THURSDAY, Feb 1 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR THURSDAY, February 1, 2024
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COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: THE AD CLICHE STORE; PROMOS-TO-GO

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.)

CAR INSURANCE DAY
The Days Of The Year website says this:
“It can’t compete for romance with Valentine’s Day. It can’t inspire the joy of Christmas. And it’s almost impossible to find an appropriate costume. But if you remember it, Car Insurance Day will keep you covered the whole year ’round. Why not ‘celebrate’ with a quick price comparison – or just a phone call to ask for a better deal. Then test the smoke alarm, tidy the garage and enjoy the peace of mind.”
* PHONE TOPIC: Can you name all the current car insurance spokes-characters and match them correctly to the insurance company?
Progressive Insurance – Flo and her cast of characters, “Dr. Rick” who helps new homeowners from becoming their parents
Farmers Insurance – Professor Nathaniel Burke of the University of Farmers (played by actor J.K. Simmons)
Liberty Mutual Insurance – LiMu Emu and Doug (and miscellaneous characters filmed with the Statue of Liberty in the background)
Geico – Martin the gecko
State Farm – “Jake from State Farm”
Allstate – “Mayhem,” guy who acts out violent car incidents
The General Car Insurance – The General cartoon character, also Shaq

CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD DAY

DECORATING WITH CANDY DAY

G.I. JOE DAY
The Giftypedia website says this:
“G.I. Joe Day commemorates the Hasbro toy that made it okay for boys to play with dolls, umm, action figures. The ‘doll issue’ was probably the driving force behind the coinage of the term ‘action figure’ that G.I. Joe was responsible for. By whatever name, the G.I. Joe was a hit and in 2004 it became a member of the National Toy Hall of Fame.

HULA IN THE COOLA DAY
The A Year Of Holidays website says this:
“The goal of Hula in the Coola is to ditch your winter clothing in favor of a grass skirt and simple top, add some leis and throw a backyard luau in the snow and ice. To cut down on the frostbite, I’d avoid going barefoot.”

INTERNATIONAL FACE AND BODY ART DAY

NATIONAL BAKED ALASKA DAY

NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY
Wikipedia says this:
“National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1 honoring the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.”

ROBINSON CRUSOE DAY
The Examiner website says this:
“February 1 is Robinson Crusoe day. The holiday memorializes the rescue of real life Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk who was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s classic novel.”

February is:

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
African American History Month
Celebration of Chocolate Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
International Friendship Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Snack Food Month
National Sweet Potato Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Walk Your Pet Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

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

THURSDAY, Feb 1

“A Bloody Lucky Day”
Paramount+ – New Series
Synopsis: Oh Taek is a down-on-his-luck taxi driver having an uncharacteristic streak of good fortune when he agrees to drive a mysterious man named Geum Hyuk-soo to a faraway city in exchange for an exorbitant fare. But when the passenger reveals his true nature, confessing to grisly crimes in his past and murdering others on the highway, the taxi driver must play mind games to ensure his lucky streak doesn’t come to a deadly end.

“Chasing Flavor With Carla Hall”
Max – New Unscripted Foodie Show
Synopsis: Carla’s curiosity about America’s most delicious dishes from chicken pot pie to ice cream leads her to Ghana, Italy, Turkey, and more. Along the way, Carla traces the history and lineage of dishes, discovering the interconnected, international origins and cultures that paved the way for today’s American cuisine.

“King From Queens: The Run DMC Story”
Peacock – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Tells the story of the most influential rap group in the history of music, RUN DMC, who legitimized a genre of music that critics labeled a fad, and whose influence on culture shattered racial barriers, making them international stars and fashion leaders of the ‘80s.

Season Premieres:
Fox – “Farmer Wants a Wife”
Max – “Clone High”
National Geographic “Genius: MLK/X”

FRIDAY, Feb 2

“Bosco”
Peacock – new Movie
Synopsis: Based on the story of Quawntay ‘Bosco’ Adams, sentenced to 35 years for attempted possession of marijuana. With the help of a woman from a lonely-hearts ad, he escapes to see his daughter but is forced to take responsibility for his past.

“Dicks: The Musical”
Max – New Movie
Synopsis: A pair of self-obsessed, womanizing businessmen discover that they’re actually identical twins who were separated at birth, and decide to Parent Trap their parents back together.

“Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez”
Hulu – New Reality Show
Synopsis: Bianca Belair and Montez Ford embark on the road to WrestleMania. As Montez continues his ascent, Bianca fights to hold on to her title.

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
Prime Video – New Series
Synopsis: Assassins find out that they’re husband and wife after being assigned to kill each other by a covert agency, and quickly start to fall for each other.

