Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – Edition: #7443
Have Another Sheetload!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Mindy Kaling, Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Gladys Knight and fashion designer Vera Wang are among those who received the White House’s 2021 National Medals of Arts and Humanities, in a pandemic-delayed ceremony yesterday. The medals were presented by President Joe Biden during an East Room ceremony, also attended by first lady Jill Biden. Other recipients included Amy Tan, author of “The Joy Luck Club,” and ‘Feliz Navidad’ songwriter and singer Jose Feliciano.
-CNN, HollywoodReporter
★ Congratulations are officially in order for Alexander Skarsgård and Tuva Novotny. While at the Season 4 Premiere of “Succession,” the 46-year-old actor confirmed that the pair recently welcomed their first child together. When congratulated, Skarsgård replied: “Thank you very much.” The “Big Little Lies” alum also showed off a stuffed animal he received on the red carpet, a gift for his little one. He didn’t however, divulge any details about the baby’s name or sex.
-PageSix
★ Julianne Hough is joining “Dancing with the Stars” as a co-host and Alfonso Ribeiro has been upped to emcee of the franchise for its 32nd season. Hough will assume Ribeiro’s previous role on DWTS, which is to interview the dancers after their performances in the Sky Box. Tyra Banks announced it was “time” for her to step down as host last week. Pro dancer Hough is a two-time “DWTS” champion, and has expanded her career to become a recording artist and actress, starring in films such as “Safe Haven” and “Footloose”.
-Deadline
★ Amanda Bynes’ parents aren’t considering another conservatorship for their daughter despite her recent psychiatric episode. A source close to the family said that despite the mental breakdown, Lynn and Rick Bynes found solace in the fact that the “Easy A” actress called the police on herself. The actress was seen alone walking near downtown LA without any clothes on in the early hours on Sunday. She reportedly waved down a car and informed the driver that she was coming down from a psychotic episode, then called 911 herself, and is now receiving care. Bynes had been living by herself and attending cosmetology classes, and the source believes Sunday’s incident was an “anomaly.”
-PageSix, ETCanada
★ Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have pulled the plug on yet another real estate deal … and they’re once again on the hunt. Sources say that Bennifer has fallen out of escrow on the $64 million Pacific Palisades mansion they had their sights set on earlier this month. No word on why, but for those keeping count, this is the 3rd home they’ve fallen out of escrow on in the past year – including a $55 million Bel-Air estate in April, another Pacific Palisades palace last month, worth $34.5 mil – and this latest false start. And there are reports that the two were scooping out real estate again over the weekend.
-TMZ
★ Andy Kaufman is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He’ll be inducted alongside this year’s other honorees that currently include Rey Mysterio and The Great Muta. Kaufman is known for his career on stage and screen, most famously starring as ‘Latka’ in the hit sitcom “Taxi”. But he also made his mark on the world of wrestling, when he declared himself the Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World, offering money to any woman who could pin him, as part of his act.
-Variety
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Molly Shannon, Giancarlo Esposito, Nickel Creek
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Brian Cox, Gaten Matarazzo, Mikaela Shiffrin, Caroline Polachek
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Christina Ricci, Jen Psaki, Robert Glasper featuring YEBBA (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Fred Armisen, Penn Badgley (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Kerry Washington, Delroy Lindo
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Heather McGhee, guest host Al Franken
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Zach Braff, Jameela Jamil
• “The Talk” (CBS): Melody Thomas Scott, Jess Walton, Michelle Miller, guest co-host Victor Cruz
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Jennifer Aniston, Mae Whitman
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Chrissy Teigen, Lukas Gage, Easton Corbin
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Amanda Kloots
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Coco Jones, Skai Jackson
• “Survivor” (CBS): One person from each tribe is chosen to go on a journey and receives surprising news that shakes up the game; tribes must slingshot themselves toward victory in the reward challenge,
• “The Masked Singer” (Fox): Three celebs perform their favorite country songs; 2 are unmasked, one advances straight to the quarterfinals.
• “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo): An hour of bonus footage, extended scenes and never-before-seen content, followed by a new episode.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Ed Sheeran – The 4-part docuseries “Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All”, will premiere May 3 on Disney+. It is described as spotlighting “how an unlikely child with a stutter rose to fame to become one of the biggest global music superstars and how his chart-topping hits were born.”
