted a pack of these dogs running wild in the hills of Indonesia. The New Guinea singing dog (NGSD) was first studied in 1897, and became known for their unique and characteristic vocalization that experts describe as “wolf howl with overtones of whale song.”
HUNTER KILLED BY ELK IN OREGON _ A hunter in Oregon (Hillsboro) died as a result of his injuries after an elk charged him. Oregon State Police say Mark David was archery hunting when he wounded a bull elk. David was not able to locate it before it got dark. David and the landowner attempted to find the elk on Sunday morning. Once found the hunter tried to kill the bull elk with his bow, but the animal charged and impaled David in the neck.
LONE ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIMMER FOUND AFTER SEARCH _ A major search for someone trying to swim from Dover, England, to Calais, France, unaccompanied has ended after he was spotted by a passing vessel. Emergency services spent nearly eight hours searching for the male swimmer, who was eventually found just 500 yards off Dover.
… A helicopter and rescue teams were dispatched to the sea off Kent, England, after the coastguard received a call from a member of the public saying a friend was trying to cross to France. The 27-mile stretch between Dover and Calais can be dangerous and is home to the world’s busiest shipping lanes. When found, the man was cold and tired but otherwise well.
PLANTS CAN RECOGNIZE THEIR RELATIVES, MAKE DECISIONS, AND EVEN COUNT _ If he were that sort of person, Prince Charles would be within his rights to deliver a right royal “I told you so.” In the years since he was roundly mocked for saying he talked to plants — and that they “responded” — evidence has grown that he may have been on to something. And now it appears plants may be smarter than even the Prince of Wales thought. According to researchers, plants can count, make decisions, recognize their relatives and even remember events. And while they may not have a brain, they can learn in a similar way to humans and animals.
… Researchers (University of Padua) say evidence is “accumulating supporting notions that plants can communicate, remember, decide, and even count — all abilities that one would normally call cognitive if they were observed in animals.” One study found Venus flytraps can “count” the number of steps their prey made.
… Another experiment showed the flowering plant Mimosa pudica can remember being dropped. The plant was dropped from 6 inches 60 times in a row and by the end of the experiment it no longer folded its leaves in a defensive response as it realized being dropped from that height would not hurt. This reflex lasted up to a month.
… Shrubs can recognize their kin as they release more chemicals when planted near their relatives which helps them stave off predators.
37% OF WOMEN APPROVE OF SNOOPING THROUGH TEXTS _ Have you ever scrolled through your partner’s text messages or emails? You’re not alone. More that a third of Americans who took part in a survey said suspicious behavior warrants electronic snooping. More women than men said it was OK to spy — 37% said spying on a significant other is acceptable if “bad behavior” is suspected. Only 29% of males agreed with that statement.
GRIZZLY BEAR RUNS TOWARDS HIKERS IN GLACIER _ Be Bear Aware. It’s a common saying in the national parks, and it was repeated again when a grizzly was caught on video running towards a group of hikers in Glacier National Park Sunday afternoon. Dulé Krivdich is the guy who got it on camera. He shared his video on social media, adding: “Be Bear Aware Folks. This was this afternoon hiking back up after visiting Hidden Lake. Just a switchback below where my wife and I just motored through this big fella, I’d say a 500+ pound grizzly, came through a treeline, down a meadow and swiftly on to the trail itself to get to wherever he wanted to go. Now hikers just below on the same trail are totally unaware of what’s heading their way as we from above start yelling that there is a bear barreling down the same trail. As one yells back, “what do we do?” “Just start making a lot of noise!!! Don’t run!” But just then, the griz made a bluff charge and we saw people booking it like we’ve never ever seen before in our lives. But I think that it was a case of the bear not knowing people were coming up as the people had no idea but even once they did did the worse thing, they RAN! Thank goodness that it all went well afterwards. Other than that it was a beautiful day for a hike down to Hidden Lake.” • VIDEO
COLE AND MARMALADE BACK ONLINE AFTER CAT LAWSUIT IS SETTLED _ They’re back, they’re still cute and their owners can again legally post as many photos of their frisky antics as they want. Since early this year, cats Cole and Marmalade had been absent from social media where they’d amassed a million-plus followers, leading to appearances on Ellen and the cover of Modern Cat magazine. A lawsuit between Cole and Marmalade’s owners and their now-former partners in Digital Pet Media, which managed the Cole and Marmalade business, prevented Chris Poole and his wife, Jessica Josephs, from posting photos of their own cats. It ended with a confidential settlement in August. Digital Pet Media’s fillings in the lawsuit said the company was losing $2,500 a day by shutting down Cole and Marmalade’s social accounts to prevent Poole from accessing them during their dispute. Chris and Jessica now own and manage all of their cats’ social media accounts and websites themselves under a new company called The Furtastic. • VIDEO
… During the lawsuit, Poole and Josephs raised $184,016 via Gofundme for the Chris Poole Legal Defense Fund. Josephs said those funds went directly into a retainer for their lawyer, and that nearly all of it had been depleted fighting the original lawsuit and another copyright suit filed in federal court.
