Here’s More Bull Roar!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ ABC-TV has effectively cancelled “Selfie”, the freshman comedy starring Karen Gillan & John Cho. The Alphabet net will not order any additional episodes beyond the show’s initial 13, leaving its chances of survival slim. It’s ratings have been less than stellar. ABC has also cancelled “Manhattan Love Story”, but has announced it’s picking up full seasons of “How to Get Away With Murder”, “Black-ish”, and “Forever.”
– Variety.com
★ The “Hunger Games” franchise is expanding to the live stage in 2016. The show will be housed in a new, purpose-built theater next to Wembley Stadium in London. It’s not difficult to understand the reasoning … the first 2 “Hunger Games” movies have grossed more than $1.5 billion in worldwide box office, and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” is coming November 21st. The stage show will open less than a year after the 4th and final film, “Mockingjay: Part 2”, launches in November 2015.
– Canoe.ca
★ At 67, author Stephen King shows no signs of slowing down. This month alone he’s launched the new book “Revival” as well as the touring production of “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County”, a musical he developed with John Mellencamp. Earlier this year, he released his first detective novel, “Mr Mercedes”, which came mere months after his sequel to “The Shining”, “Doctor Sleep”. If you add in his paperback-only “Joyland”, he’s written 4 novels in less than 2 years. The prolific author says, somewhat understatedly: “It’s been a productive time for me.”
– QMI
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central/CTV) – Bruce Springsteen (kids’ book “Outlaw Pete”).
• “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC/CTV2) – The couples perform a style of dance chosen by viewers, then face elimination.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Demi Lovato (“Demi”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Spandau Ballet (“The Story – The Very Best of Spandau Ballet”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Self (“Subliminal Plastic Motives”).
• “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS/Omni 1) – Parmalee (“Feels Like Carolina”).
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Jenny Lewis (“Rabbit Fur Coat”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas (“Secret Evil”).
• “Marilyn Denis Show” (CTV/CTV2) – Lady Antebellum (“747”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – The New Basement Tapes Project (“Lost On the River”). (See “Music Notes” below.)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Guest co-host Gretchen Wilson (“Under the Covers”); Sting (“The Last Ship”).
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – The live playoffs begin as the artists perform for the coaches; Maroon 5 performs.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Beyoncé / Jay Z – Reports say they’re looking to move to France for a year with ‘hopes to conceive a 2nd child’. Word has it they’ll movie into a French chateaux where they plan to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle.
• Bob Dylan – Today’s release of the 20-song disc “Lost On the River: The New Basement Tapes” is a multi-artist project based on a trove of recently discovered lyrics handwritten by Dylan in 1967 during the recording of his original “Basement Tapes”. The T Bone Burnett-produced album includes Elvis Costello, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), and Marcus Mumford (Mumford & Sons) among others.
• Bruce Springsteen – The Boss will host a lasagna dinner for 2 fans after they bid a combined $600,000 at the Stand Up for Heroes benefit for military veterans. He’s also auctioned off a motorcycle ride, a shirt, a guitar, and a guitar lesson.
• Foo Fighters – We’ve seen the HBO documentary series and witnessed the accompanying small-venue concerts, and finally today their new album “Sonic Highways” is released. The 8 tracks were recorded in 8 different cities with 8 different collaborators. The vinyl version comes in an assortment of 9 different covers.
• Iggy Azalea – The 24-year-old rapper & her 29-year-old Los Angeles Lakers basketball player-boyfriend Nick Young are new homeowners, having paid $3.45 million for a house in Tarzana CA that was previously owned by Selena Gomez.
• Patti Smith – Today is the 40th anniversary re-release of her breakthrough debut album “Horses”. She plans to hold “Horses”-related events around-the-world, where she’ll perform the album in its entirety.
• Pink Floyd – Today “The Endless River” is out, their first new release in 20 years … sorta. Much of it is music from sessions recorded by David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and the late Richard Wright during the making of their last album, “The Division Bell” (1994). Gilmour tells BBC that this project is the band’s official swan song. Roger Waters does not appear on the recording.
• Rated X – The so-called ‘classic rock supergroup’ delivers their self-titled debut album today. The band consists of singer Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple); drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge); bassist Tony Franklin (Whitesnake); and a former member of Ace Frehley’s band, guitarist Karl Cochran.
• Whitney Houston – Her first-ever live album is set for release today. The late singer’s label boss, Clive Davis, has gathered together her most memorable performances for “Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances”. Houston died after an overdose in 2012 at age 48.
