‘This is the beginning of a social credit system’: Bud Light door at gas station requires ID to open and get beer – LINK

TIKTOK PRANK TRAPS CARS IN PARKING LOTS – LINK

Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin charged with persistent DWI – LINK

U.S. again delays deadline for Real IDs, until May 2025 – LINK

The Grinch Got Drunk and Beat Up Rudolph at a Company Christmas Party – LINK

NYC Needs a Bloodthirsty ‘Rat Czar’, and the Job Pays $170,000 a Year – LINK

Is This a Good Thing? You’ll Be Able to Make Calls on Flights in Europe – LINK

Pepsi Wants You to Try “Pilk” . . . Pepsi + Milk – LINK

Hellmann’s Wants You to Make Eggnog with Mayonnaise – LINK

Police in Vermont were looking for a man who was spotted in a mall parking lot carrying two swords and a BB gun.  They put his picture out to the media, and the guy called the police to say he bought the swords and the gun AT the mall.  (???)  The cops looked into it, and the guy was telling the truth.  (Full Story)

The Ten Cars Most Likely to Make it to 250,000 Miles – LINK

Kirstie Alley died yesterday after what her family described as a “short battle with cancer.”  She was 71 years old. They said the cancer was “only recently discovered,” and Kirstie, quote, “fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead.” Kirstie is best known for playing Rebecca Howe on NBC’s “Cheers” from 1987 to 1993.  A second NBC sitcom, “Veronica’s Closet”, aired for three seasons, from 1997 to 2000. She made her film debut in “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan” in 1982.  Her other films included “Summer School”, “Village of the Damned”, and the “Look Who’s Talking” flicks . . . where she co-starred with John Travolta. John posted a tribute to Kirstie, saying, quote, “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.  I love you Kirstie.  I know we will see each other again.” Her most recent gig was the Baby Mammoth on Season 7 of “The Masked Singer”, which aired earlier this year. In her final Instagram post back in September, she announced that she was joining Cameo.

Kylie Jenner has already been tagged as a major offender when it comes to unnecessary private jet rides.  But this weekend she took it to another level. On Saturday, Kylie and her boyfriend Travis Scott flew from Miami to California . . . on SEPARATE JETS.  Each flight used over 15,000 pounds of jet fuel and produced 25 tons of carbon dioxide. The Internet let them have it, of course.  One Reddit user said, quote, “They obviously don’t give [an eff] about anyone else but their kids are going to suffer from global warming too . . . these people are unimaginably selfish.” Other users suggested that the Kardashians can afford to be so selfish because they have an EXIT PLAN.  There’s even an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” where Kim and Khloe look at survival bunkers. Someone said, quote, “Being rich buys you certainty.  Whatever is going to happen in this world, they’ll know they’re one of the last to actually have to suffer.”

Ice Cube wants Warner Brothers to give him control of the “Friday” franchise.  He’s already written two scripts for a potential sequel. On the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast, he said, quote, “I think it’s gonna be close to a time when we can get it back.  So we’ll either wait for that time, or we’ll keep trying to convince them that they need to let us control the movie . . .It’s my movie, but they have distribution control . . . They need to do the right thing, get it to us, let us turn it into more money, and make the fans happy, and people will have a good time with the series.”

Jesse James‘ wife Bonnie Rotten is apparently willing to give her marriage another shot … because she’s pulling the plug on their divorce just a day after filing. Bonnie took to social media Monday, putting up a lengthy post (LINK) about her decision … saying, “The past week has been a pretty terrible week on all accounts” — saying she made the mistake of posting her “private business” about Jesse online. For those unaware, Bonnie’s referring to her putting Jesse on blast for believing he was cheating on her — and soon after, it was reported she filed to divorce the mechanic. She confirms she did file, but says “the next day I filed a non suit to stop the divorce.” Bonnie continues, “I love Jesse so much and was very hurt by what I saw when I went through his phone” … saying she’s working out the marriage “I believe in.”

