Friday, June 29, 2007 Edition: #3564
Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s Edition!
SUBSCRIBER NOTE:
There will be no “BS” for Monday, July 2, the “Canada Day” holiday. Back with another issue for Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Happy long weekend, everyone!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY Canada Post issues 4 commemorative stamps featuring Canadian singers who established international reputations in the ‘60s & ’70s: Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Anka (just in case you ever wanted to lick the back of his head) . . . TODAY Nintendo’s new DS title “More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima: How Old Is Your Brain?” is being released, with actress Nicole Kidman serving as spokesperson in Euro-ads (Quote: “I’ve quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind young”) . . . SATURDAY Britney Spears is threatening to show up for a one-off performance with Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors Tour” in LA, alongside Debbie Harry, Erasure, and the Dresden Dolls (Lauper says it’s news to her, but Brit’s welcome if she actually shows) . . . SATURDAY Britain’s Princes William & Harry host a party for 200 ailing kids helped by the Well Child Charity, the night before their star-studded concert at Wembley Stadium to mark what would have been their mom’s 46th birthday (and 10th anniversary of her death) . . . Then SUNDAY’s “Concert for Diana” (BBC/NBC/CTV) features performances by Black Eyed Peas, Duran Duran, Elton John, Kanye West, Lily Allen, Madonna, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly Furtado, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Rod Stewart among others (proceeds go to charities the princess supported) . . . From the hard-to-believe department: “According to Jim” (ABC/CTV), has been renewed yet again, for mid-season NEXT YEAR (7 seasons for a mediocre sitcom – talk about flying under the radar!) . . . Oprah Winfrey is going into the retail biz, building a 4,500-sq-ft store next to her Chicago studio, but there’s no word on what she’ll be selling (all her old clothes that are way too big?) . . . And movie director Spike Lee is heading to Broadway to stage an upcoming revival of “Stalag 17”, the 1951 comedy about American POWs (life in prison camp, what a hoot! – will they be doing a musical called “Gitmo”?).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Aerosmith – SATURDAY drummer Joey Kramer is opening a “Technical” skateboard & skate clothing store in his native Boston MA.
• Bon Jovi – Their country-influenced new album, “Lost Highway”, has debuted atop sales charts in Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand and, of course, the USA.
• Breaking Benjamin – TONIGHT the “Breath” rockers do the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel).
• Maroon 5 – SATURDAY they take the stage on the new music performance series “45th at Night” (MTV), along with Kanye West, and Eve.
• Morrissey – TONIGHT he performs on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS). A throat infection he blames on the extreme cold temperature in Letterman’s studio caused him to cancel 3 shows after taping the Dave’s show earlier THIS WEEK.
• Relient K – TONIGHT they guest on “Late Night With Conan O’ Brien” (NBC).
• REM – SATURDAY they kick off a 5-night ‘working rehearsal’ of material from their upcoming album at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.
• Spice Girls – YESTERDAY they announced their 12-date, 8-country world tour sked for late 2007 & early 2008: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, NYC, Buenos Aires, London, Cologne, Madrid, Beijing, and Sydney. No Canada … is that a bad thing?
• TI – TONIGHT he’s on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV).
• Usher – He & fiancée Tameka Foster have confirmed that they’re expecting a baby together THIS FALL. It will be his 1st, but her 4th. Apparently she gets around.
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Evening” ( PG-13 Drama ): Vanessa Redgrave plays a woman on her deathbed who wants to warn her daughters (real-life daughter Natasha Richardson, and Toni Collette) not to make the same mistakes she did in life. So she relates the tragic tale of her young self (Claire Danes) and the man she loved (Patrick Wilson). In an interesting bit of side-casting, Mamie Gummer plays a younger version of her real-life mother Meryl Streep’s character.
NET: http://www.focusfeatures.com/evening/
• “Ratatouille” [‘rat-a-TOO-ee‘] ( G-Rated Animated Family ): A Parisian rat with a sophisticated palate (voiced by Patton Oswalt) makes his home in an upscale restaurant that is ruled by an eccentric, world-famous chef. With the aid of a lowly garbage boy, he uses his talents to reach new, unimagined culinary heights. Other voices by Brad Garrett, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofalo, Peter O’Toole, and John Ratzenberger.
NET: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ratatouille/
• “Sicko” ( PG-13 Documentary ): Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore aims his camera at the diseased American health care industry for his latest documentary. In an attempt to combat online leaks, the pic has already been showing in ‘sneak peeks’ for a week. Employees from pharmaceutical companies and insurers supplied memos, first-hand accounts, data, etc used in the making of the film.
