Born on this day!! Ventriloquist Willie Tyler (with Lester) is 80. Actor Alan Feinstein is 79. Singer Sal Valentino of The Beau Brummels is 78. Bassist Will Lee of the CBS Orchestra (“Late Show with David Letterman”) is 68. Actor Heather Thomas (“The Fall Guy”) is 63. Singer Aimee Mann is 60. Bassist David Steele of Fine Young Cannibals is 60. Actor Thomas Kretschmann (“The Pianist”) is 58. Singer Marc Gordon of Levert is 56. Gospel singer Darlene Zschech is 55. Singer Neko Case is 50. Actor David Arquette is 49. Actor Martin Freeman (“Black Panther,” ?The Hobbit”) is 49. TV personality Kennedy is 48. Drummer Richard Hughes of Keane is 45. Actor Larenz Tate is 45. Actor Nathan Corddry (“Mom,”) is 43. Singer Pink is 41. Singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson is 40. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas (“Home Improvement”) is 39. Rapper Wiz Khalifa is 33. Actor Gaten Matarazzo (“Stranger Things”) is 18.
THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY
1900 – A hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, killing about 8,000 people.
1935 – Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long, “The Kingfish,” was shot and mortally wounded by Dr. Carl Austin Weiss, Jr.
1951 – The San Francisco Peace Treaty was signed, formally ending World War II hostilities with Japan.
1952 – Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea was published.
1966 – Star Trek premiered on television.
1974 – President Gerald Ford gave former President Nixon a full pardon for all federal crimes he may have committed while he was in office.
1998 – Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run broke Roger Maris’s record of 61 homers set in 1961.
Today Is: Another Look Unlimited Day, Ants On A Log Day, Iguana Awareness Day, International Literacy Day, Miss America Pageant, National Ampersand Day, Pardon Day, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Day, Pet Rock Day, Virgin Mary Day (birthday)World Physical Therapy Day
TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)
CBS – 8:00 – NCIS / 9:00 – Love Island / 10:00 – FBI: Most Wanted
NBC – 8:00 – America’s Got Talent / 10:00 – World Of Dance
ABC – 8:00 – Modern Family / 8:30 – Modern Family / 9:00 – Blackish / 9:30 – Mixedish / 10:00 – What Would You Do?
FOX – 8:00 – Hell’s Kitchen / 9:00 – Prodigal Son
CW – 8:00 – Dead Pixels / 9:00 – Tell Me A Story
TV Talk Shows
Jimmy Fallon: Michael Strahan, Big Sean
Stephen Colbert: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Jon Batiste & Nathaniel Rateliff (R 8/19/20)
Seth Meyers: Jane Fonda, Jorma Taccone, BONES UK
The Talk: Elton John (R 10/23/19)
Live with Kelly and Ryan: John Leguizamo, Monica Mangin
Ellen DeGeneres: Ali Wong, Dr. Mehmet Oz (R 10/23/19)
The Real: Julissa Bermudez (R 3/3/20)
Kelly Clarkson: Jeff Foxworthy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Kayla Greer, Brittany O’Grady, Stephanie Quayle (R 8/4/20)
WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!
QUESTION: A slight overreaction?? School suspends 12-year-old boy for five days after he points a TOY GUN at his ZOOM CLASS!! Hey… he WASN’T at school!!!!!
QUESTION: What caused this Cali wildfire?? PYROTECHNICS at a GENDER REVEAL PARTY!!! (7,000 acres burned!) But wait… IT’S THE FIRST TIME it’s happened!!
QUESTION: How much is the Royal Family REALLY worth?? Check it out… this list gives you the net worth of every family member, including the QUEEN!!
QUESTION: Worried about the TOKYO OLYMPICS?? Good news!! No matter WHAT, they WILL go on, starting July 23, 2021!!! Get your tickets now!! NO COVID!!!!!
QUESTION: How does the #1 player in the world get DISQUALIFIED from the U.S. OPEN? Simple!!! Just hit a ball right at the line judge’s THROAT!!! You’re OUT!!
Golden Girls Table Read Coming
Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross announced on Instagram that she, Regina King, Alfre Woodard and Gina Prince-Bythewood will read the first episode of the sitcom Golden Girls online today (Tuesday) at 9 p.m. EDT. “Join us in the Zoom where it happens,” Ross’ Sunday post said. Accompanying the message is a photo of the actresses alternating with an image of the original show’s cast — Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty. The virtual event is free but requires registration to view. The Chi creator Lena Waithe is directing the reading of the pilot episode. “Join us for an evening that takes a look back to the sitcoms of yesteryear- Before you could pause your screens or binge watch. We bring to you our rendition of Golden Girls, re-imagined with an all-black cast of your favorite actresses,” the event’s website said. The original Golden Girls show ran for seven season 1985-92.
