Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Edition: #3602
Bull Works!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
THIS WEEK on-location shooting for the 2nd season of “Little Mosque on the Prairie” (CBC) is underway in Regina & Indian Head SK (the rest of the production is done on a soundstage in Toronto) . . . “Hairspray” actress Amanda Bynes now has her own line of clothing & accessories cleverly called ‘Dear by Amanda Bynes’ and aimed squarely at the young fans of her various Nickelodeon shows . . . At the “Edinburgh International Television Festival”, Dr Vint Cerf (‘Godfather of the Internet’) has predicted that virtually all TV shows will soon be delivered online and the norm will become downloading content to watch later . . . Seemingly to prove his point, THIS WEEK Sony has unveiled its first ‘All-in-One’ PC/TV that’s capable of displaying hi-def programs and Blu-ray discs on a 22-inch screen . . . In a new Teen Topix survey, most 13-to-17-year-olds pick Zac Efron (“Hairspray”) & Jessica Alba (“Rise of the Silver Surfer”) as the hot movie actor & actress of Summer ‘07 . . . “South Park” creators Trey Parker & Matt Stone have agreed to a 3-season extension for cable TV’s top-rated animated series (Comedy Central/Global) and also announced the creation of a digital animation studio that will make the show available both online and on cellphones & game consoles (the deal is estimated to be worth as much as $75 million) . . . Former “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek and Spice Girl Victoria Beckham are among those slotted for guest roles on the upcoming season of “Ugly Betty” (ABC/CityTV) . . . And another Hollywood acting couple bites the dust: 34-year-old Jennifer Esposito (“Crash”) & 33-year-old Bradley Cooper (“ Wedding Crashers”) have signed dissolution of marriage papers to end their grueling 4-month marriage, amid rumors he’s seeing another Jennifer – one by the name of Aniston – after pal Drew Barrymore set them up on a date (ironically his next film is “He’s Just Not That Into You”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Enrique Iglesias – He’s being offered $1 million to model … condoms. Lifestyles Condoms wants him for a ‘tasteful’ new ad campaign, thanks to a recent interview in which he joked he can never find ‘extra-small’ condoms. The deal would also place his pic on the product’s packaging.
• Goo Goo Dolls – Guitarist John Rzeznik will be one of the judges on the upcoming TV talent search “The Next Great American Band” (FOX). The show will be hosted by Dominic Bowden, who hosts “New Zealand Idol”. It debuts OCTOBER 19th.
• Ludacris – He’s set to appear on the new show “Stand In” (MTV) in OCTOBER, in which he’ll surprise a college classroom by standing in for their professor, giving a lecture on people making contemporary history. Singer Annie Lennox will also participate in the series.
• Madonna – She’s reportedly hired a private jet to take her & other high profile Kabbalah followers on a 10-day pilgrimage to Israel in time for the Jewish New Year, “Rosh Hashanah” (SEPTEMBER 13th). The party is said to include acting couple Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher, and designer Donna Karan.
• Rihanna – She says that after she auditioned for Def Jam records at age 14, Jay-Z told her there were only 2 ways to leave: Out the door after signing a recording deal or out his 29th-floor window.
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Dancing With The Stars 5” – The celebrity cast is officially being announced on “Good Morning America” (ABC). Based on the most believable rumors, it’s likely to include singer Aaron Carter, model Giselle Bunchen, actress Jane Seymour, sports mogul Mark Cuban, singer Melanie Brown, and entertainer Wayne Newton. The show debuts SEPTEMBER 24th.
NET: http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/
• Gym Class Heroes – The “Cupid’s Chokehold“ band appears on a rerun of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Joss Stone – She performs on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC).
• “Venice Film Festival” (aka “La Mostra del Cinema”) opens, the 64th edition of the world’s oldest film festival which runs through September 8th. Director Quentin Tarantino is presenting a number of vintage ‘Spaghetti Westerns’, low-budget cowboy films shot in Italy (the kind that made Clint Eastwood a star). 66-year-old Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci (“The Last Emperor”, “Last Tango in Paris”) is being awarded the newly created ‘Golden Lion’ award for career achievement.
NET: http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENING:
“Balls of Fury” ( PG-13 Comedy ): A former professional table tennis player involves himself in a secret society that takes its clandestine ping-pong tournaments very seriously. His goal is to beat an arch rival, the man who killed his father. Stars Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken & George Lopez. Touted as ‘A Huge Comedy With Tiny Balls’.
NET: http://www.ballsoffury.com/
LIFE BY THE NUMBERS:
A statistical breakdown of who we are and what we do …
• 80% of people in the United States die in a hospital.
• 66% of employees believe that bad bosses are never reprimanded and usually promoted for their domineering ways.
