Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Edition: #4600
The Most Home Runs in Show Prep!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
Amid bust-up rumors that just won’t go away, Ashton Kutcher no longer appears to be following Demi Moore on Twitter (hey, join the crowd!) . . . Creator Mitch Hurwitz has explained why “Arrested Development” is coming back to TV for a ‘limited season’; it’s to set up the long-awaited movie version of the comedy (FOX-TV must still be kicking itself for canceling 5 years ago) . . . Jenny Mollen writes in “Playboy” magazine’s ‘The Smoking Jacket’ blog that she bought her husband, “American Pie” actor Jason Biggs, a hooker named ‘Keisha’ for his 33rd birthday (classy) . . . Actress Jennifer Aniston’s NYC neighbors are said to be snickering after her boyfriend’s motorcycle was vandalized with – bologna (was this a Banksy job or what?) . . . Brit royal Kate Middleton has caused a stir by making an appearance in a cancer treatment center without wearing her wedding ring, but the palace insists it was just for ‘hygiene reasons’ (where’s she been keeping the thing?) . . . Movie actor Richard Gere’s 110-strong guitar collection has caught the attention of Bono, the Edge, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, all of whom may have interest when his estimated $1-million hoard is auctioned off for charity at Christie’s in NYC next month . . . Famous person Lindsay Lohan has to take an anti-shoplifting class as part of her penance for that necklace-napping incident earlier this year (seems not putting things you didn’t pay for in your pocket requires intensive training) . . . And movie star Leonardo DiCaprio has been paying a look-alike to divert attention from him while he’s visiting Australia, the doppelganger looking and dressing the same but using front doors while Leo sneaks in rear entrances (wonder if the phony’s being followed by fake paps?).
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Yeasayer (“Odd Blood”). Rerun.
• “Dancing With the Stars (ABC/CTV) – Mary J Blige performs 2 tracks, “Real Love” and “25/8”, on tonight’s results show.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Kellie Pickler (“Tough”).
• “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight” (CBC) – Sebastian Bach (“Kicking & Screaming”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CHCH) – Mutemath (“Reset”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Lykke Li (“Wounded Rhymes”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Daryl Hall (“Laughing Down Crying”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/NTV/Omni1) – Feist (“Metals”, the follow-up to her breakthrough 2007 album “The Reminder”, out today. After a handful of European dates in mid-October, she’ll begin a North American tour October 29th in Philadelphia PA).
• “Live With Regis & Kelly” (syndicated/CTV) – Scotty McCreery (“American Idol” season 10 winner releases his debut album, “Clear As Day” today. Runner-up Lauren Alaina’s debut, “Wildflower”, is due next week).
• “Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America” – Today this 240-page book from the point-of-view of Amy Poehler’s “Parks & Recreation” character ‘Leslie Knope’ is published. It focuses on the fictional town’s history and expands upon things that occur on the show, such as its long list of ridiculous town slogans and ongoing racoon infestation.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/CTV2) – LeAnn Rimes (“Lady & Gentlemen”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Adele – She’s confirmed she’s ditched drinking to maintain her voice. Quote: “No more vod. It’s so I can reach high notes.”
• Bob Dylan – Today his label Egyptian Records releases “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams”, a new collection of previously unheard songs written by the country legend. A dozen other performers in addition to Dylan have fleshed out and recorded the tracks, including Jack White, Levon Helm, Norah Jones, and Sheryl Crow.
• Brad Paisley – The final numbers are in on his recently-wrapped “H2O II: Wetter & Wilder” tour. He played for 1 million-plus fans in 52 markets, including 5 stadiums shows and 8 concerts in Europe.
• Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl is reportedly working on a documentary film about Sound City Studios in Van Nuys CA, where Nirvana recorded “Nevermind” and a slew of other artists (Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, No Doubt, Weezer, Willie Nelson) have put together landmark albums.
• Jay-Z – He’s helping design the uniform for the New Jersey Nets who will be renamed the Brooklyn Nets next year. As a part-owner of the NBA team, he’ll be collaborating with Adidas to create a new club emblem and colors.
• Queen – Tonight they’re named ‘BMI Icons’ at the performing rights organization’s annual “London Awards” in the UK. They’re being saluted for having ‘a unique and indelible influence on generations of music-makers’.
• Randy Travis – Tonight he celebrates his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN, performing songs from his “Anniversary Celebration” duets album with Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner and many others.
• Rodney Atkins – His new album “Take a Back Road” is out today, which includes the country chart-topping title-track as well as his 2010 hit “Farmer’s Daughter”.
TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “The Caller” ( R-Rated Supernatural Thriller ): Stephen Moyer (“True Blood”) & Rachelle Lefevre (“Twilight”) star in this story of a troubled divorcée who is tormented by a series of sinister phone calls from a mysterious woman. Eventually the stranger reveals she’s calling from the past, and is looking for revenge in a terrifying way.
• “Fast Five” ( PG-13 Action Thriller ): The 5th film in the “Fast & The Furious” franchise introduces Dwayne Johnson as a federal agent hunting street-racing speedsters Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. But as his men tear through Brazil, the pursuer learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Co-stars Jordana Brewster, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Tyrese Gibson.
• “Scream 4” ( R-Rated Horror Thriller ): Director Wes Craven carves through a fresh nubile generation of stars, including Kristen Bell, Emma Roberts, and Hayden Panettiere. Franchise staples Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette are also back in ‘Woodsboro’ for this sequel set 10 years after ‘Ghostface’s’ last appearance. Shot in Detroit, Michigan & area.
• Also released today: “Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series” (TV); “Friday the 13th: The Ultimate Collection” (Horror); “The Honeymooners: Lost Episodes 1951-57” (Classic TV); “Ken Burns: Prohibition” (Documentary); “Lie to Me: The Complete Final Season” (TV); “Planet Earth: Limited Edition” (Documentary Series); “The Walking Dead: Season 1” (TV); “Weird Al” Yankovic Live! – The Alpocalypse Tour” (Comedy); and “Yankeeography: Pinstripe Legends” (Sports Doc).
MOST INFLUENTIAL PHONES OF THE PAST 10 YEARS:
• Apple iPhone – In 2007 Apple changed the mobile phone market; and then again in 2008 with the launch of its App Store.
• BlackBerry Curve – RIM’s entry-level phone allowed it to crossover from a business market to a consumer one by adding a camera and a more user-friendly operating system.
• Danger Hiptop/T-Mobile Sidekick – First launched in 2002, this was the first phone with mass appeal in the youth market thanks to a bigger screen and QWERTY keyboard for messaging.
• Motorola RAZR – The best-selling clamshell handset featured a then-incredibly slim design and a metal keypad, proving that a mobile phone could be gorgeous as well as functional.
• T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream – The very first Android handset was a big deal, giving consumers a strong alternative to the iPhone, that was pre-loaded to the hilt with Google features.
– Condensed from Mashable.com
OUR INTERNAL CLOCK:
The human body has a so-called ‘alarm-clock gene’ that wakes up even if we haven’t set the bedside alarm. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California says the gene is responsible for starting the body’s biological clock from its restful state every morning. Discovery of the new gene may help explain the genetic underpinnings of aging, chronic illnesses, and sleeplessness. The mechanism that tells our body clocks to wind down at night has previously been studied, but the discovery of what activates it again in the morning is something new. (By the way we’re feeling this morning, it seems our gene’s shrunk.)
– UPI.com
FROM THE BS POLL VAULT:
A BS breakdown of who we are and what we do …
• 66% of women admit they dress up to impress other women.
• 64% of single men say their productivity at work goes up when they are dating someone.
• 59% of men who’ve had a hair transplant say they’ve noticed an improvement in self-esteem.
• 30% of divorced women say the best thing about being single is having full control of the TV.
• 21% of us judge other people based on the TV shows they watch.
• 20% of men say they never use deodorant of any kind.
INTERACTIVE SCHOOLS:
Increasingly, both public and private schools are connecting with so-called ‘Learning Community Management Systems’ (LCMs) to handle scheduling, emergency contacts, immunizations, academic assessments and even meals, with some offering a daily nutritional breakdown of school lunches. Among the systems now being used …
• NetClassroom – This online portal allows parents at participating schools to check their children’s attendance, grades, and school assignments.
• Orderlunches.com – Manages the meal program at schools, even sending email reminders to parents to place their daily requests.
• Volunteerspot.com – Tracks parents’ willingness to participate in school activities, whether working a shift as a cafeteria monitor or bringing cupcakes to a special event.
– “Wall Street Journal”
TUBBY TARIFF:
Though less than 10% of Denmark’s population is obese, the Danish government isn’t taking any chances they’ll become like North Americans so they’ve instituted … a ‘fat tax’. Starting this month, Danes are seeing price increases on products that are high in saturated fats, which researchers at Denmark’s Institute of Food & Resource Economics pinpoint as the cause of 4% of the country’s premature deaths. Butter, oils, and high-fat dairy products are seeing the highest price increases. Butter, for instance, costs up to 30% more; a bag of potato chips 8% more; and a liter of olive oil 7.1% more. (Is there fat tax on a ‘danish’?)