MOST AMERICANS SAY QUARANTINE MADE THEM A BETTER PERSON _ Two-thirds of Americans say quarantine has made them a better person. The survey of 2,000 Americans (21+) looked at the positives changes to come from this challenging time — and the ways in which respondents are re-prioritizing what they value. Results revealed 55 percent of respondents were even a bit embarrassed by some of the things they valued or favored pre-quarantine and this time spent inside gave 70 percent a chance to learn more about themselves.
AMAZON’S DRONE DELIVERY FLEET GETS FAA CLEARANCE _ Retail giant Amazon.com took a big leap toward delivering goods from the sky by becoming one of only a handful of companies certified by the U.S. government to operate as a drone airline. Amazon said Monday the Federal Aviation Administration designated Amazon Prime Air an “air carrier,” which allows the company to begin its first commercial deliveries in the U.S. under a trial program. Amazon and its competitors must still clear some regulatory and technical hurdles before small packages can routinely be dropped at people’s homes.
… UPS and Wing — a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., which owns Google — have also received FAA approval.
… To receive FAA certification, the company had to document everything from pilot-training programs to drug testing.
BETTER BE FUNNY _ What are the characteristics and traits we most value in romantic partners? When asked: “In addition to chemistry, which one of the following do you believe is the single most important factor when choosing a relationship partner?” 45 percent of those interviewed answered “sense of humor”; 30 percent of participants said a “similar cultural background” was the most important; 10 percent answered “appearance”; 7.3 percent placed the most value on a partner’s “educational level”; and 6.8 valued “financial state” above everything else.
A YEAR AGO THIS WEEK: PEOPLE WITH TATTOOS MORE RECKLESS AND IMPULSIVE _ People with visible tattoos are more likely to be reckless and impulsive than those without ink. A study by economists (McMaster University) of more than 1,000 people looked at long-term decision making. The study employed a monetary game often used by researchers to assess long-term planning ability. Non-tattooed people made the wiser choices earlier in the game.
WACKY-BUT-TRUE
WACKY-BUT-TRUE: VIDEO SHOWS DOCTOR PULLING SNAKE OUT OF WOMAN’S THROAT _ Crazy video captured the moment doctors pulled out a 4-foot-long snake from a Russian woman’s mouth after the serpent had slithered in while she slept outside. It was unclear if the snake was alive or how long it had been inside her before she was rushed to the hospital after feeling poorly. • VIDEO
WACKY-BUT-TRUE: MOTORIST HANDS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TO DEPUTY, DRIVES OFF _ In Texas, some sheriff‘s deputies responded to a report of a vehicle stopped, possibly stalled, with flashers on. Upon contact, the driver was allegedly seen holding an open alcoholic beverage container. The sheriff’s report said an alcohol odor was coming from the vehicle and the man reportedly spoke with slurred speech. The deputy asked the man to hand over the suspected alcoholic beverage and step out of the vehicle. The man handed over the beverage — and drove off. The 54-year-old man was later charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and driving while intoxicated with an open container.
WACKY-BUT-TRUE: MAN BITES SNAKE TO DEATH _ A man in Nepal who was bitten by a cobra snake bit it back until it died.
