Tuesday, January 30, 2024 — Edition #7645

100% Grade A Bull!

 

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Both hospitalized royals have headed home. Kate Middleton was released after being in hospital for nearly 2 weeks following a planned abdominal surgery. A palace spokesperson said she is “making good progress”. And a smiling King Charles was photographed leaving the same hospital with Queen Camilla yesterday afternoon, 3 days after his procedure for an enlarged prostate. Charles has rescheduled upcoming public engagements while he continues to recover. A statement said the family is “grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world” for both.
-PageSix
★ In a report analyzing TV viewership in the US throughout 2023, Nielsen found that “Suits” beat a record held by “The Office” for number of minutes watched in a single year. The legal drama racked up 57.7 billion total minutes watched in 2023, it just ahead of the 57.1 billion minutes of viewership accumulated by The Office in 2020. Suits spent consecutive weeks at the top of Nielsen’s charts after it landed on Netflix in June.”Ted Lasso” was the most-warched streaming original last year.
-Variety, Deadline
★ Martha Stewart is letting it all hang out. The diva of domesticity is cooperating in a deep-dive documentary about her life and career — and it has already been picked up by Netflix. The 82-year-old will open up about her early work as a model and how she landed a job as a Wall Street banker, going on to become world-famous for building an empire around entertaining, then serving a 5-month stint in prison for fraud. Emmy-winning journalist Alina Cho is producing, and RJ Cutler will direct. No release date yet. The news comes as CNN airs an unauthorized 4-part documentary this week.
-NYPost
★ Rebel Wilson is ready to spill. She reflected on writing her upcoming memoir “Rebel Rising” in an Instagram post. After admitting that she’s “been feeling a bit down lately” and is appreciative of the supportive comments from her fans, she shared some of the secrets she’s planning to reveal in her book. Out April 2, it will feature stories that her fans “might find interesting,” she said. Her “Pitch Perfect” stories will be a highlight, as she’ll share the story behind her character ‘Fat Amy’s’ infamous scene in “Pitch Perfect 2” where she accidentally bares it all — literally — to a crowd that includes Barack and Michelle Obama. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/59pf6k9n
-People
★ Dolly Parton has a new TV variety special coming, and dog lovers will want to tune in. “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” will air Feb. 21 on CBS and Paramount+. There will be “pink carpet” arrivals featuring stars and some adorable pets. Parton’s songs, including ‘9 to 5’, ‘Jolene’ and ‘Puppy Love’, will all be performed during the show, with Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson, and KC (of KC of the Sunshine Band) set to sing. Other celebs making appearances include Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Simpson, and Margaret Cho.
-PopCulture

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Elisabeth Moss, Zach Woods, Jacob Collier
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Donald Glover, Maya Erskine, Bryce Dallas Howard
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Emma Stone, Jaime Harrison
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): James Corden, Devery Jacobs, Nico Carney
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Lala Kent, Michael Rapaport
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Melissa Rauch, Jonathan Roumie
• “The Talk” (CBS): Howie Mandel, Sherry Cola
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Bryce Dallas Howard
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Justin Timberlake, BLKBOK
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Chrissy Teigen, Dave Karger
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Anthony Hamilton
• “Name That Tune” (Fox): Celeb contestants Erika Jayne, Sunny Anderson, Robbie Amell and Italia Ricci
• “Vanderpump Rules (Bravo): Season 11 premiere. Ariana attempts to rebuild her life after Tom’s infidelity; James settles into his new life with Ally; Scheana opens up about her diagnosis; Lala confides in Lisa Vanderpump.
• “Inside the NFL” (CW): Recapping the greatest moments from the NFL’s AFC and NFC championship games.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Ariana Grande – has dropped more teasers for her upcoming album. On Insta, she unveiled a new alternate cover for “Eternal Sunshine” (out Mar 8), and teased 2 more song titles. The latest cover shows the back of Grande’s head as she sports a blonde ponytail, resting on the shoulder of a woman. It can be pre-ordered through her website. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/9hnv6spa
• Nicki Minaj – Sunday, she dropped ‘Bigfoot’, a tune that appears to be in response to Megan Thee Stallion’s apparent diss on her just-released single ‘Hiss’. And you guessed it: the title of the Minaj song is her nickname for Megan. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/bdd4hmhk
• Cardi B – has unleashed limited-edition Strawberry Whipshots in time for Valentines Day, in collaboration with Starco Brands. They’re available online and at some US retailers. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/2my358p5
• U2 – performed an acoustic cover of the 1986 Crowded House hit ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ during its first Las Vegas Sphere show of 2024. U2 also played their 1987 B-side ‘The Sweetest Thing’ for the first time since 2017. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/bphdun6z
• AC/DC – will reportedly be touring this year, but without bassist Cliff Williams. No word on a replacement. According a Brazilian newspaper, the band has already booked 4 shows in that country, including 2 at this year’s edition of the legendary Rock In Rio festival in Rio De Janeiro.
• Kane Brown – He and his wife, Katelyn, are teasing a new duet, following the smash success of their previous collab, ‘Thank God’. They posted a short clip of him singing along to the audio of the track while Katelyn and their daughter Kingsley sway to the music, laughing. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3bbvhr3f
• BRELAND — Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, and other stars are featured on his new EP “BRELAND & Friends: Vol. 1 (Live)”. Out now, the 6-song collection features recordings from BRELAND’s first-ever BRELAND & Friends concert in 2022. Also appearing are Charles Kelley, Seaforth, and Nelly. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/593k57h4
• Zach Bryan — Walker Hayes has shared a new song he wrote about their recent skirmish on X, but it’s not really a diss track. In it, Hayes reflects on the nature of insecurity, and wonders why people so often wind up “butt hurt” by the success of others. Earlier, Bryan praised Tyler Childers’ hit ‘In Your Love’, while taking a jab at Hayes’ song ‘Fancy Like’. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/y5jbrvr7

