Monday, January 8, 2024 — Edition: #7629
More From the Sheethouse!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Surprise! Halle Bailey has given birth to her first child. The “Little Mermaid” star announced the arrival of her baby boy, named Halo, in an Instagram post Saturday night, that showed herself holding her little boy’s hand. She wrote: “even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo”. Her longtime boyfriend, rapper DDG shared the same picture. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/mr2ambzz
-PageSix
★ Nigel Lythgoe is stepping down as a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance”. Lythgoe, also an executive producer, is being sued by Paula Abdul for alleged sexual assault. He also faces a second lawsuit from 2 contestants on “All American Girl” who accuse him of forcibly trying to kiss them. In a statement, Lythgoe said he stepped back from this year’s series, set to begin March 4, “because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain.” He plans to dedicate himself to “clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
-Variety
★ Cindy Morgan, best known for her breakout role in the 1980 film “Caddyshack”, has died at age 69. Palm Beach Florida County Sheriff’s Office confirmed her death but gave no other information. Fox news is reporting that she died of natural causes. TMZ says a neighbor noticed her missing as early as Dec. 30. Morgan played blond bombshell ‘Lacey Underall’ in Caddyshack, opposite Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. She also had 2 roles in 1982’s “Tron”.
-Page Six
★ The 2024 box office kicked off with “Wonka” at the top. The Timothée Chalamet musical earned an estimated $15 million for its 4th #1 weekend, to bring its domestic total to $165 million. And in a sign of how rough it has been for movie theaters since the end of summer, Wonka is now the first movie to pass $400 million in global grosses since “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in early August. “Night Swim” came second over the weekend with a weekend take of $12.5 million domestically.
-TheWrap
★ Paul Michael Glaser is paying tribute to his late “Starsky & Hutch” costar David Soul, following his death at age 80 on Thursday. The actor remembered Soul as “a brother, a friend, and a caring man” in a statement, adding, “We shall never see his like again.” The pair portrayed the police duo on the beloved action series — in which Glaser played the street-wise ‘David Starsky’ to Soul’s cerebral ‘Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson’ in the 1970s. Glaser said it “seems only yesterday we were sharing loving insults on the phone.”
-EW
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Kaley Cuoco, Jake Johnson, Annie Bosko
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Seth MacFarlane, Mel B, JID
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Barbra Streisand, Taylor Tomlinson
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): James McAvoy, Rachel Dratch
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Lily Davison, Max Salvador
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Dr. Jennifer Ashton
• “The Talk” (CBS): Drew Carey, Devery Jacobs
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Vivica A. Fox, Kel Mitchell
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Natalie Portman, Megan Piphus and Bootsy Collins
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): CiCi in the Sky, Captain Tim Griffin, Mekialaya White
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Mario Lopez
• “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” (ABC): A look at the actor, model and icon as she transforms from a sexualized young girl to a woman discovering her power.
• “America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League” (NBC): The qualifiers continue with judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Mel B and host Terry Crews.
• “Kids Baking Championship” (Food): Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman ask the kid bakers to honor the classic game of hopscotch by making blondie hopscotch puzzles; one baker will be hopping home.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Kesha – Add her name to the list of pop stars dropping new music in 2024. Last week, she was seen outside of a 7-Eleven in L.A. holding a cardboard sign that read “NEW MUSIC COMING SOON!” LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4byew9dz
• Lil Nas X — fans now have the chance to relive his “Long Live Montero” tour. The documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” will make its debut on HBO on Jan. 27 at 8pm ET. It is also set to stream on Max. He is expected to unveil his new era this week.
• The Smashing Pumpkins – are advertising for a new guitarist following the recent departure of Jeff Schroeder. The group’s social media post says: “The application process is open to anyone why might be interested”, and gives an email address to send a demo. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4hvbjhus
• Sheryl Crow – has dropped the catchy single and video ‘Alarm Clock’ from her upcoming her 11th studio album “Evolution”, out March 29. This comes as a surprise after Crow publicly stated that she would not release another full-length album after 2018’s “Threads”. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/ytsbrvtu
(***Caution: Language***) • Green Day – has shared the new mafia-referencing song ‘One Eyed Bastard’, the latest preview from the new album “Saviors”, out Jan. 19. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/bp948r72
• Elvis Presley – “Elvis Evolution”, the first-ever Elvis hologram, will premiere in London this November. The “jaw-dropping concert experience” will see the king of rock’n’roll brought to life via a life-sized virtual hologram, using thousands of photos and home-video footage pieced together by AI.
