Born on this day!! Actor Darryl Hickman (“The Grapes of Wrath”) is 91. Cartoonist Jim Davis (“Garfield”) is 77. Actor Linda Kelsey (“Lou Grant”) is 76. Singer Jonathan Edwards is 76. Actor Sally Struthers is 75. Drummer Simon Kirke of Bad Company is 73. Guitarist Steve Morse of Deep Purple is 68. CBS News anchor Scott Pelley is 65. Bassist Marc Perlman of The Jayhawks is 61. Actor Michael Hayden (“Murder One”) is 59. Actor Lori Loughlin (“90210,” ″Full House”) is 58. Jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis is 57. Actor Elizabeth Berkley (“Showgirls,” ″Saved by the Bell”) is 50. Singer Afroman is 48. Drummer Todd Anderson of Heartland is 47. Singer Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach is 46. Actor John David Washington (“BlacKkKlansman”) is 38. Actor Jon Michael Hill (“Elementary”) is 37. Actor Dustin Milligan (“90210”) is 37. Rapper Soulja Boy is 32.
THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY
1794 – Robespierre, one of the leading figures of the French Revolution, was sent to the guillotine.
1540 – King Henry VIII of England’s chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, was executed and Henry married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.
1750 – The great baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach died.
1821 – Peru declared its independence from Spain.
1868 – The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which established the citizenship of African Americans and guaranteed due process of law, was ratified.
1914 – Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, precipitating the start of World War I.
1932 – Herbert Hoover ordered Douglas MacArthur to evict the Bonus Marchers from their camps.
2002 – Nine Pennsylvania coal miners were rescued after 77 hours of being trapped in a mine shaft.
Today Is: Buffalo Soldiers Day, Earth Overshoot Day, National Chili Dog Day, National Intern Day, National Milk Chocolate Day, National Refreshment Day, National Waterpark Day, World Hepatitis Day
TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)
CBS – 8:00 – Young Sheldon / 8:30 – Ghosts / 9:00 – Big Brother / 10:00 – CSI: Vegas
NBC – 8:00 – Law and Order / 9:00 – Law and Order SVU / 10:00 – Law and Order Organized Crime
ABC – 8:00 – Press Your Luck / 9:00 – Generation Gap / 10:00 – The Con
FOX – 8:00 – Master Chef / 9:00 – Welcome To Flatch
CW – 8:00 – Walker / 9:00 – The Flash
TV Talk Shows
Jimmy Kimmel: Elizabeth Banks, Gabby Windey, Rachel Recchia, CAAMP, guest host Anthony Anderson (R 7/11/22)
Jimmy Fallon: Mark Wahlberg, Billy Porter, AJR
Stephen Colbert: Jonathan Karl, BJ Novak, St. Vincent
Seth Meyers: Nathan Lane, Adam Pally, Art Cruz
James Corden: Dakota Fanning, Jamie Bell, T-Pain (R 5/2/22)
Watch What Happens Live: Kevin Hart
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Cara Delevingne, Tisha Campbell, Jeremy Rellosa
Ellen DeGeneres: Rosario Dawson, Ed Sheeran (R 12/8/21)
Kelly Clarkson: Daniel Radcliffe, Youn Yuh-Jung, Nicole Remy (R 3/24/22)
Tamron Hall: Erica Campbell, Kayla Barron (R 3/28/22)
Drew Barrymore: Chelsea Clinton, Eitan Bernath (R 3/3/22)
WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!
QUESTION: Why did surveillance cameras catch this thief returning to the scene of the crime minutes later? He came back because he FORGOT HIS KEYS!!!
QUESTION: Ever hear of “Blue Balls?” Did you think it was a myth? Turns out.. it’s REAL!! This doctor says the condition can happen to any man.. whatever THAT is!
QUESTION: OK, can we say it NOW?? Tony Dow has passed away!! After a premature announcement, “Wally” died yesterday at the age of 77!!! Golly, Beave, we’re sorry!
QUESTION: Why did JAMIE FOXX get up and do show at a restaurant in Italy?? Because.. “I’M JAMIE MOTHER F*CKING FOXX!!!” We’re good with that!!!!!!
QUESTION: Will these be the NEW PYRAMIDS centuries from now? The brutal ruler of Saudi Arabia wants to build 109-mile city in the desert.. and the plans are amazing!
