Born on this day!! Actor Joyce Bulifant (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) is 83. Actor Liv Ullman is 82. Journalist Lesley Stahl (“60 Minutes”) is 79. Guitarist Tony Hicks of The Hollies is 75. Singer Benny Anderson of ABBA is 74. Singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is 71. Actor Xander Berkeley (“The Walking Dead”) is 65. Actor Alison LaPlaca (“The John Larroquette Show”) is 61. Actor Sam Robards is 59. Actor Jon Tenney (“The Closer,” ″Brooklyn South”) is 59. Actor Benjamin Bratt (“Private Practice,” ″Law and Order”) is 57. Country singer Jeff Carson is 57. Comedian JB Smoove (“The Millers,” ″Curb Your Enthusiasm”) is 55. Actor Miranda Otto (“Lord of the Rings” films) is 53. Actor Daniel Cosgrove (“Van Wilder”) is 50. Singer Michael McCary (Boyz II Men) is 49. Actor Krysten Ritter (“Jessica Jones,” ″Breaking Bad”) is 39. Actor Zoe Jarman (“The Mindy Project”) is 38. Actor Theo James (“Insurgent,” “Divergent”) is 36. Actor Amanda Setton (“The Mindy Project,” ”Gossip Girl”) is 35. Bassist Dave Rublin of American Authors is 34. Actor Hallee Hirsh (“JAG,” “ER”) is 33. Actor Anna Popplewell (“The Chronicles of Narnia” films) is 32. Actor Stephan James (“Race,” ″Selma”) is 27.
THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY
1773 – The Boston Tea Party took place.
1653 – Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
1916 – Grigori Rasputin assassinated by a group of noble Russian conspirators.
1920 – One of the deadliest earthquakes in history hit the Gansu province in China. The 8.6 quake killed 200,000 people.
1944 – The Battle of the Bulge during World War II began in Belgium.
1990 – Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti in the country’s first democratic elections.
2000 – Colin Powell was selected to become the first African-American secretary of state.
Today Is: Barbie and Barney Backlash Day, National Chocolate-covered Anything Day, Zionism Day
TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)
CBS – 8:00 – The Amazing Race / 9:00 – SEAL Team / 10:00 – SWAT
NBC – 8:00 – The Voice / 9:00 – SNL Christmas
ABC – 8:00 – The Great Christmas Light Fight / 10:00 – For Life
FOX – 8:00 – The Masked Singer
CW – 8:00 – Devils / 9:00 – Penn and Teller Fool Us
TV Talk Shows
Jimmy Fallon: Tina Fey, Patty Jenkins, Marcus King
Stephen Colbert: Tom Hanks, Leslie Odom Jr.
Seth Meyers: Stacey Abrams, Holland Taylor
James Corden: Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington
Watch What Happens Live: Michelle Buteau, Jen Shah
The Talk: Matthew McConaughey, Chris Sullivan
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Peyton Manning, guest co-host Anderson Cooper
The Real: Taraji P. Henson, Tracie Jade, Jovan Adepo
WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!
QUESTION: What happens when you break the COVID rules around TOM CRUISE?? THIS happens!! Check out this rant from one of the world’s biggest stars!!
QUESTION: Does a FIRST DATE always lead to a SECOND?? No!! And these singles are more than willing to give you the reasons why!!! No punches pulled!!!!!!!!!!
QUESTION: What’s weird about this NATIVITY SCENE?? The weird figures look like aliens and DARTH VADER… and the weirdest thing?? It’s at the VATICAN!!!!!!!!
QUESTION: Awkward?? Much??? This woman was not impressed by a new dating app when it matched her with her own BROTHER, who was sitting next to her!!!!!!!!
QUESTION: What is the BEST THING about being a FLORIDA MAN?? You can get TOM BRADY on your LICENSE PLATE!! Eat your heart out, Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meghan and Harry Ink Deal With Spotify
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have signed a multi-million dollar deal with Spotify to host and produce their own podcasts. They are again following in the footsteps of the Obamas, by signing up with both Netflix and Spotify. They have set up Archewell Audio and signed an exclusive multi-year deal with the platform and said in a statement released Tuesday they will produce programming “that uplifts and entertains audiences around the world.” Later this month, they say they’ll release a holiday special that will feature “stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year”, in partnership with Spotify’s Gimlet studio. They said in the statement: “What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction.” They added, “With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.” Spotify users will be able to listen directly to the Duke and Duchess as well as from “other creators that they will be elevating via our global platform.” The first complete series from Archewell Audio and Spotify is expected next year.
