Friday, October 13, 2006        Edition: #3386
Sweet Sheet!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY U2’s Bono & Oprah Winfrey officially launch “Product RED”, an effort to enlist consumers in the war on AIDS as shoppers who buy special ‘RED’ Converse trainers, Gap clothing, Motorola cellphones & Giorgio Armani items will automatically make a contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria & Tuberculosis (the campaign’s motto is ‘Shop Until it Stops’) . . . TODAY Australian actress Nicole Kidman opens the inaugural “Rome International Film Festival” in Italy with her new movie “Fur” (the event, which will also honor Sean Connery for ‘Lifetime Achievement’, runs through October 21st) . . . SUNDAY the Best Buy electronics chain launches its own online music service, a cooperative effort with Real Networks & SanDisk which it hopes will compete with iTunes by offering 2 months of free tunes from its music store (couldn’t you pretty much empty out the joint by then?) . . . SUNDAY Jon Stewart hosts “Comedy Love Call” (Comedy Central), a fundraising special to aid Autism Education & Research that features performances by Stephen Colbert, Adam Sandler & Jack Black, among others . . . SUNDAY is the final performance at legendary NYC underground rock club CBGB (credited with launching the careers of Blondie, the Ramones, the Talking Heads and others) with Patti Smith singing the last song before the club moves to Las Vegas, lock, stock and urinal (said to be regularly used by the late Joey Ramone) . . . SUNDAY as part of “VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week”, some of the biggest names in the genre , including Ice-T, Doug E Fresh and Chris Brown, will have at it in a charity basketball game at Long Island University in Brooklyn NY (hope there’s a metal detector at the door) . . . SUNDAY prolific playwright Neil Simon accepts the “Mark Twain Prize for American Humor” at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the likes of Nathan Lane, Robert Redford and Jason Alexander paying tribute . . . SUNDAY music channel Fuse (formerly MuchMusic USA), stages the 1st-ever “Chainsaw Awards” in Los Angeles, highlighting the best in horror-themed movies, TV and music (we’re guessing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Charmed”, and Marilyn Manson will clean up).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Alan Jackson – THIS MORNING he’s on the “Today Show” (NBC).
• Barbra Streisand – SUNDAY her 20-city fall tour supported by Il Divo stops at Montréal’s Bell Centre before toddling on to Toronto’s Air Canada Centre TUESDAY. Top ticket for the SRO shows was priced at $550. Those attending should watch out for ‘F-bombs’!
• Dave Matthews Band – He’s landed himself a movie role opposite Oscar-winning actress Sissy Spacek in the upcoming family drama “Lake City” (2007). Credited in the film as David Matthews, he’ll play the villain.
• Def Leppard – TODAY the dinosaur rockers guest on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Diddy – TONIGHT he’s on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – TONIGHT they perform on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel).
• James Blunt – His cousin, also named James Blount (Blunt’s real name), is a former MI-6 spy who now heads up a mercenary security group in Iraq called ‘Control Risks’.
• Justin Timberlake – TONIGHT he’s on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC).
• Rascal Flatts – SATURDAY their 1st headlining date at NYC’s Madison Square Garden will see the “Me & My Gang Tour” surpass the 1-million mark in year-to-date attendance.
• U2 – Bono has a new nickname within the rock fraternity: ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, thanks to his ever- growing resemblance to Robin Williams.
• The Who – Roger Daltrey, whose voice is heard in “CSI’s” theme song, “Who Are You”, will appear himself in an upcoming episode (CBS/CTV).

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The Grudge 2” ( PG-13 Horror Thriller ): Amber Tamblyn stars as an American who travels to Tokyo to find out what happened to her sister (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and finds herself exposed to the same mysterious curse from a supernatural force. This sequel was green-lighted just 3 days after the original release (rumor has it a 3rd film is on standby). Creepy music and SFX …
NET: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thegrudge2/site/
• “Man of the Year” ( Comedy ): Robin Williams plays the host of a late-night satirical news show who decides to run for US President on a whim. Who would’ve thought a comedian could win? Co-stars Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, Tina Fey, and “Daily Show” regular Lewis Black. Scenes shot in Toronto, Cambridge, Dundas, and Uxbridge ON. Trailer here that includes all the film’s best lines …
NET: http://www.manoftheyearmovie.net/
• “The Marine” ( Action Thriller ): World Wrestling Entertainment pro grappler John Cena (‘Prototype‘) makes his bigscreen debut as a Marine who returns from battle to find that his wife is ensnared in a kidnapping plot. The first of several planned productions by WWE Films. Shot in Australia. SFX and trailer here …
NET: http://www.themarinemovie.com/

