THURSDAY, July 31 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR THURSDAY, July 31, 2025

COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: 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 – 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.)

COTTON CANDY DAY

LIFEGUARD APPRECIATION DAY

NATIONAL MUTT DAY
Celebrated twice a year in the United States – on July 31st and December 2nd. The observance was created in 2005 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige to raise awareness about mixed-breed dogs and encourage their adoption from shelters and rescue organizations.

NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY

NATIONAL RASPBERRY CAKE 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 Thursday through Sunday
Listings compiled from multiple sources

THURSDAY, July 31

“An Honest Life”
Netflix – New Movie from Sweden
Synopsis: A cynical law student becomes entangled with a group of anarchists, leading him down a path of crime and deception.

“Glass Heart”
Netflix – New Musical Drama Series from Japan
Synopsis: The frontman of a band clashes with the rival vocalist of a competing band while navigating the machinations of a powerful music industry producer.

“Leanne”
Netflix – New Series
Synopsis: When her husband leaves her for another woman, a resilient Southern mom starts over with the support of her loving, but unfiltered family.

“Marked”
Netflix – New Series from South Africa
Synopsis: A religious former police officer plans a bold robbery with a sinister ally to fund her daughter’s crucial operation.

“The Sandman”
Netflix – Special “Bonus” Episode
Synopsis: Death experiences a day as a human.

Season Premiere:
Peacock – “Twisted Metal”

FRIDAY, Aug 1

“Chief of War”
Apple TV+ – New Series
Synopsis: Tells the story of the unification of the Hawaiian Islands as a Hawaiian war chief joins a campaign to unite the warring islands in order to save them from the threat of colonization. Starring Jason Momoa.

“Eyes of Wakanda”
Disney+ – New Animated miniseries
Synopsis: Follows the Hatut Zaraze, Wakandan warriors who carry out dangerous missions throughout history.

“My Oxford Year”
Netflix – New Movie
Synopsis: An ambitious American fulfilling her dream of studying at Oxford falls for a charming Brit hiding a secret that may upend her perfectly planned life.

SUNDAY, Aug 3

“The Yogurt Shop Murders”
HBO – New Docuseries
Synopsis: Revisits the brutal murder of four teenage girls at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin, Texas in 1991, examining law enforcement practices, relentless press coverage, and the lasting effects of grief.

THE BUZZDUMB 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. “Everyone Has Hemorrhoids Now”
2. “California Woman Fills Her Hair With 711 Golf Tees”
3. “What Car Would Be Your Dream Hearse?”
And here’s a spare, in case you don’t like one of those three: “Fat-Washing Is The Bartender’s Trick To Add Mouthfeel To Your Homemade Cocktails”

U.S. NEWS

MAN SHOOTS SELF AT WALMART, IN THE REAR

In Waynesville, North Carolina, a man accidentally shot himself in the buttocks in a Walmart parking lot. An eyewitness, who prefers to remain anonymous, said she was walking toward her car on Monday evening when she heard a gunshot. Looking around, she saw a man leaning up against his car and cursing. She asked if he was OK. (* Aw – good Samaritan!) The man responded by saying he’d shot himself in the rear end, that the gun was in his pocket when it went off. He added that he’d been wondering when something like this would happen. The woman called an ambulance, then went back into Walmart to notify store employees and to get a towel for the man. (* Aw – excellent Samaritan!) The incident left behind a visible bullet hole in the Walmart parking lot after passing clear through the man’s haunch, the witness said.
* She probably bought a package of six towels, ’cause that’s a better bargain. And then waited in line because there’s only ever one register open at Walmart.
* Imagine going through life knowing that one day you’re going to shoot yourself in the rear but never knowing when. The suspense must have been killing him.
* When he decided to do concealed carry, this probably wasn’t the manly image he had in mind.
* It was pointed down so it hit his haunch. If it had been pointed up, it would have hit his paunch.
* It left a hole in the parking lot? The ASS-phalt?

