FRIDAY, Mar 7 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR FRIDAY, March 7, 2025
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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.)

ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL DAY
He received a patent for the telephone on this day in 1876.

NATIONAL CEREAL DAY

NATIONAL CROWN ROAST OF PORK DAY

NATIONAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
The National Today website says this:
“Launched in 1995 by Workman Publishing, National Employee Appreciation Day reminds managers that strong employer-employee relations are at the core of any truly successful business. Having a great relationship with your employees is an important aspect of being a manager, and appreciating their efforts can go a long way towards making workers feel valued. Take some time on National Employee Appreciation Day to connect with your employees, offer authentic praise, and listen to their experiences.”

NATIONAL FLAPJACK DAY

March is:

Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
American Red Cross Month
Employee Spirit Month
Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
Gender Equality Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
National Craft Month
National Women Inventors Month
National Women’s History Month
Read an E-Book Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

COP WHO BUSTED JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE ON DUI IS “OFFICER OF THE YEAR”

It has just come out that the Long Island cop who arrested Justin Timberlake for driving drunk in the Hamptons was named the department’s Officer of the Year. Sag Harbor Village Police Officer Michael Arkinson, 24, was honored for making an “immediate impact” during his first year on the job. Police Chief Rob Drake said of Arkinson, “He has a positive attitude and shows tremendous initiative, always wanting to participate and learn to improve his knowledge and skills to become a more well-rounded police officer.” Arkinson led the department in summonses and arrests — including pulling over Timberlake in the ritzy Long Island town last year. According to one source at the time, Arkinson “was so young that he didn’t even know” who Timberlake was during the early morning traffic stop. As part of his plea deal last September, Timberlake was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, make a public statement and pay a $500 fine.
* Did they give the cop the $500 as a bonus? Half of it? Did they at least buy him a pizza?
* Hopefully Timberlake didn’t pull the “Do you know who I am?” move. Ouch!
* Not only did he bust Justin Timberlake, but he wrote 45 tickets to tourists for not having a beach pass and pulled three cats out of trees.
* By the way, there are only two cops in Sag Harbor, the chief and this guy. So he kinda gets it by default.
* You remember how he knew Justin Timberlake was drinking? For the sobriety test, he said, “Spell Timberlake.”

SESAME STREET DOWNSIZING

Sesame Street is currently in its 55th season, but massive changes are ahead for the iconic children’s show. Max, which currently airs the series, announced a few months ago it would not distribute episodes after 2025, and Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns the streaming service, and hates children a lot, said that it would not renew its decade-long deal to fund new episodes. While production on the 56th season was reportedly set to begin next month, the show has not announced a new distributor, and on Wednesday, Sesame Workshop announced it will “downsize significantly.”
* And forget about Disney, who owns the Muppets. They’ve been penny-pinchers from way back.
* When they heard they were being let go, employees flipped them the big bird.
* How hard is it to write for Sesame Street? I mean, come on: “E.” “K.” “7.” There’s next Tuesday’s show right there.
* You’re a muppeteer. What other jobs are you qualified for? Top shelf grocery stocker? Ceiling drywaller? Professional stickup victim?
* The guy in the back of the Snuffleupagus costume is being let go. That’s gonna look weird.
* Ernie’s going to rent his head out as a Nerf Football.
* Cookie Monster’s taking a job at a car wash. As a sponge.

KEITH RICHARDS GIVEN AN AWARD FOR LIVING IN CONNECTICUT

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was honored Wednesday with a new award that recognizes Connecticut residents for their creativity, passion and generosity. Richards, 81, who is British, has kept a home in Connecticut since 1985. He became the first recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. Gov. Ned Lamont praised Richards for his music career and philanthropy to local organizations. (* Well SOMEBODY just got himself a pair of front row tickets.) Attending the ceremony at the Westport Library, Keef said, “You kind of get lost for words with something like this around your neck. All I gotta say is, you know, I’ve been here for 40 years, and it’s been a great place for me.”
* Screw the award for living in Connecticut. He should get an award just for living.
* Keith Richards has done a lot for Connecticut. He’s gotten so many drugs off the street. So many. So many drugs no longer on the street.
* As the governor placed the medal around his neck, he whispered, “But can you keep the music down a little after 9pm?”
* Meryl Streep also bought a home in Connecticut in 1985, but, hey – she’s only 75, so … (* Her house is in Salisbury, CT)

