***NOTE: SHOW PREP WILL BE BACK MONDAY, JULY 13TH, 2020!!!
Born on this day!! Actor Michael Cole (“The Mod Squad”) is 80. Singer Judith Durham of The Seekers is 77. Actor Kurtwood Smith (“That ’70s Show”) is 77. Country singer Johnny Lee is 74. Writer Dave Barry is 73. Actress Betty Buckley is 73. Actress Jan Smithers (“WKRP In Cincinnati”) is 71. Actor Bruce Altman (“Blue Bloods”) is 65. Talk show host Montel Williams is 64. Country singer Aaron Tippin is 62. Synthesizer player Vince Clarke of Erasure is 60. Actor Tom Cruise is 58. Actor Thomas Gibson (“Criminal Minds,” ″Dharma and Greg”) is 58. Actress Hunter Tylo is 58. Actress Connie Nielsen (“Gladiator”) is 56. Actress Yeardley Smith (“The Simpsons”) is 56. TV chef Sandra Lee is 54. Singer Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler of Digable Planets is 51. Keyboardist-guitarist Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies is 51. Actress Shawnee Smith (“Saw,” ″Becker”) is 51. Actress-singer Audra McDonald (“Private Practice”) is 50. Country singer Trent Tomlinson is 45. Actress Andrea Barber (“Full House”) is 44. Comedian Julie Klausner (“Difficult People”) is 42. Singer Tonia Tash of Divine is 41. Actress Olivia Munn (“The Newsroom”) is 40. Actress Shoshannah Stern (“Jericho”) is 40. Singer Elle King is 31. Actor Grant Rosenmeyer (TV’s “Oliver Beene”) is 29. Actress Kelsey Batelaan (“Nip/Tuck”) is 25.
THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY
1608 – Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec.
1775 – Commander in chief George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Mass.
1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg ended.
1890 – Idaho became the 43rd state in the United States.
1930 – The U.S. Veterans Administration was created by Congress.
1962 – Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1962 – Algeria became independent after 132 years of French rule.
Today Is: Compliment Your Mirror Day, Drop A Rock Day, International Plastic Bag Free Day, Stay Out Of The Sun Day, Superman Day
TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)
CBS – 8:00 – McGyver / 9:00 – Magnum PI / 10:00 – Blue Bloods
NBC – 8:00 – World Of Dance / 9:00 – The Wall / 10:00 – Dateline NBC
ABC – 8:00 – Shark Tank / 9:00 – 2020
FOX – 8:00 – Friday Night Smackdown
CW – 8:00 – iHeart Country 4th Of July / 9:00 – Iconic: TLC
TV Talk Shows
Jimmy Kimmel: Pharrell Williams (R 6/18/20)
Stephen Colbert: Jake Gyllenhaal, M. Ward (R 4/28/20)
Seth Meyers: Kelly Clarkson, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (R 5/7/20)
James Corden: Laura Dern, Mark Duplass, Mariah Carey, guest host Melissa McCarthy (R 12/18/19)
Lilly Singh: Brett Gelman, Rosanna Pansino (R 1/9/20)
The View: Rahm Emanuel, Tamika Palmer, Ben Crump (R 5/14/20)
The Talk: Dermot Mulroney, Marcus Samuelsson
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Renée Elise Goldsberry
Ellen DeGeneres: Brothers Osborne
Wendy Williams: Jeremy Parsons, the Grill Dads (R 2/28/20)
The Real: Randy Fenoli (R 1/10/20)
Kelly Clarkson: Derek Hough, Dr. Terry Dubrow, Dr. Paul Nassif
Tamron Hall: Tika Sumpter, Peter Gallagher (R 5/1/20)
WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!
QUESTION: Should you be driving an OLD CAR??? They don’t have a lot of tech, no “black boxes,” and they’re seriously a LOT OF FUN!!!!!!!
QUESTION: If you’re going to a NUDIST COLONY, there’s at least one piece of clothing you’d better bring along!! A FACE MASK!! The mask of fear!!
