Thursday, 24 April 2025

Global BC Sports Anchor Wins $2 Million Lotto Prize Live on Air

 


In a memorable moment that stunned both viewers and colleagues alike, Barry Deley, a sports anchor for Global BC, won the $2 million grand prize during a live lottery draw in 2011. The remarkable event unfolded on air, offering a glimpse into the spontaneous reactions that lottery winners often experience.

The lottery in question was the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Dream Lottery, which, as part of its fundraising efforts for the children’s hospital, featured a range of luxury homes and cash prizes. The prize that Deley won included a choice of a $2 million cash payout or one of four luxurious homes.

The announcement came as a complete surprise to Deley. At the time, he was not in the studio but was instead out shopping. His colleagues, Sophie Lui and Squire Barnes, were hosting the segment when the winning name was called. In a moment of sheer surprise, they immediately contacted Deley by phone to let him know he had won, live on the air. His shocked reaction, filled with disbelief and laughter, became an iconic moment for the station and for the lottery’s viewers.

The win was particularly poignant for Deley, as he had a personal connection to the BC Children’s Hospital. His daughter had been treated for leukemia at the hospital, making the win feel even more significant. He expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to give back to an institution that had played such a crucial role in his family’s life.

As part of the lottery's mission, the proceeds went toward supporting research initiatives, including childhood cancer research, at the BC Children’s Hospital. This added a deeper, more emotional layer to the win, as it not only changed Deley’s life but also supported a cause close to his heart.

The incident was thoroughly investigated to ensure that everything was above board, as the unusual coincidence of a station employee winning the lottery naturally raised some eyebrows. However, it was confirmed that Deley’s win was entirely legitimate. He even joked with his colleagues about the irony of the situation, making light of the fact that it was his name called in such a high-profile event.

Deley’s win became a viral moment and remains one of the most memorable lottery victories in Canadian television history. His shocked yet heartfelt response, coupled with his connection to the cause, made it an unforgettable moment for everyone involved.

In the end, Barry Deley’s lottery win not only offered him an unexpected financial windfall but also allowed him to contribute back to a cause that had personally affected his family, making the event one of those rare, touching moments that are truly one for the books.

Sunday, 20 April 2025

Adrien Brody's Shocking Experience with The Thin Red Line and Terrence Malick's Creative Control

 

In 1997, a 23-year-old Adrien Brody was handed an incredible opportunity that seemed poised to launch his career to new heights. The young actor was cast in the leading role of Terrence Malick’s highly anticipated World War II epic, The Thin Red Line. At the time, Brody was relatively unknown in Hollywood, but this film promised to be his breakout moment. Early reports, including one in Variety, confirmed that Brody was not only starring in the movie but was also being positioned for an Oscar nomination. Everything seemed to be falling into place for the young actor.

However, as filming progressed and Brody began promoting the movie, a shocking revelation soon became apparent. Despite initial expectations, Malick, known for his meticulous and often unpredictable filmmaking process, had drastically reduced Brody’s role. What had been touted as a major leading part had been edited down to the point where Brody’s character barely appeared on screen. The young actor, who had been preparing for a significant performance in a major Hollywood film, was now faced with the reality that his role had been diminished.

Brody, understandably frustrated, discovered that this wasn’t an unusual occurrence in Malick’s creative process. The director was known for his preference for ambiguity, improvisation, and extensive editing, often reshaping his films in post-production. While the final cut of The Thin Red Line was lauded for its stunning cinematography and impressive ensemble cast, it was clear that Brody’s participation was much smaller than initially expected.

Though Brody was disappointed by the change, he remained philosophical about the experience. Over time, he reflected on how this incident shaped his approach to his career. He went on to achieve greater success with later roles, most notably in The Pianist (2002), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

The Thin Red Line went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed films of 1998, earning seven Academy Award nominations and becoming a landmark piece in Malick’s career. Brody’s story, however, remains a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of working with a director like Terrence Malick, whose vision often takes precedence over initial plans.

While The Thin Red Line brought Brody some valuable experience, it was ultimately his resilience and subsequent roles that cemented his reputation in Hollywood. Despite the setback, Brody’s journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the often harsh realities actors face behind the scenes.

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Hot Ones - Bill Murray Doesn’t Flinch While Eating Spicy Wings

 


Bill Murray is an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, best known for his unique sense of humor and offbeat charm. Born on September 21, 1950, in Wilmette, Illinois, Murray rose to fame in the 1980s with standout roles in films like Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, and Stripes. His career began with improv comedy, particularly at Chicago’s Second City, before transitioning to television and then film, where his witty yet deadpan style became his signature.

Murray has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for his role in Lost in Translation (2003). A true Hollywood maverick, his versatility spans across genres, from comedy to drama, making him one of the most beloved and respected figures in film history. Despite his fame, Murray is known for his reclusive nature and unpredictable public appearances, adding to his enigmatic persona.

