Wednesday, August 21, 2024 — Edition: #7776

Absolutely Full of Bull!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
[***UPDATE***] ★ After a relationship that spanned 2 decades, 2 engagements, 2 weddings and headlines too numerous to count, Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. The filing Tuesday in LA Superior Court brought to an apparent end to the celebrity coupling known as “Bennifer.” After meeting, falling in love and getting engaged in the early 2000s, the couple parted ways, blaming in part the pressure of the public eye. They reunited 2 decades later and married — twice — in 2022. In her divorce filing, Lopez listed the date of separation as April 26, 2024. She reportedly did not mention any prenuptial agreement.
-AP
★ Michael Madsen was arrested for misdemeanor spousal battery stemming from an incident at his Malibu home on Sunday. The “Donnie Brasco” star was booked into jail at the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station at 1:40am. The 66-year-old was released shortly after posting a $20,000 bond. Deputies responded to a call shortly after midnight on the west end of the affluent community regarding a “family disturbance.” Police say that “a female adult alleged her husband pushed her and locked her out of their residence.” Madsen married wife DeAnna in 1996.
-Fox
★ Johnny Depp‘s second directorial effort “Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness,” will make its debut at the San Sebastian Film Festival next month. The film, which stars Riccardo Scamarcio as famed Italian painter ‘Amedeo Modigliani’, is set to premiere in the festival’s out of competition strand. The synopsis says: “Modi” is “a tale of art, love and rejection” that “follows a 72-hour whirlwind of chaotic events through the streets and bars of a Paris torn apart during World War I.” It also stars Stephen Graham, Al Pacino and Antonia Desplat. Modi marks Depp’s return to directing after his 1997 debut with the critically panned “The Brave.”
-Variety
★ Gina Rodriguez has boarded ABC’s “Will Trent” as a series regular for Season 3. The “Jane the Virgin” star will enter the series as Assistant D.A. ‘Marion Alba’, who is new to Atlanta. She is described as “charismatic” and “confident,” though “after her first encounter with ‘Will’ falls flat, the pair is surprised to learn that they must work together to investigate a crime in the world of Atlanta gangs.”
-Deadline
★ Fox Studios is developing the first scripted series based on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Premiering this October, the 4-part series “One Day in October” centers on 4 gritty narratives of love, courage, survival and loss. The company says that “each story reveals profound truths about the senseless carnage of Hamas’ assault, the visceral emotions it released and, as each victim’s world unraveled around them, the perseverance and sheer heroism required to survive.” Created by Daniel Finkelman and director Oded Davidoff, One Day in October is currently being shot on location in Israel.
-TheWrap
★ Shiloh Jolie is no longer a Pitt. The 18-year-old daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie officially dropped her father’s surname, after making the legal request on her birthday in May. The court ruling shows a judge signed off on the change Monday morning. Her name has been changed from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie.
-PageSix

