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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 14, 2016
June 14, 2016
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It's Flag Day (anniversary of the Stars & Stripes). Basically, on this day in 1777, the Continental Congress made the Stars & Stripes the first National Flag. No one knows who really designed the FIRST American flag; historians believe it was FRANCIS HOPKINSON, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the Continental Congress' flag committee, he allegedly took the design to Philadelphia seamstress BETSY ROSS, who sewed it.
Editor's note: Although Betsy was primarily an upholsterer, she prayed in the pew next to GEORGE WASHINGTON, and was a niece of GEORGE ROSS, both of whom were on the Flag Committee. And since upholsterers normally were called upon to make flags back in the day, it's not hard to believe she actually DID make the first flag.Trash talk and satellite dish:
Congrats to BILL MURRAY, who's just been named as the 19th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He'll be getting the award at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on Oct 23.
"I'm honored by this award and by its timing," Bill said. "I believe Mark Twain has rolled over in his grave so much for so long, that this news won't disturb his peace."
Past recipients of the award include STEVE MARTIN, ELLEN DeGENERES, WILL FERRELL, BILLY CRYSTAL, NEIL SIMON, BOB NEWHART, LILY TOMLIN, CAROL BURNETT, TINA FEY, JAY LENO, EDDIE MURPHY... and BILL COSBY, among others.On, off and way-off-Broadway:
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA is leaving "Hamilton," but, backstage at the Tony Awards Sunday night he said (quote), "I don't know when I'm leaving yet, but I think that I built a house I can come back to any time I want, so I'm really excited about that." Lin said that eventually people will be sick of him in this part, and even took a shot at TED NEELY who has been playing Jesus in various productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" for more than 40 years. Lin said (quote), "I've written a part I can't age out of, so even if I take a break, I'll always come back." (Marino)
Grace notes:
AC/DC now has its own signature brand of tequila. Thunderstruck will come in Silver, Reposado and Anejo. The band worked with Fabrica de Tequilas Finos on the joy juice. You can do shots of the tequila while you guzzle down AC/DC's premium Australian Hardrock lager. (Marino)
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