Nick Cannon Signs Off from WXRK

Is there such thing as multi-tasking to a fault? America’s Got Talent host, Cannon’s Countdown host and WXRK (92.3 FM) radio host Nick Cannon should know. It turns out that since his kidney scare over the holidays he was readmitted to the hospital.

Cannon released a statement yesterday saying that his kidney condition has improved but he was later hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs as well as an enlarged ventricle on the right side of his heart. His doctor ordered him to start taking stuff off his plate and the radio show is the first thing to go.

As if he doesn’t have enough going on Nick Cannon is married to Super Diva Mariah Carey and the couple had twins last year. Cannon said he wants to take care of himself so that he can be around for his wife and babies. Good decision. Source

Radio DJ Carlos de Jesus Died on Monday

WKTU pioneer Carlos de Jesus passed away on Monday. He was part of the DJ team that made New York’s WKTU (92.3 FM) popular when the station switched over to a disco music format in the late seventies. Not much information is available about his death but the Daily News fondly remembered Carlos de Jesus on Tuesday. Check the source link. Source

Nightlife Icon Zelda Kaplan Dies at 95

New York’s oldest party animal Zelda Kaplan died this week during a Fashion Week runway show. Seated in a bright red skirt suit and matching hat she smiled sweetly for the camera, and fainted moments later. She was rushed to a hospital where she expired at the age of 95. Source

Mars to Stop Selling High Calorie Snacks

Mars, Inc. announced this week that they will stop shipping chocolate products that exceed 250 calories per portion by the end of 2013. In addition, they plan to reduce all their products’ sodium levels by 25% within the next three years.

Mars manufactures Snickers, Twix, M&Ms, Skittles and other snacks. The stated initiatives are part of their “broad-based commitment to health and nutrition.” Source

Consumer Reports Movie Theater Snacks

Consumer Reports visited select AMC, Regal and National Amusements theaters in NY, NJ and CT and tested their largest available sizes of popcorn, cheese nachos, pretzel pieces with cheese and Coke or Pepsi. The snacks were analyzed for calories, total fat, sodium and fiber and the soda was analyzed for calories and sugars.

In a nutshell: A large tub of buttered popcorn with a large Coke has a calorie count equal to the recommended allowance for an entire day. The full report provides a breakdown of all you could eat for an entire day, including a slice of chocolate cake with icing in order to consume the same amount of calories. Check the source links.

Consumers Reports
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FCC Getting Tough on Robocallers

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is not playing. Yesterday the agency approved changes to their existing telemarketing rules in order to further protect consumers from unwanted autodialed or prerecorded calls which are often referred to as “robocalls. The increased consumer rights are highlighted below.

Additional Rules

. Telemarketers must obtain prior written consent before placing a robocall.

. The “established business relationship” exemption has been eliminated.

. Each robocall must have an automated, interactive “opt-out” mechanism.

Informational calls such as those related to school closings and flight changes are not affected. Check the source link for the official press release. Source

MTA Getting Tough on Smokers

Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road customers may want to get that last puff on a cigarette before they land on MTA property. Yesterday MTA cops began to enforce a new smoking ban in or on outdoor platforms, ticket booths and parking lots.

The ban went into effect in November but the three-month grace period ended this week. Scofflaws are subject to a $50 maximum fine and a possible 30-day jail sentence. Connecticut Metro-North stations are not affected because their state law generally allows smoking outdoors. Source

Whitney Houston Funeral By Invitation Only

Adoring fans have seen as much of Whitney Houston as they’re going to. The Grand Diva will have a private funeral at noon this Saturday in New Hope Baptist Church where she sang as a child. There will be no public memorial.

The invitation-only event will have a star-studded choir according to Channel 7 Eyewitness News. The New Hope Pastor said the event will be a “strong musical celebration of her life.” Rev. Marvin Winans will deliver the eulogy.

 

Arsenio Hall on Celebrity Apprentice

Former talk show host Arsenio Hall returns to the small screen next week in Celebrity Apprentice. In a NY Post interview he said he’s turned down practically every offer he’s received in recent years in order to spend quality time with his 12-year old son Arsenio, Jr.

Sounds like Dad is getting the acting bug again. He’s hoping that “Apprentice” will be the start of a new round of offers. We hope so too. TV hasn’t been the same without him. Source

Kesha Monk Recovering from Cancer Surgery

Former 98.7 Kiss-FM DJ Kesha Monk is recovering from cancer surgery. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in November and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

After leaving WRKS  in 2008 Kesha Monk co-hosted Randy Jackson’s syndicated countdown show which ended in 2010. Since then she’s moved to North Carolina with her husband and children. She still has not found a new radio home. Check the source link for the Daily News interview. Source