BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
✶ Academy Award-winner Jennifer Lawrence has rekindled her romance with British actor Nicholas Hoult. This week the young stars, who called off their relationship late last year, have been seen holding hands, sipping champagne, and enjoying a picnic together in Montréal’s La Fontaine Park. The “Hunger Games” star and the Brit first started dating after meeting on the set of “X-Men: First Class” in 2011. They’ve apparently been brought back together while filming the sequel, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, now shooting in Montréal.
– Canoe.ca
✶ TV star Aaron Paul is giving back to fans of “Breaking Bad” (AMC) by … phoning them up. Paul, who plays troubled drug manufacturer ‘Jesse Pinkman’ in the series, admits he’s been overwhelmed by the support the show gets and has begun displaying his gratitude by promising to phone some of his followers who share their phone numbers via his Twitter page. 10 lucky fans have already heard from him this week when he called to chat about the show.
– WENN.com
✶ Ricky Gervais has set his sights on taking his most famous comedy creation, “The Office”, to the bigscreen. The Brit comedian recently resurrected ‘David Brent’, the cringeworthy paper company manager he played in the original UK series, for a comical video on YouTube. The clip racked up millions of views, so now he hopes to create a feature film that follows his obnoxious alter-ego attempting to make it in the music industry. Gervais played ‘Brent’ for 2 seasons on “The Office”, before Steve Carell took on a similar role in the US remake.
– HollywoodReporter.com
✶ And it looks like actor Jeremy Renner (“The Bourne Legacy”, “The Avengers”) has something to fall back on if the A-list movie-star-thing ever collapses: Real estate. He’s reportedly made a killing after flipping a Bel Air CA property for $24 million … $17 million more than he paid for it a mere 3 years ago. He revitalized the estate with the help of interior designer Kristoffer Winters. It’s not the first time they’ve collaborated. Renner recently told David Letterman on “Late Night” that he and Winters have bought-and-sold more than 20 homes in the past 10 years.
– RadarOnline.com

