Radio Prep Sep 20, 2026: National Days, Birthdays, Concerts

National Day

National Pepperoni Pizza Day (USA) Pepperoni is America's favorite pizza topping and was actually invented by Italian immigrants in the United States, not Italy; the word "pepperoni" comes from the Italian word for bell pepper, not the sausage itself.

National Fried Rice Day (USA) Benihana launched National Fried Rice Day to celebrate its famous hibachi-style fried rice, using the occasion to support No Kid Hungry by donating for every order placed.

National Back to Church Sunday (USA) Held annually on the third Sunday in September, this event encourages churches around the country to extend a warm invitation to anyone to attend service and explore faith in a welcoming community.

World Cleanup Day (International) Recognized by the United Nations in 2023, this day mobilises communities worldwide to clean up litter and waste in support of sustainable development and environmental health.

Birthdays

Jon Bernthal (50) He is best known for his memorable roles in popular television series and films, including 'The Punisher' and 'The Walking Dead'. Jon is also an accomplished stage actor, having performed in various Broadway productions. Beyond acting, he has a passion for preserving the environment and frequently engages in sustainability initiatives.

Feliciano López (45) This Spanish tennis star is celebrated for his outstanding career on the ATP tour, winning numerous titles. Feliciano is known for his powerful serve and exceptional left-handed play. He also has a keen interest in music and has collaborated with various artists.

A. J. Ramos (40) He gained fame as a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball, known for his striking ability and speed on the mound. A. J. has a unique tattoo collection that tells the story of his journey in baseball. He also enjoys participating in community service and youth mentorship programs.

Asia Argento (51) As an acclaimed actress and filmmaker, she has made significant contributions to the film industry both in front of and behind the camera. Asia is the daughter of renowned Italian director Dario Argento, known for his work in horror films. She is also an outspoken advocate for women's rights within the film industry.

Sophia Loren (92) An Italian actress and international film star celebrated for her acclaimed performances in Italian and Hollywood cinema. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'Two Women', becoming the first actor to win an Oscar for a performance in a non-English-language film. Loren also starred opposite major Hollywood and European stars including Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marcello Mastroianni, and Gregory Peck, and received an Honorary Academy Award in 1991.

On This Day

🎵 Music Buddy Holly released his hit single "Peggy Sue" in 1957, a rock and roll classic that quickly became a top-10 hit in the charts and is still hailed as one of his signature songs.

🎵 Music David Bowie's song "Fame" hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, giving him his first American chart-topper and expanding his reach in North America.

🎵 Music Janet Jackson dropped her ninth studio album 20 Y.O. in Japan in 2006, marking a celebration of the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album Control and showcasing her continued evolution in R&B and dance.

🎵 Music John Lennon told Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr that he was leaving The Beatles during a meeting in London in 1969, effectively beginning the end of the group. That announcement came on the same day they signed a new royalty contract with EMI that improved their financial terms.

🌟 Pop Culture The Cannes Film Festival held its first edition in 1946, opening as a reinvigoration of global cinematic culture after World War II, drawing filmmakers from many nations to the French Riviera.

🌟 Pop Culture The Cosby Show premiered on NBC in 1984, debuting the sitcom that would go on to become an iconic representation of family life and one of television's most influential shows of the 1980s and early '90s.

Movies & TV

Resident Evil — 🎬 Cinema Resident Evil is a reboot of the Capcom video game franchise directed by Zach Cregger, starring Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. The plot follows medical courier Bryan as a deadly viral outbreak erupts in an isolated mountain town, forcing him and others to fight for survival amid chaos and horror. Ahead of its release, Cregger has dialed down humor after test screenings and sparked debate by omitting fan-favorite characters like Leon, with many audiences intrigued by the departure while critics remain cautious.
Released: Friday Sep 18, 2026

Coyote vs. ACME — 🎬 Cinema Coyote vs. ACME is a live-action/animated comedy directed by Dave Green, starring Will Forte, John Cena, and Lana Condor, in which Wile E. Coyote hires an attorney to sue the ACME Corporation for its faulty products. It has earned strong praise from critics, with high scores on Rotten Tomatoes and standout reviews in outlets like Time Out and The Guardian, along with solid word-of-mouth. The film's box office has been modest but steady—domestic receipts in the US have topped $38 million, and it is holding its own internationally.
Released: Friday Aug 28, 2026

Forgotten Island — 🎬 Cinema Forgotten Island is a DreamWorks Animation adventure comedy directed and written by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, following best friends Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) as they're swept through a portal to the mythic island of Nakali, where the catch is every memory they share might be lost. Critical response has been positive so far, especially praising its visual style and emotional stakes driven by Filipino folklore, and tracking suggests it could open strong at the U.S. box office. The film opens in U.S. theaters this week and is set for a mid-October release in the UK, with streaming availability to follow in the United States via Universal's planned Peacock-then-Netflix window.
Released: Friday Sep 25, 2026
UK Release: Friday Oct 16, 2026

