Born on this day!! Actor Robert De Niro is 78. Guitarist Gary Talley of The Box Tops is 74. “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes is 72. Actor Robert Joy (“CSI: NY”) is 70. Singer Kevin Rowland of Dexy’s Midnight Runners is 68. Country singer-songwriter Kevin Welch is 66. Bassist Colin Moulding of XTC is 66. Singer Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s is 63. Actor Sean Penn is 61. Jazz saxophonist Everette Harp is 60. Guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) is 59. Singer Maria McKee is 57. Drummer Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes) is 56. Singer-bassist Jill Cunniff (Luscious Jackson) is 55. Actor David Conrad (“Ghost Whisperer,” “Relativity”) is 54. Rapper Posdnuos of De La Soul is 52. Actor-singer Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block is 52. TV personality Giuliana Rancic (“Fashion Police,” ″E! News”) is 47. Actor Bryton James (“Family Matters”) is 35. Actor Brady Corbet (“24,” “Thirteen”) is 33. Actor Taissa Farmiga (“American Horror Story”) is 27.
THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY
1896 – Prospectors found gold in Alaska, a discovery that set off the Klondike gold rush.
1807 – Robert Fulton’s steamboat, the Clermont, began its trip up the Hudson River to Albany.
1863 – Fort Sumter, S.C. was bombarded by Union ships during the Civil War.
1945 – Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence from the Netherlands.
1962 – 18-year-old Peter Fechter was shot and killed by guards at the Berlin Wall, spurring riots.
1969 – Hurricane Camille devastated the Gulf Coast, killing 248 people.
1978 – The first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight landed outside of Paris.
1987 – Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler’s second in command, committed suicide.
2008 – U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal, breaking the record set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Games. Phelps also set the record for the most golds in a single Olympics.
Today Is: Baby Boomer’s Recognition Day, Black Cat Appreciation Day, I Love My Feet Day, Meaning of “Is” Day, National Nonprofit 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 – College Bowl
ABC – 8:00 – Home Economics / 8:30 – Home Economics / 9:00 – Home Economics / 9:30 – Home Economics / 10:00 – Home Economics
FOX – 8:00 – LEGO Masters / 9:00 – Fantasy Island
CW – 8:00 – DC’s Stargirl / 9:00 – Superman and Lois
TV Talk Shows
Jimmy Fallon: Michael Shannon, Paris Hilton, Courtney Barnett
James Corden: Ed Sheeran (R 6/28/21)
The View: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Mj Rodriguez (R 7/20/21)
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Chris Rock, Jillian Michaels, Olivia Holt
Ellen DeGeneres: James Corden, Patti Harrison, Drew Brees, Chuck Glynn, Hamish McCann (R 6/1/21)
Wendy Williams: Howie Mandel (R 7/14/21)
The Real: Fizz, Sierra Gates, Monique Kelley (R 2/9/21)
Kelly Clarkson: Michael Douglas, Yvonne Orji, Ben Platt (R 6/8/21)
Drew Barrymore: Hunter McGrady, Tiki Barber (R 11/30/20)
WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!
QUESTION: Is he WEARING A MASK?? Dr. Phil is MAKING HOUSECALLS on his new show called… “Housecalls” on CBS!!! He’s helping families work out issues!!
QUESTION: Did you like Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “A Star is Born??” Well… someone wasn’t a fan, and that someone is BARBRA STREISAND!! “A wrong idea!!!”
QUESTION: This great-grandma is celebrating her 100TH BIRTHDAY.. and something more!! She’s a WORLD-RECORD POWER LIFTER! (Started lifting at 91!!!)
QUESTION: Ever wonder if MLB players LIKE getting slapped on the ass? This Dodger DOES NOT!! Max Scherzer tells manager Dave Roberts, “Don’t effin’ touch me!!”
QUESTION: Think YOU’VE got it bad?? This is the inside of a U.S. transport plane leaving Kabul!! (There were also people hanging on the outside, they fell off and died.)
Jay Z Betting On Sports Betting!