*******Betty White is like, “WTF??”
******Who gets to play the ultra-feminine Bea Arthur character??
The Queen Opening Up A Drive-In!
Britain’s Sandringham Estate has announced it will host several drive-in style movie screenings this month. The estate is the summer retreat for the country’s monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The drive-in lineup includes 1917 and Rocketman on Sept. 25; Toy Story, The Greatest Showman and Bohemian Rhapsody on Sept. 26; and Moana, Grease and A Star is Born on Sept. 27th. Audience members will pay $40 per car to watch the films from their vehicles. Snacks and drinks will also be available. The drive-in announcement was made this weekend as many indoor theaters remain closed and people are staying home due to social distancing practices enacted to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
*******Also, the Queen needs some extra money!! They’ve been sending billion$ to Meghan and Harry!!
*****Prince Phillip has offered to stop by your car and “steam up the windows!!”
****One thing’s for sure: they won’t be screening “The Crown!!”
*****There WILL be a special midnight screening of “Dumbo,” starring Prince Charles!!
Anna Faris Leaves “Mom” Sitcom
Anna Faris has announced she is leaving Mom before Season 8 of the CBS sitcom starts filming. “The past seven years on Mom have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career,” Faris said in a statement Friday. “I’m so thankful to Chuck, the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience. While my journey as Christy has come to an end, allowing me to pursue new opportunities, I’ll be watching next season and rooting for my TV family.” The new season is scheduled to go into production on Sept. 14 in Los Angeles. Returning are stars Allison Janney, Mimi Kennedy, Jaime Pressly, Beth Hall, William Fichtner and Kristen Johnston. Until now, the show focused on a mother and daughter who reunite after years of substance abuse and bad decisions.
******Sounds like she was typecast!!
*****She’ll have more time to sit at home and eat her heart out over Chris Pratt!!
*****It must be Allison Janney!! We never trusted her!!
Pamela Anderson Dating Her Security Guard
Pamela Anderson has reportedly moved on from her 12-day marriage to Jon Peters with none other than her security guard. She has reportedly been romantically linked to her security guard Dan Hayhurst, according to reports. A source close to the couple tells People that they’ve been riding out the pandemic together and began dating shortly after she split from Peters in February when the COVID-19 pandemic began in North America. “She’s very happy,” the source told the outlet. “And they’ve been together for the entire pandemic. She’s super happy and he’s been helping her fix up her home on Vancouver Island.” Representatives for Anderson did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment. The last anyone heard about the actress’ dating life came in February when she announced that, after their secret nuptials in Malibu, Calif. less than two weeks prior, she and Peters had split after 12 days together. “I have been moved by the warm reception to Jon and my union. We would be very grateful for your support as we take some time apart to reevaluate what we want from life and from one another,” Anderson said in a statement.
******It’s like “The Bodyguard” in real life!!
****That’s ONE good thing that’s come out of the pandemic!!
Dr. Dre’s Expensive Divorce
Dr. Dre’s estranged wife, Nicole Young, is reportedly seeking almost $2 million a month in temporary spousal support. They announced their split in June, and Young, 50, has filed new documents asking for the seven-figure payout, according to a report from TMZ. They also reported Young is seeking $5 million in legal fees. Dre, born Andre Romelle Young, and his wife were married for 24 years and share two kids together: son, Truice, 23, and daughter, Truly, 19. Since both are adults, no child support is required in split negotiations. According to early reports, there is said to have been no signed prenuptial agreement in place. But in July, Dre filed a response to Young’s divorce filing, claiming there was a prenup and it should dictate how their property is split up. In documents obtained by People magazine, Young has requested an early trial to determine the validity of the prenup. Forbes has estimated his net worth to be $800 million. “Before our wedding date, Andre demanded that I sign a premarital agreement that 16 of his lawyers had drafted,” Young said in a statement attached to the filing.
