BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Today’s edition of “People” names Sandra Bullock the ‘Most Beautiful Woman’. The 50-year-old actress is cover girl for the magazine’s annual ‘Beautiful People’ issue. The Oscar-winner, who inherits the mantle from last year’s winner Lupita Nyong’o, says the really beautiful thing in her life is her son, 5-year-old Louis. Bullock says the people she finds the most beautiful are the ones who aren’t trying. (Eh?)
– People.com
★ TV mogul Oprah Winfrey has hired Leslie Hindman Auctioneers to sell over 500 of her personal treasures on Saturday. She’s vacating her Chicago IL home after closing down the longstanding Chicago production studio where her talk shows were shot. Items on sale range from $50-to-$120,000 and include English, French, and Continental furniture, prints, drawings, porcelain, crystal, silver, memorabilia, clothing, and accessories. Proceeds go to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
NET: http://www.lesliehindman.com/sale/oprah-winfrey
– ArchitecturalDigest.com
★ Saturday, on the closing night of Robert De Niro’s “Tribeca Film Festival” in NYC, a remastered print of Martin Scorsese’s 1990 mob movie “GoodFellas” is set to screen, celebrating the landmark film’s 25 anniversary. “GoodFellas”, which hovers near the top of the list of the greatest crime films ever made, is also remarkable for its role in solidifying the careers of Scorsese and his trio of lead actors, De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci. Many of the cast members are expected for the event.
– TheWrap.com

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Today The Warning (“The Warning”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Jamie Foxx f/Chris Brown & Kid Ink (“You Changed Me”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Sweat Lodge (“Talismana”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/Omni 1) – Tonight Andy Grammer (“Magazines or Novels”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Tonight Mountain Goats (“Beat the Champ”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Tonight Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires (“Sea Songs”).
• “Meredith Vieira Show” (syndicated) – Today Ashanti (“Brave Heart”).
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans LA) – A Mecca for food & crafts, the annual 2-weekend fest also features genre-spanning performances. This year’s headliners include Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, Keith Urban, Tony Bennett w/Lady Gaga, and The Who.
NET: http://www.nojazzfest.com
• Radio Disney Music Awards (LA CA) – Zendaya hosts the 2015 edition and is also nominated for ‘Artist With the Best Style’ alongside Ariana Grande and Becky G. Sunday night’s gala at LA’s Nokia Theater airs as a 90-minute special on Disney Channel on Monday.
• Stagecoach Festival (Indio CA) – The sold-out 3-day country version of Coachella includes some of the genre’s biggest names: The Band Perry, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, and Tim McGraw.
NET: http://www.stagecoachfestival.com
• “20/20” (ABC/CHCH) – Tonight “Bruce Jenner – The Interview”, the much-hyped 2-hour sit-down of 65-year-old Jenner with Diane Sawyer, discussing his transformation from male-to-female. Up until now, he’s been quiet on the subject. He’ll reportedly reveal his new name, among other things.
• Welcome to Rockville (Jacksonville FL) – Saturday-Sunday Goth-rock icons and heavy-metal upstarts at Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Park. Headliners are Korn, Marilyn Manson, and Slayer.
NET: http://welcometorockvillefestival.com

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• George Jones – This weekend the George Jones Museum opens in downtown Nashville TN, coinciding with 2nd anniversary of the country legend’s passing (April 26, 2013).
NET: http://tinyurl.com/nog5w64
• Lady Gaga – She & fiancé Taylor Kinney have a new hobby … raising chickens. She’s posted a pic of their coop on Instagram and noted they’re looking forward to “fresh eggs all Summer”.
• Jay Z – His music streaming service Tidal is being called a spectacular flop after sinking out of the iTunes Top 700 apps chart less than a month after its launch. The rapper staged a high-profile unveiling last month after buying the brand for around $56 million.
• Passion Pit – They’ll be on the road starting Sunday in Norfolk VA in support of their latest album “Kindred”. The tour is booked through May 30th at the Bottlerock Festival in Napa CA.
• Paul McCartney – He’s atop the annual “Sunday Times Rich List” of wealthiest UK music artists that will be published this weekend. His estimated net worth is £730 million, or just over $1 billion. Also in the top 5: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, U2, Elton John, and Mick Jagger.
• Shawn Mendes – The 16-year-old is #1 on the new ‘Billboard 200’ with his new album “Handwritten”, taking over top spot from the “Furious 7” soundtrack. Mendes is the youngest act to top the chart since Justin Bieber did it in 2010 with “My World 2.0”.
• Reba McEntire – Her new album “Love Somebody” tops the new ‘Billboard Country Albums’ chart, and ranks #3 on the all-genre listing.
• Sia – She’s recruited German supermodel Heidi Klum and “Game of Thrones” actor Pedro Pascal to appear in her new “Fire Meets Gasoline” music video.
• Slash f/Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Saturday they kick off a North American tour in Orlando FL. The month-long trek supports the group’s latest studio album “World On Fire”. It runs through May 23rd in Houston TX before the band heads to Europe for shows in June.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The Age of Adaline” ( PG-13 Romantic Drama ): A young woman, born at the turn of 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After years of a solitary life, she meets a man who might be worth losing her immortality for. Stars Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman (“Game of Thrones”), Harrison Ford, Kathy Baker. Shot in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
NET: http://www.theageofadalinemovie.com
• “Little Boy” ( PG-13 Dramedy ): An 8-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father. Stars Jakob Salvati, Emily Watson, David Henrie, Michael Rapaport.
NET: http://littleboymovie.com
• “The Water Diviner”  ( R-Rated War Drama ): An Australian man travels to Turkey after the Battle of Gallipoli to try and locate his 3 missing sons. Directed by and starring Russell Crowe. Co-stars Olga Kurylenko, Jai Courtney, Isabel Lucas. The film was nominated for 5 AACTA Awards in Australia and won 3. Tomorrow is the 100th anniversary of Galipoli.
NET: http://thewaterdivinermovie.com.au
• Opening in limited release: “Adult Beginners” (Dramedy); “Misery Loves Comedy” (Comedy Documentary).

