Category: Berry Interesting

Life advice you didn’t ask for, trends you’ll forget by next week, and feel-good fluff designed to help you stop doomscrolling, at least for five seconds.

Do We Hate Live Nation and Ticketmaster Now?

Did you buy concert tickets between 2019 and 2024?  Are you owed money?  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced yesterday that they, along with seven states, have accused Live Nation and Ticketmaster of costing fans millions of dollars by tacitly allowing ticket brokers to scoop concert tickets and sell them at a significant markup.  The FTC alleges that Ticketmaster ignored brokers’ violations of ticket purchasing limits set by artists, allowing Ticketmaster to reap $3.7 billion in resale fees between 2019 and 2024.

Those actions along with Ticketmaster’s failure to disclose the full price of tickets, including fees, upfront violated consumer protection law, the agency said.

Ah yes, the price.  Prior to many shows going on sale, it’s never advertised how much the tickets will cost. 

A few years ago, I was in line to buy tickets to My Chemical Romance for their only (at that time) Los Angeles show.   The moment tickets went on sale I swiftly moved my cursor to see how much they were in different sections.  Upper section, near the front row.  More than $200 each.  I moved on to compare to deeper sections, but decided I’d go for the originals. 

By the time I got back to them, they were $325 each.  They’d gone up within a minute.  Fearing they’d increase again, I clicked the seats and bought them.  Not long afterward, a second show was “added”.  Nothing was “added”.  They knew and the artist knew that there’d be two shows in L.A.  But the damage was done.  Buyers regret.   

Prior to being able to buy them, I had to wait in the “queue” instead of getting in “line”.  I knew there were going to be issues when we started using British terms with redundant letters.  QUE will suffice.  

It wasn’t always like that.  Thanks to YouTube, there’s grainy video of an ’80s TV commercial showing how much tickets cost.  In writing. “$15.50 and $14.50.”  Feel free to chuckle that it’s a Judas Priest concert, but they’re still touring 40 years later and tickets in the front section for their North Carolina show tomorrow night with Alice Cooper are more than 200 bucks each.

For another current concert tour, let’s look at last night’s Nine Inch Nails concert at the Kia Forum.  I looked earlier in the day to find the price of an available originally priced ticket.  I found Section 136, Row 5,  $285.  It was the only original value seat left.  Everything else was resale.

Let me take you back to my experience with NIN.    I saw them on May 1st, 1994 at the Mesa Centennial in Arizona. 

The show was general admission.  No seats, everyone stood.   Ticket price for all?  $17.50.  That’s back when the tickets said “No Cameras or Video Recorders”.  Yeah, people watched the concerts directly with their eyes, not to see if they have their phone framed correctly.  And please people, shoot horizontally.  The stage is horizontal.  So are all screens now.

I’d never seen so much fog machine fog in my life.  You could barely see the band.  Seriously.  The colored stage lights only accented the fog.  Occasionally you’d see a figure with a guitar through the haze.   Not implying that Trent Reznor filled with some pre-recorded music but who knows who was playing what.  To me, it was humorous.  It was like when Pink Floyd played behind the wall for a while.  Realistically, they could’ve been backstage having tea.

Here’s my point.  I know it isn’t the 1900’s anymore.  I realize that things cost more than they did.  But ticket prices have gotten so out of control, they don’t even tell you how much they cost when they go on sale. 

Where’s the truth in advertising?  There are venues around the country that don’t allow third-party vendors or reselling.

We are the customer, we are the fans, we are the audience that makes the shows.   At the least the scalper on the street would tell you the price.  If the day ever comes where we are owed money in a class action suit, let’s just hope that claiming the cash won’t be through the Ticketmaster website.  Cer-ash.

By Brick Taylor

Brick has been covering entertainment since the ’80s. He once said during a lunch interview, “I’ve seen ’em come, I’ve seen a lot of ’em go. But to this day, I still feel like I didn’t see Nine Inch Nails through that haze.” Then when the check arrived he said, “You’re getting that, right?”

