Tuesday, January 14, 2025 — Edition: #7871
The BS Press!
BS SHOWBIZ BUZZ:
★ Have you ever wished you could host “Saturday Night Live”? Well, your prayers have been answered (kinda). With an immersive experience taking place at New York City’s Rockefeller Center, NBC is giving fans the chance to “feel what it’s like” to host the revered sketch comedy series, now in its 50th season. Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, “Live From New York: The SNL50 Experience,” will make regular people feel like stars, “from the thrill of hearing your name announced as you burst through the stage doors to rolling your chair up to the Weekend Update desk.” The experience is free and open to the public, with reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning today. LINK: https://1iota.com/
-Variety
★ Craig Melvin has stepped into his new role—but not without shedding a few tears. Three days after Hoda Kotb marked the end of her nearly 2 decades at “Today”, Melvin took his new seat next to Savannah Guthrie yesterday as co-anchor of the NBC morning show. Guthrie informed Melvin that “there is someone who wanted to send you a message on this big day,” tearing up herself. Next, a video from Kotb played, where she said: “Craigor! It’s your first day…And I wanted to let you know just how proud of you I am.” Kotb then noted that, instead of telling him in the video, she decided to write it down in a poem. Guthrie pulled out a massive envelope, encouraging Melvin to read aloud: “I’m moving forward, so reach back your hand. Grab the baton, and your world will expand. The adventures are endless, the people so dear. Great memories await, year after year…”
-TheWrap
★ Aubrey Plaza has deactivated her Instagram account following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena. “The White Lotus” star’s page was deactivated on or before Sunday. An error message on what used to be Plaza’s account reads: “Sorry, this page isn’t available. The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.” Plaza’s husband died by suicide on Jan. 3. He was 47.
-NYPost
★ Spencer Pratt is turning to social media and his fans for financial help after losing his home in the LA wildfires. He took to TikTok, to tell followers that he and his wife, Heidi Montag are “trying to get a show on Hulu,” and now more than ever they need fan support to make it happen. He also asked fans to stream Montag’s 2010 song ‘Superficial’, which is currently sitting at #1 on the iTunes chart, noting that every stream would help generate income, alleviating some of the financial strain they’ve faced since losing their home in the wildfires last week. Friday, he pleaded with followers to watch and like a previous TikTok, explaining if it makes the top 10 most-liked TikTok’s, he could earn up to $1,100.
-TMZ
★ Prince Harry went out of his way to fetch a Los Angeles fire victim a unique request, as he and Meghan Markle lent a helping hand at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday. The Duke of Sussex, who dressed in disguise in an N-95 mask, approached an elderly bedridden man to ask if he would like a sandwich, water or snack from a food cart. After the man said: “What I’d really like is a donut”, Harry said: “There’s no donut here, but I will find one.” And as Mayor Victor Gordo told it, “He takes off, and 10 minutes later, he returns with a donut.” Gordo explained the unidentified man didn’t know he was in the presence of a royal, and he said to Harry: “If you ever run for anything, I’ll vote for you.”
-PageSix
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Bill Burr, Jessica Gunning, Neal Francis
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Gabriel Basso, The Marías
• “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Josh Gad, Betty Gilpin
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Aidy Bryant, Joe Alwyn, Aaron Chen
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Josh Thomas, Brandon Kyle Goodman, and Suzi Barrett (R)
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Dorit Kemsley, Erin Lichy
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Boyd Holbrook, host Jordan Klepper
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Josh Gad
• “Today” (NBC): David Beckham, Josh Gad, Eva Longoria co-hosts
• “GMA3” (ABC): Michael Solomonov , Joe Alwyn
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Marcia Gay Harden, Farnoosh Torabi
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Denis Leary, Kelsey Asbille
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jamie Oliver, Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
• “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Andra Day
• “St. Denis Medical” (NBC): Ron mocks Alex and Matt’s attempts to resolve a conflict between prison inmates who stabbed each other in a gang fight; Joyce finds herself smitten by the burly prison guard.
• “Will Trent” (ABC): Under mounting political pressure, the GBI and ADA Marion Alba race against time to rescue a kidnapped child, while uncovering dark secrets.
• “Deal or No Deal Island” (NBC): A jaw-dropping twist ushers another reality legend into the fray; a duo takes on the Banker for the first time.
• “Doc” (Fox): While at the hospital recovering, Amy can’t help but insert herself into her roommate’s case; the other doctors and nurses must adjust to the once formidable chief now being the patient.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Weeknd – As the Jan. 24 release of his new album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” approaches, he claims it will likely be his last release under that name. In an interview, he said the final album of his trilogy will represent a broader chapter close, including: “my existence as the Weeknd.” He still plans to make music.
