BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Disney’s animated film “Frozen” has continued its wildly successful run in international markets to become the biggest animated pic ever, bringing its total to $1.072 billion after opening in its final market, Japan. The competition to beat was Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 3”, which grossed $1.063 billion back in 2010. “Frozen” has enjoyed both critical and major financial success, becoming the 1st billion-dollar film from Disney Animation Studios. It won 2 Academy Awards: ‘Best Animated Film’ and ‘Best Original Song’.
– Variety.com
★ ‘Harry Potter’ author JK Rowling is planning to make a trilogy of spin-off movies based on a ‘Hogwarts’ textbook from the fantasy franchise. The writer announced last year that she was set to make her screenwriting debut with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, the first in a new series which follows the adventures of a ‘magizoologist’. The story of ‘Newt Scamander’ is set in NYC 70 years before the ‘Potter’ series begins. Production and release dates for the films have yet to be determined.
– WENN.com
★ And in the UK, there’s a new ITV television game show in which young people go head-to-head with some of Britain’s most talented pensioners in a display of knowledge, abilities,  and skill. It turns out it’s surprisingly entertaining but there is one problem … the old folks keep on beating the young people. Constantly. So producers have had to make alterations, giving the youngsters a head-start option, as well as offering them easier tasks. Oh, and the show’s title? “Amazing Greys”.
– PopBitch.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Phillip Phillips (“Behind the Light”, set for release on May 19th).
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Beck (“Morning Phase”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Shanghai Restoration Project (“The Classics”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Johnnyswim (“Heart Beats”).
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – Nick Canon (“White People Party Music”, out today).
• “The Mindy Project” (FOX) – Tonight’s the Spring debut, as the Mindy Kaling comedy resumes its 2nd season after a hiatus since January.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Pitbull (“Meltdown”).
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – Chris Martin is set to appear for the 2nd time as a ‘universal advisor’ to all 4 coaches.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Chevelle – Today the Chicago alt-rock trio releases the new album, “La Gárgola” (Spanish for “The Gargoyle”), the followup to their top 10 album “Hats Off To the Bull” (2011).
• Dan + Shay – Today they release their debut album, “Where It All Began”. To celebrate, they’re appearing on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” this morning. Dan + Shay have their first-ever ACM Awards nomination for ‘Vocal Duo Of the Year’. The ACMs air this Sunday.
• Manchester Orchestra – Today the Atlanta-based band releases “Cope”, their new full-length album that was self-produced alongside long-time collaborator Dan Hannon. They’ll hit the road in support of the release with a 2-month headlining tour starting April 17th in Tampa FL.
• Rolling Stones – An extra date in Paris, France for their “14 On Fire” tour has sold out in 51 minutes. The June 13th gig at the Stade de France was added after they postponed their Australia-New Zealand tour. The band says the dates Down Under will be rescheduled.
• Ronnie James Dio – A tribute album to the late rocker titled “This Is Your Life” is out today. The set features Dio covers by the likes of Anthrax, Halestorm, Metallica, Motorhead and more. All proceeds benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.
• Three Days Grace – Guitarist Barry Stock has launched MEAN Clothing Company, a line of ‘rock music/military inspired’ clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Stock says MEAN is about ‘being aggressive … in a positive way’.
• Sevendust – A 2nd leg to their “An Evening With Sevendust” acoustic tour begins tonight in Athens GA. The trek is now set to run until June 28th in Kent CT. The alt-metal band is hitting the road to promote their forthcoming acoustic album, “Time Travelers & Bonfires” (April 15th).

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” ( PG-13 Comedy ): The much-hyped sequel to the quirky 2004 comedy. With the 1970s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman ‘Ron Burgundy’ (Will Ferrell) tries to take NYC’s first 24-hour news channel by storm. Co-stars Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell.
• “47 Ronin” ( PG-13 Martial Arts Action-Adventure ): This film treatment of one of the most performed Japanese plays of all-time follows 47 samurai who set out to avenge the death of their master at the hands of a treacherous warlord, and to restore honor to their people. Stars Keanu Reeves, Rinko Kikuchi, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Kou Shibasaki.
• Also released today: “George Gently: Series 6” (TV Mystery); “The Little Rascals Save the Day” (Vintage Comedy); “Psych: The Complete 8th Season” (TV Mystery); “Seal Team 8: Behind Enemy Lines” (Straight-to-Video Action); and “War Of the Worlds: Goliath” (Animation).

