Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Edition: #3561
Here’s More Bull Roar!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY thousands of Internet radio stations are observing a day of silence to protest a proposed JULY 15th royalty increase that may force many of them to shut down permanently (a good day to welcome all your new first-time listeners!) . . . TONIGHT, in what amounts to a Beatles reunion of sorts, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon & Olivia Harrison will be interviewed together on “Larry King Live” (CNN), celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the “Love” musical at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas that features digitally remixed recordings of Beatles’ tunes (there was a time when Paul & Yoko might have come to fisticuffs but now he’s 65 & she’s a creaky 74) . . . TONIGHT the 2007 “BET Awards” are handed out, with Beyoncé leading nominations with a total of 6, followed by her “Dreamgirls” co-star Jennifer Hudson with 3 (performers include Diddy, Gladys Knight, Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Stevie Wonder, and TI) . . . TONIGHT the 6-episode series “Shaq’s Big Challenge” debuts (ABC) in which NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal attempts to transform 6 obese Florida middle-schoolers into healthy kids (unfortunately, it’s by using ‘the rack’) . . . Movie star Kate Hudson is teaming up with stylist David Babaii (‘buh-BYE’) to develop an eco-friendly haircare collection that’s free of sulfates, animal products, and animal testing (so … it’s bottled water?) . . . Christina Aguilera, late Beatle George Harrison, comic book creator Stan Lee, movie actress Cate Blanchett, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ricky Martin are among those who’ll receive their own stars on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” in 2008 (little known fact: Stars – or their fans – pay for the privilege).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Bryan Ferry – TONIGHT the former Roxy Music frontman is on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Christina Aguilera – TONIGHT she performs in Shanghai, China after successfully having a local ban of her ‘racy’ stage act overturned.
• Daughtry – THIS MORNING he’s “Home” on “Live With Regis & Kelly” (syndicated/CTV).
• Fall Out Boy – THIS AFTERNOON they perform “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Green Day – They’ve designed a limited-edition T-shirt to benefit Amnesty International that’s being sold exclusively at Hard Rock Café locations worldwide.
• Jennifer Hanson – The country singer/songwriter shot the video for her new single “Joyride” in Nevada’s aptly-named Valley of Fire State Park, where the daily temp hovered around 100 F.
• Korn – Frontman Jonathan Davis is putting together a book of his favorite horror stories, illustrated by his favorite artists. He claims it will be a ‘cool coffee table book’.
• Led Zeppelin – Robert Plant, Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones will re-group alongside late drummer John Bonham’s son Jason for a one-off memorial concert in London to honor late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. They’ve agreed to consider a world tour afterward.
• Mandy Moore – TONIGHT she sings her new single “Gardenia” on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel).
• Rihanna – She had a tough childhood, suffering from such horrific headaches that doctors thought she may have a brain tumor. On top of that, her parents divorced when she was 14.
• Snow Patrol – Their “Eyes Open” album has now sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Black Snake Moan” ( Drama ): Samuel L Jackson stars as an ex-blues musician who finds the town nympho (Christina Ricci) left for dead and vows to nurse her back to health … and cure her of her wickedness. Justin Timberlake co-stars as a soldier just back from Iraq who comes searching for his missing girlfriend.
• “Dead Silence” ( Horror Thriller ): Aussie actor Ryan Kwanten plays a young widower who returns home to investigate his wife’s murder. There he encounters the legend that’s turned the place into a ghost town. Co-stars model-turned-actress Amber Valletta & boy-band singer-turned-actor Donnie Wahlberg. Shot in Toronto and Elora ON.
• “Pride” ( Sports Drama ): Terrence Howard (“Crash”, “Hustle & Flow”) stars as real-life hero Jim Ellis, who coached a team of troubled inner-city Philadelphia PA kids all the way to the state swimming championships in the 1970s. Bernie Mac co-stars.
• “Shooter” ( Action Thriller ): Mark Wahlberg plays an ace marksman living in self-exile in the wilderness who is persuaded by former associates that they need his help to prevent an assassination. Subsequently double-crossed and framed for the presidential assassination he was trying to prevent, he’s forced to go on the run.
• Also released TODAY: “Cult Camp Classics: Volumes 1-4”; “High School Musical: The Concert Extreme Access Pass”; “The New Adventures of Batman” (2-Disc Collector Set); “The New Adventures of Superman” (2-Disc Collector Set); “Reno 911!: The Complete 4th Season”; and U2’s “PopMart Live From Mexico City” (1997).
