Monday, September 18, 2023 — Edition: #7556

We’ve Got Our Sheet Together!

 

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ A joint investigation by 3 UK media outlets said Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse during a 7-year period at the height of his celebrity. The reports emerged after the 48-year-old actor had already issued a video Friday night to deny what he called “very serious criminal allegations.” Brand insisted his relationships were always consensual, saying: “I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent. And I’m being transparent about it now.” The reports say Brand entered into a relationship with a 16-year-old schoolgirl. He has also been accused of rape and sexual assault by other women. Several others allegedly accused Brand of physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment and bullying.
-Deadline
★ Hugh Jackman is reportedly “devastated” by his split from his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple shocked fans when they jointly announced on Friday that they were separating after 27 years of marriage. A statement reads: “We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage…Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.” Jackman is 54, and Furness 67.
-PageSix
★ Drew Barrymore isn’t bringing back her talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show” until the strike ends, after all. Sunday, she wrote on Instagram: “I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over.” She went on to apologize “to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today.” Barrymore faced swift criticism after announcing her syndicated show would return today, amid the ongoing Hollywood labor strikes.
-Variety
★ Steve Martin is rebutting Miriam Margolyes’ claims that he was “rather horrid” to work with on the 1986 film “Little Shop of Horrors.” In her new book, she claims she was “hit all day by doors opening in my face” and “repeatedly punched, slapped and knocked down” by Martin as they tried to perfect a scene. But in a statement, Martin said he “was surprised” by “Margolyes’ pejorative account of our scene in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’”, and that his memory is that the “had a good communication as professional actors” and that he took “EXTREME caution regarding the fake punch.”
-PageSix
★ Two films filled with supernatural horror were in a tight race at the box office over the weekend, as “A Haunting in Venice” and “The Nun II” were both estimated to earn $13-14 million. The weekend’s box office total was estimated to be the second-worst of 2023, at about $62.5M for all movies. Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” was expected to hit a worldwide box office total of $912million by this morning, making it the highest-grossing biopic ever. Previous record holder “Bohemian Rhapsody grossed” $910.8 million internationally. Both films feature actor Rami Malek.
-Variety, Deadline, TheWrap
★ John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have renewed their vows in celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary. The couple, who tied the knot on Sept. 14, 2013, in Lake Como, Italy, returned to their wedding destination for the celebration, starting with brunch at Villa Pizzo — the site of the couple’s first wedding ceremony a decade ago, arriving by boat. Later Saturday, the vow renewal ceremony took place, after which the couple came out onto a balcony and greeted all the guests, People reports. That was followed by dinner and dancing, a source says.
-People

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Tom Cruise, Camila Morrone; Walk off the Earth (R)
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Robert De Niro, Chloe Fineman, Arctic Monkeys (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Jordan Peele, Melissa Rauch (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV):  Phoebe Waller Bridge, Cher (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Shaquille O’Neal, Sebastian Stan, Sharon Van Etten (R)
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Capt. Jason Chambers, Aesha Scott
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Mark Johnson and the Playing for Change Band
• “The Talk” (CBS): Season premiere
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Ryan Seacrest, Brian Austin Green
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings: Khloé Kardashian; Michael Ray (R)
• “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Superfan couple Traci Caudle and Pat Jean-Baptiste
• “Academy of Country Music Honors” (Fox): Celebrating honorees Clint Black, Kane Brown, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tim McGraw, K.T. Oslin, Chris Stapleton and more; Carly Pearce hosts, performers include BRELAND, Brandy Clark, Jordan Davis, Chris Janson and Lady A.
• “Halloween Baking Championship” (Food): John Henson welcomes 12 bakers to the Henson & Sons Carnival, where they must layer a tarot-misu depicting the carnival’s demise.
• “NFL Football” (Check local listings): Cleveland @ Pittsburgh; New Orleans @ Carolina