SHOOTING THE BULL

A PLEA FOR PLAY:
Experts are telling parents that they should “pop the bubble wrap” and let their kids play outdoors and engage in “risky behavior” – within reason, of course. New recommendations released by the Canadian Paediatric Society emphasize the importance of unstructured outdoor play for children’s development, and physical and mental health. The group of doctors say that in these times of rising obesity, anxiety and behavioral issues, kids should be encouraged to participate in activities like climbing a tree, tobogganing, and rough-and-tumble play with others. One of the study’s authors says that parents and teachers should be wary of inciting fear in children about some activities, explaining that sometimes, in situations where there actually isn’t much danger, we may be creating fear and anxiety in children about them. Another pediatrician said it’s important to distinguish between ‘risk’ and ‘hazard’, and let the kids enjoy some thrills as a way of letting them figure out “how much they can do”.
(Believe me: When I was a kid, ANYTHING I did outdoors was a hazardous situation!)
(Having kids hang outside all day may help with THEIR anxiety – but I can’t say it’ll do the same for Mom and Pop!)
-CBC

CHECK THIS OUT:
⇒ Self-checkouts in stores may decrease customer loyalty, especially for those with larger shopping loads, a new study has found. Customers using them often feel overwhelmed and unsupported, and miss the assistance traditionally provided by staff. Researchers at Drexel University say this lack of personal interaction can negatively impact their perception of the supermarket. The additional effort required at self-checkout stations, along with the necessity to purchase bags and the expectation of store-provided service, were all identified as factors that diminish loyalty.
⇒ More than half of Gen Z shoppers say they prefer self-checkout lines — and would even switch their store of choice for the ease of self-serve kiosks, according to new data from Avery Dennison. Why? Well, it’s not because they’re independent or introverted. In a survey, one-third of Gen Z respondents said they steal while cashing out at self-check. (I guess they figure that if the store is going to make them do the work, they should get an employee discount!)
-StudyFinds

TIKTOK TALK:
☞ TikTok has been testing the ability for users to upload 30-minute videos, signaling a significant move away from the short-form video format that made it popular. Social media consultant Matt Navarra spotted the new option in the iOS beta version of the app in the UK. He says he has heard from some users who are seeing the option in the Android beta version of TikTok as well. The app initially rose to popularity for its short-form video format, originally capped at 15 seconds. It could be that TikTok is planning to allow longer videos as a way of competing with YouTube. (30 minutes? As if I don’t spend all day on there already!)
☞ You might think kids just use TikTok to waste time watching cat videos and doing silly dances. But they’re actually using it to learn about the world and form opinions, because for Gen Z, TikTok is the new Google. According to a report from Search Engine Journal, 64% of those 27 and under are using TikTok as a search tool. Rather than Googling – or (gasp!) using a book to ask a question or look for a recommendation, TikTok’ers users are seeking out influencers and video creators for answers on everything from medical advice to the Israel-Palestine conflict. (God help us!)
-TechCrunch, NYPost

