WEIRD NEWS
Angry Table
A shopping mall in Yahaba, Japan was the setting for the 12th Annual World Chabudai-Gaeshi (Cha-buh-DIE gīsh) Tournament this year. This is a regularly held event in which participants must shout a phrase of anger, frustration, passion, or hope, while upending a small table and sending it flying. Contestants first take a seat at a small table with imitation food placed on top of it. An elderly woman in cooking garb is seated next to the contestant and when she touches their shoulder and gently asks them to "stop," that's their cue to flip out both figuratively and literally. Participants can shout about whatever their heart desires. Rages this year included a man addressing all women with a "What's wrong with me?!" On the other hand, affirmations such as "I want a job offer" or "I deserve a raise" could also be heard. Various items are placed on the table but the key piece of equipment is a plastic fish with the goal being to send that fish flying as far as possible. In the end, contestants are judged on both distance of the fish and overall performance. This year's winner was Shinya Chiba of the Iwate Big Bulls basketball team who sent his fish a whopping 27.2 feet while shouting "Go Big Bulls!" (Sora News 24)
Naked... Where You Shouldn't Be
Bossier City, Louisiana is home to the Diamond Jacks Hotel and Casino and also where 24-year-old Terrance Roquemore of DeBerry, Texas got himself in a heap of trouble. He faces several charges after he allegedly threw chairs at police officers while drunk and naked inside the casino. Police charged Roquemore with aggravated battery, aggravated assault on a police officer, battery of a police officer, resisting an officer with force, and disturbing the peace/drunk and obscenity. Responding to a call regarding a disorderly person who refused to leave the casino, officers found Roquemore naked and running around on the second floor of the casino "in an excited state." When he didn't comply with orders they tried a chemical spray to subdue him but it had no effect. Roquemore then began to throw chairs, striking officers. Police ultimately fired beanbag rounds to take the man down. (USA Today)
I Ain't Fallin' For That Old Banana in the Tailpipe... Oh Wait
Meanwhile in Kansas, 23-year-old Ryan Malek has been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for his repeated attempts to have sex with the tailpipe of a parked automobile. Police officers say Malek was intoxicated when he sought to tryst with a vehicle on May 1 in Newton, a city 25 miles north of Wichita. His blood alcohol content was later measured at more than four times the legal limit and when first approached by officers seemed oblivious to their presence as he continued trying to have sex with the tailpipe. They arrested him and transported him to a local hospital for treatment. The criminal complaint lists six witnesses who reportedly saw Malek trying to have sex with the tailpipe. Malek's rap sheet includes arrests for marijuana possession and aggravated assault. (The Smoking Gun)
Hit That Call Button Now!
Sad to report the FBI is warning that sexual assault on airplanes is on the rise. The bureau is also warning that sexual assault on an aircraft is a federal crime. In its new "Be Air Aware" campaign, they report a steady rise in reported mid-air incidents, with the 38 investigations it opened in 2014 rising to 63 last year. The true number of incidents could be much higher. They urge passengers to "hit that call button" and notify the flight crew immediately when there is an incident. Too often, passengers either fail to report the assault or only report it long after the flight, when it is harder to investigate and prosecute offenders. Apparently sexual assault is more common on long overnight flights and often happens when a passenger is asleep. Brian Nadeau, assistant special agent in charge of the Baltimore division, tells the Washington Post that alcohol is often involved, and it is common for victims to be in either the middle or window seats. "We find offenders will often test their victims, sometimes brushing up against them to see how they will react or if they will wake up." He adds, "Do not give these offenders the benefit of the doubt." (CNN)
The End of an Era... Sort Of
You may not even know it, but the Jerry Springer Show is still on the air. Well until now. It was announced with no fanfare this week that Springer is calling it a day and will finally stop making new episodes of his memorably raucous talk show, and neither Springer nor his bosses will talk about it. Don't worry - the show won't fully disappear. NBC Universal said this week that the CW and other networks that have bought the show in syndication will air reruns of the slugfest. Producers said "there is a possibility" that more original episodes could be ordered sometime in the future but, since they wouldn't answer questions, it's not known how serious that possibility is. In its 90's heyday, Springer's show challenged Oprah Winfrey for daytime television supremacy with TV studios filled with seething spurned lovers, gender fluid guests before that was a term, and pretty much anyone who was angry and looking for a fight. It even provoked serious end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it talk. Springer, a former Cincinnati mayor who realized he had to do something to distinguish himself in a competitive market, was the low-key ringmaster who didn't take himself too seriously and let you know he was in on the joke. During an interview with the AP at his show's 25th anniversary three years ago, Springer said that anyone could do his job if they learned three phrases: "You did what?" ''Come on out!" and "We'll be right back." (Newser)
Hey - You Raised Him!!
