Daily Dirt: Let’s go see one of the ‘Friday the 13th’ films, and pass the Heath bars

I never realized so many of those “Friday the 13th” films were — drum roll, please — released on Friday the 13th … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 284 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s Friday the 13th, so avoid walking under ladders and stay out of the way of black cats and all that stuff.

Here’s some food for thought about this so-called unlucky day:

If you’re not scared of Friday the 13th, you should be scared of the word used to describe those who are: friggatriskaidekaphobics. An alternative, though just as tongue-twisty, word for the fear is “paraskevidekatriaphobia.”

The number 13 is often considered unlucky, depending on who you ask. However, according to National Geographic, those who fear the supposed doom of Friday the 13th will never have to deal with the day more than three times a year. Mathematician, professor, and author Underwood Dudley says the chances of more than three Friday the 13ths in one year isn’t just unlikely; it’s physically impossible. “You can’t have any (years) with none, and you can’t have any with four, because of our funny calendar,” he writes.

In modern times, the fear surrounding Friday the 13th and its history have become popularized in entertainment, perhaps most prominently in the iconic “Friday the 13th” movie franchise. As MovieWeb notes, the franchise is a cult horror staple that includes numerous films, video games, books, comics, and lots and lots of themed merchandise. Interestingly, five of the “Friday the 13th” films were released on its namesake date.

2. Today we’re starting a new feature, posting the top 10 songs from one of the years that fall within the baby boomer parameters. First up is 1977:

• 1. “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be All Right),” by Rod Stewart: The man, the myth, the legend. One of his finest ever, and accompanied by a great video.
• 2. “I Just Want To Be Your Everything,” by Andy Gibb: I just detested this song. In fact, I detested every song Andy Gibb released.
• 3. “Best Of My Love,” by the Emotions: The group won a Grammy for this hit.
• 4. “Evergreen,” by Barbra Streisand: I have never figured out why a Barbra Streisand song was playing on pop radio.
• 5. “Angel In Your Arms,” by Hot: I don’t even remember this song.
• 6. “I Like Dreamin’,” by Kenny Nolan: This was Nolan’s debut single. Things kind of went downhill after that.
• 7. “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” by Thelma Houston: This should have been No. 2.
• 8. “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher,” by Rita Coolidge: A slower-paced remake of Jackie Wilson’s 1960s classic. Nothing against Rita, but Jackie’s version was better.
• 9. “Undercover Angel,” by Alan O’Day: Was, is and will always be a stupid song.
• 10. “Torn Between Two Lovers,” by Mary MacGregor: Her one and only brush with greatness.
• Song that should have been in the final top 10: No. 12 “Dancing Queen,” by ABBA.

3. Candy bars that should be terminated:

• Heath Bar: It’s like a piece of cement coated with chocolate.
• Butterfinger: Ditto. (In fairness, Butterfingers are not THAT bad when fresh, but if you stumble upon a stale one at, say a gas station or from a candy-bar machine, you are taking your life in your hands. A stale Butterfinger is a lethal weapon.)
• PayDay: If ever a candy bar was designed to rip out a filling it’s this baby.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — The worst possible five minutes: Eating a PayDay candy bar while listening to “Undercover Angel” (Or any Barbra Streisand song).

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Apparently, you can lay a finger on his Butterfinger and he won’t care.