MONDAY, May 6 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR MONDAY, May 6, 2024
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COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: SONG: CICADAS

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, or the hundreds of disease awareness listings which occur each year.)

NATIONAL CREPES SUZETTE DAY

NATIONAL NURSES DAY
The Time And Date Website says this:
“National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6 to raise awareness of the important role nurses play in society. It marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, which ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.”

NATIONAL TOURIST APPRECIATION DAY
The Days of the Year website says this:
“All over the world, tourism and travel provide local economies with a boost, whether on a smaller or larger scale. This day is all about bringing attention to and showing appreciation for the tourists whose penchant for experiencing new places brings custom to local businesses and helps to stimulate the economy.”

May is:

Chip Your Pet Month / Pet Month
Date Your Mate Month
International Civility Awareness Month
National Barbeque Month
National Bike Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Military Appreciation Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
Older Americans Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

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

TUESDAY, May 7

“Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story”
Hulu – New Documentary
Synopsis: A Scottish man befriends a troubled river otter.

WEDNESDAY, May 8

“Hollywood Con Queen”
Apple TV+ – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Explores the shocking story behind one of Hollywood’s biggest scams, in which a mysterious figure dubbed the ‘Con Queen’ impersonates the industry’s most powerful women, luring unsuspecting victims to Indonesia with the promise of a life-changing career opportunity.

“The Final: Attack on Wembley”
Netflix – New Documentary, Netflix
Synopsis: Centers on the crowd disorder at Wembley Stadium before the UEFA Euro 2020 final between Italy and England.

HALLE BERRY FIGHTS FOR MENOPAUSE

Halle Berry was at the U.S. Capitol last week joining a group of bipartisan senators to push for legislation that would put $275 million toward research and education around menopause, which is the significant hormone shift women go through in middle age. The legislation calls for the federal government to spend more on clinical trials on menopause as well as the hormone therapy that is used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms. Berry, 57, spoke to a crowd saying “The shame has to be taken out of menopause. We have to talk about this very normal part of our life that happens. Our doctors can’t even say the word to us, let alone walk us through the journey.”
* What doctor can’t say the word “menopause”? Honey, find a new doctor.
* So the money is to help male doctors to deal with menopause? Figures.
* In my experience, the word doctors have trouble saying is “punctual.”
* What millennium is this? Didn’t “All in the Family” have this covered back in the 1970’s?
* Congress first voted to approve the menopause money, then voted no, then voted yes, and finally threw up its hands and said, “Oh, just do what you want.”

PAULY SHORE WILL PLAY RICHARD SIMMONS IN MOVIE, AND THAT’S THAT

Plans for Pauly Shore to star as iconic ’80s fitness guru Richard Simmons in a biopic were announced back in January. That news was met with condemnation from Simmons himself, who proclaimed that he didn’t approve of the project and certainly didn’t want Pauly Shore to play him. Shore has now said at the “Netflix Is A Joke” live show audience that the movie’s being made “whether he likes it or not.” Shore said, “I’m gonna be starring in the Richard Simmons biopic…whether he likes it or not, Richard.”
* Is that a threat against Richard Simmons? Threaten to the Oldie?
* Well THIS is a battle for the ages. Ages 2-4, I think.
* The real tragedy? Half of America is too young to know who Pauly Shore or Richard Simmons is, but now they will.
* Richard Simmons has been working out for 40 years. He can beat you up, Pauly.
* When it comes to matching the actor to the role, Pauly Shore will definitely look as bad as Richard in short-shorts and a tank top.

THE BUZZ

BUSTING CHILDHOOD MYTHS

Reddit asked; “What childhood myth were you crushed to find out was false?” Some of the responses:
– “Brown cows do not make chocolate milk.”
– “Finding a star on your Tootsie Pop wrapper didn’t earn you a free Tootsie Pop.”
– “My family has roots in Russia and my mom convinced me when I was 10 that I had an arranged marriage ‘from the old country.’ I thought she was serious. When I was a teenager, I thought ‘oh yeah I got a Russian bride waiting for me.’ I was kinda crushed when I found out it was all a joke.”
– “That when it’s raining and the sun is shining at the same time, foxes get married.”
– “When I was small I thought that you could sit on clouds. Turns out it’s just water vapor. I was so disappointed.”
– “I thought jackalopes were real.” (rabbits with antlers)
– “One of my teachers in elementary school was very tall. I asked her how she got so tall, and she said she ate all her vegetables. I obsessively ate them, and grew up to be 4’10.”
* PHONE TOPIC: Beyond Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy and The Easter Bunny, what childhood myth did you have busted when you grew up?