*******Meghan should have been a maid!! Because she’s really cleaning up!!
*******The Queen said, “You should try to have some class!!” Meghan: “Where’s the money in THAT??”
******”Archewell” is pronounced “Archie Will,” as in “Archie will have all your money!!”
******It’ll be very uplifting to hear from these rich poseurs!!! We don’t have enough condescending pomposity in the media world!!
*****Their first uplifting podcast will be titled “How We Manage on a $300 Million Budget!!!”
NBC’s New Year’s Line Up
The NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 special will feature performances from Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue. NBC said in a press release that Stefani and Minogue will take the stage during the TV special Dec. 31. AJR, Busta Rhymes featuring Anderson .Paak, Chloe x Halle, Jason Derulo, Goo Goo Dolls, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha featuring Doja Cat, Blake Shelton and Sting featuring Shirazee also will perform. Carson Daly will host the special live from Times Square in New York. Amber Ruffin and Stephen “tWitch” Boss will co-host. “Nothing will make me happier than to have a front row seat to watch 2020 disappear and usher in the hope for brighter days in 2021,” Daly said. “I’m excited to be with Amber and tWitch live in Times Square to broadcast the iconic ball drop to millions of viewers on TV, but will miss the revelers who can’t attend live. Our diverse music lineup offers something for everyone in your family.” NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 will air from 10 to 11 p.m. EST and then break for local news. The show will return at 11:30 p.m. for the final countdown to the iconic ball drop.
********This line-up sounds like the holding cell in a local police station!!
******If you’re trying to last until midnight, don’t watch!! Carson Daly is like a sedative!!
Sharon Osbourne Recovered From Covid
Sharon Osbourne took to Twitter on Monday to announce her infection and subsequent medical treatment. “I wanted to share I’ve tested positive for Covid 19,” she shared. “After a brief hospitalization, I’m now recuperating at a location away from Ozzy (who has tested negative) while ‘The Talk’ is on scheduled hiatus.” Osbourne added: “Everyone please stay safe and healthy.” The official Twitter account for “The Talk” left a sweet reply: “Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mrs. O, we love you.” The virus seems to be making its way through the daytime television community, as popular talk show host Ellen DeGeneres also announced that she’s been fighting coronavirus as well. She assured fans that she’s “feeling fine.”
*******Nothing can kill Ozzy!! After you’ve bitten the head off a bat, what’s left??
*****Sounds like Ellen is the super-spreader!!
*****Kelly Ripa wants to get it so she’s not left out!!
Highest Paid Celebs In 2020
Kylie Jenner has been crowned the highest-paid celebrity of 2020 by Forbes. The top-earning stars in the world earned a combined of USD 6.1 billion in 2020 with Kylie Jenner and Kanye West at the top of the list. Setting aside Kylie’s history with Forbes, the financial experts there calculated her earning this year to be at USD 590 million after she sold a majority of her beauty brand’s stake to Coty Inc. Ranked at No. 2, on the list by making USD 170 million was American rapper and record producer Kanye West, who is also coincidentally Kylie’s brother-in-law. The aspiring politician has his Adidas partnership to thank for this hefty payday. According to E! News, in addition to Tyler Perry, Howard Stern, and Dwayne Johnson, A-lister athletes like Roger Federer, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar helped round out the top 10. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entertainment industry, this year’s combined total of USD 6.1 billion was USD 200 million lesser than that of 2019.
********Let’s do a fundraiser for the highest-paid celebs!! They must be having trouble making ends meet!!
*****Sure, Kylie made $590 million… but is she happy?? You bet your ass she’s happy!! (Her ass is happy, too!!)
*******The people on this list have a special holiday message for their fans: “Thanks a lot, suckers!!!”
Blake Shelton Reveals Where He Hid Engagement Ring
Blake Shelton is opening up about his proposal to Gwen Stefani. He asked her to marry him earlier this year and the news broke in October, but in the week leading up to the big question, Shelton had something specific on his mind. During an appearance on the “Bobby Bones Show” on Monday, Shelton shared that he hid the ring in his truck. “I had the ring for a couple of weeks, maybe two and a half weeks,” he recalled. “The scariest thing was I had that ring in the compartment of the door of my truck for about a week and I don’t know about you, but stuff falls out of that damn thing on my truck all the time.” The crooner joked that he’ll dig through the compartment to find something, resulting in its contents spilling out. “I kept thinking, ‘Man, somebody’s gonna hit the jackpot when I drop this thing out of my truck,'” Shelton continued. “I wanted to keep it in there … because I didn’t know when I would have the exact right moment, but thank God I didn’t lose the ring.”