The View Is Trying To Avoid Another Meghan
Producers clearly love what Alyssa Farah Griffin for what she brings to “The View.” But we hear they also love her for what she doesn’t bring: toxic drama. “They did not want another Meghan McCain,” multiple sources say. All signs pointed to Griffin as the new co-host to join Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro at the table. A spokesperson was hesitant about the decision, saying, “We do not have a co-host announcement to make at this time,” but insiders said Griffin is a favorite among the other hosts and ABC brass. “Alyssa has a lot of fans at ABC and [ABC News president] Kim Godwin likes her,” one source said. Griffin was one of several rotating co-hosts who filled in this season after McCain’s untoward exit from the show last summer.
*****What do you call a conservative on The View?? A punching bag!!
****Yeah, Megan was the only toxic one on the show!!
****On FIX, they occasionally have liberals on so they can pulverize them!! On the View, it’s the same in reverse!!
*******They should call this show “Ragtime!!”
AirBnB In Dolly Parton’s Tour Bus
The tour bus, known as Suite 1986 at Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa in Pigeon Forge, is taking reservations. Guests must drop $10,000 for a two-night stay in the colorful, cozy space that’s full of Dolly’s belongings and custom amenities, from a sparkly guitar to a cabinet for her many wigs. “(I) decided to retire it because I wasn’t touring that much anymore and it just was sitting there,” Parton told the USA TODAY Network. “And I thought this could be put to really good use.” A portion of the proceeds from every stay will be donated to the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. “If you’ve got money — and a lot of people do — they just want to experience that,” Parton said. The 45-foot bus includes a couch, kitchen, dining table, two separate toilets, a tub and a large bedroom. It’s full of warm colors, cozy pillows, fresh flowers and quite a few sparkles. Parton customized the bus with a full-size refrigerator, electric doors and a wig cabinet (the wigs were replaced with colorful cowboys hats during our tour). She tore out three of the six bunk beds to build a closet, which displays Dolly’s attire, including sky-high Christian Louboutins, shiny gowns and butterfly jewelry. The tour bus sleeps two guests, and the reservation comes with an additional DreamMore room that sleeps four.
*****If you stay on the bus, remember to bring big jugs. Of water.
*******This incredible vehicle gets 15 gallons to the mile!!
Brendan Fraser Transforms For New Role
Brendan Fraser looks very different in his upcoming film, “The Whale.” A first-look image was released on Tuesday showing him in full character, which he previously said was achieved through prosthetics and makeup. Fraser is playing a 600-pound English teacher named Charlie who suffers from morbid obesity as he attempts to form a relationship with his teenage daughter (Sadie Sink). The two became estranged after Charlie left his family for his gay lover. After his partner’s death, Charlie then turned to binge-eating out of grief. His character also required him to wear heavy makeup and artificial prosthetics, and he noted how sitting in the makeup chair was well worth it. “The wardrobe and costume was extensive, seamless, cumbersome,” Fraser says. “This is certainly far removed from anything I’ve ever done but not to be coy, I haven’t seen any of it yet but I do know it’s going to make a lasting impression.” Fraser is making a career comeback with his new roles in “The Whale” and the forthcoming “Batgirl” flick. He has stayed away from the limelight in recent years due to depression. In 2018, he candidly revealed that a former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president allegedly groped him in 2003.
*******If you want to make a comeback, play the part of a gay man! (That’s what we’ve heard)
*****His character weighs 600 pounds, but how much of that is muscle??
*******In the first scene, he eats a McDonald’s. An entire store!!!!
Buzz Aldrin Moon Jacket Sells
The jacket worn by retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he set foot on the moon sold for a record-breaking price of $2,772,500 on Tuesday, less than a week after the landing’s 53rd anniversary. The in-flight coverall jacket features the historic Apollo 11 mission emblem and “E. Aldrin” for his full first name, Edwin. It is made of a fireproof, tightly woven silica fiber called Beta Cloth used in the production of Apollo spaceflight suits. The sale, which took place at Sotheby’s in New York, made the garment the most expensive jacket sold at auction, as well as the most valuable American artifact flown in space, according to a statement from the auction house. The jacket was part of a trove of personal memorabilia and historic NASA items from his career and was expected to fetch up to $2 million. The garment was bid on for nearly 10 minutes, according to Sotheby’s. It is the only flown garment from the Apollo 11 mission in private hands — the jackets worn by fellow crew members Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins are both now housed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
*********He needs the money. He’s going to court to change his last name to “Lightyear!!”
Brad Pitt Goes Coastal
Brad Pitt has spent $40 million on a blufftop home in California. He snagged the approximately century-old D.L. James House in the Carmel Highlands along the Golden State’s central coast, The Wall Street Journal reports. His closing price marks this deal as one of the most expensive ever to happen in the Carmel area. The property wasn’t publicly listed for sale, the Journal adds, meaning it sold off-market. Before Pitt, Searock — a limited liability company attached to late Chicago financier Joe Ritchie and his wife, Sharon — had owned the property since 1999. Joe Ritchie passed away early this year. The D.L. James House dates to 1918 and was designed by the early 20th-century architect Charles Sumner Greene, who was respected for his influence in the American Arts and Crafts movement. The house itself was built from local sandstone and granite and has arched windows and a tiled roof. It also looks to wide views of the Pacific Ocean.