*****She’s starting a new movement called, “Black Wives Matter!!” (dare ya)
******If you’re rich, you know your wife subscribes to Forbes… just to keep tabs on the fortune!!
******We’re not sure where he went to medical school… but that’s our kind of doctor!!
Memorial For Chadwick Boseman Held
Chadwick Boseman’s family and friends paid their respects to the late “Black Panther” star over the weekend, less than two weeks after the actor succumbed to his battle with colon cancer. Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, and Winston Duke attended an outdoor memorial in Malibu, Calif., for their “Black Panther” co-star, along with Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, according to photos published by The Sun. A floral arrangement was seen next to a framed photo of Boseman, and music from a hang drum was also part of the service, per the photographs. Boseman died in late August following a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43 years old. “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his rep said in a statement. “From ‘Marshall’ to ‘Da 5 Bloods,’ August Wilson’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”
*******Now the inevitable question: who replaces him as “Black Panther?”
Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!
Phobias: Adele-(National Enquirer)
Chart-topper Adele is well known for battling stage fright, but the 32-year-old Grammy Award winner is also terrified of seagulls! She developed laridaphobia after one of the “flying rats” attacked her when she was a child. “I was walking down the promenade, eating [an ice cream] when this huge f—king seagull came down and swiped it off me,” she recalled. “I’ve still got a scar from its claw on my shoulder!”
The Lady’s Gaga For ‘Mental’ Pills!-(Globe)
Loony Lady Gaga has admitted she wrestles with her “mental issues” by popping anti-psychotic pills! “I can’t always control things that my brain does, and I have to take medication to stop the process that occurs,” the “Born This Way” singer confessed. The multi-award winning 34-year-old said she takes olanzapine-a medication often used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Things You Don’t Know About……Ralph Macchio-(Us Weekly)
Wax on, wax off! The Karate Kid alum show what he’s got.
- I was on the wrestling team in seventh grade-the B team-and went a stellar 1-9 in matches.
- They had to invent a weight class for me, as I was under 68 pounds.
- When everyone on the street was doing the crane pose after a preview of The Karate Kid, I felt confident we might make another.
- My first date with my wife [Phyllis] was seeing Martin Scorses’s New York, New York with Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli.
- My parents have been married 61 years; my wife and I have been married for 33.
Way To Throw Back-(Star)
Well, we’re impressed! More than 20 years after Shania Twain slinked around in a Marc Bouwer leopard-print catsuit for her “That Don’t Impress Me Much” video, the country star showed she’s still got it. The 54-year-old rocked the spots-this time, with fringe!-in the new music video for fellow Canadian singer Orville Peck’s hit “Legends Never Die.”
Star Power-(Life & Style)
LA, Aug. 14
No entourages allowed! As the first performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the COVID-19 lockdown, Anthony Anderson was honored without cheering crowds and paparazzi, and with only close family members present. But that didn’t make the experience any less thrilling. “Today was a GREAT day!” the Black-ish actor captioned an Instagram post [of a picture of Anderson with his star]. “When the world does open up….we will have a party on that star! I will go get a permit to shut down that part of the street.”
Julianne Moore & Bart Freundlich: Happy Anniversary!-(People)
The Oscar winner, 59, and her filmmaker husband, 50, celebrated 17 years of marriage on Aug. 23. “There is no one I’d rather be with,” wrote Moore, who posted a sweet, casual snap.
On Cue-(In Touch)
Aug. 20
“Friends shouldn’t let Friends play pool, especially when they suck,” quips Jennifer Aniston after Courteney Cox beat her in a game of pool. Consoled Courteney, “I may have had a good night, but could my friend be any cuter?”
STUPID NEWS
Casket Turns Out To Be Floating Dock
A suspected “casket” spotted floating in a Maryland river was fished out of the water by authorities and revealed to be a floating dock. A photo posted to Facebook by radio station WRNR-FM showed an object that appeared to be shaped like a coffin floating in the South River, sparking an investigation by Maryland Natural Resources Police. The police elicited the help of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ hydrographic operations team and the object was fished out of the water. The department said the investigators determined the suspected “burial vault” was “just part of a floating dock.” See the video pic HERE.
*****Whew! We thought it was another Hillary Clinton staffer!!
*****America’s getting pretty jumpy these days!!
Truck Back Into Pond
Authorities in Florida said a pickup truck had to be fished out of the retention pond outside a courthouse when the driver’s boot became stuck on the accelerator while attempting to park. The Florida Highway Patrol said a 64-year-old Largo man was attempting to park at the Pinellas Justice Center in Clearwater when his boot became stuck on the accelerator and the truck went over a raised curb, crashed through a fence and plunged into the retention pond. The driver was able to exit the vehicle and return to shore safely with assistance from Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office personnel. He was not injured. A tow truck was brought to the scene and fished the pickup out of the water. See the pic HERE.