WACKY-BUT-TRUE: BATHROOM SPIDER HUNTER SUFFERS BURNS _ In England a man was summoned by his wife to deal with a spider she had seen scurry behind the toilet. Not being able to reach it, the man decided to kill it by spraying it with an aerosol can. But he was unable to see whether the spray killed the spider because the bulb in the bathroom light had blown. So the man turned to a cigarette lighter to illuminate the room, but in the process ignited the aerosol fumes and caused an explosion. The blast was so strong it blew the man off his feet.
ON TELEVISION
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT (8p ET, NBC) — New. 11 more performers compete.
NBA COUNTDOWN (8p ET, ABC) — New.
DEAD PIXELS (8p ET, CW) — New.
NBA BASKETBALL (8:30p ET, ABC) — Utah and Denver play Game 7 of their Western first-round series.
LOVE ISLAND (9p ET, CBS) — New.
TELL ME A STORY (9p ET, CW) — New.
SERIES PREMIERE: TRANSPLANT (10p ET, NBC) — This 13-episode Canadian medical drama follows a Syrian doctor with battle-tested skills in emergency medicine who fled his country with his younger sister. Together they struggle to build a new life in Canada as Bash tries to rebuild his career in medicine.
FBI: MOST WANTED (10p ET, CBS) — Repeat
IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE MOVIE (HBO Max) — This film follows the group as they head to a Paula Abdul concert, and along the way challenge each other to embarrassing tasks.
BOOKMARKS: CELEBRATING BLACK VOICES (Netflix) — Lupita Nyong’o, Tiffany Haddish and ballerina Misty Copeland are among the stars reading children’s books by authors of color in this new educational series.
THE BOSS BABY: GET THAT BABY! (Netflix) — This new interactive special is based on the TV series, which was based on the 2017 animated comedy. A series of missions will test your potential as you climb the ranks of the professional ladder. Choose wisely, as your decisions will help you defeat villains like Bootsy Calico, Happy Sedengry and Fredrick Estes.
ENTERTAINMENT
MICHAEL B. JORDAN HONORS CHADWICK BOSEMAN _ Michael B. Jordan has shared a touching tribute to his Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman, following the actor’s shocking death due to colon cancer on August 28. The two starred together in the blockbuster Black Panther, which made Boseman a household name. Jordan played the villain Erik Killmonger, who faced off against Black Panther.
… Jordan shared on social media: “I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel. I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug… everything. I wish we had more time. … Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old, you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not… I’ve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness. … I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets…”
HARRISON FORD ON CHADWICK BOSEMAN _ Chadwick Boseman‘s death has shocked and saddened the world. Tributes immediately poured in from fellow actors, directors, studios, politicians and musicians. Now, Boseman’s 42 co-star, Harrison Ford, has joined the chorus of praise. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said: “Chadwick Boseman was as compelling, powerful and truthful as the characters he chose to play … His intelligence, personal dignity and deep commitment inspired his colleagues and elevated the stories he told. He is as much a hero as any he played. He is loved and will be deeply missed.”
MCU FANS ARE ASKING MARVEL NOT TO RECAST BLACK PANTHER _ The world is reeling from the truly tragic news that arrived last week — that Marvel star Chadwick Boseman has passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43. One of the many reasons Boseman’s death is so heartbreaking and unexpected is that he was at the peak of his career, with several big projects lined up, including Black Panther 2.
… Almost as soon as the news of his death broke, fans took to Twitter to make it clear that they don’t want the studio to replace the actor, out of respect for his loss and the brilliant performance he gave over his four appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
NETFLIX UN-PAYWALLS BIRD BOX, THE TWO POPES, FIRST EPISODE OF STRANGER THINGS _ A little slice of Netflix is now free to watch. To bring in more subscribers, the streamer is offering three of its original films and the first episodes of seven original series on a new hub, netflix.com/watch-free. The page is accessible worldwide via browser, and doesn’t require a login to view content.
… Those who visit the hub see a menu of all the content available. Each show and film is paired with an official description. Viewers are served with a 30-second skippable ad before free videos begin.
… Free-to-watch films include Sandra Bullock-led thriller Bird Box, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s Murder Mystery, and multi-award-nominated Vatican drama The Two Popes.
