Friday, December 22, 2023 – Edition: #7624
Have a Remarka-BULL Holiday!
BS SUBSCRIBER NOTE:
The Bull Sheet will not be publishing during the period December 25, 2023 – January 1, 2024, to allow staff an opportunity to enjoy the holidays. All subscribers will receive account credits for non-service days. Following THIS ISSUE, the next Bull Sheet edition will be for Tuesday, January 2nd. Thanks for another great year of BS, and Happy Holidays, all!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Gabrielle Union has hailed Taraji P. Henson for taking care of the “next generation” of black stars. The actress took to social media to praise Henson, who recently revealed that she’s “tired of working so hard” only to receive a “fraction” of her salary. In response to those comments, Gabrielle wrote on X: “Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie. We go TO BAT for the next generation and…even our own generation and above…AND it takes a toll on your mind, health, soul, and career if we’re keepn it 100”. Henson previously revealed that she’s actually thinking of walking away from the movie industry, because she feels “the math ain’t mathing”.
-ContectMusic
★ Jennifer Lopez admits not everyone in her camp initially supported the idea to document her romance with Ben Affleck in her upcoming “This Is Me…Now” album and companion film, but says she “had to do it”. She told Variety: “As artists, we have to follow our heart and this is me following my heart.” She also copped to the fact that she has some worries about putting her and Affleck’s life in the spotlight, because they “both have PTSD” from the media scrutiny they endured back when they first dated, but said “we’re older now. We’re wiser. Lopez will drop This Is Me…Now, marking the 20th anniversary of “This Is Me…Then,” on Feb. 16.
-Variety
★ Tiffany Haddish has pleaded not guilty in her LA DUI case — mirroring her plea to the same charge in Georgia. The comedian was arraigned Wednesday, where she entered “not guilty” pleas to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a .08% BAC. She was arrested in Beverly Hills last month, when cops claim they found her asleep at the wheel — with her car partially blocking the road.
-TMZ
★ The longtime debate over whether or not “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie is officially resolved. The daughters of the film’s star Bruce Willis — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah — all weighed in while filming an Instagram video — and came to a unanimous conclusion. Rumer began, saying: “I’ve collected all three Willis girls”. Scout then cuts in, saying “It’s a f(reaking) Christmas movie. It takes place during Christmas.” The 1988 action film is set at Christmas time, but its plot is not exactly Christmas-y.
-Messenger
★ A brand new “South Park” special has dropped on Paramount+. “South Park: Not Suitable for Children” spoofs OnlyFans. In the trailer, ‘Mr. Skinner’ bursts into his classroom and exclaims they have a problem. The parents of South Park then assemble for a meeting. They shout out, “We’re talking about someone who influences our children!” The official logline reads, “After it’s discovered that a teacher at South Park Elementary has an OnlyFans page, Randy is compelled to take a closer look at the seedy underbelly of the world of on-line influencers.” LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3exyks3x
-Variety
★ Ryan Gosling hasn’t had (K)enough of showing off his musical chops as ‘Ken’ from “Barbie” just yet. He teamed up with the film’s composers, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, to release an EP with 3 new versions of the Grammy-nominated song ‘I’m Just Ken’. The re-worked songs include ‘I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)’, ‘I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic)’, and ‘I’m Just Ken (Purple Disco Machine Remix).’ The original mix is up for a Grammy Award in February for best song written for visual media. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/ynnxayys
-CBC
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Jeremy Allen White, Michael Irvin, Jimmy Fallon, Meghan Trainor (R)
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Cynthia Erivo, Kiefer Sutherland, Jay Jurden
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): TBA
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Governor Gavin Newsom, Danielle Brooks, Alexander Stewart (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Cynthia Nixon, Matt Rogers (R)
• “The Talk” (CBS): Lawrence Saint-Victor, Scott Clifton, Tanner Novlan, Matthew Atkinson and Joshua Hoffman; chef Duff Goldman (R)
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Sharpe Family Singers, Lola and Michael Consuelos, Santa
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Danny DeVito, Lauren Daigle
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Jason Momoa
• “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (ABC): A mailman (voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year. Animated.