******The driver realized that no one had done anything stupid in Florida that day!! So he decided to step up!!
****He was charged with “Driving While in Florida!!”
TOPIC: Dumbest thing you’ve EVER done in a car!!
Baby Shark Latches Onto Guy’s Arm
Firefighters responded to a beach in Florida to help a man with an unusual problem — a nurse shark latched onto his arm. Witness Jeremy Porter captured photos and video in Jensen Beach when a man came out of the water cradling a nurse shark that latched onto his arm. Lifeguards summoned Martin County Fire personnel, who can be seen in video footage pouring alcohol on the shark’s face in an attempt to get it to let go of the man’s arm. Porter said the shark finally let go of the man’s arm after about 20 minutes and was returned to the water. Experts said nurse sharks are docile and normally not dangerous, but have been known to bite if provoked. See the video HERE.
******He did provoke her… he asked why she wasn’t wearing white stockings!!
****This would have been the time to play “Baby Shark” to see if it worked!!
Church Organ Finally Changes Chord
Hundreds of people flocked to a German church Saturday to hear an organ change chords for the first time in nearly seven years. The St. Burchardi church in Halberstadt is performing John Cage’s Organ/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible) on a special organ. The experimental piece, which consists of eight pages of music meant to be played very slowly, is intended to last for an entirety of 639 years — meaning it will end in 2640 if all goes according to plan. The organ had been playing the same chord for six years and 11 months before Saturday’s chord change. The piece officially started playing Sept. 5, 2001 but began without any sound — until Feb. 5, 2003, when the first chord change happened. Typically the piece’s chord changes draw thousands of visitors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the church limited the size of the audience.
*******In other words, this composition sounds like someone learning the organ!!
*******It should be called “Festival of the Sloths!!”
*****Every couple of years, someone comes in to clean the organ!! It’s always important to have a clean organ!!
STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL
VIDEO: CAMPERS STRANDED DURING WILDFIRE
VIDEO: GUY SHOOTS BASEBALL AT THE SPEED OF SOUND!
A LIST FOR TUESDAY
Guide to Visiting National Parks (Without Spending a Small Fortune)
Penny Hoarder
How to Visit National Parks for Free
What’s better than traveling for free? Here’s how to visit all the national parks with no entrance fee:
Visit on Free Days
Each year the NPS offers free entrance days, meaning you can visit any of the national parks without paying an entrance fee. For 2020, the dates include:
- January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday)
- April 18 (the first day of National Park Week)
- August 25 (the National Park Service birthday)
- September 26 (National Public Lands Day)
- November 11 (Veterans Day)
You can check all free days on the NPS site each year.
PRO TIP
The parks will be crowded on free days, especially during the summer. If you’re going to a popular parks, expect a far less secluded experience at major hiking trails and park overlooks.
Find a Free Park
Many national parks don’t currently carry an admission fee. For example, America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is absolutely free to enjoy.
(Fun fact: At 12.5 million annual visits in 2019, Great Smoky Mountain National Park claimed more than double the amount of visits than the second most visited park, Grand Canyon National Park.)
Here is a complete list of free national parks:
- Biscayne National Park (Florida)
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
- Channel Islands National Park (California)
- Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (Alaska)
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Alaska)
- Great Basin National Park (Nevada)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)
- Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
- Katmai National Park and Preserve (Alaska)
- Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)
- Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska)
- Lake Clark National Park (Alaska)
- Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
- National Park of the American Samoa (American Samoa)
- North Cascades National Park (Washington)
- Redwood National Park (California)
- Virgin Islands National Park (Virgin Islands)
- Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
- Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Alaska)
Of the 10 most visited national parks (2019 data), however, nine charge entry fees:
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
- Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana and Wyoming)
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
- Olympic National Park (Washington)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
How to Get Annual Passes for National Parks
If you regularly visit amusement parks like Disney World or Cedar Point, it makes sense to buy a pass. National parks operate under the same guidelines. If you’re a regular visitor, you’ll save money by going the annual pass route.
Consider America the Beautiful Passes
An America the Beautiful annual pass gets you into more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including the 62 national parks, for just $80 a year.
If you intend to visit a handful of parks that charge an entry fee in a given year (or if you plan to return to your favorite park multiple times, perhaps to see how it changes with the seasons), save money by purchasing one of these passes.