NET: http://www.sicko-themovie.com/
SURPRISE! INKED ON EYEBROWS NOT SO GOOD:
A report in the “New England Journal of Medicine” warns that what’s known as ‘permanent makeup’ – a kind of tattoo used to outline the lips, eyelids & eyebrows – can disfigure patients who suffer allergic reactions. A study shows 90% of those who’ve had the ‘intradermal cosmetic’ treatments suffer swelling and tenderness; 80% develop bumps; and the majority complain about itchiness. The allergic reaction can last anywhere from 5 months to over 3 years. More than 8 million women in the US alone have undergone the treatment. (Or it’s known in the Geneva Conventions … torture.)
– Reuters
THE TROUBLE WITH DESK BUDDIES:
A new Auckland University of Technology study into workplace relationships has found that having a close friend at work can be a major distraction. Among the main problems listed by employees who were polled: ‘Excessive Chatting’, ‘Having Too Much Fun’ and ‘Inability to Separate Work from Play’. Chuminess on-the-job can also lead to difficulties with favoritism, feedback, and confidentiality. Psychologist Rachel Morrison warns that many workers make friendship a bigger priority than their responsibilities to their organization, which businesses may find concerning. (But in the game of life makes sense – just ask ‘Jim’ & ‘Pam’ at “The Office”.)
– NZPA
PROFESSIONAL INJURY:
Japan’s 29-year-old Takeru Kobayashi, a ‘competitive eating’ professional who’s set world records for wolfing down hot dogs, cow brains and rice balls, has suffered a severe jaw injury due to … rigorous training. The man known on the circuit as ‘Tsunami’ has been diagnosed with jaw arthritis and can only open his mouth to the width of a fingertip. The injury occurred just a week into training to win his 7th straight title at Nathan’s Famous annual 4th of July hot dog+ eating event on New York’s Coney Island. LAST YEAR, Kobayashi put down a world-record 53 and three-quarters hot dogs in just 12 minutes. (Man that’s a lot of pig snouts and eyelids!)
– AFP
STYLE OR SUBSTANCE?
TODAY the much-ballyhooed new iPhone hits the American market in a scheduled 6 pm (local time) release. The combination cellphone/web browser/digital music & video player is being touted as the ‘most hotly anticipated gadget ever launched’. Apple performed several last-minute upgrades to the gizmo, including longer battery life than first promised and an improved touch-sensitive glass screen. The multi-function phone now boasts 8 hours of talk time, 7 hours of video playback, and 6 hours of Internet use. TODAY many stores will use crowd control professionals to cope with the huge numbers expected to show up, determined to bag one of the first iPhones. Oh yeah – and the price – $499 or $599 depending on whether it has 4 or 8 gigs of flash memory. Industry buzz is the iPhone will debut in Canada via Rogers Wireless by the end of the year. (So get your wallets out consumer lemmings!)
– “Wired”
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• While the median age of the average US household is 37, the median age of viewers watching the major broadcast TV networks is now 48, according to new stats. CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes” has the oldest audience with a median age of 60.
– “Advertising Age”
• You can fold any denomination bill back and forth 4,000 times before it will tear. We’ve never hung on to one long enough to test that out.
– US Bureau of Printing & Engraving
• The average pencil holds enough graphite to draw a line about 35 miles long or to write roughly 45,000 words.
– “Discover Magazine”
BS CHRONOMETER 06.29.07
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1949 [58] Dan Dierdorf, Canton OH, CBS-TV NFL analyst/NFL Hall of Fame player (St Louis Cardinals)
1953 [54] Colin Hay, Kilwinning, Scotland, classic rock singer (Men at Work-“Down Under”)
1967 [40] Melora Hardin, Houston TX, TV actress (‘Jan Levinson’ on “The Office” since 2005)
1978 [29] Nicole Scherzinger, Honolulu HI, pop singer (Pussycat Dolls-“Buttons”, “Don’t Cha”)
SATURDAY –
Classic rock guitarist Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) is 54; TV actor Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) is 48; Former world heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson is 41; “American Idol 3“ winner Fantasia Barrino is 23.
CANADA DAY –
Montréal-born movie actress Genevieve Bujold (“Anne of the Thousand Days”) is 65; Ottawa-born actor Dan Aykroyd (“Blues Brothers”) is 55; Chatham ON-born country singer Michelle Wright (“I Surrender”) is 46; Ladysmith BC-born actress Pamela Anderson (“Baywatch”) is 40; Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott (“Lose Control”) is 36; Movie actress Liv Tyler (“Lord of the Rings”) is 30; TV actress Hilarie Burton (“One Tree Hill”) is 25.
Classic rock singer Deborah Harry (Blondie) is 62;
Classic rocker Fred Schneider (B-52’s) is 56;
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “International Camera Day”, a celebration of the tradition of recording the moments of your life. These days that’s most often done on your cellphone.
SATURDAY –
• “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.