… Free TV series (first episode only) include Stranger Things; Spanish-language private school drama Elite; children’s animated series Boss Baby: Back in Business; When They See Us, a true crime series reenacting the Central Park Five case; popular reality series Love Is Blind; nature docuseries Our Planet; and Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda’s long-running sitcom Grace and Frankie.
2020 MTV VMAS DRAW 6.4 MILLION VIEWERS, DOWN A BIT FROM LAST YEAR _ The simulcast of the 2020 MTV VMAs drew 6.4 million total viewers on Sunday, which is down 5 percent from last year’s show.
🎧 FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL _ The unscripted reunion special celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will record on September 10, exactly three decades to the day of Fresh Prince’s premiere on NBC. The special featuring Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro — as well as the recurring DJ Jazzy Jeff — will be released on HBO Max around Thanksgiving.
… HBO Max recently became Fresh Prince’s streaming home. The sitcom ran for six seasons and 148 episodes.
ARIANA GRANDE REACHES INSTAGRAM MILESTONE _ Ariana Grande has become the first woman to reach 200 million followers on Instagram. The new milestone comes after Ariana dethroned Selena Gomez last year as the most-followed woman on Instagram. Back then, she inched out Selena’s 146,267,801 followers by about 20,000. Currently, Selena is the third most-followed woman on Instagram with 190 million followers: Kylie Jenner’s replaced her in second place with 193 million.
THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER WILL RESUME FILMING BY NEXT WEEK _ Fans have spent months waiting for any sort of good news on when movies and TV shows will be able to start shooting again, and that time is finally drawing near. Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are especially antsy considering the multitude of new films in the works for Phase 4, along with the new expansion of at least eight new mini-series on Disney+. Now a source (The Direct) confirms The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is scheduled to resume production in Atlanta in early September. As long as there are no further complications, this means that the show’s filming in the states should be complete before the end of Fall. It’s still unknown if and when the series will pick up the shots that it had left to film in Prague, which was reportedly nine days worth of filming.
… Thus far, the show’s only footage released has been from February’s Super Bowl trailer, which only included a couple seconds along with teases from WandaVision and Loki. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s release is currently unknown.
DANCING WITH THE STARS DROPS CLUES FOR SEASON 29 CAST _ Dancing with the Stars fans reacted to a teaser posted by ABC ahead of the official announcement of the celebrities who will compete on Season 29. But some were more concerned with who will be hosting the show. In a teaser posted to Instagram, viewers were asked to Guess the Star. A series of fifteen emoji was then shown as a hint to some of the mystery celebs’ identities. The emoji included a football, a bridge, a horse, a panting smiley face, a red car, a microphone, a crown, a gymnast, and a megaphone.
… But many DWTS watchers were still angry over the unexpected firing of longtime host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews last month. Bergeron and Andrews will be replaced by a solo Tyra Banks for Season 29. In the comments section to the post, longtime viewers lashed out in response to the guessing game as they demanded the original host of 28 seasons be part of the show. Others flat out said they will not be watching this season.
JOHN OLIVER: NAME SEWAGE PLANT FOR ME, I’LL GIVE TO CHARITY _ Comedian John Oliver upped the stakes in a tongue-in-cheek spat with a Connecticut city, offering to donate $55,000 to charity if officials follow through on a joke to name its sewage treatment plant after him. Mayor Mark Boughton said recently that Danbury was going to rename the facility the John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant, in response to Oliver’s expletive-filled rant against the city on a recent episode of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Boughton explain why: “Because it’s full of cr** just like you, John.”
… Oliver’s Danbury diatribe came on his August 16 show, in which he explored racial disparities in the jury selection process, citing problems three decades ago in Hartford and New Britain in Connecticut. He then seemingly randomly went off on Danbury. On Sunday’s show, Oliver said he was surprised and delighted by the city’s response. But then he went off on another rant after playing a video of Boughton saying it was just a joke. Oliver offered to donate $55,000 to Danbury-area charities, including $25,000 to the Connecticut Food Bank, if the city renamed the plant after him. If not, Oliver said he would make charitable donations to “rival” towns including Waterbury and Torrington.
