Friday, August 23, 2024 – Edition: #7778
Get a Load of This Sheet!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Megan Thee Stallion has been tapped to host the 2024 Video Music Awards, set for September 11 at New York’s UBS Arena. It will be Megan’s first-ever awards-hosting gig. She’s nominated in 5 categories at this year’s VMAs, including Best Collaboration with tourmate GloRilla, and Best Hip Hop. Katy Perry is set to receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award and will perform a medley of her hits. Other performers include Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, and Sabrina Carpenter. Megan is no stranger to hosting duties, having previously hosted “Saturday Night Live” and serving as co-host for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
-Deadline, HollywoodReporter
★ Stephen Nedoroscik, who went viral as “Pommel Horse Guy” during the Paris Olympics, is the first celebrity cast member revealed for “Dancing With the Stars” Season 33. The announcement was made yesterday on “Good Morning America.” The 25-year-old gymnast won an individual bronze medal, and helped the US Men’s Gymnastics team win their first team medal — also bronze — in 16 years. While social media users speculated that Nedoroscik was napping before his event, he later explained to Jimmy Fallon that he was “visualizing” what he needed to do. ABC said the rest of the DWTS cast will be announced later.
-TheWrap
★ Alex Rodriguez appears to be weighing in on the “Bennifer 2.0” breakup from the sidelines. The retired MLB star posted a cryptic message on his Instagram Story Monday — the same day that his ex-fiancée, Jennifer Lopez, filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. A-Rod shared a post citing one of his own quotes, which read: “You either go one way or the other, you might as well be the one deciding the direction.” It seems like a harmless motivational line, but considering A-Rod’s history with J-Lo, some wondered if it was his public response to the news. Rodriguez and J Lo started dating in February 2017, and got engaged 2 years later, but called things off in April 2021.
-TMZ, NYPost
★ Fitness guru Richard Simmons’ falls while at home contributed to his death, according to his family. A Simmons family spokesperson says that Richard’s brother Lenny Simmons received a call from the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office, telling him: “Richard’s death was accidental due to complications from falls, and heart disease as a contributing factor.” Simmons was found dead in his home by his housekeeper on July 13. He had fallen the night before, and refused medical care.
-TMZ
★ Chick-Fil-A has hatched a plan for its own streaming service. The fast-food restaurant is moving aggressively into the entertainment space with plans to launch a slate of originals for its own streaming platform. Reportedly it has been working with a number of major production companies, including some studios, to create family-friendly shows, particularly in the unscripted space. It is also in talks to license and acquire content. Chick-Fil-A, known for its fried chicken sandwiches, is the latest company outside of the entertainment industry to move into making its own originals, joining the likes of Lyft and Airbnb. (Streaming service? Thank God! At first, I though it said “steaming service”. And no one needs a steamed chicken sandwich!)
-Deadline
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): TBA
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Dave Bautista, Shawn Levy, Glass Animals (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): TBA
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Alaska 5000, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Fleming (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): John Mulaney, Ilona Maher, Todd Sucherman (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Elizabeth and Damian Hurley (R)
• “The Talk” (CBS): Walton Goggins, Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer (R)
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Angela Bassett, Meghan Trainor, Guy Fieri
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Channing Tatum (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Kerry Washington
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Reba McEntire (R)
• “Billy Joel: The 100th — Live at Madison Square Garden” (CBS): His record-breaking 100th consecutive performance at MSG; appearances by Sting and Jerry Seinfeld.
• “NFL Football” (Check local listings): Pre-season: Jaguars @ Falcons; Dolphins @ Buccaneers; 49ers @ Raiders
• “The New York Times Presents” (FX): A pilot’s promising career takes a dark turn when he’s accused of attempting to down a plane after taking psychedelic mushrooms; a look at pilot mental health protocols.
SATURDAY:
• “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” (HBO): Premiere. Families, friends and foes discover the lure of the Old West, as the Civil War divides the country.
• “Forever: A Terry McMillan Presentation” (LIFE): A veteran falls head over heels for a policewoman after returning to his hometown. But to win her heart, he must also win over her teenage daughters.
• “The Magic of Lemon Drops” (HALL): When Lolly’s Aunt Gert gives her 3 magical lemon drops, she experiences what her life would have been like had she lived her unfulfilled dreams.
SUNDAY:
• “Tulsa King” (CBS): Stacy makes a decision that has serious consequences; Dwight and Armand dispose of evidence; Bodhi proposes a new plan, and Tina contemplates her future.