Netflix released its first look at the upcoming film called You People yesterday, teasing what’s in store for the Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill, Nia Long comedy.  The film follows a new couple, who meet after he accidentally gets into her car. While initially shocked by his request for a date, the two quickly bond and consider taking their relationship to a more serious level. But to do that, they’ll have to contend with their families’ clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.  The trailer is on the blog for you to check out

After successfully relaunching the franchise with 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Sony Pictures is ramping up pre-production on the sequel. Sources say that Jason Reitman, who directed the pervious pic, will move into the writer-producer role. Insiders add that the Ghostbusters: Afterlife ensemble that includes Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon is on board to return. While not much is known about the sequel, but sources say the plan is to return to New York City and the iconic firehouse made famous in the original Ghostbusters films. It is slated for a December 2023 release.

When talking about the HBO Max Show FBoy Island….friend of the Rizz Show Nikki Glaser said this a few weeks back: …”It was a huge success; season 2 more than season 1. And we can’t wait to make another, but we have no word yet. But I’m really confident that there will be more. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life when it comes to a show being picked up again. And I’ve had many of my TV shows canceled and not return, but I have no worries that this one will either be back on HBO or find a place somewhere else, because the demand is there for it.”  And…with that….HBO Max has canceled FBOY Island after two seasons.

Actress Lake Bell would like you to know that she’s a better parent when she’s . . . HIGH???During a panel on normalizing marijuana for Cann-Do cannabis products, she admitted she can’t get through the holidays without it. Quote, “I am straight up a better parent . . . I’m like on their level.  I’m just like, ‘That is [an effing] crazy dinosaur! Like, ‘Let’s get on the ground right now and be [effing] crazy dinosaurs, let’s open some presents.  [Eff] it.’  I become literally a kid.” Lake even wrote and directed a short film about a holiday gathering that’s basically saved by Cann-Do cannabis-infused drinks.

Tom Hanks just launched a packaged goods company called Hanx for Our Troops.  And he’s giving 100% of its profits to organizations that provide aid to U.S. military veterans and their families. Their first product is coffee.  It comes in three different flavors:  Tom’s Morning Magic Blend, First Class Joe, and Sergeant Peppermint.  You can buy all three flavors in pods, while First Class Joe is available in grounds, and Joe and Morning Magic Blend are available as coffee sticks. Tom said, quote, “By choosing our coffee, you help support those who chose to commit their time and efforts in defense of our liberties for the good cause that is the American Way . . . “Every penny of profit says ‘thank you’ to them.  We owe them our gratitude, eh?”

The home featured in The Goonies film in Oregon, has a new owner! The buyer is a fan of the movie and he promises to preserve and protect the landmark. The listing agent said the sale is expected to close in mid-January. The new owner will make his name known at that time. The 1896 home was listed in November with an asking price of nearly $1.7 million. Since the movie’s release in 1985, fans have flocked to the home in northwestern Oregon. The city celebrates Goonies Day on June 7, the film’s release date, and welcomes thousands of people for the event. An offer was accepted six days after the house was listed. “After the word spread that the property was for sale, we received multiple offers, at asking price and higher, and we have a full backup offer,” Miller said.

The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker will have a long time to think about what he did . . . because he was just sentenced to 21 years in prison. James Howard Jackson shot Ryan Fischer back in February of 2021, and stole Gaga’s French bulldogs Gustav and Koji.  Gaga offered a $500,000 reward, and the dogs were returned the next day after someone found them tied to a pole in an alley. Fischer was in court to read a victim impact statement.  He said, quote, “You shot me and left me to die, and both of our lives have changed forever.” He added that his days since the attack have been marked by “lung collapse after lung collapse,” physical therapy and “loss of career, friendships, aimlessly traveling the country,” and rising debt.

Red Hot Chili Peppers had an outstanding 2022 releasing a pair of studio albums and they’ll carry over that momentum to 2023, announcing a new batch of shows in both North America and the U.K. and Europe. The group just added 23 more shows to their touring schedule, starting this spring with a March 29 performance in Vancouver and concluding May 25 in Houston. After that, they’ll cross the pond for shows in June and July in Europe and the U.K. In addition, it should be noted the acts that will be joining the Chili Peppers on the newly announced shows, with The Strokes, Iggy Pop, The Roots, The Mars Volta, St. Vincent, City and Colour, Thundercat and King Princess all appearing on select bills throughout the North American and U.K. and European run.

