Tim Phillips Show, 5/14/26

A new survey by Dave & Buster’s reveals that 48% of people feel their life is currently lacking in fun. Other findings: 

- 12% of people can't remember the last time they had a full free day to have fun

- 50% of people wish they could do something fun daily or a few times per week

- 77% of people like to watch TV in their spare time

- 69% of people see family or friends in their spare time

- 59% of people dine out in their spare time

 - 50% of people enjoy outdoor activities in their spare time

- 72% of people feel less stressed when they have fun.

Throwback Thursday to 1992

1992
Major News Stories include Minnesota's Mall of America Built, Windows 3.1 released, Euro Disney opens, Abortion rights activists demonstration in Washington, Maastricht treaty signed into law, Rioting breaks out in Los Angeles over the beating black motorist Rodney King, French Truck Drivers disrupt travel by using Trucks to blockade Roads, In Technology The first Nicotine patch is introduced to help stop smoking and DNA Fingerprinting is Invented. The continuing Balkan War for the next 3 years between Muslims, Serbs and Croats prompting UN intervention. In The UK Rioting breaks out in Cities including Bristol and in France Euro Disney opens. In the US Bill Clinton becomes president and the largest Mall in America Minnesota's Mall of America was constructed, spanning 78 acres
Barbie's Dream House
Manufacturer: Mattel
Price: $169.99
Hot Wheels Streex Test Trax
Manufacturer: Mattel
Price: $13.99
AT&T releases video telephone for $1,499

The first Nicotine patch is introduced to help stop smoking
The cable television network “Cartoon Network” is established by the Turner Broadcasting System during October.
The largest shopping mall in the United States, the Mall of America, opened its doors to shoppers during August. 
Popular Films
Aladdin
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Batman Returns
Lethal Weapon 3
A Few Good Men
Sister Act
The Bodyguard
Wayne's World
Basic Instinct
Unforgiven
Honey, I Blew Up The Kid
Reservoir Dogs
Popular TV Shows
Law & Order
America's Funniest Home Videos
One Foot in the Grave (UK)
The Crystal Maze (UK)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Home Improvement
Rugrats
The Jerry Springer Show
The Ren & Stimpy Show
L.A. Law
Matlock
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Comic Relief (UK)
Casualty (UK)
Inspector Morse
Married... with Children
Star Trek: The Next Generation

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your go-to morning meal may say more about you than you think. While some fuel up with a cup of coffee, others pack in all the protein they can, and some prefer their breakfast from a box. The cereal aisle is overwhelming with options these days, and a new study reveals which ones are America’s favorites.

Researchers from Concordia University in Minnesota have found the most popular cereals in the U.S.

They analyzed Google Trends data from the last year to find the most-searched cereal in each state.

While we all have our favorites, Froot Loops were the big winner here.

The colorful circles topped the list in 13 states: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

Rice Krispies and Cheerios tie for the second-most popular spot with five states each.

According to research from Nielsen IQ, breakfast cereal sales have been declining for years.

In the 52 weeks ending July 3rd, 2021, Americans bought almost 2.5-billion boxes of cereal, but that was down 13% to 2.1-billion by July 2025.

Concerns about processed ingredients and sugar are one reason sales are down.

The Most Popular Cereals in the U.S.

Froot Loops - 13 states

Rice Krispies & Cheerios - Five states each  (Montana - Rice Krispies)

Trix - Four states

Cinnamon Toast Crunch - Three states

Honey Bunches of Oats - Three states

Cookie Crisp - Three states

Golden Crisp - Two states

Cocoa Puffs, Cap’n Crunch, Corn Flakes, Frosted Mini Wheats, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, Wheaties, Honeycomb, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, Special K, Lucky Charms - One state each

Tim's News You Can't Use 

If you’re the kind of person who always finds yourself petting a cat, science says there’s a reason. A new study found that people who feel emotions more intensely are especially drawn to cats for comfort. Researchers looked at college students and staff and found highly emotional people were more likely to seek out cat‑based stress relief than dog interactions. Why? Cats are calm, quiet, and low‑demand. Just a few minutes of petting can lower stress hormones and create a sense of emotional reset. So while dogs get most of the therapy spotlight, cats may actually be better for people who need peace, not pep.
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USA Today says a pickle-flavored smoothie is hitting Smoothie King shops across the country.
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SupplyChainBrain says the price of whey protein powder has jumped more than 50% since the start of the year. Supplies are tightening and costs are rising because GLP-1 users have boosted demand.  The USDA says at least one manufacturer may cease production because of the tightening supply chain.
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Legos have been around for over 75 years and have been fun toys for generations of kids. These days they're still fun, but they're also a serious — and expensive — business. Here's a rundown of the five most expensive Lego sets you can buy these days:
5. Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser (Star Wars) - $650
4. Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise (Pokémon) - $650
3. Titanic - $680
2. Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) - $850
1. Death Star (Star Wars) $1000
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According to a new study, almost half of everything orbiting Earth is space junk. Researchers found that 47% of the stuff flying around up there are abandoned rocket parts and dead satellites. That's roughly 15,550 tons of space junk —about the same weight as 40 jumbo jets. And things are only getting worse as the amount of debris continues to grow faster than it’s being removed. The researchers suggest the three countries most responsible for this mess — China, the U.S., and Russia — will have to work together to clean it up before it causes problems with future space missions.
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WPVI says a delivery robot recently crashed into a car in Philadelphia. Local Ashley Oteri saw the crash happen. The bot kept moving after a short pause and had a dent in its tire. Ashley says, "The robot seemed unfazed and even flashed heart-eyes on its screen after the impact."
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A Santa Rosa, California, woman who robbed a Chase Bank on Tuesday morning made herself very easy to find. Jane Hollingworth, 32, went into the bank, handed a teller a note demanding cash with a written threat to kill people, and got an undisclosed amount of money and walked out. It wasn’t exactly the heist of the year, though; she was back in custody within an hour, located by a patrol officer at a nearby post office. Her description hadn't been hard to follow: she had bright blue hair and was wearing a leopard print jacket. Santa Rosa police called the quick capture a demonstration of "vigilance, initiative, and coordinated response" from their officers. Hollingworth was booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of robbery.
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Contractors were sent out to repair a rural road in Somerset, England…but managed to get their truck stuck in the very same hole they were tasked with repairing. A cycle of wet and freezing weather has left many of these dirt roads in a massive state of disrepair. In this instance, the truck ended up tilted at a 45-degree angle when it dropped into a hole that was deeper than the size of the truck’s tires. Another truck had to be dispatched to pull that truck out…so repairs on the road could resume.
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For years, an authentic replica of KITT, the car from “Knight Rider,” has been sitting in a museum in Illinois. Still, the museum managed to receive a speeding ticket for $50 that was attributed to the car…from New York. According to the citation, KITT was speeding in a school zone on April 22nd, though the car was confirmed to be in the museum at that time, as it’s always been. It’s thought that the car that did the actual speeding was brandishing a novelty license plate reading “Knight” and that fake plate was linked to the museum. A hearing about the ticket has been requested.