Month: July 2024

Categories
Sports Daypop

Patrick Bertoletti, Miki Sudo, crowned winners of the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Nathan's hot dog eating contest countdown clock at Coney Island^ New York. The original Nathan's still exists on the same site that it did in 1916. BROOKLYN^ NEW YORK

39-year-old competitive eater Patrick Bertoletti was crowned the winner of the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, which took place at New York City’s Coney Island on Thursday, July 4. Bertoletti, who hails from Chicago, devoured 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at the yearly eating extravaganza — breaking his personal record of 55 hot dogs and buns. The new champion last participated in the annual event in 2022, eating only 35 hot dogs at the time.

In the women’s division, reigning champion Miki Sudo, currently ranked the No. 1 competitive female eater, earned her 10th winning title at the contest. Sudo consumed a record-breaking 51 hot dugs and buns; according to ESPN, she became the only women to eat more than 50 franks, passing her personal (and world) record of 48.5 hot dogs, which she set in 2020.

This year competition was preceded by controversy and took place without competitive eating’s biggest star, Joey Chestnut, 40, who was barred from competing after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company. Major League Eating (MLE) announced in a June 11 statement: “We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.” MLE added that they went to “great lengths” to make something work, but ultimately admitted “it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”

Chestnut is a 16-time Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, and set the world record in the event in 2021 when he consumed 76 dogs and buns. Last year’s reigning champion ate 62 hot dogs and buns in 2023. Chestnut said on social media at the time that MLE was looking to “change the rules” about being affiliated with other food brands, writing in an Instagram post on June 11: “I was very disappointed to learn from the media today that after nearly 20 years I am banned from the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title * To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th contest * Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon. Stay tuned and STAY HUNGRY!”

Editorial credit: dade72 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Dolly Parton developing Broadway musical based on her life and career

Dolly Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year Gala honoring Dolly Parton at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. LOS ANGELES^ CA. February 08^ 2019

Dolly Parton is developing Broadway musical based on her life story. The country legend announced the news on social media, writing: “Hello, I’m Dolly! I’ve been writing my life story as a Broadway musical for several years and I’m proud to announce we are finally developing ‘Hello, I’m Dolly – An Original Musical’ for the Broadway stage. Head to http://helloimdolly.com for more information 🦋”

Inspired by her life and career, “Hello, I’m Dolly” will come to Broadway in 2026 with music and lyrics by Parton, a statement on the show’s website reads.  The show marks the first musical produced about Parton’s life, and the icon announced during the CMA Fest in Nashville that the show will have “many original songs” and that she’s included all the fan favorites in the score. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol’ Opera. Pun and fun intended. Don’t miss it,” Parton, 78, said.

Parton is partnering with ATG Productions to bring “Hello, I’m Dolly” to the stage and will produce it with ATG’s Adam Speers and her longtime manager, CTK Enterprises’ Danny Nozell. The new musical borrows its title from the name of Parton’s first studio album, released in 1967, and will feature a score by Parton, including some of her biggest hits as well as new songs she’s written specifically for the musical.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

See Carly Pearce’s video for ‘Oklahoma (Though The Lens)’

shutterstock_1074625853167901

Carly Pearce is sharing the video for “Oklahoma,” the latest in her “Through the Lens” series off her upcoming album, ‘Hummingbird.’

Pearce just wrapped up her supporting gig on Tim McGraw’s Standing Room Only on June 29th, and international fans can see her on her upcoming headlining Hummingbird 2025 UK/EU Tour, kicking off February 9th in Stockholm, Sweden. The 14-city tour includes stops in Oslo, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Amsterdam, London, Manchester, and more before concluding on February 28th in Dublin.

Take a look at the video for ‘Oklahoma (Though The Lens)’ –  here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson to star in ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’

Emma Thompson attends Roald Dahl's "Matilda The Musical" World Premiere^ 66th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall. London^ England^ UK - October 5^ 2022

Amazon MGM is planning ‘A Sheep Detective’ comedy with an ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, and Hong Chau.

Variety reports that the feature, titled Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, will also star Tosin Cole, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conleth Hill and Mandeep Dhillon.

Three Bags Full is a live-action comedy about a shepherd (Jackman) who dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving his flock of sheep to solve the case. The synopsis for the film adds: “The local cop Tim Derry (Braun), on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.”

