THURSDAY, Jan 25 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR THURSDAY, January 25, 2024
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COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: SPONTANEOUS SEMINAR; BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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.)

A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN DAY
The Days Of The Year website says this:
(January 25 was the birthday of author Virginia Woolf) “Virginia Woolf’s 1928 essay ‘A Room of One’s Own’ was surely the inspiration behind A Room Of One’s Own Day. While the essay itself was focused on the subject of women’s access to education, in these more enlightened times we can probably relax the rules a little and make it a day purely for ourselves.”

NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY

NATIONAL IV NURSE DAY
The INS1 website says this:
“Every year on January 25, infusion professionals around the United States celebrate IV Nurse Day. Established 35 years ago, IV Nurse Day is meaningful for the infusion nurse professionals who have dedicated their lives to providing their patients with the best care possible.”

OBSERVE THE WEATHER DAY

NATIONAL OPPOSITE DAY
The National Day Calendar website says this:
“Good morning, or is it good night? Hello, or is it goodbye? I am cold, or am I hot? National Opposite Day, an unofficial holiday, is a day to have fun all day long saying exactly opposite of what you really mean. This day has kids rejoicing everywhere. It is also a great day for adults to play along and break out of the winter blues. Maybe we should have dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner!”

ROBERT BURNS DAY / BURNS NIGHT
The Forbes website says this:
“Robert Burns (1759-1796) is Scotland’s National Bard. He was a poet and lyricist who wrote in both Scottish and English, and remains to this day a Scottish cultural icon and a bedrock of Scotland’s national identity. Five years after his death, a group of his devoted friends gathered together to celebrate his life and work. The tradition caught on and came to be celebrated on or around his birthday of January 25. That date, often referred to as Robert Burns Day, has become Scotland’s unofficial National Day.”

January is:

Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Be Kind to Food Servers Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get Organized Month
National Candy Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Hobby Month
National Skating Month
National Train Your Dog 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, Jan 25

“Griselda”
Netflix – New Limited Series
Synopsis: Sofia Vergara stars in and executive produced this inspired-by-a-true-story limited series about Griselda Blanco, a Colombian businesswoman who became “the Godmother” of one of the most profitable cartels in history.

“Sexy Beast”
Paramount+ – New Series
Synopsis: Rising thief Gal Dove is offered the chance to expand his criminal enterprise by Teddy Bass and Stan Higgins. But with a wedding on the horizon, and his new work drawing attention from rival criminals, Gal must find his feet in the dark criminal world and protect those he loves at all costs.

“In the Know”
Peacock – New Adult Stop-Motion Series
Synopsis: Takes us behind the scenes of a fictional NPR radio interview show, where a staff of stop-motion puppets work to bring the show to all 30 thousand of its NPR listeners.

FRIDAY, Jan 26

“Masters of the Air”
Apple TV+ – New Limited Series
Synopsis:Follows a group of airmen, nicknamed the “Bloody Hundredth,” who conducted risky bomb raids over Germany during World War II.

“Expats”
Prime Video – New Limited Series
Synopsis: Set in 2014 Hong Kong, the show follows three American women whose lives intersect after a tragedy, and explores the blurred lines between victimhood and culpability.

“The Underdoggs”
Prime Video – New Movie
Synopsis: When Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings, a washed-up former pro football star hits rock bottom, he is sentenced to community service coaching an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown, he just may turn his life around and reclaim his love of the game. With Snoop Dogg.

Season Premiere:
Starz – “Hightown”

SUNDAY, Jan 28

Season Premiere:
Fox – “Next Level Chef”

JON STEWART RETURNING TO “THE DAILY SHOW”

Jon Stewart is heading back to “The Daily Show.” Stewart hosted the Comedy Central show for 16 years, establishing it as an entertainment and cultural force. He will return to host the show each week on Mondays starting February 12, and will also executive produce the show and work with a rotating line-up of comedians who will helm the program the rest of the week, Tuesdays through Thursdays. After exiting “The Daily Show” in 2015, Stewart signed a deal with Apple to host “The Problem With Jon Stewart.” But that show abruptly came to an end last year when Stewart complained that Apple was starting to pressure him over his guests and subject matter, which included A.I. and China.
* And if you thought he was cranky back in 2015, he’s even older and crankier now.
* He’s got the entire Trump Era to get off his chest now.
* Boy, NOBODY wants to come in to the office five days a week anymore.
* Yeah, the whole “let everybody try a chance at hosting the show” approach worked great for Jeopardy!.
* Yay, a reason to watch Comedy Central for 30 minutes a week.

