Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s Edition!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
Comedic actor Will Ferrell has slapped his name on a trio of sunscreens (‘Sexy Hot Tan’, ‘Sunstroke’, ‘Forbidden Fruit’) but not to boost his own bank account; it’s a fundraiser for a foundation that gives scholarships to cancer patients (who should have used sunscreen) . . . In related news, Ferrell confirms “Anchorman” director Adam McKay & most of the cast are meeting next week to discuss the possibility of a sequel (you start looking at past successes when your current efforts suck) . . . “Slumdog Millionaire” Danny Boyle has flown to India and found new homes for the displaced child stars of his Oscar-winning movie, 9-year-old Rubina Ali & 10-year-old Azhar Ismail, who both had their slum shanties demolished earlier this month (was it media coverage that finally got Boyle to react?) . . . American Express has suspended 44-year-old Country Love’s ‘Amex Gold’ card after she refused to make payments, and is now suing over an unpaid debt of $350,000 (did she use plastic to buy a house or what?) . . . Pseudo-singer/pseudo-actress Jessica Simpson is shopping a new reality TV series titled “The Price of Beauty” in which she & a friend embark on a worldwide road trip in search of what people find beautiful and why (it might be more worthwhile for her to research the definition of ‘talent’) . . . And “Heroes” actress Hayden Panettiere’s new tattoo is supposed to say ‘Vivere Senza Rimpianti’, which means ‘no regrets’ in Italian but it’s misspelled as ‘Vivere Senza Rimipianti’ (which means: use a spellchecker before getting perma-inked, dummy!).
WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Britain’s Got Talent” (ITV) – Saturday’s season finalé pits world famous Scottish singer Susan Boyle (nicknamed the ‘Hairy Angel’) vs a dance act called Diversity. 48-year-old Boyle reached the final by singing “Memory” from the musical “Cats”. Her initial rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables” has become the all-time most watched video on YouTube with more than 100 million views.
• “Dateline: On Tour With Taylor Swift” (NBC) – Sunday the 19-year-old country superstar is profiled in a special 1-hour edition shot over a 3-month period during the creation and launch of her “Fearless Tour”. This morning she performs in NYC’s Rockefeller Plaza on NBC’s “Today” show as promotion for the special.
• Grand Ole Opry – Saturday comedian & serious banjo picker Steve Martin makes his Opry debut. His first music album, “The Crow – New Songs For the Five-String Banjo”, was released earlier this year.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Flo Rida performs “Sugar”.
• “MTV Movie Awards” – Sunday “Saturday Night Live” comic Andy Samberg hosts the 18th annual edition live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City CA. “Slumdog Millionaire” & “Twilight” lead nominations with 6 apiece. Musical performers include Eminem and Kings of Leon. Ben Stiller is this year’s ‘Generation Award’ winner. The first sneak peek of the “Twilight” sequel “New Moon” will be shown.
NET: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/
• Phil Spector – Today the legendary music producer is scheduled to be sentenced in an LA court after being convicted of 2nd-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson 6 years ago. He’s likely facing 15 years-to-life in prison.
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Tomorrow Justin Timberlake hosts; Ciara performs.
• “Sunday Morning” (CBS) – Dave Matthews Band is featured, just days before the release of “Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King”, the group’s first studio album in 4 years.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel) – Tonight 58-year-old Leno’s final show features singer James Taylor & incoming host Conan O’Brien. A new “Entertainment Weekly” poll picks the 1995 interview with actor Hugh Grant after his infamous arrest with hooker Divine Brown as the best of Leno’s 17-year tenure (Leno’s first question: “What the hell were you thinking?”). Runners-up: President Barack Obama’s history-making appearance this March and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2003 interview when he announced his candidacy for California Governor. Leno debuts a new NBC-TV show at 10 pm weeknights this Fall.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Buckcherry – They’ll be the opening act for all dates of the upcoming KISS North American tour, the one being routed by fan voting online.
• Chris Brown – He’s in the studio working on an album for a late-Summer release, tentatively titled “Graffiti”.
• Depeche Mode – The reason their world tour is still on hold is 47-year-old frontman Dave Gahan has had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his bladder.
• Jay-Z – His upcoming album “Blueprint 3” will be Auto-Tune-free as a sort of ‘anti-Auto-Tune’ statement. (The most over-used technology of the 2000s?)
• Mindy McCready – The country singer’s been added to the new season of “Celebrity Rehab With Dr Drew” (VH1), scheduled for early 2010. She’ll join actress Mackenzie Phillips (“One Day At a Time”), former ‘Hollywood Madame’ Heidi Fleiss, NBA great Dennis Rodman, and former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr, among others. (You gotta be a real loser to win a spot.)
• Montgomery Gentry – They’ll be inducted as the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry during a ceremony in Nashville TN on June 23rd.
• Neil Young – His song “Helpless” has been named the ‘Great Canadian Tune’ in an online poll. The public is being invited to perform it en masse June 6th at the ‘World’s Largest Guitar Jam’ during Toronto’s annual “Luminato” arts festival.
