Friday, December 22, 2006 Edition: #3436
‘Twas The Sheet Before Christmas …
Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s Issue
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY former “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken guest-stars as himself on the long-running daytime drama “Days of Our Lives” (NBC/Global), singing “Everything I Have” as part of a private concert for soap characters ‘Steve’ and ‘Kayla’ . . . For once, 25-year-old Paris Hilton has actually done something smart – signing up for acting lessons before heading to the set of the upcoming romantic comedy movie “The Hottie and the Nottie” which, unlike her role in “House of Wax”, does not include a stake through her skull (now if she’d just take singing lessons!) . . . A CNN honcho says 73-year-old TV talk show icon Larry King (“Larry King Live” since 1985), who’s currently hauling in $7-million-per-year through 2009, will NOT have a replacement when he retires (even though Diane Sawyer, Bob Costas and Ryan Seacrest have all been linked to the gig) . . . Walt Disney’s Burbank CA studios will return to producing the traditional, hand-drawn animation used in Disney’s older classics, leaving computer-animated features to the company’s Pixar division . . . To get down to a size ‘0‘ for her role as Edie Sedgwick in the new movie “Factory Girl”, 24-year-old actress Sienna Miller says she went on a ‘vodka diet’ (hard to gain weight when you’re steering the big white bus every night) . . . The original Los Angeles recording studio owned by the late great Ray Charles is going to be turned into a memorial library in his honor, complete with production equipment so that musicians can create new material . . . ABC has green-lighted an American version of the over-the-top British TV soap “Footballers’ Wives” which will be called “Football Wives” and focus on the spouses of NFL stars . . . And apparently what she really wants to do is sing – a rumor is floating around the Web that actress Halle Berry is getting set to record a record (2 words to think about, Halle: William Shatner).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Beyoncé/Jennifer Hudson – TODAY the stars of “Dreamgirls” are guests on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” (syndicated/CTV).
• Daryl Hall & John Oates – TONIGHT they’re on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC).
• Goo Goo Dolls – TONIGHT they guest on “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC).
• Neil Young – TOMORROW he’s the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC), hosted by Jack Black (“The Holiday”).
• Rod Stewart – TONIGHT on his 8th annual TV special “Home for the Holidays” (CBS), his guests include John Legend, Five for Fighting and Katharine McPhee.
• Twisted Sister – TONIGHT the classic rockers do “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS).
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The Good Shepherd” ( R-Rated Thriller ): The story of the history and evolution of the CIA as seen through the eyes of one of its founding officers (Matt Damon) and revealing the toll his spy games took on his home life. Directed by Robert De Niro. Co-stars Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, William Hurt, and Joe Pesci.
NET: http://www.thegoodshepherdmovie.com/
• “Night at the Museum” ( PG Fantasy Comedy ): Ben Stiller plays a dim-witted guy who is hired on at the Museum of Natural History as the nighttime security guard. Tipped off by a pair of day-shift old-timers (Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney), his first night on the job is full of surprises as the humans and animals on display come to life, looking for trouble. Co-stars Carla Gugino, Ricky Gervais (UK version of “The Office”), and Robin Williams in a small role.
NET: http://www.nightatthemuseum.com/
• “We Are Marshall” ( PG Sports Drama ): After a plane crash claims the lives of most of a college football team, the new coach (Matthew McConaughey), his surviving players, and the school’s dean (David Strathairn) try to keep the program alive. Based on real-life events at Marshall University in Huntington WV in 1970. The film’s title is taken from the school’s most popular cheer at sporting events.
NET: http://wearemarshall-themovie.warnerbros.com/
CHRISTMAS DAY MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Black Christmas” ( R-Rated Horror Thriller ): A remake of the 1974 horror movie of the same name about a group of sorority sisters who, after being harassed by menacing phone-calls, begin to die one-by-one during Christmas break. Cast includes Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert and Andrea Martin. Shot entirely in Vancouver.
NET: http://www.blackchristmas.com/
• “Dreamgirls” ( PG-13 Musical Drama ): Loosely based on the career of Motown’s Supremes, this is the story of a trio of soul singers who cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s. The movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical was supposed to be Beyoncé’s star vehicle, but it’s former “American Idol” finalist Jennifer Hudson who’s getting the Oscar buzz for her performance as ‘Effie White’. What’s being billed as the biggest movie musical since “Chicago” also stars Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Danny Glover.