• The Weeknd – has reached a settlement with 2 artists who claim his 2018 song ‘Call Out My Name’ copied their “atmospheric and melancholic” tune called ‘Vibeking’. Terms have not been disclosed.
• Taylor Swift – A couple of fans said “I do” from their floor seats during her show Saturday night in Glendale AZ. The bride, Rene Hurtado, and groom, Max, originally considered eloping and making the concert serve as their wedding reception, but then decided to actually get hitched at the show. She is, of course, telling her story on TikTok. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mvsuujzu
• Foo Fighters – reportedly have found a new drummer for their first tour without the late Taylor Hawkins. Matt Cameron, who played with Soundgarden and now Pearl Jam, will be behind the kit when the Foos return to the road in May. Cameron was a close friend of Hawkins (Who wasn’t?).
• The Offspring — has announced the “Let the Bad Times Roll” 2023 tour with special guests Sum 41 and Simple Plan. The 24-city tour kicks off Aug. 1 in Auburn WA. Tickets go on sale Friday.
• Def Leppard – In May, they’ll release “Drastic Symphonies”, a collection of 16 of their “most symphonic” songs, reimagined and recorded with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. At some points, you can hear singer Joe Elliott dueting with his younger self. His comment about that: “It was like singing with a ghost that’s still alive, if that makes any sense.” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2s49tx3h
• Garth Brooks – He and wife Trisha Yearwood made a surprise appearance at the Grand Old Opry on Saturday. He popped up on stage near the end of the show for a raucous performance of ‘Callin’ Baton Rouge’, then was joined by Yearwood for a cover of ‘Shallow’, the Lady GaGa-Bradley Cooper duet from “A Star is Born”. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yckuj3pk
• Brothers Osborne – cancelled their Monday appearance at “Love Rising”, a benefit for the Tennessee Equality Project, inclusion tennessee, OUTMemphis and The Tennessee Pride Chamber, in Nashville. Why? The imminent arrival of John Osborne’s twins with wife Lucie Silvas. He posted that the babies, which have already been named Maybelle and Arthur, could arrive “any second”. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3azhwf8u
• Jon Pardi – has announced the “Mr. Saturday Night World Tour”, his first-ever global headlining run. It kicks off in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Aug. 25, visiting the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Norway and Sweden. That’ll be followed by a North American leg. Openers include Midland and Jackson Dean.
SHOOTING THE BULL
INTELLIGENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:
Possibly awesome news on the AI front. Artificial intelligence has developed a treatment for cancer in just 30 days – AND can predict a patient’s survival rate with 80% accuracy. Researchers at the University of Toronto along with Insilico Medicine developed a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, a common form of liver cancer), using a platform called Pharma.AI. Without getting too technical on you, it was able to come up with a previously unknown treatment pathway for cancer. Plus, the creation of the potential drug was accomplished in just 30 days by synthesizing just 7 compounds. AI is rapidly changing the way drugs and medicine are discovered and developed, as the traditional method of trial and error is slow, expensive and limits the scope of exploration.
(See? It CAN be beaten!)
(It beats the heck out of using AI to take newscasters’ jobs away, like we learned about yesterday!)
-NYPost
FAIR WEATHER TREND:
Women feel more confident in the Spring and Summer seasons, according to a new poll. The survey of 2,000 women looked at how the weather impacts their confidence and mood. Perhaps the least-surprising thing revealed is that on average, women say they can put up with only 7 weeks of cold weather before they’ve just had enough. That means they feel they need to go somewhere warm by January. Nearly half (49%) said they feel least confident about how their skin looks during Winter, due to issues with dull skin (30%) and uneven skin tone (21%) at that time of year. Women also said they feel the least radiant during Winter’s peak in December (36%) and January (41%).
(Whew! Thank goodness – I thought she’d been mad at me for 4 months!)
(Guys? They feel most confident in Winter. Most confident that their oversized parka covers up their gut, that is…)
-SWNS
NEW TO YOU (AND ME):
⇒ Sports equipment giant Wilson recently unveiled a 3D-printed basketball prototype that does not need to be inflated and features a see-through lattice design. The Wilson Airless Prototype relies on the elasticity of its “research-grade” polymer material to produce the same bounce as traditional basketballs. With no need to inflate the ball to a certain pressure, it eliminates problems like puncture risks, and slow leaks through the valve. Although Wilson has kept the traditional binding pattern of the regular basketball, so players are still able to get their fingers into the seam lines for better grip, the prototype ball is see-through, with hundreds of small hexagonal holes allowing air to pass through.
