WWE superstar John Cena has granted more Make-A-Wish wishes than any other person. It appears he isn’t slowing down.
Yesterday WFLA-TV in Tampa, Florida reported the story of 7 year-old David Castle who is currently battling a Wilms tumor, a cancer that starts in the kidneys. Cena showed up at the family home with two WWE title belts, some signed t-shirts and more. David’s mom says was filled with excitement and tears of joy.
Once again John Cena is spending the time to give a family going through hardship a moment they will never forget. Well done.
You can see the full report here…
WFLA has more details about the visit on their website here.
Millions of people around the world have spent the last month or so in their homes, quarantining because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That led to the creation of a new Facebook group called View From My Window. According to the group’s description, it was created to connect people all around the world during these tough times. We are all in our homes, looking at the same view every day. Here you have an opportunity to see other people’s views all over the world!
Users are asked to post one photo of the view from their window with their name, town, country and time the photo was taken. Organizers hope to turn this into some kind of book or calendar eventually.
I have found myself scrolling through the group a lot over the last few days. It gives you a look at the world in a unique way, and shows you different cultures and climates this time of year.
You can view and join the View From My Window Facebook group here!
With so many people staying home around the world, check out the "View From My Window" Facebook group. People share photos of what the view looks like where they live all over the world. Pretty cool! https://t.co/l7uRMKUTYrpic.twitter.com/pZQXlwk81y
If you planned on getting the new iPhone this Fall, you might have to wait a bit longer.
Apple usually releases its new iPhones in September. The Wall Street Journal is reporting the company has delayed full scale manufacturing by about a month. Company leaders now believe the expected iPhone 12 will be released in October, though nothing is official yet.
Other reports have hinted that as many as four new iPhone models could be coming this year, some with 5G capability. It’s still uncertain what things will look like in the Fall. Will we see long lines and crowded stores full of people clamoring to be the first to get their hands on a new phone?
We’ll keep you posted on any date when the 2020 iPhones might be released.
Yesterday I told myself I wouldn’t look. I don’t need to know what the first viewers of the last movie in the Star Wars Skywalker saga thought about the movie. Do I?
Well guess what I did first thing when my alarm clock went off at 1:30am?
I rushed right to Twitter to see what all of those lucky people were thinking when they walked out of THE RISE OF SKYWALKER’s world premiere. Here’s a roundup of RISE OF SKYWALKER reactions.
First, some are just plain gushing about it.
Just stepped out of #TheRiseofSkywalker. It’s an immensely satisfying and MASSIVE end to the saga. It somehow addresses issues, problematic characters, and most unanswered questions from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi too. pic.twitter.com/TMKeXCXuUx
#StarWars#TheRiseOfSkywalker…OH MY GOD! I am absolutely blown away! I’ve never been so satisfied by a film. This is the end of an era and a franchise that has defined my life and this did it justice in a way I didn’t imagine it could. You WILL cry…. pic.twitter.com/Jfx5bzdZOO
Epic. All of it. #TheRiseofSkywalker is a terrific finale that is just stuffed with so much of everything. Action, adventure — answers!! — humor, heart, love, and grit. I spent the entire second half with tears in my eyes – a wonderful way to end the Skywalker story pic.twitter.com/K2NhHSGWzM
I’m emotional, overwhelmed, surprised, shocked & stunned. More than anything, I’m happy. Thanks for coming through one more time, Star Wars.#TheRiseOfSkywalker
All I can say is “wow.”#StarWars: #TheRiseOfSkywalker is many things: horrifying, hopeful, violent, lowkey horny, and full of the right kind of fan service.
But most of all, it’s a fitting ending for this incredible, 40+ year-long saga. pic.twitter.com/pd2GEwI7O3
Utterly gorgeous. Messages of unity. Shocking moments (I yelled at the screen a LOT). SO much lightsaber swinging. Rey is SUCH a badass. It’s over, but I wouldn’t mind reliving that experience again. Y’all gonna lose your minds. #TheRiseOfSkwalker#starwars@starwars
Then, there are those who had a positive reaction, but you can tell that there was SOMETHING they didn’t like…
My favorite Star Wars are the ones that take their time and focus on the characters. The whole first half felt like all exposition. It does get better. And Lando rules. But there’s just so much plot it feels so rushed. And the Emperor stuff is so weird.
There’s the “it’s going to start a conversation with fans” reactions…which pretty much means some fans probably won’t be too happy?
#StarWars#TheRiseOfSkywalker is a lot. It’s a big, giant movie with a lot of spectacle and high stakes and it’s definitely going to start a conversation (or a lot of conversations) among fans.
