MONDAY, July 28 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR MONDAY, July 28, 2025

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.)

BUFFALO SOLDIERS DAY
The National Day Calendar website says this:
“Buffalo Soldiers Day commemorates the formation in 1866 of the first regular Army regiments comprising African-American soldiers. The segregated regiments were disbanded during the 1940’s and 1950’s as the U.S. armed forces embraced integration.”

NATIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE DAY
Established to promote chocolate by the National Confectioners Association.

NATIONAL SOCCER DAY

July is:

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
Air Conditioning Appreciation Month
Baked Bean Month
Cell Phone Courtesy Month
Family Reunion Month
International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month
National Blueberries Month
National Grilling Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month
Melon Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

WHAT TO WATCH – New and Returning Shows and Movies
Premiering Monday through Wednesday
Listings compiled from multiple sources

MONDAY, July 28

“Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time
Disney+/Hulu – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Details the chaos that engulfed New Orleans as one of the deadliest catastrophes in U.S. history unfolded — capturing the fear, heroism and resilience of those who fought to survive the storm and its aftermath.

“The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball”
Hulu – Animated Series
Synopsis: Described as both a new series and essentially the seventh season of “The Amazing World of Gumball” with a new name.

TUESDAY, July 29

“Dusty Slay: Wet Heat”
Netflix – Stand-Up Comedy Special
Synopsis: The laid-back Southern comedian returns with more of his signature working-class comedy, sharing personal stories about everything from milking cows to elevator etiquette.

“WWE: Unreal”
Netflix – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Delves into the behind-the-scenes workings of WWE, including the creative process, negotiations with wrestlers, and the spectacle of live events.

WEDNESDAY, July 30

“Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes”
Netflix – New True Crime Series
Synopsis: Examines serial killer David Berkowitz’s mark on 1970s New York, mixing present-day interviews with previously unheard recordings.

“Mr. & Mrs. Murder”
Hulu – New Docuseries
Synopsis: When a Tallahassee man vanishes on a duck hunt, suspicions arise when his widow marries his best friend, prompting a determined friend to expose dark secrets from that day on Lake Seminole.

“Unspeakable Sins”
Netflix – New Series from Mexico
Synopsis: A woman in a controlling marriage finds solace — and revenge— in an affair with a younger man, until it spirals into a dangerous fight for survival.

JAMIE LEE CURTIS TO STAR IN REBOOTED “MURDER SHE WROTE”

Jamie Lee Curtis has confirmed that she will star in a “Murder, She Wrote” reboot. Curtis told Entertainment Tonight, “We’re a minute away, but yeah, I’m very excited. Very excited. I have a couple of other things to hustle, but then I’ll get to enjoy that work.” The Oscar-winning actress will play the iconic mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher, who was originally played by Angela Lansbury. The original “Murder, She Wrote” ran on CBS for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996.
* So when your parents say “There’s nothing on TV for us,” you can say, “Now there is!”
* Will the reboot be on streaming so Jessica Fletcher can drop a few f-bombs each episode?
* “Murder She Wrote” reboot, “Matlock” reboot, “Poker Face” is basically “Columbo”… all we need is Stanley Tucci as “Kojak.”
* Some detective. Jamie Lee spent 45 years finding Michael Myers in Halloween. She’s now going to find a new murderer every week? I don’t think so.

AUDIO: COLDPLAY KISS CAM CHEATER’S COMPANY HIRES GWYNETH PALTROW

In case you’re still following the Coldplay KissCam cheater story, last Friday the tech firm at the center of the controversy, Astronomer, went and hired Chris Martin’s ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow to do a funny commercial for them. In a 60-second clip posted on Astronomer’s X account, Paltrow – who was married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin for more than 10 years – acts as a spokesperson for the company, saying she wants to answer “the most” common questions the company has recently been asked. While the “question” is about the CEO’s affair, Gwyneth ignores it and talks about the company’s product and upcoming tech conference. Paltrow signs off the clip by thanking viewers for their “interest in Astronomer,” saying the company will now be returning “to what it does best.”
* Failing hard at turning lemons into lemonade?
* They have a first-rate PR team, that’s for sure.
* If your company’s name is Astronomer, it makes sense to hire a star.
* And isn’t is great of Chris Martin to keep his ex-wife employed?
CLIP: A bit of Astronomer’s message, with Gwyneth Paltrow.
CLIP URL: morningsidekick(dot)com/prep/wp-content/uploads/GwynethPaltrow-Astronomer(dot)mp3

