BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Today’s issue of “People” magazine names Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as 2014’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’. Is that the one who dated Miley? Nope, that’s Liam you’re thinking of. He dated Cyrus and his movie, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” opens this weekend. But he didn’t win. It’s his older brother Chris who has, beating out his younger bro’ as well as Chris Pratt, Charlie Hunnam, and Ryan Gosling. 31-year-old Hemsworth, who starred in “Thor”, is married to Elsa Patacky and is the father of 3.
– People.com
★ Actor Idris Elba is returning as “Luther” for a new 2-part miniseries on BBC America. Just days after FOX-TV announced a US remake of the Brit cop show, BBC has confirmed that the original iteration will return in 2015. Elba has received rave reviews for his portrayal of the murder detective whose genius mind can’t always save him from his own personal problems. It’s as yet unclear who’ll portray the role in the FOX remake. The original series is now available on Netflix.
– ContactMusic.com
★ And Netflix has apparently rescued another canceled TV series, closing a deal for a 10-episode new season of the crime drama “Longmire”, to premiere in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US in 2015. There was an outcry when A&E surprisingly canceled the fan-favorite a few months ago. Cast-members Robert Taylor and Katee Sackhoff had already signed deals for Season 4 after the 3rd season concluded with a cliff-hanger. The show is based on the novel series, “Walt Longmire Mysteries”, by best-selling author Craig Johnson.
– Deadline.com

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “American Music Awards” (ABC) – Sunday Pitbull hosts live from the Nokia Theatre in LA. Iggy Azalea leads nominations with 6; followed by John Legend, Katy Perry, and Pharrell Williams with 5 each. Performers include Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Fergie, 5 Seconds of Summer, Garth Brooks, Imagine Dragons, Jessie J, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Mary J Blige, One Direction, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, and Taylor Swift. The AMAs are voted on by fans.
NET: http://www.theamas.com
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Today Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin re-releases); One Direction (“Four”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight retired R&B singer Oran ‘Juice’ Jones. Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Bleached (“Ride Your Heart”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS/Omni 1) – Tonight Metallica winds up a week-long residency.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Tonight TV On the Radio (“Seeds”).
• “Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued” (Showtime) – Tonight the premiere of a documentary by Sam Jones that looks at the making of “Lost On the River”, the multi-artist project based on a treasure trove of recently discovered lyrics handwritten by Bob Dylan in 1967. The T Bone Burnett-produced album includes Elvis Costello, Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Marcus Mumford (Mumford & Sons), among others.
• “Mark Twain Prize for American Humor” (PBS) – Sunday former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno becomes the 17th recipient of the comedy award at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, as a salute to his 37-year TV career. Among those paying tribute: Chelsea Handler, Garth Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, and Wanda Sykes. Pre-taped October 19th.
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Host Cameron Diaz (” Annie”, opening December 19th); musical guest Mark Ronson w/Bruno Mars (“Uptown Funk”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Beach Boys – Frontman Mike Love is planning to tell all in a new autobiography. “Good Vibrations: My Life As a Beach Boy” will detail his complex relationship with bandmate/cousin Brian Wilson and his reasons for ending the band’s recent 50th anniversary reunion tour. The book’s due to be published in 2016.
• Brooks & Dunn – Kix Brooks has been named the first recipient of the “CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award”. Brooks, one-half of the former country duo, will receive the honor in January.
• Garth Brooks – His new album “Man Against Machine” is #1 on the new listing of ‘Billboard Country Albums’. This marks the 14th time he’s topped the chart.
• Interpol – This week they spent over 40 hours trapped in their tour bus when it was caught in a blizzard in Buffalo NY en route to a concert in Toronto ON. That show was canceled but tonight’s gig in Boston MA and tomorrow’s in Philadelphia PA are scheduled to go ahead.
• Katy Perry – She had the most on-air plays in 3 different radio formats in 2014, according to Mediabase. Katy was the most-played artist at CHR, Hot AC, and AC. Her hit “Dark Horse” was the most-played song at CHR radio in 2014.
• Lana Del Rey – “Hollywood Reporter” has revealed she’s recorded 2 brand new songs for Tim Burton’s upcoming film “Big Eyes”. The songs “Big Eyes” and “I Can Fly” are reportedly already getting Oscar buzz. The movie arrives in theaters December 25th.
• Taylor Swift – “1989” has nailed down a 3rd straight week atop the Nielsen SoundScan album sales chart. The album is just shy of going Double Platinum in its first month.
• U2 – Bono’s cycling injuries are more serious than originally thought. A doctor tells “Rolling Stone” they include a facial fracture, 3 separate fractures of a shoulder blade, and a multiple fracture of the humerus in his upper arm. He’s undergone 2 separate surgeries and will require intensive therapy, though a full recovery is expected.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” ( PG-13 Sci-Fi Adventure ): In the penultimate chapter of the movie franchise, ‘Katniss’ destroys the games and meets ‘President Coin’, who convinces her to be the symbol of rebellion. Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson.
NET: http://www.thehungergamesexclusive.com/intl/ca/
• Opening in limited release: “Extraterrestrial” (Horror); “Happy Valley” (Sports Documentary); “The Sleepwalker” (Drama); and “V/H/S: Viral” (Horror Thriller).

