BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ The NFL is asking Super Bowl halftime acts to ‘Pay to Play’. Traditionally the National Football League doesn’t pay those it selects for the highly desired slot, but this year it’s gone a step further and is asking artists on its shortlist for Super Bowl 49 – thought to include Coldplay, Katy Perry, and Rihanna – if they’d be willing to donate a portion of their post-Super Bowl tour income to the NFL or make some other type of financial contribution. While the percentage being requested is undisclosed, the idea has been met with a chilly reception from artists’ reps, according to insiders.
– ContactMusic.com
★ 53-year-old George Clooney and his 36-year-old lawyer-fiancée Amal Alamuddin have reportedly written their own wedding vows. The couple, who became engaged in April, are expected to marry at Clooney’s Italian villa on Lake Como next month and are said to be planning a small and intimate ceremony with short but meaningful, hand-written vows in front of their closest friends and family. The guest list is unlikely to include many Hollywood stars as the couple doesn’t want to attract attention and it would be intimidating for their families.
– E! News
★ 45-year-old actor Hugh Jackman has spent over $300,000 on lottery scratch-cards for his film crews. The “Wolverine” star has apparently been buying lottery tickets for production staff working on his films for the past 14 years because he thinks giving them a chance to win big cash prizes helps to boost morale.  However, despite spending all that money over the years, not a single worker has won a big-time pay-off. Jackman’s agent confirms the fact, admitting: ”There have been winners but no one’s hit it big … yet.”
– “The Sun”
★ And with an expanded theme park and several new movies on the way, author JK Rowling continues to add to the ‘Harry Potter’ universe. This week she’s released a new story about a little-known side character within her magical world, a half-Muggle soul singer named ‘Celestina Warbeck’. Her supposed hits include “You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me” and “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love”. The new reveal is a smart tie-in with the newly expanded Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, which is introducing performances by ‘Warbeck’ for diehard ‘Potter’ fans.
– TheWrap.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “America’s Got Talent” (NBC/CityTV) – Performance recap.
• “Chelsea Lately” (E!) – Jennifer Lopez (“AKA”).
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Lea Michele (“Glee”). Rerun.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Classixx (“Hanging Gardens”) Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV2) – Bleachers (“Strange Desire”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Echo & The Bunnymen (“Meteorites”).
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – Cher Lloyd (“Sorry I’m Late”).
• “The Simpsons Marathon” (FXX) – After acquiring all 552 episodes for a cool $750 million, the young network is airing all 25 seasons of “The Simpsons” (plus the movie) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the longest marathon in TV history. It runs today through September 1st.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Weird Al Yankovic (“Mandatory Fun”). Rerun.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Haim – The sibling trio has recruited some famous friends to appear in the new video for “My Song 5”, which recreates a confrontational talk show (a la Jerry Springer). Among those making cameos: A$AP Ferg, Kesha, and Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig.
• Jason Mraz – Tonight he kicks off a tour in support of his new album “Yes!” with the first of 3 shows in his adopted hometown of San Diego CA. The 1st leg of the North American trek runs until September 23rd in NYC. He’ll then head overseas to Europe before returning for a 2nd leg.
• Justin Bieber – He’s been hit with yet another lawsuit, this time from a photographer who alleges Biebs’ bodyguard lifted him up by the neck, slammed him onto the hood of a car, and took his camera. The suit claims Justin & his security guard then destroyed the equipment.
• Lady Gaga – She’s made a fashion student from St Martins Fashion School in London happy by buying his designs … all of them. Wilson PK’s entire collection has been sent to her after Gaga’s stylists spotted his designs at a NYC exhibition.
• Trisha Yearwood – She’s just signed with Sony Nashville, the same label husband Garth Brooks has joined. Her 12th studio album, “PrizeFighter”, will be released at an undetermined date. She’ll join “The Garth Brooks World Tour” starting September 4th in Chicago IL.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “Ant-Man” – Marvel’s troubled superhero movie has been given a big boost: “Mad Men” star John Slattery (‘Roger Sterling’) and rapper TI and have joined the cast. The film began principal photography on Monday in San Francisco CA. It stars Paul Rudd as its title character, a superhero who can shrink while increasing in strength. It’s due out in July 2015.
• “Deepwater Horizon” – Mark Wahlberg has an offer from Lionsgate to star in this cinematic retelling of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that occurred in 2010. Talks are in early stages but it’s thought Wahlberg would play the assistant manager of the oil rig who tries to save his men. The movie will focus on the 48 hours leading up to the disaster.
• “Mack Bolan” – 39-year-old Bradley Cooper is reuniting with “The Hangover” director Todd Phillips as the title character, the fictional hero in a series of novels by Don Pendleton. In the
original book, “‘War Against the Mafia”, ‘Bolan’ was intended to become every soldier’s voice, a true hero dedicated to justice. Depending on the success of the 1st film, a series may ensue.
• “Shazam” – 42-year-old Dwayne Johnson has confirmed he will play a lead character in this 2016 DC Comics movie about an orphaned boy who is able to morph into an adult superhero simply by saying his own name. However, Johnson says he’s undecided whether to play the title character or his arch-enemy ‘Black Adam’, who also has magical powers.
• “Star Trek 3” – An initial draft of the script for this sequel has been completed and is set to be sent to Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the franchise. Lead writer Roberto Orci admits he is also hoping to direct the new flick, taking over for the extremely busy JJ Abrams. “Star Trek 3” is expected to hit cinema screens in 2016.

