What's Ella's Hidden Talent?
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What's Ella's Hidden Talent?
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Play the "Sound Proof" Prank on your Spouse!
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What is Luke Combs Always Carrying?
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Hear Chelsea handler's impersonation of Kevin Hart!
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Still “Friends” After All These Years: The Cast’s Surprising $20 Million a Year Windfall
It’s been more than two decades since Friends aired its final episode, but apparently, the show never really left the building. It just quietly kept printing money in the background like a very cheerful sitcom-shaped ATM.
According to Lisa Kudrow, the six core cast members—Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry—are still earning around $20 million a year each in residuals. Yes, per year. For a show that wrapped in 2004, that’s the kind of rerun economy most TV executives only dream about while staring into their coffee like it owes them answers.
And it didn’t start anywhere near that level.
Back in season 1, the cast was earning about $22,500 per episode. At the time, that was solid TV money, but nowhere close to the legendary deal it would become. Fast forward to seasons 9 and 10, and the group had negotiated one of the most famous salary jumps in television history: $1 million per episode each. That’s not just “making it big,” that’s “Central Perk is now a financial institution” territory.
But the money is only part of the story.
Lisa Kudrow also shared a more reflective moment following the passing of Matthew Perry. She said she went back and watched Friends again, and it changed how she saw the work entirely. Before, she focused on her own performance—what she did wrong, what she could have done better. But this time, she saw something different.
“Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better. But for the first time, I truly appreciated just how great it was.”
That kind of hindsight hits differently when you realize you were part of something that didn’t just air on TV—it embedded itself into pop culture DNA. The jokes, the rhythms, the couch in the coffee shop, the apartment with impossible rent… all of it still lives on in reruns, streaming queues, and late-night “just one more episode” traps.
And that’s the real twist here: Friends isn’t just a finished show. It’s a continuing loop—financially, culturally, and emotionally. While most series fade into nostalgia dust, this one keeps showing up to work every year, cashing checks, and reminding everyone that six people hanging out in New York somehow became a global evergreen comfort machine.
The next time someone brushes up against you in a crowded bar or subway, they might just be dancing… or they might be quietly charging your life five easy payments of $19.99.
Welcome to the oddly futuristic, slightly creepy world of “ghost tapping.”
It’s a credit card scam where thieves use cheap, off-the-shelf card readers to trigger wireless payments from contactless chip cards or mobile wallets. No wallet snatching. No dramatic pickpocket moment. Just a quick close-range bump in a crowded space, and suddenly your card is doing cardio in someone else’s shopping spree.
They don’t even need to reach into your pocket. They just need proximity. Think “awkward dance floor collision,” but financially destructive.
And yes, your phone can be included in the chaos too if you’ve got a mobile wallet set up.
Contactless cards were designed to be more secure than old swipe systems because they encrypt data. And that part is still true.
But here’s the twist: the same convenience that lets you tap to pay for coffee also opens the door for someone nearby to attempt small unauthorized charges.
Scammers often start tiny, hoping you won’t notice. A couple of small transactions here, a quiet test charge there. Then, if they get lucky, they escalate. In some cases, they can even link your card to their own digital wallet and go bigger later.
It’s not exactly “Ocean’s Eleven.” It’s more like “awkward elbow bump at a concert with financial consequences.”
Ghost tapping tends to show up in places where personal space is already a myth:
Basically, anywhere you’re thinking, “Wow, I am shoulder-to-shoulder with humanity,” is where your wallet should be thinking, “Stay alert.”
So what actually helps?
Security experts tested a few options, and the results were a mix of helpful, mildly annoying, and “this defeats the purpose of owning a phone.”
These run around $20 and are the most reliable option. They’re designed to block wireless scanning attempts while still letting you function in normal life.
Think of it as a small force field for your cards.
These cost about 20 cents each, which is great until you realize you now have to wrestle your cards in and out of tiny protective jackets like they’re being deployed on a mission every time you buy gas.