TOP 10 TWEETS:
“Billboard” magazine has announced a new set of music charts based on Twitter data. The ‘Billboard Twitter Real-Time Charts’ will rank tracks and artists by compiling figures on the social media platform’s traffic. Trends will be ranked in real-time over extended periods of time to track the longevity of successful songs and artists’ popularity. The charts will also highlight the most-talked-about and shared tracks by new and upcoming acts. So now, when artists share songs and engage with their audience on Twitter, the buzz they create will now be visible to fans, other musicians, and industry decision makers. (This great new tool for radio should roll out within 2 weeks.)
– Billboard.com

A DREAM OF AN APP:
Psychologist Richard Wiseman of the UK’s University of Hertfordshire says his 2-year dream control study has found that it’s entirely possible to ‘create the perfect dream’, and therefore wake up happier and better-rested. To that end, he’s worked with app developers YUZA to create ‘Dream:ON’, an iPhone app that monitors sleep and plays a ‘soundscape’ during dreams. The soundscapes evoke pleasant scenarios such as lying on a beach or taking a woodland stroll. The app uses a gentle alarm at the end of dreams so users can record what occurred in the app’s built-in dream diary. Click here to get the ‘Dream:ON’ app for free …
NET: http://www.dreamonapp.com/
– AFP

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE YOUR BABY TURNS ONE:
• Join a Post-Natal Exercise Class – Get yourself back into post-baby shape while spending quality time with your new baby.
• Go To the Movies – It may seem like one of the most off-limits places when you have a possibly crying baby, but most major cities offer ‘movies for moms’ during the week.
• Go To the Zoo – Or a petting zoo or a farm or even a pet shop. Find a place that will allow you to introduce your baby to animals, opening up a whole new world of fun.
• Find a Good Babysitter – If you’re going to take time out for you & your partner, it means finding someone you can rely on to watch over your baby on ‘date night’.
• Take Photos & Videos – Even things you may not think you will miss are worth documenting, for nostalgia’s sake.
• Go For a Swim – At around 6-months-old, it’s a good time to check if community pools offer parent & tot swimming sessions. It’s a great way to introduce your baby to water early on.
• Travel – It may seem like a tough task that will require a lot of work, but it is only going to get more complicated as your baby grows. Best to get her used to being on-the-road early on.
• Story Time – We all know that reading to your child is beneficial and can help to develop language skills. But if story time becomes a daily activity, it sets your kid up as a lifetime reader.
• Join a Playgroup – Give your baby the chance to interact with other infants while giving yourself a chance to socialize with other parents.
• Start a Baby Book or Memory Box – Putting together a memento of your children’s 1st year of life is a great idea that will make a priceless gift for them later in life.
– BabyPost.com

GETTING IT UP:
32-year-old Las Vegas entrepreneur Andy Johnson started ‘Love Cloud’ to help couples achieve their dream of joining the ‘Mile-High Club’. His Cessna 421 Golden Eagle typically seats 6 people, but in lieu of seats there’s a massive bed. It takes mere minutes to reach an altitude of 5,280 ft. From there, passengers can unbuckle their seatbelts and slip into something more comfortable. They have 40 minutes to get the job done, with the help of mood lighting and romantic music. Privacy is assured via noise-canceling pilot headphones and a soundproof curtain separating the cabin from the cockpit. Packages for a flight on the Love Club start at $800. That may seem a bit stiff, but it includes complimentary condoms and lubricant.
NET: http://www.lovecloudvegas.com
– “Las Vegas Weekly”

DID YOU KNOW?
Helsinki, Finland is the most expensive city in the world to order room service. (And you have to tip a ‘fin’ … er, Finn.)
– “The Times”

BS CHRONOMETER 04.01.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1961 [53] Susan Boyle, Blackburn, Scotland, pop singer (“Wild Horses”, “I Dreamed A Dream”)/TV talent show contestant (“Britain’s Got Talent” 2009)

1973 [41] Joe Francis, Laguna Beach CA, adult video producer (“Girls Gone Wild”)/ex-con/tax cheat

1980 [34] Bijou Phillips, NYC, TV actress (‘Lucy Carlyle’ on “Raising Hope” since 2014; series finalé this Friday)/movie actress (“The Door In the Floor”, “Almost Famous”)

1986 [28] Hillary Scott, Nashville TN, country singer (Lady Antebellum-“We Owned the Night”, “Need You Now”)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “April Fool’s Day”. Many say the custom of playing practical jokes on this day originated with the reform of the calendar when “New Year’s Day” was moved from April 1 to January 1. Those who clung to the old “New Year’s Day” were scoffed at as ‘fools’ and sent fake party invitations and prank gifts. That tradition began in France around 1564, where an ‘April Fool’ is called a ‘poisson d’avril’ (April fish). Related celebrations …
– On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of “April Fools Day” in the UK by playing practical jokes on each other.
– In Scotland, “April Fools Day” runs 48 hours. The 2nd day is called “Taily Day”, dedicated to pranks involving the buttocks. “Taily Day’s” gift to posterity is the ‘Kick Me’ sign. A Scottish fool is called an ‘April Gowk’ or ‘April Cuckoo’.
– In India, the final day of the “Feast of Huli” is March 31st, and is traditionally celebrated by acts of mischief.

