Monday, January 13, 2025 – Edition: #7870
Thanks For Being On Our Sheet List!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ James Woods says he has experienced a miracle. The actor revealed his home in the Pacific Palisades area of LA has survived the devastating wildfire that continues to ravage the upscale neighborhood. He was evacuated last week, and was later reduced to tears while speaking about what he believed to be his destroyed home in an interview with CNN. But it all changed on Friday when he was able to visit his property line — and spotted his house still standing amid the rubble. He shared on X: “A miracle has happened. We managed to get to our property and our home, that we were told is gone forever, is still standing.” Woods said the word “standing” is relative, but the smoke and other damage “is not like the utter destruction around us.”
-NYPost
★ Paris Hilton is forking over a nice chunk of change to help those impacted by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. The socialite posted a message to Instagram, guaranteeing she’ll donate $100,000 to support anyone who was displaced when their home burned to the ground. She’ll also match up to an additional $100,000 from other contributors. Hilton also said her heart is with those who not only lost their homes like she did, but also their most cherished possessions and sense of stability. She started the emergency fund through her nonprofit — 11:11 Media Impact. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2ze844xt
★ “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” — starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. – bounced “Mufasa: The Lion King” from the top of the weekend office. The action crime thriller earned an estimated $15 million in its opening weekend domestically, toppling the king – Mufasa: The Lion King – from its perch at the top of the box office since the 5-day Christmas weekend. Projections show Disney’s live-action prequel to its 2019 remake of “The Lion King” earned about $13.2 million over the weekend.
-Forbes
★ Timothée Chalamet has hosted “Saturday Night Live” before, but he’s never been the show’s musical guest — until now. The actor will return to 30 Rock on Jan. 25, this time serving as host — and his own musical guest. Chalamet is fresh off portraying Bob Dylan, in James Mangold’s biopic “A Complete Unknown” – for which “The Dune” actor did all of his own vocals. Chalamet first hosted SNL in 2020, and did so again 3 years later. Dave Chappelle will host the show for his 4th time on Jan. 18, with musical guest GloRilla.
★ Will Ferrell appeared on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast and finally explained why he revived ‘Buddy the Elf’ at a hockey game. He went viral for dressing as his iconic character while attending the Dec. 29 NHL game between the LA Kings and Philadelphia Flyers. But this iteration of Buddy came with a cigarette dangling from his mouth and a beer in hand. Ferrel explained that he and his wife are season ticket holders, with seats “right on the glass.” He felt: “It would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette and I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.’” According to him, “The reaction was insane!” with people wondering: “What is he doing? Is he promoting something? But occasionally I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.”
-Variety
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): TBA
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Bad Bunny, Karla Sofía Gascón, Linus Sebastian
• “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): David Schwimmer, Kwame Alexander
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Graham Norton, Alex Wagner
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): TBA
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Robbie Williams, Julia Stiles
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Host Jon Stewart
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Brooke Shields
• “Today” (NBC): Taraji P. Henson co-hosts; Christian Siriano
• “GMA3” (ABC): Gina Rodriguez, Jamila Robinson, Ramit Sethi
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Brooke Shields, Rachel Rogers
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): “What I’m Loving” hour
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Glenn Close, SZA
• “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Zachary Quinto, Aloe Blacc
• “The Neighborhood” (CBS): Tina’s newly single father visits; Dave and Gemma try to curb their spending so they can afford to send Grover to a private high school. (R)
• “Baylen Out Loud” (TLC): Series premiere. Baylen Dupree is a young adult living with Tourette Syndrome. Ready to be an independent adult, she tries to navigate a world full of triggers and danger.
• “NFL Football” (ABC, ESPN, TSN): NFC wild-card: Minnesota Vikings vs LA Rams (@ Arizona)
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Weeknd – ‘Blinding Lights’ has been named Billboard’s #1 of the 21st Century. The survey is based on performance on the Billboard Hot 100 from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024. The song reigns thanks to a record 57-week run on the top 10 in 2020-21, and a record 86 weeks in the top 40.
• Teddy Swims – Friday, he released the new soul pop-flavored single ‘Are You Even Real’. It follows the smash success of ‘Lose Control’ which topped the Hot 100 chart last year and helped him score a best new artist Grammy nod. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/7374hdpj
• Toto – Actor Rob Lowe has revealed that he once recorded a song with the group. In an interview, Lowe said that in the 1980s, when he was doing “too much Peruvian marching powder”, “I got it into my head that maybe I should think more about music and I cut a demo with Toto.” Sadly – or happily – it has never been released.