• Dustin Lynch – It was Keith Urban who inspired his devotion to fitness. He told “Muscle & Fitness”: “It was a great string of lessons I learned from touring with Keith. Just watching how regimented he was with how he scheduled his days… what he ate before and after shows. He was always able to bring the best show we could possibly bring.” Lynch has lost nearly 10 pounds in the past year.
• Chris Young – will be featured in the Season 3 premiere of “CMT Campfire Sessions” this Friday. Other artists who are grabbing their guitars and gathering around the fire this season are: NEEDTOBREATHE, Riley Green, Dustin Lynch, Sara Evans, and Darius Rucker.
• Ashley Cooke – With 24 songs, her “Shot in the Dark” album is one of the longest country debuts ever. The artist, who gained initial exposure on TikTok, explains: “A lot of my career started on social media…So I had this massive following with no music out. I kinda wanted to reverse that, give them so much music to make up for lost time.”
SHOOTING THE BULL
TECH TALK:
⇒ We all know that it’s a good idea to limit screen time before going to bed. But a study shows that gaming and texting are worse for your sleep than watching TV. Penn State University researchers found that 15-year-olds who engaged in screen-focused activities like chatting with friends online or playing video games within one hour of going to bed needed an additional 30 minutes to fall asleep. (…and then right when they were about to drift off, PING! Another text from a friend…!)
⇒ Do you like to live-tweeting your thoughts while watching your favorite shows? Maybe reconsider that. University of Connecticut researchers found that switching back and forth between X (formerly Twitter) and TV makes it harder to enjoy the show you’re watching. The study revealed that test participants who weren’t live-tweeting during a show felt more connected to the program. That’s because they were able to more strongly experience a phenomenon known as “transportation,” when the viewer, becomes more immersed and engaged with the show. (Actually, switching back and forth between X and ANYTHING makes it less enjoyable!)
-StudyFinds
WELL, THIS SUCKS:
Just when we think we’re making headway in eliminating the environmental disaster-in-the-making that is plastic drinking straws – comes this: Scientists at the University of Antwerp in Belgium say that paper straws are not quite the eco-solution that many have hoped for. Plus, they argue that some plant-based and ‘eco-friendly’ alternatives to plastic may be silently contributing to PFAS (“forever chemicals”) pollution. They tested 39 different straw brands made from plastic, paper, glass, bamboo, or stainless steel, and found PFAS in almost all the materials. Stainless steel was the only consistent exception. Apparently, to make paper and bamboo straws water-repellent, many manufacturers appear to add PFAS. Either that, or they are using recycled materials that contain forever chemicals. The scientists concluded that cutting back on plastic can help — but only substantially if the alternatives are PFAS-free.
(When you think about it, why does anyone over the age of 4 even NEED a straw?)
(I was going to suggest edible straws, but after what I’ve just read here, maybe that’s not such a good idea!)
-ScienceAlert
NEW GOOD NEWS:
➢ OK, this story is perhaps a bit dry, but it’s important. An entirely new kind of antibiotic has been found to be 100% successful in trials in eliminating one of 3 antibiotic-resistant infections believed to pose the greatest risk to human health. Known as Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, or CRAB for short, it is classified as a priority 1 pathogen by the WHO, a significant cause of damaging infections in patients, particularly those on ventilators, and resistant to several antibiotics. Designed by Roche Pharma Research in Switzerland, the new antibiotic is called Zosurabalpin, and it was able to defeat strains of CRAB-induced pneumonia and sepsis in mice. No new drug has been developed to combat Gram-negative bacteria in 50 years. (Please keep your “But does it work on crabs?” jokes to yourself!)
➢ The Burger King veteran who went viral for never missing a day of work in 27 years and inspired people from all over the world to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to him, just bought a house with the money. Kevin Ford posted a video update with details about his new home in Nevada. His life was changed when in June 2022, a viral video showed him receiving a gift from management for his dedication to his job after not missing a shift in 27 years. The gift? A Starbucks tumbler, a bag of Reese’s candy, pens, 2 rolls of Lifesavers and a few other items. Ford, who expressed gratitude for his gift, garnered an overwhelming response online, with many feeling he deserved more. (You know those people who tell you “There’s no need to put your whole life online”? Wrong!) LINK: http://tinyurl.com/mr3d3kmy
-GoodNewsNetwork, Today
THE MOST-ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2024 (Part 1)
✪ Mean Girls (Jan 12): Not a remake of the iconic 2004 film, but an adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical. Still, it features much of the same storyline, written by Tina Fey.
✪ Argylle (Feb 2): Starring Bryce Dallas Howard as a spy novelist who finds the events of her storys are coming to life. Also featuring Dua Lipa, Henry Cavill, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson.