******He put it on her finger.. which is pronounced “fanger” in Oklahoma!!
******He’s gotta marry her quick, before she realizes what she’s doing!!
*****He should have hidden it in his spit cup!! She’ll never find it there!!
Jeff Bridges Updates His Health
Jeff Bridges revealed a newly shaved head and a new friend in his latest update. “Here’s the latest,” the Dude himself wrote on Twitter Monday. “Feeling good. Shaved my head. Got a puppy — Monty. Had a Birthday — 71, man.” He accompanied the update with a picture of himself displaying his newly bald pate, lounging in a chair with the adorable dog on his lap. He revealed in October that he had been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Later in the month, he said, “This cancer thing is bringing on feelings of preciousness, and gratitude, and good old fashion love, and lots of it, big time.” And in a truly Lebowski-esque finish, Bridges featured a video of several surfers, calling it “such a great reminder [of] how wonderful life can be.” He closed by writing, “Be love.” See the tweet HERE.
*******He’s a cool guy.. hopefully, he’ll beat this thing!!
Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!
Lonely Nicole Leans on Keith-(National Enquirer)
Nicole Kidman has revealed there is only one cure for her desperate struggles with loneliness-the arms of husband Keith Urban! “I am very fortunate to come home to him,” the melancholy “Moulin Rouge!” star said in an interview. “It’s a really strong place to be able to go and curl up. And this is a lonely world, right?” The Oscar winner, 53, said she practices “psychological discipline” to keep career and home life separate-but isolation still plagues her. “They say loneliness is the great killer. It causes so much pain and it is very, very, very hard,” she said. She and country musician Keith share two daughters, Sunday, 12, and Faith,9-but she is rarely seen with Bella, 27, and Connor, 25, her two adopted kids with ex Tom Cruise, and she wasn’t even invited to their weddings! “Loneliness is an epidemic!” she said.
Iggy’s Bizarre Name Game!-(Globe)
Rapper Iggy Azalea’s real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly-but don’t call her that! Only “the one percent of people” who know her “well” use her “real name because it feels cozy,” the Aussie-born singer, 30, writes on Twitter. The “Fancy” star explains she feels “names are very personal and I never wanted strangers to be able to use mine when talking s**t and putting weirdo negative energy on it. Gotta protect your vibe.”
Justin & Jessica: On the Rocks-(Us Weekly)
Apparently having a baby wasn’t enough to fix Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s trouble marriage after all. The couple-who secretly welcomed their second child in July, less than a year after the singer was spotted drunkenly holding hands with his Palmer costar, Alisha Wainwright-are “having problems once again,” a source reveals. “It’s not looking good.” Things are so shaky that some fear the pair, who also share 5-year-old son Silas, could be heading for a divorce. The friction between the two “all centers around Justin getting back to work,” explains the source. “He’s been staying late at the studio.”
Ken’s New Gig!-(Star)
Who is Ken Jennings? Two weeks after the death of beloved host Alex Trebek, the former Jeopardy! Champ has been tapped as the interim host of the long-running trivia show. “There will only ever be one Alex Trebek,” Ken tweeted, “but I’m honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January.” The 46-year-old who broke show records-and earned $3.37 million-winning 74 straight games in 2004, will begin taping shows Nov. 30. While a permanent replacement has yet to be named, fans were tipped off that Ken was in the running when the GOAT was giving a producing role earlier this year. Still, not everyone is thrilled with his new gig. “Can’t stop laughing about this,” the affable former software engineer wrote as he retweeted one particularly disgruntled response to the news Nov. 23. “They may as well let a loaf of bread host it.”
Say What?!-(Life & Style)
“My friend was getting married close to me and I went to her Bachelorette and then we ended up-typical Leo-we called it my Bachelorette. It was the most fun weekend of my entire life. I don’t know how she felt, but I had a blast.”-Jennifer Lawrence, on the festivities leading up to her 2019 wedding.
“His favorite thing in the afternoon is to watch [the Kelly Clarkson Show] on my bed!”-Kelly Osbourne, revealing her new rescue cat’s cute habit.
“We hung out one day….at his sister’s house, and he planted one on me…he hadn’t perfected the kiss yet.”-Garcelle Beauvais, on smooching a pre-fame Johnny Depp.
“I wish I enjoyed exercise.”-Jimmy Kimmel, on the one thing he’d change about himself.
