PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Penn & Teller cancel shows after Teller hurts back, needs surgery

Penn & Teller’s magic shows are on hiatus because Teller’s back injury has flared up. The duo canceled a performance in Mississippi on Friday, with Teller tweeting an apology to fans. He wrote he’s stopping work until Aug. 18 and “getting my back surgery pronto.”

Raymond Teller, 70, said he’s “disoriented and befuddled” because he thinks they’ve had to cancel only four shows on short notice during their career. They’ve worked as a pair since 1981.

Penn Jillette, 63, wrote that “the boys will be back and bad!”

Comedian says he prank-called Trump aboard Air Force One

A comedian says that he spoke with President Donald Trump by phone after posing as a senator and that the call was patched through while the president was aboard Air Force One.

The White House declined to discuss the incident.

Comedian John Melendez, known as “Stuttering John” from his years on “The Howard Stern Show,” released audio of his prank call with Trump on his podcast last Thursday.

Melendez claimed to be Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and said he was connected to Trump while the president was traveling after a Wednesday rally in North Dakota.

On Sunday, Melendez tweeted that he had been contacted by the Secret Service for a Monday interview. He later said he was being represented by attorney Michael Avenatti, who skyrocketed to fame earlier this year for his representation of Stormy Daniels, a porn actress who alleges an affair with Trump. Avenatti confirmed late Sunday that Melendez was his client, adding that he had been in touch with the Secret Service, but said no interview was planned for Monday.