– TIME.com
BS AMAZING FACT:
You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world.
– GreatFacts.com
BS CHRONOMETER 10.04.11
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [67] Tony LaRussa, Tampa FL, MLB manager (2006 World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals, 1989 World Series Champion Oakland Athletics)
1946 [65] Susan Sarandon (Tomalin), NYC, movie actress (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”, 1996 Oscar-“Dead Man Walking”)/actor Tim Robbins’ partner 1986-2009
1967 [44] Liev Schreiber, San Francisco CA, movie actor (“Salt”, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”)/actress Naomi Watts’ partner
1976 [35] Alicia Silverstone, San Francisco CA, movie actress (“Clueless”, “Batman & Robin”)/animal rights activist
1977 [34] Richard Parry, Ottawa ON, alt-rock musician/composer (Arcade Fire-“We Used to Wait”, “Keep the Car Running”)
1978 [33] Marc Roberge, Rockville MD, one-hit-wonder pop singer (OAR-“Shattered [Turn the Car Around]”)
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Cinnamon Bun Day”, or “Kanelbullens Dag” as it’s known in Sweden, the country of the yummy sweet-roll’s presumed origin. Good excuse to scarf one with your coffee this morning. Mmm … can’t you just smell it?
• “Improve Your Office Day”, a day to focus on ways to make your work experience better. Among the suggestions: Keep it clean; simplify; and bring a piece of outside inside.
• “International Toot Your Flute Day”, to encourage the idea of selling yourself and telling others how good you are, while rejecting the idea that self-promotion is ‘bragging’.
• “Taco Day”, an annual celebration of the great taste of the traditional Mexican dish.
• “World Animal Day”, begun in Florence, Italy in 1931 to celebrate animal life in all its forms. It derives from today’s “St Francis of Assisi” feast day, celebrating the patron saint of animals.
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1970 [41] Rock & blues singer Janis Joplin dies of a heroin overdose at the Landmark Motel in Hollywood CA at age 27
1980 [31] “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen peaks at #1 on pop singles charts
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1976 [35] 1st ‘Female TV Network News Anchor’ as Barbara Walters joins Harry Reasoner on “ABC Evening News” for a then-record $1 million-per-year
2004 [07] ‘SpaceShipOne’ flies to an altitude of 62 miles over the California desert, becoming the 1st privately-funded rocket to reach space (thereby winning the $10-million Ansari X Prize)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1981 [30] Oldest recorded pet gerbil, ‘Sahara’, dies in Lathrup Village, Michigan at age 8 years, 4-and-a-half months
COMING UP . . .
[Wed] World Teacher Day
[Wed] “George Harrison: Living In the Material World” premieres (HBO)
[Thurs] Ecological Debt Day
[Thurs] Physician Assistant Day
[Fri] Diversity Day
[Fri] Yom Kippur begins (Jewish)
This Week Is … No Salt Week
This Month Is … Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month
BULL’S BITS
BS SIGNS YOU’RE A DUMB GUY:
• Inability to predict upcoming traffic light color.
• You subsist entirely on a diet of accidentally swallowed gum.
• You have to call an electrician every morning to turn off your alarm clock.
• People wearing “I’m With Stupid” T-shirts are always asking if they can walk beside you.
• Every time someone tells a knock-knock joke, you get up to answer the door.
BS PHONE STARTER:
Which celebrity chef would you most like to fix you a meal?
BS COMMON THREAD:
What do the following items all have in common?
• A sponge, soaked in salt water and secured to the end of a stick. (Ancient Rome.)
• Discarded sheep’s wool. (The Vikings.)
• Straw, hay, grass, or a ‘gompf stick’. (Medieval Europe.)
• Frayed end of an old anchor cable. (Spanish & Portuguese sailors.)
• Coconut shells. (Hawaii).
• Lace. (French royalty.)
• Pages from a book. (British lords.)
• Corn cobs, leaves, mussel shells, newspapers, catalogue pages. (Early North America.)
Answer: They’re all items people employed before toilet paper was in widespread use.
– Adapted from ListsoPlenty.com
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Folks who think they know it all bug those of us who do.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: The average person spends about $40 on THESE and typically loses them within a year.
Answer: Sunglasses.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Inside every small problem is a larger problem struggling to get out.