NORTH DAKOTANS AFRAID OF TSUNAMI

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota had to assure North Dakotans there was “no threat” of a tsunami in the state on Tuesday. After a social media user asked, “Where is the tsunami warning for Fargo, apparently people are searching for this,” the National Weather Service Grand Forks put out an advisement that said, “There is no threat for tsunami impacts in North Dakota.” For those of you who maybe went to public school there, North Dakota is a landlocked state. Its lowest point is 750 feet above sea level and its westernmost point is about 950 miles from the Pacific Ocean. (Oddly, a day later, yesterday, tsunami waves caused by an earthquake off the coast of Russia reached Hawaii and California.)
* Oh my god! Move the oil rigs to higher ground!
* Maybe its time to check the water system for leaking fracking fluid.
* Old joke: A North Dakota man gets a knock on the door. A man says, “I’m from the government. We’ve been surveying the western border of the state, and it turns out your house is actually in Montana.” The man says, “Thank god, those North Dakota winters were killing me.”
* Maybe somebody using bad voice-to-text was asking about a warning about bad salami?
* Or somebody was just messing with the Grand Forks National Weather Service. There’s not a lot to do for fun in North Dakota.

COAST GUARD OPENS RECRUITING OFFICE IN OMAHA

The U.S. Coast Guard opened its first recruiting office in, of all places, Omaha, Nebraska, which is about as far from the coast as you can get. The new office will serve as a regional hub for Nebraska, western Iowa, eastern South Dakota and northern Kansas. Recruiting officer Gregory Watson says, “We want people who want to serve. If we’re not here, then they have to travel hundreds of miles, sometimes get on a plane to go to a recruiting office.” The Coast Guard has recruited over 5,200 new members so far this year and expects to meet recruiting goals for the second year in a row.
* The main pitch is: “Hey, who wants to see water?”
* A Coast Guard recruiting office in Nebraska is like hiring ranch hands in Detroit.
* With global warming and the ice caps melting, it won’t be long before Omaha IS the coast.
* The application process is a little tricky. You’re required to sail a boat to Omaha. If you do, you’re in.
* Next: The Bureau of Land Management opens an office in Hawaii.

AUDIO: BEER DEODORANT

Coors beer, produced in Golden, Colorado, which is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, has released a limited edition deodorant that they say smells like the breeze of the Rocky Mountains. It’s called Dura Chill Cold Activated deodorant. Like Coors beer, the deodorant must be refrigerated before it can be properly applied. In fact, just like a can of Coors light, the picture of the mountains on the label turns blue when reaching the ideal cold temperature. If it’s still available, you can order it on the Coors Brewing Company’s website.
* I thought maybe you put it on your beer, to keep the can from sweating.
* What’s weird is, after you apply it, your armpit has a head on it.
* Refrigerated anti-perspirant. Talk about breaking out in a cold sweat.
* Sure. Americans would have no problem going down and up a flight of stairs every morning to put on the deodorant from the fridge while getting dressed.
* Hey, Coors – how about dropping this stupid idea and with the money you’ll save, drop the price of your six-packs by a nickle?
CLIP: Once again, Sidekick is ahead of the curve of nature-scented products with our classic “Wood Whiffs” parody spot.
CLIP URL: morningsidekick(dot)com/prep/wp-content/uploads/WoodWhiffs(dot)mp3

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ICELAND: DON’T WALK ON THE FRESH LAVA

The Icelandic Meteorological Office is warning people not to walk on the new lava near the Sundhnúkur (* Gesundheit!) volcano crater. The danger lies in the fact that only a few centimeters may separate the hardened surface from molten lava beneath. Additionally, the freshly hardened lava is extremely sharp, and it’s easy to cut yourself. The lava itself may take more than two years to solidify. The warning emphasizes that emergency responders will NOT risk rescuing individuals from new lava fields.
* You’d think this would be a self-correcting problem.
* Don’t walk on the lava. And don’t run on it. Especially carrying scissors.
* What would it be like – stepping on the surface and breaking through into molten lava? Think of athlete’s foot – burning, peeling skin, blisters – times a million.
* Ban it? Don’t be stupid, Iceland, charge for it! People used to pay good money to walk on fire, back in the 1980’s. People were nuts back then, and they still are.
* Iceland, where people play The Floor Is Lava every day. Every damn day.