Production on the feature has already begun, with Amazon planning a worldwide theatrical release on Feb. 20, 2026.

Editorial credit: Loredana Sangiuliano / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy’ renewed for Season 3 at Apple TV+

Eugene Levy at the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar^ Santa Monica. SANTA MONICA^ USA. January 12^ 2020

Apple TV+ has renewed The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy for a third season. Levy hosts the travel show that pushes him out of his homebody comfort zones. Apple has not announced locations for Season 3, but it committed to eight episodes.

Per Deadline, Season 3 promises to follow Levy on a “truly global adventure” as he attempts to curate his ultimate travel bucket list. It follows the actor’s journey through Europe in Season 2, during which he went truffle hunting in Italy, explored the wellness hay baths of Germany, and enjoyed the company of Joan Collins in Saint-Tropez. Season 2 concluded April 12.

Levy said in a statement: “To be a real seasoned traveler you need to have a strong sense of adventure and curiosity. I’m ashamed to say over the past two seasons I’ve developed neither. But I have to admit I’m having a lot of fun putting in the effort.”

Levy will also appear in Season 4 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Megan Thee Stallion drops third studio album ‘Megan’

Megan Thee Stallion arrives for Michael Rubin's 2022 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on February 12^ 2022 in Culver City^ CA

Megan Thee Stallion has dropped her new album, ‘MEGAN’, writing on Instagram: “MEGAN THEE ALBUM IS OUT NOW EVERYWHERE 🥚🥚🥚🥚”   

‘MEGAN’ features a host of special guests, including Victoria Monet, Kyle Richh, GloRilla and UGK; and features the previously released snake-themed singles, ‘Cobra’, ‘Hiss’ and ‘Boa’.  Megan’s last LP, Traumazine, was released in August 2022.

The 29-year-old is also currently on the road with her “Hot Girl” summer concert tour, which began May 14 and will end July 27.

To stream Megan, head HERE.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival announce 2025 dates

summer lively background festival outdoor music festival spotlight spotlight musical stage concert trumpet festival crowd dance background night performance entertainment nightlife club nightclub Dj

Following a record-breaking combined attendance of 330,000 fans at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in 2024, the festival’s organizer, Danny Wimmer Presents, has confirmed the 2025 festival dates for Sonic Temple.

Sonic Temple will take place May 8-11, 2025, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, with passes available later this summer. Fans can sign up to get first access to details and passes at sonictemplefestival.com.

Welcome To Rockville is confirmed for May 15-18, 2025 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2024 festival was the biggest ever, hosting more than 200,000 people and 150 bands on five stages for the first time.  Welcome To Rockville Weekend General Admission, VIP and Camping passes are on sale now at welcometorockville.com.
Editorial credit: Louiza Houache / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Coldplay to release new album ‘Moon Music’ in October

Chris Martin and Coldplay perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Las Vegas^ NV^ USA: September 23^ 2011

Coldplay will release their highly-anticipated tenth album, Moon Music, on October 4th:  “Moon Music. The new album, landing October 4. Limited signed editions available. Pre-order at store.coldplay.com (link in bio)🌙”

Moon Music, which was produced by Max Martin, is available to pre-order everywhere now, with a limited number of hand-signed editions available from the official Coldplay Store. Moon Music is Coldplay’s first album since 2021’s Music Of The Spheres, which spawned the US No. 1 single with “BTS, My Universe,” and was nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ at the Grammy Awards.

The album will be the world’s first album released as a 140-gram EcoRecord LP, with each copy made from nine recycled PET-plastic bottles recovered from post-consumer waste. This will prevent the manufacture of more than 25 metric tonnes of virgin plastic, and provide an 85% reduction in manufacturing process CO2 emissions/kg compared to traditional 140-gram vinyl. Additionally, the band has collaborated with long-time partners The Ocean Cleanup to create an additional format: the Notebook Edition EcoRecord LP. The rPET for this edition comprises 70% river plastic, intercepted by The Ocean Cleanup from the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala, and prevented from reaching the Gulf of Honduras and the Atlantic Ocean.