✪ Madame Web (Feb 14): Dakota Johnson stars as a clairvoyant paramedic who develops the ability to see into the future. Also in this Marvel film are Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor and Isabela Merced.
✪ Bob Marley: One Love (Feb 14): Produced in cooperation with the singer’s family, this biopic stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the iconic reggae artist.
✪ Dune: Part Two (Mar 1): Continues the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he embarks on a warpath of revenge against those who destroyed his family. Also stars Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, and more.
✪ Kung Fu Panda 4 (Mar 4): Jack Black’s back. His ‘Po’ is told by ‘Master Shifu’ (Dustin Hoffman) that he will no longer be the Dragon Warrior, but instead become Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
✪ Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Mar 29): The sequel to 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” follows the Spengler family leaving Oklahoma and going to the New York fire station of the original 1984 “Ghostbusters” film.
✪ Mickey 14 (Mar 29): Robert Pattinson is sent on a mission to colonize the ice world Niflheim. When an employee dies, he’s cloned with the memories of the traveler who comes before him. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette co-star.
✪ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Ap 12): A sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong”, now they are allies facing off against a new threat.
✪ Civil War (Ap 26): Kristen Dunst and Jesse Plemons and Cailee Spaeny star in this apocalyptic action film depicting a USA where 19 states have seceded and the government is facing off against a Texan and Californian army called the Western Forces.
✪ The Fall Guy (May 3): Ryan Gosling leads this action comedy adaptation of the 1980s TV series following stuntman Colt Seavers as he works on a film directed by his ex-girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt.
✪ Back to Black (May 10): Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in a biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, told from the late singer’s point of view.
✪ If (May 17): Written and directed by John Krasinski, it stars Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a tale that asks: What if your imaginary friends weren’t imaginary?
✪ Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24): Anya Taylor-Joy stars as young Imperator Furiosa (the younger version of Charlize Theron’s “Mad Max” character). She is thrown into a Biker Horde led by Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).
✪ Garfield (May 24): Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson star in the franchise’s first animated feature since 2006. Pratt voices the titular orange feline, with Jackson portraying his father Vic.
(***Part 2 tomorrow***)
-Variety
DID YOU KNOW?
Just about everyone uses a caffeine boost in the morning to get going, but new research says that too much of a good thing may actually backfire – especially if you’re using it to prepare for sports. Staffordshire University researchers found while consuming caffeine prior to a game can improve the accuracy of football passes, it may have a negative effect on plays involving complex decision making and problem-solving skills. They suggest coaches may want to explore the issue further in training exercises. (The most complex decision I make in the morning is whether to brew my coffee now – or to brew it now!)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 01.08.24
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…)
• “Bubble Bath Day”, a day to take the time to luxuriate in a super-foamy tubful of bubbles. Not only is taking a bubble bath relaxing, doing so is thought to cleanse the skin and open pores. There also is a belief that the bubbles help to insulate bath water, keeping it warm longer. (Plus, the promise of bubbles is sometimes the only way to convince your kid to take a bath!)
• “English Toffee Day”, celebrating the ooey-gooey treat that rips the fillings right out of your teeth.
• “Show & Tell Day at Work”, when adults have a chance to partake in the kindergarten ritual with co-workers. (***A good day to have your crew each bring in something that makes a unique sound***)
• “Argyle Day”, celebrating the pattern derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in Scotland. The pattern has been used for kilts, plaids and the patterned socks (known as a tartan hose) worn by Scottish Highlanders since at least the 17th century. So, wear your argyle-patterned clothing today!
• “Joygerm Day”, to remind us that by being positive and treating people with kindness, we can influence those around us, and pass that positive attitude on to others. (And when have you ever heard the words “joy” and “germ” used together before?)
• “Winter Skin Relief Day”, after bathing, pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Rubbing can cause more irritation and inflammation. And with the door closed to keep the humidity in, add a moisturizer.
• “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.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Tues] Shop for Travel Day
[Tues] Word Nerd Day
[Wed] Peculiar People Day
[Thurs] Hot Toddy Day
This Week is…Lose Weight, Feel Great Week
This Month is…Dry January
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1946 [78] Robby Krieger, Los Angeles CA, rock guitarist (The Doors- ‘Hello, I Love You’, ‘Light My Fire’)
1955 [69] Mike Reno (Joseph Michael Rynoski), New Westminster BC, rock singer (Loverboy- ‘Turn Me Loose’, ‘Working For the Weekend’, w/Ann Wilson-‘Almost Paradise’)
1967 [57] R (Robert) Kelly, Chicago IL, R&B singer (‘I Believe I Can Fly’) [currently incarcerated in North Carolina, scheduled for release December 21, 2045)
1976 [48] Josh Meyers, Bedford NH, TV actor (“That 70’s Show” 2005-2006, “Red Oaks” 2014-2017)
1979 [45] Sarah Polley, Toronto ON, movie director (“Away From Her”)/movie actress (“Dawn of the Dead” [2004]/TV actress (“John Adams”)/Canada’s Walk of Fame, 2010
1983 (or 1982…or 1984) [41 (or 42…or 40)] Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang North Korea, politician (Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011)
2000 [24] Noah Cyrus, Nashville TN, TV actress (“Hannah Montana” 2006 to 2010)/singer (feat. Labrinth-‘Make Me [Cry]’)/sister of Miley Cyrus
ON THIS DATE . . .
