Tuesday, November 30, 2004 Edition: #2920
December Planning Calendar in Today’s Issue!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TONIGHT NBC-TV airs its “Christmas In Rockefeller Center” special that features the lighting of the famous tree and entertainment by Hilary Duff, Clay Aiken, Chris Isaak, Vanessa Williams Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey (in other words – the ‘B’ list) . . . TONIGHT “The Real Gilligan’s Island” debuts on TBS, a reality show version of the vintage sitcom with TWO real-life versions of each character who compete against each other for a spot in the final cast (ie: Rachel Hunter & Nicole Eggert are the potential ‘Gingers’) . . . 46-year-old “Christmas With the Kranks” co-star Jamie Lee Curtis says she is quitting movies because – she’s ‘too old and fat’ (translated: only getting offered truly embarrassing roles) . . . Nicole Kidman’s new boyfriend is millionaire movie producer Steve Bing, who personally invested close to $80 million in “The Polar Express” and was the reluctant father of actress Elizabeth Hurley’s son who wouldn’t pay a dime until DNA testing was done (what is it with women and bad guys?) . . . Meantime, Nicole Kidman has made it into the ‘50th Anniversary Edition’ of the “Guinness Book Of Records” as the ‘Highest Paid Actress in a Commercial’ ($3.71 million for the 4-minute Chanel No5 ad) . . . Moviemaker George Lucas wants the 2-hour “Star Wars Holiday Special” that originally screened on CBS-TV in 1978 banned from ever appearing again (it tells the story of ‘Chewbacca’s’ journey home to celebrate ‘Life Day’ with his family and features ‘Princess Leia’ [Carrie Fisher] reducing ‘Hans Solo’ [Harrison Ford] to tears with a song) . . . Word has it “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria, who’s been dating *NSYNC singer JC Chasez, is also secretly seeing one of the show’s directors, Stephen Kay (not to mention that hunky teenage gardener!) . . . And it seems it’s never too late to sue – members of the kids’ chorus that performed on Pink Floyd’s 1979 hit “Another Brick in the Wall” (singing “Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone!”) are now seeking thousands of dollars in allegedly unpaid royalties (so they can buy new walkers and a better brand of cat food).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• BB King – $1 million of US government money has just been allocated to help build a museum honoring him in Indianola MS.
• Blake Shelton – A 15-year-old Tennessee high school student was suspended for a week for singing his hit “Some Beach”. School officials were apparently confused by the lyrics. After the girl’s parents complained, Warner Bros execs intervened and got the girl back into school.
• Dierks Bentley – He says he has to get involved in a relationship then get his “ass kicked” in order to make a record. He has and he did – his sophomore album is coming in the SPRING.
• Killers – TONIGHT they do “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” on NBC-TV.
• Martina McBride – She & husband John are expecting a new baby in mid-JUNE.
TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Spider-Man 2″ (Fantasy Adventure – DVD/VHS): Thanks to a bigger budget, better special effects and a character-driven plot, some say the sequel is superior to the original. Tobey Maguire returns as ‘Spider-Man’/’Peter Parker’ to take on a new nemesis, ‘Doctor Octopus’ (Alfred Molina), and pursue love & happiness with ‘Mary Jane Watson’ (Kirsten Dunst). The movie grossed a whopping $784 million worldwide. Several versions of a 2-disc ‘Special Edition’ DVD are available.
• “Hero” (Action Drama – DVD): Jet Li stars as a nameless warrior who arrives at an emperor’s palace with 3 weapons, each belonging to a famous assassin who had sworn to kill the emperor. As the nameless man spins out his story, each episode is drenched in red, blue, white or another dominant color. The most expensive kung-fu movie ever made. In Chinese, with English subtitles.
• “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius” (Bio-Drama – DVD): Jim Caviezel stars in the true story of inspirational golf icon Bobby Jones, who through his intense passion for the game, rose from obscurity to become one of the sport’s all-time greatest legends.
FAMOUS GOODBYES FOR 500, ALEX:
TONIGHT is when 30-year-old software engineer Ken Jennings’ incredible 75-game winning streak finally comes to an end on the TV game show “Jeopardy!”, according to online reports (which have been wrong before). Ratings on CTV have jumped beyond 1.3 million viewers a night, putting the dinnertime game show in the top 10 shows on Canadian TV. Among Jennings’ accomplishments …
• He correctly answered 2,467 questions out of 2,694, a .916 winning percentage.
• He’s swept 88 categories.
• He’s beaten 130 opponents.
• His total winnings exceed $2.3 million.