The Dog Stars — 🎬 Cinema The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Ridley Scott, starring Jacob Elordi as Hig alongside Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce and others. Hig, who has survived a deadly flu pandemic and lives in isolation on a Colorado hangar with his dog and a hardened ex-Marine, embarks on a journey triggered by a mysterious radio signal that offers hope of a larger community. While the visuals and cast performances have drawn praise, critics have faulted its predictable tropes and sluggish pacing, and its domestic box office has underwhelmed relative to its large production budget.
Released: Friday Aug 28, 2026
UK Release: Wednesday Aug 26, 2026

Tuner — 📺 Streaming Tuner is a streaming-exclusive thriller on Paramount+ about a gifted piano tuner whose extraordinary hearing leads him to crack safes, turning his life upside down. Directed by Daniel Roher, it stars Leo Woodall with Dustin Hoffman and Havana Rose Liu in supporting roles. It's a major original release with strong cast and premise that anchors Paramount+'s early fall slate.
Released: Monday Sep 21, 2026

The Voice Season 30 — 📡 TV (USA) The Voice returns for its landmark 30th season on NBC at 8pm ET, with a two-hour premiere introducing Queen Latifah and Riley Green to the coaching panel alongside veterans Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine. Hosted by Carson Daly, the show launches with a multi-night blind auditions event. It marks one of the earliest and most high-profile entries in the 2026-27 fall TV season.
Released: Monday Sep 21, 2026

Concerts

Happening in the next 7 days

🎤 Bruno Mars — The Romantic TourTonight: Sunday Sep 20 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida.
This week: Wednesday Sep 23 at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas · Friday Sep 25 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York.

🎤 Harry Styles — Together, TogetherTonight: Sunday Sep 20 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.
This week: Friday Sep 25 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.

🎤 Shakira — LAS MUJERES YA NO LLORAN - RESIDENCIA EUROPEAThis week: Friday Sep 25 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

🎤 Ed Sheeran — LOOP TourThis week: Friday Sep 25 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Events

Happening in the next 14 days

London Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 2027) — 📌 Event — London, England The world-class fashion event where established British houses and rising names launch their SS27 collections to international buyers, press and fashion lovers. It's a major moment in the fashion calendar setting trends and creative direction globally, widely covered by fashion media and cultural outlets. Run by the British Fashion Council; many events by invitation but key public pop-ups, showcases and exhibitions; Sept 17-21, 2026.
Dates: Thursday Sep 17-Monday Sep 21, 2026

Sea.Hear.Now Festival — 🎪 Festival — Asbury Park, New Jersey Sea.Hear.Now is a two-day music, art, and surf festival featuring more than 25 bands across multiple stages by the ocean and park, plus surfing competitions and art installations. It's relevant for a national audience because it brings together diverse headline acts from rock, alternative, legacy artists, along with major cultural programming in food and art. Tickets are sold out but there is a verified resale market; gates open at 12pm ET, festival runs until about 10:30pm each day.
Dates: Saturday Sep 19-Sunday Sep 20, 2026

UCI Road World Championships — 🏆 Sports — Montréal, Québec, Canada The world's top cyclists compete in the UCI Road World Championships featuring elite, under-23 and junior time trials and road races across multiple boroughs of Montréal. It matters nationally and internationally as one of cycling's flagship events, uniting athletes from around 75 countries and drawing large television audiences across Europe and North America. The event is free admission; expect street closures and route changes and public transit adaptations daily.
Dates: Sunday Sep 20-Sunday Sep 27, 2026

Alabama State Fair — 🎪 Festival — Birmingham, AL The Alabama State Fair returns with its mix of rides, midway attractions, animal exhibits, carnival shows, food booths and local entertainment for all ages. It's a major regional fair that also draws national coverage for its size and special days like military appreciation and discount wristbands, making it of interest beyond Alabama. Admission prices vary by age and day, advance gate admission deals end September 17, and ride wristbands and clear bag policies apply.
Dates: Friday Sep 18-Sunday Sep 27, 2026

New Mexico State Fair — 🎪 Festival — Albuquerque, NM A long-running cultural, agricultural and entertainment festival celebrating New Mexico's heritage, competition and arts featuring livestock shows, carnival rides and a special centennial homage to Route 66. As one of the largest fairs in the nation it draws attention for its affordability and breadth of offerings making it nationally relevant. Tickets and wristbands are priced differently by day with adult general admission around $15-$20, free for young children, and hours vary, with longer hours on weekends.
Dates: Thursday Sep 10-Sunday Sep 20, 2026

Kansas State Fair — 🎪 Festival — Hutchinson, KS One of the largest state fairs in the country, the Kansas State Fair combines agriculture, carnival rides, major entertainment acts, food vendors and cultural exhibitions, attracting visitors from all over the Midwest. Its opening on September 11 places it partly in the September 7-12 window making it relevant to audiences tracking fair season. Tickets, entertainment lineups and fair hours are published by organizers ahead of time for statewide attendees and travelers.
Dates: Friday Sep 11-Sunday Sep 20, 2026

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Sunday, September 20, 2026