EDENBRIDGE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 2: An 11-metre effigy of depicting a Ticketmaster figure holding British musicians Liam and Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis is set on fire on November 2, 2024 in Edenbridge, England. Each year the Edenbridge Bonfire Society creates a ‘Celebrity Guy’ effigy of an infamous public figure which is burnt during the annual bonfire night celebrations.In 1605, a group of persecuted Roman Catholic activists, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Palace of Westminster and assassinate the Protestant English King James I. Around November 5th each year, people across the United Kingdom light bonfires and hold fireworks displays to mark the failure of the plot. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

The Most Trustworthy Regional Accents

Some super duper scientific new “research” analyzed 14 different American accents to figure out which ones sound the most (and least) trustworthy.

And by “scientific,” we mean they looked at stuff like: internet searches about friendliness and professionalism, plus stats on financial crimes, lawyers, and doctors. So yeah, this is less Harvard Medical Journal and more Buzzfeed quiz vibes.

Here are the Top Six Most Trustworthy accents:

  1. Boston accents (because nothing says “trust me” like a guy yelling “Pahk the cah” in your face).
  2. Cajun accents.
  3. Philadelphia accents.
  4. California accents (but only if they don’t say “bro” more than twice per sentence).
  5. New York accents (surprisingly ranked friendly, too).
  6. Texas accents (extra points if they say “ma’am”).

And the Top Six Least Trustworthy accents:

  1. Mountain West accents (apparently too chill to be believable).
  2. New Jersey accents (RIP, Sopranos).
  3. Southern accents (sorry y’all, charm only gets you so far).
  4. Hawaiian accents.
  5. Midwestern accents (shockingly the ones most linked to financial crimes… who knew “ope, lemme sneak past ya” was a cover-up?).
  6. Florida accents (no surprise… also the accent most associated with headlines like “Man Tries to Rob Bank with Alligator”).

So, the takeaway? Next time you need to sound trustworthy, just fake a Boston accent and say you’re a doctor. Unless you’re from Florida… then nothing will help.

A.I. Might Become Your Personal Receptionist

A.I.’s day job is still destroying civilization, but it’s also picking up a side-hustle as your personal answering machine.

AT&T is testing a new “A.I. receptionist” that screens your calls… kind of like a bouncer for your phone. Its job? Block spam, make you look important, and occasionally irritate your grandma when she calls to ask about Netflix.

Here’s how it works: When a call comes in, the bot answers with questions like, “Who may I say is calling?” or “What’s this in regard to?” If the caller gives the right answers, the call gets through. If not, the system hangs up or takes a message. Basically, it’s like caller ID on steroids… with a passive-aggressive personality.

This could be a game-changer for anyone who can’t just ignore numbers they don’t recognize… like doctors, business owners, or people who owe money to six different credit card companies.

There are a couple of catches though.

  • You might have to interact with the A.I. receptionist yourself, which means you could get interrogated like you’re trying to enter Fort Knox, when you’re just calling a friend. (People would be able to whitelist numbers.)
  • And yes, it does raise the terrifying possibility of your A.I. and the telemarketer’s A.I. getting stuck in an endless loop of “What is this in regard to?” until the heat death of the universe.

The system will roll out this year for select AT&T customers. No word on when it’ll go nationwide… but hey, at least until the robots take over, your car’s extended warranty guy might finally stop calling. Or, have someone else to talk to.

Pebblegate: Stone Skipping World Rocked by Cheating Scandal

The tranquil world of stone skipping (a sport that usually involves dads in cargo shorts and bored kids on family camping trips) has been thrown into chaos after the shocking revelation of CHEATING at the World Stone Skimming Championships.

Officials uncovered “suspiciously circular” stones, raising eyebrows and questions about how far athletes will go to gain an edge in this highly lucrative sport. (Okay, fine, there’s no prize money… but reputations are priceless.)

