Friday, November 10, 2006        Edition: #3406
Here’s More Bull Roar!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
SATURDAY hundreds of personal possessions belonging to late movie actor Steve McQueen (1930-80) will be auctioned off in LA, including 3 of his motorcycles, a Wurlitzer jukebox, a pair of leather chaps and 14 guns, some of which were used in his films  (“The Great Escape”, “Bullitt”, etc) . . . Looks like plans for a “Sex & the City” movie may be back on as ‘substantial negotiations’ have begun between HBO and the show’s 4 former stars, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall & Cynthia Nixon (funny how a couple of years with no work will change things) . . . On the other hand, the latest effort to bring back “Indiana Jones” appears doomed, as screenwriter Frank Darabont says Steven Spielberg approved his proposed script for a 4th movie, but fellow producer George Lucas turned it down cold (if they don’t agree soon, star Harrison Ford is gonna be cold in his grave) . . . Before he learned that Britney Spears was dumping him, K-Fed told “Blender” magazine that he was planning to buy his wife a go-cart for Christmas (now it’ll be his main mode of transportation) . . . The estranged Mrs Charlie Sheen, movie actress Denise Richards, may be needing her lawyer again after flipping out on the Vancouver set of her new movie “Blonde & Blonder” and throwing the laptop computers of 2 unauthorized photographers off the balcony of the River Rock Casino Resort – one of them landing on a woman … an 80-year-old woman … in a wheelchair (oops, let the lawsuits begin!) . . . Is Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Beckham pregnant again? Word has it Mrs David Beckham spent over $3,000 on really expensive stuff at posh kiddie store Petit Tresor in Los Angeles (when you’re as rich as these folks, this might be nothing more than a baby shower gift) . . . The epic Indian poem “Mahabharata” [‘muh-HAH-BAHR-uh-tuh’], regarded as one of the longest works in all of literature, is about to become one of the longest works in all of cinema with veteran Bollywood producer/director Ravi Chopra planning a bigscreen version that will run more than 6 hours (man, that’s a lot of popcorn!) . . . And the times they are a-changing – NBC-TV has announced it’s planning to carry as many hours of “Olympics” coverage on its Internet site as it will on its broadcast and cable outlets in 2008 (we’ll all have 8-ft-wide wall-mounted computer monitors by then anyway).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Christina Aguilera – TOMORROW she’s the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC), hosted by TV/movie actor Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”).
• Duran Duran – Word has it one reason Andy Taylor recently left the band was he didn’t want to collaborate with Justin Timberlake.
• Elvis Costello/Rosanne Cash – TONIGHT they perform on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Janet Jackson – TODAY she does the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Jay-Z – A source at Def Jam claims he’s nixed Foxxy Brown’s new album because he thinks she’s been spreading rumors about him and Rihanna getting frisky.
• Jimi Hendrix – A script for a proposed bio-film on his life is now in its 3rd re-write. The soundtrack will include original renditions of his songs with ‘modern elements intermixed’.
• Josh Groban – TODAY he performs on “Live With Regis & Kelly” (syndicated/CTV).
• Los Lonely Boys – TOMORROW they appear on “Mad TV” (FOX).
• Motley Crue – An upcoming movie based on their 2001 autobiography “The Dirt” will feature actor Christopher Walken in a cameo role as Ozzy Osbourne. The book, about the band’s wild behavior, describes how Osbourne snorted a line of live ants and took LSD every day for a year. Actor Val Kilmer is lined up to play David Lee Roth. The actual Crue members, including Tommy Lee, will be played by unknown actors.
• Prince – TONIGHT he’s opening a nightclub called ‘3121′ (after his latest album) at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He’ll perform there regularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Pet Shop Boys – TONIGHT the ‘80s rockers are guests on “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS).

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “A Good Year” ( PG-13 Dramedy ): Russell Crowe plays an Englishman who inherits a crumbling French vineyard from his uncle (Albert Finney). After settling on the property, his uncle’s long-lost daughter from California (Abbie Cornish) shows up to complicate matters. One critic describes the film as “Under the Tuscan Sun” with a spritz of testosterone. Here’s the trailer and theme music …
NET: http://www.agoodyear.com/
• “Harsh Times” ( R-Rated Action ): When he’s turned down for a job with LAPD, a Gulf War vet (Christian Bale) heads out for a night on the town with his childhood pal (Freddy Rodríguez). After a night of cruising South Central Los Angeles while drinking and getting high, things get out of hand and one turns against the other. Co-stars Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”). Here’s the trailer …
NET: http://www.harshtimes.com/
• “Stranger Than Fiction” ( PG-13 Fantasy ): Will Ferrell plays an IRS auditor who suddenly finds his every thought and action narrated by a voice in his head. He comes to realize the voice belongs to a famous novelist who’s decided to kill off a fictional character who just happens to share his name. Co-stars Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. Sound clips here …
NET: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/strangerthanfiction/
• “The Return” ( PG-13 Horror Thriller ): Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a young businesswoman who is troubled by vivid nightmares about the murder of a woman she’s never met. The dreams propel her to investigate the crime, and what she discovers begins to threaten her own life. Sam Shepard co-stars. Creepy music and sound effects …
NET: http://www.thereturnmovie.net/
• Also out in limited release: A film whose title is the ‘F-word’, released by ThinkFilm, the same company that brought us the dirty joke movie “The Aristocrats”. This one is a documentary about the F-bomb’s origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use. Comedians Drew Carey, Billy Connolly & Bill Maher are among those contributing their 2-cents-worth . So how can this be marketed? The media can’t use the word and movie theaters can’t put the title on a marquee. But it’s sure guaranteed to get people talking!