• Zac Brown Band – “Greatest Hits So Far…” is out today, a compilation album that includes 11 #1 country singles, ranging from 2008’s “Chicken Fried” to last year’s “Sweet Annie”.
GUESS WHO’S WATCHING?
Some 73,000 webcams worldwide are now viewable to anyone … because their owners haven’t set a password. Cameras which have not had their factory passwords changed are accessible and the website Insecam has collected links to tens-of-thousands of them. Some of the cams are focused on businesses, factories, and building sites, but there are also cams in private homes showing living rooms, bedrooms, and babycams in nurseries. Although the feeds could be found through Google with a bit of effort, the new website makes access far easier by pooling them together onto a long list, sorted by country. (Simple solution … ‘Off’.)
NET: http://insecam.com
@MailOnline
FAVORITE APPS:
Millions of apps are available via Google Play and Apple’s App Store, but which are most used? The most popular according to a new survey by ComScore Media Metrix …
1. Facebook – Most popular app among both Apple and Android users by a mile.
2. YouTube – The gateway to watching millions of videos on phones.
3. Google Play – The Google store for downloading new apps, movies, and TV shows.
4. Google Search – The app version of the search engine is also the gateway to ‘Google Now’.
5. Pandora – The online music network with personalized playlists.
6. Facebook Messenger – Millions use the stand-alone app to communicate with friends.
7. Google Maps – The world’s most popular vehicle to find directions.
8. Gmail – Many are opting to use this stand-alone email app to check their latest.
9. Instagram – Facebook’s photo app is the world’s most popular photo-sharing program.
10. Apple Maps – Apple’s replacement, after it yanked Google Maps off the iPhone in 2012.
(Which of your favorites didn’t make the list?)
– USA Today.com
DVD v2:
Are DVDs set to make a comeback? Scientists at Swinburne University in Australia have developed new technology that allows next-generation discs to store – wow! – 212-thousand-times more data than previous versions. The new method uses 2 lasers to write data to discs.
Previously, DVDs had been limited to 4.7 GB of data via laser-writing, but by using 2 beams of light, the total storage on the new ultra-DVDs can be increased to an incredible 1,000 terabytes. How much is that? Enough to hold 40,000 HD movies. There’s no word on when the new tech will become commercially available as developers say cost and time problems need to be overcome first. (And they still bust if you lose one under the couch cushions and sit on it.)
– Tweaktown.com
NEW TASTE TREATS:
• Are you ready to quench your thirst with Doritos-flavored Mountain Dew? It may sound too ridiculous to be true, but PepsiCo has confirmed they have been testing out a nacho cheese-inspired soft drink.
• Move over, fried Oreos. Soon, there will be a new warm and gooey Oreo treat at fairs, sporting events, and convenience stores. ‘Oreo Churros’ are on the way, a mash-up of the Spanish stick-style donut and the long-popular Oreo cookie.
• Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is so hot, even competitors are burning with envy. So much so that many are now producing their own versions. The fiery sipping combo of alcohol, sugar, and cinnamon flavoring is now the fastest-growing liquor brand in North America.
– Condensed from “NY Daily News”
WHY HIPSTERS AREN’T THAT HIP:
Why do hipsters – who are trying to be different – look, dress, and act similarly? Scientist Jonathan Touboul of the Collège de France in Paris has created an equation to determine why nonconformists end up conforming. In his paper, “The Hipster Effect: When Anti-conformists All Look the Same”, Touboul argues that the tendencies of hipsters to do stereotypically hipster things, like wear flannel, drink Pabst Blue Ribbon, and grow beards, has to do with ‘statistical physics’. His so-called ‘hipster formula’ quantifies trends in relation to time. Simply put: By trying to be different, non-conformists all do the same thing because they’re too slow in picking up on what’s become popular. (You’re doing what? Geez … that’s soooo this morning.)
– NewScience.org
BS AMAZING FACT:
Islamic State’s supposed women’s wing has launched an online recipe service for jihadist wives. Millet balls are said to go well with coffee in between battles.
– “The Times”
BS CHRONOMETER 11.10.14
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [70] (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 [46] Tracy Morgan, NYC, TV actor (“30 Rock” 2006-13, “Saturday Night Live” 1996-2006) BS FACTOID: He’s been undergoing rehab since a traffic accident in June when his limo-bus was hit by a Walmart tractor-trailer, yet still requires a wheelchair after taking a few steps.