• The Righteous Brothers — Bill Medley has shared a new single featuring Michael McDonald. Originally recorded by Ray Charles, ‘Crying Time’ will appear on Medley’s album “Straight from the Heart”, out Feb. 14. The 12-song album has the legendary singer covering classic country ballads. Also guesting are Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, and Shawn Colvin . LINK: https://tinyurl.com/26f8mae3
• Sam Moore – The soul singer who was one half of Sam & Dave, has died at 89. Born in Miami, Moore began his career as a gospel singer, but a chance encounter with Dave Prater led to the formation of Sam & Dave in 1961. Their biggest hit was ‘Soul Man’ in 1967, which saw renewed popularity in 1978 when John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, as The Blues Brothers, performed the song on “Saturday Night Live”.
• Miranda Lambert – Her animal charity Muttnation Foundation is coming to the rescue of displaced and injured animals amid the California wildfires. It has announced the return of its annual Relief for Rescues event, which “provides financial support for shelter animals impacted by disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes and tornadoes.” Jan. 12-22, people can donate at any Tractor Supply location, or make an online donation at www.TractorSupply.com .
• Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson – will both appear on a new country album from popular children’s entertainers The Wiggles. The Australian music group will drop “Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!” on March 7. Other artists appearing on the 32-song album include Jackson Dean, MacKenzie Porter and Australia native Morgan Evans. The first single, the title cut featuring Dasha, is out now. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/232fytht
• Warren Zeiders – Friday, he released the single ‘Can A Heart Take’, from his upcoming album “Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal”, out March 14. The LP will be a deluxe follow-up to the August release “Relapse”, with 10 new songs. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3j74ekwt
SHOOTING THE BULL
TOUGH CALL:
Stats show that the average Gen Zer will spend about 112 FULL DAYS on their phone this year. The irony is this: Many of them are actually afraid to use their phone as a phone – like to make and receive phone calls with it. And that’s why a UK college has launched a course to help Zoomers overcome their fear of speaking on the phone – or “Telephonophobia”. Classes at Nottingham College are given on phone confidence and etiquette, aimed at overcoming the symptoms of telephonophobia, which include delaying or avoiding making calls due to heightened distress, feeling extremely nervous prior to, during and after a call, and obsessing over what will be said amid the discussion. Nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness and muscular tension are the most common physical manifestations of telephonophobia. The course also includes sessions where students strengthen their telephone skills in a series of role-play activities, including answering questions that are commonly asked in interviews, and (GASP!) calling restaurants to ask what time they open, and stores to ask if a certain item is in stock.
(Don’t these cruel people know that GEN Z can just ask Siri about that?)
(Newsflash: It’s not just Gen Z that’s afraid of phone calls!)
-NYPost
SLEEP “WALKING”:
A so-called “meditation guru” is going viral for her sleep hack for when counting sheep just isn’t cutting it. In Emily Kessler’s TikTok video, she advises those who need to drift off NOW to try her “house tour sleep hack”. In the clip, which has over 2 million views, she outlines the plan, which begins with taking a few slow, deep breaths. Next, you start to visualize. Kessler instructs you to imagine a house you’re familiar with – but not your own. She often uses her grandmother’s house. Picture yourself “slowly walking up to the house, noticing all the details about the outside, going up to the door, opening the door, and walking in”, she says. From there, she recommends moving slowly from room to room, taking in as many details as you can about the furniture, the artwork, and the layout. She claims that doing so “distracts your…busy mind enough to let you fall asleep”, and she has “literally never made it upstairs” at her grandmother’s house.” For many commenters, the hack has worked wonders, and others suggest visualizing different places or activities they know well, like cooking a favorite recipe, grocery shopping, or recalling a movie, scene-by-scene. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3tx2k4jb
(I’d be out before I was done taking the “few slow, deep breaths”!)
(The problem with these so-called “experts” on TikTok is this: If what they’re telling you works, it’s called a ‘hack’. If it doesn’t, THEY are!)
-NYPost
ADVENTURE VENTURE:
If you’ve ever complained that you wish you could be “left alone” to get your work done, then this job might be perfect for you. A remote Scottish island – that no one lives on – is seeking a “manager” – and comes with free accommodation. The Scottish Wildlife Trust has posted a job listing for a ranger on the island of Handa. Located off the west coast, Handa features dramatic cliff views, and is accessible via ferry. The island is also home to one of the most important seabird breeding colonies in Europe. The successful applicant will be responsible for organizing work programs and a team of volunteers. They will also be in charge of looking after Handa’s wildlife and its 8,000 annual visitors. Perks (aside from lodging) include weekly trips to the remote village of Scourie, on the mainland, for laundry, banking, and shopping. The position is on a 6-month contract starting in March, and comes with a salary of US $31,000. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2tuyw444
(Any word on what happened to the last person who had the job? Or what type of insane they went?)