• Nickelback – Their latest album, “Dark Horse”, has been certified double-Platinum by the RIAA, for selling over 2 million copies.
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Drag Me to Hell” ( PG-13 Horror Thriller ): Alison Lohman stars in the new Sam Raimi horror flick as a loan officer who makes the bad decision not to save an old woman from being evicted. She soon finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse which turns her life into a living nightmare. Originally intended to star Ellen Page (“Juno”), but she opted out.
NET: http://www.dragmetohell.net
• “Up” ( PG Animated Adventure ): The Disney/Pixar film that opened the recent Cannes Film Festival follows the story of a 78-year-old man (Ed Asner) who sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing the wilds of South America by tying thousands of balloons to his home. He soon discovers an 8-year-old has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. Voice cast also includes Christopher Plummer & John Ratzenberger. Screened in 3D in ‘select’ theaters.
NET: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/
DIET DOWNFALLS & SOLUTIONS:
If you’re like most people, there are a few things you’re doing out of habit that are sabotaging your efforts to lose weight. For instance …
• Eating a Big Bowl of Cereal in the Morning: Make sure it’s a low-glycemic load (GL) cereal. Put less in your bowl. Top it up with fresh fruit and/or chopped nuts.
• Eating Breakfast at Work: Forgo the doughnuts or muffins by packing your own breakfast in an insulated lunch bag the night before so you can grab it on the way out the door.
• Drinking Sugary Soft Drinks: Try sipping flavored sparkling water or, if you must have a soft drink, wait until afternoon and get the smallest size you can find.
• No Healthy Lunch Near Workplace: Get into the habit of making more of whatever you’re having for dinner, then pack up the leftovers for lunch the next day.
• Hooked on Pizza: No problem if you go with thin crust (whole wheat if available), topped with healthy veggies. Stick with one or two slices.
• Salad Bars with Cheese, Croutons & Creamy Dressings: Look for alternate ways to make a salad interesting – seeds, olives, hot peppers, etc. Top it off with a vinegar-based dressing.
• Mid-Afternoon Munchies: Keep healthy snacks on hand, such as carrot sticks, apples, low-fat yogurt, whole grain crackers & peanut butter, or a handful of peanuts or almonds.
– Condensed from “Reader’s Digest”.
UNPRETTY PICTURE:
Ever wonder why mug shots of criminals are so ugly? Sure, they’re usually taken when the subjects aren’t at their best but researchers now think there may be another reason … overall, criminals tend to be uglier. A new study by a pair of economists has concluded that being attractive is associated with less criminal activity, higher wages, and a better vocabulary. The research also suggests that high school is easier on the beautiful, especially for women, so they tend to be better students, making it less likely they’ll become criminals. (Some of our favorite mug shots: http://tinyurl.com/6m8bfk)
– “Boston Globe”
COUNTRIES LEAST AFFECTED BY RECESSION:
The so-called ‘global recession’ isn’t necessarily globally equal. According to a business confidence survey of international business people in 24 nations, these are the countries surviving the current crisis best …
8. [tie] Sweden / Malaysia / Vietnam
7. New Zealand
6. [tie] Japan / Qatar
5. Canada
4. Hong Kong
3. [tie] India / Singapore
2. China
1. Australia
– “Herald Sun”
BS AMAZING FACT:
Great news for coffee-holics as the flip-flopping field of health & nutrition has changed its mind yet again. The latest research now shows that not only is coffee not bad for your health but that moderate amounts actually protect you from diabetes, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and Parkinson’s disease. (So bottoms up … until another study comes out next week!)
– WorldHealth.net
BS CHRONOMETER 05.29.09
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1961 [48] Melissa Etheridge, Leavenworth KS, classic rock singer (“I’m the Only One”, “I Want to Come Over”)
1967 [42] Noel Gallagher, Manchester UK, rock guitarist/songwriter (Oasis-“Don’t Look Back in Anger”, “Wonderwall”)/Liam Gallagher’s slightly less obnoxious brother
1975 [34] Melanie Brown, Leeds UK, pop singer (former ‘Scary Spice’ of the Spice Girls)/reality TV personality (“Dancing With the Stars” 2007)/former Eddie Murphy girlfriend
1978 [31] Pelle Almqvist, Fagersta, Sweden, rock singer/bassist (The Hives-“Tick Tick Boom”, “Hate to Say I Told You So”)
SATURDAY –
Country singer Wynonna Judd (“To Be Loved By You”) is 45; Rock guitarist Tom Morello (The Nightwatchman/Audioslave/Rage Against the Machine) is 45; Rock guitarist Patrick Dahlheimer (Live) is 38; Pop singer Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley) is 35.
SUNDAY –
Movie actor-director Clint Eastwood (“Gran Torino”) is 79; CanWest Global CEO Leonard Asper is 45; Movie-TV actress Brooke Shields (“Lipstick Jungle”) is 44; Movie actor Colin Farrell (“In Bruges”) is 33; Rock drummer Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) is 29.