The CD editions will be the world’s first released on EcoCD, created from 90% recycled polycarbonate, sourced from post-consumer waste streams. This will provide at least a 78% CO2/kg emission reduction and avoids the manufacturing of more than five metric tonnes of virgin plastic. To reduce waste, the first edition run of Moon Music (both EcoRecord LP and EcoCD) will be strictly limited and produced at a higher specification than any future editions. All First Edition EcoRecord LP products will be individually numbered.

The album’s first single, “FeelsLikeImFallingInLove,” was just released, after the band performed it for first time during their sold-out stadium show at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna.

Check out the video for “FeelsLikeImFallingInLove” – here.
To pre-order Moon Music, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Coldplay to release new album ‘Moon Music’ in October

Chris Martin and Coldplay perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Las Vegas^ NV^ USA: September 23^ 2011

Coldplay will release their highly-anticipated tenth album, Moon Music, on October 4th:  “Moon Music. The new album, landing October 4. Limited signed editions available. Pre-order at store.coldplay.com (link in bio)🌙”

Moon Music, which was produced by Max Martin, is available to pre-order everywhere now, with a limited number of hand-signed editions available from the official Coldplay Store. Moon Music is Coldplay’s first album since 2021’s Music Of The Spheres, which spawned the US No. 1 single with “BTS, My Universe,” and was nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ at the Grammy Awards.

The album will be the world’s first album released as a 140-gram EcoRecord LP, with each copy made from nine recycled PET-plastic bottles recovered from post-consumer waste. This will prevent the manufacture of more than 25 metric tonnes of virgin plastic, and provide an 85% reduction in manufacturing process CO2 emissions/kg compared to traditional 140-gram vinyl. Additionally, the band has collaborated with long-time partners The Ocean Cleanup to create an additional format: the Notebook Edition EcoRecord LP. The rPET for this edition comprises 70% river plastic, intercepted by The Ocean Cleanup from the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala, and prevented from reaching the Gulf of Honduras and the Atlantic Ocean.

The CD editions will be the world’s first released on EcoCD, created from 90% recycled polycarbonate, sourced from post-consumer waste streams. This will provide at least a 78% CO2/kg emission reduction and avoids the manufacturing of more than five metric tonnes of virgin plastic. To reduce waste, the first edition run of Moon Music (both EcoRecord LP and EcoCD) will be strictly limited and produced at a higher specification than any future editions. All First Edition EcoRecord LP products will be individually numbered.

The album’s first single, “FeelsLikeImFallingInLove,” was just released, after the band performed it for first time during their sold-out stadium show at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna.

Check out the video for “FeelsLikeImFallingInLove” – here.
To pre-order Moon Music, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Democrat Rep. Lloyd Doggett calls on President Biden to withdraw from 2024 election

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capital. Washington^ DC – July 28^ 2022

On Tuesday, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting Democrat in Congress to call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, citing his poor debate performance and the fallout since. Numerous Democrats have expressed concerns or suggested that Biden leave the race; however Doggett, who has served in Congress since 1995, is the first lawmaker to say it openly: “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.” (per CBS News.)

Doggett said in a statement Tuesday: “Our overriding consideration must be who has the best hope of saving our democracy from an authoritarian takeover by a criminal and his gang. Too much is at stake to risk a Trump victory—too great a risk to assume that what could not be turned around in a year, what was not turned around in the debate, can be turned around now. President Biden saved our democracy by delivering us from Trump in 2020. He must not deliver us to Trump in 2024.”  

Doggett, 77, added that represents the same congressional district as former President Lyndon Johnson during his time as a U.S. representative, and wants Biden to follow Johnson’s example when he declined to seek a second term in the White House (due to his low popularity amid the Vietnam War and cultural upheaval in America).  Doggett said of Johnson: “Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same.”

The Texas Democrat said he believes Biden has “achieved much for our country at home and abroad” as president, but added: “While much of his work has been transformational, he pledged to be transitional. He has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders from whom a nominee can be chosen to unite our country through an open, democratic process .. President Biden has continued to run substantially behind Democratic senators in key states and in most polls has trailed Donald Trump. I had hoped that the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It did not. Instead of reassuring voters, the President failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump’s many lies.”

Biden insiders said the president is “staying in” and noted that other Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have provided supportive statements standing behind Biden. A Biden campaign spokesperson said Biden “absolutely will not” withdraw his candidacy.

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com