BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
47-year-old Paula Abdul is said to be ‘hurt & angry’ that she’s yet to be offered a new contract to keep her on “American Idol” (FOX), so her people have launched a Twitter campaign to get fans involved (Quote: “I’m actually moved 2 tears upon reading the enormous amount of you showing me your kindness, love, & undying support” [gag]) . . . 29-year-old actress Kristen Bell is also calling on fans to voice support if they want to see her 3-season TV series “Veronica Mars” (CW) revived in a movie version (instead of a résumé, this is how you find work nowadays) . . . AEG Live, the company behind Michael Jackson’s planned London concerts, is negotiating with several Hollywood studios, seeking a deal to release a documentary in theaters about his final days (an attempt to recoup the 30-odd million they’re out of pocket) . . . Former Hole & Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur says she’s recovering from the H1N1 swine flu, thanks to a combination of naturopathic treatments and heavy-duty antibiotics, among ‘other survival tools’ . . . 36-year-old actress Gwyneth Paltrow has brushed off reports claiming she’s ticked over being replaced on posters for the upcoming sequel “Iron Man 2” (May 2010) by 24-year-old co-star Scarlett Johansson, a rep claiming Gwyneth is ‘not at all upset’ (BS translation: If I ever have to work with that hussy again I’ll claw her eyes out) . . . Pseudo-actress/photo poser Lindsay Lohan says she intends to ‘work’ in England because British people like her (naw, they just don’t know you yet) . . . And 37-year-old actor David Arquette has apologized for typecasting Latina women as ‘nuts’ in a TV interview (the Latin community has responded by saying, “Who the hell’s David Arquette?”).

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Robin Thicke (“Something Else”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC) – Jordin Sparks (“Battlefield”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – The Flatlanders (“Hills & Valleys”).
• “Rock Band: Country Track Pack” – A 21-tune collection of country tunes for the popular videogame is released, including Alan Jackson’s “Good Time”; Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”; Martina McBride’s “This One’s For the Girls”; Rascal Flatts’ “Me & My Gang”; and Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine”.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• AC/DC – Their dirty deeds may be done dirt cheap but when it comes to seeing the rock legends live, Kiwi fans may be thunderstruck by the hefty price. All tickets to their Wellington NZ “Black Ice Tour” concert at Westpac Stadium next January are priced at a flat rate of $159.90.
• Backstreet Boys – The ‘90s boy-band has reformed minus Kevin Richardson. Nick Carter says they’re back to stay and want to be ‘as big as the Rolling Stones’. Time for rehab again, Nick?
• The Beatles – John Lennon & Paul McCartney planned a Beatles reunion in 1974 but it was stopped by Yoko Ono, according to the new book “Paul McCartney: A Life” by Peter Ames Carlin.
• Black Eyed Peas – Will.i.am says the best thing about fame is buying houses for his family. He’s bought 5 so far, for his mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousins.
• Christina Milian – The 27-year-old “Dip It Low” singer has confirmed she is engaged to wed musician The-Dream, who she began dating earlier this year.
• Coldplay – They’ve now reached the benchmark of 2 million digital album sales worldwide. They’ve also become the first artist to sell more than 1 million digital albums in the USA.
• Jimi Hendrix – The doctor who tried to revive him the night he died of an overdose says it’s ‘plausible’ that he was murdered, as is suggested in James Wright’s new book, “Rock Roadie”.
• Michael Jackson – According to the “Los Angeles Times”, worldwide sales of his albums have hit the 9 million mark since his death June 25th.
• Our Lady Peace – Today they release their 7th studio album, “Burn Burn”. Tonight they celebrate the release with a show at Irving Plaza in NYC.
• Pearl Jam – Their upcoming October shows at the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum will be the final concerts at the arena before it’s torn down.
• Radiohead – Movie director Chris Weitz has revealed that Thom Yorke is among those interested in contributing music to “New Moon”, the upcoming 2nd movie in the “Twilight” series.
• Sugar Ray – Today they release “Music For Cougars”, the first full album of new material in more than 6 years.

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Coraline” ( Animated Fantasy ): A secret door in her family’s new house offers a passageway to an unusual parallel world for a young girl named ‘Coraline’ (voice of Dakota Fanning). Filmed in 3-D stop-motion animation by director Henry Selick (“A Nightmare Before Christmas”). Co-stars the voices of Teri Hatcher & John Hodgman. Also comes in a ‘2-Disc Collector’s Edition’.
• “Watchmen” ( Sci-Fi Thriller ): Set in an alternate vision of the year 1985, the murder of an ex-superhero causes a vigilante (Jackie Earle Haley) to look into the matter with the aid of his old superhero colleagues. Co-stars Matthew Goode & Carla Gugino. Based on the graphic novel. Shot in Vancouver. Available in a ‘Director’s Cut 2-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition’.
• Also released today: “Charlie’s Angels: The Complete 4th Season” (vintage TV); “The Lucy Show: The Official First Season” (classic TV); “Monk: Season 7” (TV); “Prison Break: The Final Break” (TV); “Pushing Daisies: The Complete 2nd Season” (TV); “Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration Live at Montreux” (music concert); “The Wonder Of It All” (documentary).

HOW TO DEAL WITH A RESTLESS SLEEPER:
Better half keeping you up at night? Here are some solutions that may help you sleep better …
• Talk it over with your partner. Emphasize that it’s ‘our’ problem. That makes it clear that you’re in the relationship for  the long haul but really want to address the issue.
• Encourage your partner to get help. A variety of options are available. For instance, a doctor’s referral to a sleep clinic might be useful.
• Use props such as an eye-mask, ear-plugs, a white-noise machine … whatever it takes to increase the likelihood you’ll sleep through your partner’s tossing & turning.
• Sleep in separate beds or even separate rooms. It’s more common than you might think and may be the only solution if the lack-of-sleep problem goes long-term.
– Adapted from “Reader’s Digest”.

WORLDWIDE BULL ROAR:
• Seasalter, England – 39-year-old father-of-two Gavin Paslow has an odd hobby … he’s slowly turning himself into a devil, complete with forked tongue, pointed ears, implanted horns, and fangs. But after it was discovered he pulled off the diabolical trick by swindling around $6,000 in medical benefits, he’s been sentenced to wear an electronic tag and banned from leaving his home at night. Undeterred, he’s legally changed his name to ‘Diablo Delenfer’ and is saving up for surgery to give him raised vertebrae on his back … and a prosthetic tail. (Freakers!)
– “Daily Mirror “
• Berlin, Germany – Thomas Goetz, owner of a brothel called Maison d’Envie, has pushed the concept of green rebates to another level. He’s offering a discount to any customer who arrives by bicycle or public transport. The recession has hit the industry hard, he says, so he’s hoping the discount will attract more clients as well as help the environment. (Maison d’Envie, now located in the ‘green-light district’!)
– Reuters
• Forrest Beach, Australia – An ambulance attendant is suing for more than $725,000 over injuries he says he suffered from … lifting a fat patient. 56-year-old Wayne Fagg claims he suffered multiple injuries after Ingham Hospital staff refused to help him lift the 120-kg (265-lb) patient into the back of an ambulance. He’s been unable to work for the past 3 years. (Let that be a lesson to you, bud. Should have brought the forklift!)
– “Sunday Mail”

ODD PICKUP OPTION:
A Butler, Missouri auto dealer is trying to reverse a recent sales slump with a catchy offer … a free AK-47 with every new truck purchase. Yep, buy yourself a pickup at Max Motors today and you’ll get yourself a voucher for a Russian-made assault rifle to use at a gun store. It’s an upgrade of an earlier sales gimmick which offered new truck buyers the choice of a $250-gas voucher or a handgun. Dealership owner Mark Muller admits the gimmicks generate lots of publicity and he likes the fact they also really anger ‘liberals’. (He’s putting the red in redneck.)
NET: http://www.max71.com
– CNN.com

CHEAP WHEELS:
The world’s most inexpensive car has hit the streets of India. The ‘Tata Nano’ costs just slightly over $2,500 for the basic model. Upgrades such as air conditioning and cup holders are extra. The first 3 customers received their keys personally from Tata Motors CEO Ratan Tata. The little car’s 624 cc engine is smaller than those found in many motorcycles. But the Nano is set to revolutionize the Indian auto industry as over 200,000 of the vehicles have already been pre-ordered. And it will soon have impact elsewhere as the vehicle is set to infiltrate North America in 2 years. (Would you drive what’s basically one step up from a bicycle on a freeway?)
– AFP

NEW AGE DATING:
Ever search your own name on Facebook to see if anyone else has it? Kelly Hildebrandt of Coral Springs FL did. She found another Kelly Hildebrandt in Lubbock TX … a guy. She poked him to say hi and one thing led to another so that, 3 weeks after their first online encounter, Kelly from Texas flew to Florida to meet Kelly, the girl, in person. Now they’ve announced they’ll be wed in October. By the way, the couple says they’ve traced ancestry records back 250 years to make sure they’re not related. (“I, Kelly, take you, Kelly, to be my lawfully wedded …”)
– FirstCoastNews.com

IN THE PINK:
An Australian research group is working to develop new solar-cell windows that will harness energy from the Sun and reduce the need for air conditioning. The windows are completely see-through but have a slight pinkish hue. That’s because the solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye to increases light absorption. The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house and also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling. (Could you stand waking up to a pink sky if it meant you were saving money and the environment?)
– ScienceDaily.com

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST … NOT:
According to recent research, experiences that start off well and go downhill are remembered in the long run as more pleasant than those that begin on a low note, then recover to become positive. Psychologists think that’s because items at the beginning and end of a list stick in our heads best, but over time the late material fades faster than the early stuff. So if you have a choice, go for the gusto up front and leave the lowlights for later. (Should we eat dessert first then?)
– “Psychology Today”

BS AMAZING FACT:
Humans shed over 30 meters (98 ft) of eyelashes in their lifetimes.
– PopBitch.com

BS CHRONOMETER 07.21.09

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TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1926 [83] Norman Jewison, Toronto ON, filmmaker (“The Hurricane”, “Moonstruck”)/Irving G Thalberg Memorial Academy Award (1999)/Companion Of the Order of Canada (1992)/established Canadian Centre for Advanced Film Studies in Toronto (1986)

1948 [61] Garry (Garretson Beakman) Trudeau, NYC, political cartoonist (“Doonesbury”)/Mr Jane Pauley since 1980

1951 [58] Robin Williams, Chicago IL, movie actor (“Night At the Museum” films, Academy Award-“Good Will Hunting”)/standup comedian (Grammy Award-“Robin Williams: Live 2002”)

1957 [52] Jon Lovitz, Tarzana CA, movie actor (“The Producers”, “The Stepford Wives”)/former TV comic (“Saturday Night Live” 1985-90)

1972 [37] Paul Brandt (Belobersycky), Calgary AB, country singer (“What I Want to Be Remembered For”, “I Do”)/CMA Global Artist Of the Year (2005)

1978 [31] Josh Hartnett, San Francisco CA, movie actor (“Sin City”. “Hollywood Homicide”)

1984 [25] Johan Carlsson, Gothenburg, Sweden, rock keyboardist (Carolina Liar-“Show Me What I’m Looking For”, “I’m Not Over”)

TODAY’S BS REASON TO PARTY . . .
“Junk Food Day”. If your health wasn’t a factor, which junk food would you mow down on every chance you got: burgers, pizza, hot dogs, tacos, fries, chocolate?

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2007 [02] JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows” is published, the 7th and final book in the record-selling, 10-year series

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1990 [19] 250,000 attend “The Wall” benefit concert organized by Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters in East Berlin where the Berlin Wall once stood (performers include The Band, Scorpions, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, and Van Morrison)

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1984 [25] 1st documented case of a robot killing a human occurs in Jackson MI as an industrial  robot turns and wedges a 34-year-old worker against a safety bar, crushing him

1991 [18] Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Ferguson Jenkins (Chatham ON) becomes 1st Canadian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1996 [13] Record for ‘Group Spaghetti-Eating’ is set as 3,000 residents of Alkbissola Marina, Italy consume 300 kg (662 lbs) of pasta, cooked in a single pot and topped with 200 kg (440 lbs) of tomato sauce

COMING UP . . .
[Wed] Hammock Day
[Wed] Health, Happiness With Hypnosis Day
[Wed] Rat Catchers Day
[Wed] Spoonerisms Day
[Thurs] Gorgeous Grandma Day
[Thurs] Hot Enough For Ya Day
This Week Is … Restless Leg Syndrome Education & Awareness Week
This Month Is … Women’s Motorcycle Month

BULL’S BITS

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BS GOOD OR BAD?
You run down the list while a listener/studio guest rates each as simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’ …
• Twitter as a useful communication tool.
• Museum exhibits of real human bodies preserved in plastic.
• ‘Green’ housecleaning products.
• “Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince”.
• Handwritten thank-you notes.
• Retro ‘80s as a fashion trend.
• Lip gloss, makeup, moisturizers containing sunscreen.
• Room fragrances that you spray.
• The ‘tankini’ as a swimsuit for women.
• Single-function electronic devices like the iPod.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Every time my mind wanders away, I’m left sitting here.

BS PHONE STARTER:
What single souvenir from Earth would you give an alien?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: 90% of us say when THIS happens at work it’s embarrassing and sometimes loud.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A growling stomach.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.