The Daily: September 5
'At my age, an affair of the heart is a bypass': We lose one of the greats
'I don't exercise. If God wanted us to bend over, he'd put diamonds on the floor'. One of the many golden one liners the 'acid-tongued' comedienne uttered in her 50 year long career on the stage. Joan Rivers died yesterday at the age of 81 from complications relating to an operation to her vocal cords. Known for her sharp tongue and quick comebacks, it wasn't all golden for Joan in the early years of her career. Rivers originally wanted to be a Hollywood actress, however her parents did not approve and she turned down several places at prestigious drama schools as a result, including Rada London, to placate her parents. After growing up as the self-proclaimed 'ugly duckling' of the clan, she made her debut in stand-up joints around New York to pay the bills to be eventually discovered by Roy Silver, the man who made Bill Cosby. In 1983, she was the first woman to host the Tonight Show and infamously began her sketches with 'can we talk?' bringing in 11 million viewers per show at her peak. Rivers insisted the only issues she joked about were those that 'truly obsess America' and claimed the National Inquirer was her source: 'I never go to the bathroom without it'.
Rivers showed no signs of slowing down, performing up until a few days before the botched operation and even famously proclaiming 'I can't leave comedy yet, America needs me' during what was meant to be her retirement speech after her 2009 Comedy Roast. Joan Rivers paved the way for female comediennes and last night, the acting industry truly lost one of their brightest stars.
Dreadosaurus
The full skeleton of a dreadnoughtus schrani, the largest dinosaur species, has been discovered by Drexel University' Dr Kenneth Lacorvard in Argentina. It is thought that the dinosaur would have weighed more than a Boeing 737 at approximately 65 tonnes and measured 85 foot in length. This is the same as a dozen African elephants and over 7 T-Rex's: it would have certainly had the infamous dinosaur for tea. However, scientists claim that this herbivore would only be occupied with eating to support its large frame and it 'feared nothing'. The 77 million year old specimen is the most complete skeleton of the most enigmatic dinosaur species, the titanosaurs to be found to date. It was named after the fortified dreadnought ships of the early 20th century which just goes to show how large it truly must have been!
Attenborough and the Yeti
The most respected naturalist and broadcaster in modern television, none other than Sir David Attenborough, has set his sights on finding the abominable snowman. He has already discovered countless species, even having a few named after him such as the prethopalpus attenboroughi spider and, our favourite, the attenborosaurus conybeari dinosaur! Attenborough says he 'wouldn't mind' discovering the snowman on his next mission. There is evidence to suggest that the snowman, otherwise known as a Yeti, exists. In the 1920's a set of teeth, 6 times the size of human molars, were discovered and since then there have been several giant ape sightings around the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet – it is thought that the Yeti resembles a giant ape. Attenborough also says that he does not 'necessarily believe in it' but it is a 'very difficult thing to do [to] prove a negative' or 'prove that it doesn't exist' which makes him very ready for the challenge. Well if anyone can find the mythical snowman Attenborough surely can!
Rapido Robusta
We all run to work in the morning for that cuppa Joe don't we? What if that one morning cup could last you all day? A magical thought, isn't it. Not anymore since scientists have genetically mapped out the robusta coffee bean. The robusta bean, otherwise known as coffea canephora, is responsible for 30% of the world's coffee production. New research shows that soon 'supercoffee' plants will be created from the bean which will make plants easier to grow and endure droughts, pests and other adversities. It will also produce beans with boosted caffeine with effects that will last longer throughout the day and can even be made into a variety of flavours.
Countdown's glory
The 'cornerstone of British pop culture' has finally counted down to the top! Countdown has secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running programme of its kind after airing its 6,000th episode. The show, now in its 70th series, is presented by Nick Hewer, mathematician Rachel Riley and linguist Susie Dent. Hewer said he was 'proud' to be part of a show with such a 'durable and intelligent format that relies on intellect rather than prize money', even it is only for the past three years. However, Countdown will always be remembered for its veteran host Richard Whiteley and original resident mathematician Carol Vorderman who began its long course in 1982 as the first show to air on televisions newest channel of the time, Channel 4. Start the clock for the next milestone...
