Thursday, March 9, 2017 – Edition: #5928
Get Sheet-Faced Every Morning!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Jason Isaacs has joined the cast of the twice-delayed “Star Trek: Discovery” drama for CBS-TV’s digital All Access platform. He’ll star as the spaceship’s captain. Also aboard, Sonequa Martin-Green (‘Sasha Williams’ on “The Walking Dead”). The series introduces new characters seeking new worlds and civilizations while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. The 13-episode series is now due later this year, either in late Summer or early Fall.
– “Hollywood Reporter”
★ A couple of months after confirming their separation, Scarlett Johansson has now filed for divorce from her French husband of 2½ years, Romain Dauriac, claiming their marriage is “irretrievably broken”. It’s thought there may be a hotly contested custody battle over their 3-year-old daughter, Rose Dorothy. The 32-year-old actress is said to be requesting primary custody but former ad exec Dauriac wants to move back to France with his daughter. Johansson, who was previously married to Ryan Reynolds, started dating Dauriac in 2012, the couple marrying in October 2014.
– PageSix.com
★ The subject of Reba McEntire’s 1991 country hit “Fancy” has inspired a new stage musical. The tune about a fictional 16-year-old Louisiana girl who becomes a prostitute to escape poverty was originally written and recorded by Bobbie Gentry in the late 1960s. The new country-themed musical also features songs Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Merle Haggard. The developmental production of “Fancy” debuts at NYC’s Westside Theatre March 16-17.
– “BroadwayWorld”
★ A sequel to “The Night Manager” is in development. Tom Hiddleston starred in the 6-part TV mini-series (BBC/AMC) and now director Susanne Bier says a script for a follow-up is “slowly being developed”. The project is inspired by John le Carre’s 1993 novel of the same name; he did not write a sequel. Hiddleston and castmates Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman all won Golden Globes in January, while Bier picked up an Emmy. The director says her 3 stars all want to come back but do not want to do something that doesn’t live up to the level of Season 1.
– “Broadcast”
★ And “Saturday Night Live” castmember Pete Davidson says he has quit drugs and is “happy and sober for the first time in 8 years”. He has made the announcement on his Instagram account to explain why he’s been MIA from the show and social media for some time. He has been open about his drug use in the past, telling “High Times” last year that he depended on marijuana to help him manage pain from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. At age 23, Davidson is the youngest cast member on “SNL”.
– AP
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Milky Chance (“Blossom”, out March 17th).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Future (“Hndrxx”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Temples (“Volcano”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/CTV) – Spoon (“Hot Thoughts”, out March 17th).
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – Dawes (“We’re All Gonna Die”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Rag’n’Bone Man (“Skin”). Rerun.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Demi Lovato – She’s just launched an Instagram account … for her dog.
• Ed Sheeran – He wants to create his own boy-band, telling “Rolling Stone” magazine: “I’m gonna put 3 or 4 boys together and do all the songs, take them on the stadium tour with me.” The 26-year-old is reportedly set to begin touring later this year.
• Fetty Wap – He’s reached a personal style milestone after recently snapping up his 1,000th pair of Air Jordans. The “Trap Queen” hitmaker (real name Willie Maxwell) grew up coveting the trendy sneakers and now boasts quite the collection … and he’s paid for every pair!
• Florida Georgia Line – They’re headlining their 1st stadium concerts this Summer, bringing along Backstreet Boys to Boston’s Fenway Park (July 7th), Minneapolis’ Target Field (July 29th), and Chicago’s ‘Wrigley Field’ (August 12th).
• Jack White – He tells “New Yorker” that he ”breaks things with a baseball bat” before going on-stage. He claims getting into a ”frenzy” helps create the hyper-energy he needs to give a good performance.
• Jason Derulo – This week he spent over $73,000 at a strip club, insisting it’s a business expense for a single release. The 27-year-old visited LA’s Ace Of Diamonds club with his friend Sincere Show and spent around $53,000 on alcohol and a further $20,000 on dancers.
• Lady Gaga – She’s confirmed she has a new relationship with her agent Christian Carino. She was first linked to the CAA rep in February when he joined her at a Grammy Awards after-party. The romance is Gaga’s first since calling it quits with ex-fiancé, actor Taylor Kinney, last July.