This goes in your wallet and is supposed to protect everything inside it. In testing, results were… underwhelming. A noble idea, but not exactly a superhero.
This blocks signals from everything—cards, phone, even your ability to be contacted by society. Great for security. Terrible for being reachable, texting, or living in 2026.
Ghost tapping is a reminder that convenience always comes with a shadow. The same tap-to-pay magic that makes checkout fast also makes it possible for someone to try turning your proximity into profit.
So if you’re in a crowd and someone bumps you a little too perfectly… they might be dancing.
Or they might be budgeting your money for you.
Speaking to a joint session of the US Congress, King Charles marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain with gratitude that the two countries united to build one of the most consequential alliances in human history. But even as he spoke in unifying optimistic terms, King Charles delivered a series of nuanced warnings encouraging leaders in the US to remain collaborative and engaged in global affairs.
Severe storms Monday night left one person dead and thousands without power in West Michigan. One person was killed near Cedar Springs after a tree fell on them. The storms also left widespread power outages. Consumers Energy says some of the biggest outages may not be restored until later today.
Hoffman Marine, which owns Shepler's Mackinaw Island Ferry and the Mackinaw Island City Council, disagrees over who determines the rates for ferry passengers. The current rates expire in 2027. Negotiations have been underway since March of last year. But according to various media reports, Hoffman Marine sent the City Council a letter saying it would cease all ferry service to the island when the franchise agreements expire in 2027. A district judge issued a ruling urging both sides to reach an agreement outside of court.
In sports, the Braves over the Tigers 5-2, the Lunes beat the Peoria Chiefs 11-4, the Lunes face the Chiefs again tonight at Dow Diamond. In Detroit, the Magic and Pistons play Game 5 in the Eastern Division playoffs. The Magic lead the series 3 games to 1, tip off at 7.
Your KCQ pinpoint forecast, mostly cloudy with scattered midday showers, high 54, tonight cloudy low 37, partly sunny Thursday, high tomorrow 52, Friday mostly sunny and cool, high 49.
Is Dolly Parton the best songwriter in Country Music? YEP!
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Nerf Wars this weekend for your kiddos!
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Just when you thought the legend of the Florida Man couldn't possibly evolve any further, a new generation has grabbed the wheel . . . literally.
Two 18-year-olds in Florida were arrested over the weekend after allegedly deciding that a perfectly normal shopping trip to Target needed one thing: a riding lawnmower.
Yes, a lawnmower.
According to police, one teen drove the mower straight toward the front entrance while the other filmed the whole thing for social media. Apparently, "aisle cruising" has taken on a whole new meaning. Their first attempt to enter the store didn't quite work out, mostly because Target's automatic doors weren't designed with farm equipment in mind. After striking the front doors twice, they managed to cause damage before their joyride came to an abrupt end.
Thankfully, no one was injured. But police were quick to point out that this wasn't just harmless teenage goofing around. Driving a lawnmower through a busy retail store could have seriously endangered shoppers and employees.
And here's the kicker: this wasn't even their only viral-stunt attempt that weekend.
The night before, the same duo reportedly took a leaf blower into a nearby Culver's, where they pulled another social media prank. Because apparently, if you're going to commit to a theme, you might as well go full landscaping.
Now, both teens are facing charges of disorderly conduct and criminal mischief for both incidents. It's a reminder that while internet fame might seem tempting, there are far less expensive ways to get attention.
Maybe next weekend they'll just stick to mowing the lawn. Outside. Where it belongs.
Casual dining is still very much on the menu, and if one recent poll is any indication, Americans know exactly where they want to grab a booth, a basket of breadsticks, and maybe a dessert they absolutely did not plan on ordering.
The survey asked people to rank their favorite casual dining restaurants based on more than just the food. Diners also considered price, value, and the overall experience. In other words, it’s not just about what’s on the plate, it’s about the whole restaurant recipe.