NET: http://www.dreamgirlsmovie.com/
NO PLACE LIKE HOME?
In their book “50 Reasons Not to Go Home For the Holidays”, authors Monica Sheehan & Tina Klem list some of the many things that persuade people to forego a traditional family get-together and head for the tropics this time of year. Among them …
• The dog’s welcome is much warmer than your family’s.
• Your childhood bedroom is now the home office.
• You still have to sit at the ‘kid’s table’.
– “Social Studies”
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• The words ‘assassination’ and ‘bump’ were invented by William Shakespeare.
• The most common name in Italy is ‘Mario Rossi’.
• The month in which you’re most likely to die from poisoning, falling or in a fire is DECEMBER. (So happy holidays, eh?)
THE BULL SHEET 12.22.06
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1945 [61] Diane Sawyer, Glasgow KY, TV news anchor (“Good Morning America” since 1999, “20/20” since 1998)
1949 [57] Robin Gibb, Isle of Man, oldies singer (Bee Gees-“Stayin’ Alive”, “I Started a Joke”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1997)
1960 [46] Chuck Mead, Nevada MO, alt-country singer/guitarist (BR5-49-“Cherokee Boogie”, “Even If It’s Wrong”)
1962 [44] Ralph Fiennes [pronounced ‘Rafe Fanes’], Suffolk UK, movie actor (“Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire”, “The Constant Gardener”)
SATURDAY –
TV actor-comedian Harry Shearer (“The Simpsons”) is 63; TV actress Susan Lucci (“All My Children”) is 60; Rock singer Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam is) 42.
SUNDAY –
TV actor Mark Valley (“Boston Legal”) is 42; Pop singer Ricky Martin (“La Vida Loca”) is 35; TV/radio host Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol”) is 32.
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Capricorn the Goat” astrology sign begins.
• “International Arbor Day”. What a great time of year to honor trees … just as we’re killing them and dragging them into our homes!
• “Solstice Synchronized Global Orgasm for World Peace”, the 1st annual attempt to join the world’s citizens in a simultaneous orgasm combined with thoughts of peace and love for all humankind. This is the brainwave of San Francisco CA peace activists Donna Sheehan (76) and Paul Reffell (55). The mission of the event is to effect change in the energy field of the Earth through input of the largest possible surge of human energy. Alrighty then!
NET: http://globalorgasm.org/
• “Winter” begins officially at 7:22 pm EST. In the Southern Hemisphere, here comes Summer!
SATURDAY –
• “Account of a Visit from St Nicholas” (better known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”) by Clement C Moore was first published in the “Troy (NY) Sentinel” 183 years ago TODAY (1823).
• “Noche de Rabano” (“Night of the Radishes”) in Oaxaca (wah-HAH-kah), Mexico, when figurines are cleverly carved … from radishes. How festive!
NET: http://www.christmas-in-oaxaca.com/night-of-radish.htm
SUNDAY –
• “Christmas Eve”, the family gift-giving occasion in many countries.
• “Egg Nog Day”, to which we say … ye-haw!
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1990 [16] Pearl Jam performs for the 1st time, using the name ‘Mookie Blaylock’ as the opening act for Alice in Chains in Seattle WA
2000 [06] 42-year-old Madonna and 32-year-old movie director Guy Ritchie wed at Skibo Castle in the highlands of Scotland
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1882 [124] 1st string of ‘Christmas Tree Lights’ created in Thomas Edison’s labs (just 3 years after invention of the light bulb, the original tree lights are red, white & blue)
1956 [50] Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown is 1st to use a helmet radio to communicate with his quarterback but his NFL opponents, the NY Giants, tune in the frequency and intercept plays to win
1980 [26] 1st album released with absolutely no sound (“The Wit & Wisdom of Ronald Reagan”)
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Dec 25] Christmas Day / “Black Christmas” opens in movie theaters
[Dec 26] Kwanzaa begins / Boxing Day / Whiner’s Day / Recyclable Packaging Day / Awful Tie Day
[Dec 27] Fruitcake Day
[Dec 28] Card Playing Day