Check for Discount Eligibility
The NPS offers several discounted passes:
- Current U.S. military members and their dependentsqualify for a free annual pass.
- Fourth-gradersqualify for an Every Kid Outdoors pass for free entry from September to August of the following year.
- Senior citizenscan purchase discounted annual passes for $20 a year or spend $80 for a lifetime pass.
- People with permanent disabilitiesare eligible for a free Access pass that also includes discounts on some amenities, like 50% off lodging in the park.
Volunteer
If you aren’t eligible for one of the free or discounted passes mentioned above, you can roll up your sleeves and do some hard work to earn free entry — and make the world a better place along the way.
To get a one-year pass (valid from the date of issue), you’ll need to log 250 service hours with one or more federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program. Learn more by visiting the official government volunteer site.
Tips for Finding Affordable Lodging
Other than transportation, lodging is likely to be your biggest expense for a national parks trip, since most of the recreation is free. Here are our best tips for lodging during a national parks road trip:
Stay Outside the Park
Whether you have an annual pass or a pass that affords you entry for a week, you can save money by finding lodging outside of the actual borders of the national parks. While the lodges available in some of the parks are breathtaking and waking up inside the park can save you valuable time (especially when wildlife run-ins can lead to serious traffic jams) in the mornings and evenings, they are way too expensive and can be challenging to book due to popularity.
PRO TIP
On a long trip, treat yourself to one or two nights in a lodge, but otherwise, enjoy the basic amenities of a hotel or Airbnb outside of the park for serious savings.
Camp Inside the Park
There is an exception to every rule. If you are comfortable with public showers (or no showers!) and less-than-five-star sleeping arrangements, I highly recommend camping inside a national park.
Not only is camping significantly more affordable (in popular parks, you can camp for as little as $25 a night), but it’s also an incredible way to become one with the very park you are exploring. To experience the sounds and the stars of the park at night: It’s a truly magical experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tips for Getting Around National Parks
Walking can save you money during your national parks trips — and in more ways than one.
Enter on Foot
Many national parks charge an admission fee per vehicle when you enter on wheels (and this fee typically covers a week of reentry), but you may also have the option to pay a per-person cost when entering on foot. If you’re traveling solo or with a partner, the cost to enter on foot may be cheaper than by car.
All you have to do is park outside the park and walk through the gate. Most park systems have an extensive network of connected trails, meaning you can get to hiking as soon as you enter on foot.
Take a Hike
Speaking of hiking, this is the single greatest way to keep your budget low during your national parks road trips. Skip the tourist traps that are sometimes nearby national parks, and instead spend your days hiking the thousands of miles of trails that the U.S. has set aside for your enjoyment. You’ll get plenty of exercise, and Mother Nature won’t charge you a dime.
Other outdoor adventures include biking, kayaking and canoeing, but the cost of rentals inside the park can add up. If you own a kayak or bike and have an easy way of transporting it into the park, you will save significant money over paying to rent these vehicles at a marina, lodge or shop.
Planning Ahead for Your National Parks Trip
A little planning goes a long way when traveling. In addition to making reservations in advance for discounts and coordinating around free entry days, you should also consider these trip-planning tips:
Bundle Up the Parks
You could spend weeks at a single national park and still not see it all. However, if you’re flying, renting a car or driving your own vehicle, research what other national and state parks are nearby. For example, if you live in northern Ohio and are heading down to the (free!) Great Smoky Mountains National Park, consider two more stops along the way at Cuyahoga Valley and Mammoth Cave (also free!) — and then you’ll knock out three parks in one trip.
Other common combos include Yellowstone and Grand Teton; the Olympics, North Cascades and Mount Rainier; Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches; and Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mountain.
Consider National Monuments, State Parks and More
While national parks are the gold standard of American road tripping, the country has so much more to offer, from national lakeshores and historic sites to recreation areas and parkways. Many of these are free, and even those that carry a cost may be covered by your annual pass.
Rather than travel wide distances to see multiple national parks, consider focusing on one or two national parks and fitting in nearby seashores, memorials and other landmarks in between.
Pack Your Own Meals and Snacks
Dining out can eat into your budget — and your time — on any trip. While every vacation merits a little bit of treat-yourself dining at a fancy restaurant, national park trips lend themselves to fun picnics during longer hikes and cheap meals over a campfire.
Pack a large cooler, and your dining budget quickly drops from $150 for a single dinner for four at a lodge restaurant to $150 for ice, bread, lunchmeat, fruits and veggies, chips and waters for a whole week.
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