• 55% of men admit to telling a date “I love you” simply to have sex.
• 46% of women & 22% of men agree some days they couldn’t survive without chocolate.
• 25% of men say they would not date a woman who has 2-or-more cats.
• 22% of Canadians say workplace stress has prevented them from advancing in their career.
• Only 3% of today’s multimillionaires are celebrities.
WE’RE FATTER THAN EVER:
According to the newly-released Trust for Americas Health report, adult obesity rates rose in 31 states LAST YEAR and did not fall in any. More than 60% of US adults are now either obese or overweight. Obesity rates range from 17% in Colorado to over 30% in Mississippi. The group advocates a concerted effort to fight obesity in America through better school lunches, requiring insurers to pay for weight loss programs, and restoring phys ed programs in schools. (I don’t understand how this could … excuse me a sec, pass me my Coke and Doritos, would ya?)
– Reuters
HI-TECH CUISINE:
In what’s being billed as the ‘World’s First Fully-Automated Restaurant’, customers at Baggers in Nuremberg, Germany order their food using a touch-screen at their table. Food is then delivered via a mini-railway running from the kitchen to the dining room. The system also informs guests how long their meal will take to prepare. Payment is guaranteed by demanding a credit card at the start and deducting the total at the end. (Cool! No tipping required.)
– Ananova News
DON’T FORGET YOUR RUBBERS:
Crocs, those ubiquitous colorful rubber clogs, have become so popular that the Colorado-based manufacturer is launching a plastic-inspired clothing line. Fans of the footwear will soon be able to also wear shirts, shorts and skirts made from the soft, spongy foam resin. (Hey, how come my pants have little holes all over them?)
– “GQ”
GIMME A POUND OF EGG, PLEASE:
Eggs in the Philippines may soon be sold by weight instead of by number. The local United Broilers Association is suggesting the change due to the increase in the price of corn, the main ingredient in poultry feed. It’s estimated a kilo of chicken eggs, which would contain between 16 and 18, would cost $1.50. Interestingly enough, the new pricing formula might actually end up reducing prices for consumers. (Why do they come in dozens anyway?)
– AHN
BS BUZZWORDS:
New cutting-edge vocab …
• ‘Carbage’ – The garbage that accumulates in vehicles, particularly in the back seat. (“Hey, I was going through the carbage on the floor of the back seat and found a winning lottery ticket … that expired 4 years ago.”)
• ‘Connectile Dysfunction’ – The inability to get an online connection through wi-fi on a laptop computer or enough ‘bars’ to make a connection on a cellphone. (“Sorry our call got interrupted. I got connectile dysfunction when the signal strength dropped.”)
• ‘Medical Tourism’ – Heading to another country for a medical procedure that’s either more expensive or unavailable back home. For instance, Guadalajara, Mexico has become a hot spot for plastic surgery.
BS SOCIAL STUDIES:
• Oxford University researchers have found that the brains of chocoholics react differently when they see or taste chocolate to those who don’t have a craving for the stuff. Brain scans reveal that the pleasure centers of chocoholics’ brains actually light up more strongly in response to chocolate. (There you go, another excuse for eating 7 Snickers in-a-row: “My brain made me do it!”)
– “The Guardian”
• Teens who stay up late exhibit more anti-social behavior than those who sleep and wake up early. A Pennsylvania State University study suggests the trend seems to apply to kids as young as 8-years-old. (Sounds like some professor’s having trouble getting the kids to bed.)
– “Psychology Today”
• Believe it or not, you can work in your sleep! Harvard time management expert Alan Lakein says if you pose a question to yourself just before you fall asleep, your subconscious will work on the problem throughout the night. (A good question might be, “Damn! How am I gonna get up for 6 am?”)
– “Focus”
• A Penn State lab has discovered that the practice of chugging water in order to reduce food consumption is nothing more than a diet myth. Researchers have found that drinking water before or during a meal does NOT affect food intake. (Drinking just helps you wash down more … why else would we have milk with cookies?)
– “Cosmopolitan”
AFTER HE CHEATS:
In a Chinese court, a husband has begged the judge to release his wife, admitting that her crime was actually his fault. Jiang Ming of Chengdu says he promised his wife he’d quit surfing the web and spend more taking care of their newborn son. But after a short time he began sneaking off to Internet cafes again to have video chats with girls. That ticked off the little woman who promptly tracked him down … and chopped off his right hand! Ming says he suddenly felt a numbness and noticed the cursor on the computer screen stopped moving. Then he discovered his hand was sitting on the mouse pad with blood shooting out. The court has yet to announce a verdict. (Now when he hits on online girlies, he’s typing no-handed.)
