Thursday, June 30, 2011 Edition: #4539
Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s Issue!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
Last night “The Voice” (NBC) wrapped its first season but it will return for a 2nd go-round next year, with the kickoff in the highly-coveted slot right after the Super Bowl (have we reached the saturation point on singing contests yet?) . . . “Saturday Night Live” star Jason Sudeikis is rumored to be getting cozy with yet another impossibly sexy, out-of-his-league actress – Eva Mendes (he’s already crossed January Jones, Jennifer Aniston, and Scarlett Johansson off his dance card) . . . Speaking of serial daters, actress Olivia Wilde has now reportedly moved on to Jake Gyllenhaal (she may be carrying cooties from Justin Timberlake, Bradley Cooper, and Ryan Gosling) . . . 25-year-old actor Shia LeBeouf (“Transformers: Dark Of the Moon”) admits in “Details” magazine that he hooked up with former co-star Megan Fox, and once jumped the counter at a Taco Bell to wail on a guy who insulted her (this dude’s on a collision course – and this time not necessarily with his SUV) . . . In his first standup gig following his ‘apology tour’ for gay-bashing, sorta comedian Tracy Morgan has offended both the audience and several advocacy groups by ranting on about ‘retarded kids’ and ‘cripples’ (you can say g’bye to “30 Rock” for sure now) . . . Acting couple David Duchovny & Tea Leoni have split up again, 2 years after reconciling following his admission of sex addiction (no reason given, but you can guess) . . . Also splitting are 58-year-old actor Jeff Goldblum & 26-year-old model/actress Lydia Hearst-Shaw (who apparently looked in the mirror after reading about Hugh Hefner’s granddaughter-aged girlfriends) . . . And “Star” magazine is reporting that 33-year-old Molly Bloom, the ringleader behind the alleged illegal gambling ring that involved several Hollywood actors (Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, etc), has been roughed up after fleeing to NYC from LA, leading to speculation the poker games may be connected to the Russian mob (if nothing else, this will make a fabulous movie some day!).
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/A Channel) – One eskimO (“One Eskimo”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CHCH) – 311 (“Universal Pulse”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Florence & The Machine (“Lungs”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/A Channel) – 1980s rocker Joe Jackson.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/NTV/Omni) – Cake (“Showroom of Compassion”) performs during the show and on the “Live On Letterman” webcast series after the taping.
• “Live With Regis & Kelly” (syndicated/CTV) – Jill Scott (“The Light Of the Sun”).
• “Lopez Tonight” (TBS) – David Cook (“This Loud Morning”).
• “So You Think You Can Dance” (FOX/CTV) – AXIS Dance Company performs; 2 more contestants are eliminated.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel) – Italian boy-band Il Volo.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Lady Gaga (“Born This Way”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Alicia Keys – She’s co-producing the Broadway premiere of the play “Stick Fly”, an acclaimed comedy written by Lydia R Diamond that will open in December.
• Arcade Fire – Tonight they play Hyde Park in London, their largest-ever headlining gig in Europe. Mumford & Sons will open the show.
• Carrie Underwood – She says once her career and hubby Mike Fisher’s hockey-playing days have run their course, she’s looking forward to ‘just being normal and trying to do some good in the world’. (We’re betting he’ll be done long before she is.)
• Counting Crows – On their official Facebook page, frontman Adam Durtiz says that he’s battling severe withdrawal symptoms after choosing to wean himself off mood-stabilizing drugs.
• John Lennon – In the new documentary “Beatles Stories”, former personal assistant Fred Seaman claims that Lennon moved away from his earlier radicalism by the late ‘70s and became a ‘closet Republican’ who supported Ronald Reagan.
• Justin Bieber – His fragrance ‘Someday’ is for females and although he’s not opposed to working on a scent for guys, he thinks it was ‘smarter’ to work on a feminine fragrance. (His 2 male fans might not like it.)
• Nine Inch Nails – A cable TV miniseries based on the NIN album “Year Zero” is being developed by Trent Reznor and HBO/BBC Worldwide Productions.
• OneRepublic – Frontman Ryan Tedder has been busy writing songs with BoB, Carrie Underwood, Cobra Starship, and K’naan, but once those commitments are finished in a couple of weeks, he says he’ll focus solely on his band’s follow-up album to “Waking Up” (2009).
• Tom Petty – His management has asked Republican presidential candidate/Tea Party favorite Michele Bachmann not to use his 1977 song “American Girl” at campaign events again. The song was recently played as she left the stage in Waterloo, Iowa after making a speech.
• U2 – “360” tour director Craig Evans tells “Billboard” they’re in discussions to have the 3 ‘Claw’ stages being rotated on the tour installed as permanent venues in various locations. Reports suggest one could be used as part of the London Olympics opening ceremonies next year.