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Diane Lane, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Big Sean, guest host RuPaul
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Jenna Ortega, Jason Schwartzman, Melanie Hamrick, Thomas Rhett
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Pete Buttigieg, Chance the Rapper
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Kristen Schaal, Flula Borg, Leo González (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Channing Tatum, Sabrina Ionescu
•  “The Daily Show” (COM): Jon Stewart hosts “Indecision 2024” from Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Busta Rhymes, Sandra Bernhard, Judy Gold (R)
• “The Talk” (CBS): TBA
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Naomi Watts, Vivica A. Fox, Chrissy Teigen
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Esposito, Broadway’s “The Outsiders” cast performs. (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jason Momoa (R)
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Babyface (R)
• “Big Brother” (CBS): The houseguests compete to win the power of veto.
• “America’s Got Talent” (NBC): Live. Quarterfinals 2 results.
• “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (ABC): Celeb contestants Ray Romano & Brad Garrett; Jason Ritter & Natasha Leggero.
• “Democratic National Convention (Check local listings): From Chicago: coverage continues.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift — Fans are eagerly awaiting an announcement of “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)”. During her Saturday show in London, she performed the Reputation song ‘I Did Something Bad’ for the first time, AND waved goodbye by making a snake-like motion with her hand. Swiftie pandemonium ensued.
• Tommy Richman – His viral hit ‘Million Dollar Baby’ is officially the Song of the Summer — on TikTok. It was used in the most video creations across the platform in the US, soundtracking a major dance trend, among other uses. The #2 song on TikTok’s Songs of the Summer is Tinashe’s ‘Nasty’.
• Blink-182 – Less than a year after the release of “One More Time…”, they have announced the sequel album “One More Time…Part-2”. The band posted the album will drop Sept. 6, and shared that the single ‘All in My Head’ will be released this Friday. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mrypbb6y
• David Bowie – His widow has shared a previously unseen painting by him. The blue and yellow abstract was posted to Facebook by supermodel Iman, writing that until now the painting “had only previously been seen partially in the background” of a Bowie portrait. She captioned her post #BowieForever. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y58bjpwe
• Ramones – Plans are underway to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their first show at New York’s legendary CBGB. Several themed pop-up events will be coming to the Big Apple – including Ramones-themed ferry rides to Rockaway Beach, a documentary screening – and fans will also be able to grab limited edition “Ra-scones” at the Rockaway Beach Bakery.
• Maddie & Tae — Female empowerment will take center stage in their new EP “What A Woman Can Do”. Arriving Sept. 13, the 6-song package will feature their latest single ‘Heart They Didn’t Break’, the previously-released ‘Sad Girl Summer’, and ‘Free Like’, plus 3 unreleased songs.
• Shania Twain — Over the weekend, she made a tour stop in Newfoundland and Labrador, and reunited with a fan after 40 years. She brought Gloria out onstage and explained that early on, she sang in a cover band called Flirt. While on the road for her first time, she “met Gloria, a local girl who took care of me and showed me around.” Gloria held back tears as she hugged Twain. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/m3v2cxup
• Lainey Wilson – It has been confirmed that she’ll return to “Yellowstone” for Season 5. She plays ‘Abby’, a country singer, on the hit Taylor Sheridan series, but until now, had been tight-lipped on whether she would be returning. But it has been revealed that the series will be filming a concert scene in Fort Worth TX, Texas on Sept. 3, which will feature Wilson’s character.

SHOOTING THE BULL

REAL NEWS ABOUT FAKE NEWS:
Children in England will be taught how to spot “fake news” as part of a planned overhaul of the school curriculum. The perils of online misinformation were brought into the spotlight earlier this month when false information helped to fuel violent, far-right riots across the UK. As a result, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: “It’s more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online.” The curriculum review is intended to develop plans to “embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media.”
(While they’re at it, they should also teach them how to vote in a Prime Minister who’ll hang around for more than 6 months!)
(Maybe what we need is lessons in spotting REAL news. That’s becoming harder and harder to find!)
-PositiveNews

VIDEOCLIP TIP:
What’s the first thing you do when you’re bored…or have a few minutes to kill? Grab your phone and check social media, right? Well, here’s a tip: Avoid swiping through online videos – because you’ll end up even more bored than you were before. New research shows that the act of quickly watching snippets of videos before moving on to the next one, and the next one – a move called “digital switching” – actually increases boredom instead of alleviating it. In a study involving 1,200 volunteers, it was found that people reported being less bored when they watched just one video. They found the viewing experience more satisfying, engaging and meaningful than when they bounced through different content, with the ability to skip, fast-forward and rewind clips. Study author Katy Y.Y. Tam concluded: “Just like paying for a more immersive experience in a movie theater, more enjoyment comes from immersing oneself in online videos rather than swiping through them.”
(…although I’ve heard that swiping “right” all day can go a long way toward avoiding boredom…)
(Even MORE boring: When someone holds their phone up and makes you watch a video that you’ve “just gotta see”!)
-NYPost

SHARING ABOUT CAR-CARING:
As inflation continues to be a concern, a new survey shows that consumers are taking special care of their cars – so they won’t need to buy a new one anytime soon! The study, by Talker Research, polled Americans on their consumer behaviors in response to current economic pressures. It found that 73% of car owners have made the decision to better maintain their old vehicles due to rising costs. This is particularly true of older generations, with 75% of Gen X respondents saying they’ve been increased their car care efforts, compared to 60% of Gen Z. Interestingly, while 80% of consumers still rely on others for simple vehicle maintenance, half leave it to the pros . . . and 27% put their friends or family members to work for them. One in 5 said they perform their own car maintenance.
(I used to – until once I overfilled the blinker fluid!)
(And once again, I’m waaay ahead of the curve. I’ve always taken very good care of my vehicles — and held onto them for years and years. Not because of the economy – because I’m cheap!)
-StudyFinds

