MONDAY, Apr 14 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR MONDAY, April 14, 2025
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TODAY IS …
(All days repeat annually on today’s date unless otherwise noted; days may or may not be called “National”/”International”/”World” depending on source; sources listed often have additional info. We generally do not list special days which were created by commercial companies for the purpose of marketing – including “holidays” created by the National Day Calendar and Wellcat websites to drive traffic to their websites – or the hundreds of disease awareness listings which occur each year. We present only those specially designated days we feel your listeners would find most interesting or significant.)

AIR FORCE RESERVE BIRTHDAY
Marks the service’s establishment in 1948, honoring the contributions of reservists who provide vital support to the U.S. military’s operations and readiness.

INTERNATIONAL MOMENT OF LAUGHTER DAY
The Days of the Year website says this:
“Created in 1997 by humor consultant and psychologist Izzy Gesell who was convinced that laughing out loud is as necessary as breathing, Gesell promoted the idea of the day for its health benefits as it reduces stress, raises self-confidence and enhances relationships.”

NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY

NATIONAL GARDENING DAY

NATIONAL PECAN DAY

NATIONAL REACH AS HIGH AS YOU CAN DAY
From various sources:
Dedicated to encouraging people to set high goals and ambitions for themselves and strive to achieve them to the best of their ability. It is a reminder to not limit oneself and to always strive towards personal growth. Some sources credit motivational speaker Les Brown as the founder in 2008.

April is:

Adopt a Greyhound Month
Car Care Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
D.E.A.R Drop Everything and Read Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Poetry Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

WHAT TO WATCH – New and Returning Shows and Movies
Premiering Monday through Wednesday
Listings sourced from the TV Guide, EW and other websites

MONDAY, Apr 14

Season Premieres:
A&E – “Florida Heat”
HGTV – “Rock the Block”

TUESDAY, Apr 15

“The Carters: Hurts to Love You”
Paramount+ – New Two-Part Docuseries
Synopsis: Angel Carter Conrad, the sister of the late Aaron Carter and Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, pulls back the curtain back on their famous family, with an inside look at the impact of Nick and Aaron’s success on their family.

“The Glass Dome”
Netflix – Limited Series from Sweden
Synopsis: A criminologist and her former police chief partner investigate the vanishing of a local girl in the small Swedish town where she was once held captive.

Season Premieres:
Bravo – “The Valley”
HGTV – “100 Day Dream Home”

WEDNESDAY, Apr 16

“Government Cheese”
Apple TV+ – New Series
Synopsis: Billed as a “surrealist comedy,” the series, set in 1969, follows the Chambers family, an African American family living in the San Fernando Valley, and the chaos that arises after burglar-turned-inventor Hampton Chambers returns from prison.

“Project UFO”
Netflix – Limited Series from Poland
Synopsis: After an alleged UFO landing, a TV star and an enthusiast investigate the extraterrestrial beings’ origins, debating their theories as a politician exploits the paranormal activity.

“Sherlock & Daughter”
The CW – New Series from the UK
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes becomes embroiled in a malevolent conspiracy involving his archenemy Professor Moriarty, and ends up joining forces with Amelia Rojas, a young Native-American woman whose mother was recently murdered. As they work together to crack the case, Amelia also sets out to prove that the great detective is her long-lost father.

“The Diamond Heist”
Netflix – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Stranger-than-fiction crime caper that follows the attempted robbery of a precious gem, told by the gangsters who did it and the police on their tail. In 2000, a group of London criminals planned an audacious heist: ram-raid the Millennium Dome, steal a huge diamond, and escape by boat on the Thames, but the police were surveilling them.