1968 [46] Chris Cagle, DeRidder LA, country singer (“What Kinda Gone”, “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out”)
1969 [45] Ellen Pompeo, Everett MA, TV actress (‘Dr Meredith Grey’ on “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2005)
1975 [39] Jim Adkins, Mesa AZ, rock singer-guitarist (Jimmy Eat World-“Pain”, “The Middle”)
1983 [31] Miranda Lambert, Lindale TX, country singer (w/Carrie Underwood-“Somethin’ Bad”, “The House That Built Me”) BS FACTOID: At the 2014 CMA Awards she won ‘Female Vocalist Of the Year’, ‘Single Of the Year’ (“Automatic”); ‘Album Of the Year’ (“Platinum”); and ‘Vocal Event Of the Year’ (“We Were Us” w/Keith Urban).
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.)
• “Sleep Dangerously Night”, a night to switch sides of the bed with your partner. (Careful!)
• “Swap Ideas Day”, a day to encourage use of creative imagination. (So what’s your big idea?)
• “Vanilla Cupcakes Day”. While they may not be most people’s favorite cupcake, hardly anyone dislikes them. Another advantage is that any kind of frosting tastes good on them.
• “World Orphans Day”, observed annually on the 2nd Monday of November to raise awareness of the plight of orphans and displaced children around-the-world.
• “World Science Day for Peace & Development, established by UNESCO in 2001.
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1969 [45] Landmark children’s TV show “Sesame Street” debuts on PBS-TV, teaching kids while they play and have fun (what a concept!)
BS “SESAME STREET” TRIVIA:
• ‘Bert & Ernie’ are named after ‘Bert’ the cop and ‘Ernie’ the taxi driver in the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life”.)
• ‘Oscar the Grouch’ was orange on Season 1.
• ‘Big Bird’ is 8′-2″ tall.
• ‘Cookie Monster’ used to have (terrifying) pointy teeth.
• ‘Snuffleupagus’s first name is Aloysius.
• ‘Ernie’ is the only “Sesame Street” Muppet who has a built-in smile.
• ‘Cookie Monster’s first name is Sid.
• ‘Bert & Ernie’, according to official “Sesame Street” statements, are not gay.
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1983 [31] Bill Gates introduces ‘Microsoft Windows’
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1996 [18] Miami Dolphins pivot Dan Marino becomes 1st NFL quarterback to pass for 50,000 career yards and the 1st to reach 4,000 completions
COMING UP . . .
[Tues] Remembrance Day (Canada)
[Tues] Veterans Day (USA)
[Tues] The Concert Of Valor (Washington DC)
[Tues] Young Readers Day
[Wed] World Architecture Day
THIS WEEK IS . . .
Dear Santa Letter Week / Geography Awareness Week / Nurse Practioners Week / World Kindness Week / Young Readers Week
BULL’S BITS
BEST OF BS:
Highlight bits culled from 21 years of “Bull Sheet” back issues …
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.
– First published in “BS” 2006.
BS WHYZITS:
• Whyzit life doesn’t have a ‘snooze button’?
• Whyzit called ‘midair’? Is there ‘top air’ and ‘bottom air’?
• Whyzit we think the traffic light will change if we talk to it?
• Whyzit you never hear about ‘gruntled’ employees?
• Whyzit serving coffee on an aircraft seems to cause turbulence?
– First published in “BS” 2011.
NET: http://www.FreeRadioPrep.com
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’m an expert at multitasking. I can cheat on 6 diets at the same time.
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Who invented the 1st motorcycle?
a. Harley Davidson
b. Gottlieb Daimler (DIME-ler) [CORRECT, 129 years ago TODAY (1885).]
c. Antonio Vespa
– PA News
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What obscure thing did you like before it became popular?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 20% of women surveyed didn’t know that THIS product has an expiration date.
Answer: Makeup.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Most of us can keep a secret. It’s the people we tell it to who can’t.
WELCOME NEWBIES:
Norm Foster @ Jewel101 [CFJL] Winnipeg MB; Ann Marie Weatherhead @ MIX 96.9 FM Bridgetown, Barbados; Shawn Murphy @ Big Classic Rock 98.5 [WGBG] Georgetown DE; Mark Banner @ Gold Days Radio, Caulfield, Australia; and Jamie Dickerman @ Big Dog 95.5 [KYNU] Jamestown ND.