• “The 25th Annual A Home for the Holidays” (CBS): Uplifting stories of adoption from foster care, plus performances by Lauren Daigle, Gavin DeGraw, David Foster & Katharine McPhee, Pentatonix and CeCe Winans. Katharine McPhee hosts.
• “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” (NBC): Dolly Parton’s (Alyvia Alyn Lind) father (Ricky Schroder) tries to raise enough money to buy his wife (Jennifer Nettles) a wedding ring, while an unexpected Christmas blizzard poses a threat to the family.
SATURDAY-
• “Night Court” (NBC): Season 2 premiere. Abby enlists Dan on her quest to track down a little girl’s letter to Santa; Gurgs’ gift for Dan isn’t what she expected; Olivia is haunted by a witness who believes herself to be the Ghost of Christmas Present.
• “NFL Football” (Check local listings): Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Host Nate Bargatze; Foo Fighters perform (R)
SUNDAY-
• “The Simpsons” (Fox): Homer and Bart become kings of the blue-collar sports circuit, but Marge suspects something dishonest at the core of their father-son bond.
• “It’s a Wonderful Life” (NBC): Ruined by a miser (Lionel Barrymore) on Christmas Eve, a suicidal family man (James Stewart) sees life anew, thanks to his guardian angel.
• “Home Alone” (ABC): Accidentally left home by his Paris-bound family, an 8-year-old (Macaulay Culkin) makes mincemeat of 2 burglars (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Drake – recruited Morgan Wallen to co-star in his new video for ‘You Broke My Heart’. In it, the 2 enjoy dinner together as they boast about cutting their ex-girlfriends out of their lives. After they drive away, their exes detonate a bomb that blows both artists into smithereens. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3w7srmrv
• Billie Eilish — Finneas has teased progress on his sister’s upcoming album. He produced and co-wrote her first 2 albums, and now reports her third is “85 per cent done”. No word on an expected release date for new music.
• Jimi Hendrix — Following The Beatles’ AI-assisted final song ‘Now and Then’, the technology may be utilized to restore previously unheard Hendrix material. Eddie Kramer, the producer in charge of the late guitarist’s archival work, said: “I’m sure if we found another tape [on which] Jimi’s voice is buried, I know I could use something similar.”
• Metallica — Kirk Hammett has revealed the band included a deliberate reference to the iconic “Batman” theme from the 1960s TV series in their song ‘Shadows Follow’. After fans pointed out that a guitar riff has a striking similarity to the music from the show, Hammett admitted that the group referred to it as “The Batman Riff” during recording sessions. LINK (4:20 mark): http://tinyurl.com/mwxzt2du
• Rod Stewart – turned up at a London train station with Jools Holland and an 18-piece band to give an unexpected performance of ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ from their new collaborative album “Swing Fever”. The song was made famous by Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4mb24e99
• Luke Bryan — His family is skipping a beloved tradition this year. “Pranksmas” is the Bryan family’s annual tradition of pulling pranks on each other (all month long), such as gags, jump scares, masks and good old fashioned air horns. His prank-loving wife Caroline decided to forego the fun this year, because it takes a lot of work to think up all those pranks, and as she wrote online: “I’m tired.”
• Gabby Barrett — carries her faith through all aspects of her career, including wardrobe and song selections. Barrett, who is expecting her 3rd child with husband Cade Foehner, told Shay Mooney’s wife, Hannah, on her podcast that she has turned down the chance to record collabs with other artists because they “are just not appropriate to sing wording-wise” to someone other than her husband.
• Ashley McBride — It’s a good thing she’s used to long hours on the road. When asked about her Christmas plans, she pointed out that it’s “6 or 7 hours to mom’s house or dad’s house”, but the drive is definitely worth it – because BBQ. Quote: “My stepdad always makes ribs…No matter what the dishes are going to be, there’s also ribs.”
SHOOTING THE BULL
NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK:
• “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (PG-13, Action/Fantasy): After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance. (Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson) No Tomatometer rating
• “Anyone But You” (R, Comedy/Romance): After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s attraction turns ice cold – until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a destination wedding in Australia. So, they do what any 2 mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple. (Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp) No Tomatometer rating
• “The Iron Claw” (R, Biography/Drama): The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. (Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Maura Tierney) Tomatometer: 88%
• “Migration” (PG, Animation/Comedy): A family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. (Elizabeth Banks, Carol Kane, Awkwafina, Danny DeVito) Tomatometer: 71%
WHO INVITED SCROOGE?