Gabourey Sidibe & Brandon Frankel: Engaged!-(People)
On Nov. 24 the Empire star, 37, announced that boyfriend Frankel-who works in strategic partnerships for the app Cameo-popped the question. “I get to hold him forever,” she said.
Plea of the Week-(In Touch)
Chris Pratt
“Hey, just heard from my trainer and he needs you to stop working out since we’re gonna be in the same movie and everything. He doesn’t want me to stand next to you if you look like that, so I’m gonna need you to put on 25 pounds real quick. Cool, thanks.”
-on his buff Thor: Love and Thunder co-star Chris Hemsworth.
STUPID NEWS
Raccoon Attacks Christmas Tree!
A Florida woman captured video of the chaos that ensued inside her home when her dog alerted her to a raccoon climbing her Christmas tree. Aubrey Iacobelli said she awoke to the sound of her dog growling about 4:15 a.m., and a brief investigation uncovered the reason for the canine’s disquiet — a raccoon had apparently entered the home through the dog door and was climbing the Christmas tree. A video filmed inside Iacobelli’s home shows the dog knocking the tree over in an attempt to reach the raccoon, sparking a chase through the house. “The raccoon ran away from freedom. Jumped on my chandelier where it swung there for like 30 minutes,” she said. See the video HERE.
*******If a raccoon is attracted to your tree, it means the tree looks like garbage!!
TOPIC: Did an animal ruin YOUR Christmas???
Porch Pirate Steals Cat Poop
An Canadian woman fed up with package thieves said she left a box of poop on her front porch — and it was stolen within 40 minutes. Laurie Pringle of Hamilton said she’s had several packages disappear from her front porch during the past three years, so she decided to set out a bait package filled with cat poop. “I live on a very busy downtown street. My front door pretty much opens out onto the sidewalk. I’ve had a number of packages stolen in the three years I’ve lived here,” Pringle told Narcity. “As a result I have a very clear label for all my Amazon packages, indicating that they should ring my video doorbell. A couple of the couriers that Amazon uses almost never read the label, so that results in my packages being stolen fairly often,” she said. Pringle said the box of poop was stolen within 40 minutes of being set outside.
*******Aint that some sh*t???
*******The thieves said, “This must be something she ordered on Gwyneth Paltrow’s website!!”
******She had taken it right out of the litter box, so the thieves thought it was Almond Roca candy!!
Waitress Gets Big Tip!
A Pennsylvania waitress said she was shocked to receive a $5,000 tip from a table whose bill totaled only $205.94. Gianna DiAngelo, a server at Anthony’s At Paxon in Broomalla, said the big tip will be of great help at Widener University in Chester, where she is a freshman studying nursing. “I’m just happy with anything. So when they were saying $5,000, I just couldn’t even believe it. I’m going to put that money away toward college and pay it forward to do something good for other people,” DiAngelo told WPVI-TV. The restaurant expressed gratitude to the customers in a Facebook post. “We have no words other than THANK YOU! Unbelievable support for our staff here!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Thank you for helping our staff get through the holidays,” the Facebook post reads.
********A customer came back later and said, “Did anyone find the $5,000 I left here??”
TOPIC: Do you tip?? And if so.. how much??
******They say that men are much bigger tippers than women!! True?
Golfer Retrieves Ball From Gator
A Florida golfer was caught on camera retrieving his ball from a particularly dangerous hazard — the tail of an alligator. Kyle Downes said he and his brother were at the Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral on Sunday when a ball landed on the gator’s tail. Downes shared video showing his brother sneaking up on the alligator to grab the ball off its tail. The player quickly grabs the ball and the alligator, apparently startled, darts into the water. The alligator in the video has been spotted before and is known as Charlie to golfers. See the video HERE.
*********Now, THAT’S a hazard!!
*******What are the official rules on hitting an alligator with your ball???
******
STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL
VIDEO: SOUNDS OF MONKEYS EATING GRAPES!
VIDEO: GRANDPARENTS SURPRISED WITH NEW BABY!!
A LIST FOR WEDNESDAY
8 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Pet For Christmas
Huffington Post
Can I afford a pet?
Even if you aren’t shelling out large sums of money to buy a pet from a breeder or shop, there are still costs involved.
“Fees for adopting a pet can vary greatly, but that’s just an initial cost,” Askeland noted. “You’ll also need to budget for veterinary visits with booster shots, bloodwork, fecal testing (for parasites), etc. depending on the type of pet you choose. This veterinary care continues throughout the pet’s life, and you also need to think about emergency funds should your pet get sick or injured.” Other pet ownership costs include food, training, pet care supplies (crates, toys, bedding, crates, leashes, collars, etc.), pet sitters or day care and boarding. There’s also the additional cost of cleaning your home, car, and the pet itself.
