BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
Danny Gokey, the bespectacled widower who finished 3rd on “American Idol 8”, has signed a contract with 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville, the same label that signed “A-I” alumni Carrie Underwood & Kellie Pickler (who’d have thought he’d go country?) . . . California State Lottery & Warner Bros have a new partnership on a game called “Warner Bros Records Scratchers” in which the label’s roster appears on tickets that allow players to win music downloads & concert tickets as well as cash (tix are 2 bucks-a-pop) . . . “Entertainment Weekly” reports Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry are the latest guest judges to sign on for an appearance in the next season of “American Idol”, each spending a day on-set during the call-backs phase (Perry already judged an auditions taping) . . . Music videos are set to return to YouTube now that a deal has been struck with the Performing Rights Society which will see the tubesite pay a lump sum for the right to screen videos for the next 3 years (YouTube killed the MTV star) . . . This week filming had to be halted on the set of the “Sex & The City” movie sequel after hysterical fans tried to overpower security to get closer to Cynthia Nixon (or maybe there were just running away from Sarah Jessica Parker?) . . . 35-year-old former “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” star Jason David Frank (‘Green & White Ranger’) is in training to become a real-life UFC fighter (will he still wear the mask?) . . . And 45-year-old movie actor Keanu Reeves (“The Lake House”) has agreed to take a DNA test because a 46-year-old woman who claims he’s the father of her 4 grown children (now in their mid-20s) is seeking millions in spousal & child support (wait a minute, can child support be retroactive?).

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “American Idiot” (Berkeley CA) – Tonight the stage musical version of Green Day’s concept album debuts at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, starring John Gallagher Jr as ‘Johnny’. Released in 2004, the album has sold about 12 million copies worldwide.
NET: http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0910/3634.asp
• Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival (Seattle WA) – Saturday-through-Monday the annual northwest music fest features Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Katy Perry, Modest Mouse, Sheryl Crow and many more.
NET: http://www.bumbershoot.org
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/A Channel) – Today Cher, the Pussycat Dolls w/Missy Elliott.
• “Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon” (syndicated) – The 44th annual 21.5-hour fundraiser Sunday-Monday from the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas features oodles of celeb guests including country singers Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Wynonna.
NET: http://www.mda.org/telethon/
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Maxwell (“BLACKsummers’night”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Ben & Relentless7 (“White Lies For Dark Times”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/A Channel) – Tonight the Pet Shop Boys (“Yes”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – Tonight Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (“Up From Below”).
• “9 to 5: The Musical” – Sunday the Broadway production featuring a score written by Dolly Parton closes due to disappointing ticket sales. However, a new touring production of the musical will be launched in Nashville in 2010.
NET: http://www.9to5themusical.com
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Actress Anne Hathaway hosts a rerun show; with musical guest The Killers.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – This morning Lil Wayne (“Tha Carter”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Chris Brown – Police in Virginia say he’ll remove graffiti, pick up trash, and wash cars as part of his community service sentence for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
• Madonna – With a gross of $408 million, her just-completed “Sticky & Sweet World Tour” is the all-time top-grossing tour by a solo artist, and 2nd overall to the Rolling Stones’ $558 million “Bigger Bang” tour of 2005-2007.
• Rolling Stones – A rep confirms that, contrary to a fabricated story that ran online, drummer Charlie Watts has not retired or left the band (even though he is 68-years-old). In fact,  according to a new “Rolling Stone” interview with Keith Richards, the band will start working on a new album next year.
• Tupac Shakur – A year-long battle over movie rights to the late rapper’s life story between his mother, Afeni Shakur, and Morgan Creek Films is now set to got to court next April. (By the time they get this settled, no one will remember who he is – he died in 1996.)
• U2 – They’ll be the musical guest on the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) on September 26th.
• Whitney Houston – Her comeback album, “I Look To You”, looks certain to debut at #1 on the “Billboard 200” chart next week, selling circa 200,00 copies in its first week.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “All About Steve” ( PG-13 Comedy ): Sandra Bullock (“The Proposal”) & Bradley Cooper (“The Hangover”) star in this story about a crossword-puzzle constructor who falls for a CNN cameraman after a single date and follows him all over, along the way collecting a crew of misfits who appreciate her eccentricity. Co-stars Thomas Haden Church (“Spider-Man 3”).
NET: http://www.allaboutstevemovie.com
• “Carriers” ( PG-13 Thriller ): Four young people speed across the southwestern US in a desperate attempt to outrun a viral pandemic. Over the course of a few days, tough decisions have to be made if they have any chance at survival. Stars Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) & Piper Perabo (“Because I Said So”). Filmed back in 2006, but online buzz is strong on this one.
NET: http://www.carriersmovie.com
• “Extract” ( R-Rated Comedy ): Jason Bateman plays the owner of a flower-extract plant who’s trying to contend with myriad personal and professional problems, such as his potentially unfaithful wife and employees who want to take advantage of him. Co-stars Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, and Mila Kunis. Directed by “King Of the Hill”/”Beavis & Butt-Head” creator Mike Judge.
NET: http://www.extract-the-movie.com
• “Gamer” ( R-Rated Sci-Fi Thriller ): Set in a future-world where humans can control other humans in mass-scale, multi-player online gaming environments, Gerard Butler (“300”) portrays a star player from a game called “Slayers” who looks to regain his independence while taking down the game’s mastermind. Co-stars Michael C Hall (“Dexter”) and rapper/actor Ludacris.
NET: http://gamerthemovie.com