NEW BS GIZMOS & GADGETS:
• Today the Apple Watch has its official launch in 9 countries worldwide after pre-orders began earlier this month. It features all-new technologies that promise to let you do familiar things more quickly and conveniently (ie: pay at a checkout). Oh, and it also tells the time … accurate to within 50 milliseconds. In addition, when the battery is almost depleted, it kicks into ‘Power Reserve’ mode, shutting down everything but the time. Apple predicts 19 million people will buy the company’s first ‘smartwatch’. (As if it’s not bad enough people are walking around looking down at their phones all the time … now they’ll be holding their wrists up in the air.)
– TechCrunch.com
• Disney has developed software that automatically redubs video clips with new words that fit the speaker’s lip movements. The program works by tracking variations in the shape of a subject’s mouth and jaw, and then searching a pronunciation dictionary to find alternative words that match the moves. Disney researchers acknowledge the primary application of ‘speech redubbing’ is to translate films and TV programs from one language to another. But it could potentially be used for more gimmicky applications, such as making people appear to speak gibberish. (Not really useful … we have professionals to do this during election campaigns.)
– BBC Science & Technology
• You’ve probably tried to Google some weird stuff at one point or another. Now a horrifying new feature is available … the ability to see your entire search history of everything you’ve put in the Google search bar, including those questions you’re too embarrassed to ask friends. As long as you have a Gmail account, you’ll be able to find every bizarre thing you’ve ever searched. How? Visit the ‘History’ page in options, click on the gear icon in the upper-right hand corner and select ‘Download’. (Why are they recording all this crapola? If you care about privacy, try the DuckDuckGo search engine. It doesn’t track anything … period.)
– CollegeCandy.com

EXERCISE IS NOT THE KEY?
A new editorial in the “British Journal of Sports Medicine” by 3 international experts say it’s time to bust the myth about exercise … physical activity, they say, has little role in tackling obesity. Instead public health messages should focus squarely on unhealthy eating. While activity has a role in staving off diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia, its impact on obesity is minimal. Excess sugar and carbohydrates are the key. Bottom line: An obese person does not need to do one iota of exercise to lose weight; they just need to eat less. Critics say the article appears to undermine evidence-based government public health advice, and it’s “idiotic” to rule out the importance of physical activity. (Make up your minds … we’re unsure whether or not to roll off the sofa.)
– BBC Health

VIRTUAL GIRL FOR RENT:
Online gaming is hugely popular in China but it can be a solitary pastime. That’s likely why Chinese gamers are increasingly hiring female ‘online escorts’ to keep them company while they play. Men who are fed up with spending long hours alone in a virtual world can now buy time with a woman known as a ‘gamecaster’ for between 20-and-100 yuan ($3-to-$16) per hour. Some gamecasters also demonstrate games and give advice via a face-to-face online chat. But the women aren’t necessarily skilled gamers themselves … one escort company says having a ‘sweet voice’ is more of a priority. (You spend all night gaming AND have to hire a female to be your buddy? Welcome to Loserville!)
– “News From Elsewhere”

BS AMAZING FACT:
127,000 trees are chopped down every day in order to keep up with the global demand for toilet paper.
– List25.com

BS CHRONOMETER 04.24.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1942 [73] Barbra Streisand, Brooklyn NY, movie actress (1969 Oscar-“Funny Girl”)/film director (“The Prince of Tides”)/pop singer (“The Way We Were”)

1952 [63] Jean-Paul Gaultier, Arcueil, France, haute couture fashion designer (Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès)

1973 [42] Brian Marshall, Fort Walton Beach FL, rock bassist (Creed-“With Arms Wide Open”; Alter Bridge-“Open Your Eyes”)

1982 [33] Kelly Clarkson, Fort Worth TX, pop singer (“Stronger”)/original “American Idol” winner (2002)

1984 [31] Tyson Ritter, Stillwater OK, alt-rock singer-bassist (All American Rejects-“Gives You Hell”)

SATURDAY –
Movie actor Al Pacino (“The Godfather”) is 75; “Dancing With the Stars” judge Len Goodman is 71; TV voice actor Hank Azaria (“The Simpsons”) is 51; Movie actress Renée Zellweger (“Cold Mountain”) is 46; TV sportscaster Joe Buck (“The NFL on Fox”) is 46.