**********He got it cheap… but now he has to buy furniture!!
********It’s nice… but it’s a booger to dust!!
Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!
Celeb Fame-O-Meter: In!-(Life & Style)
Pete Davidson-
He may have stepped away from Saturday Night Live after eight seasons in May, but Pete, 28, isn’t
leaving his career behind. Soon after his final episode aired, the comedian flew to Australia to film
Wizards! alongside Orlando Bloom-and he’s already wrapped production on horror flick The Home as well
as Meet Cute co-starring Kaley Cuoco. Next up for Pete? Shooting Bupkis, a Peacock series based on
his life that’s being produced by SNL boss Lorne Michaels.
STUPID NEWS
Racoon Rescued By Cop
A police officer in New York performed a dirty job when a dumpster-diving raccoon found itself unable to climb back out of the trash receptacle. The Amherst Police Department said in a Facebook post that an officer climbed into the garbage container to rescue a “little bandit” that “got stuck while dumpster diving.” The department said the officer lowered a pallet into the dumpster so the raccoon could climb out, but ended up climbing inside himself when the animal couldn’t manage its own exit. The post said the officer “applied all of his training in the police academy for this moment.” See the pics HERE.
*********The raccoon was wearing a mask and couldn’t be identified!!
*******He was taking a break from the new “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie!!
Rare White Groundhog Spotted
An Ohio couple said they were driving home when they realized an object they initially thought to be a fast food bag was actually a white groundhog. Chip and Cindy Waikem said they were driving home to Massillon from Canton when they noticed an object that initially appeared to be a white fast food bag in the grass was a living creature. “My god, that is a groundhog,” Chip Waikem recalled saying in an interview with WJW-TV. “We both were from a farm community and never saw such a creature.” Waikem reached out to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Facebook in the hopes of getting more information on the unusually colored woodchuck. He said the couple’s granddaughter named the groundhog “snowball.”
********Of course she did!!!
Road Crew Paints Crooked Stripes!
The mayor of a California city said an error by contractors was responsible for the zigzagging lane lanes on a city road that left some residents scratching their heads. Hollister residents lit up social media with photos and videos showing the bizarre pattern of the lines painted recently on Ladd Lane. The yellow lines in the center of the road, and the white lines at the shoulders, were painted in a zigzag pattern instead of a typical straight line. “I saw it later in the afternoon on my way home from work, and I thought, ‘Woah, this is the strangest thing I’ve seen,'” Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez told KSBW-TV. Velazquez said the lines were supposed to be slightly curved, but the instructions were apparently misinterpreted by the contractors who painted the lines. “Basically, it just comes down to the contractor. Somebody didn’t read the plans correctly,” Velazquez said. “It was not designed to look very odd.” Velazquez said the contractor will repaint the road at no additional cost to taxpayers. See the video HERE.
**********Meanwhile, anyone caught drinking and driving on that road gets a free pass!!
*******”This road is sponsored by ZigZag rolling papers!!!”
Nut Stealing Squirrel Responsible For Alarm Call
Police in England responded to a burglar alarm at a DIY store and arrived to find the culprit — a squirrel — stealing nuts and bird food. Norfolk Police tweeted officers responded to the B&Q store in Norfolk while the business was closed on Saturday night. The officers arrived to find the alarm had been triggered by a trespassing squirrel “stealing nuts and bird food.” “Unfortunately he was too quick and nimble for us and got away,” police tweeted. See the pic HERE.
**********Squirrels need to keep an eye on things!!!
******He wanted to make sure all his nuts were in one place!
STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL
VIDEO: GIANT ALLIGATOR VS. A PACK OF ELEPHANTS.
A LIST FOR THURSDAY
How To Make Flight Cancellations Less Frustrating
HUFFINGTON POST
Expect things to go wrong
“The first step to traveling this season is anticipating that things will go wrong ― that’s just the reality as airports and airlines try to cope with staffing shortages,” said Julia Menez, host of the “Geobreeze Travel” podcast.