In Southampton, England, 24-year-old Matthew Kerley has been legally banned from contacting his parents for five years after they got so fed up with his constant pestering for money that they got a restraining order against him. Kerley was also jailed for 32 weeks on charges of harassment, but continued to contact his mother and father after that, despite the restraining order preventing him from doing so. For example, last month, he called his parents for money over 30 times in 24 hours, with some of the calls being made in the middle of the night. Despite their son's breach of his restraining order, Kerley's parents had apparently given him money, only to hear from him again and again, sometimes lying about his reason for the demand. This bizarre story is reminiscent of that of 30-year-old Michael Rotondo, whose parents recently sued him for refusing to move out of their house. (Oddity Central)
Hotdog Launching Guns. Do We Really Need That?
It's been said that there's no crying in baseball, well unless you get a black eye from being hit in the face by a flying hot dog! That's what happened to Kathy McVay when she attended the Cardinals-Phillies game at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. She says, "It just came out of nowhere - and hard!" Turns out it was none other than the Phillies' big green mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, who sailed the sausage into the stands with his hot-dog launching gun. Photos posted online showed McVay with bruises under her right eye and on her nose following the Phanatic's error. After a visit to the emergency room to check for a concussion, she said she has been applying ice to her face every 20 minutes. Very luckily for them, McVay told reporters she doesn't plan any legal action against the Phillies, who contacted her Tuesday to apologize. Girlfriend! You could have gotten great season ticket seats for life! What's wrong with you? (FOX News)
What the What?
There are many things people will do for free food - but sleeping with a World Cup athlete shouldn't have to be one of them. Yet, that was exactly what an advertisement posted on an official Burger King social media page suggested they do. The post by Burger King Russia, which has now been deleted, offered a reward of three million rubles (around $47,000) and a lifetime supply of Whoppers to any woman who could get themselves impregnated by a World Cup player. The campaign was put up on VK, the Russian equivalent of Facebook on Tuesday morning. It was pulled shortly after widespread backlash. However screen shots are still being shared online. (MirrorUK)
A shopping mall in Yahaba, Japan was the setting for the 12th Annual World Chabudai-Gaeshi (Cha-buh-DIE gīsh) Tournament this year. This is a regularly held event in which participants must shout a phrase of anger, frustration, passion, or hope, while upending a small table and sending it flying. Contestants first take a seat at a small table with imitation food placed on top of it. An elderly woman in cooking garb is seated next to the contestant and when she touches their shoulder and gently asks them to "stop," that's their cue to flip out both figuratively and literally. Participants can shout about whatever their heart desires. Rages this year included a man addressing all women with a "What's wrong with me?!" On the other hand, affirmations such as "I want a job offer" or "I deserve a raise" could also be heard. Various items are placed on the table but the key piece of equipment is a plastic fish with the goal being to send that fish flying as far as possible. In the end, contestants are judged on both distance of the fish and overall performance. This year's winner was Shinya Chiba of the Iwate Big Bulls basketball team who sent his fish a whopping 27.2 feet while shouting "Go Big Bulls!" (Sora News 24)
Naked... Where You Shouldn't Be
Bossier City, Louisiana is home to the Diamond Jacks Hotel and Casino and also where 24-year-old Terrance Roquemore of DeBerry, Texas got himself in a heap of trouble. He faces several charges after he allegedly threw chairs at police officers while drunk and naked inside the casino. Police charged Roquemore with aggravated battery, aggravated assault on a police officer, battery of a police officer, resisting an officer with force, and disturbing the peace/drunk and obscenity. Responding to a call regarding a disorderly person who refused to leave the casino, officers found Roquemore naked and running around on the second floor of the casino "in an excited state." When he didn't comply with orders they tried a chemical spray to subdue him but it had no effect. Roquemore then began to throw chairs, striking officers. Police ultimately fired beanbag rounds to take the man down. (USA Today)
I Ain't Fallin' For That Old Banana in the Tailpipe... Oh Wait
Meanwhile in Kansas, 23-year-old Ryan Malek has been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for his repeated attempts to have sex with the tailpipe of a parked automobile. Police officers say Malek was intoxicated when he sought to tryst with a vehicle on May 1 in Newton, a city 25 miles north of Wichita. His blood alcohol content was later measured at more than four times the legal limit and when first approached by officers seemed oblivious to their presence as he continued trying to have sex with the tailpipe. They arrested him and transported him to a local hospital for treatment. The criminal complaint lists six witnesses who reportedly saw Malek trying to have sex with the tailpipe. Malek's rap sheet includes arrests for marijuana possession and aggravated assault. (The Smoking Gun)
Hit That Call Button Now!
