BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
“Sydney Morning Herald” is reporting Russell Crowe’s wife of 9 years, Danielle Spencer, has decided to leave him and the devastated actor is dealing with the break-up by throwing himself into a hectic acting schedule (he’s been a miserable, angry, and sometimes violent man for years – how’d she last so long?) . . . Also Down Under, a musical version of “King Kong” is set to be staged in Melbourne next Summer, with music created by rock bands the Avalanches, Justice, and Massive Attack (we wanna hear the show-stopping tune from this one!) . . . Summit Entertainment has reportedly chosen to keep Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson apart during promotional activity for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” but will reunite them for the European premiere November 14th in London (the fan frenzy over these 2 will finally end with the November 16th opening) . . . French actress Marion Cotillard admits she’s already harboring hopes of another Oscar, this time for her new film “Rust & Bone” which opens November 2nd (that’s sure to set voters against you) . . . Director Sam Mendes’ “Skyfall”, the latest ‘James Bond’ film, has scored an impeccable 100% on the Rotten Tomatoes online reviews site (we’ll find out November 9th if it’s the best ‘Bond’ ever, as some are saying) . . . British actress Judi Dench (who plays ‘M’ in ‘007’ films) has the ‘Bond’ theme as her ringtone (dum dee dum dum diddle diddle diddle dum de dum dum …) . . . And Cirque Du Soleil is suffering rare poor reviews after its new production “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” opened at London’s O2 Arena, the show combining classic songs by the King of Pop with choreography (“Evening Standard’s” reviewer quips: “At least no children were involved.”)

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Chelsea Lately” (E!) – Fergie (Black Eyed Peas).
• “Dancing With the Stars All-Stars” (ABC/CTV2) – A couple is eliminated; Donny Osmond performs; Susan Boyle performs.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – The Wallflowers (“Glad All Over”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CHCH) – Miguel (“Kaleidoscope Dream”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Estelle (“All of Me”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Two Door Cinema Club (“Beacon”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/NTV/Omni1) – Gotye (“Making Mirrors”). Rerun.
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – Gavin DeGraw (“Sweeter”).
• “Presidential Debate” (ABC/CBS/NBC/PBS): Round 2 from Hofstra University in Hempstead NY; moderator Candy Crowley. Your favorite show is preempted.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/CTV2) – Christina Aguilera  (“Lotus”). Rerun.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• “A Very Special Christmas Album” – Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Michael Bublé, Rascal Flatts, and Train are among the acts featured on today’s release of the 25th anniversary edition of this album series, which benefits the Special Olympics.
• Brandy – Her new album “Two Eleven” is out today, a reference to the month and date of her birthday. It includes collaborations with Chris Brown, Frank Ocean, and Timbaland.
• Christina Perri – Today the pop singer releases a holiday-theme EP titled “A Very Merry Perri Christmas”. The 6-song collection combines covers of 5 classics plus one new seasonal song.
• Darius Rucker – Tonight he’s inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN.
• Death Cab For Cutie – Today Ben Gibbard releases his first solo album, “Former Lives”, which he describes as ‘something of a mixed bag’. Tonight he plays NYC during a solo tour in support of the project.
• Duran Duran – 52-year-old bass guitarist John Taylor’s new memoir “In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran” is being published today, in which he admits he was a ‘creep’ and a ‘dilettante’ in his 20s, choosing girlfriends by … looking through fashion magazines.
• Elton John – He’s unveiled extraordinary footage of his famous onstage performance of “Empty Garden” with John Lennon at NYC’s Madison Square Garden in 1974. The painstakingly restored film, shot by a fan, will accompany performances of the song during his “Million Dollar Piano” shows in Las Vegas.
• Jamey Johnson – Tonight he celebrates the release of his new album “Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran” with a concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville TN. The show features a ‘special group of friends’.
• Jason Aldean – His new 15-track album “Night Train” is out today. The title comes from one of the songs on the collection. The lead single, “Take a Little Ride”, sold more digital downloads in its first week than any male country artist in history.
• Muse – Tonight they begin a series of European tour dates in Montpellier, France in support of their new album “The 2nd Law”. The trek runs through December 19th, then moves on to Japan and North America.
• Rolling Stones – Yesterday they finally announced dates for their much-rumored 50th anniversary concerts. They’ll play London’s O2 Arena November 25th and 29th, then cross the pond to perform at Prudential Center in Newark NJ December 13th and 15th. Mick Jagger hints there could be more gigs to come.