Leading the pack is none other than Olive Garden. Apparently, unlimited breadsticks remain one of civilization’s greatest achievements. Coming in second is Texas Roadhouse, where the steaks are hearty and the rolls could probably negotiate world peace. Applebee's rounds out the top three, proving that neighborhood comfort still has plenty of appeal.
Men and women actually agree on the top three: Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, and Applebee's. In a world full of debate, at least we can all unite over breadsticks and steak.
After that, tastes start to branch out. Men rank Chili's a bit higher, and Buffalo Wild Wings flies into their top 10. Women, meanwhile, give extra love to The Cheesecake Factory and also include Red Robin among their favorites.
When it comes to age, Olive Garden reigns supreme across nearly every generation. The exception? Gen Z, who have crowned Chili's as their number one pick. The sizzling skillet generation has spoken.
Gen Z and Millennials are also more likely to flock to Wingstop for their wing fix. Meanwhile, Gen X and Baby Boomers lean toward classic comfort favorites like Cracker Barrel, Outback Steakhouse, and LongHorn Steakhouse.
At the end of the day, casual dining continues to hit that perfect sweet spot. It offers the convenience of fast food, the comfort of a sit-down meal, and just enough menu choices to make everyone stare at the menu for 20 minutes before ordering the same thing they always do.
So whether you're craving pasta, pancakes, wings, or a slice of cheesecake the size of a hubcap, America's favorite casual dining spots are ready and waiting.
Bon appétit... and don't forget to save room for dessert!
The Actors Union Tried To Get Riley Green's Social Security Number to Pay Him!
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Did you know that when you act in a TV show, you have to join the actors union? When SAG-AFTRA called Riley Green to pay him for his acting, he wasn't buying it.
"This guy calls me and he's like, are you Riley Green? I said, yeah. He said, I've got $1,300 for you.I want to give you this check, but I need your social security number. I was like, nice try. That's how they get you.And I was like, well, you called me, you know who I am. I don't know who you are. So anyway, I didn't give it to him. So there, I guess he owes me $1,300. Yeah."
Did you know today is national superhero day? Here's Tim McGraw.
"Of course, instinctively, you want to say Superman so you can fly. But since I'm a pilot, I can already fly. But no, I think you want to be the invisible man, wouldn't you? But mainly just because you could just observe without being observed."
Ella Langley says one of her goals is to start acting. She says her favorite movies are thrillers and comedies as she winks at Hollywood. She says she's not into romantic comedies.So, you know, that's what she'll get cast in next.
Jordan Davis says one of his pre-show routines with the band is they all take a sniff of smelling salts. He says it really wakes you up.
Jelly Roll says he learned at an early age, there's lots of ways to make money. He would go to the dollar store and buy candy and then sell it at school at lunchtime.
What are Morgan Wallen's two favorite things in the world? He says, good food, good company.
Luke Combs says some of the best memories growing up happened around the dinner table and he wants that for his kids. He said food's always been a big part of his family life.
Listen to Emily speak about her Submission with 98 KCQ
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Did you hear about Dow Gardens and their container gardening workshop? It's happening on May 14th. Their dinosaur exhibit is opening on May 19th, plus they've got golf cart tours starting on Friday.
Live Oak Coffeehouse in Midland is having a Mediterranean longer table pop-up dinner tonight at 5 p.m (4/27).
A Kentucky Derby party is happening at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw on Thursday starting at 5.
The Chippewa Nature Center in Midland is having the Spring Bird Migration Band-a-thon on Friday at 4 p.m.
A spring fashion show is happening at the Ashman Loft in Midland on Friday at 6 p.m. The 5k Run Walk is happening at Uptown Galleria in Bay City on Saturday at 9.
Swan Valley United Methodist Church in Saginaw having their Spring Craft Vendor Show Saturday at 10 a.m.
Try This Thursday at the Frankenmuth-Wixon District Library at 3.15 p.m.
Thursday, Yu-Gi-Oh! Advanced at the stadium in Frankenmuth at 4.30.
