In today’s newsletter we discuss Cher at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, we get to say Funflation which is fun to say, not hurricanes, pandemics, earthquakes, or tech can hold back Puerto Ricans, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a sweet new luxurious $14 million pad in Montecito, California, and mama’s boy Tommy DeVito is crushing it for the NY Giants!

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Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Crushes It, Makes $579 Million Worldwide

Business

What do you get when you combine ‘Fun’ and ‘Inflation’? You get ‘Funflation’, one of my favorite new words. And it’s not just me. Economists coined the term to describe “the increasing price tags of live events as consumers hanker for the experiences they lost during the pandemic.” (I love how they used the word ‘hanker’.)

We’ve all felt the effects of inflation. All you have to do is try buying groceries for a family of 4 (with 2 teenagers) and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Live events, such as sports and theater, have seen prices jump in some cases by more than 25.1% in some metropolitan areas. You can thank innovation in the tech industry for the creation of dynamic pricing models, which have contributed to the rise in prices in the entire leisure and hospitality sectors.

Two of my favorite sports, Formula 1 racing and Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami FC (really just about any soccer match I’ll watch), have boosted enthusiast spending here in the U.S..

One large contributor to the rising prices of entertainment pricing was the discounted ticket prices that venues offered coming out of the pandemic to lure patrons back.

Another factor has been all the great concert tours this year, and you know I’m talking about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé Renaissance Tour concerts.

We have a couple of videos on both artist’s concert tours over on our YouTube channel if you want to hear more about Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.

'Funflation' drives sporting event ticket prices up a whopping 25%

Tech

Nothing can hold Puerto Ricans back, not hurricanes, pandemics or earthquakes, and certainly not tech. The island territory of the United States is poised for their own tech moment. Move over crime-ridden Silicon Valley, it’s time for Puerto Rico’s time in the sun (pun intended).

In October President Biden announced the creation of 31 new regional tech hubs across the United States and Puerto Rico to focus on growing industries including semiconductors, clean energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. These Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs, referred to as Tech Hubs, are designed through the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

According to the White House the goal is to grow industries that are “critical to economic growth, national security, and job creation, and will help communities across the country become centers of innovation critical to American competitiveness”.

Biden unveils ‘tech hubs’ in 32 states, Puerto Rico

Entertainment

You knew I couldn’t not report on Cher coming out of retirement to perform at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and WoW was it impressive! We did a Hot Take video of the news leading up to her performance, and it has been one of our most viewed videos on YouTube to date.

Like we do every year, my family gathered around the TV to (albeit with my kid’s eyes glued to their phones) and watched the entire parade. When Cher came out we bumped her new song “DJ Play a Christmas Song”, which I’m pretty sure will become a holiday staple of radio stations and playlists every Christmas season.

In an interview with Billboard magazine Cher insists “They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, OK? They’re just great songs. And I never say that because I almost never like what I do,” Cher told the publication. “But I mean, people love it and I’m happy. I’m so particular, but I love the songs and everyone who hears them loves them.”

“DJ Play a Christmas Song” is the 1st single off of Cher’s first holiday music album entitled “Christmas.”

At 77 years young Cher’s still got it! Although one can probably presume her doctors may have had a hand in her good looks. During her performance she danced and belted out her new song to a crowd who were eating it up. Even Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav was feeling it as he watched from the crowd (random, but ok then).

Next up for Cher will be a performance at NBC’s Christmas tree lighting at New York City's Rockefeller Center on Thursday, November 30.

Hmmm, I wonder what song she’ll play. 😉 

Cher performed new Christmas song at the Thanksgiving parade

Real Estate

Some might call it a “castle fit for a resigned prince and princess”, which is exactly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s luxurious $14 million megamansion in Montecito, California is. The 9 bedroom, 16 bathroom,  16,000 sqft estate defies expectations, but it’s just the place they call home for their 2 kids; son Prince Archie, 4, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 2.

Known to be notoriously private, even if they do take every opportunity to get a little PR for their causes, the royal couple have shared some glimpses of their home over the socials from time-to-time, including some pics on IG that show how luxurious and comfy the home appears to be. I can’t be the only one who would love to take a nap on one of their comfy couches.

Step inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s ultra-private $14M Montecito mansion

Sports

Well let me be one of the 1st ones to admit I had incredibly low expectations for Tommy DeVito’s success in the NFL. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent, got picked up by the NY Giants and signed to the practice squad, then was called up to the 53 man roster when Daniel Jones went out with a town achilles, and was Tyrod Taylor’s backup who got to take his 1st snap in the NFL when Tyrod suffered a rib injury that has seen him out for the last 5 games with his future return still TBD.

I’m guessing when Tyrod is healthy he may well find himself backing up Tommy DeVito, who’s now won the Giant’s last two games including one on the road and one at home at Metlife Stadium. Maybe Tommy can invite Tyrod over to his mom’s house for an amazing home cooked Italian dinner of chicken cutlets.

Don’t get me wrong, this guy is winning the hearts of Giant’s fans, and even you everyday Joe Football fan with his sincere come-from-nowhere performance on the field and down to earth sincerity in interviews with the press.

He even has his own celebration called the “finger purse”, which means “ma che vuoi” in Italian, or “What do you mean?” in English. It’s usually used when a person talking thinks something is unbelievable. Talk about swagger!

The Italian Jersey boy, who fans have begun calling “Tommy Cutlets”, which I actually kinda like, may still live at home has done pretty damn good for an undrafted backup Quarterback in his first 5 games, throwing 6 touchdowns, and running for another one on his own, while throwing only 3 interceptions. But it hasn’t all been pretty - he’s been sacked 22 times, although that tells more about the Giant’s lack of an offensive line.

Tommy DeVito still lives at home, but he's crushing it at QB for the NY Giants

So much news, so little time. Until tomorrow we’re signing out.

— Chris