(The other perk they didn’t mention? A volleyball named ‘Wilson’!)
-SWNS
PRICEY PURCHASES THAT ARE TOTALLY, COMPLETELY WORTH IT:
A reddit user recently posted this question: “What seems too expensive but is really worth the price?” Here are some of the top-voted responses…
❑ “A good shower head. Even if you rent, swapping out the default shower head for one that will help with low (water) pressure is a life changer.”
❑ “If you fly…noise-canceling headphones are worth every penny…you can’t hear anything else, even crying babies.”
❑ “Good snow tires if you live where it snows 6+months of the year.” (Also a good idea if it just ONE month of the year!)
❑ “Quality work shoes if your job requires you to be on your feet for long stretches of time.”
❑ “A quality pillow will change your life.”
❑ “A good mattress. (Mine) cost me about $4,500, but it was worth every penny.”
❑ “Deep tissue massages every once in a while.”
❑ “A good bra!”
❑ “Travel. Seriously, the best thing you could ever spend your money on is seeing the world, different perspectives and cultures, and experiencing things you would otherwise never experience. It completely changes you as a person for the better.”
(Also this: bacon!)
-BuzzFeed
DID YOU KNOW?
It is well known that sitting all day at work can be bad for your health. But a 2022 study found that standing while you work, at least part of the time, not only is good for you, it can make you more productive. Researchers at University of Queensland monitored 20 adults who were given 3 different desks: a sit-stand desk that allowed them to stand while working; a sit-walk desk that had them walk slowly on the job; and a traditional sit-only desk. It was determined that those using the sit-stand desk or the sit-walk desk left workers with lower levels of cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, and stronger focus on their tasks. The lead researcher said: “Desks that allow workers to alternate between sitting and standing or walking…contribute to work productivity and successful business outcomes.” (So — you’re better at your job if you stand? I’ll let you guess, simply by listening, whether we sit or stand!)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 01.13.25
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Clean Off Your Desk Day”, encouraging you to organize your office desk or cubicle. Why bother? It’s said that a clean and organized workspace can ‘inspire a sense of serenity’. (Plus, it’s good to actually be able to SEE the top of your desk once per year…)
• “Make Your Dream Come True Day”. Even if your dream seems impossible, you’ll never know for sure unless you try. (Never give up on your dreams…keep sleeping!)
• “Rubber Duckie Day”, celebrating the tub-toy that tots treasure. Observed annually on the ‘birth anniversary’ of “Sesame Street” character ‘Rubber Duckie’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2etfa6b6
• “St. Knut’s Day” (“Tjugondag Knut”), the last day of Christmas (!?!) in Finland and Sweden.
• “Sticker Day”. Historians credit European merchants in the 1880s as the first to stick labels to their products in order to promote them to passersby. Thanks to them, you now have to gouge and mutilate your fruit in order to get the things off…
• “Gluten-Free Day”, started in 2014 to encourage a day of gluten-free living. Why? To spread awareness that for some, gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale, causes insensitivities, or worse yet, serious health problems. The most well-known complication is celiac disease.
• “Peach Melba Day”. This dessert is made up of peaches poached in vanilla syrup, then served with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. It was created by renowned French Chef Auguste Escoffier, and named after Australian opera singer Nellie Melba.
• “Stephen Foster Memorial Day” in the USA. Altogether now – “Way down upon dah Swaneeee Ribber …”
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Tues] Dress Up Your Pet Day
[Tues] Shop for Travel Day
[Wed] Hat Day
[Thurs] Hot and Spicy Food Day
This Week is…Home Office Safety and Security Week
This Month is…Get a Balanced Life Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1961 [64] Julia Louis-Dreyfus, NYC, TV actress (‘Selina Meyer’ on “Veep” 2012-19, “New Adventures of Old Christine” 2006-10, ‘Elaine’ on “Seinfeld” 1989-98)/movie actress (“Christmas Vacation”)
1961 [64] Wayne Coyne, Pittsburgh PA, psychedelic rock singer/guitarist (Flaming Lips-‘Do You Realize’)/Miley Cyrus collaborator (‘Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz’)
1961 [64] Kelly Hrudey, Edmonton AB, former NHL goalie (NY Islanders; LA Kings, SJ Sharks 1983-98)/TV broadcaster (“Hockey Night in Canada” since 2008)
1962 [63] Trace Adkins, Sarepta LA, country singer (‘You’re Gonna Miss This’, ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk’)
1966 [59] Patrick Dempsey, Lewiston ME, TV actor (“Grey’s Anatomy” 2005-21, “Dexter: Original Sin” since 2024)/movie actor (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, “Bridget Jones’s Baby”)/race car driver/People’s Sexiest Man Alive, 2023
1970 [55] Shonda Rhimes, Chicago IL, TV showrunner/executive producer (“How to Get Away With Murder” 2014-20, “Scandal” 2012-18, “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2005)
1976 [49] Michael Peña, Chicago IL, movie actor (“American Hustle”, “Ant Man”)/TV actor (“Jack Ryan” 2023. COMING UP… “A Working Man” 2025
1977 [48] Orlando Bloom, Canterbury England, movie actor (“The Hobbit” movies, “Pirates of the Caribbean” films), TV actor “(Carnival Row” 2019-23)/engaged to Katy Perry
1982 [43] William Hung, Hong Kong, infamous “American Idol” contestant (known for his unbearable rendition of ‘She Bangs’ on the show in 2004)/motivational speaker
1990 [35] Liam Hemsworth, Melbourne Australia, movie actor (“The Hunger Games” films, “Independence Day: Resurgence”)/married to Miley Cyrus 2018-20. COMING UP… “The Witcher” TV series
1997 [28] Connor McDavid, Richmond Hill ON, NHL center (#1 pick by Oilers in 2015, 4X fastest skater at NHL skills competition/5X First Team All-Star/5X Art Ross Trophy/4 X Ted Lindsay Award/3X Hart Trophy
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2015 [10] The TV comedy “Schitt’s Creek”, created by and starring Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, premieres on CBC in Canada.