Saturday, 12 April 2025

Cup Stacking While Parents Fight About Their Divorce.

Cup stacking, also known as sport stacking, is a fast-paced competitive sport that involves stacking specially designed plastic cups in pre-determined sequences as quickly as possible. The goal is to complete the stack and unstack the cups faster than your opponent. The sport has its origins in the 1980s when it was created by Wayne Godfrey and quickly gained popularity worldwide.

Competitors race to build various formations, such as the 3-3-3 stack, 3-6-3 stack, and cycle stack, all while maintaining precision and speed. The world of cup stacking has grown into a global phenomenon, with championships held at local, national, and international levels.

Cup stacking not only requires speed but also agility, coordination, and concentration. Whether as a fun activity or a serious competition, it’s a thrilling and engaging sport for all ages.

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

The Lost Family Guy Pilot: A Rare Glimpse at the Show’s Origins

Before Family Guy debuted on Fox in 1999, creator Seth MacFarlane produced a rough, unfinished pilot in 1998 to pitch the series. This "lost" pilot was a lower-budget version of what would later become the first episode, Death Has a Shadow.

The pilot featured early designs of the Griffin family, with some noticeable differences. Stewie looked more sinister, and Brian had a more exaggerated, dog-like appearance. Some voices, particularly Meg’s, were also slightly different from the final series. The animation was rougher, as it was produced on a limited budget with MacFarlane himself handling much of the work.

Fox executives liked what they saw and greenlit the show, giving MacFarlane a much bigger budget to refine the animation and writing.

Monday, 7 April 2025

COMPETITION: Win Recipes for Love and Murder: Season 2 on DVD

Recipes for Love and Murder

The inimitable Maria Doyle Kennedy returns as the ‘one-of-a-kind heroine’ (Variety) Tannie Maria, in Recipes for Love and Murder Series Two. The new series is set to serve up more culinary delights and delicious mysteries when it arrives on DVD and digital 14 April 2025, courtesy of Acorn Media International. 

And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy on DVD.

Synopsis:
Tannie Maria (Kennedy) the food columnist turned agony aunt and amateur sleuth, is once again joined by tenacious young journalist Jessie September (Kylie Fisher – Troukoors Wedding Fever) and police detective Khaya Meyer (Tony Kgoroge – Blood Diamond, Invictus) for a new batch of murder mysteries in the picturesque South African town of Eden. 
 
Picking up mere moments after the first series ended, we are greeted with the unexpected arrival of Maria’s ex-sister-in-law Aileen (Robyn Scott – Afterlife of the Party) and her husband Detective Gordon McClintock (Richard Wright-Firth – Black Sails). The couple not only begin to interrogate Maria about the death of her abusive husband Mickey (Ashley Dowds – Boy Kills World, Scouts Safari), but also her estate and the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death just two months before Mickey’s. 
 
Meanwhile, local newspaper editor Hattie (Jennifer Steyn – Goodbye Bafana), prepares to announce her mayoral campaign, but her plans are scuppered when a series of devastating fires engulf Eden. The disaster triggers a fateful chain of events that sees Tannie Maria, Jessie (Fisher) and Khaya (Kgoroge) dragged into a multiple murder investigation that unearths the towns darkest secrets. 
 
With breathtaking scenery, a loveable lead, well-seasoned mysteries and a dash of delicious homecooked goods, get ready for a second serving of Recipes for Love and Murder guaranteed to leave you hungry for more. 


Enter Below

Who plays young journalist Jessie September in Recipes for Love and Murder?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 21-04-25
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Friday, 4 April 2025

The Enron Deception: How CEO Kenneth Lay Encouraged Employees to Invest Before Collapse


On August 16, 2001, Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay stood before employees in a company-wide meeting, attempting to calm growing concerns about the company’s future. Just two days earlier, CEO Jeffrey Skilling had abruptly resigned, citing personal reasons. With Enron’s stock already in decline and questions swirling about the company’s financial health, Lay reassured employees that everything was under control. He even encouraged them to invest more in Enron stock, insisting that its value was poised for a rebound.

What employees didn’t know at the time was that Enron was already on the brink of collapse. While Lay was urging workers to buy shares, he was secretly selling off millions of dollars' worth of his own stock. Public filings later revealed that between August and October 2001, Lay unloaded more than $70 million in Enron stock, using the proceeds to cover personal loans.

For employees who took Lay’s advice and put their savings into Enron shares, the consequences were devastating. Just over three months later, on December 2, 2001, Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time. Thousands of employees lost their jobs, and many saw their retirement funds wiped out.

The Enron scandal became a defining moment in corporate fraud, leading to congressional investigations, the dissolution of accounting firm Arthur Andersen, and the eventual passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to increase financial transparency. Lay himself was later convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy, though he passed away before he could be sentenced.

For many former Enron employees, the August 16 meeting remains a bitter memory, a moment when they were misled by their own leadership, unknowingly investing in a company that was already doomed.