THE HIGHEST TECH?
Every so often, a device is created that is so revolutionary in its execution, it’s difficult to imagine the world before it. The PC and the iPhone are examples of these kinds of devices. Now you can add another gadget to the list: ‘noPhone’. This handset is shatterproof, waterproof, and doesn’t require charging to function. It’s also completely resistant to hacking or  NSA surveillance. Unfortunately, it’s not equipped with wi-fi, Bluetooth, nor a screen or cellular connection for that matter (it’s basically a phone-sized block of plastic). No pricing or info on availability has yet been released. How does it work? Pick it up. Hold it. Period.
NET: http://www.nophone.eu
– TheVerge.com

WORLD’S HIGHEST-PAID DJs:
Calvin Harris tops the annual ‘Electronic Cash Kings’ list for the 2nd year in-a-row, “Forbes”has announced. The Scottish DJ’s annual earnings have surged to $66 million over the past 12 months, up a whopping $20 million over the previous year. The estimate is based on earnings from live shows (some 50 festival and nightclub gigs), merchandise sales, endorsements, and external business ventures, as well as recorded music sales. Other EDM DJs on the list include French house DJ David Guetta ($30 million) and Swedish DJ Avicii ($28 million). The overall list, comprised of 12 acts, racked up an impressive $268 million in total, an 11% increase over 2013. (Has EDM gone mainstream? Harris now out-earns Jay Z.)
– Forbes.com

ON-THE-AIR:
Oakland, California-based OM Audio has developed the new ‘OM/ONE’, a levitating portable speaker. That’s right, the tennis ball-sized ‘orb’ speaker hovers 1.2 inches (3 cm) above its base when it plays songs while connected to a smartphone or other Bluetooth device. What’s the point? The research team claims a floating speaker sounds better. Instead of wasting energy pushing sound waves into a desk, bookshelf, or table, all of the amplification energy is directed to the speaker driver to create full, crisp and clear sound. The spherical speakers come in 3 colors, can generate 100 decibels, and have 15 hours of battery life. The price? It can be pre-ordered from $179. (Now that’s uplifting music!)
NET: http://www.omone.com/om-one
– DesignBoom.com

MORE SURPRISING USES FOR WAX PAPER:
• Decorate a Cake Like the Pros – Cut a piece of wax paper the same size as your cake pan. Using icing in a pastry bag, create a design on the wax paper. Put the wax paper in the freezer and, when the icing is completely frozen, peel it off and place it on your cake.
• Line Shelves or Drawers – Placing wax paper in tough-to-reach shelves or drawers saves you from having to clean them. Instead of dusting or wiping down, just replace the wax paper.
• Keep Cutting Boards Clean – Porous, wooden meat-cutting boards can be bacteria magnets. Keep yours squeaky clean by topping it with several layers of wax paper. When you’re finished cutting raw meat, simply throw away the paper.
• Fix a Leaky Faucet – Don’t have any caulk handy? Try placing a strip of wax paper around a leaky nozzle to stop drips.
• Clean Garden Tools – Crumple up a ball of wax paper and rub it on tools. The rough texture of the wax paper will clean the tools, while the waxy coating helps prevent future buildup.
• Coax a Stubborn Zipper – Running the waxy side of the paper over the teeth on a zipper track will help it slide easier.
– iVillage.ca