– Canoe/Googlewhack
CHEESECAKE AUCTION:
TODAY is the final day to place bids on eBay for the chance to be – a centerfold! “Bonita”, a new men’s publication aimed at Hispanics, has been taking bids all this month (minimum $10,000) for the right to appear as its first fold-out in the debut issue in JANUARY. The highest bid from a female wins, regardless of age or appearance. She can be of any nationality and from anywhere around the world, but must be over 18. The photo spread won’t feature any nudity. (Ah, thank gawd!)
– Market Wire
PHONER: 408-313-1352 (Robert Garcia)
NET: http://www.bonitamagazine.com
BULL’S INTERNATIONAL MOOS:
• A woman who was furious with police for taking away her preserved snakes has stormed into the police station in Hamilton, New Zealand and tossed a jar of – pickled kittens on the counter. Susan Hoskyn says the snakes had a ‘spiritual significance’ because she was born in the Year of the Snake and she used them to celebrate Halloween, along with the pickled kittens – a stillborn litter from the family cat. (Whoa, talk about your neighbors from hell!)
• A tie-maker in Belgrade, Serbia is marketing a new line of ties this Christmas that are designed to fit around – a guy’s ‘little neck’, if you know what we mean. Neven Vrgoc says his unusual creations are meant to create a ‘good impression’ on a first date but he also expects women will buy them as a reward when they’ve been totally satisfied. (In that case, you won’t be selling many, pal.)
• A 74-year-old Lithuanian man has apparently killed himself using – a homemade electric chair. When his relatives became concerned they hadn’t heard from him, they broke down the door to his apartment in Kaunas, Lithuania’s 2nd-largest city, and found him sitting in the chair which was plugged into an electrical outlet. (Officials say the incident could affect future sales of the Acme Vibrating Barcalounger.)
AND WE QUOTE:
“I may as well be a doorknob. I get shoved out of the way so people can get close to her.”
– Rocker Dave Navarro whining in “Us Weekly” about how tough it is being married to Carmen Electra.
THE BULL SHEET 11.30.2K4
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1929 [75] Dick Clark, Mt Vernon NY, TV producer (“American Music Awards”, “Golden Globe Awards”)/TV host (“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”)
1937 [67] Ridley Scott, South Shields UK, movie director (“Black Hawk Down”, “Gladiator”)
1955 [49] Billy Idol (William Broad), Stanmore UK, classic rock singer (“Mony Mony”, “White Wedding”)
1957 [47] Colin Mochrie, Kilmarnock SCOT [raised Vancouver BC], improv comedian (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” 1998-2004, “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” 2001-03)/former member Toronto Second City troupe
1965 [39] Ben Stiller, NYC, movie actor (“Starsky & Hutch”, “There’s Something About Mary”) UP NEXT: “Meet the Fockers”, sequel to “Meet the Parents”, opening DECEMBER 22nd.
1975 [29] Mindy McCready, Ft Myers FL, country singer (“Scream”, “Guys Do It All the Time”)
1978 [26] Clay Aiken, Raleigh NC, 2003 “American Idol” runner-up/pop singer (“Invisible”, “This Is The Night”) FACTOID: THIS MONTH he released both a Christmas album (“Merry Christmas with Love”) and a book (“Learning to Sing”).
1982 [22] Elisha Cuthbert, Calgary AB [grew up grew up Longueuil QC], movie actress (“The Girl Next Door”, “Old School”)/former TV actress (‘Kim Bauer’ on “24″ 2001-04) FACTOID: She’s a former ‘foot model’.
1985 [19] Kaley Cuoco, Camarillo CA, TV sitcom actress (‘Bridget Hennessy’ on “8 Simple Rules” since 2002)
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
TODAY is “St Andrew’s Day”, honoring the patron saint of Scotland who hurled his last haggis in 60 AD. (Be sure to dust off your sporran!)
TODAY is “Stay Home Because You’re Well Day”, a day to call in ‘well’ instead of having to fake sickness in order to get a day off. (Yeah right, try this stunt and you can stay home EVERY day.)
TODAY is “International Computer Security Day”, to remind us to protect our computers, programs and data at home and work. (Remember, always practice ‘safe surfin’!)
TODAY in Lop Buri, Thailand over 500 monkeys will enjoy a delectable vegetarian Chinese-style buffet. The 16th annual “Vegetarian Banquet for Monkeys” also includes special gifts for simians such as mirrors and toys. Dozens of chefs and servers work for 2 days to prepare the gourmet meal as payback to the little critters for giving the town much of its character and tourism. (Not to mention aroma!)
