BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ A new Frank Sinatra biography by James Kaplan is published today. “Sinatra: The Chairman” claims that screen siren Marilyn Monroe once rejected Sinatra’s wedding proposal. The crooner is said to have proposed to the Hollywood actress in 1961, a year before her death, but she reportedly turned him down to get back together with her estranged husband Joe DiMaggio. Sinatra’s feelings were so strong according to the book that he and DiMaggio became rivals and, as a result, Sinatra was not allowed to attend her funeral.
– Bang Showbiz
★ TV chef Jamie Oliver spoke to a UK parliamentary committee last week about his campaign for a sugar tax. They should take his advice. If anyone knows how to skim a bit of cash off the back of sugar it’s him. His 2013 TV series was sponsored by Uncle Ben’s – a brand that belongs to Mars Inc, the food giant most famous for Mars, Snickers, Bounty, Skittles, and M&Ms.
– PopBitch.com
★ Adele has been offered a film role by 26-year-old Xavier Dolan, the director of the music video for her new single “Hello”. It’s not too difficult to imagine Adele accepting Xavier’s offer as she’s a big fan of his work. He’s mostly been involved with French-Canadian films about love and romance. And he also voiced ‘Ron Weasley’ in the French translation of the “Harry Potter” films. Xavier says he always thought Adele would be a good actor but she had doubts. However, he says the experience of working on the video may have changed her mind.
– Radio 1 Newsbeat
★ And here’s an odd couple … former supermodel Jerry Hall is said to be dating media mogul Rupert Murdoch. They’ve reportedly been enjoying dates in California and NYC, where they went to see Broadway musical “Hamilton”. The pair recently struck up a relationship after being introduced by Rupert’s sister and niece. It’s believed to be the first serious relationship for the 84-year-old billionaire since he divorced 3rd wife Wendi Deng in 2013. 59-year-old Jerry split from Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in 1999. Rupert & Jerry are expected to make their first public appearance together at the Rugby World Cup final in London this Saturday.
– “Daily Mail”

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Carrie Underwood (“Storyteller”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Carrie Underwood again.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Goldroom (“It’s Like You Never Went Away”).
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/M3) – Kygo (“Nothing Left”).
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Blake Shelton (“Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits”).
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – Lianne La Havas (“Blood”).
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – Adam Levine (Maroon 5).
• “The Talk” (CBS) – Elle King (“Love Stuff”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – 5 Seconds Of Summer (“Sounds Good Feels Good”).
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – The strongest vocalists choose songs to perform as they compete head-to-head; Rihanna advises.
• “Wicked City” (ABC) – Series debut. Set in 1982 Los Angeles, Jeremy Sisto and Gabriel Luna play detectives tracking a killer (Ed Westwick).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Adele – Her new video, “Hello”, racked up more than 25 million YouTube views on its first day of release. The sepia-toned video has gone viral not just because of its haunting lyrics and artistic shots.
• David Bowie – He’s releasing a new album entitled “Blackstar”, according to “The Times”. Bowie has crafted the 7-song collection in a NYC studio using local jazz musicians. His 25th studio album will arrive on his 69th birthday, January 8th.
• Drake – Designer Tom Ford has just released a lipstick named after him. It’s part of his ‘Lips & Boys’ collection, which features lipsticks ‘named after men that inspire’ (BS translation: Names that can move product). Drake the lipstick is described as ‘dark burgundy’. It costs $52.
• Little Big Town – She’s already a singer-songwriter, wife, and mother; now Karen Fairchild is also a fashion designer. Her debut collection ‘Fair Child by Karen Fairchild’ is released today through EVINE Live. It’s described as ‘Nashville inspired with a rock and roll sensibility’.
• One Direction – Louis Tomlinson tells British TV he’s planning to spend part of his boy band’s 2016 hiatus working with mentor Simon Cowell on a new girl group.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “The Gift” ( R-Rated Mystery Thriller ): A young married couple’s lives are thrown into chaos when an acquaintance from the husband’s past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years. Stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton (also the writer, producer, and director).
• “Max” ( PG Family Adventure ): A dog that has helped US Marines in Afghanistan returns home and is adopted by his handler’s family after suffering a traumatic experience. Stars Thomas Haden Church, Josh Wiggins, Lauren Graham. Based on a true story. Shot in Asheville, North Carolina.
• “Pixels” ( PG-13 Action Comedy ): When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games (ie: “Pac-Man”) as a declaration of war, they attack Earth in the form of videogame characters. The live-action cast includes Adam Sandler, Josh Gad, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage. Cameos by Hall & Oates, Martha Stewart, Serena Williams.
• “Southpaw” ( R-Rated Action Thriller ): Jake Gyllenhaal plays troubled boxer ‘Billy Hope’, who turns to trainer ‘Tick Willis’ (Forest Whitaker) to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife (Rachel McAdams) in a tragic accident and his daughter (12-year-old Tony-winning actress Oona Laurence) to child protection services.
• Also released today: “Army of Darkness Collector’s Edition” (Compilation); “Downton Abbey Seasons 1-5” (TV); “The Great American Dream Machine” (Vintage TV); “The Horror Network” (Compilation); “Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer” (Documentary); “Monty Python & The Holy Grail: 40th Anniversary Edition” (Comedy); and “My Fair Lady: 50th Anniversary Edition” (Musical Comedy).

HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES:
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, the group behind the annual Webby Awards, has released a new study showing just how much the Internet affects Millennials (18-to-34s). Highlights from the survey in over 60 countries …
• 93% use smartphones while in bed.
• 85% use the Internet for shopping.
• 80% admit to taking their phones with them to the bathroom.
• 77% worry that not being technologically savvy will make them less likely to be hired.
• 70% say its hard not to look at their phone when it rings or vibrates … even when stopped at a traffic light.
• 37% believe tech advancements will allow them to build deeper relationships than they have today.
• More than a third say that relationships have ended because of social media and technology.
• More than half believe they would be happier if they could use their smartphones less. (Well … there’s a simple answer, no?)
– @NYDailyNews

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BEAR:
The world’s most annoying teddy bear won’t stop singing … until you destroy it. The ultimate prank gift has been created by 8-year-old Mikayla Wilson with the help of her father, Cornelius Wilson. They spent more than 2 years developing the unstoppable bear, though they were less concerned with esthetics than with maximizing the amount of time it would continue to sing. The final version, which is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, belts out “Happy Birthday” for around 3½ hours straight. During that time, nothing you do will stop it, save pulling it to pieces. The father claims he wants to use the experience to teach his daughter about business. (How about teaching her about wastefulness and the environment?)
– Mashable.com

BS THINGS NATURALLY LOUD PEOPLE CAN’T UNDERSTAND:
✗ What this ‘regular tone of voice’ is that people keep going on about.
✗ Not feeling like it is your specific duty to fill every awkward silence ever created.
✗ Why others don’t appreciate your fascinating commentary in a movie theater.
✗ Having to constantly apologize for the loudest laugh among all your friends.
✗ Feeling like you’re genuinely going to explode when someone has the nerve to shush you.
✗ Being asked if you’re feeling OK when you’re suddenly quiet.
✗ Having your loud voice misinterpreted as anger.
✗ Losing all ability to regulate your voice when excited or drunk.
✗ Being told to ‘calm down’ when you are completely, totally calm.
✗ How to whisper.
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

WOMEN VS MEN:
• WHO’S MORE HONEST? – A survey shows more men steal office supplies (71% of men vs 61% women), and fudge tax returns (24% vs 15%). Women are more likely to lie to the boss about a sick day (64% women vs 58% men); fib about the cost of a new purchase (34% women vs 25% men); and lie to spare another person’s feelings (74% women vs 65% men).
• WHO WAKES UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED? – A Sleep Council poll reveals that 14% of women say that they never wake up grumpy, compared to 24% of men. Almost a third of women blame their partner’s snoring for their inability to get enough sleep.
• WHO LOOKS BAD IN PHOTOS? – Fully 88% of us dislike how we look in pics. Even more interesting, nearly half of men and over two-thirds of women also dislike how their partner looks in photographs.