And there are some who just didn’t like it at all..
At worst, I expected #TheRiseOfSkywalker to be a well made movie that I didn't like or whose story choices I disagreed with. I was not expecting a genuinely bad movie with video game plotting, thin characters, weak action and endless exposition of no consequence. Heartbreaking…
But the biggest takeaway from all of the reactions I’m reading? A LOT happens in this movie. It sounds like we’re going to get a lot of plot. Personally, I’m happy to hear that there may be a lot of answers. Just have to remember to bring the notepad.
Man does #TheRiseOfSkwalker MOVE. This film hits the ground running & doesn’t let up. JJ’s energy is all over this thing. A Last Crusade style adventure. The bromance between Poe & Finn steals the film. Felt a bit more concerned w/plot than character, tad rushed, good not great. pic.twitter.com/S4tbDhXG35
Wow. Wow. Wow. #TheRiseOfSkywalker delivers. So much happens in this film it’s hard to get my head around. But it gets this epic ending right. So right. JJ Abrams and team nails it. And gives a whole new appreciation for The Last Jedi in the process. Please avoid sppolers!
Well… #TheRiseOfSkywalker is a drastic departure from TLJ, but also not as invigorating as TFA. It is a movie packed with action (it’s seriously nonstop), but also jammed with fan service. @starwars fans – brace for the debates. pic.twitter.com/DjKo9ejRWw
I’ll leave it there. Some of the reactions are getting into details I didn’t want to know about. I’ll be seeing the movie in the “fan first screening” on Thursday, can’t wait to see how they wrap this all up!
The first new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge land is opening to the public at Disneyland in California. Guests will get a chance to walk through the new world of Batuu and interact with cast members, new characters, shop in a marketplace, and drink some blue milk.
One of the major highlights for any Star Wars fan? Standing in front of a lifesize version of the Millennium Falcon. Guests will get to board the ship and FLY it themselves. Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run is one of two new major attractions opening in Galaxy’s Edge.
Unfortunately, I am not in California this morning to check it all out myself. But there is plenty of media there posting photos and videos of everything you’ll find at Galaxy’s Edge. The people at Theme Park Insider posted a video of the full Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run experience. If you want to avoid spoilers of what you’ll see on the ride or the line leading up to it, I would avoid this video. But if you’re like me and can’t get enough of everything Galaxy’s Edge, here you go!
Our sister station KTLA is LIVE at Disneyland all morning for the Galaxy’s Edge opening. I will post any of their video updates here as they come in. I am hoping to get down to Disney World when Galaxy’s Edge opens there later this summer.
From the moment 22 year-old Kodi Lee walked onto the stage on Tuesday night’s “America’s Got Talent,” you knew something special was about to happen. And even knowing that he was going to be great, he STILL blew me away.
Kodi is blind and has autism. He was guided on stage by his mother. Mom says they discovered their son loved music early on his life. He would listen to it and his eyes would get big and he would just start singing.
After a brief introduction to the judges, Kodi walked over to the piano and did something judge Simon Cowell said he would remember for the rest of his life.
Star Wars Celebration is in full effect in Chicago! Yesterday we got our first look at Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Today brings Disney Parks to the stage for the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge panel bringing many more details about what’s coming to Disneyland and Disney World this year!
I was in the Wintrust Arena to get all the details from the panel. We saw a lot of interesting things, and there are still plenty of questions to discuss. Here are some of the updates from the day…
First up, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge took the stage to announce the Star Wars / Disney Parks partnership with FIRST Robotics. They’re all about young people getting involved in robotics. There’s a contest and they’re giving a way a trip to check out Galaxy’s Edge in person.
Josh Gad was the big surprise host for this panel. After starting with a introductory video, he invited our panel onto the stage. Trowbridge showed off more renderings of what we’ll find in Galaxy’s Edge.
They really stressed the detail they’ve put into the world of the planet Batuu. There will be food and drink, including this spot where you can get spit-roasted meat that looks like it was cooked with an old pod-racing engine.
Next it was a brief talk about the upcoming Rise of the Resistance attraction! I was looking forward to hearing a lot more about this….but we didn’t hear that much. They showed this teaser again.
One of the neat things they mentioned – that trailer was shot inside of the attraction. Again, you can see the detail that has gone into it. The Rise of the Resistance ride vehicle was on display at Celebration as well. Here’s a shot of me sitting in it looking way too excited.
Rumor has it this will be a track-less vehicle system that takes you through a building that uses turntables and elevators to make you feel like you’re moving through the galaxy. Oh, and panel host Josh Gad kind of asked about the rumors that the ride will be crazy long. They didn’t deny it – but they also didn’t come out and confirm the length either.