THE BUZZ

RIDICULOUS BREAKUPS

Reddit asked, “What’s the most ridiculous reason someone ended a relationship with you?” Some of the responses:
– “Somebody broke up with me for being ‘stupidly optimistic.'”
– “She got a speeding ticket on her way home from my place, and she interpreted that as a sign from God that she shouldn’t be seeing me anymore.”
– “Broke up with my boyfriend in the ninth grade because he looked bad in his school photos.”
– “They liked to climb rocks. I don’t like to climb rocks. Irreconcilable differences.”
– “My ex broke up with me due to my height. Dated for two years, finally said she couldn’t get past it. We were the same height.”
– “He said, ‘I am so deeply in love with you that I don’t think I can ever move on if you left me. So let’s end it.'”
– “Because his mom found him someone prettier to date. They got married a year later on my birthday. ”
– “Because he thought he had Covid and it changed his brain chemistry which is why he yelled at me ‘we are over’ in the middle of the airport at 3am. Spoiler: He was a doctor.”
– “Because I didn’t like Insane Clown Posse. She said, ‘If you don’t understand my music, you don’t understand me.'”
– “He ended things because I eat string cheese the wrong way.”
– “I was dating a trans girl that ended in a massive fight because, unbeknownst to me, my name was her dead name. Up until that point, I had never cared to know her dead name and she never shared it, so all of this came out of left field for me. She then demanded I get my name legally changed. Goodbye.”
* PHONE TOPIC: Have you had a ridiculous breakup?

THE MOST EXPENSIVE STUFF IN THE WORLD

BBC Science Focus has done a little study on the cost of the most expensive things on Earth. Here are the seven materials with the steepest price tags:
1. Antimatter: $59.8 trillion per gram (* And there’s never any around when you need it.)
2. Nitrogen atom-based endohedral fullerenes: $134 million per gram
3. Californium-25 (used in nuclear reactors): $25.6 million per gram
4. Samples from the Bennu asteroid: $9.6 million per gram
5. Red diamonds: $4.7 million per gram
6. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires: $483,000 per gram
7. Helium-3: $96,000 per gram
* Number 8: Eggs, ammirite?

U.S. NEWS

PASSENGER GRABS MALE FLIGHT ATTENDANT’S GENITALS

A 64-year-old licensed nurse is facing federal charges after she allegedly grabbed a flight attendant’s genitals while traveling from Las Vegas to North Dakota. Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was arrested Tuesday on one count of interference with flight crew members. The altercation occurred January 16 aboard an Allegiant Air flight. Details of what led up to the altercation have not been revealed, but Sherry-Berg told the Minnesota Star Tribune that she was traveling home from an uncle’s memorial service in Arizona when she had a medical emergency and, quote, “Don’t know what happened. I was hospitalized for two days. I’m horrified that this is happening.” A fellow traveler captured cell phone video of Sherry-Berg twice grabbing the flight attendant’s crotch.
* Well, that’s a violation of the penal code for sure.
* First rule of flying: only the captain touches the joystick.
* Since when is “She’s gotta have it” a medical emergency?
* “I was trying to grab his attention but I aimed too low.”
* I thought they banned nuts on airplanes because of the allergies?

WOMAN IN POLICE CHASE CALLS AAA TO FIX HER FLAT TIRE

In Sigurd, Utah, a woman was arrested last Wednesday after leading police on a high-speed chase on I-70. Reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour, the police managed to stop her vehicle with a spike strip. But then, the woman sat in her car, refused to come out, and then called AAA to come out and fix her flat tire. The roadside assistance company transferred the call to the police, who in turn transferred the call to a trooper at the scene. He was able to finally talk the woman, 45-year-old Annamae Martinez, into exiting the vehicle, and she was placed under arrest.
* Flat busted!
* It’s too bad. That would have been a great testimonial for the company.
* I bet she used her one phone call to cancel her AAA service.
* Why didn’t she just call an Uber?

ATTEMPTED ASSAULT WITH A UKULELE

Well, all hell has broken loose in the town of Crystal Lake, Illinois. A man has been arrested for aggravated assault after he allegedly advanced toward a police officer while wielding a ukulele. According to the police report, Mr. Ledreck Kekona, 41, was holding the instrument of death – or at least annoyance – by the neck in a “raised and cocked” position. The officer believed he was going to be struck by the musical instrument and took Mr. Kekona to the ground. He was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer, and resisting arrest.
* Everybody’s a music critic.
* “Look out, that thing’s loaded with nylon strings!”
* If only Mr. Kekona had taken up piano. You can’t swing a piano at a cop.
* The real crime is when he started singing “Tiptoe Through The Tulips.”

