FRIDAY, Apr 18 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR FRIDAY, April 18, 2025
(Print button is at bottom of post. To print with larger type, cut and paste content into a document, and print that document.)

COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: THE FRIDAY CLUSTERFLICKS

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.)

INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO DAY
* Hey! That’s what we do here!

INTERNATIONAL JUGGLERS DAY

NATIONAL ANIMAL CRACKERS DAY

NATIONAL EXERCISE DAY
The Days of the Year website says this:
“National Exercise Day got its start in 2020 when it was founded by Dr. Jeuse Bernard Saint-Fleur who wanted to raise awareness about the fact that exercise can actually save lives. This day is meant to encourage everyone around the nation, and even around the world, to participate in physical activity and exercise.”

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS DAY

WORLD MARBLES DAY
The Days of the Year website says this:
“World Marbles Day began in 1588 with a marbles tournament in Tinsley Green, England. Two suitors competed in marbles to win the hand of a milk maiden, starting a tradition that continues today. The British Marbles Board of Control now organizes the annual event known as the British and World Marbles Championship. Participants from around the globe, including the U.S., Australia, and Japan, join the competition.”

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

THE BUZZIT’S NOT AS ROMANTIC AS IT SEEMS

Reddit asked, “What’s not as romantic as people think it is?” Some of the responses:
– “Randomly kissing someone in the middle of a fight.”
– “Sharing earbuds. Movies make it look cute, but in real life it’s uncomfortable, awkward, and someone’s always getting yanked when they move.”
– “Valentine’s Day.”
– “Couples massage.”
– “Romeo and Juliet. They had a total of like 45 minutes of face time at the most, and a high body count.”
– “Standing in the rain. Looks cute in movies but in real life you’re wet, cold, and lowkey annoyed.”
– “Cooking together. I hate anyone being in the kitchen with me while I’m cooking, especially my partner.”
– “Surprise car gifts. Who wants to be surprised with a car with a huge monthly payment?”
– “Someone spoon-feeding you a bite of food. I’m not a baby.”
– “Singing to someone. It’s mostly awkward.”
– “Being proposed to at Disney in front of the castle.”
– “Talking face to face in the morning.”
– “Moonlight walk along a deserted beach. SAND CRABS ARE EVERYWHERE!!”
– “Paris. It smells and it’s full of angry people.”
– “Rose petals stain bedding.”
* PHONE TOPIC: Have you got anything to add to the list? Have you ever experienced any of these things? Was it romantic?

RED IS THE MOST-RETURNED COLOR

When shopping online, a lot of items – especially clothes – get returned. Why? Yotpo, an e-commerce marketing platform (* They’re just making up these names now, right?), has analyzed 51 million customer reviews of returned products and found that among those reviews mentioning the color red, 70% were negative. The main issue with red products was a discrepancy in the shade of red that the customer thought they were getting – the item, when received, not matching the color on the website.
* And those fire trucks are tough to return, let me tell you.
* So basically it’s your fault for not having a better phone or monitor.
* Uh, people realize the color is gonna look different indoors, vs in sunlight, vs at night … right?
* It makes you see red. Or some version of red, who knows?

U.S. NEWS

NEW ORLEANS WEREWOLF ROBS STORE

Police in New Orleans are looking for a burglary suspect with a werewolf mask. The full face of 19-year-old Keddrick Jones Jr. was captured on security footage jumping over a fence at the rear of a local store, then pulling on a full-head werewolf mask, breaking down the back door, and robbing the place. While inside, he used a crowbar to break into the cash registers, and also took merchandise, which he loaded into black plastic bags before fleeing. The crime happened the night of April 15, three days after this month’s full moon.
* Must be why he needed the mask.
* Did you say he fleed, or that he had fleas?
* Did the crime lab dust for paw prints?
* Folks, if you’re going to wear a mask during a burglary, put it on in a place where there are no cameras. And good luck finding one.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA, SAYS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR SPRING BREAK

Panama City, Florida, is now encouraging spring breakers to go somewhere else. They’re tired of dealing with the mayhem. Panama City Police Chief J.R. Talamantez said on the department’s Facebook page Sunday: “Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town. That time is over. Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges. I’m not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.” In past years, the city has had to deal with excessive fights, drunkenness, shooting incidents, vandalism, robbery and more during what is supposed to be a fun week on the beach. Chief Talamantez says police will have “serious discussions” with city leaders about the future of the Spring Break season.”
* Notice they made the announcement after this year’s spring break brought the money.
* What I’m hearing is, come visit, just don’t call it spring break.
* They need some of those aliens that attack noisy people in the “Quiet Place” movies.
* All it takes is one or two or six hundred bad apples to ruin it for everybody.
* Who needs you, Panama City? The sun’s better in Ft. Lauderdale anyway, so nyahh!
* Chief Talamantez’s next job is to keep 10-year-old boys out of theaters showing The Minecraft Movie.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