Thursday night at 8, Todd Michael and Moore at Frick's Sports Bar in Midland and Thursday night comedy night is happening at O'Hare's Bar and Grill in Bay City at 8.30 p.m.
KCQ will be tailgating this Saturday Michigan Arsenal Arena Football at the Dow. The Arsenal taking on the Oregon Lightning.
Flint's Zine Fest 2026 is happening at Factory 2 Saturday at noon.
This Friday, Peter and the Star Catcher at the Flint Community Players Theater. It starts at 7.30!
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Cody Johnson got busted in a bar performing on stage at the age of 14. He snuck out of the house and decided to choose the bar that his dad was at. And by the way, Cody Johnson at Coachella performed with Boyz II Men, did you hear?
Riley Green says he never expected to be an actor.
"When I got that call from Luke to be able to come be a part of the show, how do you not do that? And that's kind of how I look at it now. My granddaddy always used to say to make hay while the sun's shining. And it's been shining for the last two, three years.And it's awesome that I've got these opportunities."
Luke Combs says he'd have a low level job if he was not a country music performer. He said maybe learn a trade.He said he was definitely not going to graduate from school, whether he was doing music or not. In a recent interview,
Tucker Wentmore talked about learning to grow up fast after his dad left when he was 10. He said he tried to look after his sister and they would make pro con lists to help figure out her problems.Tucker says his mom and his friends convinced him to chase his musical dreams.
"I started playing piano when I was like 10 years old. I fell in love with, you know, learning how Jerry Lee Lewis did it or Billy Joel or the greats, you know, and I just try to sit there and try to learn how they did what they were doing because I was just so fascinated by it."
Have you heard about Ella Langley's new fragrance? It's called Be Her. You can get it at Ulta Beauty. She said all the different fragrance notes originate from a memory.
Mike Badgigalupo, the former Bay City State Theater Director, has received a sentence of two years in a federal penitentiary, two years of supervised release, and he must pay $350,000 worth of restitution for the scheme that led to the theater's bankruptcy. He pleaded guilty last year to a charge of wire fraud. Badgigalupo was ordered to report to a federal prison on September 11.
Let the fun begin after the groundbreaking ceremony for a new infant toddler playground at Winona Park in Bay City. The $30,000 playground project is sponsored by the Leadership Bay County Class of 2026, working with the United Way of Bay County. It will be fenced in and have age-appropriate equipment for children infant to age 3. The playground is expected to be completed by the middle of summer.
In sports, the Tigers avoided a series sweep with an 8-3 win over the Reds. Next up, the Tigers face the Atlanta Braves. Tonight in Orlando, Game 4 in the NBA Division playoffs. Orlando leads the series 2 games to 1. The Pistons back in Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Your KCQ pinpoint forecast, partly sunny and breezy, high 70. Tonight breezy with showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 p.m. The overnight low 56.
Tuesday showers likely before 7 a.m. Cloudy and breezy, temperature around 60 throughout the day. Wednesday cloudy, high 55.
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Have you made plans for today and the weekend just yet?
Yarn Store Day begins today and this weekend at the Little Yarn Shop in Saginaw. Starts at 10 a.m.
Bloom and browse the fashion market at My Secret Garden in Bay City. Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Gardens and galleries, signs of spring gardens. The kickoff is at the Saginaw Art Museum and Gardens tomorrow starting at 1 p.m.
The Spring Celtic Festival is happening at the Historic Masonic Temple in Bay City Sunday starting at noon.
The Michigan Arsenal Arena football team kicking off its inaugural season tomorrow night versus the Minnesota Monsters at the Dow Event Center. That's at 7 p.m.
Singing in the city, karaoke at Gordy's Bar in Saginaw tonight at 8 p.m.
A performance of Willy Wonka Jr. from Carrollton Middle and Elementary Schools is happening tomorrow at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Carrollton Elementary School.