U.S. NEWS

CAT-FACED FLOWERS A SCAM

One of the unwritten laws of life is, if you want to make money these days, put a cat on it. There’s a new scam of flower seeds that, sellers claim, will grow flowers that look like little cat faces. In truth, the pictures of the flowers were generated by Artificial Intelligence. But the seeds, with names like “Cats Eye Dazzle,” are being sold online on eBay and Etsy, as well as other sites, priced anywhere between $15 and up per pack. A site called eCrater (google Cat Face Flower) is selling them for $45 a pack. Don’t fall for it.
* Yeah, I remember a similar scam when I bought pussy willows.
* If they were real cat flowers, they would plant themselves in front of whatever you’re doing, and they would have thorns that scratch the heck out of you when you try to touch them.
* Maybe cut out pictures of cat faces and glue them onto the flowers you have?
* It’s AI now, but you can bet some genetic scientist is trying to combine cat and flower genes right now.

POTENTIAL PICKLE SHORTAGE

Extreme weather in Mexico may cause a pickle shortage in the US. The US Department of Agriculture says that the combination of reliance on cucumber imports and extreme weather could impact America’s pickle supplies. In some of Mexico’s cucumber growing regions, it has been too hot, which reduces yields. In other key production regions in Mexico, it has been too cold, which does not promote pickling cucumber growth. The US imports over a million tons of fresh cucumbers each year, with around 75% coming from Mexico, but current imports may be off by at least 7%.
* The American Pickle Manufacturers have started a campaign to grow American cucumbers. Their slogan is, “Dill, baby, dill!’
* Maybe it’s time to make a withdrawal from America’s Strategic Pickle Reserve.
* This pickleball craze isn’t helping, with all those pickles batted around by old people.
* We could import our pickling cucumbers from another country, but apparently that isn’t kosher.
* So people who like pickles are in a pickle. Weird.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEW FOOD TREND: JAPANESE RICE BALLS MADE FROM SWEATY GIRLS’ ARMPITS

According to an article in the South China Morning Post, the popular Japanese snack “onigiri” is now even more popular if it is being prepared by young women using their armpits to shape the balls. Reportedly, all the ingredients and the body parts are disinfected before starting the process of making the rice balls. Then the girls are made to exercise to produce sweat and then use their armpits, instead of palms, to give shape to the rice balls. The armpit rice balls are now being sold at a higher price in some restaurants – “as much as 10 times that of regular rice balls.” Some restaurants allow customers to watch the process of making the rice balls. (* Extra fee, I bet!) Meanwhile, one diner who tried the dish said that they tasted no different.
* But they smell like Teen Spirit.
* Hey – a pitty party!
* “Mmmm… starchy, with just a hint of Mitchum.”
* The Japanese say if you find a hair, that’s good luck.
* Raise your hand if you’re Sure you want to try these.
* So the new food trend is Feng Shweat?
* Wait’ll you hear how they make the donuts.

TRENDING

RANDY TRAVIS RELEASES NEW SONG

Country great Randy Travis is celebrating the release of his first song in nearly 10 years. Now 64, Travis released “Where That Came From,” his first recording since his near-fatal 2013 stroke, on Friday. The stroke left him with aphasia and largely unable to speak or sing. Travis wrote on Instagram: “Eleven years ago I never thought I would be able to have a hand in music production of any kind, but by God’s grace and the support of family, friends, fellow artists, and fans, I’m able to create the music I so dearly love.” The singer did not share specific details about his process, although Rolling Stone is speculating that “Where That Came From” was made with the help of AI technology.

“HOLLYWOOD SQUARES” COMING BACK

CBS is reviving the old game show “The Hollywood Squares,” the show for between-projects celebrities and out-of-work comedy writers. So far, the one name they have cast is Drew Barrymore, who will occupy the coveted center square. The show is scheduled to return to the airwaves in January. Nobody besides Barrymore has been announced yet, including any potential host.

DREW CARE WILL HOST “THE PRICE IS RIGHT” UNTIL HE’S DEAD

Drew Carey discussed his future on “The Price Is Right” during an interview with Entertainment Tonight last week. He said, “I’m not going anywhere.” Carey has been hosting the beloved game show since 2007 when he took over from Bob Barker. “I think Bob made a mistake by retiring,” Carey added. “I’m not gonna make that same mistake. As long as my heart is ticking and they want me to be on the show, I think I’m gonna do ‘The Price Is Right.’ I just love it,” he said. “I think I was made for it.”