NET: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/food/food_monkeys.htm
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1970 [34] 1st-ever ‘triple’ album (George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass”)
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1887 [117] 1st ‘softball game’ (as ‘indoor baseball’ is played in Chicago using broomstick for a bat and boxing glove for a ball)
1900 [104] 1st ‘front-wheel drive’ car (Germany)
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Dec 1] World Aids Day / Tom Brokaw retires from “NBC Nightly News” / National Pie Day / Bifocals at the Monitor Day / Day Without Art
[Dec 2] National Fritters Day / Pan American Health Day / 2004 Christmas Pageant of Peace (Washington DC)
[Dec 3] International Day of Disabled Persons / National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day / Bath Tub Party Day / “Closer” opens in movie theaters
[Dec 4] Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day / 2004 Race of Champions Nations Cup (Paris, France) / National Cookie Day / Wear Brown Shoes Day
[Dec 5] 2004 Kennedy Center Honors / International Volunteer Day
[Dec 6] National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women / St Nicholas Day / Pawnbrokers Day
[Dec 7] “The Ultimate Matrix Collection” 10-disc DVD set released
[Dec 8] Hanukkah begins / 2004 Billboard Music Awards (Las Vegas) / Grammy Awards nominees announced / Bad Hair Day / “Blade: Trinity” opens in movie theaters
[Dec 10] International Human Rights Day / Dewey Decimal Day / National Children’s Memorial Day / “Ocean’s Twelve” opens in movie theaters
[Dec 11] Nobel Peace Prize Concert (Oslo, Norway)
[Dec 12] Poinsettia Day / National Ding-A-Ling Day
[Dec 13] Gemini Awards Gala
[Dec 14] Bouillabaisse Day
[Dec 16] National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
[Dec 17] Underdog Day / “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”, “Million Dollar Baby”, “Spanglish” and “The Aviator” open in movie theaters
[Dec 21] First Day of Winter / Humbug Day / Look at the Bright Side Day / National Flashlight Day
[Dec 22] Los Posadas (Mexico) / “Meet the Fockers” and “The Flight of the Phoenix” open in movie theaters
[Dec 24] Christmas Eve / National Egg Nog Day / Christmas Day holiday
[Dec 25] Christmas Day / A’ Phabet Day (No ‘L’) / “Fat Albert” and “The Dark” open in movie theaters
[Dec 26] Kwanzaa begins / National Whiner’s Day / Recyclable Packaging Day / Awful Tie Day
[Dec 27] National Fruitcake Day
[Dec 28] Card Playing Day
[Dec 31] New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day holiday / Make Up Your Mind Day
BULL’S BITS . . .
WORLD’S WEALTHIEST:
1. Bill Gates (Microsoft) $46.6 billion
2. Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) $42.9 billion
3. Karl Albrecht (German supermarkets) $23 billion
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud (Saudi investments) $21.5 billion
5. Paul Allen (Microsoft/investments) $21 billion
(Among this year’s new listings … ‘Harry Potter author JK Rowling at $1 billion.)
– Just-released 2004 listing from “Forbes” magazine.
BS TRIVIA:
• Where is the windiest place on Earth? [Nope, not Taco Bell. Antarctica is the windiest place on Earth – also the coldest and the driest.]
• On average, what percentage of time do Canadians spend indoors? [We spend an amazing 90% of our time indoors, according to stats from Canada Mortgage & Housing.]
MALE OR FEMALE?
• Who is more likely to snore? (Men are. Doctors have found a direct link between male hormones and snoring. In fact, when men are given male hormones for medical treatment, they tend to snore even more.)
• Who’s most likely to talk more? (Women have 2 areas of the brain devoted to speech, men just one.)
• Who is more likely to be an insomniac? (Men. Studies show they tend to carry the problems of the day to bed with them more than women do.)
• Who uses more of their brain to listen? (A study by Indiana School of Medicine researchers shows that men listen with one side of the brain, while women use BOTH sides.)
BS BLATANT JOKE:
Be courteous to everyone. You never know who might show up on the jury.
BS WEB GOODIE:
An advocacy group has come up with un unusual silent protest for Dubya’s second Inauguration Day in JANUARY – turning their backs on Bush … literally.
NET: http://www.turnyourbackonbush.org/index.html
BS PHONE STARTER:
Aren’t celebrities being extremely cruel when they inflict hideous names on their children? The latest example – Julia Roberts cursing her twins with the monikers ‘Hazel Patricia’ and ‘Phinnaeus Walter’.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: According to psychologists, THIS is the #1 thing men lie about.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Their height.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Forbidden fruit creates a lot of little jams.