• Noah Kahan — will guest star “Sesame Street” on March 6. The new season of the iconic children’s show premieres Jan. 16 on Max. Kahan is one of several musicians who’ll be appearing this season, also including SZA, Chris Stapleton and singer/actress Reneé Rapp.
• Billy Joel – has rescheduled his first concert of 2025 (not counting New Year’s Eve) for medical reasons. He was set to perform at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood FL this Friday, but the show has been postponed to Nov. 1 due to “a medical procedure,” according to a statement on his Instagram. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yxm8ecjs
• Led Zeppelin – A new trailer for the documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” has been released. Among other conversations about the origins of the group included in the preview is this gem from John Paul Jones: “I thought ‘this is a terrible name’. But I couldn’t come up with a better one, so Led Zeppelin we were”. The film hits theaters Feb. 7. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4b9xsefx
• Iron Maiden — Guitarist Adrian Smith has lost his Malibu home to the LA wildfires, according to a series of Instagram posts from his wife, Nathalie Dufresne-Smith. Primus guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde also lost his home in the fires. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2p8kyrrz
• Morgan Wallen – Has the #1 album of the 21st century, so far. In Billboard’s list of the top 200 Albums (compiled by using its own chart for reference), Wallen’s “Dangerous: The Double Album” took the top spot. The 6x Platinum recording has been ranked in the Top 10 most popular albums 4 years in a row.
• Kip Moore – will release his new album “Solitary Tracks” on Feb. 28. The 23-song project will include the newly released ‘Bad Spot’, as well as the earlier released ‘Live Here to Work’, ‘Learning as I Go’, and ‘Flowers in December’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/j8h9a9w5
• Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, and Shaboozey – Although country music won’t be represented at this year’s Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9, they will play at the EA Sports Madden Bowl. The video game tournament in which players compete on the latest version of the game Madden NFL for PlayStation will take place Feb. 7 at the Big Easy’s Orpheum Theater. It’ll stream on YouTube. LINK: https://shorturl.at/BZWao
SHOOTING THE BULL
PHONE SNATCHER-SNITCHER:
Some London, England police officers are going to start using a special invisible spray to help catch phone snatchers. The Met Police Waterloo & Southbank Neighbourhood Team said all officers in its jurisdiction will be equipped with “SelectaDNA” spray. The stuff can be used to mark the clothes, vehicles and skin of criminals who try to steal electronic devices from people. When a UV light is shone on items stained by the liquid, it shines a fluorescent blue. The solution contains a unique DNA code registered to each user’s canister. On its website, manufacturer SelectaDNA says it “works by spraying the offender with an invisible synthetic DNA solution, marking skin and clothing for days, weeks, or even months.” The spray was developed “specifically to help women feel safer in public and to secure the convictions of dangerous criminals who threaten them.” In a post on X, the Met’s Lambeth North-West page said: “We will be able to tag suspects with unique identifiable liquid that stains the suspect’s skin and clothes and will allow us to link suspects to crimes.”
(Imagine trying to argue your way out of a crime when you’re literally glowing like a human disco ball under UV light!)
(That’s like a game of “tag, you’re it” – literally!)
-Talker
CLOSE-UP ON CLOTHES:
❑ A fitness club is selling a line of “waterproof suits” with the idea that wearers can transition from their job to the swimming pool and back again – without a wrinkle. David Lloyd Clubs, which is “Europe’s leading health and wellness group”, according to its website, produced the garments after hearing from members who said they struggle to fit exercise into their busy workdays. The waterproof “Swim Suit” collection, with items for both men and women, is made from special water-resistant, hydrophobic fabric. Each garment takes more than 3 weeks to create. A company spokesperson said: “The 20 minutes or so to get ready and showered after exercising can eat into your day. Now, you don’t even need to think about it – you can be straight out of the pool and back at your desk in a matter of seconds.” The collection is expected to be available soon. (Unfortunately, you’ll still have to rent a locker for your phone!)
❑ The old saying: “better safe than sorry” has taken on new meaning: According to a poll, nearly half of adults pack spare underwear as they go about their daily…um…business. And this precautionary measure isn’t a wasted effort, because 70% of these doomsday-preparers say they have found themselves thankful that they had a backup plan in place. In the Talker survey of adults in the US, 39% said they pack an extra pair in case of a potential accident, 37% do so because they know they’ll need a wardrobe change during their day. And 18% said they have a tendency to spill things on themselves. (While the saying “better safe than sorry” definitely fits here, I’m much more inclined to use: “Plan for the worst, and hope for the best!)