DID YOU KNOW?
• The sound of a ticking clock can make women keener to have babies younger.
– “New York Magazine”
•  Eating fish every week will make your brain grow.
– AARP.org

BS CHRONOMETER 08.21.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1956 [58] Kim Cattrall, Liverpool UK [raised  Courtenay BC], TV actress (“Sensitive Skin” 2014, “Sex & The City” 1998-2004)/movie actress (“Sex & the City” movies, “The Ghost Writer”)

1967 [47] Carrie-Anne Moss, Burnaby BC, movie actress (“Pompeii”, “The Matrix” trilogy)

1967 [47] Serj Tankian, Beirut, Lebanon, rock singer (“Empty Walls”, w/System Of a Down-“Hypnotize”)

1973 [41] Sergey Brin, Moscow, Russia [grew up Adelphi MD], computer wiz who co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998/personal net worth estimated at $30 billion in 2014

1974 [40] Johnny Reid, Lanark, Scotland [raised Brampton ON], country singer (“Fire It Up”, “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World”)

1979 [35] Kelis (Rogers-Jones), Harlem NY, R&B singer (“Acapella”, “Milkshake”)

1986 [28] Usain Bolt, Trelawny, Jamaica, world’s fastest sprinter (6 Olympic gold medals; 8 World Championship golds)/world 100 meter record (9.58) & 200 meter record (19.19)

1988 [26] Kacey Musgraves, Mineola TX, country singer (“Follow Your Arrow”, “Merry Go ‘Round”)

1989 [25] Hayden Panettiere, Palisades NY, TV actress (‘Juliette Barnes’ on “Nashville” since 2012, “Heroes” 2006-09)

1992 [22] RJ Mitte (Roy Frank Mitte III), Lafayette LA, TV actor (“Breaking Bad” 2008-13)/cerebral palsy sufferer

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Senior Citizens Day”, the 26th annual observance to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elders to home, family, and society.

• “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. Mmm, bring it on!

• “Statehood Day” in Hawaii, celebrating the 55th anniversary of it becoming the 50th state to join the USA on August 21, 1959. Two things Hawaii does not have … snakes and billboards.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2009 [05] “Inglourious Basterds”, Quentin Tarantino’s long-in-the-works satire about an American-led WW2 killing squad, opens in movie theaters

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1994 [20] HBO generates its highest ratings to date with the special “Barbra Streisand – The Concert” (it’s ensuing 5 Emmy Awards match the achievement of her first-ever TV special, “My Name Is Barbra”, 30 years previously)

2005 [09] Rolling Stones kick off “A Bigger Bang” world tour at Fenway Park in Boston  MA (after pauses for a concussion and alcohol rehab, it wraps 2 years later as the highest-grossing tour to date at over $558 million)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2004 [10] American swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 8th medal of the 2004 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 a total of 22 medals, including 18 golds)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] “If I Stay”; “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”; “When the Game Stands Tall” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Reading & Leeds Festivals begin (UK)
[Fri] Southern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day
[Fri] Take Your Cat To the Vet Day
[Sun] “MTV Video Music Awards” (MTV)
[Sun] Go Topless Day
This Week Is … Freedom of Enterprise Week
This Month Is … Artists Appreciation Month

BULL’S BITS

FAMOUS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES TAKE NAPS:
• “Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll nap today.”
• “Do one nap every day that scares you.”
• “Be the nap you wish to see in the world.”
• “Every girl is napping. Sometimes it just takes the right guy to see it.”
• “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is napping.”
• “To the world you might just be anyone, but to one person you’re napping.”
• “When life gives you lemons, take a nap.”
• “Everything happens for a nap.”
• “Shoot for the Moon, and even if you miss you’ll take a nap.”
• “What doesn’t kill you makes you nap.”
– Thanks to Patricia Robinson

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ If you could use a voodoo doll to torture any celebrity, whom would you chose?

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Which did US Park Ranger Roy Sullivan undergo and survive 7 times, thereby setting a record?
a. Being mauled by a bear.
b. Being struck by lightening. [CORRECT. He was struck and survived 7 times between 1942 and 1977. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot in 1983.]
c. Being courted by a moose.
– BuzzFeed.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I farted on an elevator yesterday … which was wrong on so many levels.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: More than half of married people say they never do THIS in the bedroom.
Answer: Change the side of the bed they sleep on.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If you can buy a person’s friendship, it’s not worth it.