To all you people who are throwing shade at SIMONE BILES . . . first of all, WHY??? But secondly, maybe you spoke too soon. Because maybe Simone is still struggling with the trauma of SEXUAL ABUSE. A trainer and former gymnast named Andrea Orris Tweeted out a defense of Simone, saying, “That girl has endured more trauma by the age of 24 than most people will ever go through in a lifetime. We are talking about the same girl who was molested by her team doctor throughout her entire childhood and teen years.” She’s talking about Dr. Larry Nassar, who was accused of molesting at least 265 girls, including several Olympians and members of the U.S. Gymnastics team. He’s in prison. Orris also said Simone could have suffered “career-ending” or even “life-threatening” injuries if she continued to compete, even though she wasn’t sure of herself. Simone re-Tweeted Orris’ message. Simone is STILL one of the greatest athletes the world has ever known. Former gymnast DOMINIQUE MOCEANU is also standing up for Simone. She posted a video of herself as a 14-year-old Olympian injuring herself on the balance beam . . . and saying she had to compete in the Floor final just minutes later. She added, “Simone Biles’ decision demonstrates that we have a say in our own health . . . ‘a say’ I NEVER felt I had as an Olympian. “In our sport, we essentially dive into a pool with no water. When you lose your ability to find the ground, which appears to be part of [Simone’s], decision . . . the consequences can be catastrophic. She made the right decision for the team & herself.”
PARMALEE’s new album, “For You”, is out tomorrow . . . and the good news is that it already boasts a #1 song. “Just The Way”, their hit with Blanco Brown, topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart back in March. It’s been eight years since their last Number One. That was “Carolina”, which topped the same chart back in 2013. Singer MATT THOMAS was asked if he considers this a comeback. “You never want to think about it like that, because we’ve been working and working, but I guess it is. Fans believed in us. They were waiting for us to get that next song. Everybody loves a comeback. It’s the staying there you want, though.” The fans stayed because the band never gave up, even when they’re were feeling a little “chill in the air” down in Nashville.
TBS is making a variety show inspired by the “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment from DAVID LETTERMAN’s “Late Show”. It’ll be a half-hour, ten-episode series hosted by SARAH SILVERMAN. Each episode will have pets performing impressive tricks in front of a live audience. There will also be surprise celebrity guests, comedy bits, and games. Sarah said, “The rule in show business is, ‘never work with animals or children’ but I choose to work with David Letterman anyway.” Production will start later this year.
“CMA Summer Jam” was rocking Nashville the past couple of nights. We’ll see a lot of it when the special airs sometime this summer. CARRIE UNDERWOOD brought DWIGHT YOAKAM out on Tuesday to perform his classic, “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere”. JASON ALDEAN released the lyric video to his and Carrie’s duet “If I Didn’t Love You”. It features behind-the-scenes footage of their recording sessions.
HENRY WINKLER called his childhood neighbor for her 101st birthday. The lady’s granddaughter tracked him down, and said that even though she has Alzheimer’s, she always recognizes him on TV.
There will be an on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinic at GARTH BROOKS’ concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on August 7th.
MARTINA MCBRIDE’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is opening tomorrow. “Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voice” will feature awards, stage outfits, original lyric sheets, childhood mementos . . . and even a Martina McBride Barbie Doll. The exhibit will be up for over a year.
BRETT YOUNG loves being a girl dad. “I can’t imagine having a better relationship with my child than I do with my daughter. It’s such a blessing [being] the big ‘ol dad that she runs and jumps in bed and watches cartoons with.” (Brett’s daughter Presley is 21 months old . . . and his wife Taylor will be giving birth to their second daughter any minute now.)
For the first time ever, ZAC BROWN BAND will have a female member. Singer-songwriter CAROLINE JONES will be part of the group during The Comeback Tour, which kicks off August 5th. Even though it’s only temporary, she’s beyond thrilled. “I cannot express into words what a high honor it is for Zac to invite me to play on a stage of such masterful musicians, not to mention soulful people.”
The groundbreaking ’70s satire “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” is getting a modern-day update, starring EMILY HAMPSHIRE from “Schitt’s Creek”.
JON BON JOVI and WHITNEY HOUSTON are among a handful of famous New Jersey natives who are getting rest stops dedicated to them on the Garden State Parkway. The others include Frank Sinatra, James Gandolfini, Connie Chung, Judy Blume, and Toni Morrison. Each star will have an exhibit at his or her designated rest stop, courtesy of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. A spokeswoman for the Hall says Bruce Springsteen , “respectfully declined” to have a service area named after him. But she added, “It should be noted, though, that Bruce has been very supportive of the New Jersey Hall of Fame over the years, and is very much a part of the fabric of the Hall.”
Through Day 5 of the Olympics, the U.S. was still in first place in the overall medal count . . . while China currently leads in gold medals. The U.S. won the FIRST Olympic gold in 3-on-3 basketball when the women’s team beat Russia. That’s a new event that was just added this year. (The U.S. men’s 3-on-3 team didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Russia won gold in that one.) Also, the men’s synchronized diving team took silver in the 3-meter springboard early yesterday morning. And U.S. swimming added a bunch of medals, including gold for Bobby Finke in the 800-meter freestyle . . . gold for Caeleb Dressel in the 100-meter freestyle . . . silver for Regan Smith and bronze for Hali Flickinger in the 200-meter butterfly . . . and silver in the women’s four-by-200-meter freestyle relay.
RON POPEIL . . . the genius who made a $200 million fortune selling products like the Veg-O-Matic, Mr. Microphone, the Pocket Fisherman, and the Inside the Shell Egg Scrambler . . . died yesterday. He was 86. His family says he passed “suddenly and peacefully” after a medical emergency. Ron basically invented the infomercial, selling products from his Ronco company on late night TV . . . beginning with the Chop-O-Matic in 1959. His commercials also spawned catchphrases like, “But wait, there’s more!” and “As seen on TV.” Not to mention “Set it and forget it,” the slogan for his Showtime Rotisserie and Barbeque . . . and the always classic “Hey good lookin’, we’ll be back to pick you up later!”, from the Mr. Microphone commercial in the ’70s.
James Otto is 48. Country singer. “Just Got Started Lovin’ You”
Martina McBride is 55.
Roz Kelly is 78. Pinky Tuscadero on “Happy Days”.