Join KCQ for the Freeland Walleye Festival Parade tonight at 6 o'clock and then we'll be broadcasting live from the entertainment tent.
Tomorrow in Flint at Tenacity Brewing it's Beer and Braids, Girl Dads Learning to Do Daughter's Hair. It's a two-hour class and it starts at 2 p.m. in Flint.
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What's making Riley Green nervous about playing his character on Marshalls? He says there's a level of pressure trying to represent someone from the military and in law enforcement. He says he wants to make sure to play the character correctly.
Corey Kent says when his song This Heart went to number one he was touring in Oklahoma in a stinky red van. He said the guys did celebrate that night.
Blake Shelton says divorce is never going to be an option with Gwen. It's a been there done that situation.
Jelly Roll's trying to run that marathon.
"Knees hurt. My hips hurt. My back hurt. My neck hurt. My head hurt.My toes hurt. There's a bone in my foot I didn't know existed."
It hurts.Kelsey Ballerini excited about her New York chapter. She's moved there from Nashville.
"I'm in love with it here.Oh wow. Are you staying here forever? Through the summer for now. I want to make my next record up here."
Bailey Zimmerman has signed a deal to endorse one of his favorite products. He says he loves Sonic.
How does Lainey Wilson feel about criticism of her songs? She says she's developed a thicker skin but she's human. She said I think words are powerful. That's why I started writing songs to begin with. You'll read something negative and it kind of pings your heart.
Iran's Navy says it's seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz shortly after the U.S. extended the ceasefire and as diplomats continue to try to bring the countries together for peace talks. The announcement came after reports that Vice President J.D. Vance's trip to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks with Iranian officials had been put on hold.
The Saginaw County Clerk's Office is encouraging voters to return completed absentee ballots as soon as possible for the May 5th special election.The Saginaw County Early Voting Center next to the county courthouse will be open starting Saturday and stay open through May 3rd.
The City of Midland Water Reclamation says the sanitary sewer overflow that started April 17th at the facility and was stopped on Tuesday was due to heavy rainfall, causing over 21 million gallons of partially treated wastewater to overflow the detention pond and discharge into the storm sewer. City staff tested the discharge and determined there was no perceived threat to public health and safety.
In sports, the Pistons won their first home playoff game in 18 years, beating the Magic 98-83. The Pistons return to Orlando for the next two games, then back to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday. The Tigers over the Brewers 5-2. The Great Lakes Lunes beat the Beloit Skycarp's 9-5.
Your KCQ pinpoint forecast. Sunshine high 76. Partly cloudy overnight below 53. Friday showers with thunderstorms possible after 5 p.m. High near 73. Saturday partly sunny at 30% chance of morning showers high 57.
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Did you hear that Shania Twain is going to host the 61st Annual ACM Awards? It's Sunday, May 17th on Prime Video.
Which one of your favorite KCQ artists was raised to be a tomboy? Ella Langley is raising her hand. She said her dad's pretty tough and her mom's not super girly.
What can Luke Combs not live without?
"Hats. As a hair challenged dad in his mid-30s, this has become another staple of my wardrobe. I wear a lot of hats."
I have a lot of hats. What's the hardest part of being an actor according to Riley Green?
"The memorizing lines is something that I think not knowing anything about acting going in that that was going to be the biggest and toughest part. It was more about knowing what the conversation was and then just reacting to it and trying to make it as real as possible."
Did you hear about Riley getting booed at a performance in Nashville the other day? The song lyric is Alabama whooping up on Tennessee and the Tennessee crowd in Nashville did not care for it.
Laney Wilson and Duck Hodges have landed on Nashville as the location of their wedding and Laney says a few years ago Keith Urban gave her some advice. She told him on the road how tired she was and Keith told her no whining on the yacht. Laney laughed and said Keith you better get up out of my face with that.
There’s a buzz rolling through the sports and music worlds right now—and it sounds a lot like a guitar riff echoing down Broadway.