Jay-Z is making a move to open a sportsbook in New York. He has partnered with Michael Rubin’s Fanatics to make a bid with the New York State Gaming Commission as it prepares to open up mobile sports betting next year. As part of the plan, Jay-Z will serve as vice chairman and be on the board of directors of a new Fanatics Betting & Gaming entity. His role as an executive was revealed in redacted documents released last week by the New York State Gaming Commission regarding the bids, but we’re told his name as a potential license holder was blocked out. According to the documents, the Grammy-winning rapper and the Fanatics group are bidding against competition including a consortium of FanDuel, DraftKings, Bally’s and BetMGM. Other groups include Caesars Sportsbook. According to the redacted documents, the Fanatics Betting & Gaming executive team would have Matt King as CEO. He was formerly the CEO of betting giant FanDuel. Sources said that Jay-Z has a strong hand as the only African American investor to appear on the gaming licenses submitted to the state. He’s also one of the only names with such close ties to New York.
*****Hey!!! This is the Audacy business model!!!
*******They left out the part where Jay Z has made major contributions to various Democrat candidates. We like his chances!!
*****He has a history of selling drugs. Now he can add “gambling” to his portfolio!!
Prince Harry Not Offended By Royal Cartoon
Prince Harry didn’t take offence to Orlando Bloom’s portrayal of him in “The Prince”, according to series creator Gary Janetti. Janetti was asked about the show, which satirizes the British Royal Family, during a recent appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen”. He said, according to the Mirror: “I don’t know if Harry has said anything to Orlando about it, but I know before the show premiered, he was aware that Orlando was doing it… and he seemed to have a sense of humor about it.” Bloom, who voices his real-life neighbor Harry in the series, has also spoken about the controversial part, previously saying in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “Initially, I was like, ‘Hmm, how do I feel about this?’ because I’m a British boy who’s actually very proud of my roots. “I’ve always understood it as part of my heritage and background, and I’m not someone who wants to poke fun at anyone normally, but this was so clever, witty, and affectionately done.” Bloom said that it was actually his other half Katy Perry who encouraged him to accept the role in the first place. He shared, “Katy was like, ‘You’ve got to do this. This is genius.’”
*******Prince Harry asked Meghan: “Am I offended??” She said, “No!! You love it!!”
******The Royal Family has to be chuckling over this “affectionate” portrait of the Queen as a drunken slut!!!
*****Meghan is voiced by Roseanne!!! (not)
The Cure Bassist Quits
Simon Gallup announced he’s leaving the English rock band The Cure after four decades as its bassist. He announced the news with an incredibly brief statement shared on his Facebook Saturday. “With a slightly heavy heart I am no longer a member of the Cure ! Good luck to them all,” he wrote. In response to a commenter asking if he was OK given the abrupt change, Gallup noted that he’s fine, “just fed up of betrayal.” Gallup served as the bassist for the band on 11 of its 13 albums and is expected to have done some work on their upcoming release. In addition to the bass, he was also known to play the keyboard in the band. In total, he spent 40 years with The Cure, helping it get its start in 1979 through 1982. However, he took a hiatus after friction between him and lead singer Robert Smith occurred while on tour. However, at Smith’s request, Gallup returned in 1984 and has remained with the band ever since on albums like “Disintegration,” “Wish” and more.
*******Nobody cares when the bass player quits!! Don’t ask how we know!!
Orlando Bloom Goes Skinny Dipping
Orlando Bloom shared photos of himself going skinny-dipping in a lake nearly five years after he made waves for naked paddle boarding. He posted a snap to Instagram Sunday where he was seen standing completely naked facing a body of water with just a peach emoji covering his derriere. He gave a thumbs-up as he posed for the photo. He also shared a video where he was seen doing a backstroke as he splashed around sans clothing in the water with his muscular body on full display. “This is so amazing,” he said in the video as he pushed his wet hair out of his face. He captioned the post with three water drop emojis. Several fans flooded the comments section to lust over the British star. “peachy,” one person joked. “Turn around!!! LMAO,” another fan wrote. In 2016, full-frontal photos surfaced of Bloom paddleboarding while on vacation with Perry. A few years later, he addressed the size of his penis in the eye-catching pictures, saying in September 2019, “It is really not that big. Things are expanded on cameras with a big optical lens. It is an optical illusion.”
******What’s white and 12 inches long?? Nothing.
******Gosh, we’re starting to think he’s an attention whore!!
******Looks like Katy is having a ball!! Or two!!
The Talk Is Looking For A Male Co-Host
After Jerry O’Connell replaced Sharon Osbourne as co-host on The Talk, Page Six has exclusively learned that the CBS talk show is looking to fill Carrie Ann Inaba’s empty seat with a man. “They haven’t announced it, but Carrie Ann is not returning, and they’ve been trying out comics and athletes to take her place,” a source says. Inaba announced in April that she would be taking a leave of absence to focus on her “health and well-being.” “We all know health is the most precious gift we have. And I need to take care of mine,” she captioned an Instagram post at the time. “I appreciate the love and support from all of you and from my family at ‘The Talk.’ I hope to be back soon! Ready for action!”