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• First City Festival (Monterey CA) – This inaugural event Saturday-Sunday includes performances by MGMT, Modest Mouse, Passion Pit and many more.
NET: http://www.firstcityfestival.com
• “Good Morning America” (ABC) – This morning The Wanted (“Word of Mouth”, out September 23rd) perform.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Pepper (“Pepper”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Kitten (“Cut It Out”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Jesse & The Rippers (John Stamos’ band from the old “Full House” sitcom reunites). Rerun.
• MTV Video Music Awards (Brooklyn NY) – Sunday it’s the 30th anniversary edition from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead nominations with 6 apiece. Performers include Bruno Mars, Drake, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Robin Thicke. Justin Timberlake is presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and is rumored to be reuniting with *NSYNC for a one-off performance.
NET: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/
• Reading & Leeds Festivals (UK) – This 3-day, 2-site simultaneous event features Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, The Lumineers, Nine Inch Nails, Phoenix, and System Of a Down.
NET: http://www.readingfestival.com
• Rock Allegiance Tour – Tonight Monster Energy’s annual trek featuring 4 bands from 4 different countries gets underway in St Paul MN. One the bill: Airbourne (Australia), All That Remains (USA), HIM (Finland), and Volbeat (Denmark). The tour covers the US and Canada before wrapping September 28th in Brooklyn NY.
NET: http://rockallegiance.com
• “The Talk” (CBS) – Today Michael Bolton (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: A Tribute to Hitsville”). Rerun.
• “Today Show” (NBC) – This morning One Direction (“Best Song Ever”) performs.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Robert Randolph & The Family Band (“Lickety Split”). Rerun.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Today Court Yard Hounds (“Amelita”). Rerun.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Brandy – She recently played to a ‘crowd’ of just 40 people at the 90,000-seat National Bank Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. She cut short the performance after 2 songs after being introduced as the ‘surprise’ closing act at the Nelson Mandela Sport & Culture Day.
• Gotye – 33-year-old Wally De Backer (real name) admits he’s having trouble finishing the followup to 2011’s “Making Mirrors”, which included the worldwide mega-hit “Somebody That I Used to Know”. He’s been working with producer Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) in Calgary AB, in addition to Australian producer Franc Tetaz.
• Kanye West – Today he makes his first TV appearance since the birth of baby North West on the syndicated “Kris Jenner Show”. He taped the daytime talk show interview with his daughter’s grandmother earlier this week.
• Katy Perry – Her new single “Roar” has debuted at #1 on the Digital Songs Chart this week with the 6th-largest sales week for a digital song ever, according to “Billboard”. It’s also the biggest digital song sales week of her career to date.
• Lady Gaga – Her new “ARTPOP” app will allow fans to create art as well as music, share it with others worldwide, and also communicate with them in real-time.
• Mumford & Sons – This weekend their 2013 series of “Gentlemen Of the Road Stopovers” in the UK, US, and Canada comes to Simcoe, Ontario. Also appearing: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Vaccines and others. The ‘Stopovers’ are music festivals that also celebrate local people, food, and culture with games, street fairs, etc.
NET: http://gentlemenoftheroad.com
• One Direction – A rep has confirmed Zayn Mali and Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards are engaged, but warns ‘any further detail regarding their relationship is private’. Um, good luck with that.
• Robin Thicke – Tonight he performs at the 11th annual MTV Video Music Awards Concert benefitting the HIV/AIDS charity Lifebeat. The free show takes place at NYC’s Terminal 5. Surprise guest performers are expected.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The World’s End” ( R-Rated Sci-Fi Comedy ): “Shaun Of the Dead” & “Hot Fuzz” collaborators Simon Pegg & Nick Frost are back with this story of 5 friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier. They unwittingly become humanity’s only hope for survival. Co-stars Martin Freeman, Rosamund Pike.
NET: http://www.focusfeatures.com/the_worlds_end
• “You’re Next” ( R-Rated Horror Thriller ): When a family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back. Stars Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Nicholas Tucci. Directed by indie horror filmmaker Adam Wingard.
NET: http://yourenextmovie.com
• Opening in limited release: “Drinking Buddies” (Romantic Comedy); “The Grandmaster” (Action Drama); “Short Term 12” (Drama); “Scenic Route” (Thriller).

FAD FOOD:
‘Cronut’ creator Dominique Ansel is set to pen a cookbook. The French chef behind the hottest hybrid pastry of the Summer will publish “Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes” in October 2014. The trendy ‘Cronut’ is the croissant-doughnut cross that’s taken NYC and then the rest of the world by storm. One place that may be having second thoughts is Toronto, where the much-ballyhooed ‘Cronut Burger’ that debuted at the Canadian National Exhibition has been yanked after a dozen people suffered food poisoning symptoms. (Other hybrids that may surface: ‘Daguette’, a baguette-sized Danish; and perhaps the ‘Bagnut’ … a bagel-doughnut cross.)
– “Daily News” / “Sun”

HOW TO GET BETTER PHOTOS FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE:
Smartphone cameras aren’t built to take the best photos, they just make it easy and convenient to take decent ones. A few simple steps to help you take better pics with your cellphone’s camera …
✓ Use 2 hands to avoid camera shake or stabilize your phone on a table, your knee, or some other surface.
✓ Zoom with your feet. Avoid digital zoom as it distorts details in the image and magnifies the flaws. Simply walk closer to your subject. Or manually crop the shot later.
✓ Downloading apps that allow more creative control are a big advantage. Snapseed brings tons of editing power to your fingertips, as do mobile versions of Adobe Photoshop.
✓ Always remember to turn the phone sideways when you record video. Have you ever seen a vertical TV or movie-theater screen?
– Reviewed.com

PUMP IT UP:
You know your favorite tunes can put you in a good mood, but to boost the benefit turn up the volume. That’s the advice from researchers at England’s University of Manchester whose study has found that loud music stimulates the pleasure center of your brain, prompting the release of the feel-good hormones called endorphins. (Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee your crabby neighbor next door will feel your zeal.)
– “Woman’s World”