Rumor has it that Nashville is set to host the Super Bowl in 2030 at the brand-new Nissan Stadium, the future home of the Tennessee Titans. The stadium is expected to open next year, and if the whispers are true, it could land one of the biggest sporting events on the planet not long after.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dan Patrick says a source told him the deal is basically done—“signed and ready to go.”
Now here’s where things get really interesting.
If the Super Bowl does land in Nashville, it opens the door for something we’ve never truly seen before: a full-blown country music Super Bowl Halftime Show. Not just a token appearance—but a full stage takeover.
Think about it. Nashville isn’t just a city—it’s the heartbeat of country music. So the idea of the Super Bowl touching down there without a heavy dose of boots, guitars, and singalong anthems feels almost impossible.
You could be looking at a halftime show lineup stacked with country superstars, maybe even collaborations that blur the lines between country, pop, and rock. Picture the stadium lights, a roaring crowd, and a chorus you can hear from the parking lot to the honky-tonks downtown.
Of course, it’s still a rumor for now—but it’s one that makes a lot of sense.
And if it happens?
Super Bowl 2030 might not just be a game… it could turn into the biggest country concert the world has ever seen.
Prom season is basically the Olympics of entrances. Limos, sports cars, the occasional horse-drawn carriage… you name it, someone’s tried it. It’s a long-standing tradition to arrive in style, and honestly, it’s getting harder every year to top what’s already been done.
Then along comes a story that feels like it was cooked up in a late-night snack dream.
Over the weekend, one of the legendary Oscar Mayer Wienermobile cruised into Topeka for a NASCAR pre-race event. Just another day for the giant hot dog on wheels… until a group of students from Seaman High School spotted it while grabbing food at Sonic.
At first, it was just a classic “we have to take a picture with this thing” moment. But then inspiration struck. Prom was the very next night, and someone tossed out a wild idea: what if they showed up in the Wienermobile?
Expectations were low. I mean, asking to borrow a 27-foot hot dog for prom feels like a long shot. But the driver, Maggie Dawson, who serves as a brand ambassador, didn’t immediately shut it down. Instead, she checked her schedule… and surprisingly said yes.
Of course, there was one more hurdle—getting approval from the higher-ups at Oscar Mayer. But in a twist that feels straight out of a feel-good movie, they signed off on it. Not only that—they let the students use it for free.
So while most prom-goers are pulling up in sleek black cars, these students are about to roll in wrapped in bun-colored glory, proving that sometimes the best entrance isn’t the fanciest—it’s the one nobody saw coming.
The status of additional U.S.-Iran peace talks remain unclear, but according to various media reports, a U.S. delegation plans to travel to Islamabad soon.
Gas prices are down 15 cents across the state from last week. According to the American Automobile Association, on average, drivers in Michigan are paying $3.83 for a gallon of regular, down 9 cents from last month, and up 67 cents from this time last year. The least expensive gas price averages are in Flint, Jackson, and Saginaw.
At last night's meeting, Bay City Commissioners voted to extend the contract of city manager Dana Muscott during the search for the city's next city manager. Earlier this year, Muscott announced she's retiring after eight years on the job. Commissioners voted to have her stay on the job through June 30.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is warning residents about a jump in Lyme disease cases across the state, reporting cases have quadrupled over the past several years. Health officials encourage you to avoid going off trails or into areas with heavy foliage.
Officials recommend checking yourself for ticks, especially around your hairline, after spending time in nature and suggest you use bug spray.
In sports, the Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5. The Tigers lost Monday for just the second time in 10 games. And today, the Great Lakes Lunes face the Beloit Skycarp in Wisconsin. Game time is 2-0-5.
Your KCQ pinpoint forecast. The flood warning remains in effect until late this afternoon for the Saginaw River at Saginaw. Otherwise, becoming sunny with a chance of light showers before 11 a.m. and again after 5 p.m. Afternoon temperature 69. Tonight clear, low 42.
Wednesday, sunny high 65. And Thursday, sunny high 75.
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