QUESTION: Did she know she’d be reporting on a MUGGING?? A CNN reporters goes out to do a report on flooding.. gets MUGGED LIVE ON THE AIR!!!
Vanilla Ice Cancels Show In Texas
Rapper Vanilla Ice has indefinitely postponed his concert in Texas after receiving heavy criticism for planning the event in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. He was set to perform at a 2,500-capacity concert in Austin on Friday despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state. “Due to the increase in COVID-19 numbers in Austin we’re gonna move the concert to a better date,” Vanilla Ice tweeted on Thursday. “We were hoping for better Coronavirus numbers by July but Unfortunately the numbers have increased quite a bit so for the safety and health of everyone we’re going to stay home.” Barrett Brannam, who owns the venue where Vanilla Ice had been scheduled to play, he had expressed concern about the health of his fans and himself. Brannam said he didn’t know when the show would be rescheduled. “Hard to say. Could be later this summer or not until next summer. We don’t now how long this virus will be around,” he said. He drew widespread attention — and criticism — when the rapper posted about it on social media Wednesday. Only 84 tickets had been sold before the online ticket broker suspended sales, Brannam said.
********Another reason to postpone the show!!
******Booking Vanilla Ice into a 2500-seat venue seems kinda foolish to start with!!
****If we risk our lives to see a show, it’ll be somebody cool like MC Hammer!!
Meghan Felt “Unprotected During Pregnancy
More details have emerged about the rumored rift between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the royal family based on court documents filed in the Duchess of Sussex’s ongoing court battle against a British publisher. Meghan is suing the Mail on Sunday and its parent company, Associated Newspapers, for publishing a letter she wrote to her father, Thomas Markle, that she claims was “confidential.” The civil lawsuit accuses the newspaper of misuse of private information and violating the U.K.’s data protection law. Now, a new court filing in the case has reportedly revealed some dark details about Meghan’s unhappiness during her pregnancy with her and Prince Harry’s 14-month-old son, Archie. According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, many of Meghan’s friends were concerned for her well-being during that time. The concerns had to do with the Duchess of Sussex’s “welfare, specifically as she was pregnant, unprotected by the Institution, and prohibited from defending herself.” Court records explain that Meghan was advised not to speak out against her father as her family’s fallout made headlines, the outlet said. Meghan “had become the subject of a number of false and damaging articles by the U.K. tabloid media, specifically the Defendant, which caused tremendous emotional distress and damage to her mental health,” the court records state via ET.
*******”I find her complaints endlessly fascinating”… said nobody.
The Crown Casts New Princess Margaret
“The Crown” has officially cast the role of Princess Margaret for the show’s fifth and final season. “Lesley Manville will play Princess Margaret in the fifth season of ‘The Crown,” the Netflix drama announced across its official social media accounts. She expressed her excitement to take on the role previously held by Helena Bonham Carter in Seasons 3 and 4 and Vanessa Kirby in Seasons 1 and 2. “I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret. The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses and I really don’t want to let the side down,” the actress said in a statement. Manville has a special connection to the Royal Family. In 2015, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II on her birthday. Netflix also revealed in January that Season 5 would be the last season of the show.
*****Poor Margaret!! She gets less attractive every season!!
*******Will we see the story of Meghan and Harry?? Or will that be on Season 12??
Kate Beckinsale Responds To Dating Critics
Kate Beckinsale clapped back at several trolls after they took to the comments section of her Instagram and critiqued her love life. She posted an innocent video of her and her cat Olive with several googly eye stickers on their faces. “Nightclubs are closed but we have googly eyes and mostly it’s the same except less risk of illness and no one has wee’d all over the ladies loo seat,” Beckinsale, 46, captioned the clip. Despite the post being centered around her cat, fans commented snarky remarks about her dating life. “Are you married?” one person asked to which Beckinsale responded, “To the cat yes.” Another fan said, “SHE NEEDS A MAN… BAD!!!!” The “Serendipity” actress responded, “Hmm.” “You need a man,” another commented. Beckinsale replied, “Tell me why? To stop me sticking eyes on the cat? What if he liked eyes on the cat? What if I won’t stop? How will he help this situation.” The actress later had a sassy comeback to a fan who asked, “Why do you keep dating guys that could be your children?” “Every relationship I have had has been solely to annoy you,” she said.