WONDER WOMAN 1984 WILL BE SECOND LONGEST DCEU MOVIE _ Barring any more setbacks, we’re just over four weeks away from Wonder Woman 1984, and in any other year the superhero sequel would be a serious contender to tackle the billion dollar mark at the box office. COVID-19 may stop Wonder Woman 1984 from breaking any box office records, but it is shaping up to be one of DC’s longest. Recent theatrical listings have revealed that the superhero sequel runs for 150 minutes, which would make it the second longest installment in the entire franchise behind only Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which runs for just two minutes longer.
DC REVEALS PLANS FOR BATMAN DAY 2020 _ This year’s Batman Day will be taking place on September 19. In previous years, we’ve had the Bat-Signal lighting up various cities, as well as multiple tie-ins and other special promotions. For 2020, DC has opted for an all-virtual celebration, but has plenty of things planned for those wanting to take part — including tie-ins with the Waze map app and a virtual 5k/10k run. BatmanDay.com has more info.
NETFLIX USERS FREAKING OUT OVER TRAILER FOR HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR _ Horror series The Haunting of Hill House was a huge success for Netflix when it released back in October 2018, earning lots of love from fans and critics. The story being told in Hill House may have reached its end, but Netflix was eager to capitalize on its success and it was soon announced that it would continue on as an anthology series, bringing back many of the same actors in entirely new roles for The Haunting of Bly Manor. On Monday we got our first look at it thanks to a trailer from Netflix. • VIDEO
… For an up-to-date list of theatrical release and streaming films click here.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER WILL BE DOING TV _ Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed on to star in global spy adventure for TV that revolves around a father and daughter. The potential series is expected to be shopped to streaming services. It would mark a return to TV for Schwarzenegger, who replaced Donald Trump as host of The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC in 2017.
MISS USA PAGEANT IS MOVING TO CABLE CHANNEL FYI _ Did you know there’s a cable channel called FYI? Yep. And it just landed the Miss USA Pageant. The 2020 pageant will take place at Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee on November 9.
MARIAH CAREY TO STAR IN A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR APPLE TV+ _ Mariah Carey is partnering with Apple TV+ on Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special, an “innovative special” that will “combine music, dancing and animation driven by a universally heartwarming story that brings the world together.” The special will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of Carey’s iconic modern holiday anthem All I Want for Christmas Is You. Apple TV+ is promising “a star-studded lineup of surprise guest appearances.
JIMMY KIMMEL WILL RETURN TO STUDIO DAY AFTER HOSTING PRIMETIME EMMYS _ Jimmy Kimmel will end his three-month summer break on September 21, with Jimmy Kimmel Live! returning to his show’s home at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March. Next week will be Kimmel’s final week of guest hosts with Josh Gad, Brad Paisley, John Legend and Samuel L. Jackson filling in before the show goes on hiatus the week of September 14.
THE NYTIMES DROPS TV LISTINGS _ After 81 years, this past weekend was the series finale for the daily television listings in the print editions of The New York Times. Gilbert Cruz, The Times’s Culture editor, said the time had come because of the increasing number of digital on-demand options: “We are firmly in the streaming age and the TV grid no longer reflects the way people consume television. It used to be you’d flip through the TV guide and say, ‘Oh my God, this movie is on basic cable this week!’ But now that buzzy show is on Netflix whenever you want to watch it.”
KATY PERRY HAS FOUND LASTING HAPPINESS _ Katy Perry seems to have found true and lasting happiness with her fiancé Orlando Bloom, with whom she recently welcomed her first child, Daisy Dove. But asked to recall her 2010 marriage to comedian Russell Brand for a recent interview, the singer described it as very tempestuous time, to say the least. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia that aired on Sunday night, Katy was asked about her 14-month marriage to Brand, which famously ended when he told her via text that he wanted a divorce.
… Katy says, “I was having great success at 23 and 24 and 25. And then I met someone that was interesting and stimulating, and it was just like a tornado. It was just like all of it, everything happening at once.” Katy says she stuck with it because she’s “always resonated with friction and resistance and challenges.” And while her current relationship with her baby daddy Orlando isn’t always “peachy keen jelly bean,” as she puts it, it’s not a lost cause: “It is a healthy, frictional, very open, very communicative, nothing-is-swept-under-the-mat type of relationship. I think if we can get to the end of our lives together, we’ll be each other’s greatest teachers.”