(I’d say I’ll miss the old design – but I’m sure I’d miss with the new one, too!) LINK: https://youtu.be/elyhSE6Tkus
⇒ Disney debuted a “real” lightsaber at the South by Southwest festival in Texas this month, during a presentation by Disney parks chairman Josh D’Amaro. The device, a real-life version of the iconic special-effects weapon used in the “Star Wars” franchise, was unveiled as part of Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser hotel experience. Calling it “a true wow moment” for both guests and himself, D’Amaro activated the saber, which extends out and makes all the noises and sounds Star Wars fans would expect. Alas, hardcore Star Wars fans are a tough crowd, as evidenced by the comment posted by one Twitter user, who wrote: “The hilt is too bulky and the blade is too short, so you unfortunately will not be allowed to release this, but keep up the great work!” (Available now at the ‘Darth Mall’?) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yr3vkm5n
-OddityCentral, NYPost
HAPPIEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD:
In recognition of Monday’s “International Day of Happiness”, the UN’s ‘World Happiness Report 2023’
was unveiled. The good news: Despite the world shutting down for 2 years due to COVID-19, that apparently didn’t negatively affect people’s overall happiness. Respondents are slightly happier now than before the pandemic. Here are the top-10 happiest countries . . .
1. Finland (6th year running…)
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Israel (#9 last year)
5. Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand
(Other BS countries in the top 101: Australia (12), Canada (13), Ireland (14), US (15), UK (19), UAE (26), Thailand (60), Jamaica (68), Philippines (76), Hong Kong (82), South Africa (85)
-CNN, WorldHappinessReport
DID YOU KNOW?
A cotton grocery tote should be used at least 7,100 times to make it a “truly environmentally friendly alternative” to traditional plastic bags, according to an estimate commissioned by the government of Denmark. At a rate of once per week, that means a reusable bag would take over 136 years of use to make it worthwhile. At the very least, this info serves as a reminder that we should be mindful of how often we are buying reusable bags, and consider donating extras or using them for other purposes – which might help reduce their environmental impact.
-CNN
BS CHRONOMETER 03.22.23
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “As Young As You Feel Day”, celebrate by sporting that outrageous hairstyle you wanted when you were a teenager, or dig out those clothes you wore when you were young. (If you have teenagers, you’ll shock THEM for a change!)
• “International Goof-Off Day”, a day to relax, be yourself, and generally just goof off. (In other words, … a regular day.)
• “Sing-Out Day”, a day to let fly with a special tune to let someone know how you feel. (This is also celebrated in May, so be warned: You may have to hear me sing twice!)
• “World Water Day”, a UN observance since 1992, emphasizing the worldwide necessity of potable drinking water and proper wastewater treatment.
• “Bavarian Crepes Day”, crepes are a delicious, very thin pancake-like dessert, typically made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour, then filled, rolled and then often topped with a glaze, fruit, chocolate or whipped cream. In Bavaria, crepes are called ‘palatschinke’.
• “Gryffindor Pride Day”, Gryffindor is one of the 4 houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the ‘Harry Potter’ novels and films. Celebrated by fans, Gryffindor Pride Day is part of “Hogwarts House Pride Week”.
• “International Day of the Seal”, bringing attention to the cruelty of hunting these animals and the fact that we may be contributing to their extinction. Seals are related to sea lions and walrus, and their babies are called pups. Most live in Antarctica and the Arctic Circle.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Thurs] Chip and Dip Day
[Thurs] OK Day
[Fri] Cocktail Day
[Sat] Waffle Day
This Week is…Clean Out Your Closet Week
This Month is…Crochet Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1931 [92] William Shatner, Montréal QC, TV actor (“Boston Legal” 2004-08, “Star Trek” 1966-69)/movie actor (“Malevolent”, “Miss Congeniality”, “Star Trek” movies)/in 2021, at age 90, he became the oldest to fly to space, aboard a Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule
1948 [75] (Sir) Andrew Lloyd Webber, London England, music composer/stage producer (Tony Awards for “Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats”, Tony & Academy Awards for “Evita”)
1948 [75] Wolf Blitzer, Augsberg Germany, CNN reporter/news anchor since 1990 (“The Situation Room” since 2005, “Wolf”)
1952 [71] Bob Costas, Queens NY, sportscaster (NBC-TV sports anchor 1980-2019, including on NFL Major League Baseball and Olympics)/multiple Emmy Award-winner/currently with MLB Network, CNN and TBS
1971 [52] Keegan-Michael Key, Southfield MI, comedian/actor (“Key and Peele” 2012-2015, “SuperMansion” 2015-2017)/COMING UP… “Wonka”, 2023)
1972 [51] Elvis Stojko, Newmarket ON, retired figure skater (3-time World champion, 2-time Olympic silver medalist, 7-time Canadian champ)
1975 [48] Cole Hauser, Santa Barbara CA, TV actor (‘Rip Wheeler’ on “Yellowstone” since 2018)/movie actor (“Dazed and Confused”, “2 Fast 2 Furious”)
1976 [47] (Laura) Reese Witherspoon, New Orleans LA, movie actress (“Legally Blonde”, Oscar-“Walk the Line”)/TV actress (“The Morning Show” since 2019)
1982 [41] Constance Wu, Richmond VA, TV actress (‘Jessica Huang’ on “Fresh Off the Boat” 2015-20)/movie actress (“Crazy Rich Asians”)
ON THIS DATE . . .
