Hi everyone,

How are you?  It looks a little gloomy outside at the moment.  However, BDH and Little Buddha say it should be brighter by the time I have to start today's errands, so that's fine.  We've got a pretty long to-do list, so I'd be happy not to go through it in the rain.

Should we check out today's headlines?  Let's go for it. The guys made coffee, so grab yourself a nice medium DD, because it's time to clear out some Tuesday Clutter.

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Former fixer Michael Cohen's testimony yesterday put Donald Trump right in the center of payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and another woman during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep them quiet about sexual encounters they had with Trump.  Cohen's testimony was devastating for Trump.  Cohen testified that he spoke directly with Trump about the planned payments, notified him directly when the payments had been made, and then spoke directly to Trump and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg about being reimbursed.

Cohen made it clear that Trump knew about these payments, and that they were designed to save his presidential campaign, not protect his family from any embarrassment.  The former insider made it clear that Trump is a micromanager who constantly wanted updates.  His testimony is a direct attack on Trump's defense in this hush money case.  If Trump's attorneys can't damage his credibility during what is sure to be a brutal cross-examination, Michael Cohen likely buried his former hero. 

This is karma at its best.  (pic via ctvnews.ca)

After being constantly humiliated by him in the Republican presidential primary, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will now reportedly raise money for Donald Trump.  That's just embarrassing.  This guy would pose for a photo op of him kissing Trump's feet if the MAGA leader demanded it.  Get some self-respect, man.

Rudy Giuliani's radio show was cancelled on Friday after he repeatedly ignored orders to stop talking about 2020 election conspiracy theories.  Looks like Rudy's going to need a new way to pay off the $148 million defamation award against him after he lied about two Georgia poll workers.  It's crazy that his supposed billionaire buddy won't help him.

Oh dear, Vice President Kamala Harris uttered a profanity while speaking to a group of young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about breaking through barriers.  We can't wait for the scoldings from Republicans who somehow are always mute when Donald Trump curses.

The Arizona Supreme Court paused enforcement of the state's pre-Civil War total abortion ban that's still on the books.  The legislature recently repealed the law, but that doesn't go into effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session.  The court is giving Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes 90 days to decide her legal strategy about the law.  That means a 15-week ban remains in place for now.    It's good that the court took this step, but any ban should be struck down in its entirety.  Enough with the attempts to control and punish women, already.

The three men who allegedly murdered mobster Whitey Bulger in 2018 have reportedly reached plea deals.  No details have been released yet.  We're certainly not feeling bad for Bulger, a man who caused incredible misery for decades, but everything about his death smells.  He never should have been placed into a prison's general population, the investigation into his death dragged on for years, and it was eventually decided that there was no malicious intent, an idea that defies common sense.  We'll see what kind of agreement these men reached, but again, this fails the smell test.

The Boston Red Sox lost 5-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays last night.  The Rays may only be at .500 right now (21-21), but they continue to own the Red Sox at the moment.  (The Red Sox are 2-12 against the Rays since the start of last season, according to the linked article.)  Boston starter Kutter Crawford had a rough beginning, giving up three earned runs in the first inning.  The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the first, but that was it for their offense, which continues to struggle. (Going 1-6 with runners in scoring position is not going to get the job done.)

Next up:  Nick Pivetta looks to bounce back after a rough return from the IL, when he faces the Rays tonight.

The New York state Senate honored David Ortiz yesterday for his baseball career and philanthropic works.  Don't get us wrong, we're all for "Big Papi" being celebrated, but this is weird, right?  Boston and New York just don't mix.

The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 last night to take a 3-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.  It wasn't pretty, but hey, a win is a win.  Here's hoping the Celtics finish Cleveland off at TD Garden on Wednesday.  As the linked article mentions, Boston is only 14-14 at home over the past three postseasons.  They need to take care of business and not give Cleveland any reason to stick around.

The Detroit Lions reportedly reached an agreement with quarterback Jared Goff for a four-year/$212 million contract extension, with $170 million guaranteed.  Good for Goff.  He was seen as a throwaway when the Los Angeles Rams traded him to Detroit for Matthew Stafford in 2021.  However, he's done well with the Lions, bringing them to the NFC Championship Game this year for the first time since 1991.   It's nice to see him get rewarded for his accomplishments so far.  Here's hoping he can eventually take the team to the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker recently delivered a homophobic and misogynistic commencement address at Benedictine College.  Apart from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, it turns out it is actually pretty easy to root against the Chiefs.

Just to be clear, we are not behind the Instagram account that keeps leaking information about the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World movie.  However, BDH and Little Buddha want to make sure you know that you can follow them here.

Sarah Paulson recently told the story of another actress giving her six pages of notes about her performance at the time in an off-Broadway play.  It's safe to say this feedback was not well-received.

George Clooney will make his Broadway debut next year in an adaptation of his 2005 film, Good Night, and Good Luck, which was the story of CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow.  Can't imagine anyone will find the courage to give Clooney six pages of notes about his performance.

Steve Carrell said he will not be appearing in the new follow-up to The Office, which takes place at, "a dying historic Midwestern newspaper but followed by the same documentary crew that immortalized The Office‘s famed Scranton office." As the actor said in the linked article, it doesn't really make sense for Michael Scott to show up at a newspaper office.  However, we can't help thinking the show will pull out a cameo or two if they need to boost the ratings at some point.  Who would you most like to see randomly pop up here?

It's good to see Seth Meyers will be staying on as the Late Night host through at least 2028, thanks to a new contract extension.  The show has done well during his 10-year stint. 

Doctor Who fans have a couple of mysteries to work out this season.  The two biggest ones are the story of Ruby Sunday's background, and the identity of the major villain this year ("The One Who Waits.")  However, there's also another question:  Who is this random woman who keeps appearing in the background of every episode, and is she tied to the first two items? 

David Tennant said filming for the third/final season of Good Omens will start in January and feature more romance between Crowley and Aziraphale.  We'll watch Tennant and Michael Sheen together in anything, and when you add in author Neil Gaiman, it's that much more of a treat.  We look forward to seeing how the devil and angel save the world one more time, while also repairing their relationship.

Howard Stern said he accepted Jerry Seinfeld's apology after Seinfeld recently declared Stern has been "outflanked" by other comedians' podcasts at this point.  It was an unwarranted shot at Stern, but the "King of All Media" was gracious about it.  Gotta say, after reading the linked article, Seinfeld's apology didn't sound that sincere to us, but if Stern is good with it, that's that.  All we know is that Jerry Seinfeld comes off as more and more unlikable every time we hear from him at this point.

There are two days to go before the Young Sheldon series finale.  We're increasingly convinced this show has been Sheldon Cooper writing his memoir:

NBC announced their fall schedule, and there are no changes for our TV viewing habits:  Night Court returns for another season on Tuesdays (which will be recorded while we watch FBI on CBS) , and all of the "One Chicago" shows will be back on Wednesdays. 

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  Here's John Mayer to close things out with, "Last Train Home" for today's, "Song of the Day."

Thanks for stopping by, folks.  It was great to see you, as always.  Enjoy the rest of your day, be good, and we'll catch up with you again soon.  Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.