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. “The Best Time To Eat Dinner, According To Experts”
2. “California Woman Grows World’s Longest Arm Hair”
3. “I Work At Target And Walmart — For Free — Because I Love To Clean Bathrooms”
And here’s a spare, in case you don’t like one of those three: “Want To Poop Better? Your Dog Might Have The Answer”

I’LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN

Reddit asked, “What is a thing you did once and will never do again?” Some of the responses:
– “Times Square, New Years’ Eve.”
– “Neti pot.”
– “Tried to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions.”
– “Working in hospitality – customers are never right.”
– “Eat Taco Bell right before getting on a chartered off shore boat for 4 hours of fishing that doesn’t have a bathroom. Pretty sure that ruined everyone’s trip.”
– “Eat fermented shark meat. Icelandic goal complete but never again.”
– “Tried caviar.”
– “Carnival rides on acid.”
– “Indoor trampoline parks. My back hurt for 6 months after my first time, wouldn’t risk another go.”
– “Polar plunge. One ‘n done. brrrrr”
– “Wallpaper.”
– “Hang wallpaper with the wife.”
– “Marry a musician.”
* PHONE TOPIC: What have you tried once but will never do again?

U.S. NEWS

FARTING MAN CAUSES PLANE TO RETURN TO GATE

An American Airlines out of Phoenix, Arizona was reportedly forced to return to the gate before takeoff because of an excessively gassy passenger. According to a viral Reddit post, a very disgruntled man had boarded the plane, complaining loudly about things. After the majority of passengers had boarded, the Reddit poster sitting a few rows back heard the man exclaim: “You thought that was rude? Well how about this smell?” — and proceeded to pass gas very loudly. He then started complaining about the food everyone around him had brought onto the plane, saying “Yeah, everybody let’s just eat the smelliest food possible all at the same time.” After some more disgruntlement, the pilot announced that they were returning to the gate. A flight attendant told the fartman that he would not be staying on the flight. He simply replied, “I don’t understand,” grabbed his bag and quietly exited the plane.
* Better that than to have the extra air pressure blow off the plug door midflight.
* They’re eating smelly food, he’s practicing his standup routine. Both annoying.
* Why does everybody want to raise a stink?
* They should have taken him off the jet and put him on a cropduster.
* The moral here is: never make a big stink on an airplane.

FISH TAPER CAUGHT

In today’s What The Hell Is Wrong With You news, a teenager in Provo, Utah, has been busted for taping fish to ATMs – money machines – and documenting the antics on social media. A TikTokker using the name Fish_Bandit84 has been posting videos of fish duct-taped to ATMs, a bathroom stall door, even three trout taped to a police car. Some had a cigarette in their mouth. Police say there were at least 13 instances where the 17-year-old taped fish to objects. He is facing charges of property damage.
* Plus, he was five fish over the limit.
* All that fish, and no tartar sauce.
* The worst part was, to use the ATMs, people had to force their way through crowds of cats.
* Fish kid is about to meet the scales of justice.
* In the New York art world, this kid would be considered a surrealistic genius.

POLITE BANK ROBBER GETS OFF; NOT SO LUCKY SECOND TIME

Two years ago, Mohamed Worku allegedly walked into a Chicago bank, handed over a demand note — “Give me the money Please Thank You” — and walked out with $600 cash. He was soon located, arrested and charged. Last Friday, a federal jury acquitted him of bank robbery. His defense lawyer argued that, yes, Worku had committed a crime, but he didn’t make threats or do anything by force, so his actions didn’t meet the standard for the bank robbery charge. The jury agreed and he walked free. But then on Monday – three days after being released – Worku tried it again, walking into another bank and handed over another polite note — “Please Give me the money I’ll pay it back soon.” He walked out with $2,000 this time. Again, they soon located and arrested him. This time the D.A. is charging him with two charges: bank robbery, which requires proof the money was taken by means of “intimidation,” and bank theft, which does not.
* Plus, he was jaywalking after he left the bank.
* So it’s not illegal to rob a bank, it’s only illegal if you don’t say “please”? Since when did Emily Post write our laws?
* If he’d said “pretty please” they would have thrown in one of those lollipops by the teller window.
* That guy’s lawyer belongs in the Johnnie Cochran Hall of Fame.