ALL-TIME GREATEST SUPERHEROES:
According to a new online poll, these are our favorite guys in tights …
1. “Batman”
2. “Spider-Man”
3. “Superman”
4. “Wolverine”
5. “Iron Man”
(Guess this goes to prove a guy can still be hot at age 70. “Batman” was created in 1939.)
– ContactMusic.com

SPERM-A-LIKES:
A sperm bank specializing in donors who are celebrity look-a-likes is set to open a 2nd location. California Cryobank, a fertility clinic based in LA, will open a NYC branch within 2 months. Prospective parents are given the chance to seek out famous faces for their unborn children from unidentified contributors in its ‘Donor Look-A-Likes’ program. A spokesman says they have a wide selection but there’s no guarantee any of their traits will be passed on. The most sought after figures on the company’s website include Britain’s Prince William, actor Ben Affleck, and NFL QB Brett Favre. (For people who want a baby that resembles an old man.)
– “New York Daily News”

WORLD’S BEST AIRPORTS:
According to new passenger satisfaction ratings from Skytrax …
1. Incheon International … Seoul, South Korea.
2. Hong Kong International Airport … Hong Kong, China.
3. Changi Airport … Singapore.
4. Zurich International … Zurich, Switzerland.
5. Franz Josef Strauss Airport … Munich, Germany.
– “China Daily”

FAT CLOTHES AREN’T SELLING:
People just aren’t buying plus-size clothing at the rate they used to. Apparel sales in general, being a discretionary purchase, have been suffering because of the economic downturn, but plus-size clothing sales have been particularly hard hit. According to the NPD Group, a market research company, the overall women’s apparel business is down about 5% over the past year, and plus-size sales are down almost 10%. (Maybe because no one could afford to eat during the recession?)
– AP

BS CHRONOMETER 09.04.09

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TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1957 [52] Khandi Alexander, NYC, TV actress (‘Chief Medical Examiner Alexx Woods’ on “CSI: Miami” 2002-08)

1958 [51] Dr Drew Pinsky, Pasadena CA, TV personality (“Celebrity Rehab With Dr Drew” since 2008)/syndicated radio talk-show personality (“Loveline”)

1960 [49] Damon Wayans, NYC, TV actor (“My Wife & Kids” 2001-05)/movie actor (“Celtic Pride”, “Major Payne”)/Shawn, Marlon, Keenen & Kim’s brother

1981 [28] Beyoncé Knowles, Houston TX, pop singer (“Single Ladies”, “Irreplaceable”, Destiny’s Child-“Lose My Breath”, “Bills, Bills, Bills”)/movie actress (“Obsessed”, “Dreamgirls”)

SATURDAY –
Comedian-TV actor Bob Newhart (“Bob Newhart Show”) is 80; Movie actor Michael Keaton (“Batman”) is 58; Rock drummer Brad Wilk (Audioslave) is 41; Movie actress Rose McGowan (“Grindhouse”) is 36.