Do I have the time it takes to care for a pet?
Pets ownership involves a lot of money and time. Be realistic about your schedule as you consider bringing a pet into your life. “Pets require flexibility and time at home to allow for care, training, exercise, and cleaning. Some pets require more attention than others, but all require some daily interaction,” Askeland explained.
“Getting a pet is an exciting and fun adventure, but it can also be stressful because of the time commitment and necessity of arranging your schedule around the pet’s needs,” she added. “You’ll need to plan your schedule around getting your pet out for exercise, making sure he’s not home alone too long, and making sure you have accommodations set up in the event you travel or are away from home for a longer day then normal.”
Do I live in a pet-friendly home?
“You can make most living situations with a pet work, but if you live in an apartment, some pets will be more challenging ― dogs who will need to go out to potty and exercise, in particular,” Askeland said.
She emphasized that pets should always be monitored, whether inside or outside and even if in a fenced area. This is particularly true for young pets. “Smaller spaces can work well because it’s easier to monitor your pet, but you can also use baby gates and block off areas in a larger home so your pet is in one area when transitioning into the home,” she added. “If you’re renting a place to live, consider any additional expenses you may have to bring a pet in. This includes pet deposits, pet fees, and cost of any damages a pet may cause.”
Am I prepared?
“Before you get a pet, keep in mind that you will be sharing life for the next decade or so,” explained Tripp, who is the founder of the Pet Happiness Network. “When you are not prepared to give pets the time and type of care they need, pets can become anxious and a source of stress instead of the healing and happiness we often seek from pets.” He explained that what you do in the first few weeks of having the pet in your home sets up the pet’s future expectations. So it’s important to have a plan to help the pet adjust to life with you.
“Once the pet is home, like a marriage, it takes a ‘for better or worse’ attitude and plans for the better,” Tripp said. “Resist bringing home a pet without planning or because you feel ‘love at first sight.’”
Is this the right breed for me?
Do research the kind of animal you want to bring into your home to see if it’s compatible with your lifestyle. Think about different breeds and the characteristics associated with them. This is especially important for dogs.
“Consider the dog’s size, as size determines the space taken in a car, the size and cost of dog beds and kennels, the food cost, and the amount of clean-up!” Tripp explained. “Select a coat type that fits your preference for the amount of shedding, need for brushing, grooming, a wet or dry dog face after drinking water, and how it feels to stroke the dog.” He advised researching what to expect from different breeds or breed mixtures on websites like akc.org. Factors to consider include the breed’s activity level, trainability, and its tendency to be vocal and be friendly to other dogs or cats. If you or someone in your household has allergies, think about allergen levels as well.
Do I have a good support system and backups if I need help?
“It’s best to have everyone in your home involved with caring for the pet, even if you are the primary caregiver,” Askeland said, noting that most pets are quite social and should feel comfortable with others in the home. “It would also be unfair to the pet to have someone in the home but unwilling to provide any attention or support the pet’s needs as they arise,” she added. “Because of this, it’s important to have discussions on schedules, responsibilities, and emergency scenarios prior to bringing a pet into the home.”
Do I have realistic expectations about pet ownership?
“Responsible pet-ownership is about knowing, as best you can, what you’re committing to, what your pet’s needs are, ensuring you can provide these, and committing to that pet for its lifetime,” Askeland explained. “It’s not always easy to own a pet, no matter what type, so make sure it’s right for you before diving in.” She suggested reading books about the pet you want, talking to friends or family who have owned that kind of pet, looking up the cost of care and supplies that the pet will need, researching pet insurance costs, and taking a realistic look at your life and schedule to see how a pet fits in.
Am I willing to make sacrifices for my pet?
Reflect on your lifestyle. How pet-friendly is it? And if the answer is “not very,” consider whether you’re willing to make changes for your pet, whether that’s canceling trips, missing social engagements or putting less time into other endeavors. While you may be home a lot in 2020, think about how your life may change as the COVID-19 vaccine gets a wider distribution.
“If you travel frequently for work, a pet may not be an ideal choice because of the time commitment involved,” Askeland noted. “It’s also important to be with your pet in order to create a bond, develop a schedule, and ensure the pet has consistency in training and within its life. It’s also not wise to adopt a pet just before a vacation you have planned or during times of year where your focus is needed on another project, whether work or home.”
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