• “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” (A&E): Never-before-seen footage and interviews with family, friends and colleagues provide insight into the life and career of the hip-hop icon.
• “NFL Football” (Check local listings): Pre-season: Titans @ Saints; Cardinals @ Broncos; Patriots @ Commanders
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift – Her new video for ‘I Can Do it With a Broken Heart’ shows her rehearsing for the Eras Tour. It is made up of backstage clips from the tour, and reveals “secrets”, such as how she makes to the stage without fans spotting her — by slipping into a cleaning trolley. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/43jwdw7v
• Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, and LISA – have all been added to the artists list for the 2024 VMAs on September 11 at New York’s UBS Arena. They join previously announced performers Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Camila Cabello and Rauw Alejandro.
• The Weeknd – will livestream his Sept. 7 show in São Paulo, Brazil exclusively on his YouTube channel – for free! He shared a teaser, which also previews a new song. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/5eyv28m8
• Janet Jackson – has officially announced her Las Vegas residency at Resorts World Las Vegas. “Janet Jackson: Las Vegas residency” begins with performances on Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve, and continues with 8 more in 2025. Tickets go on sale Wednesday. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4d3uwfrr
• Paul McCartney — leaped on stage to join a performance by Rolling Stones producer Andrew Watt, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and former Bob Dylan guitarist G.E. Smith in the Hamptons on Tuesday. Macca, who owns a home in the area, jammed out on ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and a raucous rendition of Neil Young’s ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bdtet5ba
• U2 – A movie of their Sphere Las Vegas residency might be on the way. Monday, Sphere tweeted 3 emojis: a movie camera, a bucket of popcorn and an arrow with the word “soon”, suggesting something to do with a film is coming. U2’s account retweeted it, adding the “eyeballs” emoji, possibly indicating that a film is coming about their “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere” residency. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bpcwczfb
• Kenny Loggins — will be honored Dec. 7 with the John Lennon Real Love Award at the 44th annual John Lennon Tribute in New York. The event is put on by Theatre Within, which offers free workshops in creative expression and mindfulness for those impacted by cancer, as well as youth in crisis.
• Carrie Underwood — For the 12th straight year, she’ll sing the opening theme for “Sunday Night Football”, Sept. 8 on NBC. She has performed ‘Waiting All Day for Sunday Night’ each year since 2013 when Faith Hill passed her the torch. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2n4yyvpc
• Old Dominion — guitarist Brad Tursi will make his Grand Ole Opry debut tonight, stepping into the famed circle for the first time as a solo artist. He said he’s “so excited” to play “these songs (that are) from my back porch, from my heart”. His “Parallel Love” album dropped July 19.
• Nate Smith – ‘Bulletproof’ is holding steady at #1 on the country charts for a second week. But that’s not all. As he reported in an Instagram video, “They’re saying that no other artist has had that many weeks at #1 in their first 3 singles.” His first 2 consecutive-week #1 singles are ‘Whiskey on You’ and ‘World on Fire’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4w47447j
SHOOTING THE BULL
NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK:
• “Blink Twice” (R, Mystery/Thriller): When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida, he invites her to join him and his friends on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality. (Channing Tatum, Naoimi Ackie, Christian Slater) Tomatometer: 80%
• “The Crow” (R, Action/Fantasy): Soulmates Eric and Shelly are brutally murdered. Given a chance to save the love of his life, Eric must sacrifice himself and traverse the worlds of the living and the dead, seeking revenge. (Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs) No Tomatometer rating.
• “The Forge” (PG, Drama): After graduating high school without any plans for the future, Isaiah receives a push to start making better life decisions. (Karen Abercrombie, Priscilla C. Shirer) No Tomatometer rating.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
❑ The Crocs company has teamed with DC Comics to create a surprisingly cool-looking version of its Classic Clogs. The recently-released limited-edition Batman x Crocs Classic Clog “Batmobile” takes its styling cues from the (awesome) version of the superhero’s ride featured in the 1989 “Batman” movie and its sequel “Batman Returns”. The new Crocs feature a variety of Batmobile elements, including the front turbine, discrete yellow headlights, and even a glossy windshield. At the back, you’ll find red stoplights, rear wheels, and the Batmobile’s iconic exhaust. And maybe the coolest element of all is the bat wing lateral spoiler on the heel strap. You can find them online for US $70. (Don’t worry if they sell out. There’ll be a remake in a couple years!) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/byk5wbne
❑ It’s not uncommon for entertainment and sports celebs to release a line of perfumes and colognes. And now, Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis has released HIS new scent – and we think it shows he knows his audience. Levis has partnered with Hellman’s Mayonnaise for “Will Levis No. 8: Parfum de Mayonnaise”. That’s right – it’s a perfume for men and women that smells like America’s favorite sandwich condiment. And the new scent is proving to be as popular as – well, mayo: It sold out within 90 minutes of going on sale. The mayo-scented cologne isn’t just something that Levis stamped his name on, either. He was involved in crafting it, too. And he’s probably familiar enough with the intricacies of mayo to be considered an expert: Rumor has it that he adds the stuff to his coffee for an extra kick. (Considering this story started by saying that Levis has “released his new scent”, I suppose it could have been WAAAY worse!)