U.S. NEWSWOMAN STRIPS ON PLANE

Houston Police received a call about a disturbance out at the airport Monday afternoon. A woman on a Southwest Airline flight to Phoenix had stripped off her clothes after the plane pulled away from the gate. Witnesses said she continued parading on board for nearly half an hour before authorities stepped in and detained her. The plane returned to the gate, and the woman was transported for medical evaluation.
* Gaahhh! Mom! Again???!!!
* Was it a wide-body? The plane, I mean. I think.
* I haven’t flown in awhile, but it seems the airlines are really upping their entertainment game for the passengers.
* Could everyone see the landing strip?
* Back at the police station, the strip search went pretty fast.

GROWN MEN FIGHT OVER POKEMON CARDS

Two grown men – both appear to be in their late 20’s – got into a physical confrontation over Pokemon cards. A vending machine at a store in the San Francisco Bay area selling packs of the cards had just been restocked at 10 a.m., and one man walked up to be the first to buy a pack. A second man, who had been waiting in his car, rushed in claiming that he was first in line and pushed the first man aside. The two got into an aggressive pushing and shouting match in front of the card machine. Cops were called, and as they were apprehending the man who came from his car, he fell down pretending to be hurt. The other man ended up declining to press charges. Somebody else in the store shot video of the fight, which has since gone viral on social media.
* It was so intense, three kids in line were Scared Straight off of collecting Pokemon. Or maybe ’embarrassed straight’ is a better description.
* I saw something like this the other day when people at the supermarket were waiting for the egg truck.
* Maybe they wanted to get the cards before the tariffs on Johto, Sinnoh and Alola kick in. (that’s a joke for the Pokemon collectors out there. You’re welcome, nerds.)
* We laugh, but for all those government workers who were just fired, selling rare Pokemon cards might be their only source of income for while.
* They could have handled this like adults but … it wasn’t in the cards.

YOUR ANNOYING NEIGHBORS

A poster on Reddit relates a story that they were selling their house, they received an offer, they accepted it, the deal was sealed, and the buyers even sent a letter calling the home their “dream house.” Then, suddenly, the buyers pulled out. The reason: the buyers had come to the house to do an inspection. Simultaneously, the neighbor’s 6-year-old had a meltdown. The boy threw a tantrum because his grandmother told him he couldn’t go to Disney the next day. The boy allegedly said, “I’m gonna scream so loud the neighbors hear me,” ran outside and yelled his head off. This spooked the buyers, who had dealt with bad neighbors in the past. They pulled their offer because they didn’t want to risk another annoying neighbor situation.
* So now we know why the house is for sale.
* If they want to sell that house, they’re going to have to offer to send the kid to summer camp.
* Disney is sending a nice thank you gift to grandma for not bringing the brat to the park.
* Maybe the neighbors sent their kid out to scream on purpose because they didn’t like the looks of the new buyers.
* PHONE TOPIC: Do you have an annoying neighbor? What do they do? Are YOU the annoying neighbor?

AUDIO: THE SIGN SPINNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

This Saturday, Fremont Street in Las Vegas will serve as the battleground for the World Sign Spinning Championship. Seventy-five to a hundred competitors from around the world will showcase their best sign spinning tricks for a chance at $5,000 and the title of World Sign Spinning Champion. Officials call it the Super Bowl of sign spinning. Competitors from across the country have been battling it out in regional tournaments for their chance to compete in Saturday’s sign showdown.
* How did they not call this The Big Sign-Off?
* They waited until this weekend because they didn’t want to conflict with the Oscars.
* Uh, not to rain on their parade – or championship – but do they realize that the more you spin a sign, THE HARDER IT IS TO READ???
* Don’t tell them this, but the way to really get the job done is with a big fan-driven waving tube man. Sorry, it’s just true.
* What happens in Vegas… would really be nice if it just stayed in Vegas.
* And good luck on that $5,000 making it back to the Las Vegas airport.
CLIP: “Sign Spinners” parody spot.
CLIP URL: morningsidekick(dot)com/prep/wp-content/uploads/07-20-SignSpinner-Summer-Job(dot)mp3