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift – If you missed it, don’t worry – you’ll never miss news about her again: America’s largest newspaper company, Gannett, is hiring a reporter to cover nothing but Taylor Swift. After the Swiftie dream-job posting went viral, the company announced that it’s also on the hunt for a reporter to cover the Beyoncé beat. Both jobs pay $40,000–$100,000 a year.
• Drake – said on social media Friday night that the release of his album “For All the Dogs” has been postponed to Oct. 6 so he can complete his “It’s All a Blue tour.” It was scheduled to drop Sept. 22. The announcement followed the release of Drake’s new song ‘Slime You Out’, featuring SZA.
• *NSYNC — have reunited to record the new song ‘Take You to a Better Place’, which will be featured in the upcoming “Trolls Band Together” movie. A snippet of the song, which will be released Sept. 29, can be heard now on TikTok. It’s the first time all 5 members have recorded together since 2001. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3m38x83e
• Bon Jovi – former guitarist Richie Sambora was asked in a podcast about the possibility of a reunion with the band. His response: “We’re talking about it.” Pressed about the issue, he said: “There’s a demand out there for it, you know.” In June, he answered the same question thus: “No, not even close. Nobody asked me yet — but I could do it tomorrow if they asked me.”
• Eric Clapton — has released a cover of ‘Always on My Mind’ in tribute to Willie Nelson, who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year. Clapton collaborated with country singer Bradley Walker and Ronnie Wood on the song. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/27ve5y96
• Luke Bryan – his team recently had a party to celebrate his 30th career #1 song — and Jason Aldean was on hand to help. In front of an audience in Nashville, with Lady A’s Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood, and Dierks Bentley all in attendance, Aldean took the stage to reflect on his relationship with Bryan, before performing ‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/6ua4xdvp
• Maren Morris – It turns out that the surprise 2-song EP “The Bridge”, released on Friday, is her “goodbye” to country music. She calls it “the start of a new musical chapter.” ‘The Tree’ has a retro grunge-soul vibe, while ‘Get the Hell Out of Here’ (produced by pop mogul Jack Antonoff) is an acoustic track including the words: “the more I hang around here, the less I give a damn.” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/5ym9z5rk
• Jade Eagelson — won the Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards, handed out Sat. night in Hamilton ON. Tim & The Glory Boys took home Album of the Year for their self-titled record. Tenille Townes was named Female Artist of the Year, and James Barker Band won Group or Duo of the Year.

SHOOTING THE BULL

A FORTUNE BURIED IN THE BASEMENT:
If you have a pile of old VHS tapes stored away in the attic or basement (or even if they’re still proudly displayed in your living room…), you might be sitting on a fortune. Many are going for a shocking amount of money these days. Here are a few examples VHS movies that are up for grabs right now on eBay…
• “Back to the Future” (1989): $14,080
• “Gremlins” (1986): $4,500
• “The Fast and the Furious” (2002): $1,250
• “Pinocchio” (1993): $10,000
• “The Goonies” (1986): $125,000
Keep in mind, though, that just because you have an old movie on video-cassette doesn’t mean you’re going to get rich. To sell for a princely sum, the condition must be top-notch – not only in appearance, but it also should have been stored over the years in an area that is not to hot or humid.
(Back to the Future is worth 14 grand? Oh, to have a DeLorean and a flux capacitor now…!)
(Of course, I just finally got around to opening and watching my VHS copy of “The Goonies” last night…!
-NYPost

HONORING PLAYTHINGS:
The National Toy Hall of Fame has announced its finalists for induction this year. Nominees for 2023 are:
• Baseball cards
• Battleship
• Bingo
• Bop It
• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Choose Your Own Adventure books
• Connect 4
• Little Tykes Cozy Coupe
• Nerf toys
• Slime
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Also for consideration this year is the ‘Ken’ doll, in the wake of Ryan Gosling’s portrayal in this year’s blockbuster “Barbie movie”. ‘Barbie’ was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998. The finalists are judged on criteria including “icon status,” longevity, discovery and innovation. This year’s inductees will be announced on November 9.
(I know it sounds weird, but this year, I really think “Nerf” is a solid candidate…)
(That’s the difference between the Toy Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Toy Hall of Fame actually inducts toys…)
-UPI

NEW GOOD NEWS:
(People CAN be decent human beings edition…)
➢ Rescuers on Long Island, NY moved 5,000 pounds of concrete to save a mewing kitten that was stuck in a storm drain. Using large jacks, then a hydraulic rescue tool called the “Jaws of Life,” they were able to reach the kitten 30 feet down. “Lawrence” is doing fine now, in the care of a local veterinarian.
➢ 12-year-old Austen MacMillan was able to revive his behavioral therapist Jason Piquette after he partially drowned in a pool, by using CPR that he learned in an unconventional way. Austen told ABC News that he “saw it from a TV show—Stranger Things.” The whole ordeal was captured on a ring camera.
➢ Former NFL great Warrick Dunn recently surprised a single mother and her daughter with a brand-new home in Baton Rouge LA, but it was just one of 218 residences that people have to thank him for. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dunn challenged all NFL players, except for those who play for the New Orleans Saints, to donate at least $5,000. The effort received over $5 million in contributions. In conjunction with Dunn’s charity, Habitat for Humanity, and Catholic High School where Dunn himself graduated, the homes were built, furnished, and stocked with food for their new residents.
➢ A bank in Australia has decided to reimburse a 78-year-old who suffers with dementia after he was scammed out of nearly $500,000. The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group returned the cash to Alex Shaw after determining it should have been able to detect and stop the scammers before they pilfered every last cent of the depositor’s life savings. (Wow – it turns out that even a BANK can be a decent human being!)
-GoodNewsNetwork