Sad to report the FBI is warning that sexual assault on airplanes is on the rise. The bureau is also warning that sexual assault on an aircraft is a federal crime. In its new "Be Air Aware" campaign, they report a steady rise in reported mid-air incidents, with the 38 investigations it opened in 2014 rising to 63 last year. The true number of incidents could be much higher. They urge passengers to "hit that call button" and notify the flight crew immediately when there is an incident. Too often, passengers either fail to report the assault or only report it long after the flight, when it is harder to investigate and prosecute offenders. Apparently sexual assault is more common on long overnight flights and often happens when a passenger is asleep. Brian Nadeau, assistant special agent in charge of the Baltimore division, tells the Washington Post that alcohol is often involved, and it is common for victims to be in either the middle or window seats. "We find offenders will often test their victims, sometimes brushing up against them to see how they will react or if they will wake up." He adds, "Do not give these offenders the benefit of the doubt." (CNN)
The End of an Era... Sort Of
You may not even know it, but the Jerry Springer Show is still on the air. Well until now. It was announced with no fanfare this week that Springer is calling it a day and will finally stop making new episodes of his memorably raucous talk show, and neither Springer nor his bosses will talk about it. Don't worry - the show won't fully disappear. NBC Universal said this week that the CW and other networks that have bought the show in syndication will air reruns of the slugfest. Producers said "there is a possibility" that more original episodes could be ordered sometime in the future but, since they wouldn't answer questions, it's not known how serious that possibility is. In its 90's heyday, Springer's show challenged Oprah Winfrey for daytime television supremacy with TV studios filled with seething spurned lovers, gender fluid guests before that was a term, and pretty much anyone who was angry and looking for a fight. It even provoked serious end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it talk. Springer, a former Cincinnati mayor who realized he had to do something to distinguish himself in a competitive market, was the low-key ringmaster who didn't take himself too seriously and let you know he was in on the joke. During an interview with the AP at his show's 25th anniversary three years ago, Springer said that anyone could do his job if they learned three phrases: "You did what?" ''Come on out!" and "We'll be right back." (Newser)
Hey - You Raised Him!!
In Southampton, England, 24-year-old Matthew Kerley has been legally banned from contacting his parents for five years after they got so fed up with his constant pestering for money that they got a restraining order against him. Kerley was also jailed for 32 weeks on charges of harassment, but continued to contact his mother and father after that, despite the restraining order preventing him from doing so. For example, last month, he called his parents for money over 30 times in 24 hours, with some of the calls being made in the middle of the night. Despite their son's breach of his restraining order, Kerley's parents had apparently given him money, only to hear from him again and again, sometimes lying about his reason for the demand. This bizarre story is reminiscent of that of 30-year-old Michael Rotondo, whose parents recently sued him for refusing to move out of their house. (Oddity Central)
Hotdog Launching Guns. Do We Really Need That?
It's been said that there's no crying in baseball, well unless you get a black eye from being hit in the face by a flying hot dog! That's what happened to Kathy McVay when she attended the Cardinals-Phillies game at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. She says, "It just came out of nowhere - and hard!" Turns out it was none other than the Phillies' big green mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, who sailed the sausage into the stands with his hot-dog launching gun. Photos posted online showed McVay with bruises under her right eye and on her nose following the Phanatic's error. After a visit to the emergency room to check for a concussion, she said she has been applying ice to her face every 20 minutes. Very luckily for them, McVay told reporters she doesn't plan any legal action against the Phillies, who contacted her Tuesday to apologize. Girlfriend! You could have gotten great season ticket seats for life! What's wrong with you? (FOX News)
What the What?
There are many things people will do for free food - but sleeping with a World Cup athlete shouldn't have to be one of them. Yet, that was exactly what an advertisement posted on an official Burger King social media page suggested they do. The post by Burger King Russia, which has now been deleted, offered a reward of three million rubles (around $47,000) and a lifetime supply of Whoppers to any woman who could get themselves impregnated by a World Cup player. The campaign was put up on VK, the Russian equivalent of Facebook on Tuesday morning. It was pulled shortly after widespread backlash. However screen shots are still being shared online. (MirrorUK)
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