Born on this day!! Actor Cicely Tyson is 96. Actor Roger Mosley (“Magnum, P.I.”) is 82. Guitarist Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is 77. Director Steven Spielberg is 74. Movie critic Leonard Maltin is 70. Guitarist Elliot Easton of The Cars is 67. Actor Ray Liotta is 66. Comedian Ron White is 64. Singer Angie Stone is 59. Actor Brad Pitt is 57. Wrestler-actor Stone Cold Steve Austin (“Chain of Command”) is 56. Actor Shawn Christian (“Days of Our Lives”) is 55. Actor Rachel Griffiths (“Brothers and Sisters,” ″Six Feet Under”) is 52. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 52. Country singer Cowboy Troy is 50. Rapper DMX is 50. DJ Lethal of Limp Bizkit is 48. Singer Sia is 45. Country singer Randy Houser is 44. Actor Josh Dallas (“Once Upon A Time”) is 42. Actor Katie Holmes (“Dawson’s Creek”) is 42. Singer Christina Aguilera is 40. Actor Ashley Benson (“Pretty Little Liars”) is 31. Actor Bridgit Mendler (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) is 28. Singer Billie Eilish is 18. Actor Isabella Crovetti (“Vampirina”) is 16.

THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY

1737 – Violin maker Antonio Stradivari died in Cremona, Italy.
1787 – New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
1865 – Slavery was abolished with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
1892 – Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” premiered at St. Petersburg’s Maryinksy Theatre.
1944 – The Supreme Court upheld the wartime internment of Japanese-Americans.
1956 – Japan was admitted to the United Nations.
1957 – The Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania became the first civilian nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States.
1969 – The British Parliament abolished the death penalty for murder.
2000 – George W. Bush received 271 votes in the delayed Electoral College balloting.
2010 – The Senate votes 65 to 31 in favor of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Clinton-era military policy that forbids openly gay men and women from serving in the military.

Today Is: Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day, Arabic Language Day, Give A Wine Club Day, International Migrants Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Underdog Day

TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)

CBS – 8:00 –  MacGyver  /  9:00 – Magnum PI  /  10:00 – Blue Bloods
NBC – 8:00  – The Weakest Link  /  10:00 – Dateline NBC
ABC – 8:00 –  Olaf’s Frozen Adventure  /  8:30 – Shrek The Halls  /  9:00 – 2020
FOX – 8:00 – Pac 12 Football
CW – 8:00 –  Christmas Caroler Challenge

TV Talk Shows

Stephen Colbert: Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Jon Batiste
James Corden: Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Rebel Wilson, Jason Derulo, Francesca Hayward, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tom Hooper (R 12/19/19)
The Talk: Sienna Miller
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell
The Real: Craig Robinson, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Adrienne & Israel Houghton

WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!

QUESTION: How did this murder suspect ESCAPE?? He jumped out of the police van while it was in the MCDONALD’S DRIVE-THROUGH!!! And… he GOT AWAY!!!!

 

QUESTION: Is she the WORST CHRISTMAS MOM EVER?? Woman spends $10,000 ON HERSELF, then tells her two kids they can buy their own presents!! Ho, ho???????

 

QUESTION: What aren’t they telling you about the Pfizer vaccine? This volunteer says, “Get ready!! That SECOND SHOT made me sicker than a DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

QUESTION: Has the COVID PANIC finally driven people OVER THE EDGE?? One guy tears up a grocery store.. and another man goes NAKED ROLLERBLADING!!! WTH??

 

QUESTION: Why is this RV SO RITZY?? Because… it’s MARIAH CAREY’S RV!!! She just HAD to make her annual Aspen trip.. so she’s DOING IT IN STYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ellen Updates Her COVID Struggles

Ellen DeGeneres said she endured “excruciating back pain” but is now feeling “100 percent” after testing positive for COVID-19.  In a health update Wednesday, she posed at home with her dog and addressed the public via video.  “I’m feeling 100 percent,” she said in the video posted to social media. “I feel really good.”  Last Thursday, DeGeneres revealed that she’d contracted COVID-19, noting at the time she was “feeling fine.” In Wednesday’s clip, however, DeGeneres addressed the “excruciating back pain” she endured.  “One thing that they don’t tell you is you get, somehow, excruciating back pain,” DeGeneres said. “Didn’t know that that was a symptom but I talked to some other people — back pain. Who knew, how come? Back pain, bad.”  Fever or chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a new loss of taste or smell are among the symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.
******She’ll be quarantining at home until the “A-List” stars decide to appear on her show again!!
*******This year has been so rotten, we WANT to lose our sense of smell!!
*******Now that she’s 100% better, she can pop next door and book that exclusive interview with Meghan and Harry!!!