WOMAN MAKES, CANCELS OVER 400 HOTEL RESERVATIONS

A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested for making hundreds of reservations at a hotel, by computer, and then canceling them. Police say that in January, Taryn Dixon, 52, booked 44 different reservations for more than 400 rooms at the Comfort Suites in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She claimed the rooms were bought as Christmas gifts, however, the intended recipients were not aware of the reservations. Some of the reservations were made under the names of local officials and politicians. By canceling the fraudulent reservations, Dixon cost the hotel thousands of dollars in rooms that could have been booked. She is currently locked up in Cumberland County Prison.
* Where she doesn’t even get turndown service.
* When they put her in her cell she asked if she could have a room with a view.
* So it’s a crime now to change your mind? What’s this country coming to?
* Yes, I’m sure hundreds of people were just lining up to stay at the Comfort Inn in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 30 minutes out of that toddlin’ town, Harrisburg.
* Here is somebody practically begging to work in the call center business, and they lock her up.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

CROWS ARE GOOD AT GEOMETRY

A couple of scientists in Germany have discovered that crows have the ability to understand basic geometry. Andreas Nieder, a cognitive neurobiologist at the University of GottaLottaTimeOnOurHands (* actually it’s the University of Tübingen), tested the abilities of two crows that live in their lab. First, they showed the birds a group of six shapes, of which one was different, such as five moons and one flower. If they could pick the one that was different, they got a mealworms. Then they started showing them sets of geometric shapes. For example, five perfect squares along with one four-sided figure that was just slightly off. No matter the shape or size, the crows could pick out the one that was different. They said this shows that crows clearly had a sense of right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry.
* Yes, but you give them a piece of graph paper and they just crap on it.
* “A sense of right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry.” Unlike the guys who put in my new windows.
* I suppose, in a practical sense, you could put a crow on an assembly line at General Mills and have them pick out the deformed Cheerios.
* Maybe this is why I sucked at geometry – our teacher didn’t feed us mealworms.
* This study is, literally, for the birds.

TRENDING

PROBLEMS AT COACHELLA

Things were not well at the Coachella music festival in Indio, California over the weekend. Temperatures were at near-record highs – 102 degrees on Friday and 98 degrees on Saturday. People who had paid $600 a ticket were stuck in a 12-hour line for security checks, with no bathroom facilities available. Many complained about the event being severly understaffed. There were complaints about the costs for basic items like slices of pizza ($11) and meals like chicken tenders ($20). Additionally, attendees have raised concerns about the cost of lodging, with many spending more than $1,000 per weekend. Some have branded the event as the “worst in history,” one person called it “a miserable money trap,” and many were demanding refunds before the first sets had even been played.

BRIAN MAY POPS UP AT COACHELLA

Despite the problems with the event management, Coachella managed to pull off at least one big surprise: Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May surprised Coachella Friday night just over seven months after a stroke left him temporarily unable to move his left arm. May, 77, popped up onto the Main Stage in Coachella Valley during Benson Boone’s cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and performed his iconic guitar solo. He showed no signs of mobility issues as he flawlessly strummed away on the guitar, smiling throughout the performance.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (April 11-13)

1. A Minecraft Movie – $80.6 million
2. The King of Kings – $19 million
3. The Amateur – $15 million
4. Warfare – $8.3 million
5. Drop – $7.5 million

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

TOMORROW – U.S. Tax Day
May 11, Sunday – Mother’s Day
May 26, Monday – Memorial Day
June 14, Saturday – Flag Day
June 15, Sunday – Father’s Day
June 20, Friday – Summer begins (The June solstice occurs at 10:42 P.M. EDT)

BIRTHDAYS

Sarah Michelle Gellar (actress, “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Wolf Pack,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) … 48
Rob McElhenney (actor/show creator/writer, “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) … 48
Adrien Brody (actor, “The Brutalist”) … 50
Anthony Michael Hall (actor, “Reacher,” “Bosch: Legacy,” “The Goldbergs,” “The Dead Zone”) … 57
Brad Garrett (actor, “The Crazy Ones,” “Everybody Loves Raymond”) … 65
Peter Capaldi (actor, The Thinker in “The Suicide Squad,” The 12th “Dr. Who,” “The Musketeers”) … 67
Julie Christie (actress) … 85

Today’s Birthdays grade: Friday we had a drought, today we have a flood – all actors and actresses. Plenty of popular TV show alumni – “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Dr. Who” … something for everybody! Grade: B-plus.