MONIKER MONITOR:
The TikTok account “Nostalgia Nut” has taken it upon themselves to list the Gen X names that are so unpopular now, they’ve deemed them “obsolete” in 2024. The name “Karen” is, of course, on the list (Sorry, Karens!). Here are the rest:
☞ Donna
☞ Kerry
☞ Nigel (Nigel?)
☞ Tracey
☞ Lindsey
☞ Gary
☞ Cheryl
☞ Clare
☞ Tanya
☞ Lorraine
☞ Wayne
☞ Beverly
☞ Dawn
☞ Stuart
☞ Denise
☞ Keith
☞ Barry
LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yc6mpnyd
(What about ‘Mike’? Every grade in school had at least 3 of those!)
(This sounds like the list of aunts and uncles I had to invite to my wedding because my parents insisted!)
-NYPost

DID YOU KNOW?
Do you have a friend who always seems to be complaining about something? It turns out, venting about what bothers you might be a good idea. UCLA research suggests that venting isn’t just a way to blow off steam—it’s a clever social tool that can make you look better in the eyes of the listener. By sharing frustrations, we might be subconsciously strengthening our bonds and even getting extra perks or favors. (Not from the person who you’re venting about!)
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 08.21.24

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Senior Citizens Day”, to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elders to home, family, and society. So, make sure you call Grandma and Grandpa today. (Or take them out for dinner…at 4 o’clock!)
• “Spumoni Day”, saluting the Italian dessert made from layers of ice cream, whipped cream, candied fruit, and nuts. It is typically made with 3 layers of flavor: Chocolate, Pistachio, and Cherry.
• “Poets Day”. Poetry is a form of writing that uses the aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of a language, combined with simile and metaphor, to bring out meanings deeper than the mere definition of the words. (And that was a fairly poetic description, don’t you think?)
• “Sweet Tea Day”. Sweet tea is a type of iced tea commonly consumed in the Southern US. The difference between iced tea and sweet tea is that a large amount of sugar or simple syrup is added to black tea while the tea is brewing or while still hot. (You know you’re in the south when they pour you a glass of the stuff without even asking!)
• “Brazilian Blowout Day”, for those who haven’t tried it, the hair-smoothing process can take it from frizzy and out-of-control — to soft and impossibly shiny in just one sitting.
• “Internet Self Care Day”. This day is dedicated to using the internet to find resources that can help you take care of yourself. Many of us are so preoccupied with taking care of others, whether at work or home, that we forget to take care of ourselves.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Thurs] Southern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day
[Thurs] Tooth Fairy Day
[Fri] Buttered Corn Day
[Sat] Strange Music Day
This Week Is…Aviation Week
This Month Is…Panini Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1956 [68] Kim Cattrall, Liverpool England [raised in Courtenay BC], TV actress (“Sex and the City” 1998-2004, “How I Met Your Father” 2022-2023)/movie actress (“Porky’s”, “Police Academy”)

1967 [57] Carrie-Anne Moss, Burnaby BC, movie actress (“The Matrix” movies, “Disturbia”)

1973 [51] Sergey Brin, Moscow Russia [raised in Adelphi MD], computer wiz (co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998)/net worth: $130 billion

1979 [45] Kelis (Rogers), New York City NY, pop singer (‘Milkshake’, ‘Bossy’)

1983 [41] Brody Jenner, Los Angeles CA, reality TV star (“The Hills” 2007-2010, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” 2007-15)/half-brother of Kendall and Kylie Jenner

1986 [38] Usain Bolt, Trelawny Jamaica, retired world’s fastest sprinter (8 Olympic gold medals; 11 World Championship golds)/world 100-meter record (9.58) & 200-meter record (19.19)

1988 [36] Kacey Musgraves, Alba TX, country singer (‘Merry Go ‘Round’, ‘Rainbow’)

1989 [35] Hayden Panettiere, Palisades NY, TV actress (“Nashville” 2012-18, “Heroes” 2006-09)/movie actress (“Scream 4”, “Scream VI”) COMING UP… “Amber Alert”, 2024

1992 [32] RJ Mitte (Roy Frank Mitte III), Lafayette LA, TV actor (‘Walter White Jr.’ on “Breaking Bad” 2008-13)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1987 [37] “Dirty Dancing,” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, opens in theaters (The first film to sell more than a million home video copies).