TRENDINGSTEVE CARRELL PAYS FOR KIDS’ PROMS

Hundreds of students impacted by the Los Angeles area wildfires in January can go to prom this spring thanks to actor Steve Carell. Carell said in a video message shared to students at six Los Angeles area high schools that he was teaming up with the nonprofit Alice’s Kids to share the generous gift. “Attention! Attention all seniors! This is Steve Carell with a very special announcement. I work with a wonderful charity based out of Virginia called Alice’s Kids, and Alice’s Kids wanted me to let you know that they will be paying for all of your prom tickets. Have fun! Enjoy the prom! And remember, this is Steve Carell.” (* We can assume Steve is providing much of the money, right?)

THE VIDEO GAME HALL OF FAME NOMINEES

This year’s 12 finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame have been announced. The Hall of Fame is now open for a week of public voting. The winners will be enshrined May 8. The 2025 finalists are: Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Defender, Frogger, Golden Eye, Golden Tee, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, Quake, NBA 2K and Tamagotchi.

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

March 9, Sunday – Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 17, Monday – St. Patrick’s Day
March 20, Thursday – Spring begins, Spring Equinox is 5:01 a.m. EDT
April 1, Tuesday – April Fools Day
April 15, Tuesday – U.S. Tax Day
May 11, Sunday – Mother’s Day
May 26, Monday – Memorial Day

BIRTHDAYS

Laura Prepon (actress, “Orange Is The New Black,” “That 70s Show”) … 45
Jenna Fischer (actress, “Splitting Up Together,” “The Office”) … 51
Tobias Menzies (actor, “The Crown,” “Outlander”) … 51
Rachel Weisz (actress, “Dead Ringers,” “The Favourite,” Mrs. Daniel Craig) … 54
Wanda Sykes (comedienne, actress) … 61
Bill Brochtrup (actor, “Major Crimes”) … 62
Bryan Cranston (actor, “Your Honor,” “Breaking Bad,” “Malcolm in the Middle”) … 69

Today’s Birthdays grade: When you’ve got Bryan Cranston on your birthday list, does it even matter who else is celebrating? Grade: A-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’m pretty handy! I do a lot of things around the house, and I actually enjoy it.”

(A) Jeff Bezos
(B) Elon Musk
(C) Bryan Cranston

ANSWER: (C) Bryan Cranston

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2011 – Charlie Sheen was fired from the sitcom “Two and a Half Men” by Warner Bros. Television following repeated misbehavior and weeks of the actor’s angry, often manic media campaign against his studio bosses.
* Make that “One and a Half Men Plus One Lunatic.”

1926 – The first successful trans-Atlantic radio-telephone conversation took place, between New York City and London.
* “Coffee’s better!” “No, tea is!” “No, coffee!” “No, tea!”

1876 – Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone.
* He wanted to call his friends and tell them, but he was the only person on the planet with a telephone.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2017 – British coroner Darren Salter confirmed that George Michael died as a result of heart and liver disease. Michael was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver. The singer died at age 53 on Christmas Day 2016 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

2012 – Sales of albums by The Monkees soared following the death of singer Davy Jones. “Best Of The Monkees” re-entered the Billboard album chart at No.20 with sales of over 17,000 units.

1987 – The Beastie Boys became the first rap act to have a No.1 album in the U.S. with their debut album, “Licensed To Ill.”

1976 – Elton John was immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds in London, the first rock star to be so since The Beatles.

1969 – Led Zeppelin appeared at the Bluesville 69 Club at the Hornsey Wood Tavern, Finsbury Park, London, England. The venue was a function room at the back of the pub, and was so small that the stage was only just big enough for John Bonham’s drums, and the rest of the group had to stand on the floor at the same level as the crowd.

1962 – The Beatles recorded their first radio appearance, at the Playhouse Theatre, Hulme, Manchester, for the BBC radio program “Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go.” After a rehearsal, the Beatles put on suits for the first time and, along with the other artists appearing on the program, recorded the show in front of a teenage audience.

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. On average, people do THIS about 20,000 times throughout their lives. What is it?
Swear at another motorist while driving

2. About 6,000 car accidents every year are caused by people doing THIS. What is it?
Getting sick in their car

3. When it comes to cars, women are better than men at THIS. What is it?
Using turn signals

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