IT’S A GAS GAS GAS:
New research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has found that sewer gas can induce – ‘suspended animation’. Hydrogen sulphide, the toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs, occurs naturally in swamps, springs and volcanoes. But in mice, it’s found to slow down heart rate and breathing and decrease body temperature, while keeping a normal blood pressure. Researchers say that if the same holds true for humans, the gas could help protect organs during surgery. (It’s not exactly suspended animation, but [co-host] once managed to evacuate an entire bus station.)
– BBC News

DO TONGUE STUDS COUNT?
Women are most likely to dress to impress when they are at their most fertile, according to new UCLA research. The study of young college women shows they tend to wear more fashionable and flashier clothing and jewelry when they are ovulating, selecting skirts instead of pants, and showing more skin in general. Researchers suggest this is a natural part of the human version of a tendency all animals have – indicating the readiness to mate. (Apparently the ladies in [local working girl area] are ovulating daily.)
– Reuters

NUTS TO YOU:
Eating walnuts at the end of a meal may help cut the damage that fatty foods do to the arteries, according to new research at the Hospital Clinico in Barcelona, Spain. It’s thought that the nuts are rich in compounds that reduce hardening of the arteries, thereby keeping them flexible. The study also suggests that walnuts may have even more health benefits than the oft-touted olive oil. (And you also lose weight because it takes 6 hours of tedious work with a hammer and tongs to get your recommended daily 1 ounce-worth.)
– NewsAlerts.com

DID YOU KNOW?
Wint-O-Green Life Savers create sparks when you chew them in the dark. Other hard sugar candy also produces ‘triboluminescence’ – light from friction – but the fluorescent quality of wintergreen flavoring makes brighter sparks with a bluish tint.
– encarta.msn.com

THE BULL SHEET 10.13.06

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1941 [65] Paul Simon, Newark NJ, adult contemporary/oldies singer (“Graceland”, w/Garfunkel-“Bridge Over Troubled Water”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1990)

1962 [44] Kelly Preston, Honolulu HI, movie actress (“Jerry McGuire”)/Mrs John Travolta since 1991

1967 [39] Kate Walsh, San Jose CA, TV actress (‘Dr Addison Montgomery-Shepherd’ on “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2005)     

1968 [38] Carlos Marin, Russelsheim, Germany, pop singer (Il Divo-“Mama”) 

1969 [37] Rhett Akins, Valdosta GA, country singer (“Better Than It Used to Be”)

1971 [35] Sacha Baron Cohen, London UK, TV actor (“Da Ali G Show”)/movie actor (“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”, “Madagascar”)

1980 [26] Ashanti (Douglas), Glen Cove NY, pop/R&B singer (“Foolish”)

SATURDAY –
Movie actor Roger Moore (‘James Bond’ 1973-85) is 79; Fashion designer Ralph Lauren is 67; Country musician Doug Virden (Sons of the Desert) is 36; Country singer Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks) is 32; R&B singer/Broadway actor Usher is 28; Wrestler Stacy Keibler (“Dancing with the Stars”) is 27; Madonna’s daughter Lourdes is 10.

SUNDAY –
TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 47; Britain’s Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson is 47; TV actress Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas”) is 37; Hip-hop artist Ginuwine (“In Those Jeans”) is 36.
 
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Friday the 13th”, considered bad luck by many of us. In fact, a recent study finds that the risk of hospital admission as a result of an auto accident increases by as much as 52% on this day. The 6th day of the week and the number 13 both have foreboding reputations said to date from ancient times, so when they come together (1-to-3 times a year), tradition has it they bring misfortune. (See BULL’S BITS.)
• “School Librarian Day” … but don’t say anything about it too loud or you’ll get a detention.
• “VQA Wine Day” (Vintners Quality Alliance), honoring Canadian wines that meet quality standards and verification of product origin. Although the regulations vary between BC- and Ontario-made wines, in general the VQA designation requires …
– 100% of the grapes used to produce the wine be grown in Canada.
– The wine must contain at least 85% of the grape variety named on the label.
– Wines bearing the name of a specific region must be 85-95% made from grapes from that specific area.
– Wines of a particular vintage date must be 95% from that particular year of harvest.
(And an unofficial requirement: the price must be jacked up by at least triple.)