BS AMAZING FACT:
Using long, complicated words makes you appear less intelligent than if you use simple language.
– “Fast Company”

BS CHRONOMETER 10.27.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1939 [76] John Cleese, Weston-super-Mare UK, TV actor-comedian (“Monty Python’s Flying Circus”)/movie actor (2 ‘James Bond’ films, 2 ‘Harry Potter’ films, 3 ‘Shrek’ films)

1949 [66] Garry Tallent, Detroit MI, rock bassist (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band-“Born to Run”, “Born In the USA”)

1958 [57] Simon LeBon, Bushey UK, classic rock singer (Duran Duran-“Hungry Like the Wolf”, “The Reflex”)

1967 [48] Scott Weiland (Kline), Santa Cruz CA, rock singer (Art of Anarchy, The Wildabouts, Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver)/rehab veteran

1984 [31] Kelly Osbourne, London UK, TV personality (“Project Runway Junior” 2015, “Fashion Police” 2010-15)/daughter of Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne

1993 [22] Troy Gentile, Boca Raton FL, TV actor (‘Barry Goldberg’ on “The Goldbergs” since (2013)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Boxer Shorts Birthday”, a salute to their invention on this date in 1901.

• “Cranky Co-Workers Day”, in honor of all the complaining and just plain cranky people you work with and have to endure all year. This is the day to let them go with it and enjoy their misery.

• “Hunters’ Moon”, the Full Moon of October, so-named because it allowed hunters of old to stalk the woods after dark. It’s also been called the ‘Beaver Moon’ as well as the ‘Frosty Moon’.

• “Potato Day”, one of several annual ‘food holidays’ honoring the humble spud. This root vegetable became one of the New World’s most important discoveries. What’s the best way to cook ’em? Fries? Mashed? Baked? Au Gratin w/Gruyere & Creme Fraiche?

• “World Day for Audiovisual Heritage”, originated in 2005 by UNESCO to raise of awareness of the importance of preserving recorded sound and audiovisual documents (films, sound & video recordings, radio & TV programs) for posterity.

ONE YEAR AGO . . .
2014 [01] Walmart apologizes for labelling women’s plus-sized Halloween outfits ‘Fat Girl Costumes’ on its website (and sends individual apologies to offended customers on Twitter)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [09] “Saw III” opens in movie theaters, in which serial killer ‘Jigsaw’ (Tobin Bell) kidnaps a doctor to help keep him alive

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2013 [02] Influential singer-songwriter-guitarist Lou Reed (Velvet Underground, Metal Machine Trio) dies from liver disease at his home in Southampton NY at age 71

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2004 [11] MLB’s Boston Red Sox win their 1st World Series championship since 1918, finally vanquishing the so-called ‘Curse Of the Bambino’ (Babe Ruth) that had plagued them 86 years

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2002 [13] Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith becomes NFL’s all-time rushing leader, surpassing the former mark of 16,726 yds held by Walter Payton (Smith ends career in 2004 with 18,355)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Plush Animal Lovers Day
[Wed] Bring Your Jack-O-Lantern to Work Day
[Thurs] Cat Day
[Fri] Mischief Night
[Fri] Candy Corn Day
[Sun] Daylight Saving Time ends
This Week Is … Asexuality Week
This Month Is … Substance Abuse Prevention Month

BULL’S BITS

INFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
• “When does the next Scotsman go by here?”
• “Isn’t that the guy from Chumbawamba?”
• “Was that when you noticed my grandma’s tattoo?”
• “Can you style my hair like Donald Trump?”
• “Is he going to perpetuate that misconception all night?”
• “But how do you get it to float next to the VCR?”
• “Why brown?”
• “Who said anything about lawn bowling?”
• “More special sauce?”
• “Who dat talkin’ ’bout beatin’ dem Ravens?”

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s your best cheapskate advice for saving money? (Showering with your dog, cooking in the dishwasher, living in a tent, cutting your own hair, etc.)

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Why are people more violently opposed to fur than leather? Because it’s safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• Which is the longest-serving European royal family?
a. The Grimaldis of Monaco. [CORRECT. Over 700 years on the throne.]
b. The Windsors of Britain.
c. The Bernadottes of Sweden.

• Which US state shares the longest border with Canada?
a. Alaska. [CORRECT. Look north, not south!]
b. Montana.
c. Washington.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: According to a poll, THIS is the personality trait women find most attractive.
Answer: Humility.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.