Friday, November 18, 2016 – Edition: #5854

Thanks For Being On Our Sheet List!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ The ‘Mannequin Challenge’ continues to be the thing to do on social media these days. People seem to love freezing like a mannequin for the camera to the sounds of Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” or another song of their choice. Everyone from Michelle Obama and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the cast of NBC-TV’s upcoming “Hairspray Live!” are getting in on the fun. This week Kristen Wiig and the entire “Saturday Night Live” crew became mannequins to promote Wiig’s hosting gig on the show this weekend.
– Deadline.com
★ “Twilight” fans have the chance to take a piece of the film franchise home thanks to this weekend’s “Twilight Saga Auction”. More than 900 lots of props, costumes, and set pieces from the 5-film series go under the hammer Saturday & Sunday. The bounty includes ‘Bella’s engagement ring & charm bracelet, ‘Edward’s honeymoon suit, and ‘Jacob’s motorcycle. The live-streamed auction is taking place at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood CA.
NET: http://www.twilightsagaauction.com
– Vulture.com
★ Prolific producer Mark Burnett (“The Apprentice”, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”, “Shark Tank”, “Survivor”, “The Voice”, etc) is launching what’s claimed to be the first 24-7 ‘faith and family’ broadcast TV channel. The reality TV producer is launching ‘Light TV’ with his wife and producing partner Roma Downey. The channel features “wholesome family and faith-based entertainment programming”, drawing on MGM Studio’s library of content. It debuts in several major markets next month, including Chicago, Dallas, LA, and NYC.
– “Entertainment Weekly”
★ And a ‘Homer Simpson’ philosophy class is about to be offered at Scotland’s University of Glasgow. The 1-day course called “D’Oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy” is being offered in 6-hour sessions in January and February. Philosophy professor John Donaldson promises, quote: “Some of philosophy’s most inspiring ideas as presented in Matt Groening’s monument to the absurdities of human existence.” For instance, students will discuss whether or not ‘Homer’ could be considered virtuous by Aristotle’s standard.
– TheWrap.com

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The Affair” (Showtime/TMN) – Sunday Domenic West & Ruth Wilson return in the Season 3 debut.
• “American Music Awards” (ABC/CTV) – Sunday model Gigi Hadid & former “Saturday Night Live” star Jay Pharoah host from LA’s Microsoft Theater. Drake leads nominations with a record-breaking 13, including ‘Artist Of the Year’ alongside Adele, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and The Weeknd. Performers include Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers w/Halsey, Fifth Harmony, Green Day, Lady Gaga, and Twenty One Pilots. Sting receives the ‘American Music Award of Merit’ for career achievement.
• “Harry” (syndicated) – Today Scotty McCreery (“See You Tonight”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Butch Walker (“Stay Gold”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Radical Face (“The Family Tree: The Leaves”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/CTV) – Tonight Skylar Grey (“Natural Causes”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Tonight Lukas Graham (“Blue Album”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – Tonight Drive-By Truckers (“American Band”).
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Host Kristen Wigg (“Masterminds”); musical guest The XX (“I See You”, coming in 2017).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Emeli Sandé (“Long Live the Angels”).
• “Wendy Williams” (syndicated) – Today Young MA (“Ooouuu”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• DNCE – The group’s self-titled debut album arrives today. They kicked off a tour in support of the project last night in San Diego CA. The trek runs to February 9th in Wallingford CT.
• Faith Hill – Today she releases “Deep Tracks”, which features non-single tracks from Hill’s previous albums plus 3 previously unreleased tracks.
• George Strait – Today he releases “Strait Out of the Box: Part 2” exclusively through Walmart. The 3-disc, 56-track collection features 36 hit singles including 26 number ones.
• Madonna – She seems to have confirmed an upcoming appearance on James Corden’s buzzy “Carpool Karaoke” with a teasing photograph of the duo posted to her Instagram account. The caption: “Riding around Manhattan with this hunk of Burning Love.”
• Metallica – Today they release the new album “Hardwired …To Self-Destruct”. The deluxe edition features a handful of cover songs and the band’s live set from Record Store Day 2016 in Berkeley CA. It’s their first studio album in 8 years.
• Miranda Lambert – “The Weight Of These Wings”, her first album in 2 years, is out today. The double album is a collection of 24 songs.
• Soundgarden – Today there’s a 25th anniversary re-release of their classic album “Badmotorfinger”. It’s available in a limited edition 7-disc Super Deluxe Edition, a 2-CD Deluxe Edition, a single CD edition, and a 2-LP black vinyl edition.
• Taylor Swift – Today “The Taylor Swift Experience” opens in NYC, the official museum exhibit of the pop superstar. Created in 2014 for LA’s Grammy Museum, the traveling shrine is setting up shop at NYC’s South Street Seaport through February. Tickets are $9. Selfies are encouraged.
• Tori Amos – A 20th anniversary of her album “Boys for Pele” arrives today. The newly remastered 2-disc deluxe edition comes with a selection of B-sides, rare recordings, and 4 previously unreleased tracks.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Bleed for This” ( R-Rated Sports Biography ): Miles Teller stars in the inspirational story of 1980s world champion boxer Vinny Pazienza who, after a near fatal car crash leaves unsure if he’ll ever walk again, manages to go on to make one of sports most incredible comebacks. Co-stars Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal, Ciarán Hinds.
NET: http://bleedforthisfilm.com
• “The Edge of Seventeen” ( R-Rated Dramedy ): In this high school comedy, school life gets even more unbearable for ‘Nadine’ when her best friend, ‘Krista’, starts dating her older brother. Stars Hailee Steinfeld, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson. Anyone who’s learned the hard way how close together the ‘send’ and ‘delete’ functions can be on your phone, this is your movie.
NET: http://stxmovies.com/theedgeofseventeen
• “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them” ( PG-13 Fantasy Adventure ): Author JK Rowling’s latest creation follows the adventures of writer ‘Newt Scamander’ in NYC’s secret community of witches and wizards 70 years before ‘Harry Potter’ reads his book in school. Stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler. This is the 1st of a 5-film series.
NET: http://www.fantasticbeasts.com
• Opening in limited release: “The Eyes of My Mother” (Horror); “Life On the Line” (Drama); “Manchester By the Sea” (Drama); “Nocturnal Animals” (Thriller); “Officer Downe” (Action); and “A Street Cat Named Bob” (Biography).