FANCY RESTAURANT SERVES ELEPHANT DUNG DESSERT

A high-end restaurant in Shanghai called Canopia is grabbing attention for their 15-course “authentic” rainforest dining experience. The meal ends with a dessert made out of elephant poop. A popular food blogger known as “Mixue’s Culinary Notes” shared her experience at the restaurant. It serves dishes made out of tree leaves that you are required to dip in some sauce, honey-coated ice cubes and the dessert that is now the talk of town – “Flowers Inserted into Elephant Dung.” For just $550, here is what you get:
– First, customers are told to pick a leaf from a plant and eat it. It needs to be dipped in a sauce and consumed raw. All the while, a server stands next to you, explaining the philosophy of “ecological fusion cuisine.” (* And hopefully holding a wastebasket for emergencies.)
– Another course consists of ice cubes coated with pollen and honey. You suck it off of the ice cubes.
– Then comes the “black goo.” It is designed to mimic the parasitic Rafflesia flower, which has a foul, pungent scent. The server explains that the dish is meant to evoke the scent of decaying flesh.
– And for dessert: elephant dung. The chef starts with a base of what they claim is real crispy, crumbly, sterilized elephant dung. An herbal perfume has been added to it, along with fruit jam, pollen, and honey sorbet. Diners are not told what they are eating until they are finished.
* I’d hold the news until after they’ve paid and left a tip.
* Fortunately, the poop dessert is “the talk of the town,” so a lot of people know to stay away.
* I hear the elephant dung dessert got a rave review in Housefly Monthly.
* Why don’t they just call it the pu-pu platter and be done with it?
* Are all the Shanghai restaurant inspectors on vacation this month?

SCIENTISTS MAYBE FIND SIGNS OF LIFE ON INCREDIBLY DISTANT PLANET

Astronomers have found possible chemical signs of life on a distant planet outside our solar system. Like, 730 trillion miles away. The research, led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, detected evidence of compounds in the exoplanet’s atmosphere that on Earth are only produced by living organisms. They say this is a strong potential signal of life. The planet, known as K2-18b (* Catchy!), is 124 light-years away. By analyzing data from the Webb Space Telescope, researchers found evidence of the gasses dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in the atmosphere. On Earth, those two compounds are produced primarily by microbial life, such as marine phytoplankton.
* Yay, algae farts!
* Everybody start brushing up on your planktonish so we can communicate when they arrive.
* It must be great to be a scientist contributing valuable advancements to humanity. Then there’s these guys.
* Get back to us when you find a form of life we can play foosball with.

ALMANACNOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

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

Chloe Bennet (actress, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) … 33
America Ferrera (actress, “Barbie,” “Superstore,” “Ugly Betty”) … 41
Kourtney Kardashian … 46
Melissa Joan Hart (actress, “Melissa & Joey,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch) … 49
David Tennant (actor, “Around the World in 80 Days,” “Broadchurch,” “Jessica Jones,” the 10th “Doctor Who”) … 54
Conan O’Brien (late-night host) … 62
Eric McCormack (actor, “Will and Grace”) … 62
Eric Roberts (actor) … 69
Rick Moranis (actor) … 72
James Woods (actor) … 78
Hayley Mills (actress) … 79

Today’s Birthdays grade: Barbie! Ghostbusters! Dr. Who! Conan! And … a Kardashian. A Kardashian. Okay, we’re gonna have to abstain from giving today’s birthdays a grade. You do it. And good luck.

[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!

“My typical day starts usually with me getting nervous and crying. Then I get over that and I come into work.”

(A) Pope Francis
(B) Vladimir Putin
(C) Conan O’Brien

ANSWER: (C) Conan O’Brien

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2013 – Two earth-like planets were discovered orbiting the star Kepler-62.
* They’re like us? That’s a shame.

1991 – The Census Bureau said it failed to count up to 63 million people in 1990.
* That was my fault. I started shouting out random numbers while they were trying to count.

1981 – A CD player was demonstrated for the first time in Europe.
* Don’t buy it! In 30 years, you’re gonna wanna go back to vinyl!

1968 – London Bridge was sold to an American and reassembled in the Arizona Desert.
* The bridge wanted to retire to a climate with a dry heat.

1935 – The first charge plate (the metal predecessor to the plastic credit card) was issued.
* Just a few more months and the balance will be paid off.

1934 – The first laundromat began operating as entrepreneur J.F. Cantrell began renting his four old washing machines by the hour.
* Of course, the real money was waiting to be made by the people who packaged a cup of detergent in a little box but charged the same as a big box.

1924 – The first crossword puzzle book was published.
* Finally, there was an opportunity to use the word “oscitancy.”

1910 – Walter R. Brookins made the first airplane flight at night.
* Well, actually, we’re taking his word for it, since it was dark at the time.

1906 – An earthquake destroyed most of San Francisco.
* For a few minutes, the entire population thought they were extras in a slapstick comedy film.

1861 – Col. Robert E. Lee turned down an offer to command the Union armies.
* Talk about your career blunders.

1775 – Paul Revere and William Dawes made their famous ride, warning that the British were coming.
* “Uh, dude, they’ve been here since 1607!”

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. About 28 million Americans say they’ve never done THIS. What is it?
Eaten a hot dog

2. About 62% of homeowners say they have never done THIS. What is it?
Watered their lawn

3. According to a recent study, 20% of us have never done THIS. What is it?
Gone to a concert

(c) 2025
MORNING SIDEKICK RADIO SHOW PREP & COMEDY
8062 West Massey Circle
Littleton, CO 80128
USA
morningsidekick(at)gmail(dot)(com)
Tel: 303-727-9111