THE STRANGE THING THAT MAKES YOU SEXIER:
According to “Glamour” magazine, a research team that’s polled more than 1,100 adults has found that recycling and showing concern about the environment can make you seem way more attractive. Fully 40% say they’d think more highly of someone after finding out they recycled. Compare that to just 25% who’d be more attracted to someone with a graduate degree; 18% to someone with an impressive job; and only 8% to a person with a hefty bank account. Futhermore, 21% say they would be turned off if they found out a first date didn’t recycle at all. (Makes sense … if you care about the environment, you’re showing that you’re compassionate, thoughtful, and respectful.)
– YourTango.com

WORLD BEER DRINKING RANKINGS:
Which country drinks the most beer? The latest stats by SABMiller …
10. Belgium (81 liters per head annually)
9. Croatia (82 liters)
8. Lithuania (89 liters)
7. Romania (90 liters)
6. Ireland (93 liters)
5. Poland (100 liters)
4. Estonia (104 liters)
3. Austria (108 liters)
2. Germany (110 liters)
1. Czech Republic (143 liters)
(That’s a lot of Pilsner Urquell!)
– “Metro”

SHINING PATH:
Artist Daan Roosegaarde has paid the ultimate tribute to Vincent Van Gogh by installing a glowing bike path inspired by the artist’s famous “Starry Night” painting. The path is in the Dutch town of Eindhoven, near Van Gogh’s former home. The area’s scenery served as inspiration for many Van Gogh works, and in turn, Roosegaarde’s creation is meant to inspire current residents. It runs on solar-powered LED lights and is designed to appeal to energy conservationists and art fans as well as cyclists. The path opened on Wednesday and stretches for about a half-mile (1 k). The lights within the path charge from sunlight during the day, gathering enough energy to glow for 8 hours in the evening. (We need one of these here!)
– NPR.org

HUGS FOR SALE:
Entrepreneur Samatha Hess has opened a ‘cuddling business’ in Portland Or and has had a whopping 10,000 requests from customers in just the first week. Cuddle Up to Me offers hour-long sessions of platonic touching that include hair stroking, hand-holding, and a range of different cuddle positions for fee of $60. And business certainly is a-booming! She’s had to hire on 3 other cuddlers after a huge surge in interest. She stresses that the service is in no way adult-orientated. Clients must sign a waiver agreeing they will be clean, courteous and … keep their clothes on. (How sad is it when people have to resort to paying to be embraced?)
– FOX News

WHEN BOYS DON’T LIKE BEING BOYS:
A group of real-life 9-year-olds share what they don’t like about being male …
✗ “Not being able to be a mother.”
✗ “Not supposed to cry.”
✗ “Not allowed to be a cheerleader.”
✗ “Supposed to like science.”
✗ “Supposed to play football.”
✗ “Boys smell bad.”
✗ “Having an automatic bad reputation.”
✗ “Hair growing everywhere.”
(Is this what we are teaching our sons about masculinity?)
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

‘NORMAL BARBIE’:
Last year researcher Nickolay Lamm designed the original ‘Lammily’ dolls, scaled to the measurements of the average 19-year-old woman, after becoming frustrated at how unrealistic ‘Barbie’ doll’s proportions are. His goal was to create a fun, appealing doll with natural-looking makeup and a casual, sporty wardrobe. The dolls are now available for purchase, and buyers can pre-order an unusual extra … an add-on sticker pack that allows owners to give their dolls acne, cellulite, grass stains, scars, stretch marks, and tattoos. The idea is to get kids used to the idea that these things are normal and not ‘flaws’. (Wait, is that a hickey sticker?)
NET: http://www.lammily.com/index.html
– HuffingtonPost.com