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (April 3-5)

1. The Fall Guy – $28.5 million
2. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (re-release) – $8.1 million
3. Challengers – $7.6
4. Tarot – $6.5 million
5. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire $4.5 million

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

May 12, Sunday – Mother’s Day
May 27, Monday – Memorial Day
June 14, Friday – Flag Day
June 16, Sunday – Father’s Day
June 20, Thursday – Summer begins (The June solstice occurs at 4:50 P.M. EST)

BIRTHDAYS

Adrianne Palicki (actress, “The Orville”, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) … 41
Geneva Carr (actress, “Bull”) … 58
George Clooney (actor) … 63
Tom Bergeron (former TV host, “Dancing With The Stars”) … 69
Bob Seger (singer, “Running Against the Wind,” “Like a Rock”) … 79

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

“Run for office? No. I’ve slept with too many women, I’ve done too many drugs, and I’ve been to too many parties.”

(A) Lester Holt
(B) Bill Gates
(C) George Clooney

ANSWER: George Clooney

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

COVID-19 in History:
2020 – The U.K. became the first European country to report over 30,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
2020 – According to the International Council of Nurses, at least 90,000 healthcare workers worldwide had been infected by COVID-19, and more than 260 nurses had died.

2013 – Wal-Mart became the largest company by revenue on the Fortune 500 list.
* “You Pay Less. We Live Better.”

2004 – The final first-run episode of “Friends” aired on NBC.
* And our great national tabloid obsession with Jennifer Aniston began.

2002 – “Spider-Man” became the first movie to make more than $100 million in its first weekend.
* Hard to believe that was once considered a lot of money.

2001 – John Paul II, during a visit to Syria, became the first pope to enter a mosque as he called for brotherhood between Christians and Muslims.
* Well, THAT idea worked out great.

1997 – Hemophiliacs who contracted AIDS between 1978 and 1985 from tainted blood products accepted a $600 million settlement from four health-care companies.
* Big deal. Health-care companies are so rich, it would take a lot more than that to bleed them dry.

1994 – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and French President Francois Mitterrand formally opened the Channel Tunnel between their countries.
* It’s pretty cool, except if you live nearby you’ve got that horrible draft.

1994 – Former Arkansas state worker Paula Jones filed suit against President Clinton, alleging he’d sexually harassed her in 1991.
* She objected to being thought of as a sex object – then posed in Playboy and Penthouse.

1954 – Medical student Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile during a track meet in Oxford, England, finishing in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.
* He was heading for the bathroom after bean-and-egg breakfast burrito.

1889 – The Paris Exposition formally opened, featuring the just-completed Eiffel Tower.
* Y’know, I love the Eiffel Tower, but could somebody please tell me … what does it DO?

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2013 – Lauryn Hill was sentenced in the state of New Jersey to three months in jail for tax evasion. The 37-year-old Grammy-winning singer had failed to pay taxes on about $1.8m of earnings between 2005-2007.

2005 – In Augusta, GA, a life size bronze statue of James Brown was unveiled to commemorate Brown’s musical accomplishments.

2005 – Audioslave became the first American rock group to perform a free outdoor concert in Cuba.

2005 – Starbucks banned the sale of Bruce Springsteen’s latest album “Devils and Dust” over concerns about its adult content.

2004 – A sale of Beatles memorabilia at Christie’s in London became the most successful pop auction in the company’s history. Among the items was a leather collar worn by John Lennon, a signed copy of a management deal with The Beatles and manager Brian Epstein, a Vox Kensington guitar used by Lennon and Harrison, a colored felt-pen drawing by Lennon, a letter with his signature, and a pen-and-ink drawing called Happy Fish.

1991 – Madonna’s “Truth Or Dare” premiered in Los Angeles.

1984 – Fictional group Spinal Tap played a gig at New York’s CBGB’s.

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. 1/3 of employees surveyed said they’d be willing to take a pay cut in exchange for THIS. What is it?
A 4-day work week

2. 68% of workers prefer to do THIS at lunch time. What is it?
Eat at their desk

3. 18% of workers surveyed would like to have THIS at work. What is it?
A game room or lounge

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