Today we visit with best selling author Brad Meltzer about his newest book The Viper: A Fast Paced Thriller of Family Bonds and Deadly Conspiracies (Escape Artist, 3) AVAILABLE NOW: https://amzn.to/4pCAv6I
TODAY'S REASON TO PARTY! (special thanks to ListOfNationalDays.com)
National
Nothing Day
https://www.drinknation.com/drink/nothing#google_vignette
SURVEYS, STUDIES & SUCH
Half of us are embracing digital detox like a badge of honor. In a survey of 2,000 people in the US by Talker Research, 50% said they’re intentionally unplugging these days for their sanity – led by Gen Z (63%) and millennials (57%). Screens, they report, can lead to feeling overwhelmed, anxiousness, and loneliness, while offline time makes them feel productive, present, and alive. So, what are they doing instead? Writing notes by hand, reading printed books, using paper calendars, playing board games or puzzles, and even setting old-school alarm clocks. Apparently, going analogue isn’t just nostalgia – it’s the new wellness flex.
BIG SCREEN-LITTLE SCREEN
“Home Alone” star Daniel Stern was busted for allegedly trying to pick up an escort during the holiday season. Stern, best known for playing ‘Marv Murchins’ in the beloved 1990 Christmas film, was given a citation for soliciting a prostitute at a hotel in Camarillo CA on Dec. 10. The 68-year-old was not arrested, because in California, soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor. Violators can face up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The alleged incident occurred days before it was revealed that Stern has been commissioned to help decorate the famed home where the movie was filmed in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka.
The adults have spoken, and “Hamnet” has been named AARP’s Best Picture at the 25th Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP. The ceremony took place Saturday, recognizing the films from 2025 that appeal to audiences aged 50 and up. Alan Cumming was host. The films recognized during this year’s awards show include “One Battle After Another”, “Jay Kelly” and “Sentimental Value”, in addition to talents like George Clooney, Laura Dern, Regina Hall, and Guillermo del Toro. Adam Sandler was honored with the Career Achievement Award, following his busy year with “Happy Gilmore 2” and “Jay Kelly”.
Iman is keeping David Bowie close with a new tattoo. The model honored her late husband on Saturday’s 10th anniversary of his death by getting the ink, which she displayed in a sentimental Instagram tribute. She posted video of the moment she got the artwork done on her arm, and wrote in the caption: “Jan 10th. The pain didn’t vanish…it left in its place a loving permanent mark.” She added: “#BowieForever” and set the post to the tune of his song ‘Subterraneans’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3pa8vvbe
DID YA KNOW!?
DID YOU KNOW… The human nose can detect over one trillion different scents. This discovery dramatically increased earlier estimates of human smell capabilities. Our sense of smell is far more powerful than once believed.
JOKE
OF THE DAY
(FROM
HEIDI)
SCOOP
OF THE DAY
Drivers of expensive, flashy cars are the least likely to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, according to a study. In 2020 researchers at University of Nevada, Las Vegas observed 461 drivers and found only 28% yielded to pedestrians. The likelihood of stopping dropped by about 3% for every $1,000 increase in a car’s value. Drivers also tended to stop less for men than women. The team concluded that the results highlight serious pedestrian safety concerns and the need for stronger driver education.
It turns out that “Jurassic Park” was right: mosquitoes really can carry libraries of animal DNA. Researchers at University of Florida analyzed blood meals from thousands of mosquitoes collected in a Florida reserve, and were able to identify DNA from 86 animal species. That’s about 80% of known local vertebrates. While it’s unlikely that meaningful DNA sequences may ever be extracted from a fossilized mosquito, to regenerate a dinosaur, the findings suggest the insects may provide a cost-effective way to monitor biodiversity and help protect species before they disappear.
THE MOVIE QUOTE OF THE DAY
If you have a favorite quote.... you can send it to us at the bottom of the page at JohnAndHeidiShow.com
"I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" — Zoolander, Mugatu, 2001
NEWS TO ME
(FROM HEIDI)
FUN
FACT FOR YOU:
Share
this with your friends... they'll think you're really smart!
✓ Your brain literally heats up when you’re stressed. Smiling can cool it down.