THE SKINNY ON DIETING:
A new survey has found that 70% of people trying to lose weight are following their own diet plan. That may explain why over-the counter diet supplements and weight-loss drugs brought in $322 million in 2005. Dieters who decided to consult a doctor spent another $244 million on prescription weight-loss drugs. (Hey consumer lemmings, here’s the secret … for free: eat less, exercise.)
– AP

COMMON GROUND:
Nice to see the world’s warring religions have finally found something to unite them – homophobia. In Jerusalem, ultra-orthodox Jews and Muslims have come together to try and stop a gay rights march in the city that’s scheduled for TODAY. There’s been stone-throwing, burned barricades, and a bomb replica bearing the words ‘Sodomites Out’ paraded about. Muslim politician Tayseer Tamimi claims all religions discredit gays because ‘it is against the decent human nature created by God’. (Uh guys, wouldn’t ‘decent human nature’ include a bit of tolerance?)
– PopBitch.com

NO MORE POKING?
Dreaded vaccinations one day could be as simple as sticking on a band-aid – ouchless and do-it-yourself. Early testing of ‘Skin-Patch Vaccines’ is now underway on hundreds of volunteers. One version is designed to protect against the flu; another is to prevent travelers’ diarrhea. The National Institutes of Health is helping fund the Skin-Patch research in hope of finding better ways to cope if bird flu or some other variety triggers a pandemic. (Using this and a nicotine patch, Nicole Ritchie can be fully clothed!)
– BN
     
TAKE-OFF AND LIGHT UP:
A German entrepreneur has set up an airline that allows customers to chain-smoke from take-off to landing. Alexander Schoppmann established ‘Smintair’, short for ‘Smoker’s International Airways’, after he’d had enough of expensive non-smoking, long-haul flights with poor service. On flights from Duesseldorf to Tokyo and Shanghai, Smintair will offer Cuban cigars, caviar served by flight attendants in designer uniforms, and large ashtrays at every seat. Flights will begin in OCTOBER next year. (By which time, all the people with reservations will have died.)
– “GQ”

DID YOU KNOW?
• When people blush, their stomach lining turns red too.
• Domino’s Pizza in Iceland has ‘reindeer sausage’ on its menu of toppings.
• Being unmarried can shorten a man’s life by 10 years.
• Just 3% of all mammals are monogamous.
– AskMen.com

AND WE QUOTE:
“He looks dreadful and hasn’t performed for years. We fear it’s going to be a humiliating freak show which he will regret.”
– Brit tabloid “The Sun” on next WEDNESDAY’s scheduled performance of “Thriller” by Michael Jackson at the “World Music Awards” in London.

THE BULL SHEET 11.10.06

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [62] Sir Tim Rice, Amersham UK, lyricist who’s worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber (“Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Evita”) and Elton John (“The Lion King”, “Aida”)

1968 [38] Tracy Morgan, NYC, TV actor (‘Tracy Jordan’ in “30 Rock”, “Saturday Night Live” 1996-2006)

1968 [38] Chris Cagle, DeRidder LA, country singer (“I Breathe In, I Breathe Out”)

1969 [37] Ellen Pompeo, Everett MA, TV actress (‘Dr Meredith Grey’ on “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2005)

1975 [31] Jim Adkins, VA, rock singer/guitarist (Jimmy Eat World-“Pain”, “The Middle”)

1977 [29] Brittany (Sharon) Murphy, Atlanta GA, movie actress (“Sin City”, “8 Mile”)  UP NEXT: Co-stars with Toni Collette & Marcia Gay Harden in “The Dead Girl”, opening in DECEMBER.

1978 [28] Eve (Jihan Jeffers), Philadelphia PA, rapper (w/Gwen Stefani-“Rich Girl”)/TV actress (“Eve”)/movie actress (“Barbershop”)/clothing designer (Fetish By Eve)

1983 [23] Miranda Lambert, Lindale TX, country singer (“Kerosene”)

SATURDAY –
Legendary comedian Jonathan Winters is 81; Movie actress Demi Moore (“Ghost”) is 44; TV actress Calista Flockhart (“Brothers & Sisters”) is 42; TV personality Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”) is 37; Movie actor Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Departed”) is 33.

