Subscribe Today – Don’t Be Scared Sheetless!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
NYC’s largest record store, Virgin Megastore’s US flagship in Times Square, is closing down in April (the long goodbye to CDs continues) . . . British impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber is shopping around several videogame titles based on his mega-hit musicals (somehow we don’t see geeky 14-year-old boys giving up “Grand Theft Auto” for “Cats”) . . . Acting couple Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner have dubbed their new daughter ‘Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck’ (only scores a 2 on the Hollywood ‘Stupid Baby Name Scale’) . . . Actor Matthew Fox tells “Details” magazine that he’s actually relieved his TV series “Lost” (ABC) is nearing its end (join the club, dude) . . . 25-year-old movie actress Kate Bosworth (“21“) tells “Stella” magazine that since she’s become a brunette, she’s taken ‘a little more seriously’ (a small step up from out-and-out dismissal) . . . New “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi (that’s ‘CARE-uh’) has become engaged to former teacher-turned-contractor Mike McCuddy (can’t wait for the wedding – we can pronounce ‘McCuddy’). . . We thought they hated each other, but word has it there’s talk of former “Moonlighting” co-stars Bruce Willis & Cybill Shepherd (1985-89) doing a reunion TV-movie (would you wanna watch a 58-year-old ‘witch’ flirting with a 53-year-old bald guy?) . . . And as if the “Sex & The City” sequel isn’t a bad idea already, now star Sarah Jessica Parker reportedly wants to cast Britney Spears in it to play a young relative of ‘Carrie Bradshaw’(they could never be related – Spears doesn’t have a prominent muzzle, elongated withers or emaciated hindquarters).
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/A Channel) – Alt-rockers Live (“Forever”) perform.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Puddle Of Mudd (“Psycho”) is featured.
• “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS) – Scots rockers Glasvegas are on.
• “Sundance Film Festival” – The 25th edition of Robert Redford’s indie flick fest opens in Park City UT and reels through January 25th. Each year 200 films are selected from over 9,000 submissions. The 2009 lineup features numerous films about the music biz, including “When You’re Strange”, a documentary following The Doors; “Afghan Star”, about the Afghani version of “American Idol”; “It Might Get Loud”, an exploration of electric guitar featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White; and “The Carter”, a documentary about rapper Lil’ Wayne.
NET: http://festival.sundance.org/2009
• “Thank You, Hillary: A Salute to Hillary Clinton” – This fundraiser at NYC’s Town Hall (subtitled “A Final Evening in Support of Hillary Clinton for President Debt Relief”) attempts to clear the $6-million-plus tab rung up by Clinton’s campaign. Bon Jovi and a motivational speaker by the name of Bill Clinton are the highlights.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel) – Rock band Mutemath (“Control”) is onstage.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• “Change Is Now: Renewing America’s Promise” – This ‘commemorative CD/DVD set’ is being released in collaboration with the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The 18-track recording features Death Cab For Cutie, Jennifer Hudson, Melissa Etheridge, Will.i.Am, and Usher, plus excerpts from President-elect Obama’s speeches. It’s retailing as a collectible at $30.
• Cheap Trick – The iconic rock band is close to finalizing a headlining deal with the Las Vegas Hilton that would have them performing The Beatles’ epic album, “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, live with a full orchestra. They previously performed the classic in its entirety at LA’s Hollywood Bowl in Summer ‘07.
• KISS – Teaser ads seem to confirm they’ll be performing at an outdoor show in Halifax, Nova Scotia this summer. That would seem to indicate that their threat of another tour is for real.
• Lil’ Kim – She’s released a statement voicing displeasure with how she’s portrayed in “Notorious”, the new movie based on the life of Notorious BIG (opening Friday). She claims there are many falsehoods in the film and it does not reflect the true relationship between her and the late rapper. (Worried about your sterling rep being ruined, hon’?)
FUTURE FLICKS:
• “Astro Boy” – The now-shooting CGI-animated adaptation of the manga classic features the voices of Kristen Bell (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) & Nicolas Cage (“National Treasure”). 16-year-old Brit actor Freddie Highmore voices the title character, a sort of sci-fi ‘Pinocchio’. The film will be in theaters this October.