DID YOU KNOW?
Traditional greeting card sales have fallen by 60% over the last 10 years. Hallmark’s card sales alone dropped by 1 billion from 2011-to-2012. The new and easier tradition is sending greetings via social media, which helpfully nudges people when special occasions approach. (Think traditional cards with personal messages written in cursive will ever become retro chic?)
– NYTimes.com

BS CHRONOMETER 08.23.13

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1961 [52] Dean DeLeo, Newark NJ, rock guitarist (Stone Temple Pilots-“Between the Lines”, “Creep”)

1970 [43] Jay Mohr, Verona NJ, TV actor (“Ghost Whisperer” 2006-08)/movie actor (“Jerry Maguire”)/TV personality (“Last Comic Standing” 2003-04, “Saturday Night Live” 1993-95)/standup comedian

1976 [37] Scott Caan, LA CA, TV actor (‘Detective Danno Williams-“Hawaii Five-O” since 2010)/movie actor (“Ocean’s” movies, “Gone In 60 Seconds”)/son of actor James Caan

1978 [35] Kobe Bryant, Philadelphia PA, basketball superstar (5-time NBA Champion with LA Lakers, 2-time NBA Finals MVP, NBA MVP 2008, 15-time NBA All-Star)

1978 [35] Julian Casablancas, NYC, rock singer-songwriter (The Strokes-“Juicebox”, “Last Nite”)/son of Elite Models founder John Casablancas

1980 [33] Joanna Froggatt, Littlebeck UK, TV actress (maid ‘Anna Bates’ on “Downton Abbey” since 2010)

1986 [27] Sky Blu (Skyler Gordy), LA CA, pop-club musician (LMFAO-“Sexy & I Know It”, “Party Rock Anthem”)

SATURDAY –
WWE wrestling promoter Vince McMahon is 68; Metal-rock singer John Bush (Anthrax) is 50; Movie actor/comedian Dave Chappelle (“Blue Streak”) is 40; TV actor Carmine Giovinazzo (“CSI: New York”) is 40; TV actor Alex O’Loughlin (“Hawaii Five-O”) is 37; Movie actor Rupert Grint (‘Harry Potter’ films) is 25.

SUNDAY –
Movie actor Sean Connery (‘James Bond’) is 83; Retired TV personality Regis Philbin (“Live With Regis & Kelly”) is 82; Rock bassist Gene Simmons (KISS) is 64; Movie director Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland”) is 55; Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus (“Achy Break Heart”) is 52; Rock singer Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) is 46; TV chef Rachael Ray (“Rachael Ray”) is 45; Country singer Jo Dee Messina (“My Give a Damn’s Busted”) is 43; Movie actress Blake Lively (“The Town”) is 26.

TODAY’S BS REASON TO PARTY . . .
• “Air Guitar World Championships”, the Grand Final of the 18th annual competition in Oulu, Finland, in which fake strummers from around-the-world compete for big prizes.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/kwmcn7k
• “Day For the Remembrance Of the Slave Trade & Its Abolition”, designated by UNESCO in 1998 as an annual observance to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.
• “Great American Duck Race”, the 34th annual staging of the ‘World’s Richest Duck Race’ through Sunday in Deming NM. These are real live quackers competing for prize money.
NET: http://www.demingduckrace.com
• “Hug Your Sweetheart Day”, an annual excuse to let your beloved know that he or she is always there in your fondest thoughts.
• “Permanent Press Day”, a day to proudly wear polyester and keep the iron unplugged.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/8buo4j9
• “Sneak Off To the Beach Day”, a day to surreptitiously soak up some rays before Summer’s all over. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
• “Sponge Cake Day”, celebrating the fat-free dessert that’s variously known as ‘Angel Cake’.
NET: http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-sponge-cake-day
• “Virgo” astrology sign begins (August 23 to September 22). Traditional traits of people born under this sign: Modest and shy, meticulous and reliable, practical and diligent, intelligent and analytical. On the dark side, they can also be fussy and a worrier, overcritical and harsh.