Some Crew Members Quit After Tom Cruise Tirade

Five staffers on Tom Cruise’s new movie have quit, apparently feeling it was mission impossible to continue working for him after he launched a second rant on set, according to a report. He went on another tirade Tuesday night as news of his first expletive-laced meltdown emerged, the Sun reported.  “The first outburst was big but things haven’t calmed since. Tension has been building for months and this was the final straw. Since it became public, there has been more anger and several staff have walked,” a source told the UK outlet.  “But Tom just can’t take any more after all the lengths they have gone to just to keep filming at all. He’s upset others aren’t taking it as seriously as him. In the end, he’s the one who carries the can,” the source added.  News of the departures comes after the Tom was captured tearing into his crew in a full-throated, F-word-laden attack at the Warner Bros. Studios in Hertfordshire.  He was reportedly furious that two crew members violated COVID-19 safety protocols while he has been working behind the scenes to enforce strict social-distancing rules.  In October, the actor held crisis talks with director Christopher McQuarrie days after a dozen people on set in Italy were said to have tested positive for the killer bug, the outlet reported.
*****Hey, good riddance!! Hit the door and take your pestilent breath with you!!
******Does Tom still have the mask her wore in “Eyes Wide Shut??”
****London is hard hit by the COVID, partly because everyone is drunk and fat!! (too soon?)

Night Court Sequel In The Works

A sequel series to 1980s comedy Night Court is in development at NBC and Warner Bros. Television.  Original star John Larroquette will be reprising his role as attorney Dan Fielding in the revival, which will follow judge Abby Stone who presides over an arraignment court in Manhattan during the night shift.  Abby Stone is the daughter of the show’s original main character Harry Stone, who was portrayed by the late Harry Anderson. The actor died at the age of 65 in April 2018.  Big Bang Theory alum Melissa Rauch is executive producing along with her husband Winston Rauch through their studio, After January Productions.  Larroquette, who earned four Emmy awards for portraying Dan Fielding, is also serving as a producer. Dan Rubin (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is writing the script.  The original Night Court, from creator Reinhold Weege, ran for nine seasons from 1984 to 1992 on NBC.
*******What’s next? A “Gilligan’s Island” reboot??
******Since it’s set in 2020, they’ll update it. Everyone is arrested and released automatically with no bail!!
******Is anyone LEFT in New York????

Katharine McPhee Is Preggers

Katharine McPhee and husband David Foster are expecting their first child together, McPhee may be alluding to the sex of their new bundle of joy.  On Wednesday, she shared a selfie of herself on Instagram donning a light blue double-breasted jacket on Wednesday as she confirmed rumors she and Foster are anticipating a child after the pair were spotted in October shopping for baby essentials in Montecito, Calif.  She captioned the Instagram photo with a butterfly flanked on each side by two blue hearts.  McPhee and Foster tied the knot at a church in London in June 2019. The couple first met in 2006 when McPhee was a contestant on the fifth season of “American Idol” and Foster was a “mentor” on the show.
********Foster is Prince Harry’s American “father figure!!” (true)
******Their kid will grow up being BFF’s with Archie, the future King of England!! (after Meghan rubs out the competitition)
******If he comes out with red hair, David’s gonna smell a rat!!

George Clooney Backs Up Tom Cruise

George Clooney is standing with Tom Cruise after audio leaked of him admonishing crew members working on the set of the latest film for reportedly not adhering to coronavirus guidelines related to social distancing.  Clooney, who said he has friends who are also working on other productions within the ravaged industry, said he completely understands the passion exhibited by Cruise. Clooney, however, said he would have delivered the warning differently.  “He didn’t overreact, because it is a problem,” Clooney told Howard Stern on the radio personality’s SiriusXM show. “I have a friend who’s an AD on another TV show who just had the almost exact same thing happen with not quite as far out a response.  “I wouldn’t have done it that big. I wouldn’t have, you know, pulled people out,” added Clooney. “You’re in a position of power and it’s tricky, right? You do have a responsibility for everybody else and he’s absolutely right about that. And, you know, if the production goes down, a lot of people lose their jobs. People have to understand that and have to be responsible. It’s just not my style to take everybody to task that way.”  Clooney maintained that Cruise’s intent appeared genuine and rooted from the right place but added that he didn’t have enough details from what allegedly transpired on that particular film set to pass judgment.
********George also thinks the government should subsidize movie theaters!! (true)
*****That would mean the government gets to choose which movies you see!! Do you like that idea??