*****We know why she needs a man!! To keep her off social media!!
Hugh Downs Dies
Hugh Downs, the avuncular, versatile TV personality, whose career stretched back to the birth of television, died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday. He was 99. Downs’ long TV résumé encompassed both news and entertainment. He hosted NBC’s “Today” show from 1962 to 1971, was late-night host Jack Paar’s longtime announcer/sidekick on “The Tonight Show,” appeared in dozens of commercials and even hosted the daytime quiz show “Concentration” for over a decade. Downs was perhaps best known as the co-host of ABC’s newsmagazine “20/20,” teaming with Barbara Walters, with whom he’d worked at “Today.” They also co-hosted the short-lived syndicated daytime show “Not for Women Only.” His TV career began in 1950 as an announcer for the NBC soap “Hawkins Falls” and never seemed to stop until he retired in 1999. In 1985, Downs was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as holding the record for the most hours on network commercial television (over 15,000) — a record that stood until it was broken by Regis Philbin in 2004.
Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!
Aaron Carter & Ex Melanie Give Love ‘A Second Chance!’-(National Enquirer)
Tattooed train wreck Aaron Carter rekindled his romance with Melanie Martin and revealed on Instagram that they’re engaged, saying “Everyone deserves a second chance!” The “I Want Candy” singer, 32, who’s battled mental health issues and drug addiction, also announced that Melanie, 28, miscarried after their April breakup. But he said, “We’re going to give it some time…and then we’re going to try again.”
Bradley’s Got Sex On His Mind!-(Globe)
Former “West Wing” Emmy winner Bradley Whitford sure has a way with words. The acclaimed 60-year-old actor calls his former TV series, set at a fictionalized White House, “progressive porn.” The star, who now plays darkly conflicted Gilead founder Commander Lawrence in Hulu hit “The Handmaid’s Tale,” also has a weird spin describing the unsexy characters he typically portrays. “I always joke that my movie career is basically-I play the guy you don’t want to get laid,” laughs the star.
That 70s Show Danny Masterson: Out On Bail-(Us Weekly)
On June 17, Danny Masterson, 44, was charged with three counts of rape, which could land him in prison for 45 years to life. (He denies the allegations.) According to L.A. authorities, the actor, who’s out on $3.3 million bail while awaiting a Sept. 18 hearing, allegedly sexually assaulted three victims between 2001 and 2003. If convicted, Masterson, a lifelong member of the Church of Scientology, could drag the organization down with him. At least that’s what former church member and Scientology critic Leah Remini thinks, saying, “This is just the beginning, Scientologists, the church is intertwined in this criminal case.”
What the Buc?! New Look, Still Him-(Star)
June 16
It’s official: Tom Brady is no longer a Patriot. After 20 years-and six Super Bowl wins-with New England, the quarterback, 42, unveiled his new Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform in photos released by the NFL team. Widely considered the best QB of all time, Tom announced in March that he’d be switching teams, breaking the hearts of many Patriots fans. The dad of three, wed to supermodel Gisele Bundchen, has no regrets, saying he’s “excited, humble and hungry” for this new journey. One thing remains the same, however: When the season returns, Tom will wear No. 12 which Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin-the team’s former No. 12-gave him.
Good Sport-(Life & Style)
L.A., June 15
Justin Bieber might have to spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more practicing if he ever wants to hit a hole in one! The pop star looked determined, perfecting his swing at a local golf course.
One Last Thing: Joseph Gordon-Levitt-(People)
The actor, 39, stars in the new hijacking thriller 7500 on Amazon Prime.
Last time I was starstruck-
I got to get in Oscar the Grouch’s trash can on Sesame Street. It was not only a career highlight, it was a life highlight.