GETTING UNSTUFFED:
Just in time for fall and winter sniffles, the US Food and Drug Administration has decided that phenylephrine, a popular ingredient in oral cold and allergy medications doesn’t work…and oral medications containing it may eventually be pulled from the shelves. So, what are the alternatives when cold symptoms hit? Here are some expert suggestions…
☞ Sinus irrigation: By sending water with a salt solution through your sinuses, neti pots and similar devices remove mucus and inflammatory products. (And also give you that wonderful childhood feeling of submerging yourself in water, upside-down!)
☞ Warm compresses, hot showers and hydration: They make it easier for your nose to stay at the state it needs to keep the mucus flowing. (Ewww…..)
☞ Getting good sleep: If you’re not sleeping well, your body has reduced ability to fight infection. If you have to breathe through your mouth at night, use a humidifier to keep the air warm and moist, and elevate your head.
☞ Spicy foods: It’s true – they actually help, through a chemical called capsaicin. As you know, if you eat something spicy, your nose runs. And that helps drain mucus from your sinuses.
☞ Chicken soup: NO! NOT in your neti-pot! A study in 2018 found there could be an anti-inflammatory property to chicken soup that reduces cold symptoms. Another found the spices and steam can be helpful to clearing sinuses.
-CNN

DID YOU KNOW?
A recent study found those who drink 2-3 cups of coffee daily have a lower risk of depression and anxiety. The research, published in Psychiatry Research last month, also found that people who drank more than 6 cups daily were found to have a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Those who drank 1-2 cups of daily had a slightly lower risk of developing depression and anxiety, — not as low as those who consumed 2-3 cups per day. Researchers said caffeine is believed to be the factor that influences mental health. (They’re right. When I’m given sufficient caffeine, those around me are MUCH happier!)
-CTV

BS CHRONOMETER 09.18.23

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Cheeseburger Day”, celebrating the best way to get 2 kinds of cattle fat into your system simultaneously. Supposedly, the first person to ever slap cheese on a burg’ was grill chef Lionel Sternberger at the Rite Spot restaurant in Pasadena CA in 1926. To celebrate, many burger joints offer amazing specials on cheeseburgers today. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bdd9cvr2
• “Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day”, saluting the anonymous and often under-appreciated wordsmiths who say the things we have trouble expressing. (Thanks for saving our bacon on numerous occasions!)
• “Chiropractic Founder’s Day”, the first chiropractic adjustment was given by Dr. DD Palmer to janitor Harvey Lillard in 1895. Harvey had lost most of his hearing 17 years earlier after experiencing a popping sound in his neck. Dr. Palmer determined that a bone was out of place in the janitor’s neck, and decided to move it back. Harvey’s hearing returned, and the chiropractic profession was born.
• “Rice Krispies Treats Day”, a combination of butter or margarine and melted marshmallows or marshmallow creme. Two Kellogg’s employees, Malitta Jensen and Mildred Day, are credited with the invention in 1939 as a promotional vehicle for the cereal. (Is it a coincidence that ‘snap, crackle and pop’ and ‘Chiropractic Founders Day’ are celebrated together??)
• “First Love Day”, a day to reflect on your first love. For some people, this will feel like a distant memory. Or maybe you’re still with your first love! Today, reflect on those butterflies you experienced when you felt that first romantic spark.
• “Respect Day”, Created by Family Violence Prevention Fund (now Futures Without Violence), the day is about teaching respect and raising awareness about domestic and dating violence, with the goal of ending violence against women and children.
• “Read an eBook Day”, celebrated since 2014 (Can I just listen to an audio book instead?) LINK: https://readanebookday.com/

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Tues] IT Professionals Day
[Tues] Talk Like a Pirate Day
[Wed] Pepperoni Pizza Day
[Thurs] World Gratitude Day
This Week is…Security Officer Appreciation Week
This Month is…Update Your Résumé Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1950 [73] Darryl Sittler, St. Jacobs ON, retired NHL player (Toronto Maple Leafs captain who holds the record for points in a game, with 10)/Hockey Hall of Fame, 1989

1970 [53] Aisha Tyler, San Francisco CA, TV personality (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” since 2013, “The Talk” 2011-17)/TV actress (“Bojack Horseman” 2014-15, “Archer” since 2009)

1971 [52] Jada Pinkett Smith, Baltimore MD, movie actress (“Madagascar” films, “The Matrix” films)/ TV Host (“Red Table Talk” 2018-22)/married to Will Smith since 1997

1971 [51] Lance Armstrong, Plano TX, former pro racing cyclist (stripped of 7 consecutive Tour De France titles due to doping)