-OddityCentral, TheBoot
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING:
► Make a list: Assign a budget and stick to it. (And for God’s sake, DON’T bring the kids along!)
► Find sales: For back-to-school clothes, shop end-of-summer sales and focus on apparel the kids can wear all year long. (Whether they like it or not!)
► Buy in bulk: Kids can really go through the essentials like paper, pencils, glue sticks and notebooks quickly. (And backpacks. Trust me.)
► Do your online homework: Follow your favorite brands and retailers on social media, and sign up for their email newsletters, to stay in the know about the latest deals. Sometimes, they even have exclusive sales for their followers. (No fair! 12 more days of summer vacation, and I have to do homework?)
-Insauga
NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ There was a bizarre spin on Tuesday’s mayoral primary in Cheyenne, Wyoming. How? One of the 6 candidates on the ballot had pledged to let an AI chatbot run the city government, should he be elected. Librarian Victor Miller campaigned on the fact that he built a customized ChatGPT bot called VIC (Virtual Integrated Citizen), which he said could make more data-driven, unbiased decisions than any human, as leader of Cheyenne. But alas, it seems that the residents of Cheyenne will have to make do with human representation. Results show that Miller came 4th, with 327 votes. That’s more than 2,400 fewer than he needed to make November’s general election ballot. (It definitely wouldn’t have been the first time that we were governed by ‘artificial intelligence’, though!)
➢ Man! I wish this story happened just little bit closer to Halloween! Police were called to a California beach where lifeguards discovered what appeared to be a human skull — but it turned out to be something a bit more mundane, if still creepy. The Long Beach Police Department said lifeguards contacted authorities early Monday after finding what they called a human skull with part of its face missing, washed up in the sand. Rumors quickly spread on social media about the so-called “grisly” discovery, and cops were close to launching a homicide investigation — when medical examiners deduced the skull was not from a human — or even from an animal. It was determined to be a plastic prop skull. (And being that this was in California, it quickly went from being “grisly” to “gnarly”!)
-MorningBrew, UPI
DID YOU KNOW?
A surprising new study reports that your home bathroom sink might harbor more potentially harmful bacteria than its hospital counterparts, raising concerns about home hygiene practices. The research, from Flinders University in Australia, examined biofilms – thin, slimy layers of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces – found on faucets and drains. It was found that residential sinks, particularly drains, harbored higher levels of certain concerning bacteria, including Legionella – the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ disease. The team says their finding highlights a potential blind spot in our approach to infection control. (Ever notice that scientists are always discovering that common things, like smartphones, doorknobs, elevator buttons – and, yes, even sinks – have more bacteria on them than toilet seats? I’m starting to think that the safest place to store anything might actually be in the toilet!)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 08.23.24
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Hug Your Sweetheart Day”, an annual excuse to let your beloved know that he or she is always there in your fondest thoughts. Gag.
• “Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade & Its Abolition”, designated by UNESCO in 1998 as an annual observance to reflect on “the historic causes, the methods, and the consequences of the slave trade”.
• “Sponge Cake Day”, celebrating the fat-free dessert that’s based on flour, sugar, and eggs. It has a firm yet well-aerated structure, similar to a sea sponge. (And is no good until it is covered with icing, whip cream, ice cream, or all 3!)
• “Buttered Corn Day”. Are you a butter spreader or full cob roller? (Depends on who’s looking?)
• “Internaut Day”. No one’s sure exactly why we celebrate it Aug. 23, but today’s the day we celebrate the invention of the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web and the internet are distinct from each other, and an “internaut” is a person who has a deep knowledge of how to use the internet, as well as of its history. (So…does anyone know the difference between the internet and the World Wide Web?)