BS AMAZING FACT:
The 14th Dalai Lama thinks he should be the last.
– Agence France-Presse

BS CHRONOMETER 11.21.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1966 [48] Troy Aikman, West Covina CA, TV football analyst (FOX-TV since 2001, teamed with play-by-play man Joe Buck since 2002)/former NFL QB (3 Super Bowls-Dallas Cowboys 1989-2000)/Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006)

1971 [43] Michael Strahan, Houston TX, TV personality (“Live With Kelly & Michael” since 2012, “FOX NFL Sunday” since 2008)/former NFL player (1 Super Bowl-NY Giants 1993-2007)

1985 [29] Carly Rae Jepsen, Mission BC, pop singer (w/Owl City-“Good Time”, “Call Me Maybe”)

1987 [27] Sam Palladio, Pembury UK, TV actor (‘Gunnar Scott’ on “Nashville” since 2012)

SATURDAY –
Rock guitarist/TV actor Little Steven (E Street Band) is 64; Movie actor Michael K Williams (“12 Years a Slave”) is 48; Country drummer Chris Fryar (Zac Brown Band) is 44; Indie rock singer Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is 36; Movie star Scarlett Johannson (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”) is 30.

SUNDAY –
TV host Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) is 54; Pop singer Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”) is 22.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “World Fisheries Day”, designed to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction, and other serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and freshwater resources.
NET: http://r4r.ca/en/theme/fisheries-day
• “World Hello Day”, the 42nd annual celebration of the simplest salutation that now takes place in some 180 countries. Participants are asked to spread goodwill by saying ‘hello’ to 10 people.
NET: http://www.worldhelloday.org/
Here’s how to say ‘hello’ in over 3,000 languages …
NET: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/hello.htm
• “World Television Day”, established in 1996 by the UN to encourage nations to exchange cultural programming focusing on peace, security, and economic & social development.

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.
NET: http://www.nationaladoptionday.org
• “Family Volunteer Day”, the 23rd 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 Aura Awareness Day”. Hey, what’s that hovering around your head?
• “Go For a Ride on Something Day”, a day to take a breather and go for a relaxing ride on a bus, horse, motorcycle, boat … whatever! (Or go to a used car dealer and get taken for a ride.)
• “Start Your Own Country Day”, a good excuse to ask listeners what 3 things would be different if they ran their own nation.

SUNDAY –
• “Cashew Day”, celebrating the yummy nut that sounds like a sneeze. (ca-SHEEEWW!)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2003 [11] The acoustic guitar on which The Beatles’ George Harrison learned to play is sold at a London auction for £276,000 (original price … £3-and-a-half)

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1983 [31] Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video premieres in Los Angeles movie theaters

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
[Tues] Strange Names Day
[Tues] International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women Day
[Tues] International Hat Day
[Tues] Shopping Reminder Day
[Wed] “Horrible Bosses 2”; “The Penguins of Madagascar” open in movie theaters
This Week Is … Better Conversation Week
This Month Is … Adopt a Senior Pet Month

BULL’S BITS

ESSENTIAL GREETING CARDS EVERY SASSY PERSON NEEDS:
“Sorry For Your Loss … But Your Boyfriend Is Happier With Me.”
“Wish You Were Here … So You Could Watch Me Walk Away.”
“Thank-you For Being My Friend … Who Makes Me Look Hot When I’m Next to Them.”
“Congrats On Your Marriage … Who Would’ve Thought?”
“You Are Always in My Thoughts … As a Second-Rate Version of Me.”
“Happy Birthday … Good Thing Vintage Is In!”
“Happy Valentines Day … Because No One Else Will Say It to You.”
“Happy Anniversary … Of When I Lowered My Expectations.”
“Congrats On the Newborn … Here’s a Paternity Test.”
“Good Luck … He Sucks in Bed.”
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s the most frightening thing you can imagine doing?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
This just in: Xerox and Wurlitzer will merge to produce reproductive organs.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Walmart’s top seller on ‘Black Friday’ last year was towels; but on all other days of the year THIS was the retail chain’s top-selling item.
Answer: Bananas.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
All marriages are happy. It’s living together afterwards that’s difficult.