2018 [07] Mark Wahlberg donates his $1.5m reshoot fee “All the Money in the World” to the “Time’s Up” movement after it was revealed that co-star Michelle Williams was only paid $1000 for hers.
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1979 [46] The YMCA sues the Village People for their hit single ‘Y.M.C.A.’, claiming the song defames the organization. The suit is not only later dropped, the Y.M.C.A. adopts the tune as its nonofficial jingle, after seeing a huge popularity boost, thanks to the song.
2022 [03] ‘Baby Shark’ becomes the first video to reach 10 billion views on YouTube (currently 15.5 billion).
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2000 [25] Bill Gates resigns as CEO of Microsoft to focus on his charitable foundation.
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Because of its shape, the first electric guitar was called the ‘Frying Pan’.
✓ The Ancient Romans dropped a piece of toast into their wine for good health – that’s why we now “raise a toast”.
✓ In 2003, a 2,300-year-old mummy with a mohawk was discovered in Ireland.
✓ Police in Northern Ireland once used music from an ice-cream truck to calm angry teen rioters. It diffused a tense situation, but the officers were reprimanded for it.
✓ Those competing in Wimbledon are not allowed to swear. Because of this, line judges must learn curse words in every language.
✓ Pants are responsible for twice as many accidents as chain saws.
-1,227 Quite Interesting Facts to Blow Your Socks Off, TheFactSite
Best of BS . . .
BS LESSER-KNOWN COLD REMEDIES:
• AfternoonQuil
• A shot of whisky and a slap on the butt.
• Jumping on one leg. But only when Simon says.
• Excessive self-pity.
• Filling a Nettipot with siracha and ghost pepper oil.
• Well wishes on Facebook.
• Catch the flu. You’ll forget all about that puny cold.
• Calling in sick for work.
• Thoughts and prayers.
• Telling the person who is chronically coughing to shut the hell up.
• More cowbell.
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018
BS INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO AN UGLY BABY:
• “I’m glad you chose a rescue.”
• “That reminds me, I have to pick up rump roast.”
• “I’ll get the bug spray.”
• “That’s either the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen, or the cutest iguana.”
• “He looks just like his Grandpa – bald, toothless, and crying for a bottle.”
• “So, I hear they’re casting for a ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ remake…”
• “Nice ears.”
• “At least we know it’s yours.”
• “DAMN!”
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2021
BS WEB GOODIE:
I guess she showed HIM! https://tinyurl.com/3arm2pyz
BS RANDOM JOKE:
It’s not my thing, but “Good morning” to those who celebrate it.
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• ‘Boss Hogg’ and Sheriff ‘Rosco P Coltrane’ appeared in which TV show?
a) The Simpsons
b) The Dukes of Hazzard [CORRECT]
c) Dallas
d) Boss Hogg and Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane
• Lannister and Stark are two major families on which TV show?
a) Grey’s Anatomy
b) Stranger Things
c) Game of Thrones [CORRECT]
d) Family Feud
• Mary Alice Young dies at the beginning of which famous TV series?
a) Breaking Bad
b) Lost
c) Desperate Housewives [CORRECT]
d) The Young and the Lifeless
-TriviaWhizz
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s the best thing that has happened to you so far today?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
15% of us will do THIS sometime in the month of January. What is it?
Answer: Injure ourselves exercising
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
A Night can never defeat the sunrise.