MAN BAN:
Italian entrepreneur Fausto Ravaglia is making waves by opening what may be the world’s first women-only beach. ‘Beach 134′ at the Riccione resort on the Adriatic coast is designed as a place where women can participate in fitness classes, have manicures, and sunbathe away from the relentless prying eyes of menfolk. In other words, where women can simply be themselves. And the gallant Ravaglia is obeying the rules himself … his daughter Francesca runs the resort. (Hmm, ‘women being themselves’ … bet that’s a real friendly spot!)
– “GQ”
SHHHH!
A growing body of evidence confirms that the chronic din of modern life is taking a toll on our health and happiness. Several studies have now found that ‘community noise’ is interrupting our sleep, interfering with our children’s learning, suppressing our immune systems, and even minimally increasing the chances of heart attack. A recent EPA report refutes the idea that we get used to regular noises. Even when we think we’re accustomed to familiar noise, biological changes still take place inside us. (What’s the most grating noise you’ve learned to put up with? Traffic? Jackhammers? Sirens? Celine Dion?)
– “Washington Post”
LARGEST MUSIC RETAILERS:
A new report from market research firm NPD perhaps surprisingly shows that physical CD sales still dominate the music scene with 86.2% of all sales. The report also ranks the market share of various music retailers, including both online and traditional brick-and-mortar stores …
3. iTunes (9.8%)
2. Best Buy (13.8%)
1. Wal-Mart (15.8%)
Others in the top 10 include Amazon.com, Target, Borders, Circuit City, and Virgin Megastores.
The figures are for total sales in the first quarter of 2007. (No mention of what percentage is downloaded illegally.)
– RockNews.info
GROW YOUR OWN COLD CURE:
Alternative medicine enthusiasts have sworn by its health restoring properties for years, but now new University of Connecticut research has confirmed that the herbal remedy, Echinacea, composed of a collection of 9 related plant species, will more than halve your chances of catching a cold and shorten an existing cold by an average of 1.4 days. It’s traditionally been used for prevention of colds, but the new findings suggest it may also be an effective treatment. (Prices just went up at your local health food store.)
– “HealthNews”
CURBING ROAD RAGE:
Robert Mann, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health in Toronto, has made a career of studying bad drivers. He’s also come up with several hi-tech ideas to help reduce road rage, including …
• Sensors installed in vehicles that warn a driver about tailgating the car ahead. Repeat offenders would be monitored by the technology that would govern their speed.
• Cut-out circuits could be used to prevent repeated horn blowing.
• As well as brake lights, why not thank-you lights? (We already have this in Canada … the ‘thank-you wave’.)
– “Edge Magazine”
IS BIG BROTHER BEST?
New Norwegian research shows that boys at the top of the pecking order in their families, either by birth or because their older siblings died, score higher on IQ tests than their younger brothers. So it isn’t a matter of being born first, but growing up the senior child, that seems to result in higher intelligence. One reason may be the eldest child benefits by having to organize and express thoughts to tutor younger siblings. (Apparently continually yelling “Don’t touch my stuff!” is really enlightening.)
– The journal “Science”
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• The freakiest plastic-surgery trend has pet pooches of all breeds going under the knife. More and more veterinarians are performing chin lifts, tightening loose skin, and even inserting silicone implants to give neutered male dogs artificial cojones.
• One way to tell if a typical watermelon is ripe is by the color on the bottom. An unripe watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom. Another way is the color on the top. It’s ripe when there’s not much contrast between the stripes.
• 5 of the top 10 unluckiest days for cellphone loss happen in JUNE, according to phone insurance & security company CPP Group. It seems people tend to be less alert at this time of year as they wind down for the summer holiday season.
AND WE QUOTE:
“They are both iconic. Free spirits with a strong personality. Stylish, contemporary and a very intense couple.”
– Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, explaining why he chose British celebrity couple Kate Moss & Pete Doherty as the face of his women’s wear collection and autumn/winter menswear line. (Best be careful when they leave the runway to go to the ‘powder room’!)
BS CHRONOMETER 06.26.07
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1956 [51] Chris Isaak, Stockton CA, TV actor (“Chris Isaak Show” 2001-04)/movie actor (“Silence of the Lambs”)/pop singer (“Wicked Game”)
1959 [48] Mark McKinney, Ottawa ON, TV comic (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” 2006-07, Saturday Night Live” 1995-97, “Kids In The Hall” 1989-94)
1969 [38] Colin Greenwood, Oxford UK, alt-rock bassist (Radiohead-“There There”, “Creep”)
1970 [37] Chris O’Donnell, Winnetka IL, movie actor (“Batman & Robin”)/TV actor (‘Dr Finn Dandridge’ on “Grey’s Anatomy” 2006)
1970 [37] Sean Hayes, Glen Ellyn IL, TV actor (“Will & Grace” 1998-2006)
1973 [34] Gretchen Wilson, Pocahontas IL, country singer (“One Of The Boys”, “Redneck Woman”)
1974 [33] Derek Jeter, Pequannock NJ, MLB shortstop (NY Yankees)/1st player to be chosen World Series & All-Star Game MVP in same season (2000)
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Beautician’s Day”, your chance to show your appreciation to those who make you look beautiful and stunning. That includes your hairstylist, manicurist, esthetician … and the makers of Adobe Photoshop.