Queen Struggles On Video Chat

Even the Queen struggles with video chatting from time to time.  The royal family is no exception as Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and even The Queen have conducted business, made appearances and held meetings over video.  On Tuesday, a video was published online by the royal family featuring the 94-year-old monarch chatting with a number of employees of KPMG, an international audit and tax advisory firm, per its website.  During the chat, the royal — like many around the globe already have — experienced some technical difficulties.  At three minutes and 49 seconds into the chat, the Queen began to ask one of the employees a question when her video feed cut out.  “I’m sorry?” asks the employee just before her image returns. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I lost you.”  “You just disappeared,” said the queen with a smile. “All of you.”  She also made note of the difficulties of operating a business amid the ongoing pandemic.  “It is difficult when people are used to being so close to each other and everybody’s been divided up so much,” she said.  See the video HERE.
*******Her feed was cut because Prince Phillip was “Toobin” in the background!!!
******The Queen can’t get COVID. She’s so old, the virus took one look and said, “Why bother??” (too much?)
******She was seeking advice on her tax returns: “Can I write off Canada as a dependent??”

Pete Davidson Removing All His Tattoos

Pete Davidson is in the process of removing all of his tattoos, he reportedly revealed at a Q&A last week for his 2020 film, “The King of Staten Island.”  Film critic Mike McGranaghan broke the news when he tweeted a screenshot from the event.  “Just attended a virtual Q&A with the Judd Apatow and the cast of THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND,” he wrote. “And here’s a scoop: Pete Davidson is in the process of getting all his tattoos removed!”  While some were skeptical that he would part with his extensive collection of body art, McGranaghan explained that Davidson had a reason for his decision.  “He even showed his hand, which is already done. He said it takes 3-4 hours in the makeup chair to cover them, so he figured ‘it would be easier to get them burned off,’” he replied to one fan.
********Need someone to burn them off?? Because we’ll volunteer!!
TOPIC: Ever have “body art” removed???

 

Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!

Britney’s Revenge!-(National Enquirer)

Britney Spears lost her bid to have her father, Jamie Spears, removed from a controlling role in her conservatorship, so sources said she’s spending whatever money she can get her hands on to exact her revenge!  “Britney’s worth about $60 million and she gets a very healthy stipend from that,” a source spilled.  “So, she’s going through it like water to thumb her nose at her dad!”   An insider snitched, “Britney was furious with the [court] decision, and her recent no-holds-barred trip to Maui to celebrate her 39^th birthday was more than a little payback.  Dropping 50,000 bucks on a birthday trip to Hawaii was a satisfying slap in the face to her dad!”

Alicia Cries Over Son’s Unkind Cut!-(Globe)

“Clueless” star Alicia Silverstone loved her son Bear’s waist-long hair so much she “cried inside” when the nine-year-old suddenly decided to chop it off.  The 44-year-old “The Babysitter” beauty was shocked when Bear, her kid with musician ex-hubby Christopher Jarecki, said he “wanted to try something new”-shaving his locks.  It was an emotional moment for Alicia because it meant “My baby’s growing up,” she says.

High Five!-(Us Weekly)

On Nov. 22, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary-and it’s safe to say that their love for each other hasn’t wavered.  “My life is great because I really like my wife,” the actor, 43, gushed earlier this year about the actress, 48.  “It’s the best.”

Reba:  Already Driving Rex Nuts!-(Star)

Fallin’ out of love?  After just a few months of dating, the honeymoon is over for Reba McEntire and Rex Linn.  According to a source, the Nashville-based country singer, 65, brought on the first fight in their long-distance romance by smothering the 64-year-old who lives full-time in Studio City.  “When Reba and Rex aren’t together, she drives him crazy with calls and texts,” says the insider.  “She’ll ask what he’s doing and who he’s doing it with and most times, he’s by himself.”  Reba’s controlling ways aren’t limited to when they’re apart, either.  When she and the CSI:  Miami alum are together (they recently made their red carpet debut at the 2020 Country Music Awards) the pal says Reba dictates everything from what they eat to how Rex dresses!  (Now, friends have advised her to loosen the reins-or risk losing the man she’s gushed makes her feel like a “giddy teenager.”  Says one, “He may get tired [of it] and walk.”