SUNDAY –
Classic rock singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 66; TV personality-comedian Jeff Foxworthy (“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”) is 51; TV host Elizabeth Vargas (“20/20”) is 47; Country singer Mark Chesnutt (“I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing”) is 46; Pop singer Macy Gray (“I Try”) is 42; Pop singer Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) is 38; TV actor Dylan Bruno (“Numb3ers”) is 37.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Cheese Pizza Day”, celebrating the favorite order of cheapskates everywhere.
• “Corn Moon”, the Full Moon of September, so-named because it marked when corn was due to be harvested.
• “Google Commemoration Day”, honoring the 1998 founding of Google Inc by Sergey Brin & Lawrence Page in a friend’s garage in Menlo Park CA. Yeah, they used to be the little guys … but not anymore!
• “Newspaper Carrier Day”, celebrating the anniversary of the 1st recorded ‘news boy’, 10 year-old Barney Flaherty, who began hawking the “New York Sun” 176 years ago in 1833. Where’s the most unusual place you’ve found your paper after it was ‘delivered’?
• “Oatmeal Day”, honoring the hot breakfast cereal that really ‘sticks to your ribs’.
• “World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off” in Brady, Texas. It’s the 35th annual featuring some 125 teams trying to get your goat to taste good. Hmm, what’s the proper wine to serve?
NET: http://www.bradytx.com/goat_cookoff_web/index.html

SATURDAY –
• “Be Late For Something Day”, sponsored by the Procrastinators’ Club. In retaliation, Sunday is “National Do-It! Day”, aka “Fight Procrastination Day”.
• “Great Klondike International Outhouse Race” in Dawson City, Yukon, the 30th annual dash though downtown streets involving decorated outhouses on wheels containing a ‘seated’ jockey and pulled by costumed runners. If you don’t happen to own an outhouse, they’ll rent you one!
NET: http://www.dawsoncity.ca/calendarofevents/
• “National Buffalo Wing Festival”, the 8th annual through Sunday in Buffalo NY where some 20 tons of chicken wings will be deep-fried, drenched in hot-sauce, and served up in more than 100 different styles. Events include the ‘Blue Cheese Bowl’, ‘Bobbing for Wings’, and the ‘US Chicken Wing Eating Championship’.
NET: http://www.buffalowing.com

SUNDAY –
• “Father’s Day” in Australia and New Zealand, celebrated annually on the first Sunday in September.
• “Iguana Awareness Day”. Anyone who’s ever found one in a sleeping bag is really aware!
• “Running Of the Sheep” in Reed Point, Montana, where hundreds of woollies charge down Main Street, then participate in the ‘Ugliest Sheep’ and ‘Prettiest Ewe Contest’.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/39u29p
• “Salami Day”, celebrating the traditional cured Italian sausage that’s fermented and air-dried so it can be stored at room temperature for periods of up to a year.

MONDAY –
• “Labor Day” in the USA & Canada, a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the prosperity and well-being of our nations. It has origins in a printers’ revolt in Toronto in 1872, when parades were held to support the workers’ bid for shorter hours. After seeing Canadian festivities, US labor leader Peter J McGuire and the Knights of Labor organized similar events in NYC in 1882. Labor Day became a statutory holiday in both the US and Canada in 1894. In dozens of other countries, May 1st is “International Workers’ Day”, a day of celebration for labor.

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1781 [228] What is now L-A, California is founded as ‘El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles’

1953 [56] 1st Major League Baseball team to win 5 consecutive championships (NY Yankees)

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1950 [59] DM Hodgson of St Ann Bay, Nova Scotia catches record 997-lb tuna (enough for about 3,988 cans!)

1982 [27] 8,659 dancers form the record ‘Longest Conga Line’ (London UK)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Tues] International Literacy Day
[Tues] World Physical Therapy Day
[Wed] “Rock Band: Beatles” released
[Wed] Grammy Salute to Country Music (Nashville TN)
[Thurs] NFL Kick-Off (Pittsburgh PA)
[Thurs] Sunset Strip Music Festival begins (LA CA)
This Week Is … Child Injury Prevention Week
This Month Is … Baby Safety Month

BULL’S BITS

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HURRICANE NAME OR ONE-NAME SINGER?
Ask a listener/guest/crew member to decide which of the following are scheduled names of 2009 hurricanes and which are stage names of past or present singers …
• Claudette [Hurricane]
• Sylvia [Singer]
• Danny [Hurricane]
• Kellis [Singer]
• Nelly [Singer]
• Joaquin [Hurricane]
• Estelle [Singer]
• Brandy [Singer]
• Wanda [Hurricane]
– BS original

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I won’t say ours was a tough school … but we had our own coroner.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: If you are telling the truth, you’ll do THIS about 30% more.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Add little details.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Hope is sweeter than possession.