Daily Broadcast Prep Sheet

National Day

National Great American Pot Pie Day (USA) This food holiday honors a hearty comfort dish invented by Marie Callender’s that is treasured across the country on this date each year; savory fillings and flaky crusts make it a go-to around dinner tables.

Celebrate Bisexuality Day (International) Founded in 1999 by three activists in the United States, it spotlights bisexual people and history and works to challenge the stigma and invisibility that bisexual individuals often face.

Checkers Day (National Dogs in Politics Day) (USA) Named after President Nixon’s dog, this day recalls his famous 1952 ‘Checkers speech’ in which he defended himself before the nation and preserved the gift of his family dog from return.

Birthdays

Bruce Springsteen (77) He is a legendary musician known for his powerful lyrics and energetic performances. — Bruce was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. He has won 20 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history.

Ani DiFranco (56) She is celebrated for her influential role in the indie music scene and her feminist lyrics. — Ani founded her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, which empowers other artists to retain creative control. She is also an outspoken advocate for social and political causes.

Mickey Rooney (106 — deceased) He was an iconic American actor and entertainer, known for his work in both film and television. — Mickey had a career that spanned nearly nine decades and was one of Hollywood's biggest stars during the Golden Age of Cinema. He received an Academy Award for his contributions to the film industry in 1983.

Julio Iglesias (83) A Spanish singer and songwriter who became one of the world's most successful Latin and international recording artists. — He rose to international fame during the 1970s and 1980s, recording in multiple languages and selling hundreds of millions of records worldwide. His best-known songs include 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before', his hit duet with Willie Nelson, as well as 'Hey' and 'Crazy'. Before becoming a singer, Iglesias was a professional footballer and played goalkeeper for Real Madrid's reserve team.

John Collins (29) He is recognized as a professional basketball player in the NBA. — John played college basketball at the University of Utah before being drafted into the NBA. He has a reputation for his impressive skills as a forward on the court.

On This Day

🎵 Music David Bowie released the single “Heroes” on 23 September 1977, a song co-written with Brian Eno which became one of his signature anthems and later hailed as a classic of his catalogue.

🎵 Music Billy Joel released The Nylon Curtain in 1982 and it quickly became one of his most critically praised albums, eventually going multi-platinum.

🎵 Music The Crickets’ “That’ll Be the Day” hit No.1 on the US Billboard Best Sellers chart in 1957, marking their first US chart-topping single.

🎵 Music Bob Marley and the Wailers played the final concert of their Uprising Tour on 23 September 1980 at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, the last live performance by Marley.

🌟 Pop Culture The first regular column devoted to music appeared in Billboard magazine in the early 20th century, expanding music’s visibility beyond live entertainment to a national stage.

🌟 Pop Culture Nintendo was founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi in Kyoto, beginning life as a playing-card company and growing into a global gaming icon.

🌟 Pop Culture The film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid premiered in New York City in 1969 and went on to win multiple Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay.

Movies & TV

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: September 25, 2026
UK Release: October 16, 2026

How to Rob a Bank — 🎬 Cinema How to Rob a Bank is a forthcoming action-heist film directed by David Leitch, starring Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Pete Davidson, Christian Slater, Anna Sawai and others. It follows a daring group of bank robbers who livestream their heists while a veteran FBI agent and a talented software engineer are called in to stop their escalating crime spree. The film’s release date was officially shifted from early September to mid-November, and it remains highly anticipated ahead of its theatrical debut.
Released: November 13, 2026

Practical Magic 2 — 🎬 Cinema Practical Magic 2 is the legacy sequel directed by Susanne Bier that brings back Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters, joined by Joey King and Maisie Williams as Sally’s daughters. The film follows the family as they uncover long-buried origins of their supernatural lineage, face a malevolent curse, and fight to break the spell that has haunted their family for centuries. Critics have given tepid reviews, though audiences appear to be much more taken with it, and it opened at number one domestically — however its overseas numbers look modest.
Released: September 11, 2026

Finding Emily — 🎬 Cinema Finding Emily is a British romantic comedy directed by Alicia MacDonald, starring Angourie Rice as a psychology student and Spike Fearn as the lovesick musician who sets out after being given the wrong number for his dream girl. Since its UK debut in May and US release in late August, it has received generally warm reviews for its charm, the chemistry between leads, and its fresh Gen-Z twist on classic rom-com tropes, though some critics feel the third act and themes around identity leave something to be desired. It is now available on digital platforms in the UK, though its theatrical run has largely tapered off and it is no longer in wide circulation.
Released: August 28, 2026
UK Release: May 22, 2026