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “Clara” – Patrick J Adams (“Suits”) and Troian Bellisario (“Pretty Little Liars”) are set for this sci-fi drama from fimmaking newcomer Akash Sherman. It’s the story of an astronomer who is obsessed with searching the cosmos for signs of life, while his own personal life collapses all around him. The project has already begun production in Toronto ON.
• “Just Cause” – 37-year-old actor Jason Momao (“Aquaman”, “Frontier”) stars in this upcoming action feature, playing an operative for ‘The Agency’. It’s an adaption of the videogame franchise of the same name. “Just Cause” first hit home gaming consoles in 2006 and has spawned 2 sequel games: “Just Cause 2” in 2010, and “Just Cause 3” in 2015.
• “The House That Jack Built” – Quirky Danish director Lars Von Trier’s new thriller stars Matt Dillon (“Wayward Pines”) as a serial killer. Also in the cast: Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill”) and Siobhan Fallon Hogan (“Baby Mama”). Thurman and Von Trier first worked together on “Nymphomaniac” in 2013. Production begins in Sweden later this month.
• “The Post” – A Hollywood dream team of director Steven Spielberg, actor Tom Hanks and actress Meryl Streep are in talks for this feature film about the 1970s ‘Pentagon Papers’ case, which involved publication of classified government documents by the “Washington Post”. Hanks would play “Post” editor Ben Bradlee and Streep its publisher Katharine Graham.
• “The Underwater Welder” – 36-year-old actor Ryan Gosling is making a movie adaptation of Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel about an expectant father responsible for carrying out welding repairs on an offshore oil rig. During one dive he encounters a supernatural presence at the bottom of the sea that puts him in contact with the ghost of his own father.
PRICIEST SUV:
Mercedes-Benz is tapping into the popularity of ultra-luxurious all-terrain vehicles with the new Maybach G-Class 650, the world’s most expensive Sport Utility Vehicle with an MSRP of about … $500,000. Limited to a run of 99 vehicles, the G650 features a V12 engine, convertible top, a dimmable backseat glass partition, retractable footrests, folding tables, and … thermal cup-holders. It’s available for sale as of September. The G-Class is named for ‘Gelaendewagen’, the German term for all-terrain vehicles. (‘Maybach’, of cource, is the German term for friggin’ expensive.)
– Bloomberg News
2017 BEST COUNTRIES:
Yet another ranking of nations, this one based on a set of 65 attributes, including adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, open for business, power, and quality of life. The top 5, as selected by a poll of 21,000 people worldwide …
1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Japan
(USA has fallen 3 spots to #7 but continues to be perceived as the #1 most powerful nation.)
– “US News & World Report”
TOO MUCH BACON, NOT ENOUGH NUTS:
We’re not eating enough of the ‘good’ foods, says new research that links diet with death from heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. Overeating or not eating enough of 10 suggested foods and nutrients contributes to nearly half of the deaths from these causes. The ‘good’ foods that are under-eaten: nuts & seeds; seafood rich in omega-3 fats including salmon and sardines; fruits & vegetables; and whole grains. ‘Bad’ foods that are over-eaten: salt & salty foods; processed meats like bacon, bologna, and hot dogs; red meat including steaks & hamburgers; and sugary drinks. Those ingredients contribute to about 45% of deaths from the listed diseases. Too much salt is the biggest problem, linked with 10% of deaths.
– Newser.com
HOW TO TELL IF THE CIA HAS HACKED YOUR TV:
According to the new WikiLeaks dump describing hacking tools developed by the CIA and British intelligence, they’ve developed a ‘Fake Off’ mode that can be inserted into Samsung TVs. If activated, it makes the TV appear to be off but keeps the power running so audio and possibly video can be captured of anything in the room. Is your TV bugged?
✓ The hack called ‘Weeping Angel’ (a “Doctor Who” reference) applies only to Samsung TVs from 2012 and 2013 with outmoded firmware versions. To update your firmware version, go to the main menu, select ‘Support’, then select ‘Software Update’.
✓ The ‘Fake Off’ mode leaves a blue LED on the back of the set illuminated, even though the screen appears off and the LEDs on the front of the set change color and dim.
✓ Note that companies making internet-connected smart TVs have drawn criticism for collecting and sharing user data. If you want immediate protection from unscrupulous companies, shifty hackers, and government spies, simply disconnect your TV from the internet.