'I don't exercise. If God wanted us to bend over, he'd put diamonds on the floor'. One of the many golden one liners the 'acid-tongued' comedienne uttered in her 50 year long career on the stage. Joan Rivers died yesterday at the age of 81 from complications relating to an operation to her vocal cords. Known for her sharp tongue and quick comebacks, it wasn't all golden for Joan in the early years of her career. Rivers originally wanted to be a Hollywood actress, however her parents did not approve and she turned down several places at prestigious drama schools as a result, including Rada London, to placate her parents. After growing up as the self-proclaimed 'ugly duckling' of the clan, she made her debut in stand-up joints around New York to pay the bills to be eventually discovered by Roy Silver, the man who made Bill Cosby. In 1983, she was the first woman to host the Tonight Show and infamously began her sketches with 'can we talk?' bringing in 11 million viewers per show at her peak. Rivers insisted the only issues she joked about were those that 'truly obsess America' and claimed the National Inquirer was her source: 'I never go to the bathroom without it'.
Rivers showed no signs of slowing down, performing up until a few days before the botched operation and even famously proclaiming 'I can't leave comedy yet, America needs me' during what was meant to be her retirement speech after her 2009 Comedy Roast. Joan Rivers paved the way for female comediennes and last night, the acting industry truly lost one of their brightest stars.
Dreadosaurus
The full skeleton of a dreadnoughtus schrani, the largest dinosaur species, has been discovered by Drexel University' Dr Kenneth Lacorvard in Argentina. It is thought that the dinosaur would have weighed more than a Boeing 737 at approximately 65 tonnes and measured 85 foot in length. This is the same as a dozen African elephants and over 7 T-Rex's: it would have certainly had the infamous dinosaur for tea. However, scientists claim that this herbivore would only be occupied with eating to support its large frame and it 'feared nothing'. The 77 million year old specimen is the most complete skeleton of the most enigmatic dinosaur species, the titanosaurs to be found to date. It was named after the fortified dreadnought ships of the early 20th century which just goes to show how large it truly must have been!
Attenborough and the Yeti
The most respected naturalist and broadcaster in modern television, none other than Sir David Attenborough, has set his sights on finding the abominable snowman. He has already discovered countless species, even having a few named after him such as the prethopalpus attenboroughi spider and, our favourite, the attenborosaurus conybeari dinosaur! Attenborough says he 'wouldn't mind' discovering the snowman on his next mission. There is evidence to suggest that the snowman, otherwise known as a Yeti, exists. In the 1920's a set of teeth, 6 times the size of human molars, were discovered and since then there have been several giant ape sightings around the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet – it is thought that the Yeti resembles a giant ape. Attenborough also says that he does not 'necessarily believe in it' but it is a 'very difficult thing to do [to] prove a negative' or 'prove that it doesn't exist' which makes him very ready for the challenge. Well if anyone can find the mythical snowman Attenborough surely can!
Rapido Robusta
We all run to work in the morning for that cuppa Joe don't we? What if that one morning cup could last you all day? A magical thought, isn't it. Not anymore since scientists have genetically mapped out the robusta coffee bean. The robusta bean, otherwise known as coffea canephora, is responsible for 30% of the world's coffee production. New research shows that soon 'supercoffee' plants will be created from the bean which will make plants easier to grow and endure droughts, pests and other adversities. It will also produce beans with boosted caffeine with effects that will last longer throughout the day and can even be made into a variety of flavours.
Countdown's glory
The 'cornerstone of British pop culture' has finally counted down to the top! Countdown has secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running programme of its kind after airing its 6,000th episode. The show, now in its 70th series, is presented by Nick Hewer, mathematician Rachel Riley and linguist Susie Dent. Hewer said he was 'proud' to be part of a show with such a 'durable and intelligent format that relies on intellect rather than prize money', even it is only for the past three years. However, Countdown will always be remembered for its veteran host Richard Whiteley and original resident mathematician Carol Vorderman who began its long course in 1982 as the first show to air on televisions newest channel of the time, Channel 4. Start the clock for the next milestone...