LIFE HACKS TO GET YOU THROUGH WINTER:
✓ If your car ends up getting stuck in snow, cat litter provides enough friction to help your tires get moving again. Keep a box in your trunk to save yourself a lot of hassle.
✓ Have lip balm on hand to ease cracked knuckles. The cold weather will make your skin dry and sore, and sometimes not even hand cream is up to the task.
✓ Use a disposable razor to gently shave along the surface of your sweaters to get rid of balled-up bits.
✓ Make your own throat-soothing remedy by mixing some powdered ginger with honey and a squeeze of lemon in a mug of hot water.
✓ Don’t skip the hat because you’re worried about bad hair when you reach work. Take some dry shampoo with you to battle ‘hat hair’ when you arrive.
✓ Make hot chocolate in your slow cooker. Because who doesn’t want a massive vat of hot chocolate on the go when it’s chilly outside? Slow-cooking gives it a deeper, toasty flavor.
✓ Wash your face with an oil-based cleanser. Fend off the discomfort of dry skin using hydrating skincare products … or make your own using a mixture of olive oil and sugar.
✓ Mix 2 parts vinegar with 1-part water, then spray onto your car’s windshield to prevent it icing over. You’ll save yourself scraping time the next day.
✓ Invest in an electric blanket. Turn it on while you get ready for bed, then prepare for peak snuggling.
✓ Knit yourself some mittens. Gloves might be easier for texting, but mittens are proven to keep your hands warmer. They’re also much easier to make. (Especially if you have a Grandma!)
(That’s it – I’m moving south!)
-Condensed from Metro, first published in BS in 2023

THE BEST TV COMEDIES OF ALL TIME:
According to 10 “expert” websites…
1. “The Office” (2005-2013)
2. “Friends” (1994-2004)
3. “Ted Lasso” (2020-present)
4. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-2021)
5. “Arrested Development” (2003-2019)
(Of course, comedy is subjective. Isn’t that right, “Letterkenny” fans?)
-StudyFinds

DID YOU KNOW?
Some Home Depot customers have been delighted to discover the store is now selling a medieval sword similar to one used in the 1995 film “Braveheart”. The home improvement outlet’s description of the item reads: “Reclaim your freedom from the tyrannical English king with this authentic William Wallace sword.” It is a replica of the one used by Mel Gibson in the Oscar-winning film. Fans of the film wasted no time filling the reviews section with jokes and references to the movie, including one who wrote: “Is this sword sharp and sturdy enough to carry into battle, or is it just suitable for a bit of light pillaging?” For the record, the $50 sword is purely decorative. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/jja9pccr
-Fox

BS CHRONOMETER 01.30.24

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Croissant Day”, the first step of which is being able to say the French word. It’s not ‘CROY-sent’, it’s ‘cwah-SAHN’. Usually made with sugar, salt, flour, milk, eggs, and butter, croissants originated in Austria.
LINK: http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-croissant-day
• “School Day of Non-violence and Peace”, observed in schools around the world on the anniversary of the 1948 death of Mahatma Gandhi, a purveyor of peace and nonviolence. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bdfp2yvu
• “Plan for Vacation Day”, in the US, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, to encourage people to plan their time off. Stats show 52% of Americans don’t use all their vacation time, and 24% haven’t taken any paid leave in more than a year. (Take your time!)
• “Inane Answering Message Day”, a time to change, shorten, replace, or delete that annoying voicemail message … which you likely recorded on Day One, and then never altered.
• “Yodel for Your Neighbors Day”. Yodeling is a singing style that most people associate with Switzerland or being in the mountains. It consists of people going back and forth between octaves very fast to get a unique type of sound. (Does this mean Mariah Carey is a yodeler?)
• “National Escape Day”, it’s all about taking a well-deserved break from all the hassles and struggles of everyday life (as well as from your yodeling neighbors…)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Backwards Day
[Wed] Scotch Tape Day
[Thurs] Dark Chocolate Day
[Fri] Groundhog Day
This Week is…Hot Air Balloon Week
This Month is…Walk Your Pet Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1930 [94] Gene Hackman, San Bernardino CA, movie actor (“The French Connection”, “The Quick and the Dead”, Unforgiven”)

1937 [87] Vanessa Redgrave, London England, movie actress (“The Butler”, “Mary, Queen of Scots”, Oscar-“Julia”)/stage actress (“As You Like it”, “Driving Miss Daisy”)

1941 [83] Dick Cheney, Lincoln NE, US politician (Vice President under George W. Bush 2001-09, Secretary of Defense 1989-93)

1951 [73] Phil Collins, London England, rock/pop singer-drummer (‘In the Air Tonight’, Genesis-‘Invisible Touch’)/movie actor (“Buster”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2010, with Genesis/father of Lily Collins

1974 [50] Christian Bale, Haverfordwest Wales, movie actor (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “American Hustle”, Oscar-“The Fighter”)

1974 [50] Olivia Colman, England, movie actress (Oscar-“The Favourite”, “Wonka”)/TV actress (“The Crown” 2019-20) COMING UP… “Paddington in Peru” 2024

1980 [44] Josh Kelley, Augusta GA, pop-country singer (‘Amazing’, ‘Georgia Clay’)/brother of Lady A singer Charles Kelley/married to Katherine Heigl since 2007

1980 [44] Wilmer Valderrama, Miami FL, TV actor (‘Special Agent Nick Torres’ on “NCIS” since 2016, ‘Fez’ on “That ’70s Show” 1998-2006, “That 90s Show” since 2023)

1984 [40] Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi), Cleveland OH, rapper (‘Day ‘n Nite’, w/Kanye West-‘All Of the Lights’, w/Travis Scott-‘The Scotts’)

1990 [34] Jake Thomas, Knoxville TN, TV actor (“Lizzie McGuire” 2001-04)/movie actor (“A.I. Artificial Intelligence”)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2010 [14] “Avatar” becomes the first movie to gross over $2 billion worldwide (eventually amasses $2.9 billion)

2015 [09] Record producer Suge Knight is arrested in LA on suspicion of murder, after a hit-and-run (he had a beef with 2 men on the set of “Straight Outta Compton”, and later ran them down with his truck). In 2018, he is sentenced to 28 years

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1969 [55] The Beatles stage their famous rooftop concert atop Apple Records in London. After performing a few songs, police shut them down as a large crowd gathers. It would be The Beatles’ last public performance

2013 [11] Mick Jagger is named “Most Stylish Rock Star of All-Time” by lifestyle website Complex.com

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1975 [49] Ernő Rubik applies for a patent for his “Magic Cube” invention, later to be known as the “Rubik’s Cube”

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
2011 [13] Over half-million people participate in the “World’s Largest Wildlife Survey” after extreme cold drives non-native birds into Britain’s backyards

2017 [07] Scientists in China reveal the oldest known human ancestor, the 540-million-year-old Saccorhytus, in a fossil

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ The US Air Force One plane is only called that when the President is aboard.
✓ It is impossible for anyone to count to one billion out loud.
✓ The word “school” comes from an Ancient Greek word that meant “leisure” or “spare time”.
✓ Earth travels at a speed of about 490,000 miles per hour, which means that in one minute you are over 8,100 miles away from where you were.
✓ The Sun makes a sound — but we can’t hear it.
✓ Comets smell like rotting eggs.
-BathroomReadersInstitute, Cracked, BBC

Best of BS . . .
BS THINGS I DON’T GET ABOUT FOOTBALL:
• Why do the referees dress like they work at Foot Locker?
• Do they wear all that gear to protect themselves, or to hurt others?
• When is the third half?
• Why are there no moms on the sidelines with oranges?
• Why isn’t the ball shaped like a foot?
• How is it that it hasn’t been officially promoted to a religion yet?
• How is it that the coaches can’t hear me yelling the correct play through the TV?
• Having your punter as the lead blocker on a fake punt. I mean…really.
• What is super about the bowl?
• Why is the field measured in yards if it’s called FOOTball?
• What’s the difference between a home run and a hole in one?
• The appeal.
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BS QUESTIONS PLAGUING HUMANITY:
• Why do we put suits in a Garment Bag, and put Garments in a Suitcase?
• Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?
• Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
• If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
• Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
• If someone says you’re in denial, but you’re not, what do you say?
• How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
• Why buy a product that it takes 2000 flushes to get rid of?
• Who were the beta testers for Preparations A through G?
-Witty-Quotes, first published in BS in 2018

BS WEB GOODIE:
Yup:  http://tinyurl.com/dn45w9pb

BS RANDOM JOKE:
No man goes before his time — unless his boss leaves early.

BS PHONE STARTER:
What is a job that you could never do – but you have mad respect for those who do?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  A survey found that 44% of us agree that THIS is our biggest pet peeve about public restrooms. What is it?
Answer:  Horrible toilet paper

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.