SATURDAY –
•”Flitting Appreciation Day”, a day to recognize those who have perfected the art of flitting around here and there.
• “International Bat Night”, the 17th annual observance encouraging awareness of the way bats live, their needs, and their value. Observed in more than 30 countries.
• “Peach Pie Day”, honoring the seasonal dessert made from flour, sugar, butter, and freshly-picked juicy peaches. Yummers!
• “Waffle Day”, celebrating the anniversary of the invention of the ‘Waffle Iron’ by Cornelius Swartwout of Troy NY on this day in 1869. Other inventions attributed to today’s date include ‘Potato Chips’ (Chef George Crum, Saratoga Springs NY in 1853) and the ‘Motion Picture Camera’ (Thomas Edison in Menlo Park NJ, 1891). No wonder August is “Inventors’ Month”.
• “Weather Cliché Day”, marking the date in 1897 when editor Charles Dudley Warner of the “Hartford Courant” published the quip, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Which weather cliché drives you nuts? Mild, isn’t it?

SUNDAY –
• “Banana Split Day”, saluting the ooey-gooey sundae concoction that’s served in a ‘boat’.
• “Go Topless Day”, an annual event on the Sunday closest to “Women’s Equality Day” (August 26th) when we’re all invited to stand up for women’s right to go topless in public. A listing of related events on the ‘Boob Map’ here …
NET: http://gotopless.org/gotopless-day
• “Kiss-and-Make-Up Day”, a day to make amends in relationships that have deteriorated.
• “Secondhand Wardrobe Day”, celebrating the joys of shopping consignment shops, thrift stores, and anywhere else a clothing bargain can be had. What’s your biggest ‘find’?

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2000 [13] 51 million watch the final episode of the original “Survivor” TV series (a Summer replacement show) as Richard Hatch is named the $1-million winner (then promptly forgets to pay his taxes leading to jail time)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2007 [06] Queen guitarist Brian May is finally awarded his doctorate in astrophysics by London’s Imperial College (the degree he was seeking when he left school during the band’s first flush of success)

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1966 [47] 1st photograph of Earth from the Moon is taken by ‘Lunar Orbiter’

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1960 [53] World’s largest frog (3.3 kg/7.25 lbs) is caught in Equatorial Guinea

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Dog Day
[Tues] Slow Art Day
[Wed] Venice Film Festival begins (Italy)
[Wed] Radio Commercials Day
[Wed] Crackers Over the Keyboard Day
This Week Is … Minority Enterprise Development Week
This Month Is … Cataract Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

BS SIGNS YOUR FAVORITE BASEBALL TEAM IS STUMBLING:
• Infield chatter limited to: “For the love of God, don’t hit it here!”
• None of the players pick up a bat during BP because they’re afraid of splinters.
• Try as they might, they just can’t scratch themselves like winners.
• Star outfielder spends most of the game trying to get the attention of a beer vendor.
• You recognize the DH as the kid who sold you a hot dog a couple minutes earlier.
• the speed of the ace pitcher’s fastball is measured with an hourglass.
• All the players are forced to attend a clinic called ‘The Lost Art of Getting Hit By a Pitch’.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
You know you are fat when you hug a child and it gets lost.

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Of the 639 named muscles in the human body, which is largest?
a. Gluteus Maximus. [CORRECT. The one in your butt.]
b. Pectoralis Ridiculous.
c. Wangus Minimus.
– BodyBuilding.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ So you’re a 30-something woman at your friend’s wedding and there’s an announcement that it’s ‘that time’ … time for the bouquet-toss. Do you push everyone out of your way, roll up your sleeves as you squat, elbows out, ready to lunge for the flowers – OR – decide there is no better time to go get a drink, then duck quietly outside? Time to dump this outmoded tradition?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Only 1 person in 2 billion will ever see THIS.
Answer: Age 116.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
We learn from history that we do not learn from history.