A celebrity news site called CelebTattler calculated the most Googled artists of 2022.  Using Google search data, they calculated how often these artists were being searched per month. Of course, it’s no surprise Taylor Swift came in at #1.  Here are the Top 10:

1. Taylor Swift:  2.1 million
2. Harry Styles:  2.099 million
3. Kanye West:  2.05 million
4. Travis Scott:  1.96 million
5. Rihanna:  1.8 million
6. Billie Eilish:  1.77 million
7. Ariana Grande:  1.7 million
8. Selena Gomez:  1.5 million
9. Justin Bieber:  1.49 million
10. Dua Lipa:  1.44 million

This is the latest in a string of kick-ass covers churned out by Tenacious D this year, following the “The Who Medley” and a rendition of the yacht rock classic “Summer Breeze” with Dave Grohl and Beck. Next year the band will play Shaky Knees 2023 and tour Europe.  But before that…they did their best rendition of Wicked Games by Chris Isaak.  Check it.  ((AUDIO))

Goo Goo Dolls have mapped out a Summer 2023 tour across North America in support of the band’s latest album, Chaos in Bloom, with fellow alt-rock veterans O.A.R. “The Big Night Out Tour” begins in Tampa, Florida on 24^th.  The show comes to Saint Louis Music Park on August 26^th.

I think we all know that “American Idol” doesn’t always get it right.  Plenty of people were rejected by the show before going on to make it big on their own.  Here are some examples:

1. Bebe Rexha.  She waited with her mom for 10 hours, but didn’t make it through.  10 years later, she was MENTORING contestants.

2. Maren Morris.  She was rejected by both “Idol”and “The Voice”.

3. Colbie Caillat.  She admits she wasn’t ready when she auditioned, and she was glad they turned her away.

4. Mickey Guyton.  She was on Season 8, but she got eliminated right before the live episodes.

5. Hillary Scott from Lady A.  She tried out TWICE, but never got to audition for the judges.

6. Amber Riley from “Glee”.  She auditioned when she was 17, and never got to sing for the judges, either.  She did just win “The Masked Singer (LINK)“, though.  Redemption???

7. Naya Rivera.  She auditioned with the Bee Geessong “Emotion” but didn’t make it past the first round.  But she used the same song to audition for “Glee”, with more success.

8. Kane Brown.  Producers rejected him because they, quote, “didn’t need another Scotty McCreery.”  Kane then made it onto “The X Factor”, but he quit when they tried to make him join a boy band.

9. Chrissy Metz from “This Is Us”.  She got one step away from being able to sing for the judges before she was cut.

10. Tori Kelly.  Even though Simon Cowellcalled her voice “almost annoying,” she made it to the Top 24.

Loudwire put together a list of jobs that rock artists had before they made it in music.  Here are 10:

1. Ozzy Osbourne:  He worked at a slaughterhouse where he had to cut cows open.

2. Chris Cornell:  He worked as a fish handler for a seafood company.  He had to wipe up the slime and throw away fish guts.

3. Lemmy:  He was Jimi Hendrix’sroadie.

4. Kurt Cobain:  He worked as a janitor.

5. Axl Rose:  He was a manager at Tower Records in L.A.

6.  Debbie Harry:  She was a Playboy Bunny at the New York City club from 1968 to 1973.

7. Jack White:  He did upholstery and furniture repair.

8. Mick Jagger:  He was a hospital porter in a psychiatric facility.

9. Rob Zombie:  He was a production assistant on the set of “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse”.

10.  Trent Reznor:  He worked at a recording studio as an assistant engineer and janitor.

CELEBRITIES CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY 

Rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie is 27.

Heisman winning Texas A&M quarterback. He played two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, before the CFL and AAF. Johnny “Football” Manziel is 30.

Comedian Donnell Rawlings is 54.

Director Judd Apatow is 55.