The scandal (a.k.a. Pebblegate) centers on competitors who allegedly doctored their stones into near-perfect circles, turning nature’s pebbles into aerodynamic skipping saucers. One official said, “We didn’t notice at the time that they were suspiciously circular.” (Translation: these guys basically showed up with Olympic discus equipment and thought no one would notice.)

The offenders confessed, were disqualified, and are expected to release a tearful apology video soon… possibly while holding up the offending stones for the camera.

Meanwhile, American skipper Jonathan Jennings emerged victorious, hurling a rock an astonishing 177 meters (that’s nearly two football fields, or approximately three Costco parking lots). Jennings’ performance is already being described as “the Michael Phelps of throwing rocks at ponds.”

Fans are divided. Some say this scandal tarnishes the credibility of the sport. Others say, “Wait. Stone skipping is an actual championship?”

Either way, organizers vow tighter security next year… potentially including stone doping tests, TSA-style scanners, and maybe even a “pebble pat-down.” Because if we can’t trust our stones to be naturally jagged, what can we trust?

“Clocked It”: Why Your Teen Keeps Saying It (And What It Means)

The slang term has been gaining traction online and in schools. Now Google says searches for it are at an all-time high.

So, what does it mean? Technically, “to clock” something means to notice it. Simple enough, right? But Gen Z has taken that idea and run with it, applying it to everything from compliments to gossip to petty shade.

A TikTok mom recently went viral for explaining the many ways she’s heard her kids use it. For example, if your outfit looks particularly fresh, they might nod and say, “That outfit slays. Clocked it.” Or if someone spills the latest drama, it’s “Clocked that tea.” It’s basically a casual, sometimes smug way of saying, “I see it, I get it, I’m taking note.”

Hey, kids. It’s not really a new term.

While it may feel like brand-new slang to teens and tweens, using the word “clock” like this isn’t really new at all. According to Merriam-Webster, people have been “clocking” stuff since at least 1929. (It also has roots in trans culture. As in, “I think they clocked me [as trans].”)

Why is it suddenly so popular?

“Sudden” might be a strong word. It’s been going around the internet for the good part of a year, if not longer. The reason more people (parents and kids) are googling it likely has more to do with the new school year than anything else. Teens are using it in class, more parents are hearing it in car rides, and more people are googling it in confusion.

So if your kid tells you they “clocked” something, don’t worry. They’re not tracking time, and they definitely don’t mean they punched someone in the face. They’re just letting you know they noticed. Whether it’s your outfit, your mood, or that eye roll you thought they didn’t see… they clocked it.

@mamateaches711

Replying to @Sonya Russell we did the homework and have found out (sort of) the meaning of “clocked it.” Guess we should get rid of the 👏🏼 emoji. The new kids say we don’t do that anymore 😂. CLOCKED IT. #teacher #teachermama #elementaryschool #middleschool #highschool #teachertok #parent

♬ original sound – Jessica | Teacher•Mama

Boomers and Gen X Are Right—Life Really Did Get Way More Annoying

Ever catch yourself stressed about replying to a text… and then stress even more because you haven’t replied in three days and now it feels illegal to even try? You’re not alone.

A recent online conversation sparked some major nostalgia (and maybe a little collective panic) as Boomers and Gen X’ers shared all the modern stressors we didn’t have to deal with 20 or 30 years ago. The main takeaway? Being an adult in the digital age feels like running a marathon through an anxiety minefield… in skinny jeans.

Here are some of the biggest “didn’t-exist-back-then” stress bombs that younger generations now have to juggle:

1. Cybercriminals
Back in the day, locking your front door was enough. Now, you’re one sketchy Wi-Fi login away from someone Venmo-ing themselves your entire life savings.

2. Social Media Everything
It’s not just about scrolling through chaos or trying not to fall down a TikTok rabbit hole. You also have to curate your own content like it’s a personal branding exercise. Is your vacation selfie fun, casual, and filtered enough? Did it get enough likes? Should you delete it?! Rinse, repeat.