[Want to try something different with the daily birthdays? Try grading them! Some days have “good” celebs, some have “great” celebs, some have “lousy” celebs. For fun, give the group an arbitrary grade: A-plus through F-minus. Sidekick will give you our take on it; you can to take the concept and run with it.]

BIRTHDAY QUOTE QUIZ – Ask your listeners “Who said it?” HINT: Today’s their birthday!

“I don’t smoke, don’t drink much, and go to the gym five times a week. I live a healthy lifestyle and feel great. I can run a marathon, you know.”

(A) Clint Eastwood
(B) Pope Francis
(C) Sarah Michelle Gellar

ANSWER: (C) Sarah Michelle Gellar

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2012 – J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter novels, launched her website “Pottermore.”
* More like “Pay Me More.”

2002 – Tiger Woods became only the third golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles.
* Hey, I’d be pretty good, too, if it wasn’t for the damn wind.

1924 – A world record for snowfall in a 24-hour period was set in Silver Lake, Colorado – 6-feet 4-inches.
* They should be dug out any day now.

1912 – Shortly before midnight, the supposedly unsinkable “RMS Titanic” struck an iceberg. It would sink the next day.
* Should’ve gone with the tropical cruise route.

1865 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was shot while at Ford’s Theater watching a play. He died shortly after.
* What was the deal? Ford’s Theater was too stingy to spring for security guards?

1860 – The first Pony Express mail arrived in San Francisco after 11 days and 30 riders.
* Too bad the sacks were filled with mail for Chicago.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2013 – Justin Bieber caused outrage after writing a message in a guestbook at the Anne Frank Museum, which stated he hoped the Holocaust victim would have been a fan. The 19-year-old wrote: “Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a belieber.” It provoked fierce online criticism of the Canadian singer, who was in Amsterdam as part of a tour.

2003 – A man was arrested and accused of making up a Bjork concert then selling tickets. Alex Conate allegedly sold tickets worth $14,000 at $40 each after persuading a San Diego nightclub owner that Bjork had agreed to play there. He was accused of taking the money and moving to Hawaii, where he was arrested.

2002 – Ashanti started a three-week run at No.1 on the U.S. album chart with her self-titled album.

1994 – Kurt Cobain was cremated at the Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle. The death certificate listed Cobain’s occupation as Poet/Musician and his type of business as Punk Rock.

1983 – The Pretenders’ bass player Pete Farndon died from a drug overdose.

1979 – The Doobie Brothers went to No.1 on the U.S. singles chart with “What A Fool Believes,” the group’s second U.S. No.1.

1976 – Eric Faulkner of The Bay City Rollers reportedly came close to death after a drug overdose at their manager’s house while in a state of exhaustion.

1976 – Motown Records and Stevie Wonder announced the largest contract renewal to date, worth $13 million.

1975 – After separate rumors that Jimmy Page, Steve Marriott, Jeff Beck and Chris Spedding would replace Mick Taylor as guitarist in The Rolling Stones, a press release confirmed that Ron Wood would be joining the band for their forthcoming American tour.

X-TREME TRIVIA CHALLENGE

Every installment of X-Treme Trivia Challenge includes three mystery factoids. Create your own “Impossible Question” contest – great for listener giveaways and phone interaction starters! Also a perfect sponsorship opportunity!

1. In a survey, 1/3 of all office workers said that THIS is the only thing they like about going to work. What it is?
Office gossip

2. Research shows that you will be perceived as being more important than you really are, if you do THIS at work. What it is?
Walk fast

3. 30% of people surveyed said they have arrived at work with THIS. What is it?
A hangover

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