2020 [04] Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announce they are stepping back as “senior” royals, and will work towards becoming financially independent
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2004 [20] The Donald Trump-hosted reality TV series “The Apprentice” makes its debut on NBC
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1993 [31] On what would have been Elvis Presley’s 58th birthday, a 29-cent stamp with his image is officially dedicated at Graceland. The design was chosen in a vote between an older Elvis from the ’70s and a younger version from the ’50s, which was the winner
2010 [14] Jimmy Page helps launch a new set of UK postage stamps featuring classic album covers, including “Led Zeppelin IV”, Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, Pink Floyd’s “The Division Bell”; and David Bowie’s “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars”
2016 [08] David Bowie’s “Blackstar” album is released on his 69th birthday. He dies 2 days later, and it becomes clear that the album’s ruminations on mortality are his parting words
TODAY IN SPORTS . . .
1993 [31] 1993 Chicago Bull Michael Jordan scores his 20,000th career point (2nd fastest to do so, after Wilt Chamberlain)
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ There are over 635 billion possible hands in a game of bridge.
✓ If you’re over 100 years old, there’s an 85% chance you’re a woman.
✓ The placement of a donkey’s eye enables it to see all 4 feet at all times.
✓ Queen Elizabeth only wore one nail polish color: “Essie’s Ballet Slippers”.
✓ No high jumper has ever been able to stay off the ground for more than one second.
✓ People in nudist colonies play volleyball more than any other sport.
-RandomFactGenerator
BRUTALLY HONEST 30TH BIRTHDAY CARDS:
Send one of these to anyone you know who’s approaching the big 3-0. We’re sure they’ll thank you for it …
• “Being single at 30 isn’t as bad as it used to be.”
• “OK, so you’re the same age as the guy who invented Snapchat and he’s worth $ 4 billion. But is he happy?”
• “There is nothing you can do at 25 that you can’t do at 30 … except perhaps getting out of a chair without making a noise.”
• “Have a great 30th birthday. Sorry we couldn’t make it. We couldn’t get a babysitter. Love, literally all your friends.”
• “You’re 30. From now on if you get pregnant people will assume you did it on purpose.”
• “There’s nothing wrong with turning 30. Unless you’re single, hate your job, and haven’t even begun to think about saving money.”
• “Bad news: You’re 30. Good news: The clothes you wore as a teen are now considered ‘vintage’.”
• “Happy ‘your younger colleagues will no longer understand any cultural references you make’ day.”
-Adapted from BuzzFeed, first published in BS in 2016
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ According to a study, thinking about your romantic partner can give you an energy boost. (Just carry on about your day, “Star Wars” fans…)
➠ According to a report, people who are divorced are about 25% more likely to die early than those who are married. (I’ll take those odds. Wait! …did I say that out loud??)
➠ Am I the only one still writing “2023” on my checks? (Also, am I the only one still paying for things with checks?)
➠ Dunkin’ Donuts plans to double its number of locations in the U.S. (Now if someone would just announce that moustaches are back in style, it would be a great day to be a cop!)
➠ Mariah Carey just got her own Barbie Doll. (And you thought Barbie had a hollow head and was full of plastic NOW…!)
BS WEB GOODIE:
Couldn’t resist: http://tinyurl.com/wn8zu29r
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Internet dating: The odds are good, but the goods are odd.
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• What is the meaning of the phrase “Hakuna Matata”?
a) No worries [CORRECT]
b) Peace be with you
c) Goodnight
d) No refund without receipt
• Which singer is known as the “Queen of Soul”?
a) Aretha Franklin [CORRECT]
b) Diana Ross
c) Patti LaBelle
d) James Brown
• How many tails does a Manx cat have?
a) One
b) Two
c) None [CORRECT]
d) Nine
-Slido
BS PHONE STARTER:
What is the weirdest thing you’ve seen in someone else’s home?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 80% of us say they have been overcharged HERE. Where is it?
Answer: Auto repair shop
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
The difference between ‘try’ and ‘triumph’ is just a little “umph”.