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers”, observed on the anniversary of the first deployment of UN Peacekeeping Forces, in 1948 in the Middle East. (Wasn’t that about the same time as we went into Afghanistan?)
• “Oak-Apple Day” or “Shick-Shack Day” in England, the anniversary of the restoration of Charles II to the British throne in 1660, traditionally marked by wearing an oak leaf or twig. (Because wearing the whole tree is considered ostentatious.)
SATURDAY –
• “Joan of Arc Feast Day” in France, honoring the ‘Maid of Orleans’ who was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake at age 19 in the year 1431. (To celebrate, grill a steak!)
• “Water a Flower Day”, because nourishing a little bit of natural beauty might be the only truly worthwhile thing you do all day.
SUNDAY –
• “Save Your Hearing Day”. I SAID, TODAY IS “SAVE YOUR HEARING DAY” … if you’d turn down your iPod you’d be able to … oh, never mind.
• “World No-Tobacco Day”, as declared by the UN’s World Health Organization to encourage people to butt out.
NET: http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2009/en/
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1992 [17] Bill Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” hits #1 (2nd-worst thing he inflicted on the world)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1953 [56] Sherpa guide Tenzing Norkay allows his boss Sir Edmund Hillary to become 1st to stand atop Mt Everest (or at least the first WASP to do so)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1988 [21] ‘Longest Knitted Scarf’ completed at 20 miles, 13 feet (grandma just got carried away)
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Jun 1] Go Barefoot Day / World Milk Day / Conan O’Brien’s debut “Tonight Show” (NBC) / “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” debuts (NBC)
[Jun 2] Leave the Office Early Day / Yell Fudge at the Cobras in North America Day
[Jun 3] Tailors Day
[Jun 5] World Environment Day / “Land Of the Lost”; “Hangover”; “My Life in Ruins”; “Away We Go” open in movie theaters
[Jun 6] Belmont Stakes (NY) / Cheer Coach Day / Do-Dah Day / Trails Day / George Strait opens new Dallas Cowboys stadium
[Jun 7] Cancer Survivors Day / Full Moon / Write To Your Father Day
[Jun 11] Nursing Assistants Day / Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival opens (Manchester TN) / CMA Music Festival opens (Nashville TN)
[Jun 12] “The Taking of Pelham 123″; “Imagine That”; “Moon” open in movie theaters
[Jun 13] Croquet Day
[Jun 14] Abused Women & Children’s Awareness Day / Children’s Sunday / World Blood Donor Day / Family History Day
[Jun 15] Husband Caregiver Day / Nature Photography Day / Ride to Work On Your Motorcycle Day
[Jun 16] 2009 CMT Music Awards (Nashville TN) / Fudge Day
[Jun 18] Recess At Work Day
[Jun 19] “The Proposal”; “Year One” open in movie theaters / Virgin Festivals begin (Montréal QC) / World Sauntering Day / Work@Home Father’s Day
[Jun 20] Skateboarding Day / Vinegar Day / World Juggling Day / World Refugee Day
[Jun 21] Fathers Day / 1st Day of Summer / MuchMusic Video Awards / Baby Boomer’s Recognition Day / Family Awareness Day / World Humanist Day / Beyoncé’s “I Am… Tour” begins (NYC)
[Jun 22] Stupid Guy Thing Day
[Jun 23] “America’s Got Talent” season debut (NBC) / “The Superstars” debut (ABC) / National Columnists Day / Public Service Day
[Jun 24] “Transformers: Revenge Of the Fallen” opens in movie theaters / Celebration Of the Senses / St-Jean-Baptiste Day (Fête National du Québec)
[Jun 25] 2009 Saturn Awards / Handshake Day
[Jun 26] “My Sister’s Keeper”; “The Hurt Locker” open in movie theaters / International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking / International Day in Support of Victims of Torture / Ugly Dog Day / Take Your Dog to Work Day
[Jun 27] Rock On the Range Festival opens (Winnipeg MB) / Glastonbury Festival opens (Somerset UK) / Decide to Be Married Day / Backyard Campout Night / HIV Testing Day
[Jun 28] Descendants Day / Pride Parade Day / Special Recreation Day For the Disabled Day
[Jun 30] U2 World Tour begins (Barcelona, Spain) / Leap Second Time Adjustment Day
[Jul 1] Canada Day / “Public Enemies”; “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” open in movie theaters / “Great American Road Trip” premieres (NBC)
BULL’S BITS
MORE BS QUESTIONS PLAGUING HUMANITY:
• Can you buy an entire chess set in a ‘pawn’ shop?
• If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?
• Is there another word for ‘synonym’?
• When sign-makers go on strike, is anything written on their picket signs?
• How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s on your ‘life list’ that you haven’t done yet? What’s stopping you?
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’m not into working out. My philosophy: No pain … no pain.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: THIS makes the average guy work out 12% harder at the gym.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A woman nearby.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.