BITS & BREAKS
WHERE DO YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH
So this is interesting: 4 percent of people brush their teeth in the shower. I (you) knew a girl in college who had her morning coffee, which made her have to use the toilet — where she brushed her teeth. She says she did it to save time.
… Where do you brush?
UPGRADES THAT ARE A WASTE OF MONEY
Upgrading your wardrobe, car, or wine collection might sound like a rewarding thing to do. After all, you work hard all day, and you deserve to come home to some luxury during your off-hours. But crunching the numbers shows that these splurges aren’t worth their additional cost. Here’s why:
FANCIER WINE — Imagine this scenario: You’re given two identical bottles of wine, but are told that one cost $5 and the other cost $45. If you were asked to perform a taste test, do you think you’d prefer the pricier bottle? When researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the California Institute of Technology performed this test, they found that people said the more expensive wine tasted better — even though it was exactly the same as the cheaper bottle.
STORE MEMBERSHIPS — It’s tempting to purchase a membership account at stores such as Sam’s Club or Costco. You can peruse long aisles stacked full of tempting items. But for many shoppers, the membership never pays off. Here’s why: According to research from Harvard Business School, shoppers are likely to buy more than they would otherwise when shopping at stores that charge a membership fee because they believe they are saving money. Not only might shoppers end up with more macaroni than they could ever eat, but in some cases products may be no cheaper than at a local discount store, where you can shop for free.
A REWARDS CREDIT CARD — The average non-reward credit card carries an interest rate of just over 15 percent. The average rate on a reward card is 17.5 percent — a difference of almost 2.5 percent. While consumers who pay off their balance each month aren’t affected by the interest rates, anyone who carries even a small balance is paying more for their rewards card.
A STYLISH NEW WARDROBE — Want to spend money so it makes you happy? Then stay away from a luxury-lined closet. Research from the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison found that spending money on leisure activities can boost happiness, while spending on material goods such as clothes does not. That’s because leisure spending often boosts relationships with friends and family members and that, in turn, makes us happy. That means the savvy consumer should skip retail therapy, and plan a vacation instead.
WEIRDEST THINGS PEOPLE HAVE CAUGHT THEIR ROOMMATES DOING
BuzzFeed asked its readers to share the weird things they caught their roommates doing.
• My roommate showers in the dark while sitting on a milk crate.
• I had roommates in college who would never bring their keys or lock the door. Then, they would get mad when I locked the door before going to bed. I stopped opening the door at 3 a.m. when they came home so they had to sit in the hall.
• My roommate could not finish a jar of salsa to save her life. In our fridge at any time, we had seven half-opened jars of salsa, and when I asked why she didn’t finish them, she said she didn’t want to get her hands dirty by reaching in the jar.
• I love my best friend, but when we lived together, she used to leave used floss around the living room everywhere. Move a pillow? Floss. Move a paper? Floss. But, her dental hygiene was great so like, could’ve been worse.
• When I moved in with my friend, I thought it would be a snap, but he forgot to mention that he gets night terrors and is very vocal about it. I came rushing into his bedroom with a bat ready to strike, thinking someone broke in — little did I know it was a dream.
• One of my roommates labeled each individual orange cutie with “B,” her first initial.
• I moved in with my best friend a couple years ago and quickly learned that she refuses to use spoons. Not for her pudding, not for her cereal, and not even for her soup.
