This #MovieStarMonday we visit with Virginia Madsen – Sheepdog
IN THEATERS NOW!!! https://www.sheepdogthemovie.com/
TODAY'S REASON TO PARTY! (special thanks to ListOfNationalDays.com)
Dolly
Parton's Birthday
https://www.mainespirits.com/recipes/9-5
SURVEYS, STUDIES & SUCH
As you know, toddlers can learn new words simply by overhearing conversations. And new research says that some dogs can do the same thing! A study in Science found that “gifted word learner” dogs could pick up the names of new toys not only through direct training, but also by simply eavesdropping on their owners when they use the words (for example: a new plushie named ‘Scruffy’) in conversation with other people. In experiments with 10 brainy dogs, 7 of them successfully identified and retrieved toys after only minutes of exposure, and even retained the names weeks later. Researchers say the findings highlight the advanced social and cognitive skills of certain dogs.
BIG SCREEN-LITTLE SCREEN
Beverly D’Angelo shared a behind-the-scenes story about a “Christmas Vacation” scene that fans still talk about nearly 40 years later. In an iconic scene near the end of the film, her character ‘Ellen Griswold’ makes a lewd move when a SWAT team bursts into the Griswold house and orders everyone to “freeze.” According to her: “It’s only in the past couple years that people have even noticed that I was doing that.” Doing what? D’Angelo puts her hand on co-star Chevy Chase’s crotch as she protects the family “jewels” while telling the officers, “Welcome to our home.” D’Angelo said: “We did the shot, freeze, and I put my hand there. It was like, ‘Okay, that’s a wrap. Everybody go home’…It was subtle. And it had to stay in the film because it was the only shot!”
Scarlett Johansson’s reign atop the box office leaderboard is over – for now. The “Black Widow” star, who held the title for highest-grossing actor of all time, has been dethroned by fellow Marvel star Zoe Saldaña, thanks to the latter’s starring role in James Cameron’s “Avatar” film series. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” officially crossed $1.23 billion at the worldwide box office on Monday, which cements Saldaña atop the list of highest-grossing movie stars with a total of $16.86 billion, when the grosses for all her movies are combined. Johansson stands at just over $16.4 billion.
Could Meghan Markle return to the UK for the first time in 4 years? The verdict remains unclear amid contradicting reports. The Duchess of Sussex recently made waves in the media following claims of her possible return to the UK to support husband, Prince Harry in promoting the upcoming Invictus Games. Sources claim Markle will only come back to the UK if Harry’s security demands are granted. Whether or not he obtains an upgrade to the taxpayer-backed security remains uncertain, as his case is still under review. Other sources claim that the reports of the Duchess’s return are completely false.
DID YA KNOW!?
DID YOU KNOW… The longest wedding veil ever recorded was longer than 63 football fields. The veil measured nearly two miles in length. It set a world record in Cyprus in 2018.
JOKE OF THE DAY
(FROM
HEIDI)
SCOOP
OF THE DAY
Most remember the 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, starring Will Smith as a street-smart teenager sent to live with his wealthy relatives in LA. Well, one of those relatives, cousin ‘Hilary’, was played by Karyn Parsons over the show’s 6 seasons. And while Parsons has been out of the Hollywood limelight for years — she’s now known as an author, public speaker and nonprofit founder — she’s found that her life is imitating the series that made her famous. Since last year, Parsons and her husband, filmmaker Alexandre Rockwell, have opened their stately home in Providence PI to an aspiring filmmaker who Rockwell had been mentoring, who found himself in need of a place to live. Matthew Osubor says he is “beyond grateful” to Parsons and Rockwell for their generosity and is in “awe” of their commitment to their professional pursuits while still carving out time to have fun.
Oreo is making fans’ dreams come true: the wildly popular Oreo x Reese’s cookie is returning in 2026 – and this time, it’s permanent. The 2025 food collab shocked snack lovers by uniting 2 rival food giants in a rare, Marvel-meets-DC-style crossover. The result was an over-the-top hit: classic chocolate Oreo wafers stuffed with rich Reese’s peanut butter crème…with extra bits of Oreo cookie pieces. Reviewers quickly crowned it one of the best Oreos ever, praising its balanced sweetness and authentic Reese’s flavor. After fans flooded social media begging for its return, Oreo listened, and has made the comeback permanent. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/48pjxprv
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
"You’re one ugly mother…" — Predator, Dutch, 1987
NEWS TO ME
(FROM HEIDI)
FUN
FACT FOR YOU:
Share
this with your friends... they'll think you're really smart!
✓ Those competing in Wimbledon are not allowed to swear. Because of this, line judges must learn curse words in every language.
✓ Pants are responsible for twice as many accidents as chain saws.
✓ When swimming, penguins can jump as high as 3 meters (9.8 ft) in the air.
✓ Female canaries cannot sing.
✓ The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses.
WEIRD NEWS
A bleakly named app has gone viral in China, by tapping into widespread loneliness. Called “Are You Dead,” it targets people who live alone and works on a simple idea: users check in daily, and if they miss several days, an emergency contact is alerted. The app topped Apple’s paid charts and has since rebranded and added paid subscriptions. Its popularity reflects deeper social trends: rising numbers of people living alone, aging seniors, young migrants far from home, falling marriage rates, and growing anxiety and disillusionment among youth.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
The average person will do THIS 15,000 times in their life. What is it?
Answer: Shake hands with someone
SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH HEIDI SMALL
(FROM HEIDI)
THE LIST
THE 10 MOST ANTICIPATED TV SHOWS OF 2026:
1. Euphoria — HBO: The cultural phenomenon returns with a 5-year time jump and higher stakes for Rue, Cassie, Nate and the rest of the gang — expect massive buzz and water-cooler moments. (April)
2. The Boys (Final Season) — Prime Video: The hit subversive superhero saga barrels toward its conclusion under Homelander’s tyranny, promising big twists, violence, and franchise-closing spectacle. (April 8)
3. House of the Dragon (Season 3) — HBO: The next chapter of Westerosi dragon politics unfolds in the Targaryen prequel that continues to be one of HBO’s flagship fantasy series. (Summer)
4. Ted Lasso (Season 4) — Apple TV+: Soccer’s most optimistic coach takes on a women’s team in this heartfelt Emmy favorite’s next chapter. (TBD)
5. Bridgerton (Season 4) — Netflix: The Regency-era romance erupts around Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek in two parts, continuing the franchise’s lavish, irresistible formula. (Jan. 29/Feb. 26)
6. Scrubs (Revival) — ABC: The beloved medical comedy reunites its core cast for a nostalgic reboot that’s sure to spark chatter — and hopefully laughs. (Feb. 25)
7. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair — Hulu: The chaotic family returns with Malcolm back in the middle (this time with his own daughter), reuniting original stars for a short-form revival. (April 10)
8. Lanterns — HBO: A grounded detective-style take on Green Lantern stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, HBO’s bold DC experiment that could redefine comic book TV. (TBD)
9. The Comeback (Season 3) — HBO: After nearly a decade, Lisa Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish returns for a final season of cringe-comedy meets industry satire. (March)
10. Margo’s Got Money Troubles — Apple TV+: A buzzy Apple + A24 adaptation starring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer about a young mom trying to find her footing. (April 15)
(Honorable mentions: Crystal Lake, Little House on the Prairie, The Hunting Wives, Larry David’s US History Sketch Show, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, NOLA King, and Stranger Things: Tales From ’85)
GOOD NEWS
Community Comes Together To Give Beloved 'Beat-Up Truck' Driver A Brand-New Ride. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news