• “Cleo” – Aussie actor Hugh Jackman has now pulled out of this Roman-era epic and will no longer play Catherine Zeta-Jones’ love interest in the big-budget 3-D musical. Jackman was director Steven Soderbergh’s first choice to play ‘Mark Antony’ in his film about the life and loves of Egyptian queen Cleopatra. (Sometimes you just know it ain’t gonna work.)
• “Crowley” – Brendan Fraser & Harrison Ford will star in this medical drama based on the true story of a couple who refused to give up hope of saving their 2 children suffering from a rare, untreatable genetic disorder. Shooting is slated to begin in April for a 2010 release.
• “Karate Kid” – Jackie Chan is in talks to star in this remake of the 1984 hit, taking on the role of mentor ‘Mr Miyagi’, the character made famous by the late Pat Morita. Jaden Smith, son of actor Will Smith, has already been cast as the boy to be mentored by the martial arts expert. Filming is scheduled to begin next year in Beijing.
• “Watchmen” – Starring Billy Crudup & Patrick Wilson, director Zack Snyder’s upcoming movie is based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel, widely held as one of the greatest comics ever written. It’s scheduled for a March release but is in jeopardy of being delayed by a rights dispute between 20th Century Fox & Warner Bros. If a settlement isn’t reached by January 20th, it may have to go to trial. (It’ll bet settled … too much money on the line not to be.)
REFEATHERING THE NEST:
The painful ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’ experienced by many parents as their children grow up and leave home is getting an antidote from an odd source – the recession. Studies show a growing number of adult offspring are returning home thanks to joblessness, foreclosure, and/or the high cost-of-living. Census figures suggest that 55% of males & 48% of females aged 18-to-24 live with their parents. Those numbers are expected to go up as living with parents has become a more acceptable alternative and increasing numbers return to their parental homes. (At what age does it become elderly parents living in a kid’s home?)
– “Globe & Mail”
TRULY GROSS INCOME:
Results of the just-released ‘Ultimate Top 10′, a ranking of the overall annual income of musical acts combining sales of concert tickets, albums, and digital downloads (rounded to the nearest million) …
10. Rascal Flatts ($77 million)
9. Jonas Brothers ($78 million)
8. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ($79 million)
7. Bon Jovi ($81 million)
6. Coldplay ($82 million)
5. AC/DC ($82 million)
4. Eagles ($91 million)
3. Kenny Chesney ($96 million)
2. Celine Dion ($107 million)
1. Madonna ($120 million)
– “Los Angeles Times”
TRUE LOVE WAYS:
Researchers at Stony Brook University on Long Island NY have scanned the brains of couples who’ve been together for 20 years and compared them with those of new lovers. They’ve found that about 1-in-10 of the mature couples exhibit the same chemical reactions when shown photos of their partners as those who’ve recently fallen in love. Previous research suggested the first stages of romantic love, the roller-coaster ride of mood swings and obsessions known as ‘limerence’, begin to fade within about 15 months. But this new study shows that, at least for a small number of couples, the passion persists even after 2 decades. (Awwww.)
– “Times of London”
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE:
Psychologists at the UK’s University of Nottingham say that men with large vocabularies often flaunt their language skills … as a sexual display. Experiments show that romance-primed men use more unusual words, often unknowingly. The researchers think this may be because intelligence is a sign of genetic fitness, so it’s an innate urge for men to show off how well equipped they are. Bottom line: Men who have a way with words also have their way with women. (In our multitudinous experience, we can unequivocally concur.)
– “Psychology Today”
DID YOU KNOW?
Amazing facts about the amazing human body …
• Your heart beats 101,000 times a day. During your lifetime it will beat about 3 billion times and pump about 400 million litres (800 million pints) of blood.
• Your mouth produces 1 litre (1.8 pints) of saliva a day.
• On average, people can hold their breath for about 1 minute. The world record is 15 minutes, 2 seconds.
• You breathe 23,000 times a day on average.
• The average person speaks close to 5,000 words a day, although almost 80% of speaking is self-talk … talking to yourself.