THE BUZZ

IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE NAME OF SOMETHING

Reddit asked, “You get to rename one common object to something way more accurate. What is it?” some of the responses:
– “Jumpoline instead of trampoline.”
– “Jet ski – Boatercycle”
– “Charge card to pay card.”
– “Hemorrhoids to asteroids.”
– “Knives should really be called chopsticks.”
– “The wrappers from fast food, used kleenexes, old receipts, etc. that you toss onto the floor of your car? Carbage.”
– “Apartment = Togetherments”
– “Soccer ball should be a football, and a football should be a hand egg.”
– “Boxing mittens”
– “Calculator to calcusooner.”
– “Unihorns.”
– “Reddi-Wip should be called ffffft, because that’s what it sounds like coming out of the can.”
* PHONE TOPIC: Would you change the name of something?

U.S. NEWS

POLICE CHASE ENDS IN CAR WASH

A police chase in Denver, Colorado ended abruptly when the suspects tried to escape by taking a detour through a car wash. Officers spotted a white Chevy Silverado truck that matched the description of a vehicle used in a recent burglary. They attempted a traffic stop, the truck took off, and there was a brief chase. The suspects drove through a car wash. The booth was already occupied, and the suspects rammed the car out of the way. This gave police time to surround the truck, box it in, and bring the chase to an end.
* Obviously, it was not a clean getaway.
* Were they trying to take a bite out of grime?
* They would have made it, too, but they hung around to have it detailed.
* “Quick – hide in that car wash. They’ll never think of looking for our car there.”
* Before they left, police ticketed the guy who was rammed for having a defective taillight.

LET’S ALL WORRY ABOUT AN ASTEROID HITTING THE MOON

Scientists have known about an asteroid named 2024 YR4 for awhile. It’s the size of a building (* What, a Tough Shed? An Office Depot? The Louvre?) and initially appeared to be on a potential collision course with Earth. Currently, YR4 is on the other side of the Sun, and scientists don’t think it will hit Earth. But they aren’t ruling out it hitting the Moon in 2032. The latest odds of that happening are 3.1%. In astronomy, that’s considered risky. If it did hit the Moon, they say the Earth wouldn’t face any significant physical danger, although there is a chance that any astronauts or infrastructure on the lunar surface at that time could be at risk. Also, satellites orbiting our planet could be hit by debris.
* Meteorites would blaze through the sky, tidal waves might form, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria…
* The Moon’s got about 5 million craters from asteroids hitting it, and the Moon’s fine and we’re fine. Were these scientists feeling lonely and wanted a little attention?
* What if the asteroid hit the Moon in such a way that it took a big chunk, and the Moon started looking like a giant cookie with a bite taken out of it.
* There absolutely no reason to worry about an asteroid hitting the Moon or Earth in 2032. We’re all gonna be long gone by then. Let the cockroaches worry about it.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BATTERY-FLAVORED TORTILLA CHIPS

A European food company has come out with what they say are battery-flavored tortilla chips. The limited-edition flavor comes from Rewind, a new brand launching in the Netherlands. They say the flavor will spark a “weird universal memory” of one of the rites of passage, licking a 12-volt battery. The chef who developed the flavor said they used a blend of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate to create a tongue-tingling effect, and balanced it out with mineral salts “which give the chips a metallic tang.” One taste tester said there is a sharp, acidic flavor at first, but it’s milder than expected. Plus, he said, there’s an odd tanginess that isn’t too far away from battery metal.
* For the full effect, scoop the chip into a jar of library paste, and after it’s in your mouth bite down on tinfoil.
* Future flavors include sunburn skin peelings and convenience store hot dog.
* Or, worse yet, Walmart store brand instant coffee.
* Just curious – what do they plan to do with all the bags of chips after nobody buys any?

TRENDING

BEYONCE REUNITES DESTINY’S CHILD AT FINAL SHOW

Destiny’s Child staged a surprise reunion during Beyoncé’s final concert on her “Cowboy Carter Tour” in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Beyoncé, 43, shocked the audience when her former bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams joined her onstage at Allegiant Stadium, marking the trio’s first performance together since 2018, at Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella show. T. The ’90s girl group sang their iconic throwback hits “Lose My Breath” and “Bootylicious,” as well as Beyoncé’s song “Energy.”