Wonka’s The Golden Ticket — 📺 Streaming Netflix debuts Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, a reality competition series inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic and the 1971 film. Contestants navigating whimsical factory challenges must balance moral choices with tests of endurance, mental acuity and inventiveness. It’s one of Netflix’s biggest experiments this fall, combining nostalgia with high stakes in a candy-colored setting.
Released: September 23, 2026

A Different World (Sequel Series) — 📺 Streaming Netflix brings back A Different World with a sequel series focused on Deborah Wayne, daughter of Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, as she starts college at Hillman. Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy reprise their beloved 90s roles, Debbie Allen returns behind the scenes and directs the premiere. It’s a high-profile return primed to draw in old fans and new, reviving a classic sitcom legacy.
Released: September 24, 2026

American Horror Story: 13 — 📡 TV FX reignites its anthology horror phenomenon with American Horror Story: 13, premiering at 9pm ET/PT with three episodes on launch night. Fan-favorite cast members like Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, and Evan Peters return for a crossover-heavy season designed to honor— and upend—the franchise’s history. With 13 episodes this time, it’s being promoted as a horror event for both longtime followers and genre curious viewers.
Released: September 24, 2026

Survivor 51 — 📡 TV Survivor returns for its 51st season with a two-hour premiere on CBS from 8pm-10pm ET, featuring an all new cast of players navigating Fiji. Host Jeff Probst brings back the signature survival competition with fresh strategies from complete newcomers. With no returning contestants for the first time in years, this marks a bold reset in a franchise staple.
Released: September 23, 2026

Concerts

Happening in the next 7 days

Harry Styles — 🎤 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Harry Styles will be performing at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Tonight: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
This week: September 23 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York · September 25 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York · September 26 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Bruno Mars — 🎤 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas Bruno Mars is set to light up the Alamodome in San Antonio.
This week: September 23 at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Ed Sheeran — 🎤 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts Ed Sheeran will perform at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
This week: September 25 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts · September 26 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Shakira — 🎤 ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain Shakira will be performing her residency show in Madrid.
This week: September 25 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Events

Happening in the next 14 days

2026 Presidents Cup — 🏆 Sports — Medinah, Illinois, USA A premier golf team competition pitting the United States against an international team at historic Medinah Country Club. It’s one of the major golf events of 2026, featuring top PGA Tour players and a story of national pride and international rivalry that appeals to a broad sports audience. Tickets are sold through golf outlets; spectator packages include full week access from practice through to final round, with course access subject to PGA Tour policies.
Dates: September 24-27, 2026

New Glarus Oktoberfest — 🎪 Festival — New Glarus, Wisconsin An annual four-day Oktoberfest featuring live music, local beer including New Glarus Brewing Co.’s Staghorn Octoberfest, Swiss-German food, wagon rides and family-friendly activities throughout the downtown area. It’s nationally relevant for its blend of craft beer culture, regional tradition and free admission, drawing visitors across the Midwest and beyond. Admission is free, tent hours and special events vary daily, with two ceremonial keg tappings and traditional dress encouraged.
Dates: September 24-27, 2026

The Oklahoma State Fair — 🎪 Festival — Oklahoma City, OK The state’s flagship fair showcasing agriculture, commerce, food, carnival rides and nightly entertainment on the Chickasaw Country stage. It draws in audiences from across the US for its size, attractions and special events, making it relevant to a national audience. Tickets are required, with different pricing for daily or full-fair passes and advance purchase highly recommended.
Dates: September 17-27, 2026

Charlotte Film Festival — 📌 Event — Charlotte, North Carolina An independent film festival showcasing narrative, documentary, and short films from emerging and established filmmakers, plus panel events and special presentations that highlight fresh voices and global stories. It’s nationally relevant as it draws film lovers and industry professionals from across the US and sometimes overseas, offering premiers and narratives that might not appear in major markets. Practical info: screenings are held at the Independent Picture House, tickets typically range modestly (often around $15), and the 2026 program is scheduled such that attendees should reserve films in advance.
Dates: September 22-27, 2026

Home Studio Blog

The Home Studio Blog lets you explore in-depth articles on microphones, headphones, studio essentials, computers, televisions, home essentials, outdoor essentials and business resources.

There's also advice and information on a range of subjects including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VoIP phones, computer terminology, TV history, MIDI and much more! - it's all free and updated regularly. You can also view the Blogs alphabetically here.

Refresh to see another article

Shop!

Building a Home Studio is more than just buying a microphone and a computer.

The Shop! pages are filled with useful products for both inside and outside your workspace.

Explore microphones, headphones, computers, portable speakers and more. Plus check out digital products to help your Studio Business grow.

Here's a randomly selected item from the Shop! pages. These products contain affiliate links which earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting IanGardner.com

Refresh to see another item

View Product

Daily Broadcast Prep — Wednesday, September 23, 2026