Michael Jackson’s hired uterus.  She’s the biological mom of Paris Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson Jr. Debbie Rowe is 64.

Comedian Steven Wright is 67.

Quasimodo in Disney’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame”.  He was also amazing as Mozart in “Amadeus” . . . and Pinto in “Animal House”. Tom Hulce is 69.

 

Brittany O’Connell

Today’s birthday girl has been in 372 fine films, including:

– 3’s Company

– The Backdoor Diaries

– Bringing Up the Rear

– Brittany Speared

– Butt Bongo Babes

– Diary of a Pervert

– Mommy Needs Money 2

– Thighs And Dolls

– And who can forget her role in 1994’s Harry Horndog 25: The Lost Tapes

Brittany O’Connell is 50 years old

Michelle Smallmon and I did a Soccer 101 podcast episode yesterday but we had to get it in a little early during the day because she was heading over to the Garden to see the St. Louis Blues take on the Rangers. She got to see a return to the lineup by Jordan Kyrou and extensive line changes by coach Craig Berube but neither of those things could prevent the Blues from losing their sixth in seven games — 6-4 –  New York Rangers win. Here is the final call. The Blues entered the game ranked 30th in the league in penalty kill efficiency, allowing goals on 1 of every 3 opponent power plays this season. And that’s out of only 28 teams! JK. But it’s bad and not funny. Blues take on the Islanders up dehr in New York with a 630 start time but you’ll have to catch the highlights because you’ll be at A Toast To Jeff at the Pageant tonight.

On top of his first National League MVP award, Paul Goldschmidt earned another accolade for this last season’s work. Goldschmidt was named as the first baseman to the All-MLB first team. The honor is the first of the 35-year-old’s career after he hit .317 with 35 homers and an NL-leading .981 OPS. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve, Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, shortstop Trea Turner, who signed an 11-year deal with the Phillies on Monday, and San Diego’s Manny Machado also made infield spots on the first team. Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado and closer Ryan Helsey were named All-MLB second team at their respective positions. The All-MLB team honors were first awarded in 2019. The winners are based on voting by fans and a baseball media panel (LINK)

• Justin Verlander, the AL Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion, is headed to New York!
• On Monday, the Mets agreed two a two-year, $86.6 million deal with the former Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, including a vesting option for a third season.  If Verlander pitches 140 innings in 2024, he will have a $35 million player option for 2025. Verlander will make $43.33 million in each of the first two years of the deal and have a full no-trade clause.
• Not long after the news broke, Mets fans quickly flooded his wife Kate Upton’s Instagram page, welcoming her to the NL East.
• The move pairs Verlander with Max Scherzer, who were previously teammates with the Detroit Tigers.

A special committee unanimously elected Fred McGriff to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday while rejecting seven other nominees, some of whom are tied to baseball’s steroids era. The committee rejected seven other nominees, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro, who are all linked to baseball’s steroids era. Bonds, Clemens, Palmeiro and Albert Belle all received fewer than four votes from the 16-member committee. Like with the BBWAA, a player needs 75% of the votes to be enshrined. Don Mattingly (8 votes), Curt Schilling (7) and Dale Murphy (6) likewise came up short of the 12-vote threshold (LINK)

Croatia is advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup after a win in penalty kicks (LINK) over Japan.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three of Japan’s four penalty kicks as substitute Mario Pasalic scored Croatia’s third PK on their fourth attempt to seal the win. The teams were tied 1-1 after regulation and neither scored in the 30 minutes of extra time. Croatia advanced to the 2018 World Cup final and getting back there again will be a tougher task after knocking out Japan. It will face Brazil in the quarterfinals and the winner of the Netherlands and Argentina will be waiting in the semifinals. Today’s matches include the one on now Morocco VS Spain and the 1pm game is Portugal VS Switzerland.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came back to win in the final seconds last night on “Monday Night Football” against the Saints.  It was even a record-breaker for Brady.  (The Bucs made the extra point kick for the win.  Final Score:  Bucs 17, Saints 16.) Here’s the comeback TD call and some numbers about Brady and the game