The List for Friday, August 26th 2022

Welcome to The List,

Nichelle Nichols is finally going to space for REAL.  Her remains, along with a sample of her DNA, will be launched into space by a company called Celestis, on its appropriately named “Enterprise Flight”.  The rocket that’s taking her up there is called Vulcan. The flight will take place sometime this year. Nichelle played Lieutenant Uhura on the original series.

—–

I think we already know this, but it’s still mind-boggling to hear.  89-year-old Willie Nelson would rather die than retire.  It’s a conversation that he and his wife Annie have had over and over. Here’s another thing Willie will never stop doing.  Opening his concerts with “Whiskey River”.  He’s been doing it so long that nobody knows when he started.  The best guess is around 1974 . . . which means it’s kicked-off about 6,500 of his shows.

—–

Lainey Wilson was asked what kind of character she’ll be playing when she makes her acting debut in the upcoming season of “Yellowstone”.  Turns out she’ll be playing herself.  She says, “It’s pretty much me . . . I’m getting to sing my own songs, I’m getting to wear my get-up.”  The only difference is her name will be Abby.

—–

A Christmas Story is getting a new sequel with the movie’s original stars, and now the project has a premiere date at HBO Max. According to Deadline, A Christmas Story Christmas — the sequel film’s title — is set to premiere on the streaming service on Nov. 17. Fans of the original film who are interested in getting into the holiday spirit a little early, could watch A Christmas Story on HBO Max now, Maybe with a pumpkin spice late’….

—–

Rita Wilson just announced her new DUETS album will be out September 27th.  And she brought in some heavy hitters to help out on it . . . It’s called “Now & Forever: Duets”, and it’s all songs from the ’70s that she grew up listening to. There are ten tracks, with a different singer joining her on each one.  They include Keith Urban . . . Willie Nelson . . . Tim McGraw . . . Vince Gill . . . Jimmie Allen . . . and Jackson Browne.

—–

And finally, Joe E. Tata from “Beverly Hills 90210” passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s.  He was 85.  He played Nat, the owner of the Peach Pit.

You can catch The List, weekdays at 2:20 and 4:20 on Iowa’s BEST Country KIX 101.1