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Chernobyl Diaries” ( R-Rated Thriller ): A group of 6 young tourists, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an ‘extreme tour’ guide who takes them to the deserted former hometown of workers from the ill-fated Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Stars Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Olivia Taylor Dudley.
• “Moonrise Kingdom” ( PG-13 Dramedy ): Set on an island off the coast of New England, the story follows a pair of 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As authorities try to hunt them down life in the peaceful island community is turned upside down. Stars Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand.
• “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” ( PG-13 Animated Comedy Adventure ): Alex and his pals are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. This time their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover – a traveling circus, which they reinvent “Madagascar”-style. Voice cast includes Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock.
• “That’s My Boy” ( R-Rated Comedy ): Adam Sandler plays a single-parent dad who resurfaces unexpectedly before his son’s wedding. Trying desperately to reconnect, he’s now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills. Co-stars Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, Susan Sarandon. Cameos by Vanilla Ice, Tony Orlando, Ciara.
• “Neil Young Journeys” ( PG Music Documentary ): The iconic rocker relates tales of the road and introspective stories to filmmaker Jonathan Demme prior to the Toronto finalé of his 2011 solo world tour. The film was shot during a road trip in a vintage 1956 Crown Victoria from his idyllic hometown of Omemee, Ontario to Toronto’s Massey Hall.
• Also released today: “Alcatraz: Season 1” (TV); “Barney: Celebrate With Barney” (Kids); “Chely Wright: Wish Me Away (Music Doc); “Columbo: The Complete Series” (Vintage TV); “DL Hughley: Reset!” (Standup Comedy); “Mad Men: Season 5” (TV); “Psych: The Complete 6th Season” (TV); “Thomas & Friends: Celebrate With Thomas” (Kids); and “Touch: Season 1” (TV).

POPULAR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES 2012:
According to National Retail Federation, these are some of the top-selling prepackaged get-ups so far …
KIDS –
1. Princess
2. Batman
3. Spider-Man
4. Witch
5. Disney Princess
ADULTS –
1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Pirate
4. Batman
5. Zombie
PETS –
1. Pumpkin
2. Devil
3. Hot Dog
4. Cat
5. Bee
– Wtop.com

WHY THE RICH ARE SMILING:
If you’re thinking that the benefits of a hefty bank account could help turn up the heat in the bedroom, you’re at least partly right. Money might not buy love, but it can allow for a sizzling sex life. About 70% of multimillionaires with a net worth of $90-million or more say they enjoy ‘better sex’, according to a Prince & Associates poll. But what that means depends on gender. 63% of rich men define ‘better’ as more-frequent and with more partners, while 88% of wealthy women define it as ‘higher quality’. (Either way, Mitt Romney seems to be grinning a lot.)
– CNN.com

SCHOOL DAZE:
✗ Falun, Sweden – A talented head cook at a school in central Sweden has been told to stop baking fresh bread and to cut back on her wide-ranging veggie buffets because … it’s unfair to students at other schools who don’t have equally tasty food. Local authorities have ordered the school lunch lady to ‘bring it down a notch’. (Yeah, reach for the middle, would ya?)
– TheLocal.se
✗ Norfolk UK – A Brit student with degrees in music and English has finally found employment as .. a human scarecrow. The 22-year-old, who recently graduated from Bangor University, will use a ukulele, accordion, and cowbell to frighten away troublesome partridges from a 10-acre field. He’ll earn the equivalent of $390 a week. (See? And you thought there were no jobs.)
– “Daily Telegraph”
✗ Charlotte NC – A 61-year-old teacher at Independence High School is claiming a student spiked her coffee with … butt-enhancing pills. Investigators say the pills may have been ‘GluteBoost’, a supplement that purportedly plumps up one’s posterior. Police are still investigating, but the student has already been disciplined. (A butt spanking?)
– HuffingtonPost.com
✗ Lidkoping, Sweden – A school photo company is offering a 6th-grader $225 in compensation after a photo-editing error in her class yearbook left her with … a 3rd eye on her forehead. As well as offering the financial restitution, the company that took the photos is promising corrected editions of the yearbook will be issued. (With 2 noses on everyone.)
– UPI.com