Four in 10 of us say they are ‘downsizing’ their holiday celebrations this year – by making do with decorations from Christmas past and setting limits when it comes to spending. In a poll of 2,000 US adults who celebrate Christmas, 51% said they’ve cut their budgets this year, but don’t want to compromise too much. With that in mind, 16% of parents are not getting gifts for each other so they can spend more on the kids, and 24% have decided not to buy presents for people outside of their immediate family. 18% made the decision not to send Christmas cards this year, and 20% have put a limit on presents. And even Christmas dinner is taking a hit. One in 10 said they bought a smaller turkey, and about 12% decided that Christmas crackers aren’t necessary this year.
(You mean some people still send Christmas cards? Hmmmm…)
(As a guy who looks really stupid wearing that paper crown you get with a Christmas cracker, might I be so bold to say that Christmas crackers aren’t necessary ANY year?)
-SWNS
NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ A 103-year-old artificial Christmas tree was auctioned for more than $4,000 in England. The tree was brought to Dorothy Grant’s family home when she was 8 years old in 1920, and became a staple of her holidays every year until her death at the age of 101. The tree, which features 25 branches, 12 berries and 6 mini candle holders, is believed to be one of the first mass-produced artificial Christmas trees and was likely purchased by Grant’s mother at Woolworth’s in London. Hansons Auctioneers says the 2.5-foot-tall (76cm) tree, described as the “humblest Christmas tree in the world,” sold for a total of $4,296.13. (Humblest tree in the world? These people have just not seen me try to decorate!)
➢ A couple who thought they purchased $10,000 worth of Walt Disney theme park gift cards for a family vacation later discovered they were for Disney’s online streaming service, Disney+. All $10,000 worth. TikTok’er Andie Coston revealed in a now-viral video that her parents had been planning to take 16 family members on a family vacation this Christmas, and went online to purchase $10,000 in gift cards to Disney parks and restaurants. But when they tried using the cards to book the Disney trip, they realized they’d accidentally bought a lifetime’s worth of gift cards for the company’s streaming service, Disney+. The good news? Following a deluge of comments and suggestions, Disney reached out to the family and were able to “turn the $10,000 of Disney streaming gift cards into $10,000 of Disney Parks gift cards.” (Which they’ll be able to use to enjoy one admission and one hot dog each!) LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3xfnytcw
-UPI, Today
SPOTIFY’S MOST-STREAMED CHRISTMAS SONGS OF ALL-TIME (globally):
1. ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ – Mariah Carey (1.5 billion streams)
2. ‘Last Christmas’ – Wham! (1.2b)
3. ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ – Brenda Lee (950 million)
4. ‘Santa Tell Me’ – Ariana Grande (913m)
5. ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas’ – Michael Bublé (880m)
6. ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ – Bobby Helms (827m)
7. ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ – Andy Williams (729m)
8 ‘Mistletoe’ – Justin Bieber (680m)
9. ‘Feliz Navidad’ — José Feliciano (567m)
10. ‘Underneath the Tree’ – Kelly Clarkson (542m)
-Spotify, AZMedia
DID YOU KNOW?
Most cars have 3 colors of lights on the outside: White for headlights and reverse lights, red for brake lights and rear lights and amber for turn signals. But Mercedes-Benz has just received approval to add a 4th color: turquoise blue lights that indicate the vehicle is driving itself. Only California and Nevada have approved the new light color – the 2 states where Mercedes’ “conditionally autonomous” Drive Pilot technology is legal. Drive Pilot can be used in traffic jams on some highways when vehicles are traveling less than 40mph (60pkh). The lights will signify that the driver may have taken their feet off the pedals, let go of the steering wheel and (unlike other driver assistance systems) completely taken their eyes off the road.
-CNN
BS CHRONOMETER 12.22.23
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Abilities Day”, first celebrated in 1999 to honor disabled people and their care-givers. It is also a time to recognize that we all have abilities and disabilities of various kinds. Today, show your solidarity by wearing a white ribbon, or by placing them on Christmas trees and wreaths.