STRANGE EYE INJURIES
High heels and staple guns aren’t the only things that keep eye-patch manufacturers in business. Here are a few of the stranger items that have squashed some people’s orbs:
• Culprit: Vacuum cleaners. Yearly eye injuries: 776
• Culprit: Toilets. Yearly eye injuries: 327
• Culprit: Washing machines. Yearly eye injuries: 152
• Culprit: Doormats. Yearly eye injuries: 91
• Culprit: Drinking fountains. Yearly eye injuries: 76
• Culprit: Fondue pots. Yearly eye injuries: 68
• Culprit: Pacifiers. Yearly eye injuries: 57
• Culprit: Vending machines. Yearly eye injuries: 25
• Culprit: Aquariums. Yearly eye injuries: 25
• Culprit: Grocery carts. Yearly eye injuries: 6
THE FIVE FIGHTS SPOUSES SHOULD BE HAVING
Marriage is not easy. It basically involves two people with two different sets of emotions and ideas about the way things should be attempting to have one family. Add in some kids, joint bank accounts, cars, a mortgage and a sex life and there are lot of places to disagree. It is OK (good, in fact), to do it. Here are the five fights you should be having:
1. The your turn, now my turn fight: You each bring your grievances on one issue to the table. He gets a turn to speak, she gets a turn to speak. There are no interruptions. Pass the baton, if you must. But each person in the relationship must feel like they have had equal time to present their point of view.
2. The “I feel sad when you…” fight: Any marriage counselor will say that approaching a fight with accusatory language will only make it worse. Do not say how the person makes you feel or what they are doing wrong. Instead focus on how you feel and how the behavior feels to you.
3. The “Let’s ONLY talk about the dishes” fight: Many couples have a bad habit of getting into a fight about the dishes and letting that escalate into a fight about the way your mother-in-law acts every time you go to visit her and how she never serves your family on the good china. Don’t let it. Keep the fight confined and resolved the individual issue. Talk about the mother-in-law later.
4. The “I love you more than anything, but this need to be on the table” fight: Do not make your spouse feel less loved because you are fighting. Curse, yell, stomp and scream if you must, but do not threaten “divorce” or say things like “I hate you.”
5. The “let’s each take a little break” fight: If, after an hour, fighting is only escalating, take a break. Come back to it later.
Start it on Facebook, take it to the phones: What are your fighting rules? How do you and your significant keep it fair and civil?
FUN & GAMES
TRIVIA: This cleans, warms, and humidifies over 500 cubic feet of air every day. (The nose.)
TRIVIA: What do Tampa, Florida; Inglewood, California; Glendale, Arizona; and New Orleans have in common? (They are hosting the next four Super Bowls)
TRIVIA: What is it the typical millionaire does on average for six minutes every day? (Spend time on personal finances, according to a study of 5,000 millionaires)
SPY THE LIE
• The first team sport added to the Olympic Games was Water Polo.
• You’ll buy around 100 toothbrushes in your life.
• The number on pizza topping in France is thinly-sliced potatoes. (LIE)
HOLE IN THE HEADLINE
Guess the word that’s missing from this real news headline: “Couple Will Pay ______ Person To Help Them Move”
A unique job ad has been posted online in the UK, seeking a mover who’s willing to do the job in the nude. The help-wanted ad was posted by a nudist couple who say they are willing to pay $2,500 to someone who will help them move — provided this person is also naked.
DATEBOOK: SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
BIRTHDAYS
• Terry Bradshaw is 72
• Mark Harmon is 69
• Keanu Reeves is 56
• Salma Hayek is 54
• Cynthia Watros (Lost, Titus) is 52
• Comedian Katt Williams is 47
• Joshua Henry (Hamilton) is 36
IT HAPPENED TODAY
• 1666: The Great Fire of London broke out. When it was finally extinguished three days later, nearly 400 acres in the city had been destroyed, including around 13,000 houses and the old St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• 1944: Navy pilot George H.W. Bush was shot down by Japanese forces as he completed a bombing run over the Bonin Islands. The future president was rescued by a U.S. submarine.
• 1948: Teacher Christa McAuliffe was born. She was selected from among more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project. She was one of seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
• 1963: The CBS Evening News was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes.
• 1992: The United States and Russia agreed to build a space station.
• 2005: Thieves in Austria nearly derailed a passenger train after pushing a 35 pound stolen safe on to the tracks in the hope a speeding locomotive would smash it open. The force of the collision did indeed opened the safe, but nearly all the money was thrown out and the perpetrators had to flee.
SPECIAL EVENTS
• V-J Day
• World Coconut Day
• Grits for Breakfast Day
• A few sources claim today is International Bacon Day, but it always falls on the Saturday before Labor Day.