*******You don’t have to fully transition to female, but you ARE required to have half your brain removed!!
*******That’s America in 2021!! All “Talk” and no action!!
Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!
Tightwad Meghan Pinching the Purse Strings-(National Enquirer)
Hapless Harry runs receipts by her for every purchase! Queen Bee Meghan is ruling the family finances with an iron fist, insiders said, even though henpecked hubby Prince Harry is bringing home most of the bacon! Sources claim royal rebel Harry has to account for every penny he spends and even had to borrow money to buy his diva wife’s 40th birthday gift. The cash-crazy couple inked a $100 million deal with Netflix and a $25 million deal with streaming giant Spotify, while Harry recently signed to write a four-part book series, rumored to be worth another $25 million! “Harry laughed it off when he asked for the loan, but his friends were stunned. Now they’re all gossiping about Meghan being a micromanager and saying Harry can’t do a thing without her approval.”
Butler Charges $10M Movie Scam-(Globe)
He-man actor Gerard Butler is suing producers for cheating him out of $10 million in profits for his 2013 movie “Olympus Has Fallen!” The 51-year-old Scottish star’s lawsuit-filed in Los Angeles Superior Court-claims tricky accounting reports deliberately shortchanged him on backend profits. He claims producers undervalued global box-office receipts of the action thriller by tens of millions of dollars-and didn’t report $8 million in bonuses lavished on studio executives!
A Decade of Love!-(Us Weekly)
Ayesha and Stephen Curry just celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary, and the NBA star, 33, and the cookbook author, 32, couldn’t be happier. “Steph dotes on Ayesha,” says a source. “And Ayesha’s a steadying influence who keeps their home life very normal.”
Johnny’s Hollywood Hit List-(Star)
Asked to resign from the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Written out of the mega-successful Pirates of the Caribbean’s next outing. The fallout from Johnny Depp’s messy, ongoing legal struggles with ex-wife Amber Heard has been far-reaching. But sources say the 58-year-old is planning to come back-with a vengeance. “He’s on a mission to clear his name,” an insider says of the star, who has denied abusing his ex. “He’s kept a detailed dossier of all the people who have spoken out against him,” adds the insider. On his hit list: producers who cut him from films, Warner Bros. studios and his former costar Orlando Bloom. “Johnny was stunned that Orlando didn’t say a word on his behalf when he was dropped from Pirates.”
Romance Report Card-(Life & Style)
Blake Lively-
She and husband Ryan Reynolds celebrated the 10th anniversary of their first date at Boston sushi joint O Ya. “No restaurant means more to us,” Blake gushed.
GRADE: A
Kristen Bell-
“We have had to make a therapy appointment because of the fighting over a board game,” the Good Place star said of playing Settler of Catan with her husband, Dax Shepard.
GRADE: B-
Nelly-
The rapper has called it quits with longtime girlfriend Shantel Jackson. When asked if they were still together, she replied back, “just friends,” on Instagram.
GRADE: C
Chatter-(People)
“Holy hell, we can never do that again!”
-Kate Winslet, on the intensity of make Mare of Easttown.
“I think you’re lucky if your kids remember three to five things that you say.”
–Leslie Odom, Jr. on honing lessons he tries to teach his children.
“I tried it once, and I didn’t like the way it made me feel…..I like, beer, Chinese food or Italian food.”
–Barbra Streisand, on preferring food and alcohol over marijuana.
Winner of the Week-(In Touch)
Dolly Parton
-The singer reveals that after Whitney Houston made her song, “I Will Always Love You,” a hit, she purposely used the royalties to buy a building for her offices in a predominantly black neighborhood in Nashville.