– “Chongqing Evening News”
FOR THE RECORD:
The ‘World’s Biggest Diamond’ has been discovered by mining company Brett Joli in the northwest province of South Africa. It’s reported to be twice as big as the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905 near Pretoria, which was the previous record-holder at 621 g or 21.9 oz (3,106 carats). The find is likely to trigger an intense bidding war. It’s estimated value is circa $30 million.
– PA News
DID YOU KNOW?
• There are more bacteria on the average hospital room’s TV remote control than on the flush handle of the average hospital room’s toilet.
– Nosocontrol.com
• You’re apt to drink more juice (and likely anything else) if you use a short, wide glass rather than a tall, slender one. What’s more, you’re likely to think you’re actually drinking less.
– cornell.edu
• The median age of women in the US who get married for the first time is now 25.5.
– “Cosmo Daily”
BS CHRONOMETER 08.29.07
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1938 [69] Elliott Gould, Brooklyn NY, movie actor (“Ocean’s 11-13”, “M*A*S*H”)/ex-Mr Barbra Streisand (1963-71)
1956 [51] Dan Truman, Flagstaff AZ, country musician (Diamond Rio-“I Believe”, “Beautiful Mess”)
1958 [49] Michael Jackson, Gary IN, self-titled ‘King of Pop’ (“Thriller”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2001)/Lisa Marie Presley’s ex-weirdo/’father’ of Prince Michael I, Prince Michael II & Paris
1971 [36] Carla Gugino, Sarasota FL, TV actress (‘Amanda’ on “Entourage” 2007, “Threshold” 2005-06)/movie actress (“Night at the Museum”, “Sin City”)
1975 [32] Kyle Cook, Frankfort IN, rock guitarist/vocalist (matchbox twenty-“Unwell”, “Bent”)
1980 [27] David Desrosiers, Sept-Iles QC, rock bassist (Simple Plan-“Untitled [How Could This Happen To Me?]”, “Welcome to My Life”)
1986 [21] Lauren Collins, Thornhill ON, TV actress (‘Paige Michalchuk’ on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” since 2001)
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “According to Hoyle Day”, honoring Britain’s Edmond Hoyle on the anniversary of his death in 1769. He’s the guy who took the time to formalize rules to many popular games. Thus the expression ‘according to Hoyle’ has come to mean ‘playing by the rules’.
• “More Herbs, Less Salt Day”, because it’s ‘healthier, zestier and lustier!’ So go ahead, spice up your life! What’s the world’s most-used spice? Black pepper.
• “La Tomatina”, the annual “Tomato Toss” in Bunyol, Spain staged on the last Wednesday of August. Around 25,000 are expected to watch and/or participate in the world’s biggest food fight as some 20,000 tons of overripe tomatoes are thrown at everything in sight. After a canon signals an end to the fighting, everything is scrubbed up squeaky clean immediately afterward.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3a7o2w
• “Senior Citizens Day”, an annual appreciation of the more experienced amongst us.
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1844 [163] 1st ‘White-Native Lacrosse Game’, in Montréal (natives win, of course)
1896 [111] 1st ‘Chop Suey’ is served (Chinese ambassador’s chef devises dish to satisfy both Western and Oriental tastes for a dinner in NYC)
1934 [73] 1st Boy Scout Camp in America opens at Hawk Mountain PA (the next day, the 1st ‘wedgie’ is reported)
1965 [42] 1st ‘Parachuting Bullfighter’, Luis ‘The Conceited’ Rios, misses a Spanish bullring and lands in the city dump
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1982 [25] ‘Longest Recorded Kite Flight’ lasts 180 hours, 17 minutes (Washington DC)
COMING UP . . .
[Thurs] Toasted Marshmallow Day
[Fri] 10th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death
[Fri] “Death Sentence”; “Halloween” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Trail Mix Day
[Fri] Love Litigating Lawyers Day
This Week Is … International Enthusiasm Week
This Month Is … Immunization Awareness Month
BULL’S BITS
UGLIEST CELEBRITIES:
By nature or personal choice, they are rich and famous and yet … ugly as hell!
5. Iggy Pop
4. Kelis
3. Lyle Lovett
2. Marilyn Manson
1. Michael Jackson
Others worth a mention: Amy Winehouse, Courtney Love, Donatella Versace, Kelly Osbourne, Rosie O’Donnell, Steven Tyler, and Tori Spelling.
– Oddee.com
BS PHONE STARTER:
Is saying you’re ‘sampling’ someone else’s music just a fancy way of justifying the theft of their originality and creativity? If so, Sean Kingston ought to go to jail!
BS RANDOM JOKE:
A politician is someone who makes no sense in a very convincing manner.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: Most parents surveyed refused to buy THIS for back-to-school.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Running shoes (most notably overpriced, celebrity-endorsed brand names).
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Perfection comes in all shapes and sizes.