• “Date Nut Bread Day”, celebrating the rich loaf that is moist and delicious, and great toasted for breakfast. Sort of like Christmas cake, only half the weight.
• “Cookie Exchange Day”, cookie exchanges/swaps/parties are loads of fun and pretty simple to put together. Whip up a batch or 2 of your favorite tried-and-true homemade cookies, or try that brand new recipe you’ve been eyeing, and share or trade with your friends, family, or co-workers (if they last that long…).
SATURDAY-
• “Festivus”, created in 1966 but little-known until it was mentioned in a “Seinfeld” episode in 1997. It’s dedicated to celebrating the season without the pressure and commercialism of traditional holidays. (Can we start with the airing of grievances?) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y83s2osr
• “Super Saturday”. Also known as “Panic Saturday”, it is the last Saturday before Christmas or Christmas Eve, a major day of revenue for retailers, marking the end of the shopping season which began on Black Friday. You might find some major mark-downs, if you dare to brave the crowds!
• “HumanLight”, a Humanist holiday celebrated on December 23rd. Like “Kwanzaa”, it’s a modern invention, celebrating a positive approach to the coming new year.
• “Noche de Rabano” (Night of the Radishes) in Oaxaca (‘wah-HAH-kah’), Mexico, when figurines are cleverly carved … from radishes. How festive! LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y6wfhezz
• “Pfeffernüsse Day”, a salute to the tiny spice cookies that are popular as a holiday treat in Denmark, Germany, and The Netherlands, as well as among Mennonites in North America.
• “Roots Day”, a day to celebrate your heritage. Many of us are returning to our roots as we head home for Christmas, bringing us a cozy, comfortable feeling, and a sense of belonging.
SUNDAY-
• “Christmas Eve”, a family gift-giving occasion in many countries, it refers to the evening or entire day before Christmas Day. Together, the 2 days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christianity and Western society. (***See “BS Phone Starter”, below***)
• “Egg Nog Day”, celebrating the seasonal rum or brandy drink that has nothing good for you in it, but sure tastes good. A coffee spiked with egg nog and brandy is called a ‘tom-tom’. (My family simply refers to it as “Yule-fuel!”)
• “Last Minute Shopper’s Day”, celebrate by going out and purchasing any last-minute gifts or other items you need before Christmas. (See you there!)
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1945 [78] Diane Sawyer, Glasgow KY, TV news anchor (“ABC World News Tonight: 2008-2015, “Good Morning America” 1999-2016)
1946 [77] Rick Nielsen, Rockford IL, rock guitarist (Cheap Trick-‘I Want You to Want Me’, ‘Dream Police’)
1962 [61] Ralph Fiennes (***PRON: Rafe Fines***), Suffolk England, movie actor (“Grand Budapest Hotel”, “Harry Potter” films)/stage actor (Tony Award-“Hamlet”) COMING UP…“The Return”, 2024
1972 [51] Vanessa Paradis, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés France, model (Channel)/movie actress (“White Wedding”, “Élisa”)/pop singer/partner of Johnny Depp 1998-2012
1989 [34] Jordin Sparks, Phoenix AZ, pop singer (w/Chris Brown-‘No Air’, ‘Tattoo’)/“American Idol 6″ winner at age 17 in 2007
1991 [32] DaBaby (Jonathan Kirk), Cleveland OH, rapper (‘Suge’, ‘Rockstar’, w/ Dua Lipa-‘Levitating’)
1993 [30] Meghan Trainor, Nantucket MA, pop singer (‘All About That Bass’, ‘Dear Future Husband’)
2000 [23] Joshua Bassett, Oceanside CA, TV actor (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” 2019)/movie actor (“Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again”)/pop singer (‘Lie Lie Lie’)
SATURDAY-
Harry Shearer (voice of ‘Mr. Burns’, ‘Smithers’, on “The Simpsons”) is 80; Susan Lucci “All My Children” is 77; Adrian Belew (guitarist-Bowie, Talking Heads, etc.) is 74; Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) is 59; Estella Warren (“Beauty and the Beast” 2009) is 45; Holly Madison (“The Girls of the Playboy Mansion”) is 44; Finn Wolfhard (“Stranger Things”) is 21
SUNDAY- Dr. Anthony Fauci (US COVID-19 response chief) is 83; Ricky Martin (‘La Vida Loca’) is 52; Stephenie Meyer (author-“Twilight” saga) is 50; Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol”) is 49; Louis Tomlinson (One Direction) is 32