SUNDAY –
• “Canada Day”, the annual celebration of Canada’s nationhood (1867) that was first established as a holiday in 1879. THIS YEAR’s 140th birthday bash on Parliament Hill in Ottawa includes 2006 “Canadian Idol” winner Eva Avila; country band Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans; girl group Shaye; 2007 ‘Best New Artist’ Juno winner Tomi Swick; the National Circus School from Québec; and – of course – the Snowbirds.
NET: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca
• “Financial Freedom Day”, a day to plan the path of future financial wealth (aka “Buy a Lotto Ticket Day”).
• “Frozen Yogurt Day”, honoring the ‘ice cream’ that’s supposedly better for you. What’s the best flavor? Blueberry Cheesecake? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup? Beef Ripple?
• “International Joke Day”, celebrating humor from around-the-world.
• “Postal Worker Day” in America, to honor past and present postal workers for their service and dedication in serving the American people. 44 years ago TODAY (1963), the US Postal Service introduced the Zone Improvement Plan, better known as the ‘ZIP Code’.
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1964 [43] 1st TV remote sold with a TV (Zenith Radio Corporation’s ‘Lazy Bones’ uses a cable that runs from the TV set to the viewer)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1925 [82] 1st ‘Frosted Light Bulb’ patented, to soften glare of incandescent lights (Marvin Pipkin)
1937 [70] 1st ‘Snowmobile’, built by Armand Bombardier in Québec (originally called ‘Ski-dog’, later ‘Ski-do’)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1966 [41] ‘World’s Largest Hotdog’ measures 3,124 feet-long (Humberside, England)
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[July 1] Canada Day / International Joke Day / Build a Scarecrow Day / Financial Freedom Day / Frozen Yogurt Day / Concert for Diana (London UK)
[July 2] Canada Day statutory holiday / Caricom Day (aka Caribbean Day) / “Transformers” opens in movie theaters
[July 3] Compliment Your Mirror Day / Dog Days of Summer Begin / Stay Out of the Sun Day / “License to Wed” opens in movie theaters
[July 3-Aug 15] Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
[July 4] Independence Day (USA) / Country Music Day / Sidewalk Egg Frying Day / Barbecue Day / Independence From Meat Day
[July 5] Workaholics Day / “Big Brother 8“ debuts (CBS)
[July 6] Fried Chicken Day / Beyoncé tour begins (New Orleans) / “American Idol” tour begins (Sunrise FL)
[July 6-8] 12th International Wife Carrying World Championship (Sonkajärvi, Finland)
[July 6-14] Running of the Bulls (Pamplona, Spain)
[July 6-15] Calgary Stampede
[July 7] New Seven Wonders of the World announced / This summer’s hottest day for weddings (7/7/07) / Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day / Ozzfest tour begins (LA) / Eva Longoria/Tony Parker wedding (Paris) / Live Earth concerts worldwide / 34th International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest (Eau Claire MI)
[July 7-29] 94th Tour de France
[July 8] Video Games Day
[July 8-29] 25th “Just For Laughs Comedy Festival” (Montréal)
[July 9] Intern Appreciation Day / Barn Day
[July 10] Don’t Step on a Bee Day / Orangemen’s Day / “Second City’s Next Comedy Legend” debuts (CBC) / MLB All-Star Game (San Francisco)
[July 11] Cheer Up the Lonely Day / Pet Photo Day / UN World Population Day / International Town Criers Day / Nicole Richie’s DUI court date / “Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix” opens in movie theaters
[July 12] Swimming Pool Day / Pecan Pie Day
[July 13] Gruntled Workers Day / Embrace Your Geekness Day / “Captivity” opens in movie theaters
[July 14] National Nude Day / Cow Appreciation Day
[July 15] Respect Canada Day / Be A Dork Day / Canada’s National Parks Day / National Ice Cream Day / 15th ESPY Awards (LA)
[July 17] Britain’s Royal Mail “Harry Potter” stamps go on sale
[July 18] Stick Out Your Tongue Day / Get Out of the Doghouse Day
[July 19-28] Capital Ex (Edmonton)
[July 20] Moon Day / Chess Day / Lollipop Day / Special Olympics Day / “Hairspray”; “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry”; “Mandy Lane”; and “Sunshine” open in movie theaters
[July 21] “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows” is published / Junk Food Day
[July 22] Rat Watcher’s Day
[July 23] Hot Enough For Ya? Day / Gorgeous Grandma Day / Democratic presidential candidate debate (CNN)
[July 24] Cousins Day / Virtual Love Day / Parents Day
[July 26] All or Nothing Day / Aunt & Uncle Day
[July 26-28] “Just For Laughs Toronto”
[July 27] Take Your Houseplants For a Walk Day / “I Know Who Killed Me”; “No Reservations”; “The Simpsons Movie”; “Skinwalkers”; and “Who’s Your Caddy?” open in movie theaters