3. Constant Cameras
We used to worry about bad yearbook photos once a year. Now every brunch, workout, and wardrobe malfunction could be documented, posted, and dissected in HD.

4. Fake News & Deepfakes
Back then, you could assume the news was real and your eyes weren’t lying to you. These days, “trust but verify” applies to everything, including videos that look real enough to get someone canceled.

5. Beauty Standards Have Mutated
We went from “just be clean” to “shave everything, inject something, contour everything else.” Apparently, having a normal face is now controversial.

6. Communication Anxiety
Texting was supposed to make life easier, right? Instead, people are drowning in read receipts, unspoken response-time etiquette, and email inboxes that feel like boss fights. (And yes, some folks genuinely get stressed if they have more than 100 unread emails. Meanwhile, others are just casually coexisting with 13,000.)

7. Language Inflation
People now say literally every other word, and it’s literally making others lose it.

In short, being a human in 2025 often means managing more mental tabs than a 2008 Dell laptop. The stressors might be different now, but the need to unplug (and maybe hide in the woods without Wi-Fi for a weekend) is timeless.

So if you find yourself longing for a simpler time when your biggest media concern was rewinding your Blockbuster VHS tape, just know you’re not alone…

“Boyfriend Glow-Ups” Are Taking Over TikTok

If your man has gone from “dud” to “stud” during your relationship, it might be time to jump on TikTok’s latest trend.

“Boyfriend glow-ups” are booming on social media, and the trend is exactly what it sounds like – women posting then-and-now comparisons of their partners before and after they got their hands on them.

The “before” shots usually show guys looking like they just rolled out of a college dorm room. Then cut to present day: tailored haircuts, upgraded fits, and a vibe straight out of “Esquire.”

@victoriarobertson19

my man my man my man 😍😍😍 glowup boyfriend transformation

♬ original sound – twotsclips

Does your man qualify?

The transformations we’ve seen range from full-blown rebrands to subtle tweaks to “wait, what changed?” (The “Is this a glow-down?” videos are also fun.) But the best of the best are less “fixer-upper” and more “HGTV-level renovation.” Common upgrades include cooler wardrobes, trimmed facial hair, and the kind of confidence that comes with being loved and styled by someone who knows what they’re doing.

@laurynnashlee

always found him the best looking but he’s proud and so am i 😽 @Trey #fyp #sabrinacarpenteredit #bf

♬ original sound – twotsclips

Why girlfriends love it?

Because they’ve been working on you for years, and they finally get to brag. Sure, it’s about growth, partnership, love. But more than that, it’s about the joy of watching them go from “graphic tee and flip-flops” to “knows how to layer.” If your boyfriend used to dress like a background character in a 2005 sitcom and now turns heads at brunch, go ahead and flex.

Choose the right soundtrack

If your guy has gone from “not” to “hot” during your tenure and you’ve got the receipts, then“When Did You Get Hot?” by Sabrina Carpenter is everyone’s song of choice. It’s become the unofficial soundtrack of the glow-up movement. (Like, if you’re not using it, are you even doing the trend right?)

@lamphsed6xq

Ranking The Best Boyfriend Glow Up Trend ✨ #tiktokviral #glowup #ranking

♬ original sound – Random Ranking

Wedding Trend: Credit Card Machines to Collect Gifts

If you’ve paid for a wedding lately, you know booze isn’t cheap. 57% of couples spring for an open bar, but the average cost of alcohol at a wedding is around $2,400.

So that might help explain this new trend: credit card machines at the bar.

One couple in the U.K. went all in, using card readers like the ones you see at restaurants to help pay for their honeymoon. They also had QR codes posted with the message: “Don’t be tight, pay for our flight!” Then they funneled the money into their honeymoon in Mexico. (So yes, you were technically buying them margaritas before they even left the country.)

They didn’t share how much they made, but they said their guests “absolutely loved it.” (Which might be true… after the third gin and tonic.)