Angelina:  Why I Refuse to Date-(Life & Style)

Four years after Angelina Jolie’s marriage imploded, she remains single-by choice!  She’s not ready to move on.  Angie’s ongoing custody battle with ex Brad has been “so long and painful,” notes an insider.  “It makes her wary to fall in love again.  The kids are her primary concern.”  The insider continued, “Angie has called the Jolie-Pitt brood her best friends.  She’d rather be with her children than a partner at this point.”

Engaged:  Amber Riley & Desean Black-(People)

The Glee alum, 34, revealed on Nov. 24 that her entrepreneur boyfriend had proposed.  “I am so proud to say, I am the future Mrs. Black,” she says.

Last Laughs-(In Touch)

“My Space is trending…..To see what’s up, I got out my old BlackBerry.”-Paul Lander.

“Buckingham would be a great setting for a horror TV show.  Oh wait, it already is!”-Elena Nicolaou.

“Cinnabon just started selling its frosting by the pint.  It’s perfect for anyone looking to flex-seal their arteries.”-Jimmy Fallon.

 

STUPID NEWS

Hawk Invades Family Christmas Tree

Police in Scotland responded to a home to remove an unusual intruder — a hawk that flew in through an open door and perched on the family’s Christmas tree.  The North East Police Division responded alongside personnel from the North East Wildlife and Animal Rescue Center, or New Arc, when a family reported a sparrowhawk had flown into their home and was perched on their Christmas tree.  Officials said the hawk was examined and determined to not be injured. The bird of prey was released outside.  “The New Arc assisted the Police this afternoon when they apprehended an intruder suspected of stealing X-Mas fairies. After a full body search she was released without charge,” the rescue group said in a Facebook post.  See the post HERE.
*******Back in the old days, that hawk would be serving a jail sentence for breaking and entering!!
*****They had to boot him out… he was flying without a mask!!
TOPIC: The animal in my Christmas tree!! 

Couple Makes Mobile Dining Van

An Illinois couple found a unique way to continue their tradition of dining out amid the COVID-19 pandemic — converting their transit van into a mobile dining room for two.  Doug and Kim White, of Lombard, said they missed the experience of eating out when the coronavirus led to dining rooms being closed, and getting take-out just didn’t offer the same experience.  “You can get the take-out. It puts it in a little box, and you bring it home, you’re eating out of the box, where’s the spirit in that?” Kim White told WLS-TV.  The couple returned to eating out in October, when they converted the back of their transit van into a miniature dining room.  “We went, bought this little table at Menards and put some folding chairs and carpet in there,” Kim White said.  Doug White said the dining room cost less than $100 to assemble.  The couple has since been visiting their favorite area restaurants and having plated food delivered to the back door of the van.  See the video HERE.
*********Looks a lot like eating outside at your favorite restaurant!!! What’s up with that??
*******Eating in a van looks like fun.. but they don’t show you the waiters, cooks and dishwashers crammed into the front!!
TOPIC: What have you done to eat out during this crap?

Xbox Sets World Record

Guinness said Xbox projected a 19,090-square-foot screen on the side of Copper Mountain in Frisco for snowboarder Grant Giller to play Destiny 2: Beyond Light, a newly released expansion to the 2017 game.  The projection broke the record for the world’s largest projected video game display.  Xbox released a video showing Giller sitting on a couch placed to face the side of the mountain while playing.  See the video HERE.
********Good to see we’re getting back to normal life!!!!

Guy Waits Whole Year To Cash Lottery Winnings

A Canadian man said he was in no rush to collect his nearly $200,000 lottery jackpot, so he waited almost an entire year to visit lottery headquarters.  John Michalski of Gladstone, Manitoba, told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials he found out the day after the drawing that the Extra he added to his Lotto Max ticket for the Dec. 17, 2019, had matched all seven of the numbers drawn.  Michalski waited until this month to collect his winnings, just a couple of weeks before the ticket was set to expire.  “I wanted to sit back and think,” Michalski said. “[I’m] not in a rush to get the money.”  He collected a jackpot of $196,165, but the winner said he still hasn’t decided what to do with his winnings.
********He also has his Christmas tree still up from last year!! Why rush???
******He waited, hoping his wife would leave him!! But, no such luck!!
******He doesn’t need the money!! There isn’t much to buy in Manitoba!!!

 

STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL

VIDEO: WEATHERMAN FAIL!!  WHAT?????