[July 28] Accountants Day / Drive-Thru Day
[July 29] Lasagna Day / “Exposure” short film competition debuts (CBC) / Full Moon of July (Buck Moon) / 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction (Cooperstown NY)
[July 30] Cheesecake Day / Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 60
[July 31] Mutts Day
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[July 1] Canada Day / International Joke Day / Build a Scarecrow Day / Financial Freedom Day / Frozen Yogurt Day / Concert for Diana (London UK)
[July 2] Caricom Day (aka Caribbean Day) / “Transformers” opens in movie theaters
[July 3] Compliment Your Mirror Day / Dog Days of Summer Begin / Stay Out of the Sun Day / “License to Wed” opens in movie theaters
[July 3-Aug 15] Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
[July 4] US Independence Day / Country Music Day / Sidewalk Egg Frying Day / Barbecue Day / Independence From Meat Day
[July 5] Workaholics Day / “Big Brother 8“ debuts (CBS)
[July 6] Fried Chicken Day / Beyoncé tour begins (New Orleans) / “American Idol” tour begins (Sunrise FL)
[July 6-8] 12th International Wife Carrying World Championship (Sonkajärvi, Finland)
[July 6-14] Running of the Bulls (Pamplona, Spain)
[July 7] New Seven Wonders of the World announced / This summer’s hottest day for weddings (7/7/07) / Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day / Ozzfest tour begins (LA) / Eva Longoria/Tony Parker wedding (Paris) / Live Earth concerts worldwide / 34th International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest (Eau Claire MI)
[July 7-29] 94th Tour de France
[July 8] Video Games Day
[July 9] Intern Appreciation Day / Barn Day
[July 10] Don’t Step on a Bee Day / Orangemen’s Day / MLB All-Star Game (San Francisco)
[July 11] Cheer Up the Lonely Day / Pet Photo Day / UN World Population Day / International Town Criers Day / Nicole Richie’s DUI court date / “Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix” opens in movie theaters
[July 12] Swimming Pool Day / Pecan Pie Day
[July 13] Gruntled Workers Day / Embrace Your Geekness Day / “Captivity” opens in movie theaters
[July 14] National Nude Day / Cow Appreciation Day
[July 15] Respect Canada Day / Be A Dork Day / National Ice Cream Day / 15th ESPY Awards (LA)
[July 17] Britain’s Royal Mail “Harry Potter” stamps go on sale
[July 18] Stick Out Your Tongue Day / Get Out of the Doghouse Day
[July 20] Moon Day / Chess Day / Lollipop Day / Special Olympics Day / “Hairspray”; “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry”; “Mandy Lane”; and “Sunshine” open in movie theaters
[July 21] “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows” is published / Junk Food Day
[July 22] Rat Watcher’s Day
[July 23] Hot Enough For Ya? Day / Gorgeous Grandma Day / Democratic presidential candidate debate (CNN)
[July 24] Cousins Day / Virtual Love Day / Parents Day
[July 26] All or Nothing Day / Aunt & Uncle Day
[July 27] Take Your Houseplants For a Walk Day / “I Know Who Killed Me”; “No Reservations”; “The Simpsons Movie”; “Skinwalkers”; and “Who’s Your Caddy?” open in movie theaters
[July 28] Accountants Day / Drive-Thru Day
[July 29] Lasagna Day / Full Moon of July (Buck Moon) / 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction (Cooperstown NY)
[July 30] Cheesecake Day / Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 60
[July 31] Mutts Day
BULL’S BITS
IF CANADA RULED THE WORLD . . .
• US dollar? If we’re in a good mood, about 32 cents Canadian.
• New taste sensation at McDonald’s … ‘McPoutine’!
• Mapmakers would need to order a heck of a lot more pink ink, that’s for sure.
• Federal law requiring more questions about Saskatchewan on “Jeopardy”.
• World disputes solved in best-out-of-3 curling shoot-outs.
• All the top actors & singers in the US would be Canadian (no wait, we’re doing that already!).
• 3 words: more street hockey!
MORE BS QUESTIONS PLAGUING HUMANITY:
• Are we the people our parents warned us about?
• Did cavemen get mocked for wearing last season’s mammoth skins?
• Do you have to study for a urine test?
• Do women computer users receive Fe-mail?
• Can vegetarians eat fruit?
• How important must one be to get ‘assassinated’?
• What happens if you drop a baby into the Fountain of Youth? It disappears?
• What the hell is ‘heck’?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: In their leisure time Québeckers go out to dinner more than anyone in Canada, while folks in BC like to do THIS more than other Canadians.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Crafts.
In Rome, Georgia the average family has 3,200 servings of THIS a year.
Coca-Cola.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If you love life, it will love you back.