SUNDAY –
Movie actor Jet Li (“The Expendables”) is 52; Pop-rock guitarist Jimmy Stafford (Train) is 51; Movie actor Kevin James (“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) is 50; Country musician Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) is 44; Alt-rock drummer Jose Pasillas (Incubus) is 39; Movie actor Channing Tatum (“Magic Mike”) is 35.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Hairball Awareness Day”. Any cat owner who’s ever stepped on a fresh wet one is already well aware! The usual cat hairball isn’t round but tubular, approximately 1 cm (a half-inch) in diameter and about 4 cm (1.5 in) long.
NET: http://bit.ly/14OK6x
• “Teach Children to Save Day”, another way of planning for your retirement besides contributing to that constantly quivering mutual fund.

SATURDAY –
• “ANZAC Day”, the 100th commemoration in Australia & New Zealand of the 1915 landing at Gallipoli, Turkey by the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps during World War I. The holiday salutes their incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. In New Zealand the emphasis is on a dawn memorial service; but in Australia the focus is on an 11 am military parade.
• “Hairstylist Appreciation Day”, honoring the ‘great contribution snippers & coiffeurs make to our self-esteem’. So don’t forget to say thanks for the good hair day. And while you’re at the beauty salon, don’t forget it’s “Mani-Pedi Day” as well.
• “Plumbers Day”. OK, let’s all do the plumbers’ salute … drop your pants 2 inches!
• “Malaria Awareness Day”, the 8th annual observance with the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria on the African continent. Step 1 is providing mosquito nets for prevention.
• “Save the Frogs Day”, the 7th annual observance of the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action.
• “Sense of Smell Day”, an annual event sponsored by the Sense of Smell Institute on the last Saturday of April. Many children’s museums and science centers focus on how the sense of smell plays an important role in daily life.
• “World Penguin Day”, an annual excuse to salute one of the few natives of Antarctica by wearing penguin colors … black & white.
• “World Tai Chi Day”, saluting the martial art that’s performed in slo-mo.
• “World Veterinary Day”, celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April to honor the medical professionals who work to maintain animal health.

SUNDAY –
• “Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day”, the 9th annual celebration on the last Sunday of April of the droopy-cheeked dog that’s a symbol of Britain.
• “Kids & Pets Day”, an annual celebration of the magical connection between children and animals.
• “Pretzel Day”, honoring the world’s oldest snack food. They were made as early as 610 AD by monks in France & Italy using dough scraps formed to represent a child’s arms folded in prayer.
• “World Intellectual Property Day”, established by WIPO in 2000 to celebrate content creators, and to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, and trademarks impact our daily lives.

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2003 [12] In an interview with ABC-TV’s Diane Sawyer, the Dixie Chicks say they’re living in fear after Natalie Maines set off a firestorm of controversy by announcing she’s ashamed president George W Bush is from the group’s home state of Texas

2007 [08] US president George W Bush is denied a luxury suite at the Imperial Hotel in Vienna, Austria when Mick Jagger, in town with a Rolling Stones tour, books it first

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2005 [10] ‘Snuppy’, the world’s 1st cloned dog, is born in South Korea

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Morse Code Day
[Tues] Biological Clock Day
[Tues] Workers Memorial Day
[Wed] International Dance Day
[Wed] International Guide Dogs Day
[Wed] World Wish Day
This Week Is … Consumer Protection Week
This Month Is … Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

BULL’S BITS

WEIRD BS THINGS COUPLES IN LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS DO:
How many of these quirks have entered your relationship?
✓ Taking showers together … without having sex.
✓ Trying on each other’s clothes … just for the helluva it.
✓ Texting each other from opposite sides of the room. “Pass the pie, pizza pig!”
✓ Performing ‘tickle torture’. A ritual that’s been around forever. Who knows why?
✓ Giving each other weird nicknames. “Ah, my little Toogiebuttons”.
✓ Using the bathroom at the same time. “Hey, you’re cutting into my mirror time!”
✓ Doing laundry checks by sniffing each other’s clothes to see if they need to be washed.
✓ Singing together to pets. All together now: “It’s doggie dinner time …”
✓ Inspecting each other’s weird hairs and moles and other bodily growths.
✓ Talking in shorthand. Really, no need to finish that sentence. I understood you at “Uh …”
– Adapted from Cosmopolitan.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Red meat is not bad for you. Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What retro baby name is worth bringing back? (Bernice, Edna, Florence, Ida, or Louella? Bart, Ernest, Herman, Maurice, or Norman?)

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Studies show that when women direct movies, you see more of THESE.
Answer: Women.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Birthdays are good for you … the more you have the longer you live.