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “The Dictator” – Sacha Baron Cohen’s upcoming comedy is the story of a Middle Eastern despot who flees to the US after being removed from power and replaced by a look-alike goat herder. Both roles are being played by Cohen. Co-stars include Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, John C Reilly, and Megan Fox. The movie is scheduled for release in May 2012.
• “A Liar’s Autobiography” – The Monty Python cast is reuniting to make a movie based on late co-star Graham Chapman’s memoirs, published in 1980. John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin are set to appear in a 3-D animated adaptation. Eric Idle, the other member of the comedy troupe, has not signed up for the film.
• “The Lady” – Actress Michelle Yeoh, who was hoping to research her role in Luc Besson’s upcoming movie about political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi, has been deported from Myanmar (Burma) because she’s on a blacklist. Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, was freed from house arrest last November after being detained 15 years due to her views.
• “The Paperboy” – Nicole Kidman is in negotiations to star following Sophia Vergara’s departure from the film, which will be the first directed by Lee Daniels since his work on “Precious”. Kidman would play the role of a woman who writes letters to men on death row who are about to die for their alleged crimes. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron.
• “A Star Is Born” – Director Clint Eastwood is said to be trying to persuade Leonardo DiCaprio to join Beyoncé in this 4th remake of the story of an aspiring singer who falls for an older star. Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr, and Jon Hamm have previously been linked with the role. DiCaprio is currently working with Eastwood on the biopic “J Edgar”.
HAPPY LISTENERS:
A new Sparkler Research study commissioned by Britain’s Radio Advertising Bureau has found that radio listeners are happier than non-listeners, as well as happier than those using TV or the Internet. When rating their own energy levels, radio listeners were found to have 3 times more energy than those not consuming any media. A second phase of the research involving brain scans found that radio also stimulates positive responses within the brain. (A related study suggests radio listeners are also more likely to get lucky … but that’s unconfirmed.)
– FMQB.com
MOVIE MARATHON:
A new company called ‘Movie Pass’ will enable you to watch all the movies in theaters that you can stand for a flat fee of $50-a-month. The service is debuting in San Francisco CA this weekend, but if it goes well it’s likely to quickly expand. Subscribers will use their smartphones as tickets after signing up using an app. The all-you-can-watch service is looking to shake up the theater biz in the same way Netflix changed the DVD-rental game. (Would you buy a pass?)
– Wired.com
BARD ON A STICK:
South African anthropologist Francis Thackeray has asked permission to open William Shakespeare’s grave to determine, among other things, what killed him and whether his works may have been composed … under the influence of marijuana. Thackeray conducted a study in 2001 that found evidence of marijuana residue on pipe fragments found in Shakespeare’s garden. Cannabis was grown in England at the time but mainly to make textiles and rope. (“Is this a joint which I see before me?”)
– LiveScience.com
REVOLUTIONARY OR REDUNDANT?
Google is challenging Facebook to a duel. ‘Google+’ (Google-plus) is the company’s new social network that operates suspiciously like Facebook, with a major difference … it emphasizes small groups and privacy. It features ‘circles’, separate groupings of friends based on how you know them. There’s the ability to group text and to host face-to-face group chats. ‘Google+’ isn’t open to the public just yet, but you can take a tour of the site here …
NET: http://www.google.com/+/demo/
– Good.is
SELF-HUGGING:
Inventors at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Japan have come up with the ‘Sense-roid‘, an electronic vest that lets you … feel your own hugs. As the user hugs a dummy, sensors on the mannequin correspond to compressed air chambers and vibration instruments inside the user’s ‘tactile jacket’. The result is that the user can feel his/her own hugs. The researchers admit that many people are initially uncomfortable with the unusual experience. (Well, you know what self-hugging leads to … dancing.)
– “Popular Science”
WHAT WILL LIFE BE LIKE IN 2050?
Highlights of a new poll on what the average person sees happening in the future …
• 81% think that computers will be able to communicate in the same way that humans do.
• 74% say most of our energy will come from sources other than coal, oil, or gas.
• 71% believe there will be a cure for cancer.
• 66% think we’ll have access to artificial limbs that perform better than the originals.
• 53% think that ordinary people will routinely travel in space.
– Neatorama.com
DID YOU KNOW?
1-in-5 American kids aged 2-to-5 is now overweight or obese before entering kindergarten.
– CNN.com
BS CHRONOMETER 06.30.11
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1953 [58] Hal Lindes, Monterey CA, classic rock guitarist (Dire Straits-“Money For Nothing”, “Sultans of Swing”)
1959 [52] Vincent D’Onofrio, Brooklyn NY, TV actor (‘Detective Robert Goren’ on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” 2001-11)
1966 [45] Mike Tyson, Brooklyn NY, youngest-ever heavyweight boxing champion (age 20)/undisputed world boxing champ (WBA, IBF, WBC) from 1987-90/ex-con
1984 [27] 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 [26] Michael Phelps, Baltimore MD, champion swimmer with a record14 Olympic gold medals
TODAY’S BS REASONS 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.