STUPID NEWS
Old Marriage Certificate Found In Picture Frame
A North Carolina thrift store at which a 146-year-old marriage certificate was found hidden inside a picture frame said the couple’s great-granddaughter now has been located. Pam Phelps, an employee at the Hope Chest Thrift Store in Bolivia, said she was cleaning an antique 1889 print of a painting depicting a small girl and a dog when she found something hidden in the back of the frame. The hidden paper, an 1865 New Jersey marriage certificate for a man named William and a woman named Katey, sparked a search for any living family members of the couple. Irene Cornish said people who saw a WWAY-TV news broadcast about the discovery messaged her on Ancestry.com, suspecting the couple could be her great-grandparents, William and Katherine DeWorth. “I haven’t been on Ancestry in quite a few months,” Cornish told WWAY-TV. “I actually went on to research a family member on the other side. And I happened to notice I had these messages.” Cornish said she doesn’t know exactly how the marriage certificate ended up at a North Carolina thrift store, but she does know many family items were donated to second-hand stores.
*****The couple just celebrated their 146th anniversary with a wild party in Vegas!!
*******At their wedding, they danced to the Battle Hymn of the Republic!!!
******The family breathed a sigh of relief when they proved that they were really married!!
Bull Stops Traffic
A loose bull temporarily shut down the 15 Freeway near Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., causing delays. The bull was reported to officials last week as it started grazing on the side of the road, local station ABC7 reported. The bull later wandered onto the freeway. “All lanes blocked due to a loose cow. Unknown duration of when the animal will stop eating grass. Please use alternate route until animal control can safely remove animal,” the official Twitter account for the California Department of Transportation for District 8 said. Police were eventually able to to corral the bull off the freeway by 8:40 p.m. PDT by using their vehicles. “Cow safely recovered… and fed. All lanes now open. Drive safe!” the California DOT for District 8 Twitter account said in their final update.
********One more time: a BULL is NOT a COW!!!!
(Unless he identifies as a cow that day)
*****And if you’re tugging on something, that’s NOT milk!!
******Now all we need is a celebrity to adopt him!!!
Busy Florida Man
A Florida man was very busy last week after he went on what the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office calls an “impressive crime spree” that involved at least four stolen vehicles and property damage. Deputies said they were called out for a report of a crash at U.S. Highway 17 and Palmetto Avenue. Deputies discovered a stolen Ford F-150 truck stuck in the mud up to the tailgate, body camera video shows. No one was inside the truck and deputies said it was stolen from Marion County. While investigating the abandoned truck, deputies were flagged down by witnesses who reported two buildings were broken into and another Ford F-150 and a forklift were stolen. The forklift was driven around until it ran out of gas, according to the arrest report. The suspect then stole the Ford F-150 and drove off, crashing it in the woods. Deputies said the catalytic converter had been cut from the truck when it was discovered. Then, deputies got another tip about a burglary and a stolen car. At that residence, the victims said the suspect took the keys from the garage, and a pair of shoes and stole a car. Next, deputies got another report of theft but it was a four-wheeler. The owners of the four-wheeler were in the hospital with coronavirus at the time of the theft, according to their daughter, who was watching the property. Deputies then encountered Charles Harrington, 24, walking down County Road 3 after a neighbor reported him jumping a fence and lurking in the woods. These thefts all happened within 18 hours, according to the arrest report. “To be clear, this is a very rural area and foot traffic in these areas is unheard of,” the arresting deputy wrote in the report. The deputy told Harrington the sheriff’s office had been getting “several calls about you.” He was is charged with three counts of unarmed burglary and three counts of grand theft less than $100,000.
****He was awarded “Criminal of the Year!!!”
*****Sounds like he could have made a clean getaway if he’d just made an effort!!
STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL
VIDEO: FED EX DRIVER TOSSES PACKAGES.
VIDEO: GIANT FIRE TORNADO.
VIDEO: METEOR CAUGHT ON DOOR CAM.
A LIST FOR TUESDAY
10 Surprising Things You Can Return To Retailers
The Penny Hoarder
- Worn Athleta Workout Clothes
Forget that old rule at the mall that to return clothes, you must leave the original tags attached.
Exercise clothier Athleta offers its customers a pretty impressive Give-It-a-Workout-Guarantee. Customers can actually wear clothes for a workout (or even a trip to the mall) and if they don’t like how they feel or perform, return them for a full refund within 60 days.
- Used Bath & Body Works Soaps and Lotions
The sweet scented store lets customers return even opened products, a.k.a. used products, for a full refund within 90 days with a receipt.
Without a sales receipt you can get a merchandise credit for items purchased based on the lowest selling price of the product.
- A Custom Can of Paint
Home improvement giants Lowe’s and Home Depot both let you return mixed paint if it ends up on your walls and you decide you don’t like the color. Just exchange it for another color.
