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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Apr 16, 2014
April 16, 2014
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Filling a need:
Beef prices are at record highs. So are pork prices. What to do if you're an American? Eat more chicken! Americans are gobbling down that chicken --the most chicken in three years.
Editor's note: And now you can get fried-chicken crusted pizza at Domino's. And the liter of Coke is now actually a liter of liquefied chicken! USA! (Maiman)Sucking up:
Out magazine's eighth annual Power List is out, and talk show host ELLEN DeGENERES, who was number two last year, is back in the number one spot on the list, dethroning Apple CEO TIM COOK. The top-10:
10. Newscaster Robin Roberts
9. Football player Michael Sam
8. TV host Andy Cohen
7. Actor Neil Patrick Harris
6. Writer /director producer Ryan Murphy
5. Journalist Glenn Greenwald
4. US Sen Tammy Baldwin
3. News anchor /commentator Rachel Maddow
2. Apple CEO Tim Cook
1. Talk show host ELLEN DeGENERES
FYI: Also making an appearance on the list, the first transgender billionaire, JESSICA PRITZKER (#23), news anchor DON LEMON (27), actress ELLEN PAGE (29), basketball player BRITTNEY GRINER (31) and singer/songwriter FRANK OCEAN (42).On, off and way-off Broadway:
"Soul Train" is headed to Broadway. The Hollywood Reporter says MATTHEW WEAVER, one of the producers of the hit musical "Rock Of Ages" picked up the rights to turn the long-running TV music show into a stage production. The late DON CORNELIUS started the show in 1970 as a soul and R&B version of "American Bandstand." It ran in syndication for 35 years. Weaver got the rights to use the name and image of the show from Soul Train Holdings, which is run by former NBA great, EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON. (Marino)
Off the beaten path:
Now you can own the "world's most haunted island".
The Venetian island of Poveglia has been quarantined since the 18th century when it was overrun with the plague. The small, uninhabited, and very haunted island is among five properties --including a castle and a monastery-- being auctioned off by the Italian government to help them cut their massive debt. No word on what the starting bid is. (Still)Pet Patrol:
A small pig in California has become an internet celebrity.
'PENELOPE POPCORN' has tens of thousands of fans on Facebook andInstagram, thanks to her owner snapping photos of her in various outfits. The one-year-old purebred Juliana piglet has been getting dressed up and having her nails painted since she was born. Her owner says she doesn't mind wearing angel wings or butterfly costumes, in fact she loves the attention. Penelope is also potty trained and performs a variety of tricks. (Still) -
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