[Dec 30] Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute
[Dec 31] New Year’s Eve / Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice (Islam) / Make Up Your Mind Day / World Peace Meditation
[Jan 1] New Year’s Day / 118th Tournament of Roses Parade
[Jan 2] Orange Bowl (Miami FL)
[Jan 3] Full (Wolf) Moon
[Jan 4] Trivia Day
[Jan 5] Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday (Sikh)
[Jan 6] Epiphany or Three Kings Day (Christian) / International Respect For Living Day / National Smith Day / Show & Tell Day at Work
[Jan 7] Orthodox Christmas / Old Rock Day / I’m Not Going to Take It Anymore Day / Organize Your Home Day
[Jan 8] NCAA BCS National Title Football Game (Phoenix AZ) / Thank God It’s Monday Day / Elvis Presley’s Birthday / Bubble Bath Day / Eat Something Raw Day / Volunteer Fireman’s Day / Clean-Off-Your-Desk Day
[Jan 9] 33rd People’s Choice Awards / Play God Day
[Jan 10] BS Egg Balancing Day / Peculiar People Day
[Jan 11] Tattoo Pride Day / International Thank-Yous Days
[Jan 12] 12th Critics Choice Awards / Pharmacists Day
[Jan 13] Make Your Dream Come True Day
[Jan 14] Season premiere of “24” (FOX) / Assembly Line Worker’s Day / Dress Up Your Pet Day
[Jan 15] Martin Luther King Day (USA) / 64th Golden Globe Awards / Fresh Squeezed Juice Day / Hat Day / World Religion Day
[Jan 16] “American Idol 6” season premiere (FOX) / Hot & Spicy Food International Day / Human Relations Day / Elementary School Teachers Day
[Jan 17] Get to Know Your Customer Day
[Jan 18] Winnie the Pooh Day
[Jan 18-28] 2007 Sundance Film Festival
[Jan 19] International Sing-Out Day / Penguin Awareness Day
[Jan 20] Muharram (Islamic New Year) / 18th Producers Guild of America Awards (LA) / Philately Day
[Jan 21] Hugging Day / Squirrel Appreciation Day
[Jan 22] Answer Your Cat’s Question Day / Speak Up & Succeed Day / Rid the World of Fad Diets Day
[Jan 23] Academy Award nominations announced / Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day / Handwriting Day / Measure Your Feet Day / Compliment Day
[Jan 24] Women’s Healthy Weight Day
[Jan 25] Opposite Day / 7th International Internet-Free Day / Robbie Burns Day / School Nurse Day
[Jan 26] Australia Day / Fun At Work Day / Punch the Clock Day
[Jan 27] Thomas Crapper Day / Family Literacy Day
[Jan 28] 4th Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction / Kazoo Day / Clash Day / International Make Your Point Day
[Jan 29] 2007 Miss America Pageant (Las Vegas NV) / Corn Chip Day
[Jan 30] Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
[Jan 31] Backwards Day
[Feb 2] Groundhog Day / Full (Snow) Moon
[Feb 3 ] 59th Directors Guild of America Awards
[Feb 4] Super Bowl XLI (Miami FL) / Midpoint of Winter / Carnival Season begins
[Feb 7] “Lost” returns (ABC)
[Feb 11] 49th Grammy Awards (LA)
[Feb 14] Valentines Day
[Feb 18] Chinese New Year
[Feb 20] Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day / Mardi Gras
[Feb 21] Ash Wednesday
[Feb 23] Canada Winter Games begin (Whitehorse YT)
[Feb 25 ] 79th Academy Awards
BULL’S BITS
TRUTH OR URBAN MYTH?
• The suicide rate increases significantly during the holiday season. [MYTH]
• ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ was created for Montgomery Ward department stores. [TRUE]
• Two of Santa’s reindeer were originally named ‘Dunder’ and ‘Blixem’ not ‘Donner’ and ‘Blitzen’. [TRUE]
• The name of ”Boxing Day” comes from the need to rid the house of empty boxes the day after Christmas. [MYTH]
• Christmas cards date to 1843. [TRUE]
• German and British front-line soldiers sang carols, exchanged gifts, and played soccer during a World War I Christmas truce. [TRUE]
• Poinsettia plants are poisonous to humans. [MYTH]
• In Canada, Santa’s postal code is H0H 0H0. [TRUE]
– Snopes.com
BS RANDOM JOKE:
It’s not whether you win or lose. What counts is whether I win or lose.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: A survey in “TIME” magazine finds that 8% of men and 21% of women do THIS during the holiday season.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Shed tears. (Aww, cheer up … it’s almost over with!)
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy.
Thanks for another successful year in 2006. “The Bull Sheet” returns JANUARY 3rd. Happy Holidays, all!