2019 [05] Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is named Forbes’ highest paid actor for a second year in a row, earning $89.4m (Also topped the list for 2022, with $270 million).

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2015 [09] When the Westboro Baptist Church, famous for anti-gay demonstrations, stages a protest before a Foo Fighters concert in Kansas City, the band responds by driving a truck in front of the demonstrators and “Rickrolling” them, by blasting Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.

2017 [07] During the historic solar eclipse, Bonnie Tyler sings ‘Total Eclipse of The Heart’ on a cruise ship, while Ozzy Osbourne performs ‘Bark at The Moon’ in Carterville, IL.

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
2004 [20] US swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 8th medal of the Athens Olympics, tying him with Soviet gymnast Aleksandr Dityatin for most medals in a single Olympics (he eventually becomes the most-decorated athlete in Olympic history, with 28 medals, including 23 golds).

2015 [09] The oldest “message in a bottle” is announced: More than 108 years after being cast adrift by the UK Marine Biological Association, it was found on beach in Germany.

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Brown eyes are blue underneath, and you can actually have surgery to turn brown eyes blue.
✓ Facebook’s color scheme is blue because Mark Zuckerberg suffers from red-green color-blindness.
✓ An ant’s sense of smell is stronger than a dog’s.
✓ All pandas in the world are on loan from China.
✓ The average shoe, when disposed of, will take 1,000 years before it is fully broken down.
✓ A typical banana travels 4,000 miles (644km) before being eaten.
-Facts, BathroomReadersInstitute

Best of BS . . .
BS EXCUSES FOR BEING LATE FOR WORK:
• “It took this long to get the ol’ blood alcohol level down to the legal driving limit.”
• “Sorry. I overslept and dreamed I had a dead-end job, a windowless office, and a humorless moron for a boss.”
• “Damn car got stuck in reverse and I had to back all the way to work.”
• “Hey, time becomes meaningless when you’re strung out on cough syrup and Jack Daniels.”
• “I was up all night trying to figure out how to quit this crappy job, and I overslept.”
• “Oh, we’re open on Wednesdays?!?”
-First published in BS in 2013

BS THINGS YOU DON’T WANNA OVERHEAR FROM A RESTAURANT KITCHEN:
• “Dammit, that’s the 3rd band-aid I’ve lost this week!”
• “C’mon! Let’s get those forks spit-shined!”
• “Y’know, those food prep gloves work in a pinch for a prostate exam.”
• “Attention! Did anyone on the kitchen staff lose a finger?”
• “Dude, you have to use the microwave to heat up that chicken. You can’t just keep it your pants!”
• “I can’t believe he STILL ate it!!”
-First published in BS in 2000

BS WEB GOODIE:
Whatever works:  https://tinyurl.com/2h4862ny

BS WOULD YOU RATHER?
(***You run down the list while your caller decides which choice is more palatable …***)
• Would you rather wear a clown wig, or clown shoes every day for the rest of your life?
• Would you rather take a weeklong hiking/camping trip, or a weeklong cruise?
• Would you rather be in a real-life version of “The Walking Dead”, or “Jurassic Park”?
• Would you rather owe someone a lot of money, or owe them a big favor?
• Would you rather be half your height, or double your height?
• Would you rather have a new expensive pair of shoes, or an expensive pair of sunglasses?
•  Would you rather hang out with your family, or your friends?
• Would you rather lose your cell phone, or break your big toe?
• Would you rather accidentally “like” an old photo of your ex on Instagram, or accidentally send a naughty text to a relative?
-ConversationStartersWorld, BestLife

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I think it’s funny when people talk about the placement of a hair part being in or out of style. Like, thanks for the info, but my hair does not involve me in any of its decision-making processes…

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s the oddest food in your fridge?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
According to a survey, Wednesday is the most popular day for THIS. What is it?
Answer:  A first date

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Some people say you are going the wrong way, when it’s simply a way of your own.