Managing your expectations is a good way to set yourself up for a better emotional response if a flight cancellation affects your trip. You might also be better equipped with things to keep you occupied at the airport should you find yourself standing in a long line to rebook your itinerary or waiting at the gate for the later flight you have to take. Read up on what the airline owes you in the event that your flight is canceled. You may be entitled to compensation ― though it can vary based on the stated reason for the cancellation. The Department of Transportation’s website includes a guide outlining passengers’ rights, so you can be prepared to advocate for yourself. “When it comes to flight cancellations, always expect the unexpected,” said Martin Jones, CEO of Airport Parking Reservations. “Organization and forward planning is essential to avoid that last-minute panic. It is important that you know your rights well ahead of your flight, thereby if your flight is canceled you are aware of what the airline is obliged to do for you as well as what you will need to organize yourself. This could include anything from putting you on another flight to providing accommodation until you can fly.”
Choose your flights strategically
With the expectation that things will go wrong in the air travel process, you should build in extra time to reach your destination if possible. If you’re traveling for a weekend wedding, consider booking a Thursday flight so that you have the extra day to make it there in the event of cancellations.
“Look to travel on less busy days, such as Tuesday-Thursday, and avoid weekend flights, since the more flights are scheduled, the greater the chance for a flight disruption,” advised Naveen Dittakavi, founder and CEO of Next Vacay. “A quieter period in airports usually results in a smoother travel experience, so stick to weekday travel and try to avoid busy travel periods, such as holiday seasons.” Of course, not everyone has the luxury of flying on a workday or paying for an extra night at a hotel. And there’s no real way to know if your flight will actually be canceled or rescheduled. Staff shortages, bad weather and mechanical issues aren’t necessarily something you can predict or control. “However, there are steps you can take to make complications less likely or even less stressful,” Jones said. “For example, try picking a flight early on in the day. Not only do morning flights tend to be cheaper, but they are also typically unaffected by previous flight delays, increasing your chances of flying on time.” Dittakavi added that summer thunderstorms are more likely to develop in the afternoon ― another reason to get moving in the morning. Keep the itinerary as efficient as possible as well.
“Try to book a direct flight,” Jones emphasized. “Direct flights reduce the potential of multiple flight delays or cancellations and also save you the hassle of having to catch connecting flights.”
Track your plane
“This summer, you have to be ahead of the game,” said Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy. “Even if you booked your flights months ago, check today to make sure your itinerary hasn’t been canceled or changed.” You can track your plane in the days and hours leading up to your scheduled departure as well.
“There are so many great apps out there, like FlightAware, that let you track where your inbound aircraft is coming from and if it’s facing any delays,” Kelly explained.
Checking to see if the plane you’re supposed to take is being held or delayed before you head to the airport can offer advance notice that your flight might be delayed or canceled.
“Check your flight status before you go to the airport,” urged Scott Keyes, author of “Take More Vacations” and founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “If your flight happens to get delayed or canceled and you live in a location where there are a few different airports, it’s possible the best option for rebooking is at a different airport, like maybe JFK instead of LaGuardia if you’re in New York.” The airline’s official app will also give status updates, so you can be prepared to change your itinerary as soon as something goes wrong.
“The best strategy is to set up immediate alerts on your mobile phone. This will give you more of a chance to rebook on an alternative flight before other people become aware of the disruption or delays,” Dittakavi said. “While this won’t stop your flight from being canceled, it will help ensure you can catch a flight on the same day ― relieving the stress of a frustrating experience.”
Don’t just wait in line
When flights are canceled, there’s typically a mass pilgrimage of passengers over to the airline’s help desk at the airport. With so many cancellations lately, hourlong lines have formed at these kiosks.
Of course, you should also try to rebook yourself on the airline’s app, which typically shows you all your alternative flight options as well. But if you prefer to talk to a person, remember you can make a phone call from the terminal as well.
“Don’t just stand in line at the airport,” Keyes advised. “Also call phone support. You might get through quicker than you’d reach the front of the line, and the agent can handle it all the same.”
If you’re flying a U.S. airline, Keyes suggested trying to call the company’s international hotlines for faster service as well. “Everyone is calling the U.S. hotline, but fewer are calling their hotline in Canada, Australia, Mexico ― which has agents who can handle your reservation just as U.S. agents can,” he explained. “Of course, check your phone plan for international calling rates, but you could get it done in 15 minutes rather than hours and only spend 30 cents. I’d pay that to save hours of wait time.”