• “Royal Tour 2011”, as Wills & Kate arrive in Ottawa on their first joint official overseas trip. They’ll take part in Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill tomorrow. The 9-day visit also includes visits to Montréal, Québec City, Charlottetown & Summerside PEI, Yellowknife NT, and Calgary. On July 8th they move on to California.
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2010 [01] “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” opens in movie theaters
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2006 [05] “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 FIRSTS . . .
1926 [85] 1st ‘Pop-up Toaster’ is introduced (McGraw Electric Co, Minneapolis MN)
1936 [75] Margaret Mitchell publishes her best-selling novel “Gone With the Wind” (made into a blockbuster movie 3 years later)
1987 [24] Canadian ‘loonie’ debuts as the Royal Canadian Mint introduces 80 million golden $1-coins into circulation
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Jul 1] “Larry Crowne”; “Monte Carlo” open in movie theaters / Canada Day / Hug a Cowboy Day / Half Year Day / International Chicken Wing Day
[Jul 2] UFO Day / I Forgot Day / Cherry Pit Spitting Day / International Day of Cooperatives
[Jul 3] Dog Days of Summer begin / Air Conditioning Appreciation Days begin / Stay Out Of the Sun Day / Compliment Your Mirror Day
[Jul 4] US Independence Day / Independence From Meat Day
[Jul 5] Just For Laughs begins (Montréal) / Bikini Day
[Jul 6] Polaris Music Prize shortlist announced / Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day
[Jul 7] International Circus Arts Festival begins (Montréal) / Chocolate Day / Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day / Global Forgiveness Day / Tell The Truth Day
[Jul 8] “Horrible Bosses”; “Zookeeper” open in movie theaters / Collector Car Appreciation Day
[Jul 9] Cow Appreciation Day
[Jul 10] Don’t Step On a Bee Day / Piña Colada Day / Teddy Bears Picnic Day
[Jul 11] World Population Day / International Town Criers Day
[Jul 13] Embrace Your Geekness Day / Gruntled Workers Day
[Jul 14] Primetime Emmy Awards nominations announced
[Jul 15] “Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 2”; “Winnie the Pooh” open in movie theaters / Full ‘Buck’ Moon / Gummi Worm Day / Saint Swithin’s Day
[Jul 16] Hot Dog Night / Cow Appreciation Day / Woodie Wagon Day
[Jul 17] “Breaking Bad” season premiere (AMC) / Ice Cream Sunday
[Jul 18] Mandela Day / Get Out Of the Doghouse Day / Global Hug Your Kid Day
[Jul 20] Lollipop Day
[Jul 22] “Captain America: The First Avenger”; “Friends With Benefits” open in movie theaters / Rat Catchers Day / Spoonerism Day
[Jul 23] Gorgeous Grandma Day / Hot Enough For Ya Day
[Jul 24] Cousins Day / Parents Day / Day Of the Cowboy / Drive-Thru Day / Tell an Old Joke Day
[Jul 25] “Dish Nation” premieres (FOX) / Merry-Go-Round Day
[Jul 27] “Life In a Day” opens in movie theaters / Korean War Veterans Armistice Day / Take Your Houseplant For a Walk Day / Walk on Stilts Day
[Jul 28] Milk Chocolate Day / Chili Dog Day
[Jul 29] “Cowboys & Aliens”; “Crazy, Stupid, Love”; “The Smurfs” open in movie theaters / Lasagna Day / Lumberjack Day / Talk In an Elevator Day / System Administrator Appreciation Day
[Jul 30] Blue Moon / Cheesecake Day / Father-In-Law Day
BULL’S BITS
BS THINGS YOU DON’T WANNA HEAR AT A HOLIDAY WEEKEND BARBECUE:
• “Beef is great, but squirrel is so much cheaper.”
• “To give it a little ‘kick’, I put charcoal starter in the punch.”
• “The best part of that fireworks display was when the bug zapper fell in the pool.”
• “Ew, my hot dog has a knuckle.”
• “I don’t think that’s mayonnaise in the coleslaw!”
BS RANDOM JOKE:
How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear what someone said?
BS PHONE STARTER:
Non-vegetarians eat lots of other animals … so what’s wrong with eating dog meat? (A dog meat festival organized by the Korea Dog Farmers’ Association in Seoul, South Korea, intended to show the humane, sanitary side of the industry, has been canceled due to protests from animal rights activists.)
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
To increase blood flow to the brain and release hormones that relieve stress, which should you do?
a. Smile. [CORRECT]
b. Cough.
c. Blow your nose.
– “Walking Magazine”
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: When we travel, 60% of us look for THIS before choosing a hotel.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A free included breakfast.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Discretion is putting two-and-two together and keeping your mouth shut.