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (July 25-27)

1. Fantastic Four – $118 million
2. Superman – $24.8 million
3. Jurassic World: Rebirth – $13 million
4. F1 – $6.2 million
5. Smurfs – $5.4 million

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

Sept. 1, Monday – Labor Day
Sept. 11, Thursday – Patriot Day
Sept. 22, Monday – Fall begins (Autumn Equinox is 2:19 p.m. EDT)

BIRTHDAYS

Jon Michael Hill (actor, “Elementary”) … 40
Elizabeth Berkley (actress, “CSI: Miami,” “Saved by the Bell”) … 53
Sally Struthers (actress, “All In The Family”) … 78
Jim Davis (cartoonist, Garfield comic strip creator) … 80

Today’s Birthdays grade: Boomers will recognize an original cast-member of “All in the Family,” plus we have the creator of one of maybe a half dozen comic strips that became a merchandising monster, and two okay TV actors. Not very exciting. Grade: C-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!

“The one thing I think I do well – I have a sense of what’s funny, what’s entertaining.”

(A) Will Ferrell
(B) Adam Sandler
(C) Jim Davis (“Garfield” cartoonist)

ANSWER: (C) Jim Davis

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2006 – Actor-director Mel Gibson launched an anti-Semitic tirade as he was arrested in Malibu, Calif., for driving drunk; Gibson later apologized and was sentenced to probation and alcohol treatment.
* Sounds like he’d already been treated with more than enough alcohol.

2002 – Nine coal miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Somerset, Pa., were rescued after 77 hours underground.
* Never go down in a mine that has the word “creek” in its name.

1998 – Monica Lewinsky was given blanket immunity from prosecution in exchange for grand jury testimony in the investigation of her relationship with President Clinton.
* What could they have prosecuted her for? Bad taste in men?

1933 – The first singing telegram was delivered.
* It didn’t cause quite the sensation the Strip-O-Gram would later, but hey, you’ve gotta walk before you can run.

1914 – “Doublemint” gum was first manufactured.
* They were going to make it “Singlemint,” but then they could only charge half as much.

1866 – The first large-scale American oil well was drilled, in Titusville, Pennsylvania.
* 1500 miles from Texas, but eventually they’d zero in on the oil better.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2014 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their 13th and final studio album, “Hypnotic Eye,” which became their first US No.1 album.

2014 – Linda Ronstadt was honored with a National Medal of Arts at the White House in Washington, D.C.

2011 – Meatloaf (real name Marvin Lee Aday) passed out onstage at Pittsburgh’s Trib Amphitheater during an apparent asthma attack. After about ten minutes he regained his composure and finished the show.

2008 – Amy Winehouse was rushed to a hospital after she started to have fits at her home in North London. A spokesman said it appeared the singer had suffered a reaction to medication she was taking to help her off hard drugs.

2006 – Prince’s second wife Manuela Testolini Nelson filed for divorce. His first marriage, to dancer Mayte Garcia, took place in 1996 but only lasted two years.

2004 – Justin Timberlake obtained a restraining order against a photographer who allegedly stalked him. A judge in Santa Monica, California, granted the order against photographer Artemus Earl Lister.

1991 – Almost 100 arrests were made after an estimated 2,000 youths rioted after an MC Hammer concert in Penticon, Canada.

1987 – 19-year-old Australian actress Kylie Minogue released her debut single – “The Loco-Motion.” The song’s global success led Minogue to sign a recording deal and became the most successful Australian female artist of all time.

1973 – The Watkins Glen outdoor summer jam was held outside of Watkins Glen, New York with The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead and The Band. Over 600,000 rock fans attended. Many historians claimed the event was the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States. 150,000 tickets were sold for $10 each, but for all the other people it was a free concert. The crowd was so huge that a large part of the audience was not able to see the stage.

1969 – Police in Moscow reported that thousands of public phone booths had been vandalized after thieves were stealing parts of the phones to convert their acoustic guitars to electric. A feature in a Russian youth magazine had shown details on how to do it.

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. The average one of THESE has wheels and travels 8 miles per year. What is it?
An office chair

2. The average office employee does THIS twice a day. What is it?
Eats something

3. 56% of people surveyed would rather get yelled at by their boss than experience THIS. What is it?
Miss their morning coffee

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