WORD OF THE YEAR?
Donald Trump is responsible for this. Oxford Dictionaries has taken inspiration from the US election in choosing its 2016 word of the year …. ‘post-truth’. How does that relate to the Donald? Well, Oxford’s own definition says the adjective describes “circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Use of the word apparently spiked 2,000% this year, especially when Trump won the Republican nomination. ‘Alt-right’ and ‘Brexiteer’ are other politically charged words on Oxford’s short-list, alongside ‘coulrophobia’ … fear of clowns. (Seriously, have you heard anyone anywhere say ‘post-truth’?)
– Sky News

THE NEW DANGER – ‘KILLFIES’:
India has suffered nearly 60% of the world’s 127 selfie deaths since 2014. In fact, India has lost 76 people, 25 more than all other countries combined, according to a new Carnegie Mellon University study. At least 127 people worldwide have died since March 2014 after posing or trying to pose for a selfie in dangerous circumstances. The study shows that men suffer over 75% of selfie fatalities even though women are more likely to take selfies. Pakistan ranks 2nd in what are being called ‘killfies’, followed by the USA in 3rd place. However, the US is #1 in killfies by people posing with weapons. (“Hey, watch me hold this bow & arrow to my forehead …”)
– “NY Daily News”

BS AMAZING FACT:
‘Homer’ spoke 21% of 1.3 million words of dialogue on “The Simpsons” from Seasons 1-to-26.
– ToddWSchneider.com

BS CHRONOMETER 11.18.16

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1939 [77] Margaret Atwood, Ottawa ON, ‘Dean of Canadian Authors’ (“The Blind Assassin”, “The Handmaid’s Tale”)/Order of Canada (1981)/Canada’s Walk of Fame (2001)

1962 [54] Kirk Hammet, San Francisco CA, rock guitarist-singer (Metallica-“The Day That Never Comes”, “St Anger”)

1968 [48] Owen Wilson, Dallas TX, movie actor (“Midnight in Paris”, “Wedding Crashers”)/brother of actor Luke Wilson

1974 [42] Chloë Sevigny, Springfield MA, movie actress (“Lovelace”, “Boys Don’t Cry”)/TV actress (“Big Love” 2006-11)

1979 [37] Nate Parker, Norfolk VA, movie director-actor (“Birth Of a Nation”, “The Secret Life of Bees”)

1981 [35] Nasim Pedrad, Tehran, Iran, TV actress (“Scream Queens”, “New Girl”)

SATURDAY –
Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 74; TV actress Allison Janney (“Mom”) is 57; Rock drummer Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses) is 56; Movie actress Meg Ryan (“Sleepless in Seattle”) is 55; Movie director-actress Jodie Foster (“Silence Of the Lambs”) is 54; Country singer Billy Currington (“Let Me Down Easy”) is 43; Tech developer Jack Dorsey (Twitter.com) is 40; TV actor Adam Driver (“Girls”) is 33; Country singer Cam (“Burning House”) is 32; Rapper Tyga (“BedRock”) is 27.

SUNDAY –
US vice-president Joe Biden is 74; TV journalist Judy Woodruff (“PBS NewsHour”) is 70; TV actress Ming-Na (“Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD”); Country singer Dierks Bentley (“Somewhere on a Beach”) is 41; Country singer Josh Turner (“All Over Me”) is 39; Rock bassist Jared Followill (Kings of Leon) is 30; Pop musician Michael Clifford (5 Seconds Of Summer) is 21.