To be fair, they did this instead of accepting wedding gifts. The couple had been together for 14 years, already had a home and appliances, and didn’t really need another air fryer. They just figured it’d be more fun, and more practical, to let people swipe for their shots instead of wrapping up a blender.

The credit card company said they’re hoping this catches on at other weddings. Because nothing says romance like tapping your AmEx while the DJ plays “Shout.”

And honestly, what’s next? Venmo requests from the bride during the bouquet toss? A QR code on the cake that says, “Chip in for the frosting?” Maybe the best man will pass around a contactless reader during his speech… like a church collection plate, but with more tequila shots.

Only Five TV Theme Songs Have Been #1 Hits – Can You Name Them?

“Miami Vice” premiered on NBC September 16, 1984.  But it was 40 years ago this month that its exciting theme song by Jan Hammer was released as a single.

By that November, it would be a #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 – something that’s only happened four other times. And if you can name the other four songs, wow… did you go to school for this or something?!

Three of them hit America’s eardrums in the ’70s – oddly enough, two were also instrumentals, extremely rare for #1 Top 40 songs. The other was a one-hit wonder in the early ’90s by a band that didn’t actually exist. (Hint: Don’t even try to guess that one.)

Soul Train – “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)“

The first TV theme to top the charts was “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia),” better known as the theme to “Soul Train.” It has a few moments where some background singers are heard, but it’s instrumental for the most part. The creator and host of “Soul Train,” Don Cornelius, refused to allow any references to the name of the show when the single was released. That’s why the artists, MFSB, adopted the alternate title. It went #1 in 1974.

S.W.A.T. – “Theme from S.W.A.T.”

The second instrumental to win the top spot on the charts was “Theme from S.W.A.T.” by Rhythm Heritage. On February 28, 1976, radio stations were playing the cop drama theme more than any other song. It featured Jeff Porcaro on drums and Ray Parker, Jr. on guitar. (Yeah, the “Ghostbusters” guy.) If you don’t think you recognize it, skip to :24.

Welcome Back, Kotter – “Welcome Back”

John Sebastian’s “Welcome Back” hit #1 in May 1976, just a few short months after “Theme from S.W.A.T.” topped the charts. (Man, people were really into theme songs in ’76!) Producers had loved the song so much, they changed the title of the whole show. It went from “Kotter” to “Welcome Back Kotter” to match the lyrics. Even though comedian Gabe Kaplan was in the title roll, John Travolta became the breakout star of the series and even he had a hit song that year – “Let Her In“ hit #10 thanks to John’s newfound fame.

Miami Vice – “Miami Vice Theme”

It had been nearly a decade since a TV theme topped the charts when Jan Hammer’s synthy ode to stylish Miami cops hit the scene in 1985, then hit #1 later that year. It was the last instrumental to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 until “Harlem Shake“ seized the crown in 2013.

The Heights – “How Do You Talk to an Angel?”

You might know the song, but probably not the show. “The Heights” followed the exploits of a fictional band, but the show never found success. The theme song was a huge hit though, landing at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two full weeks. The show lasted only one season on Fox before it got the axe. The cancelation came less than two weeks after the show’s theme song topped the charts. Ouch.

It’s been over 30 years since a TV theme song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and I know what you’re thinking: “What about that Friends song!?” Nope, not even “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts could do it, only rising as high at #17 in 1995. (It did hit #1 in Canada though, if you care aboot that.)

Brick Taylor has been covering music, television, and film since the ’80s. He is a modern day historian of ‘what is old is new again.’ “It’s all cyclical,” Brick said in a recent interview. “Look at ‘S.W.A.T.’, for instance. That TV show from the ’70s was made into a movie in 2003, then revamped as a TV series again in 2017. Not to name drop, but I saw Tom Cruise at an Oscars party that year and told him Hollywood’s outta fresh ideas. He nodded, then said he had to leave early to make another ‘Mission: Impossible’ sequel.” Brick then excused himself from the interview because it was an open bar.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Sept 14-20

Ancient F-words, Facebook haters, and Turd Ferguson. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Historians found the oldest known use of the F-word

A researcher at Keele University in England found three examples of everyone’s favorite four-letter word while going through some medieval legal documents from 1310 and 1311. Or technically, it was part of a longer 15-letter word… err, name?