Arrive with a plan B
“Come prepared with a backup plan,” Keyes recommended. “Ask, ‘If my flight gets canceled, what’s the second-best option? What flight would I like to be on?’”
If you start your travel day with one or two plan B options, then you’ll be able to more quickly rebook yourself in the airline app ― or ask the agent you’re speaking with to get you on that flight.
“At the end of the day, you’re your own best advocate,” Keyes said. “They might not offer the alternative flight you want the most, but they can check your request if you ask.” He also advised looking at options on other airlines beyond the one you booked for this trip.
“If you’re flying on a full-service airline, one benefit is ‘interline agreements’ between airlines,” Keyes explained. “In certain situations, they’ll put their passengers on a competitor airline.”
In addition to looking at other flight options, Jones also suggested familiarizing yourself with the hotels in the area. “It is always a good idea to have a look ahead of flying at surrounding accommodation close to the airport just in case you need somewhere to stay at the last minute,” he noted. “Having a look into these factors can help to ease the stress of being stranded in the airport for hours on end while alternative arrangements are made.”
Travel with carry-on luggage
There have been countless headlines this summer about checked luggage woes. In the midst of so many cancellations, airlines have experienced major delays in returning lost bags to their rightful owners ― and on a global scale.
London’s Heathrow Airport developed such an overwhelming backlog that Delta Air Lines flew a plane from London to Detroit carrying 1,000 pieces of stranded luggage and no human passengers.
When flights are canceled at the airport, travelers generally rush to get on the next available itinerary. But if you checked luggage for your original flight, you may well end up arriving at your final destination without your things. By taking a carry-on bag, passengers can rebook themselves immediately after a cancellation without the headache of locating and retrieving luggage.
This is the time to test your packing efficiency skills. Do you really need all those pairs of shoes and extra jackets? Try to fit your clothes and other supplies into a standard carry-on suitcase that fits in the overhead bin on the plane, plus a smaller bag you can be put under the seat in front of you.
Choose travel insurance wisely
Throughout the famously uncertain times of the coronavirus pandemic, travel insurance has become an increasingly popular purchase. “Travel insurance including trip protection is not very expensive and can ensure you are protected financially,” said Omar Kaywan, co-founder and chief growth officer at Goose Insurance. “Whilst every one else is trying to contact the airline, you could be having your insurance company booking you on another flight to get you to your destination. Travelers must do some homework, though ― not all policies are the same, and reviewing the benefits as well as the exclusion of any travel policy is key. And if you are not sure, ask to speak with a licensed agent and get your questions answered.”
If you’re considering buying travel insurance, make sure to read all the fine print and understand what your options are. Once you purchase a plan, have the contact information and policy number readily available in the event that you need to use the company’s services.
However, remember that you don’t have to buy insurance to be protected. “Check your credit card’s travel protections,” Keyes said. “Many credit cards automatically carry travel protections ― reimbursement, things if your flight gets delayed or canceled, if you need a hotel for a night. Check the card you used to purchase your flight to see what travel protections might be included.”
He also emphasized that all travelers are entitled to a full cash refund for their airfare if they don’t want to take the alternative option the carrier provides following a cancellation.
Have perspective
With so many air travel issues this summer, tensions have certainly been high at airports around the world. But no matter how frustrated you feel, try to keep in mind that airport workers do not control flight schedules, and refrain from taking out your anger on them. Remember that air travel is a luxury, and kindness goes a long way, especially as we continue to navigate an ever-changing pandemic.
“Airlines have been royally messing up this summer when it comes to operations, especially with cancellations,” Keyes noted. “But it’s still the case that the vast majority of planes are flying in the U.S. Even on the worst days, 19 out of 20 flights still flew, and on normal days it’s more like 98 out of 100 flights. That perspective is important.”
He noted that the number of cancellations is elevated when compared with previous standards, but the odds are still very much in your favor that your flight will operate as scheduled.
“Airplanes are more full than they were pre-pandemic. Even though the actual number of people traveling is still down, the number of flights going is down by more, so the result is fuller planes than before,” Keyes added. “But the odds that your flight is going to get canceled are still extremely low. Don’t let the perception of widespread chaos and cancellations lead you to cancel your plans preemptively.”
Menez, however, doesn’t blame weary travelers who decide to pass on the flying process during this busy season. “We’re all dying to travel this summer, and it’s hard to avoid flight cancellations without avoiding air travel altogether,” she said. “My advice: if the destination is domestic and only a few hours’ drive away, don’t fly ― avoid the airport headache altogether.”
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.
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