They spent a lot of time stressing the work that has gone into the new storyline for Galaxy’s Edge and all of the detail of the characters. Here are a few examples of that.
THE CANTINA! How many times have you watched the original Star Wars and wished you could visit that place? Well, they had some announcements about what they’re created – including some brand new CANTINA MUSIC!
There were some neat details about the new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run ride. First, this thing is going to be waaaaay interactive. The way they explained it, you will have the ability to actually fly the ride. That means you can crash it into space junk, or you can be the greatest pilot in the world and come out clean.
But what’s really cool? There is a hallway you walk out of after the ride. That hallway will change based on how much damage you did to the ship. Not quite sure what that will look like, but it sounds really neat. Again, the detail they are putting into this entire land sounds crazy.
More Millennium Falcon. This is the hallway you walk through after the ride. If you damage the ship during your flight, the ship will LOOK damaged after the ride. Incredible. #GalaxysEdgepic.twitter.com/u2TrfQUM5i
Some classic characters like Yoda will be returning – not sure in what form – and yes, Frank Oz is doing the voice work.
They also showed off some of the technology you’ll be able to use all over Galaxy’s Edge, including the Play Disney Parks app. They showed off some of the interactive features and Easter Eggs hidden all over the park.
And finally, they showed off some brand new footage from the actual site. This was really great to see. Renderings only go so far, but to see this level of detail in its real-life form? Wow. This is truly going to be an incredible experience for any Star Wars fan.
How many times have you seen “The Secret Life of Pets?” If you have an eight year-old and six year-old like I do, I’ll set the over/under at 20.
Honestly, it’s one of the movies my kids had on repeat that I didn’t mind watching over and over again. If you have or have ever had a pet, it’s a good time. You can tell the animation team had some fun with this one.
Anyhow, Universal likely sees the same thing. This week they announced a new attraction coming to Universal Studios Hollywood – The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash. They’re calling it a “fully immersive experience” where “guests will assume the roles of stray puppies…on the ultimate quest of finding forever homes.”
Universal goes on to say that it will be an innovative adventure with live and animated characters. You’ll be on a car on a track that zooms through New York City streets encountering different challenges. The ride will be located next to the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land attractions.
The new Secret Life of Pets ride will open in 2020. The new Secret Life of Pets movie opens in theaters on June 7, 2019.
If you’ve ever been to a monster truck rally you know what that’s all about. This week three Cedar Fair parks announced a new attraction that will be traveling around – Monster Jam Thunder Alley. Here’s what you’ll find.
Five Monster Trucks – Grave Digger, Max-D, Megalodon, Zombie and El Toro Loco. You’ll be able to get inside of these trucks, snap a picture, and feel what it’s like to be behind the wheel. No, you’re not going to drive them!
Monster Jam Freestyle Ride – Yes, there WILL be a ride! You’ll board a 10 passenger Grave Digger and Megalodon that will take you through a freestyle course. They say there will be obstacles, but will you be going off ramps, flying high in the air and smashing cars? I wish. Either way they say you’ll get to “feel the roar.”
Garage, Pit Party and Treats – A garage experience will let you see what these trucks are like and how the engines work. The pit party will let you create your own mini track. And yes, there will be food and drinks.
So where is this heading? It will be at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio from May 18-June 30, Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia from July 20-September 2nd, and Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania from September 14-November 3rd. It’s included with admission.
If you check it out, be sure to tell me what you think!
The entertainment world lost some big names. Daryl Dragon of Captain and Tennille died, WWE announcer Mean Gene Okerlund also passed away, and we lost legendary comedian Bob Einstein.
Einstein was most recently known for his work as Marty Funkhouser on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but I remember him most as Super Dave Osborne. He made countless appearances as the death-defying stuntman on late night shows and other specials. Super Dave knew how to set up a bit. It was always a slow burn full of subtle humor, leading up to a major stunt that was destined to fail in hilarious ways.
Over the last 24 hours I’ve been watching so many classic Super Dave clips. We shared a few of these on WGN Morning News this morning. I forgot how funny he was.
Bob Einstein was 76 years old and he will be missed. Here are some of Super Dave Osborne’s best moments…
Super Dave Osborne and the Car Crusher
Super Dave Osborne’s Catapult Slam Dunk
Super Dave Osborne “King of the Road”
Super Dave Osborne and the Chair Ski
Super Dave Osborne and the Computer Car
Super Dave Osborne rides the Revolution roller coaster
Super Dave Osborne vs. the wrecking ball
Super Dave Osborne on Letterman
Here he shows off some new boxing technology. One of his many hilarious appearances…