✓ Scientists say that 40% of people have a first memory that didn’t really happen.
✓ Those bumps on your tongue are what the taste buds are on, but they aren’t actually the taste buds themselves.
✓ A quarter of the world’s hazelnut crop is used to make Nutella.
✓ Monkeys floss their teeth.
WEIRD NEWS
Use AI at your own risk: In Utah, the Heber City Police Department’s new AI system accidentally reported that an officer…had turned into a frog. The department began using Draft One and Code Four in December to generate police reports from body camera footage. Sgt. Rick Keel explained the error occurred because the AI picked up on the movie “The Princess and the Frog”, which was playing in the background. The department plans to continue using the programs, but with stricter oversight. Keel said Draft One saves him 6-8 hours per week.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
A study shows we throw away 92% of THESE without ever using them. What are they?
Answer: Instructions
SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH HEIDI SMALL
(FROM HEIDI)
THE LIST
THE 20 MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2026 (We'll do this for a few days)
✪ “Wuthering Heights”: Director Emerald Fennell (“Promising Young Woman”) brings a steamy new take on Emily Brontë’s classic, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in a tale of love, obsession, and revenge. (Feb. 13)
✪ “How To Make A Killing”: Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, determined to reclaim his inheritance no matter who stands in his way, alongside Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris, and more. (Feb. 20)
✪ “Scream 7”: Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott in the 7th installment of the iconic slasher franchise, written and directed by Kevin Williamson. (Feb. 27)
✪ “The Drama”: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson play a couple whose pre-wedding week spirals out of control in this romantic dramedy from Kristoffer Borgli. (April 3)
✪ “You, Me & Tuscany”: Regé-Jean Page meets Halle Bailey in a romance about a cook squatting in an abandoned Tuscan villa who falls for the owner’s cousin. (April 10)
✪ “Michael”: Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s biopic chronicling his rise from Jackson 5 to global superstar, with Colman Domingo and Miles Teller co-starring. (April 24)
✪ “Mother Mary”: Anne Hathaway portrays a pop icon seeking help from an estranged friend before a comeback performance in David Lowery’s music drama. (April)
✪ “The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and a star-studded cast return for the sequel to the 2006 fashion classic. (May 1)
✪ “I Love Boosters”: Demi Moore and Keke Palmer star in Boots Riley’s sci-fi comedy about a gang of shoplifters taking on a ruthless fashion mogul. (May 22)
✪ “Scary Movie 6”: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and the Wayans family return for another installment of the long-running comedy-horror spoof series. (June 12)
✪ “Toy Story 5”: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang face a new digital-age challenge, with voices from Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, and Conan O’Brien. (June 19)
✪ “The Odyssey”: Christopher Nolan’s action-fantasy epic follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, featuring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Anne Hathaway. (July 17)
✪ “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”: Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in a “fresh start” for the franchise, joined by Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Sadie Sink. (July 31)
✪ “The Social Reckoning”: Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to The Social Network chronicles Frances Haugen and Jeff Horwitz exposing Facebook’s inner workings, with Bill Burr and Jeremy Strong. (Oct. 9)
✪ “Street Fighter”: Ryu and Ken Masters reunite for the next World Warrior Tournament, facing deadly conspiracies, with Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, and Eric André among the ensemble cast. (Oct. 16)
✪ “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”: A prequel set 24 years before the original films follows young Haymitch Abernathy through the deadly Second Quarter Quell. (Nov. 20)
✪ “Focker In-Law”: Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro return in the fourth Meet the Parents installment, joined by Ariana Grande, Owen Wilson, and Blythe Danner. (Nov. 25)
✪ “Dune: Part Three”: Denis Villeneuve continues the epic saga with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa, adapting Dune Messiah 12 years later. (Dec. 18)
✪ “Avengers: Doomsday”: The MCU unites its heroes again in a multiverse-spanning event featuring Thor, Captain America, Loki, Shuri, and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. (Dec. 18)
✪ Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary: Oscar-winning director Questlove explores the legendary band’s legacy and cultural impact in this upcoming HBO music documentary. (TBD)
GOOD NEWS
'Too Good To Be True': Billionaire Buys Apartment Complex To Offer Affordable Living For Locals. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news