• “Ride the Wind Day”, a day to soar above the earth or catch a ride with the breeze. Here are some great ways to enjoy Ride the Wind Day:
-Fly in an airplane
-Fly a kite
-Parachute
-Bungee jump
-Roller coaster
-Hang glide
-Ride a motorcycle
-Hop in a sailboat (or simply forget to do up your zipper?)
SATURDAY:
• “International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination and Violence Based on Musical Preferences, Lifestyle and Dress Code”. This awkwardly-titled occasion is dedicated to eradicating intolerance, discrimination, and violence against anyone who is part of a subculture that may look different, listen to different music, or have other hobbies than what is seen as the “norm”. LINK: https://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/
• Perhaps it’s no coincidence that it is also “Strange Music Day”. The premise is simple: to get people to play and listen to types of music they have never experienced before. The ‘strange’ part can mean either ‘unfamiliar’ or ‘bizarre’ – the choice is yours. (What “strange song” do you absolutely love?)
• “Peach Pie Day”, honoring the seasonal dessert made from flour, sugar, butter, and freshly-picked juicy peaches. Yummers! (Thursday was “Eat a Peach Day”. Good times if you like peaches!)
• “Waffle Day”, celebrating the anniversary of the invention of the ‘Waffle Iron’ by Cornelius Swartwout of Troy NY on this day in 1869. Other inventions attributed to today’s date include ‘Potato Chips’ (Chef George Crum, Saratoga Springs NY in 1853) and the ‘Motion Picture Camera’ (Thomas Edison in Menlo Park NJ, 1891).
• “Weather Complaint Day”, marking the date in 1897 when editor Charles Dudley Warner of the “Hartford Courant” published the quip, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” (What other weather clichés drive you bonkers?)
• “Knife Day”, celebrating the ancient tool that has survived as long as man has — evolving from stone and obsidian to carbon and stainless steels (Cutting-edge technology!).
• “Can Opener Day”. Peter Durand invented canned food in 1813, but the can opener wasn’t invented until almost 50 years later. How did people open canned food before the can opener? The instructions on an 1824 can of roast veal read, “Cut round on the top near to the outer edge with a chisel and hammer.” (***Here’s another method: https://tinyurl.com/pm6r9xd ***)
SUNDAY:
• “Banana Split Day”, saluting the ooey-gooey sundae concoction that’s served in a ‘boat’.
• “Kiss-and-Make-Up Day”, a day to make amends in relationships that have deteriorated. (Let’s see, there’s that ornery cab driver, that rip-off auto mechanic, the boss… (and is it a coincidence that “Kiss and Make-Up Day” falls on Gene Simmons’ birthday?)
• “Secondhand Wardrobe Day”, celebrating the joys of shopping consignment shops, thrift stores, and anywhere else a clothing bargain can be had.
• “Whiskey Sour Day”, a salute to the mixed drink containing whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. Whiskey sours are shaken, then served either straight up or over ice, traditionally garnished with half an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Yes, please!
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1931 [93] Barbara Eden, Tucson AZ, TV actress (“I Dream of Jeannie” 1965-70)/movie actress (“Harper Valley PTA”)
1949 [75] Rick Springfield, Sydney Australia, rock singer (‘Jessie’s Girl’, ‘I’ve Done Everything for You’)/TV actor (‘Noah Drake’ on “General Hospital” 1981-83, 2005-08, 2012-13)
1949 [75] Shelley Long, Fort Wayne IN, TV actress (“Cheers” 1982-1993, “Modern Family” 2009-19)/movie actress (“Irreconcilable Differences”, “The Money Pit”)
1961 [63] Dean DeLeo, Montclair NJ, rock guitarist (Stone Temple Pilots-‘Plush’, ‘Interstate Love Song’)
1970 [54] Jay Mohr, Verona NJ, movie actor (“Are We There Yet?”, “Jerry Maguire”)/TV personality (“Last Comic Standing” 2003-06, “SNL” 1993-95)/standup comedian (“Jay Mohr: Happy. And a Lot.”)