Last time I was in awe-
Watching the recent SpaceX launch. I know how much work it takes to do something easy, like make a movie. I cannot fathom what it took to pull that off. I felt proud just to be part of the human race. We mess up so much, it felt good to see that we can still do incredible things.
Last time I danced-
Every day with my kids. And what’s fantastic is my boys can’t tell how mediocre a dancer I really am. Soon enough they’ll learn the truth, but for now it’s pure glory.
Last Laughs-(In Touch)
“Prince Harry had a secret Facebook account under the name ‘Spike Wells.’ Meghan Markle also had an account under the name ‘Princess Spike, Duchess of Wells.’”-David Spade.
“YouTube held a virtual commencement for college and high school seniors that featured Beyonce, Tom Brady and former President Obama. Or, according to students: Beyonce, someone else and someone else.”-Seth Meyers.
“Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are threatening to sue Kanye’s former bodyguard. It’s part of Kim’s ‘show and tell’ project for law school.”-David Spade.
STUPID NEWS
Escaped Bird Found
A tropical blackbird that escaped from a New York state zoo was located less than a day later in residential yard not far from the facility, officials said. The Buffalo Zoo said the crested oropendola blackbird, named Bluebird, escaped Tuesday from the Rainforest Falls Exhibit and experts predicted the avian would remain close to the zoo. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s hanging around locally. Right now, the bird is following basically the exact diet of an oriole. We have the warm weather. We have bugs. We have fruit,” Angel Swann, who owns Wild Birds Unlimited of Amherst, told the Buffalo News. “It wants to hide in the trees, more like in a forest, a park or even a back yard.” Swann’s prediction proved correct Wednesday night when the South American bird was spotted in a residential yard by a member of the public. A zoo team responded to the scene and safely recaptured Bluebird.
****He didn’t have an escape plan!! He was winging it!!
******How can you name a blackbird “Bluebird????” Right there you pissed him off!!
Big Snake Found
Animal rescuers in Britain said they are trying to find the owner of a 6-foot snake found slithering through a block of rental garden properties. The RSPCA said the red-tailed boa constrictor was spotted by a member of the public in a rental garden space in Newport, England. The snake was taken to a nearby police station and turned over to the RSPCA. “This would have been a pretty unbelievable find at an allotment — with a 6-foot, red-tailed boa constrictor coming for a visit,” RSPCA animal collection officer Stephanie Davidson said. “However, it is another reminder of what remarkable escape artists these exotic animals can be.” Davidson said the snake is being cared for at a specialist center in the West Midlands while investigators attempt to identify the apparent escaped pet’s owner.
*******Aren’t you supposed to be rescued FROM a snake???
*****He couldn’t hide in a toilet!! He needed a bathtub!!
Missing Class Ring Found 45 Years Later
A North Dakota woman who lost her high school class ring 45 years ago had it returned to her, thanks to a chance conversation between two firefighters. Betty Thompson said she graduated from Flasher High School in 1973 and lost her class ring two years later after moving to Mandan. “My mom saved her money from selling eggs and cream to buy my class ring for me. I never told my mother because I felt so bad she wasted all her money on me,” Thompson told KFYR-TV. Mike Hanson of Mandan said he was remodeling the basement of his home when he found a Flasher High School ring. “Then we kind of forgot about it. That was 25 years ago,” he said. Hanson, a part-time firefighter with the Mandan Fire Department, said the ring resurfaced in his home recently. He and his wife were researching the ring’s potential origins when he got called to a fire. Hanson said he put the ring on his finger for safe-keeping, and while on the way back to the station, it caught the eye of fellow firefighter Dan Miller. “He said it had the initials ‘BF’ on it. I said, ‘You know, wife’s aunt’s name is Betty.’ And her last name was Fleck before she got married. It could be her ring,” Miller said.
********This could only happen in North Dakota… where nobody leaves!!
STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL
VIDEO: GUY SHOWS OFF HIS FLYING COUCH!