SUNDAY –
TV sportscaster Al Michaels (“NBC Sunday Night Football”) is 62; Classic rocker Neil Young (“Heart of Gold”) is 61; TV talk show host Megan Mullally (“The Megan Mullally Show”) is 48; Canadian movie actor Ryan Gosling (“The Notebook”) is 26; Movie actress Anne Hathaway (“The Devil Wears Prada”) is 24; Movie actor/singer Omarion (“You Got Served”/”O”) is 22.

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Forget-Me-Not Day”, a day for remembering those whose lives have touched us in some way. You’re encouraged to think of people who had an impact on your life and the way in which they changed it. (Then go see a lawyer and file charges.)

SATURDAY –
• “International World Rock, Paper, Scissors Championships”, the 5th annual through SUNDAY at Steam Whistle Brewing Roundhouse in Toronto, with some 500 >RPS= experts expected to compete for the $7,000 grand prize. Competitors from across Canada, the US and as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK are expected to show up to throw their hands toward greatness. The goofy game ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ likely originated as a schoolyard method of making decisions, such as choosing teams. (See BULL’S BITS for a radio version.)
NET: http://www.rpschamps.com/
NET: http://www.worldrps.com/
• “Martinmas”, the annual Christian observance when they stage the “Martinmas Goose Celebration” in front of the town hall of Sursee, Switzerland. Blindfolded participants try to cut down a suspended goose with a single sword stroke. The warm weather that often occurs around this time is called ‘St Martin’s Summer’ in Europe, ‘Indian Summer’ in North America.
• “Remembrance Day”, commemorating the end of WWI at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It’s observed in Canada, Britain, the USA (renamed Veterans Day in 1954), Belgium & France (Armistice Day).
– French Army clerk Henri Deledicq finished typing the peace treaty that would end WWI at 5 am 11/11/18. Apparently tired, he put the carbon paper in backwards and later in a railroad car in France, military leaders signed copies of an armistice that were completely unreadable.
– The Remembrance Day poppy program run by the Canadian Legion raises over $5 million each year for veterans’ causes.
– The original tradition is to observe TWO minutes silence at 11 am.
• “Veterans’ Day”, the 87th annual observance of what was originally called “Armistice Day” until it was renamed in 1954. It commemorates the end of WWI at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The day now honors all military veterans.
– Observed as “Remembrance Day” in Canada & Britain; “Armistice Day” in Belgium & France.
– French Army clerk Henri Deledicq finished typing the peace treaty that would end WW I at 5 am 11/11/18. Apparently tired, he put the carbon paper in backwards and later in a railroad car in France, military leaders signed copies of an armistice that were completely unreadable.
– President Warren G Harding dedicated the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” at Arlington National Cemetery 85 years ago (1921).
– Kate Smith sang the Irving Berlin song “God Bless America” in public for the first time during an “Armistice Day” radio broadcast 67 years ago today (1939).
– America’s participation in the Vietnam War officially ended 34 years ago (1972).
– President Ronald Reagan dedicated the US Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington 22 years ago (1984).

SUNDAY –
• “Chicken Soup for the Soul Day”, honoring the sappy series of feel-good books whose mantra is ‘changing the world one story at a time’. (Or is it ‘making a fortune by paying starving writers squat to fill up our books’? … we can’t remember.)
• “Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day”. The word ‘pizza’ comes from the Latin word ‘picea’ which the Romans used to describe the blackening of bread in an oven. The world’s first true pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, opened in 1830 and is still in business today in Naples, Italy. An Italian immigrant named Gennaro Lombardi opened the first American pizzeria in 1895 in NYC. Pizza is now consumed all over the world – with or without anchovies!

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1775 [231] US Marine Corps established (Semper Fi. HOO-rah!)

1932 [74] 1st “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast airs on CBC Radio, with Foster Hewitt doing the play-by-play (Toronto and Boston tie 1-1)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1991 [15] Fastest ‘Backwards Marathon’ (4 hrs, 15 secs)

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] World Kindness Day
[Tues] Operating Room Nurse Day
[Tues] Albums by “American Idol 5″ contestants Taylor Hicks & Katharine McPhee released
[Wed] Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
[Wed] Pack Your Mom’s Lunch Day
[Wed] Mix It Up at Lunch Day
[Wed] 1st BET Hip-Hop Awards
This Week Is … Eating Disorders Week
This Month Is … Inspirational Role Models Month

BULL’S BITS

BS ‘ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS’ FOR RADIO:
Each member of the morning crew is furnished with the SFX of a cow (‘moo’), a lake (paddling SFX), and a bomb (‘BOOM!’). You count to 3, then each person plays one of the effects. Here’s how you know who won … cow drinks lake, lake extinguishes bomb, and bomb blows up cow. Oh what fun!

TOP SWAPS:
The week’s most requested music files online …
5. Ludacris – “Money Maker”
4. Jibbs – “Chain Hang Low”
3. Hinder – “Lips Of An Angel”
2. Akon – “Smack That”
1. Justin Timberlake – “My Love”
– Big Champagne online music measurement

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: THIS weighs 3 times more now than it did in 1955.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: The average order of french fries.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.