Records showed that a man who went by Roger Fuckebythenavel was in and out of court back in the early 14th century. Or to put it in more current terms, his name was “Roger The-Guy-Who-Tried-To-Have-Bellybutton-Sex.” It apparently wasn’t his god-given name. (Ya don’t say!) But it was what people around town called him.

The historian suggested it may have been a term used for a “dimwit,” someone so dumb they might think that’s how babies are made. Or, it could have been a reference to “an actual attempt at copulation by an inexperienced youth, later reported by a rejected girlfriend.” In other words, “14th century revenge porn.”

Stephen Rannazzisi admitted he lied about 9/11

Season 7 of “The League” had just premiered on FXX when fans discovered one of the main actors on the show had been lying for years about being in the Twin Towers on 9/11. He claimed he was working at Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor of the South Tower when the first plane hit. But he never worked for Merrill Lynch, and they didn’t even have an office there at the time. The lie coming to light basically ended his career.

Facebook announced a “dislike” button

People had been calling for a 👎 option for years, and Zuck suggested it might finally happen, but it never came to fruition. Facebook instead added its “Reactions” emojis in 2016: 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😲, 😢, and 😡. They apparently decided that an actual thumbs down button might begin to sow hatred and anger in an environment that’s otherwise filled with constructive and well-meaning content. 👀

A “Jeopardy” contestant got Alex Trebek to say “Turd Ferguson”

Contestant Talia Lavin didn’t know the answer to the Final Jeopardy question. So she wrote, “What is The Love Ballad of Turd Ferguson (p.s. Hi Mom).” Fans of Norm MacDonald’s Burt Reynolds character in the “SNL” sketch reveled in the stunt, with Mashable.com calling her an “American hero.”

Cinnamon Toast Crunch debuted a selfie stick spoon

The gimmicky product was intended for the social media addicted and chronically self-absorbed. Folks who made it to the CTC website fast enough were able to score one for free, plus $7 shipping – a $7 they’ll never get back.

A guy won the lottery, didn’t tell his wife, and divorced her

It happened in China. He won $725,000, filed for divorce, and didn’t claim the prize until the split was finalized. He got his wife to sign the divorce papers by offering to take on all $40,000 of their debt… without mentioning he was sitting on much more than that. A judge ordered him to pay her $180,000, and he still had to cover the debt himself.

Arnold Schwarzenegger took over “Celebrity Apprentice”

Donald Trump was running for president and couldn’t do it anymore. “The New Celebrity Apprentice” lasted only a season before Arnold departed, blaming Trump’s divisiveness for the low ratings.

7-Eleven started delivering a “Date Night Pack”

The collection of date night essentials was only available in select cities. For $20, you got a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, a Hershey’s chocolate bar, a can of Red Bull, a pack of Trident gum, and a three-pack of Trojan Ultra-Thin condoms. #Romance

A “Mary Poppins” sequel was announced

Eventual star Emily Blunt hadn’t signed on yet. But ironically, she was also in the news the same week for joking that the Republican debate made her regret getting her U.S. citizenship. She quickly apologized for the comment. “Mary Poppins Returns” came out in 2018 and made over $360 million worldwide.

Jon Hamm finally won an Emmy for “Mad Men”

He’d been snubbed for six seasons, but finally got his award four months after the show had wrapped up that May. Other Emmy winners in 2015 included “Game of Thrones” for Best Drama, “Veep” for Best Comedy, and Viola Davis became the first Black woman to win Best Actress in a Drama Series for “How to Get Away with Murder.”

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