“Orion and the Dark”
Netflix – New Animated Movie
Synopsis: A boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.

“The Tiger’s Apprentice”
Paramount+ – New Animated Movie
Synopsis: A young boy in San Francisco meets a talking tiger named Mr. Hu and discovers he’s the latest in a long line of guardians who protect an ancient phoenix from evildoers.

SUNDAY, Feb 4

“66th Annual Grammy Awards”
CBS – Awards Show

Season Premiere:
HBO – “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

THE BUZZ

DUMB HEADLINES

Time for another episode of Three Dumb Headlines. These are actual, word-for-word headlines of stories found on the internet. There’s no story, no context, just the actual headline. Discuss them amongst yourselves. Then, encourage listeners to vote for the Dumbest Headline on your station’s social media page. Maybe ask them to leave a comment. Reveal the results in the next break.
Today’s Dumb Headlines:
1. “TikTok Challenge Uses Ketchup To Test A Relationship”
2. “Marlo Thomas: ‘I Love My Keds'”
3. “Why Gas Pumps Sometimes Run Slow – It’s Not What I Thought”
And here’s a spare, in case you don’t like one of those three: “Emperor Penguins Are Leaving Poo Stains That Are Visible From Space”

THE MOST/LEAST TRUSTED PROFESSIONS

There a Gallup poll out on the most and least-trusted professions. The asked people to rate 23 professions based on honesty and ethics. Here they are:
Most-Trusted: Nurses, Veterinarians, Engineers, Dentists, Doctors, Pharmacists, Police Officers, College Teachers, Psychiatrists, Chiropractors, Clergy, Labor Union Leaders, Bankers.
The Bottom Ten Least-Trusted: Journalists, Lawyers, State Governors, Business Executives, Insurance Salesmen, Stockbrokers, People In Advertising, Car Salesmen, Senators, Congressional Representatives.
* Journalists: The Most Least-Trusted People In America.
* So car mechanics are just completely off the chart.
* I don’t trust people who put out polls. How do we know they’re not just making it all up?
* I don’t know. I think my barista is pretty shady.

WHERE YOU FEEL MUSIC

Researchers from the Turku Center in Finland claim to have found exactly where your body responds to different types of music.
– Sad songs evoke a response in the heart and the pit of the stomach.
– Aggressive songs mostly affect the head.
– Happy songs and danceable songs are felt in the head and in your toes. (* Happy feet!)
– Scary music is felt in the chest and stomach.
2,000 participants in the study were shown silhouettes of human bodies, and asked to point to which bodily region they thought would be activated in response to different styles of music.
* So, pointing is now science?
* Do they give a Nobel prize for boogie?
* Jazz music you feel in your hands. That’s why they call it jazz hands.
* Where your body responds to different types of music? Nobody picked the ears?

U.S. NEWS

VALENTINE’S DAY BREAK-UP COOKIES

New for Valentine’s Day – a company out of Pennsylvania called Insomnia Cookies is offering a limited-time cookie box called the “It’s Not Me, It’s You” pack. The recipient receives a box of a dozen warm cookies with a special message written on the lid of the box when they open it that says, “It’s not me, it’s you,” or “You’re sweet, but not my taste,” or “We’re done. Have a nice life.” Insomnia says the cookie delivery messaging is a “very unserious way of ending things, since warm cookies [are] better than a cold heart.”
* I wonder how many people go with “Bite me.”
* It’s like the brainchild of the Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.
* The cookies crumble just like the relationship.
* To the recipient, every bite of cookie will be a bittersweet reminder.
* Insomnia Cookies and this sure does sound like an idea somebody had at about 2 a.m.

BOX OF CREMATED REMAINS FOUND ON ARIZONA HIKING TRAIL

Authorities in Arizona are trying to find the owner of a box of cremated human remains dated 2012 that were found on a walking trail. The cremains were discovered by a hiker on the afternoon of Jan. 24. A faded label on the box is dated Nov. 22, 2012, and apparently contains the remains of “Ann Kringle,” who died on Nov. 8 that year in Murrietta, California. Attempts are being made to contact the funeral home listed on the label to gather any additional information, such as a next of kin.
* Have they tried Kris Kringle?
* Ann’s gonna come back to haunt somebody.
* Maybe that was her last request: to be laid near a random hiking path.
* Attempts are being made to contact the funeral home but the funeral home is sick of getting dumb phone calls about stuff from 12 years ago.
* They probably fell out of a backpack, and when the hiker realized it he said, “Ah, screw it. She’s in the desert, it’s what she wanted anyway.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