A LIST FOR FRIDAY
8 Contactless Payment Apps To Help You Avoid Touching Cash
Huffington Post
Google Pay
Google Pay, the mobile wallet app formerly known as Android Pay, allows Android users to pay for purchases using their phones anywhere that supports near field communication (NFC) payments. Users can also perform peer-to-peer transactions using Google Pay, as well as pay for in-app and online purchases.
Google Pay is accepted at almost all major retailers, and supports credit cards from most major issuers including American Express, Chase and Discover. If your card isn’t supported, you can link the app with your PayPal account instead, Barker said. “Just keep in mind that while debit card payments are free, credit payments incur a fee of 2.9%,” she added.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay, designed for Apple device users, is also one of the most popular mobile wallets used for contactless payment. You can use your phone or Apple watch to pay for purchases at NFC contactless payment terminals with Apple Pay, as well as use it for in-app and website purchases. “You also have the option of sending cash to other users using the app, which can be done by asking Siri or via an iMessage,” Barker said.
Apple Pay is relatively widely accepted, although not at as many retailers as Google Pay (you can search within Apple Maps for stores that accept it). While debit card payments are free, credit card transactions incur a 3% fee.
Pay
Samsung Pay is the third major player when it comes to mobile wallets. It works similarly to both Google and Apple Pay, but it’s meant to be used specifically by Samsung Galaxy owners (you have the option of using either Google Pay or Samsung Pay on your Galaxy, but must choose one as your default).
It can also be used at just about any payment location; in addition to NFC technology, Samsung employs magnetic secure transmission (MST) technology, allowing users to pay where traditional magnetic cards are swiped.
PayPal
In an effort to expand beyond its dominance of the online payment market, PayPal released its own contactless payment app. “However, while PayPal has always been strong on security, its app has been less widely embraced by retailers than the above-mentioned apps,” Barker said.
She added that the PayPal app is particularly useful for person-to-person transfers. These payments are free, as long as the money is coming from your PayPal account or a linked bank account. If you use a linked debit card, however, a fee is charged.
Venmo
The Venmo app allows you to send money to friends and family, as well as to make purchases at stores. “Much like PayPal, you can use funds you have stored in the app or use money from a card or account you have linked to the app,” said Freya Kuka, personal finance blogger and founder of Collecting Cents. There are no fees to send money unless you are using a credit card, in which case it costs 3% of the transaction amount.
Additionally, transfers from a user’s Venmo balance to their bank account usually takes about one to three days. If you want the money to hit the account instantly, you can pay $0.25.
Zelle
Zelle is a payment app that allows you to instantly transfer money to someone using their email or phone number. The person you send money to doesn’t have to have the Zelle app; all they need is a U.S. bank account to receive the money. However, if they don’t have the app, the transaction could take up to three business days to complete. It’s also possible to send money via your mobile banking app if Zelle is integrated. There are no fees to use the service.
“The only con with Zelle is that it cannot be used to make purchases at stores or online,” Kuka said. “It is strictly used to send money to people you already know or have some sort of relationship with since you will need their email address or phone number to make the transaction.”
Cash App (Square)
The Cash app, developed by mobile payments company Square, allows users to send peer-to-peer payments, make donations and even tip professionals. You need a phone number or email to create an account. You then link a debit or card and create a username (known as your “$Cashtag,” which allows you to send and request money with anonymity if that’s what you desire.
Debit transactions are free, while credit cards require a fee of 3%. The transaction limits are also lower than most other apps; you can send up to $250 within a 7-day period and receive up to $1,000 per 30-day period. You can increase those limits by adding more identity verification information, such as your Social Security number.
Facebook Messenger
Social media giant Facebook also got into the mobile payments game, allowing users to send and receive money through the Messenger app. To make a peer-to-peer payment, you need to start a message with the other person, select the option to send money, and choose your amount.
You need to have a debit card or PayPal account linked with Messenger to use this feature, and transfers can take up to three business days for banks to accept. For added security, you can also create a PIN.
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