SATURDAY –
• “Be Bald & Be Free Day”, a day to hang up the old wig or toupée and be shiny and proud. Which celebrities wear the worst and most-obvious toupées? What are the advantages of being bald? (Money saved on haircuts, shampoo, conditioner, combs, etc.)
• “Sweetest Day”, born out of a project instigated by a confection company employee some 70 years ago to distribute candy to the sick, shut-ins & orphans in Cleveland OH. Observed on the 3rd Saturday of October, the objective has become to do something nice for someone today.
NET: http://www.holidayorigins.com/html/sweetest_day.html
• “Train Your Brain Day,” a day to ‘clean out the cobwebs, blast through the barriers and click on the light bulbs’ because humans use only a small percentage of their brain power.
• “Turkey Testicle Festival” in Byron IL. The 28th annual celebration includes a motorcycle poker run called the ‘Run For the Nuts’, plus lotsa beer and deep-fried … well, er turkey ‘nads – yummers! The big bash’s slogan is ‘Let’s All Get Nuts!’. The official theme song is here …
NET: http://www.turkey-testicle-festival.com
• “Quarrel Festival” (or “Rough House Festival”) in Japan when people jostle one another to demonstrate their skill and balance in handling burdens. Impress your mate by giving him/her a cross-body block today.

SUNDAY –
• “Grouch Day”, a day to be grumpy, ungrateful and cantankerous, and a day to allow grouches everywhere time to spout off.
• “My Mom is a Student Day”, when kids are to show support for moms who’ve gone back to school by giving gifts of school supplies. Be sure to ask mom if she finished her homework.
• “Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day”. Hey, no spit-balls today, okay?
• “World Poetry Day”, a good excuse to sample some ‘modern poetry’ by reading the inane lyrics to a hit song over a mushy violin background track. You can find dumb lyrics on CD liner notes or online here …
NET: http://www.lyrics.com

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1903 [103] Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox) beat Pittsburgh Pirates 5 games to 3 to win the 1st ‘World Series’ (best of 9)

1983 [23] 1st ‘Cellular Telephone System’ is introduced  FACTOID: John Edwards, the Brit who invented the cellphone in the 1960s, was refused a start-up loan to develop it. The bank manager told him the technology would ‘never catch on’ because people would never ‘want to carry a phone in their pocket’.

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1992 [14] Air France supersonic jetliner sets record for ‘Fastest Circumnavigation of the Globe’ (33 hours)

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Dictionary Day
[Mon] World Food Day
[Mon] Bosses Day
[Mon] Hurricane Thanksgiving Day (Virgin Islands)
[Tues] Gaudy Day
[Wed] Persons Day (Canada)
[Wed] No Beard Day
This Week Is … Bookkeeper’s Week
This Month Is … Fire Prevention Month

BULL’S BITS

GOOD LUCK/BAD LUCK?
TODAY is “Friday the 13th” considered bad luck by many, but good luck by some. Run down this list of superstitions and have a contestant/guest/crew member try to decide which bring good luck and which bring bad luck, according to tradition …
GAME #1 –
• Getting out of bed left foot first. [Bad Luck]
• Sneezing 3 times before breakfast. [Good Luck]
• A frog entering your house. [Good Luck]
• Cutting your hair during a storm. [Good Luck]
• Sleeping facing south. [Good Luck]
• Dropping a comb while combing your hair. [Bad Luck]
• Washing a baby’s head when it’s less than a year old. [Bad Luck]
• Tying a knot into a handkerchief . [Good Luck]
• Sitting cross-legged when playing cards. [Bad Luck]
• A spider spinning in the morning. [Good Luck]

GAME #2 –
• Seeing an owl in the sunlight. [Bad Luck]
• Looking at the new moon over your right shoulder. [Good Luck]
• A bat flying into the house. [Bad Luck]
• Cutting your nails on a Friday. [Bad Luck]
• Spilling wine while proposing a toast. [Good Luck]
• Putting a dress on inside out. [Good Luck]
• Changing a horse’s name. [Bad Luck]
• Sleeping on un-ironed sheets. [Good Luck]
• Putting a hat on a bed. [Bad Luck]
• Carrying an acorn in your pocket. [Good Luck]

BS PHONE STARTER:
If you were to be another nationality, which would you pick?

BS WEB GOODIE:
You likely get asked this all the time – where can a person get hold of their favorite celebrity’s skin and/or bodily fluids? Well, now you have the answer! Specials this week include bacteria, purportedly taken from Dave Navarro at only $5.75; and skin cells from movie actor Jeff Bridges for just $10.75. But we think Mike Tyson’s stool sample is a tad overpriced at $31.
NET: http://www.blackpitchpress.com/celebrityskin/music.htm

BS QUICK-PICK TRIVIA:
Q: Who normally lays a larger egg – an old hen or a young hen?
A: Practise makes perfect! An old hen lays larger eggs.

TOP SWAPS:
The week’s most requested music files online –
5. Hinder – “Lips Of An Angel”
4. Pussycat Dolls – “Buttons”
3. Jibbs – “Chain Hang Low”
2. Justin Timberlake – “SexyBack”
1. Fergie – “London Bridge”
– Big Champagne online music measurement.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
So I’ve been working on my unauthorized autobiography …

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: 77% of us faithfully use one of THESE whenever we can.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A ‘lucky number’.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids.