BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is toughening up rules for ‘Best Song’ at the Oscars, requiring each nominated tune to notch a minimum score of 8.25 on a scale of 6-to-10 (huh?) and if none measure up, no award will be given (only the creaky old Academy could come up with such a convoluted formula) . . . Still no lead actor announced for the upcoming Broadway stage musical, “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark”, but 44-year-old Scottish actor Alan Cumming (“X-Men 2”) has been signed to play villainous ‘Green Goblin’ & 21-year-old Evan Rachel Wood (“The Wrestler”) to play ‘Mary Jane Watson’ (preview performances begin February 2010) . . . 34-year-old Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia (“Torn”), who split from Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns last year, has been spotted attending a concert & dining with 24-year-old Brit royal Prince Harry (does a 10-year age difference make her a cougar?) . . . The $201.2-million 5-day domestic opening of “Transformers: Revenge Of the Fallen” is 2nd only to last summer’s “The Dark Knight” ($203.8 million) . . . 29-year-old actor Wilmer Valderrama (“That ‘70s Show”), who’s been attached to star in a bigscreen version of vintage TV show “ChiPS” (1977-83) for a long time, says the project will finally go before cameras next year . . . And 34-year-old Bradley Cooper (“The Hangover”) has asked media to stop circulating rumors he’s dating 40-year-old actress Jennifer Aniston because they’re ‘just friends’ (with benefits).

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/A Channel) – Pink (“Funhouse”).
• Farrah Fawcett – A private funeral for family & friends will be held at 4 pm PDT this afternoon at the Cathedral of Our Lady Of the Angels in Los Angeles. The actress died Thursday at age 62 after losing a 3-year battle with cancer.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Jonas Bros (“Lines, Vines and Trying Times”).
• “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS) – Martina McBride (“Shine”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – The Fray (“The Fray”).
• Montréal International Jazz Festival – Tonight a free outdoor concert by Stevie Wonder kicks off the 30th anniversary edition. Tony Bennett, Joe Cocker, Jeff Beck, and Jackson Browne are among some 3,000 musicians putting on 600 shows during the festival’s 13-day run.
NET: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com
• Quart Festival – The 2009 edition of Norway’s major music fest runs through July 4th in Kristiansand. Tonight’s bill includes an all-star jam featuring Velvet Revolver’s Slash, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood, Ozzy Osbourne, and sometime Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham.
• “Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (NBC/A Channel) – John Mayer Trio (“Try!”)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Dolly Parton (“9 to 5: The Musical”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Lady Gaga – She pulled out of 2 weekend gigs supporting British band Take That due to a mystery illness. She’s said to be currently resting on doctor’s orders and looking forward to rejoining Take That at their Wembley show this weekend.
• Lenny Kravitz – At a recent gig in Glasgow, Scotland he wore a kilt onstage, then got carried away during his performance and decided to whip his underwear off and throw it into the crowd.
• Rihanna – Her Barbadian father, Ronald Fenty, is angry Chris Brown ‘got off lightly’ for the assault on his daughter, contending he should be in jail.
• U2 – Tonight they kick off the “U2360” world stadium tour in Barcelona, Spain. The North American leg begins in Chicago September 12th. The shows will feature a 360-degree audience configuration and a cylindrical video screen.
• Van Halen – 54-year-old Eddie Van Halen has wed Janie Liszewski, his girlfriend of 3 years, at his estate in the hills above Studio City CA. His 18-year-old son Wolfgang served as best man while brother Alex Van Halen, an ordained minister, officiated.

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” ( Music ): A 3-D concert film of Nick, Joe & Kevin’s 2008 “Burning Up” tour recorded in Anaheim CA and NYC, as well  as documentary footage on the brothers’ lives. Also available in a ‘2-Disc Extended Edition with Digital Copy’.
• “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li “ ( Action Thriller ): Based on the popular videogame franchise. Vancouver-born “Smallville” actress Kristin Kreuk plays an Interpol agent who enters an underground fighting tournament with the goal of collaring the contest’s founder (Neal McDonough), leader of a crime syndicate. Taboo of Black Eyed Peas has a small role.
• “12 Rounds” ( Action Thriller ): WWE wrestler John Cena plays a detective who discovers that his girlfriend has been kidnapped by an ex-con and he’ll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secure her safe release. Ashley Scott co-stars. Set in New Orleans LA.
• Also released today: “Do the Right Thing: 20th Anniversary Edition”; “Eastbound & Down: The Complete 1st Season” (TV); “Entourage: The Complete 5th Season” (TV); “Stargate: Atlantis – Season 5” (TV).

THE ‘KING’ IS DEAD, LET’S MAKE MONEY!
Michael Jackson was at a full “This Is It” rehearsal the night before his death, which was reportedly captured by multiple cameras in a manner that could be used to produce surround-sound DVD and audio products . . . A Janet Jackson/Jackson Bros ‘tribute tour’ celebrating the life of Michael Jackson is said to be ‘on the table’ for consideration . . . Jackson’s former manager Tohme Tohme is proposing that Neverland be turned into an attraction along the lines of Elvis’ Graceland, with Jackson’s grave as the central feature.
– “Billboard”

MULTI-TASKING SUNSCREENS:
The incidence of skin cancer is up 66% since 1990. That’s a good enough reason to always wear sunscreen when outdoors (experts advise at least SPF 30). A slew of new products with multiple functions are making it easier than ever to practice ‘safe skin’. More sunscreens now contain antioxidants so they double as moisturizers, while more moisturizers offer high SPF and double as sunscreen. Also on the market or coming soon …
• St Ives Elements Protective Cleanser with UVA/UVB. You use it to wash in the shower and when you rinse, the sunscreen remains.
• Isomers Laboratories also has a body wash in the clinical trial stage. A ‘smart’ sunscreen turns on when you’re in the sun and off when you’re not, reducing need for reapplication.
• Clear Protect, a transparent gel sunscreen from Garnier in the UK, cools your skin when it’s applied.
– Condensed from BestHealthMag.ca.

LIFE BY THE NUMBERS:
A BS breakdown of who we are and what we do …
• 85% of us are unhappy with the way our mid-section looks.
• 70% of parents would allow their kids to jump on the bed while on vacation but not at home.
• 40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.
• 33% of couples say they gossip before drifting off to sleep.
• 17% of us admit to peeing in a swimming pool.
• 4% of us never ever get on a weigh scale.

CHEAP VEGGIES = SLIMMER PEOPLE:
University of Illinois scientists have conducted a study on how food prices affect the body weight of consumers. They’ve found that raising the prices of unhealthy foods and lowering the prices on healthy foods could result in lower average body weight and a reduced risk of obesity. Interestingly, the study found that small taxes on unhealthy foods, such as sugary soft drinks, wouldn’t have much impact; but substantial price reductions on healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, would. (Should the government subsidize healthy foods?)
– “NY Daily News”

DISGUISING THE D-Ts:
How to deal with a hangover when you have an early meeting? Forgo dehydrating coffee and drink OJ (its potassium helps settle the shakes) plus copious amounts of water. And eat a breakfast with protein and carbs, like eggs and toast. After you shower, use eyedrops to get bright-eyed, and rub on a fragrant body lotion so you won’t stink as you sweat the booze out. (Option #2: call in sick.)
– “Cosmopolitan”

SAVE THE EARTH, EAT LEFTOVERS:
In Britain, Caroline Marson is a cooking adviser for the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ campaign. She specializes in doing ‘food makeovers’ to help households eliminate waste and deal with the basics of home economics. Her top tip is to designate a ‘Use Up Day’ each week. That’s when you search your fridge and go through the freezer and use up everything you can in a meal before you set off to buy any more food. (Tonight: peanut butter & bologna schnitzel … mmm.)
– “Globe & Mail”

DID YOU KNOW?
Chocolate is the #1 food flavor in the world, beating vanilla and banana by 3-to-1.
– DidYouKnow.org

BS CHRONOMETER 06.30.09

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TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1959 [50] Vincent D’Onofrio, Brooklyn NY, TV actor (‘Detective Robert Goren’ on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” since 2001)

1966 [43] Mike Tyson, Brooklyn NY, youngest-ever heavyweight boxing champion (age 20)/undisputed world boxing champ (WBA, IBF, WBC) from 1987-90/ex-con

1984 [25] Fantasia Barrino, High Point NC, R&B singer (“When I See U”, “I Believe”)/Broadway actress (“The Color Purple”)/”American Idol 3” winner (2004)

1985 [24] Michael Phelps, Baltimore MD, champion swimmer with a record14 Olympic gold medals

TODAY’S BS REASON TO PARTY . . .
“Meteor Day”, an annual observance encouraging us to look to the skies for a stunning meteor show. With a little luck and clear skies, you can see a meteor just about any night of the year. Meteors are made up of space dust and ice that enter Earth’s atmosphere.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2004 [05] “Spider-Man 2” opens in movie theaters (ensuring that Tobey Maguire never has to work again unless he wants to)

2006 [03] “Love” premieres at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, a new Cirque du Soleil show that combines the troupe’s signature high-flying acrobatics with classic Beatles tunes

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2001 [08] Official opening of the $11-million “Shania Twain Centre” in Timmins ON
NET: http://www.shaniatwaincentre.com

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1859 [150] 1st to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope (French daredevil Emile Blondin)

1987 [22] Royal Canadian Mint introduces 80 million golden $1-coins into circulation to eventually replace paper dollars (they quickly become known as ‘loonies’)

1994 [15] 1st ‘Wedding via Video-Conference Telephone’

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1994 [15] Temperature at Death Valley CA ties local record at 128F (53C)

BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Jul 1] Canada Day / “Public Enemies”; “Ice Age: Dawn Of the Dinosaurs” open in movie theaters / “Great American Road Trip” premieres (NBC) / Second Half Of the Year Day
[Jul 2] 39th Roskilde Festival opens (Copenhagen, Denmark) / I  Forgot Day
[Jul 3] Green Day North American tour begins (Seattle WA) / Compliment Your Mirror Day / Stay Out Of the Sun Day / Calgary Stampede begins
[Jul 4] US Independence Day / Independence From Meat Day / International Day of Cooperatives
[Jul 5] American Idols Live! tour begins (Portland OR)
[Jul 6] Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day
[Jul 7] Chocolate Day / Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day / Tell The Truth Day
[Jul 9] Craven Country Jamboree opens (Craven SK)
[Jul 10] Don’t Step On a Bee Day / Beatles Day / “Bruno” and “I Love You Beth Cooper” open in movie theaters
[Jul 11] World Population Day
[Jul 12] “Entourage” 6th season debut (HBO)
[Jul 13] Embrace Your Geekness Day / Gruntled Workers Day
[Jul 14] International Town Criers Day
[Jul 15] Saint Swithin’s Day / “Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince” opens in theaters
[Jul 16] Get to Know Your Customers Day / “Emmy Awards” nominations announced
[Jul 17] “(500) Days of Summer” opens in movie theaters
[Jul 18] Hot Dog Day / Mandela Day Celebration (NYC)
[Jul 19] Ice Cream Day
[Jul 20] Get Out Of the Doghouse Day / Hug Your Kid Day / Lollipop Day
[Jul 22] Health, Happiness With Hypnosis Day / Rat Catchers Day / Spoonerisms Day
[Jul 23] Gorgeous Grandma Day / Hot Enough For Ya Day
[Jul 24] Cousins Day / Drive-Thru Day / Tell an Old Joke Day / “G-Force”; Orphan”; and “Ugly Truth” open in movie theaters
[Jul 25] Cow Appreciation Day / Day Of the Cowboy
[Jul 26] Parents Day
[Jul 27] Korean War Veterans Armistice Day / Take Your Houseplant For a Walk Day / Walk on Stilts Day
[Jul 28] Milk Chocolate Day
[Jul 30] Cheesecake Day / Father-In-Law Day
[Jul 31] System Administrator Appreciation Day / “Aliens In the Attic”; “The Collector”; Funny People” open in movie theaters

BULL’S BITS

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“TREASURY OF GERIATRIC EROTICA”:
A few titillating titles from the [BS] erotic book series that’s taken the central Florida retirement community by storm …
• “Alzheimers Jezebel!” … She mates, and she forgets.
• “Winnebago Swingers!” … Riding the ‘Freeway of Lust’!
• “Homecare Harlot!” … Nursing just got naughty!
• “Scottsdale Nights!” … Arizona hot, retiree steamy!
• “Granny Trannies!” … Post-op elder action!
• “Geritol Heat!” … Super-spunky forever!
– Chickenhead.com

WOULD YOU RATHER?
You run down the list while your guest/phone caller/crew member decides which choice is more palatable. Would you rather …
• In one sitting, eat 10 lbs of cheese OR a bucket of peanut butter with nothing to drink?
• Go a week without bathing but be able to change your clothes OR a week without a change of clothes but be able to bathe?
• Drink liquid found leaking from a garbage bag OR chew on a hairy clump found between the cushions of an old couch?
• Be extremely good looking and die at age 50 OR be extremely ugly and live for 100 years at any physical age you chose?
• Be somebody’s pet cat OR be somebody’s pet dog?
• Paint a large wall with a toothbrush OR paint it with a spoon?
• Eat the first dead fish you find while walking on the beach OR eat a live 3-inch-long frog?
• Be able to talk with all animals OR be able to understand all foreign languages?
• Always have a fly frozen into each of your ice cubes when you drink something cold OR always drink out of an unwashed tuna can?
• Have a nose that glows bright red when you get excited OR have steam come out of your ears when you get mad?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’ve discovered I scream the same way whether I’m about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

BS PHONE STARTER:
It’s becoming legal to raise ‘urban chickens’ in many cities as more & more people wanting access to locally-grown natural foods are putting hen-houses in their backyards. Would you want them in your neighborhood?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: A poll of women finds THIS is the #1 biggest turn-off when they meet a man.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Bad teeth.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end.