-SWNS, StudyFinds
SEASON’S EATINGS:
The food safety agency in Belgium is warning people not to eat their Christmas trees. Not kidding. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain made the surprising statement after the city of Ghent recommended using the needles in recipes, in its list of ways to recycle Christmas trees. The city’s website says: “In Scandinavia, they have been doing it for a long time: picking the needles from the branches, briefly immersing them in boiling water, pouring them through a sieve and drying them on a clean cloth. Once the needles are dry, you can make delicious spruce needle butter with them for bread or toast.” The food safety agency responded by pointing out the fact that commercially grown Christmas trees are usually treated with pesticides and other dangerous chemicals, including flame retardant. Later, Ghent edited the post on its website, changing the wording from “eat your Christmas tree” to “Scandinavians eat their Christmas trees” and included the warning: “not all Christmas trees are edible.”
(Apparently the Grinch isn’t the only one with ‘Christmas tree regret’ this year!)
(Well, there goes my plan for a Christmas tree salad! I guess I’ll stick to my usual post-holiday diet of leftover cookies, candy, chocolate… and regret!)
-UPI
TOP ALBUMS SO FAR THIS CENTURY:
According to the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart…
1. Morgan Wallen – “Dangerous: The Double Album” (2021)
2. Adele – “21” (2011)
3. Taylor Swift – “Fearless” (2008)
4. Taylor Swift – “1989” (2014)
5. Original Broadway Cast Recording: “Hamilton: An American Musical” (2016)
6. Morgan Wallen – “One Thing at a Time” (2023)
7. Post Malone – “Hollywood’s Bleeding” (2019)
8. Lil Baby – “My Turn” (2020)
9. Nickelback – “All the Right Reasons” (2005)
10. Lady Gaga – “The Fame” (2009)
LINK: https://tinyurl.com/5swn7k79
(What’s YOUR pick for best album since 2000? Or are albums really even a thing anymore?)
-Billboard
ARTISTS WITH THE MOST #1 HITS SO FAR THIS CENTURY:
According to the Billboard Hot 100 weekly charts dated Jan. 1, 2000, through Dec. 28, 2024…
☆ 14: Rihanna
☆ 13: Drake
☆ 12: Taylor Swift
☆ 9: Beyoncé
☆ 9: Ariana Grande
☆ 9: Katy Perry
☆ 8: Justin Bieber
☆ 8: Bruno Mars
☆ 8: Usher
☆ 7: The Weeknd
(Do you get the feeling that this very minute, Drake is holed-up in his Toronto mansion, writing a “You ain’t got as many #1s as me” diss track about Kendrick Lamar?)
-Billboard
DID YOU KNOW?
The average tip at full-service restaurants in the US hit its lowest level in 6 years, declining to 19.3% for the 3 months that ended Sept. 30. That’s a sign, experts say, that rising menu prices, the now-commonplace practice of restaurants adding mandatory service fees, and being prompted to tip at places that have been historically tip-free, has people becoming less-generous with gratuities. The Wall Street Journal reports that tipping peaked in 2021, when people were happy to give support to service workers who didn’t have the option of working from home. At that point, more than half of us tipped 20% or more. Last year, just 38% did. (It seems like the only thing getting a 20% boost these days is the price of the entrée!)
-MorningBrew
BS CHRONOMETER 01.14.25
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Organize Your Home Day”, a day make sure there’s a place for everything and to then put everything in its place. The first step to organizing is to unclutter. (Better make that “Organize Your Home MONTH”!)
• “Caesarean Section Day”, commemorating the first successful procedure of its kind, performed in 1794 by Dr Jesse Bennet in Edom VA, on his wife. (To celebrate, leave your house this morning by going out through a window . . .)
• “Dress Up Your Pet Day”. Today, dress up your furry family member in comfortable pet clothing — or maybe even get matching outfits, if you want to get really crazy. And of course, be sure to post the results on your social media (or your pet’s!).
• “Shop For Travel Day”, because with a new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to begin planning the vacations you wish to take over the next 12 months (Or so my travel agent tells me…)
• “International Kite Day”, which originated in India. The annual kite festival, called “Uttarayan” in Hindi, celebrates the day that Winter ends and Summer begins.