2016 [07] The entertaining, crack-smoking former mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Rob Ford, dies of cancer at age 46
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2003 [20] Britney Spears’ girl-power flick “Crossroads” earns 8 nominations at the 23rd Golden Raspberry Awards for the year’s worst movies (she co-wins ‘Worst Actress’ with Madonna for her role in “Swept Away”)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2009 [14] Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ becomes a #1 hit in over 20 countries
2013 [10] My Chemical Romance announces their breakup after 12 years. They reunite in 2019
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1997 [26] USA’s Tara Lipinski becomes the ‘Youngest Women’s World Figure Skating Champion’ at age 14 years, 10 months
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ While spring always falls on either March 19, 20 or 21, it hasn’t arrived on March 21 since 2007, and won’t arrive on that day again for another 82 years – in 2103.
✓ The earliest pacemakers required a wall outlet.
✓ Women cry, on average, between 30 and 64 times a year.
✓ Men cry, on average, between 6 and 17 times a year.
✓ Kissing someone is more sanitary than shaking hands, if you want to avoid a cold.
✓ In Italy, there is a fountain that flows red wine 24-hours a day. It is free to everyone, except for “drunkards and louts”.
-BestLifeOnline, TimeandDate, FactSlides
Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS IT’S SPRINGTIME AT THE OFFICE:
• The temperature is gradually changing from suffocating all Winter to freezing all Summer.
• The mold in the leftover pizza box in the coffee room is in full bloom.
• Caffeine intake has increased to cope with the longer days.
• The boss has had a Spring tune-up on his comb-over.
• The IT geek’s skin color is changing from translucent with a tinge of blue to pasty white.
• Street vendors out front have finally changed the hot dog water.
• More than usual, people are mating in the mail room.
-First published in BS in 2016
Best of BS . . .
MORE BS USELESS INVENTIONS:
• The water-proof teabag
• Solar powered flashlight
• Submarine screen door
• A book on how to read
• Inflatable dart board
• A dictionary index
• Ejector seat in a helicopter
• Powdered water
• Pedal-powered wheelchair
• Armpit-scented deodorant
-KillSomeTime, First published in BS in 2018
BS WEB GOODIE:
True ‘dat: https://tinyurl.com/m8d7653k
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I admit that I live in the past, but only because housing is so much cheaper there.
TRUTH OR BS:
• Before becoming queen, Queen Elizabeth II trained as a mechanic. [True.]
• Madonna’s real name is Madonna. [True. In full — Madonna Louise Ciccone.]
• A cross between a horse and a zebra is called a ‘Hobra’ [BS. A male zebra and a female horse is called a ‘zorse’, and a female zebra and a male horse is called a ‘zonkey’]
• Hot and cold water sound the same when poured. [BS. They sound different due to the fact that hot water has a higher viscosity than cold water.]
• In a deck of cards, the king has a mustache. [BS.]
• Hippos sweat a red substance. [True.]
• Micronesia is the smallest country in the world. [BS. Vatican City is, with only 0.44 sq.km.]
• You can sneeze during your sleep. [BS.]
-Cosmopolitan
BS PHONE STARTER:
What would it say if the last text message you sent was written on your headstone?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: THIS is the item that people are most likely to buy in the wrong size. What is it?
Answer: Gloves
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.