BS AMAZING FACTS:
• Women get more stressed than men when they hear or read bad news stories. (“So mister, I heard you had quite the time at Happy Hour last Friday …”)
– BBC News
• More than 1-in-40 children in the USA has a parent in prison. (On the upside, a carton of smokes is an easy Christmas gift.)
– TTP

BS CHRONOMETER 10.16.12

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1941 [71] Tim McCarver, Memphis TN, FOX-TV Major League Baseball analyst (2012 NCLS)/former MLB catcher (played in the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s & ‘80s)

1958 [54] Tim Robbins, West Covina CA, movie actor (“The Shawshank Redemption”, Oscar-“Mystic River”)/movie director (“Dead Man Walking”)/Susan Sarandon’s partner 1986-2009

1962 [50] Flea (Michael Balzary), Melbourne, Australia, rock bassist (Red Hot Chili Peppers-“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”, “Dani California”)

1977 [35] John Mayer, Bridgeport CT, pop singer-songwriter (“Waiting On the World to Change”, “Your Body Is a Wonderland”)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Bosses Day”, an observance since 1958 in which employees are encouraged to ‘honor the boss with a small gift or greeting card’ (aka ‘Brown Nosers Day’). What makes a good boss? Attributes most people select in a recent poll: fair, honest, understanding, approachable, a good communicator. Among employees who consider their bosses to be ‘abusive’, 30% confess to having ‘slowed down or ‘purposely making errors’ on the job, according to another poll.

• “Clean Your Bug Zapper Day”, an annual bug-gut check we can do without thank-you.

• “Dictionary Day”, celebrating the 1758 birth of Noah Webster, one of the most famous of lexicographers, who 1st published “Webster’s Dictionary” in 1828.

• “Feral Cat Day”, initiated a decade ago by the advocacy group Alley Cat Allies to promote humane care for domestic cats who are scrabbling to stay alive in the wild.
NET: http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=388

• “World Food Day”, as declared annually by the UN. The 2012 Theme: “Agricultural Cooperatives – Key to Feeding the World”.
NET: http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1846 [166] 1st public demonstration of ‘Surgical Anesthesia’ (early anesthetics include ether, hashish, opium, and … booze)

1916 [96] 1st ‘Birth Control Clinic’ in America is opened by Margaret Sanger in Brooklyn NY

1921 [91] 1st (and only) mid-game NFL football coaching change (Rock Island Independents fire Frank Coughlin at half-time … are you listening Andy Reid?)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1984 [28] ‘World’s Tallest Dog’ dies at age 9 in Milton Keynes UK, a Great Dane standing 42 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing 238 lbs

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Hagfish Day
[Wed] International Day For the Eradication of Poverty
[Wed] Medical Assistants Recognition Day
[Wed] Mulligan Day
[Wed] Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day
[Thurs] World Menopause Day
This Week Is … Teen Read Week
This Month Is … Pasta Month

BULL’S BITS

UNDERRATED PERKS OF LIVING WITH YOUR PARENTS:
Feeling bad about having to move back home? Consider the upside …
✓ Your roommates are morally obligated to like you.
✓ Your childhood bedroom is a way less depressing place to be hung over.
✓ Your toothpaste lasts WAY longer.
✓ You never run out of toilet paper.
✓ Instead of a bottle of vodka and frozen pizza, your refrigerator contains actual food; groceries magically replenish; and you’re encouraged to eat delicious leftovers.
✓ Unlimited access to vintage workout equipment.
✓ Unlike your inconsiderate previous roommate, less chance of finding your parents passed out face-down on your bedroom floor.
✓ They can afford better cable channels.
✓ Free batteries!
✓ Two Words: Liquor. Cabinet.
– Adapted from Buzzfeed.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ If you could ask your pet one question and get an answer, what would it be? (In a  recent survey, the question most often picked by pet owners: “Do you like your food?”)

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I spilled Spot Remover on my dog … now he’s gone.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: People do THIS more while watching sad movies than while watching happy movies.
Answer: Eat.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
He who would pursue revenge should first dig two graves.