PEOPLE ARE NOW PLAYING PICKLEBALL IN AIRPORTS

A new trend has been spotted: Instagram and TikTok videos have been popping up with people playing pickleball at airports while waiting for a delayed flight. Is this a funny thing? A horrible thing? BarstoolSports.com writer Jordie has picked up on the trend and notes that “The airport is a world in which there really aren’t any rules. If you want to grab a beer and a burger at 4am, you can grab a beer and a burger at 4am. Really the only rule you have to follow in an airport is to just not be an a–hole.” He notes that “People aren’t going to see a middle aged couple playing pickleball at the gate and think to themselves, Wow, how neat is that? They are going to say to themselves, I hate pickleball players.”
* And who wouldn’t want a sweaty pickleballer sitting next to them on a four hour flight.
* How do they get onto the plane with a pickleball paddle? Isn’t that considered a weapon?
* If they can play pickleball in the airport, I should be able to practice my flycasting.
* Finally, some people are making an effort to exercise more, and they trigger everybody else.

TRENDING

THE MOST COMMON U.S. LAST NAMES

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, here are the Top 20 Most Common Last Names In The U.S.:
– Smith – 2,442,977
– Johnson – 1,932,812
– Williams – 1,625,252
– Brown – 1,437,026
– Jones – 1,425,470
– Garcia – 1,166,120
– Miller – 1,161,437
– Davis – 1,116,357
– Rodriguez – 1,094,924
– Martinez – 1,060,159
– Hernandez – 1,043,281
– Lopez – 874,523
– Gonzalez – 841,025
– Wilson – 801,882
– Anderson – 784,404
– Thomas – 756,142
– Taylor – 751,209
– Moore – 724,374
– Jackson – 708,099
– Martin – 702,625

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

TOMORROW – Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day (UN)
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

Olivia Edward (actress, “Better Things”) … 17
Michael Trevino (actor, “Roswell, New Mexico,” “The Vampire Diaries”) … 39
Alicia Keys (singer, born Alicia Augello-Cook) … 44
Ana Ortiz (actress, “Devious Maids,” “Ugly Betty”) … 53

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

“I’ve gotten more into my feminine side. It’s sexy but with an edge. I like to try new things, whether people like it or not.”

(A) Hillary Clinton
(B) Rosie O’Donnell
(C) Alicia Keys

ANSWER: (C) Alicia Keys

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2006 – Three independent observing campaigns announced the discovery of OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb through gravitational microlensing, the first rocky/icy extrasolar planet around a main-sequence star.
* Not sure exactly what that means, but I know the name needs work.

1999 – A Louisville, Kentucky man received the first hand transplant.
* Unfortunately the hand was EVIL AND MADE HIM KILL AGAINST HIS WILL!

1924 – The first Winter Olympics were held at Chamonix in France.
* Most of the freezing athletes stayed huddled around the Olympic flame saying “Whose idea was this?”

1915 – Alexander Graham Bell in New York spoke to his assistant in San Francisco, inaugurating the first transcontinental telephone service.
* Bell’s call went something like – “Hello? Hello? Are you there? Pick up. Are you screening? Hello?”

1825 – The first engineering college in America opened, Rensselaer Polytechnic in Troy, NY.
* The next day the first store specializing in pocket protectors opened.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2004 – Bob Dylan was paid by ladies underwear company Victoria’s Secret to fly to Venice in Northern Italy, to film a TV advertisement in an ancient palazzo with a scantily dressed model. Some fans were upset while others empathized with Dylan.

1998 – Spice Girl Victoria Adams (Posh) and soccer player David Beckham got engaged.

1994 – Accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy, Michael Jackson settled a civil lawsuit out of court.

1989 – Bobby Brown was arrested for an overtly sexually suggestive performance after a show in Columbus; he was fined $652 under the anti-lewdness ordinance law.

1989 – Madonna started divorce proceedings for the second time from Sean Penn at Los Angeles County Court and moved into a new three-bedroom house in Hollywood Hills.

1986 – Barbra Streisand started a three-week run at No.1 on the U.S. album chart with “The Broadway Album.”

1984 – Yoko Ono donated $425,000 to Liverpool old people’s home Strawberry Fields.

1975 – The Carpenters went to No.1 on the U.S. singles chart with their version of The Marveletts’ 1961 hit “Please Mr. Postman.”

1971 – Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane gave birth to a daughter, naming her God. She was later re-named China.

1960 – The original cast recording of “The Sound Of Music” started a 16-week run at No.1 on the U.S. album chart.

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. Men burn 1200 calories doing THIS. What is it?
Watching a football game

2. 68% of men surveyed would never admit to using THIS. What is it?
Mousse

3. 14% of men surveyed would never admit they enjoy doing THIS. What is it?
Watching a soap opera

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