• “Chocolate Pudding Day”, the yummy dessert that combines almost everything that’s bad for you – sugar, starch, cream, butter & salt. Is it just us or does it feel really gooshy when you squeeze a fistful of it?
• “UN International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking”, established in 1987 with the goal of achieving an international society free of drug abuse. Let’s see, has it worked yet?
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1959 [48] ‘St Lawrence Seaway’ is officially opened by QE II & US President Eisenhower
1974 [33] 1st supermarket ‘Bar Code Scanner’ is used at Marsh’s Supermarket in Troy, Ohio where a pack of chewing gum becomes the 1st item scanned at a checkout (and shows up on the bill as twenty-dollars-worth of sirloin)
1985 [22] 1st ‘Organist Ejected from a Baseball Game’ (Wilbur Snapp gets tossed for playing “Three Blind Mice” following a call by umpire Keith O’Connor in a Class A League game at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater FL)
TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1976 [31] Toronto’s $63-million ‘CN Tower’ 1st opens to the public, the ‘World’s Tallest Free-standing Structure’ at 1,815-feet (553-m) featuring ‘World’s Highest Public Observation Deck’, ‘World’s Highest & Largest Revolving Restaurant’
1981 [26] ‘Most Coupons Used in a Single Purchase’ as Virginia Campbell of Mountain Home, Idaho buys $24,460 worth of groceries in a supermarket and uses clipped coupons and rebates to cover all but 67 cents of the bill (wow, someone even cheaper than [co-host]!)
1994 [13] Killer heat wave sets record temps in Southwest US (104 F in Denver CO, 107 F in Albuquerque NM, 112 F in El Paso TX, 126 F in Death Valley CA)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Special Recreation for Disabled Day
[Wed] Decide to be Married Day
[Wed] HIV Testing Day
[Wed] “Live Free or Die Hard” opens in movie theaters
[Thurs -July 8] 28th Montréal Jazz Festival
[Thurs] Paul Bunyan Day
[Fri] “Evening”; “Ratatouille”; and “Sicko” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Apple iPhone release
[Sun] Canada Day
[Sun] Concert for Diana (London)
This Week Is … Camping Week
This Month Is … Lane Courtesy Month
BULL’S BITS
ODD BS PHOBIAS:
• ‘Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia’ is the fear of long words.
• ‘Didaskaleinophobia’ is the fear of going to school.
• ‘Lutraphobia’ is the fear of otters.
• ‘Arachibutyrophobia’ is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
• ‘Phobatrivaphobia’ is the fear of trivia about phobias.
ENCORE BRIDE QUIZ:
54% of divorced women aged 15-44 are likely to remarry within 5 years; after 10 years, the probability jumps to 75%. But just what’s what when it comes to second-wedding etiquette? A few tips from Beth Reed Ramirez, editor of the online magazine “Bride Again” …
• When should you start wearing your 2nd engagement ring? (Not until you’re actually divorced from the 1st marriage.)
• Who should pay for the expense of a 2nd wedding? (The second-time couple generally pays for most if not all of the ceremony and reception.)
• Should you recycle your old wedding dress? (It’s a new wedding, a new man and a new marriage. So you should get a new dress.)
• Should an encore bride wear a veil? (Nope. Lifting the veil is traditional symbol of the groom removing his betrothed’s virginity.)
• How do you prevent guests from grumbling about having to buy a wedding gift AGAIN? (Many second-timers suggest donations to a designated charity in lieu of a gift.)
• Should you invite your ex- to your 2nd wedding? (Not good form, no matter how well you get along.)
– “USA Today”
BS PHONE STARTERS:
• If you were to be cremated, where would you want your ashes scattered?
• What’s absolutely the most irritating song of all-time? (A new onepoll.com online survey picks James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful”, which was a #1 hit in 11 different countries in 2005.)
BS RANDOM JOKE:
She’s used up all her sick days … so she’s calling in dead.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: People who do THIS for a living have more on-the-job injuries than any other field.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Rodeo cowboy.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Placebo is the most powerful drug on the shelf.
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