• “Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day”. New York kosher butcher Sussman Volk produced the first pastrami sandwich in 1887. He claimed to have gotten the recipe from a Romanian friend in exchange for storing his luggage. Volk later converted his butcher shop into a restaurant to sell pastrami sandwiches, because they were so popular.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Wikipedia Day
[Wed] Bagel Day
[Thurs] Nothing Day
[Fri] Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
This Week is…Mocktail Week
This Month is…Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1941 [84] Faye Dunaway, Bascom FL, movie actress (“Bonnie and Clyde”, “Chinatown”, Oscar-“Network”)
1943 [82] Holland Taylor, Philadelphia PA, TV actress (“Two and a Half Men” 2003-15, “The Practice” 1998-2003)/movie actress (“Legally Blonde”)/partner of Sarah Paulson since 2015
1963 [62] Steven Soderbergh, Atlanta GA, movie director (“Magic Mike”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, Oscar-“Traffic”)/film producer (“Magic Mike XXL”, “Good Night, and Good Luck”)
1967 [58] Zakk Wylde (Jeffrey Wielandt), Bayonne NJ, rock guitarist (Ozzy Osbourne-‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’, Black Label Society, Pantera since 2022)
1968 [57] LL Cool J (James Smith), Bay Shore NY, TV actor (‘Sam Hanna’ on “NCIS: LA” 2009-23)/movie actor (“Any Given Sunday”)/rapper (‘Mama Said Knock You Out’)/Grammy host 2012-16
1969 [56] Dave Grohl, Warren OH, rock singer-guitarist/drummer (Foo Fighters-‘Learn to Fly’, Nirvana-‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’)
1969 [56] Jason Bateman, Rye NY, movie actor (“Horrible Bosses”, “Juno”)/TV actor (“Ozark” 2017-22, “Arrested Development” 2003-06, 2013)/brother of Justine Bateman
1982 [43] Caleb Followill, Mount Juliet TN, alt-rock singer-guitarist (Kings of Leon-‘Use Somebody’, ‘Sex on Fire’)
1990 [35] Grant Gustin, Norfolk VA, TV actor (‘Barry Allen’/‘The Flash’ on “The Flash” 2014-23, “Glee” 2011-13)
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2009 [16] Ricardo Montalbán (“Fantasy Island”, “Star Trek II”, “Naked Gun”), dies of congestive heart failure at 88.
2013 [12] In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong admits to taking performance-enhancing drugs.
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2000 [25] It is revealed that David Crosby is the father of Melissa Etheridge’s 2 children via surrogate.
2014 [11] Justin Bieber is questioned by police over the egging of his neighbor’s house in Calabasas, California.
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2009 [16] Citing health concerns, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs announces his plan to step aside from day-to-day operations, appointing Tim Cook to take over.
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1973 [52] The Last ‘Perfect NFL Season’ is completed, as Miami Dolphins beat Washington Redskins 14-7 at Super Bowl VII to finish with a 17-0 record, winning all 14 regular season and 3 postseason games. Surviving members of the team still pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate when the last undefeated NFL team finally loses each season.
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ When swimming, penguins can jump as high as 3 meters (9.8 ft) in the air.
✓ Female canaries cannot sing.
✓ The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses.
✓ The Spanish national anthem has no words.
✓ There is a fruit called ‘black sapote’ which tastes like chocolate pudding.
✓ Between 2000-05, more than 1,000 American baby girls were named ‘Unique’.
-BestLife, BathroomReadersInstitute
Best of BS . . .
WHY CATS ARE BETTER THAN DOGS:
• Dogs have owners, cats have staff.
• Cats are smarter … you can’t get 8 cats to pull a sled through snow.
• Cats don’t insist on playing tug-o-war with dad’s undies while he’s on the ‘throne’.
• Dogs come when they’re called, cats take a message and get back to you later.
• Cats don’t go all wacky when they hear a doorbell … on TV.
• Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are gods.
• Cats don’t suddenly stand up straight when lying under the coffee table.
• As every cat owner knows, nobody really owns a cat.
-First published in BS in 2002
BS LAME SCANDALS:
• The non-rewound Blockbuster video tape scandal of ’89.
• You cannot buy “Lucky Charms” in Ireland.
• My neighbor is sleeping with the father of her child.
• Candy corn: No actual corn.
• You don’t have to do anything for a Klondike Bar except purchase it.
• My bologna’s first name is not actually O-S-C-A-R.
• Cap’n Crunch faked his credentials.
• She was neither born with it, nor was it Maybelline.
• Actually, it has been butter the whole time.
• Tom Brady’s stupid deflated footballs.
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019
BS WEB GOODIE:
We’ve all been there: https://tinyurl.com/ajyy7hm4
BS RANDOM JOKE:
My housekeeping style can best be described as: “There appears to have been a struggle”.
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s your best story from a wedding?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
20% of us do THIS immediately after a break-up. What is it?
Answer: Unfriend or unfollow our ex
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.