– DidYouKnow.org
BS CHRONOMETER 01.15.09
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1947 [62] Andrea Martin, Portland ME, movie actress (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”)/former TV comedian (Emmy Award-“SCTV”)/stage actress (Tony Award-“My Favorite Year”)
1968 [41] Chad Lowe, Dayton OH, TV actor (“24“ 2007, Emmy-“Life Goes On” 1991-93)/movie actor (“Unfaithful”)/wed to actress Hilary Swank (1997-2006)/brother of actor Rob Lowe
1978 [31] Eddie Cahill, NYC, TV actor (‘Detective Don Flack’ on “CSI: New York” since 2004)
1979 [30] Drew Brees, Austin TX, NFL quarterback (New Orleans Saints, ex-San Diego Chargers)/Offensive Player Of the Year (2008)
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Fresh Squeezed Juice Day”. So what’s your preference … Orange? Grapefruit? Tomato? Red Man Chaw?
• “Hat Day”, a day to dispel the boredom of mid-winter by wearing the goofiest hat you can find. Always hilarious on radio.
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1987 [22] 1st ad on a home video release appears on “Top Gun”, a 30-second Diet Pepsi spot (DVDs now come with oodles of commercials, a half-hour of trailers, and about 87 features on the making of the movie)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1994 [15] Pop singer Harry Nilsson (“Everybody’s Talkin’”, “Without You”) dies of a heart attack at age 53
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1892 [117] James Naismith’s ‘Rules of Basketball’ 1st published in the Springfield MA “Y Triangle” magazine
1967 [42] 1st ‘Super Bowl’ (although it isn’t called that until 2 years later) as 61,946 fans pay 10 bucks a ticket to watch legendary coach Vince Lombardi‘s Green Bay Packers beat the KC Chiefs 35-10 in LA (MVP is Packer QB Bart Starr)
2001 [08] ‘Wikipedia’, the free content encyclopedia, 1st goes online
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1983 [26] Tom Syles of Van Nuys CA sets world record by keeping a single Life Saver in tact in his mouth for 7 hours, 10 minutes
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] Hot & Spicy Food International Day
[Fri] Human Relations Day
[Fri] Elementary School Teachers Day
[Fri] “Defiance”; “Hotel for Dogs”; ”My Bloody Valentine 3-D”; “Notorious”, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Get to Know Your Customer Day
[Sun] Winnie the Pooh Day
[Mon] Martin Luther King Day (USA)
This Week Is … International Printing Week
This Month Is … Clean Up Your Computer Month
BULL’S BITS
THE BS WOMAN’S GUIDE TO MAN-SPEAK:
What they say … what they actually mean –
• “Let’s take your car.” …“Mine is full of beer cans.”
• “Good idea!” …“It’ll never work.”
• “That’s interesting, hon’.” …“You still talking?”
• “It would take too long to explain.” …“I have no idea how it works.”
• “Can I help with dinner?” …“Why isn’t it already on the table?”
• “I’m getting more exercise lately.” …“The batteries in the remote are dead.”
• “You expect too much of me!” …“You want me to stay awake.”
• “I broke up with her.” …“She dumped me.”
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• You’ve just experienced ‘pandiculation’. What the heck happened?
a. You yawned. [CORRECT. Not just any yawn, but that big yawn combined with a stretching of the arms, often performed just after waking up.]
b. You got fired.
c. You grew your first mustache.
– “Syracuse Post-Standard”
• Your grandmother is experiencing ‘eugeria’. What’s going on?
a. Fear of staircases.
b. Hallucinations due to the onset of dementia.
c. Normal and happy old age. [CORRECT.]
– “In a Word”
MORE BS MOVIE CLICHÉS:
Why is it in movies that –
• During all police investigations, it will be necessary to visit a strip club at least once.
• Even when they are alone, all foreigners prefer to speak English to each other.
• It’s easy for anyone to land a plane providing there is someone to talk them down.
• The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.
• A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty.
• All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large LED read-outs so you know exactly when they are going to go off.
• Medieval peasants have perfect teeth.
• It is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting.
BS RANDOM JOKE:
One good thing about repeating your mistakes is that you know when to cringe.
BS PHONE STARTER:
You are given a choice between having a sizzling sex life or … $5-million cash. Which do you pick? (In a “Redbook” poll, fully 78% of guys say they’d take the money and run!)
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: Research shows that a woman performs an extra 7 hours of housework per week if she does THIS.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Gets married. (According to University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, men who marry lose an hour’s worth of cooking & cleaning but women end up doing more work around the house.)
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
People who live in stone houses shouldn’t throw glasses.