• “International Edible Book Festival” (today and/or any day through the 5th), the 14th annual event when edible books are exhibited, then tea/coffee is served and the books are consumed. Books are made from all manner of foodstuffs – chocolate, beets, bologna, toast, liver, etc.
NET: http://www.books2eat.beatricecoron.com

• “International Tatting Day”, celebrating the technique of handcrafting lace by using a series of knots and loops. (You can never have too many doilies, right?)

• “One Cent Day”, celebrating the world’s most useless currency … the penny. It now costs twice as much to make one as it does to buy one. Countries that no longer use the penny (or its equivalent) include Australia, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden.

• “St Stupid’s Day”, an annual celebration on April 1st in San Francisco CA since 1980, when a wacky parade is held. The occasion’s dim-witted activities include the ‘high four’ handshake (hand up, palm towards partner, fold thumb across palm, slap high four, say “Ouch!”).
NET: http://saintstupid.com

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1979 [35] Cartoon character ‘Bart Simpson’ is born (according to several sources), but he’s perennially aged 10 according to “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1984 [30] Motown R&B star Marvin Gaye (“What’s Goin’ On?”) is shot and killed by his own father

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2004 [10] Google introduces ‘gmail’ to the public (at the time, many think it an April Fools joke)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] International Children’s Book Day
[Wed] Love Your Produce Manager Day
[Wed] Peanut Butter & Jelly Day
[Wed] Whole Grain Sampling Day
[Wed] World Autism Day

THIS WEEK IS . . .
Golden Rule Week / Laugh at Work Week / Medication Safety Week / NanoDays / Root Canal Awareness Week / Testicular Cancer Awareness Week / Week Of the Ocean

BULL’S BITS

APRIL FOOLS DAY ON-THE-AIR:
• BBC Radio 2 – In 1976, British astronomer Patrick Moore suggested a unique alignment of 2 planets would result in an upward gravitational pull making people lighter at precisely 9:47 am. He invited the audience to jump in the air and experience ‘a strange floating sensation’. Dozens called in to say it worked.
• Gator Country 101.9 [WWGR] Fort Myers FL – In 2013, “Val & Scott In the Morning” warned  listeners that ‘dihydrogen monoxide’ was coming out of the water faucets throughout the area. That dangerous-sounding substance is better know as … H2O. The ensuing panic caused the air personalities to be temporarily suspended.
• CBC Radio – In 2008, the program “As It Happens” interviewed a Royal Canadian Mint spokesperson who broke the ‘news’ about plans to replace the Canadian 5-dollar bill with a … 3-dollar coin. The coin was to be nicknamed a ‘threenie’.
• The Mighty 1190 [WIXE] Monroe NC – In 2009, midday host Bob Rogers announced he was changing his show’s format to heavy metal music from country/gospel. This immediately resulted in numerous phone calls, about half of which were listeners wanting to request a song.
• RedFM Cork, Ireland – In 2009, it was announced U2 fans could enjoy a free concert emanating from the rooftop of a local shopping center. There was a free show all right, but it was by a tribute band called U2opia.
• Westdeutsche Rundfunk Radio, Cologne, Germany – In 1993, the station reported the city had passed an unusual new bylaw whereby joggers must pace themselves to go no faster than 10 km/hr in city parks … so as not to disturb the squirrels during mating season.
• BBC-TV – In 2008, BBC News reported on a newly discovered colony of ‘flying penguins’. A video segment followed their purported flight from Antarctica … to the Amazon rainforest.
• NYC media hoaxer Joey Skaggs – Beginning in 1986 he put out an annual press release about the “April Fool’s Day Parade” on Manhattan’s 5th Avenue, complete with details on celebs participating. TV camera crews showed up for the nonexistent event … for years.

BS WEB GOODIE:
The online Museum of Hoaxes lists the ‘Top 100 April Fools Day Hoaxes of All-Time’ here …
NET: http://museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Everyone gets lots of exercise around here: Jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down the boss, stabbing peers in the back, dodging responsibility, and pushing their luck.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What did you used to do as a kid that today’s sedentary and overprotected children don’t experience? Play outside? Wade in a creek? Roast marshmallows on a fire pit? Ride your bike all day, every day?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: It doesn’t seem directly related, but 70% of people who say they have self-esteem issues also admit to doing THIS a lot.
Answer: Honking their horn. (Health.com)

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If you can laugh at yourself, you’ll always have something to laugh about.