TRENDING

TED DANSON AND MARY STEENBURGEN TO GET EMMY HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Husband and wife actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen are set to receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 77th annual Emmy Awards ceremony on Sept. 14. The award honors their decades-long altruism and positive impact on society. Both Danson and Steenburgen have advocated for causes close to their hearts, independently and as a couple.
* I thought they’d be honored for being in the most number of shows ever. Ted Danson does two series every year, and Mary Steenburgen is contractually required to show up as a guest star on any show that’s been on longer than three seasons.

GILBERT ARENAS ARRESTED FOR RUNNING ILLEGAL HIGH-STAKES POKER GAMES

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and a half-dozen others were arrested Wednesday for allegedly running high-end, illegal poker games at a Los Angeles home rented by Arenas. The games were allegedly conducted between Sept. 12, 2021 and July 20 2022. According to the charging documents, Arenas “would rent out a residence located in Encino for the purpose of hosting illegal poker games.” The operation even included a poker felt labeled “ARENAS POKER CLUB” with the image of Arenas in his basketball uniform. While hosting a cash poker game isn’t illegal by definition, this operation crossed into a criminal act because Arenas and his friends would “collect a ‘rake’ — that is, a fee the house would charge from each pot either as a percentage or a fixed amount per hand.”

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

Sept. 1, Monday – Labor Day
Sept. 11, Thursday – Patriot Day
Sept. 19, Friday – National POW/MIA Recognition Day (The third Friday of September)
Sept. 22, Monday – Fall begins (Autumn Equinox is 2:19 p.m. EDT)

B.J. Novak (actor, writer, “The Mindy Project”, “The Office”) … 46
Zac Brown (Country singer, guitarist, Zac Brown Band) … 47
Dean Cain (actor, “Supergirl”, “Lois and Clark”) … 59
J. K. Rowling (British author of Harry Potter books) … 60
Wesley Snipes (actor) … 63
Mark Cuban (businessman, investor, owner of Dallas Mavericks, “Shark Tank”) … 67
Dirk Blocker (actor, Detective Hitchcock on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) … 68

Today’s Birthdays grade: Some big names on today’s list, including a Superman, a “Shark Tank” shark, and the author of the globally huge Harry Potter books. She’s been controversial, but the Harry Potter IP’s impact on entertainment is mega-gigantic. Grade: A.

[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 fame thing is interesting because I never wanted to be famous, and I never dreamt I would be famous.”

(A) Lady Gaga
(B) Kim Kardashian
(C) J.K. Rowling

ANSWER: (C) J.K. Rowling

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2008 – Scientists reported the Phoenix spacecraft confirmed the presence of frozen water in Martian soil.
* So Mars is even more like Minnesota than we thought!

1964 – An American satellite making a lunar fly-by sent back the first close-up pictures of the Moon.
* “Look! Grey rock, craters … more grey rock … more craters … how much did we spend on this again?”

1922 – 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson of Minnesota rode the world’s first water skis.
* He also received the world’s first water wedgie.

1845 – Adolph Sax invented the saxophone.
* Finally there was a great instrument to play when a sultry woman entered a room.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2012 – Appearing at the Helsinki Olympiastadion in Finland, at the end of a European tour, Bruce Springsteen broke his previous record with a show lasting 4 hours and 6 minutes.

2006 – Former Culture Club singer Boy George (O’Dowd) was ordered to do community service by picking up trash on New York City streets after pleading guilty to false reporting of an incident. He called police with a bogus report of a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment in October and the responding officers found cocaine inside.

1999 – Christina Aguilera scored her first U.S. No.1 single with “Genie In A Bottle.”

1980 – Jon Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas was apprehended by FBI narcotics agents for possession of cocaine. He was later sentenced to 250 hours community service giving anti-drug lectures.

1971 – A security guard was stabbed to death during a concert by The Who at New York’s Forest Hill Stadium.

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. Americans go through nearly 11 billion gallons of THIS every year. What is it?
Soda pop

2. The average person will eat 11,113 of these in a lifetime. What are they?
M & M’s

3. Americans eat enough of THIS each year to cover the floor of the Grand Canyon. What is it?
Peanut butter

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