The Friday Hodgepodge of Stories from Scott Stevens
Sorry, Boomers and Gen Xers ... young people are making fun of your Temu addiction. TikTokers are posting about their parents being “Temu victims” and showing their homes filled with the unnecessary trinkets from the online store. Temu's customer base skews older, with those over the age of 59 (mostly women) using the shopping app most, followed closely by Gen Xers 43 and older.
Well, this is the stuff of nightmares … Scientists from the University of Queensland in Australia have discovered a new species of snake. This thing is 26 feet long and has a human-sized head. The snake was discovered in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. Sweet dreams.
Which came first, the chicken or the pizza? ... Well, at KFC, they now come at the same time, thanks to the introduction of Chizza. The cult-favorite snack, which has been available overseas for a few years, is finally coming to the U.S., so fans can chow down on two extra-crispy pieces of chicken topped with sauce, cheese and a few slices of pepperoni. The mashup will hit New York City today (Friday) and roll out nationally on Monday, with social media star Bad Granny promoting the artery-clogger for as long as it stays on the menu.
Ozempic and the gym don't mix ... Gyms are reporting that the rise of Ozempic and similar drugs has caused a decline in workouts. It’s not just because those taking the drug are losing weight without having to exercise – but also due to the fact that they’re puking their guts out during workouts. “I’ve seen a handful of new and experienced clients throw up while taking the drugs because of the dizziness and nausea the drugs can induce,” personal trainer Salim Javed told the NY Post.
Both have contributed to a big decline in gym attendance nationally. “I used to see some clients at the gym for three hours a day, but once they’re on Ozempic they stop coming,” said Equinox trainer Makena Diehl.
Money over fame … Yes, Gen Z spends a lot of time on social media, and they are enamored with influencers, but when it comes right down to it, they would prefer money in the bank than likes on their socials. A new survey by Credit Sesame found that 92% of Gen Zers are more concerned with having a good credit score (750 or higher) than getting tens of thousands of followers.
Take a hint … When it comes to wanting to get married, you would probably think that women dropped the most hints. Well, that’s not the case. A survey of married Americans found that 39% of men admitted to dropping hints about tying the knot, compared to 28% of women who did the same. These hints took the form of talking about other friends who had gotten married, asking to meet the other partner’s parents or family members, and recommending they watch movies about weddings or engagements, among other things. The survey found that on average, it took eight months for the hinting to eventually lead to a proposal, with men dropping around 15 hints over that time and women hinting 12 times.
Beer is booming ... The demise of beer sales has been greatly exaggerated. The post-Super Bowl beer sales numbers have been tallied – and it looks like beer sales in bars and restaurants were up 16% on game day, an increase from 2023 when they only rose 10%. Corona, Michelob Ultra, and Modelo Especial were big winners.
Pump the brakes on protein ... According to a new study, chowing down on too much protein can lead to heart disease. Of course, high-protein diets are a big deal for athletes, bodybuilders, or people trying to improve muscle mass and strength. But researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that getting 22% of calories each day from protein can mess up your arteries – and increase the risk of heart disease. So ... Eat your steak. And drink a protein shake here and there. But also, be sure to eat your veggies.
Calling all Ryans ... If your name is Ryan and you are not in Austin, Texas, tomorrow (Saturday), you may need to re-examine your life. On Saturday at 5 p.m. Central Time, everyone named Ryan is invited to show up at the Buck Wild Bar in Austin. They're trying to break a record. Back in 2017, around 2,300 people named Ivan got together in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This "Ryan Rodeo" aims to break that record in a big way. Each participant will be required to show official identification to prove he is named Ryan. No Bryans – or Brians – get in. Because, as everyone knows, "Bryans are just B-list Ryans."