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [17] “Night At the Museum”, starring Ben Stiller, opens in movie theaters (spawns 2 sequels, plus an animated Disney+ sequel)
2007 [16] Jimmy Fallon marries producer Nancy Juvonen in the Caribbean
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2002 [21] The Clash singer Joe Strummer dies in Broomfield, England at 50 of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect
2012 [11] Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood (65) marries his girlfriend, 34-year-old Sally Humphreys (still together)
2014 [09] Joe Cocker dies of lung cancer at 70 in Crawford, Colorado
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2001 [22] Richard Reid unsuccessfully attempts to destroy an American Airlines plane flying from Paris to Miami using explosives hidden in his shoes (following this, passengers are forced to remove their shoes at security for over a decade)
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK CHRISTMAS FACTS:
✓ A fruitcake, properly prepared and stored, will last for 25 years.
✓ The movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a box office flop. It wasn’t until 1974, when its copyright expired and TV networks could air it for free, that it became a beloved Christmas movie.
✓ Paul McCartney earns about $400,000 each year from his song ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, which is widely regarded as his worst song.
✓ Although gingerbread houses date back to the 1600s, the tradition became widespread in Germany after the story of Hansel and Gretel was published in 1812.
✓ In Slovakia, it is a tradition to keep “Christmas Carp” in the family bathtub for a few days before they are eaten.
✓ Before adopting turkey, the traditional Christmas meal in England was a pig’s head covered with mustard.
-Berries, PioneerWoman, PlayBuzz
Best of BS . . .
BS TOP SIGNS YOU’RE SICK OF THE HOLIDAYS:
• You’ve got red and green bags under your eyes
• When you hear, “Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’?” you scream, “No! I’m not listening!”
• You’re busted for running through town wearing nothing but mistletoe
• You’re serving reindeer pot pie
• You climb on your roof and start hosing down Christmas carolers
• You think you hear your Christmas tree taunting you
• You’ve got eggnog coming out of your ears
• Your standard response, “Happy freakin’ holidays to you too”
• You opt to stay in bed until April
-Neloo, first published in BS in 2017
BS CRAZY QUESTIONS FOR AQUAMAN:
(“Aqua-Man and the Lost Kingdom” opens today…)
• Do you drink like a fish or do fish drink like you?
• How long do you stay in the water after eating to avoid cramps?
• Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
• Do you believe in cod?
• Can you find Nemo?
• What do you think of Awkwafina’s performance in Crazy Rich Asians?
• Have you ever met Left Shark?
• Do you feel like a cannibal every time you eat a tuna sandwich?
• 24/7 shrinkage or nah?
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Just days until Christmas, and I haven’t even started my shopping yet. (Why? I’m still patiently awaiting Gwyneth Paltrow’s instructions on exactly what to purchase!)
➠ Doritos has unveiled a nacho cheese flavored booze. (It’s that perfect romantic gift for what is most certainly your last date…)
➠ Health experts are saying that a good diet and exercise can help cure diabetes for some people. (In other words, there is no cure for diabetes…)
➠ This week marks the 120th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. (It sailed awkwardly for moments, before landing far, far from its destination. Sorry. Thinking of a pass by Josh Allen!)
➠ Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris says she was inspired to be an actress because of her father. (And the producers of her new movie say they were inspired to cast her because she’s Michael Jackson’s daughter!)
BS WEB GOODIE:
Hopefully not how your Christmas morning goes (sound up): http://tinyurl.com/2x3c75rs
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Nothing’s as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas.
BS PHONE STARTER:
What is your absolute best Christmas memory?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: If you go home for the holidays, stats show there is a 1 in 3 chance THIS will end up happening. What is it?
Answer: You’ll sleep in your childhood bedroom
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. – Andy Rooney