1973 [50] James Marsden, Stillwater OK, movie actor (“The Butler”, ‘Cyclops’ in “X-Men” films)/TV actor “Westworld” 2016-22. COMING UP… “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story”

1975 [48] Jason Sudeikis, Fairfax VA, comedian/TV actor (“The Last Man on Earth” 2015-18, “Saturday Night Live” 2005-12)/movie actor (“We’re the Millers”, “Horrible Bosses”)/married to Olivia Wilde 2011-20

1976 [47] Ronaldo (Luís Nazário de Lima), Rio de Janeiro Brazil, retired professional soccer striker (3X FIFA World Player of the Year, 2002 FIFA World Cup winner)/entrepreneur (majority owner of Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro football clubs

1993 [30] Patrick Schwarzenegger, Los Angeles CA, movie actor (“Midnight Sun”)/model/son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1965 [58] “I Dream of Jeannie”, starring Barbara Eden as a 2,000-year-old genie, and Larry Hagman as an astronaut who becomes her master, premieres on NBC

1985 [38] the first-ever ‘Top 10 List’ on “Late Night With David Letterman” is presented, titled ‘Top 10 Things That Almost Rhyme With Peas’ (#1 is ‘Meats’. Um, maybe it’s in the delivery?)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1970 [53] Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix dies from asphyxiation at 27

1983 [40] KISS make their first public appearance without their trademark make-up when they show up on MTV to promote the new album – and single – “Lick It Up”

2004 [19] Britney Spears marries Kevin Federline in a low-key ceremony at a private home in Studio City CA, her 2nd wedding in 9 months (they divorce in 2007)

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1999 [24] the first husband & wife gender-swap happens, with each undergoing a sex-change operation in Hungary (“I couldn’t stand my husband … so now she’s my wife”)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2009 [14] The 72-year run of radio-turned-TV soap opera “The Guiding Light” ends, as its final episode airs

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Professional baseball players have an average visual acuity of 20/12, much better than 20/20, which is considered “good”.
✓ Honeybees keep their hives at 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35C)
✓ The word “broadcast” originally referred to farmers casting (or scattering) seeds over a broad area.
✓ There are 923 words in the English language that break the “i before e” rule. Only 44 words actually follow it.
✓ Being hungry causes serotonin levels to drop, causing a whirlwind of uncontrollable emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger and sadness (Hangry?).
✓ The average intelligence of humans has risen 20 IQ points since 1950.
-BBC, WhattheFFacts

Best of BS . . .
BS UNSOLVED CARTOON MYSTERIES:
• What is Popeye’s last name?
• Why is it that Goofy can talk, but Pluto can’t?
• Why doesn’t Wil E. Coyote sue the ACME company?
• How does SpongeBob light a fire underwater?
• Left or right turn at Albuquerque?
• Why does Batman have a cape, but he can’t fly?
• Why do Tom and Jerry never wear any clothes, EXCEPT when they go to the beach?
• Will we ever find out where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
• Why were those darn kids always meddling?
• What exactly WAS up, Doc?
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BS GEEK PICKUP LINES:
(***Preview before use***)
• “With my IQ and your body we could begin a race of genetic super-children to conquer Earth.”
• “I’m definitely in the range of your hotspot. Can I connect and get full access?”
• “You’re even prettier than my fantasy girlfriend.”
• “If you only knew the power of the Dork Side.”
• “I love you like an unspoken metaphor. That’s why I had to use a simile.”
• “I was hoping you wouldn’t block my pop-up.”
• “If I said you had a mint first-edition, still-in-box action figure, would you hold it against me?”
• “I’m gonna be an evil warlord when I grow up. Want a Milk Dud?”
• “If you were a booger, I’d pick you first.”
• “Your place or my Mom’s?”
-First published in BS in 2016

BS WEB GOODIE:
Also: Me when the alarm went off this morning (sound up):  https://tinyurl.com/43phzppv

BS RANDOM JOKE:
The reason they say “cheaters never win” is because the cheaters who did win never got caught.

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• The cast of the TV show “Glee” cracked the Billboard Top 10 in 2009 what a cover of which song?
a) Teenage Dream
b) Don’t Stop Believin’ [CORRECT]
c) Forget You
d) Gangsta’s Paradise

• Which instrument does Lizzo play?
a) Saxophone
b) Flute [CORRECT]
c) Clarinet
d) Juice box

• David Bowie appeared in what 1986 cult film?
a) Labyrinth [CORRECT]
b) The Princess Bride
c) The Rocky Horror Picture Show
d) Spinal Tap
-MusicTrivia

BS PHONE STARTER:
What, to you, is actually worth standing in line for?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 23% of adults admit they have taken a nap HERE. Where is it?
Answer:  Their doctor’s office

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.