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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 19, 2015
June 19, 2015
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Anniversaries:
The Hula Hoop turns 57 years old today. This is the day its inventors sought a trademark for the hollow plastic circle that launched a dizzying pop-culture craze. RICHARD KNERR and ARTHUR "Spud" MELIN based their creation on a similar toy that Australian school children seemed to enjoy. The rest is history. Within a year, their Wham-O company had sold more than 100 million Hula Hoops ($1.98 each) --more than one hoop for every two Americans.
Out of this world gifts:
If you're hoping to go to infinity and beyond with a gift this Father's Day, why not buy Dad his own crater on Mars?
A firm called Unwingu is selling the right to name 580-thousand indentations on the surface of Mars. Prices range from five bucks for a tiny crater to hundreds of dollars for a huge hole.
Uwingu CEO ALAN STERN says that, "This is an out-of-this-world way to honor dads across this planet."
The names aren't yet officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union yet, but they'll be printed on a "People's Map of Mars" that will go into the Mars One Lander, which leaves Earth in 2020. However, it might take a while, with craters being named things like "Supersexywalruswildebeestpeacockbearcatsaurusrex" (That's "super-sexy-walrus-wildebeest-peacock-bear-cat-asaurus-Rex,") named for it's creator's "favorite things," the "LOL U MAD BRO" crater, and "The Crazy Sexy Lady Pants Crater."
In other news, please colonize Mars soon. The addresses will be hysterical. (AB)Best TV Dad:
In 2007, the folks at TiVo surveyed viewers to find Top TV Dads of All Time. "The Cosby Show's" Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby, of course) came in at number one. The top five on the list:
5. Sheriff Andy Taylor from "The Andy Griffith Show."
4. Pa Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie" (played by Michael Landon);
3. Howard Cunningham from "Happy Days" (played by Tom Bosley)
2. Ward Cleaver from "Leave It To Beaver" (played by Hugh Beaumont)
1. Cliff Huxtable from "The Cosby Show."
Editor's note: With all the stuff that's emerged about Bill Cosby, ya gotta wonder whether if this poll was taken again, Cliff Huxtable would even be on the list...What's Poppin':
Sunday is Make Music Day, celebrating music on a grand scale during the summer solstice with thousands of FREE outdoor concerts in cities nationwide.
The day coincides with Fête de la Musique, the world's largest annual music event, taking place in 700 cities across 120 countries. This celebration of music is open to musicians of all ages, genres and skill-levels. For more information on events near you, head to www.makemusicday.orgDesigner Update:
KANYE WEST's new kicks will be available before the end of the month --but only if you've already made a "reservation." The Hollywood Reporter says Kanye's Adidas Yeezy Boost 350's will be available to people who pre-ordered beginning June 27th in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as online. There's already photos of KIM KARDASHIAN wearing a pair while taking little NORTH to Disneyland for her second birthday. The sneaks are running $210 per pair. (Bartha /Lee)
Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
OK, so now you can see MADONNA's all-star video for her new single, "Bitch I'm Madonna." It was an exclusive for Tidal subscribers, but the video is now on Vevo. There is also a "behind the scenes" video with an alternate ending that has (quote), "explicit content."
Meanwhile, Madonna announced yesterday that comedian AMY SCHUMER will open her three New York City concerts in September. That's the 16th and 17th at Madison Square Garden and the 19th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. (Marino)STEVIE WONDER will open up the Special Olympics next month at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. BBC News says he'll sing the anthem of the games, "Reach Up L.A." along with the band OAR and two of the competing athletes. Stevie said (quote), "I am touched to be part of this celebration of determination, courage, joy and skill." AVRIL LAVIGNE, CODY SIMPSON and NICOLE SCHERZINGER are also set to perform at the ceremony on July 25th. (Marino)
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