- Assembled or Partially Assembled IKEA Furniture
Under IKEA’s new buy back program for gently used items, assembled furniture, partially assembled furniture and used furniture can be sold back to the retailer. You won’t get full price, but it’s better than giving or throwing it away if you need cash.
The buy back program is part of Ikea’s goal to become fully carbon neutral by 2030. It will offer 30% to 50% of the original price of products in gift cards based on their condition.
You can use the retailer’s estimator to find out what your item might bring then take it to the nearest store.
- Dead Shrubs
Can’t keep your lush yard alive? Good news! Home Depot and Lowe’s also allow customers to return dead trees and shrubs up to a year after they were bought. Just make sure to keep your receipt!. This goes for perennials, too.
- Used Makeup
Many stores that sell makeup have generous return policies that allow customers to try a little of this and some of that and then return the remaining product for a gift card, store credit or exchange it if they don’t love how they look.
You can return makeup to many retailers including higher-end stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Sephora, as well as good ole’ Walgreens, Target and CVS.
So go ahead and take a risk on that midnight blue eye shadow or extra long lash mascara.
- Food Items
Yep. If you get to the bottom of that bag of tangerines and three are mushy or molded, take the bag back for a store credit or refund. Most grocers happily replace fresh produce that’s not as fresh as you want once you get it home.
Some grocery stores will also take back opened food items such as a bag of chips, box of brownies or container of hummus simply because it doesn’t thrill your tastebuds. Trader Joe’s is known for encouraging shoppers to buy something to try it, and bring it back for a store credit, exchange or even a full refund.
- Opened Bottles of Wine
It’s often on a case by case basis. But many independent wine shops and some chains will let you return a bottle of wine after it’s opened if you don’t like it.
At Total Wine & More, the largest independent retailer of wine, the return of opened products are up to the discretion of the store manager, according to a company employee. Often a manager will replace most purchases with a similarly priced product or store credit.
Now, don’t go asking for a refund or exchange if there’s barely an ounce left. But if you pour a glass or two and just don’t like the taste, put a cork in it and get started on the return process.
- Personalized Uniforms from Lands’ End
Lands’ End, the longtime online retailer, is also a uniform supplier for hundreds of schools around the country. It offers a great perk for busy parents trying to get their kids in the right gear.
You can return uniforms that are personalized with your school’s logo for a Lands’ End merchandise credit. That really comes in handy if you are ordering multiple shirts for multiple kids and they don’t fit right when they arrive.
- Almost Anything From Costco
Not only do they have low prices, Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club all have very generous return policies, including open food and a refund on membership fee if you aren’t satisfied.
Costco and Sam’s Club have no time limit on most return items. But be sure to read the fine print because there are a few exceptions for premium electronics, major appliances, tires, cigarettes, alcohol and other items. BJ’s limits its returns to a year.
And Then There’s the Wiggle Room
Maybe you are a few weeks outside the 12-month time limit to return shoes to Zappos. Or you let a bottle of $15 Sonoma Cutrer drop to the pavement and bust outside the grocery store. Or you just can’t put your hands on that gift receipt.
Just because there’s no return policy stating you can get a refund or replacement, it never hurts to ask.
7 Tips For Returning Something That’s Not Returnable Under A Store’s Return Policy
- Ask. Don’t tell.
Acknowledge you are asking for a longshot but you just want to give it a try. Remember your ultimate objective is to get some money back for an unwanted item purchased, not prove you’re right.
- Humor goes a long way.
Make a funny comment about your bad luck or forgetful mind. Again, show the error is on you and not the store’s policy.
- A receipt goes even further.
Even if it’s crinkled and has a few ketchup stains, a receipt shows you aren’t attempting to make fraudulent returns. If the purchase was online, try to dig up a confirmation from your email if you can’t find the receipt that came in the box.
- Suggest a store credit or exchange.
That’s more likely than a cash or credit card refund.
- Try, try again.
If you get a “no” or the first person you ask says they don’t have the ability to make the call, ask very nicely if you could plead your case to a supervisor.
- Plead nicely.
Don’t blame the first person you ask. Remember this is not a “good cop-bad cop” situation. Acknowledge that everyone is being patient and trying to give you a good customer experience.
- Offer thanks either way.
If you try to return items outside the store’s time limit and walk out with a refund check, tell the deciding employee to expect some good karma. Even if they say no, you should still thank them for not laughing you out of the store.
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