VIDEO: HEAVY METAL WASHING MACHINE!!!

 

A LIST FOR FRIDAY

7 Thoughtful Alternatives To Giving Store-Bought Gifts This Year

Huffington Post

1. Write a letter.

In a world of text, email and DMs, the art of letter-writing is becoming lost. Yet anyone who’s received a heartfelt written note can tell you how special it made them feel.

As a particularly thoughtful gift, consider writing letters of gratitude to loved ones. Research has shown that expressing gratitude is linked to an increase in happiness for both the giver and receiver. Unfortunately, most of us do not always express our gratitude to the people in our lives, so this holiday season is a good opportunity to do so.

Not sure where to start? Try describing one or two specific examples of ways the person made you grateful and how they affected your life positively.

 

2. Create a scrapbook.

Turning shared memories into a tangible gift can be one of the most thoughtful ideas this holiday season. You can reminisce about when your children were little, relive an epic road trip or memorialize generations of family events in a scrapbook.

If you’re particularly creative, create a traditional scrapbook the old-fashioned way with physical prints and other materials. If you’d rather have your digital photos organized, use an online photo book service such as Walgreens, Shutterfly or Mixbook.

 

3. Make a video.

Most of us are feeling some degree of Zoom fatigue at this point in the pandemic, so the prospect of spending another holiday awkwardly chatting through the family computer might not be something to look forward to. However, we’re all still in need of human connection, especially around the holidays.

Take some of the pressure off and create a video that the recipient can view on their own time. Services such as VidDay allow you to collect videos and photos from various participants and then have them edited together. Encourage people to record heartfelt messages, list why they’re grateful for that person and tell funny stories for a memorable and touching gift.

 

4. Give the gift of your time.

Do you have a nifty skill you can teach? Are you a stellar tutor? Can you do grocery runs for someone who is immunocompromised? Now, more than ever, offering your time to help someone else can be the greatest gift. To add a creative touch, consider printing out a gift certificate or coupon for your service and delivering it with a card or note.

 

5. Transfer stock.

For a gift that will keep on giving over the years, consider giving a loved one shares of stock. You can actually gift existing stock that you own to someone else, according to Tiffany Welka, a financial advisor and accredited wealth management advisor at VFG Associates in Livonia, Michigan. The recipient benefits from any gains in the stock’s price. “Giving the gift of stock may also provide benefits for the giver, particularly if the stock has appreciated in value, since the giver can avoid paying taxes on those earnings or gains,” Welka said.

 

6. Get crafty.

When it comes to gift-giving, it’s the thought that counts. But that doesn’t mean everyone wants janky macaroni art for Christmas. As long as you’re a somewhat talented crafter, consider making gifts this year.

Pam Merritt, crafts expert for Zulily, shared a few ideas:

• Holiday decorative baskets: If you have random baskets stored around the house, repurpose one for a holiday gift. You can spraypaint it and then fill it with a rosemary tree, which makes a great gift for a neighbor, friend or teacher, Merritt said. You can also put things like blankets or throws in it, or make it functional and include face masks.
• DIY ornaments: Merritt said a good craft kit should have everything you need for this project (though you may need to grab a pair of pliers from the toolbox). Plus, ornaments can be used in all sorts of ways, she added — yes, on a tree or wreath, but they can also look great on a wall or doorknob, or you can even make a few ornaments and put them on a bowl on a table.
• Handmade cards: Sometimes a nice card is the best gift of all. Create unique cards using stickers, felt, homemade gift tags and even wrapping paper. “It’s a great activity to bring the family together and give a gift that shows how much you care,” Merritt said.

 

7. Donate to a charity in their name.

Many people are struggling this year due to the pandemic. Instead of exchanging gifts, try donating to a cause in someone else’s name instead. For a personal touch, choose a charity that matches their interests or beliefs. Is there an animal lover in your life? Donate to a shelter. Did your loved one lose someone to cancer? Donate to the American Cancer Society.

It may not be as fun as opening presents under the tree, but opting out of gift-giving to make a donation instead is one of the most selfless things you can do this holiday season. Plus, your money will go a lot further in the hands of someone who truly needs it.

 

The preceding material was compiled and edited by Brandon Castillo.  The Editor-In-Chief is Gary Bryan.  The Radio Genius Show Prep Service is licensed for use on-air only by subscribing radio stations.  Other means of redistribution is forbidden.
© 2020 – Radio Genius Show Prep