1976 [48] Scott Caan, Los Angeles CA, TV actor (“Hawaii Five-O” 2010-20)/movie actor (“Ocean’s 11″ movies, “Gone In 60 Seconds”)/son of James Caan
1978 [46] Julian Casablancas, NYC, rock singer-songwriter (The Strokes -‘Last Nite’)/son of Elite Models founder John Casablancas
1980 [43] Joanne Froggatt, Littlebeck England, TV actress (“Downton Abbey” 2010-15, “Coronation Street” 1997-98)/movie actress (“Downton Abbey”)
SATURDAY- Vince McMahon (CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment) is 79; Steve Guttenberg (“Police Academy”) is 66; former MLB star Cal Ripkin Jr. is 64; Jared Harris (“Mad Men”) is 63; Marlee Matlin (“The West Wing”) is 59; comedian Dave Chappelle is 51; Alex O’Loughlin (“Hawaii Five-O”) is 48; Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill”) is 43; Rupert Grint (“Harry Potter” films) is 36
SUNDAY- Gene Simmons (Kiss) is 75; Rob Halford (Judas Priest) is 73; Elvis Costello (‘Pump It Up’) is 70; Tim Burton (director-“Beetlejuice”) is 66; Billy Ray Cyrus (‘Achy Breaky Heart’) is 63; Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) is 62; Celeb cook Rachael Ray is 56; Jo Dee Messina (‘I’m Alright’) is 54; Alexander Skarsgård (“True Blood”) is 48; Rachel Bilson (“Hart of Dixie”) is 43; Blake Lively (“Gossip Girl”) is 37
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2000 [24] 51 million watch the final episode of the original “Survivor” TV series (a summer replacement show), as Richard Hatch is named the $1-million winner. (He promptly forgets to pay his taxes, leading to jail time…)
2014 [10] Angelina Jolie marries Brad Pitt in Correns, France. They divorce in 2019.
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1989 [35] Ric Ocasek of The Cars marries model Paulina Porizkova, whom he met when she starred in the video for The Cars hit ‘Drive’. They separated prior to his 2019 death.
2007 [17] Queen guitarist Brian May is finally awarded his doctorate in astrophysics by London’s Imperial College (the degree he was seeking when he left school during the band’s first flush of success).
2022 [02] Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Freaky Girl’ debuts at #1, the first female rapper to do so since Lauren Hill in 1998 with ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’.
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1966 [58] The first photo of Earth from the Moon is taken by the ‘Lunar Orbiter’.
TODAY’S UNFORTUNATE EVENT…
2015 [09] A 12-year-old boy trips — and rips the 17th-century painting “Flowers” by Paolo Porpora, worth $1.5m, at an exhibition in Taiwan.
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Wind doesn’t make a sound until it blows against an object.
✓ Gold never erodes.
✓ Fruit stickers are edible, though like fruit, washing prior to eating is recommended.
✓ The word “Australia” contains three A’s — and each of them is pronounced differently.
✓ The wealthy in Russia sometimes hire fake ambulances instead of taxis for a faster and more convenient way of getting to a destination.
✓ If you point your car fob to your head, it increases the signal range.
-DidYouKnows, TheFactSite
Best of BS . . .
BS THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND:
• Why bean sprouts aren’t just weeds.
• ‘Fat clothes’.
• Cats’ facial expressions.
• The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
• Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
• The difference between beige, off-white, ecru, and eggshell.
• Cutting your bangs … to make them grow.
• Eyelash curlers.
• The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
• OTHER women.
-First published in BS in 2016
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ As you’ve heard, Jennifer Lopez is getting a divorce. (From Ben Affleck, that is. Her divorce from reality happened years ago!)
➠ Demi Lovato and emo singer Jordan Lutes are reportedly getting married before year’s end. (Little is known about the wedding. Other than the music will be awful!)
➠ A study shows that shy people are better at reading facial expressions (…and silently plotting your demise while you talk incessantly about the fabulous dinner party you just attended . . . but yeah, mostly we’re better at reading facial expressions!)
➠ Data shows that the middle class continues to shrink. (Economically speaking. Waist-wise, we’re doing just fine!)
➠ Researchers say computers will achieve human-level intelligence by the year 2029. (Yeah, right. Like a stupid computer is going to outsmart me in, uh, like, 30 something years…!)
BS WEB GOODIE:
It’s Friday – Why Not? https://tinyurl.com/muf2v9rp
BS RANDOM JOKE:
When a man says he’ll do anything for a woman, he means fight bad guys and kill dragons, not vacuum or wash dishes…
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What colorful nicknames have you given to your neighbors? And what nicknames do you think they’ve given YOU? (***Bonus BS Web Goodie: https://tinyurl.com/2p4hytkd ***)
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
The average person does THIS almost 1500 times a year. What is it?
Answer: Dream
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