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Apple Cider Day”, an annual salute to the refreshing taste of squished apples.
• “Married To a Scorpio Support Day”, a day of remembrance to honor those who are married to Scorpios (born October 23-November 21). Are they that bad? Any horror stories out there?
• “Vichyssoise Day” [vee-shee-SWAHZ], saluting the creamy potato & leek soup that is traditionally served chilled. Legend has it that a French chef, born in a town near Vichy, created the dish in 1917 at NYC’s Ritz-Carlton hotel.

SATURDAY –
• “Adoption Day”, an annual event in which courts and communities across America come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care.
• “Elephant Round-Up” in Surin, the ‘Elephant Capital’ of Thailand, through Sunday. Events include a mock battle with over 100 elephants & costumed warlords; and special elephant competitions in strength, skill, and obedience. There’s also a 60-ton buffet … for the elephants.
NET: http://ilikevents.com/component/nevent/event/3057
• “Family Volunteer Day”, the 25th annual celebrating the power of families who volunteer together, an activity that helps communities, strengthens family communication, and provides opportunities for family members to be role models.
• “International Men’s Day”, now celebrated in over 60 countries (including Trinidad & Tobago where it began in 1999, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, UK, and USA). It is an occasion to highlight discrimination against men & boys and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular to community, family, marriage, and childcare.
• “Women’s Entrepreneurship Day”, a global movement to celebrate, empower, and support female entrepreneurs around-the-world.
• “World Toilet Day”, to encourage toilet hygiene. The Singapore-based World Toilet Organization promotes better design, ventilation, and sanitation for the device that is still a luxury in many parts of the developing world. ‘The Urgent Run’ is being staged to highlight the need to end the world sanitation crisis.
NET: http://urgentrun.com

SUNDAY –
• “Absurdity Day”, a chance to put your hair in pigtails or wear that shirt you like but haven’t because it is too ‘loud’. Today you don’t have to explain anything … just do it.
• “African Industrialization Day”, an annual UN initiative to encourage deployment of new technologies in order to raise living standards on the continent and build industries of the future.
• “Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day” (GOHARD), the 5th annual day of support for those who challenge themselves through long-distance running.
• “Mexican Revolution Day”, celebrating the anniversary of the date in 1910 when the uprising to overthrow dictator Porfirio Díaz began.
• “Name Your PC Day”, a good day to ask listeners what pet names they’ve bestowed on theirs.
• “Peanut Butter Fudge Day”. Who cares why? Bring it!
• “Transgender Day of Remembrance”, the 18th annual commemorating those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender bias, prejudice, or hatred.
• “Universal Children’s Day”, 1st proclaimed by the UN in 1954 to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children.
• “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims”, an annual international observance on the 3rd Sunday of November.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [10] Acting couple Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes (referred to as ‘TomKat’) are wed in a Scientology ceremony at a 15th-century castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy (lasts 6 years)

2011 [05] “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” opens in movie theaters

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2003 [13] The original handwritten John Lennon lyrics to The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man” are auctioned at Christie’s in NYC for $300,000

2012 [04] Justin Bieber wins ‘Artist Of the Year’ at the 40th annual American Music Awards

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
2005 [11] The acclaimed Johnny Cash biopic “Walk The Line” opens in movie theaters (her performance as June Carter Cash wins Reese Witherspoon an Oscar)

2006 [10] With the aid of a private jet, Jay Z plays 7 separate 30-minute concerts across America in 1 day to promote his new album “Kingdom Come”

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2003 [13] Barry Bonds is named National League’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ for a record 6th time

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] World Hello Day
[Mon] World Television Day
[Tues] Go For a Ride Day
[Tues] International Start Your Own Country Day
[Wed] ARIA Awards (Sydney NSW)
This Week Is … Game & Puzzle Week
This Month Is … Novel Writing Month

BULL’S BITS

BS IDEAS THAT ARE ALMOST NEVER GOOD:
• Running with scissors.
• Trying to be friends with an ex.
• Anything that happens directly following the phrase, “Hey everybody, check this out!”
• Scrolling through social media while depressed. Everyone’s life will seem better than yours.
• Grocery shopping while hungry. You’ll buy everything.
• Gas station sushi. It doesn’t matter how good it looks or how hungry you are. Don’t do it!
• Anything that requires you to say “It’s just a prank, bro!” afterwards.
• Co-signing a loan for a ‘friend’. Might as well think of it as a gift.
• Rubbing your eye while eating really hot peppers.
• Taking a sleeping pill and a laxative simultaneously.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What makes your perfect cup of coffee?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: On average, it takes someone 20 minutes to make a decision about THIS.
Answer: Figuring out what to watch on Netflix.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
An antidote is a medicine you take to prevent dotes.