THE ENHANCED OLYMPICS FOR DOPERS

Some rich investors, one of which is billionaire Peter Thiel, are joining together to fund a series of events called the Enhanced Games, which describes itself as “the 21st Century Olympics without drug testing.” The backers say that “Steroids are good for athletes and the world.” A statement from the group says, “Unlike the Olympic Games, Enhanced believes that excellence deserves to be rewarded,” and eligible athletes will receive a base salary and compete for prize winnings. The Enhanced Games will include many of the same sports you enjoy at the non-weirdo Olympics, such as track and field, swimming, gymnastics, weight lifting, and combat sports. There’s no word on when the first Enhanced Games will take place.
* But they already have this: pro wrestling. And the Kentucky Derby.
* How enhanced will they be, compared to, say, The Incredible Hulk?
* Imagine the events at the Enhanced Olympics:
– 100-meter ‘Roid Rage.
– High Diver Backne Competition
– Taekwondoping
– Liver-Damaged Marathon
– 4 x 400 Anxiety Relay
– Loss of Balance Beam
– Archery, For Athletes With A Tremor
– The Paranoia Biathalon
– High Hurdles for runners with shrunken testicles
* Speaking of competitions involving people with enhancements, the Academy Awards are coming up.

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

February 2, Friday – Groundhog Day
February 10, Saturday – Chinese New Year (The Year of the Dragon)
February 12, Monday – Lincoln’s Birthday
February 14, Wednesday – Valentine’s Day
February 19, Monday – Presidents Day / Washington’s Birthday
February 13, Tuesday – Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
March 10, Sunday – Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 17, Sunday – St. Patrick’s Day
March 19, Tuesday – Spring begins, Spring Equinox is 11:06 p.m. EDT
March 20, Wednesday – First full day of Spring

BIRTHDAYS

Harry Styles (singer, actor) … 30
Michael C. Hall (actor, “Dexter: New Blood,” “Dexter,” “Six Feet Under”) … 53
Sherilyn Fenn (actress, “Twin Peaks”) … 59
Bill Mumy (actor-writer-producer, Will Robinson on “Lost in Space”) … 70
Mike Campbell (guitarist w/ Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) … 74
Garrett Morris (actor, comedian, member of original SNL cast) … 87

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

“I think you have to take me for me. I am who I am.”

(A) Joe Rogan
(B) Kanye West
(C) Harry Styles

ANSWER: (C) Harry Styles

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

1999 – Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky gave a videotaped deposition for senators weighing impeachment charges against President Bill Clinton.
* She told her story blow by blow.

1994 – Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, pleaded guilty in Portland, Ore., to taking part in the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.
* Gee, if you hate figure skating so much, just change the channel!

1951 – An atomic explosion was televised for the first time.
* It remained the biggest bomb ever shown on television until “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

1920 – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police came into existence.
* Their first official act was to draw straws to see who would clean up after the horses.

1919 – The first Miss America was crowned in New York City.
* Nice hosting job by Dick Clark.

1898 – The first auto insurance policy was issued to a motorist in Buffalo, New York.
* That must have been scary – driving around knowing everyone else in the world is an uninsured motorist.

1893 – Thomas Edison completed building the world’s first movie studio.
* It’s believed he also invented the casting couch.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2012 – Don Cornelius, the host of US TV’s Soul Train, (from 1971 until 1993), who helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of Black culture, died. Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at 12685 Mulholland Drive and found Cornelius with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 75.

2004 – Singer Janet Jackson’s breast was briefly exposed during a duet with Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl halftime show. Timberlake later referred to the incident as a “wardrobe malfunction.”

2001 – A collection of Sir Elton John’s private photos on display at a museum in Atlanta were withdrawn. The exhibition, which included snaps of nude men, was said to be too explicit, and some school trips to the museum were cancelled.

1997 – Boy George was beaten up by two bouncers after trying to jump the waiting line outside The Ministry Of Sound in London where George had been a guest DJ.

1992 – George Michael and Elton John went to No.1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.” All proceeds from the single went to Aids charities.

1988 – The Cars announced they were breaking up after 12 years of working together.

1986 – Diana Ross married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess in Geneva. Stevie Wonder performed at the reception. The couple divorced in 2000.

1975 – Neil Sedaka had his second U.S. No.1 single with “Laughter In The Rain,” over 12 years after his last chart topper “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.”

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. A third of us say THESE are completely unnecessary. What are they?
Gender reveal parties

2. Amazingly, THIS only happens 4% of the time. What is it?
A baby is delivered on its due date

3. 60% of people surveyed said parenting would be more difficult without THESE. What are they?
Wet wipes

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