– Wired.com
BS AMAZING FACT:
Scientists can now grow human cells on apples.
– BBC Science & Technology
BS CHRONOMETER 03.09.17
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1970 [47] Shannon Leto, Bossier City LA, alt-rock drummer (30 Seconds to Mars-“This is War”, “Kings & Queens”)/brother of actor-bandmate Jared Leto
1976 [41] Ben Mulroney, Montréal QC, TV personality (“Your Morning” since 2016, “eTalk Daily” 2002-16)/son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney
1979 [38] Oscar Isaac (Hernández), Estrada, Guatemala, movie actor (‘Poe Dameron’ in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “Ex Machina”) COMING UP: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”, opening December 15th.
1980 [37] Chingy (Howard Bailey Jr), St Louis MO, rapper (“Pullin’ Me Back”, “Right Thurr”)
1986 [31] Brittany Snow, Tampa FL, movie actress (“Pitch Perfect”, “Hairspray”) UP NEXT: “Pitch Perfect 3”, opening December 22nd.
1987 [30] Bow Wow (Shad Moss), Columbus OH, TV actor (‘Baby Face’ on “CSI: Cyber” since 2015)/movie actor (“The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift”)/rapper (“Shortie Like Mine”)
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Amerigo Vespucci Day” [‘vuhs-POOCH-ee’], commemorating the Italian’s 1454 birth in Florence. He’s the marginally-successful explorer that a European mapmaker chose as namesake for the ‘New World’, as in ‘North Amerigo’.
• “Barbie Day”, the anniversary of the day the world’s most successful doll was first unveiled in 1959 at NYC’s “International Toy Fair”. More than 900 million Barbies have been sold since.
• “Crabmeat Day”, saluting the seafood we love. How can such an ugly creature taste so good?
• “Get Over It Day”, whatever it is that’s put that chip on your shoulder – a perceived slight, a public embarrassment, a failed relationship. Today’s the day to get over it and get on with your life.
• “World Kidney Day”, observed annually as a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys.
NET: http://www.worldkidneyday.org
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2005 [12] Dan Rather signs off for the last time as anchor of “The CBS Evening News”
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2004 [13] 63-year-old singer Tom Jones is banned from wearing tight leather pants by his manager-son Mark, who insists he cease being a laughing stock and “dress his age”
2007 [10] Vocalist-guitarist Brad Delp of classic rock group Boston dies in Atkinson NH of suicide at age 55
2011 [06] Phil Collins says he’s retiring: “So I can be a full time father to my 2 young sons on a daily basis.”
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1964 [53] 1st Ford ‘Mustang’ car is manufactured (goes on to become a classic collectible)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2012 [05] The world’s oldest Charles Dickens-based film, dating from 1901 and featuring a depiction of a “Bleak House” character, is rediscovered by the British Film Institute
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] “Kong: Skull Island”; “Raw” open in movie theaters
[Fri] International Day of Awesomeness
[Fri] World Sleep Day
[Sat] “Kids’ Choice Awards” (Nickelodeon)
[Sat] International Fanny Pack Day
[Sat] Genealogy Day
[Sun] Daylight Saving Time begins
[Sun] Full ‘Worm’ Moon
This Week Is … Read an eBook Week
This Month Is … Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
BULL’S BITS
HALLS OF FAME I SHOULD BE IN:
• The Napping Hall of Fame
• The Begging Hall of Fame
• The Shortest Job Interviews Hall of Fame
• The Pretending to Help Hall of Fame
• The Getting Caught Looking at Boobs Hall of Fame
• The Calling Someone to Come Look at Something But Then It’s Not There Anymore Hall of Fame
• The Smirking Hall of Fame
• The Shrugging Hall of Fame
• The Heckling Hall of Fame
• The Hoping for a Funny Ending But Not Getting One Hall of Fame
– JackHandey.com
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Which mollusc has 3 hearts?
a. The slug.
b. The octopus. [CORRECT]
c. The Bridge-playing escargot.
– TriviaCrack.com
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Anything that is not nailed down is mine. Anything that I can pry loose is not nailed down.
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What are 3 websites/apps you use every single day?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: A new survey has found that it’s been 9 years since the average person has done THIS.
Answer: Ridden a bicycle.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Knowledge was never known to enter the head via an open mouth.
