BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ “Furious 7” has been named the most mistake-filled movie of 2015, with 41 errors spotted by eagle-eyed film fans. “Jurassic World” and “The Martian” are runners-up on the annual list of flubs. Among the many continuity errors in “Furious 7”: a Maserati with tinted windows suddenly has clear windows when a chase scene begins; a hospital scene at the start says ‘London’ but a sign outside the hospital says ‘Birmingham’; and several scenes supposedly in the UK show 2-pronged North American-style electrical outlets. And there are another 38 errors just like that.
– MovieMistakes.com
★ LL Cool J will return once again as the host of the Grammys. It is the rapper-turned-actor’s 5th time in-a-row hosting the awards show. “The performances and moments that take place on the Grammy stage are awesome in so many ways for the audience and artists alike,” he says in a statement. “I’m honored once again to host music’s biggest night as we celebrate the talented music creators of today.” The 58th annual Grammy Awards air live February 15th on CBS-TV.
– FMQB.com
★ And actress Kaley Cuoco is reportedly dating fellow TV star Paul Blackthorne 3 months after filing for divorce from tennis player Ryan Sweeting. “The Big Bang Theory” star filed papers to end her 21-month marriage in September, and now reports suggest the 30-year-old has moved on and is dating the English star of the TV show “Arrow”, who is 16 years her senior. The news comes weeks after Cuoco replaced her wedding date tattoo with what appears to be … a moth.
– “Us Weekly”

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Billboard Women in Music Celebration” (Lifetime) – Tonight the pre-recorded annual gala honoring women in the music biz. 83-year-old country music icon Loretta Lynn receives the 1st-ever ‘Legend Award; Missy Elliott the inaugural ‘Innovator Award’; Lady Gaga gets the ‘Woman Of the Year’ honor. Others being saluted: Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Kelsea Ballerini, Lana Del Rey, Selena Gomez, and Tori Kelly.
• “A Christmas Melody” (Hallmark/W Network) – Saturday Mariah Carey directs and stars in this made-for-TV movie about a fashion designer (Lacey Chabert) who moves from NYC back to her hometown. There she encounters her high school rival (Carey) and cat-fighting ensues.
• “A Home For the Holidays” (CBS) – Tonight the annual special featuring inspirational stories of adoption. Appearances by Christina Aguilera, Ed Sheeran, Jason Derulo, Rascal Flatts.
• “Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert” (AMC) – Saturday actor Kevin Bacon hosts a tribute concert recorded at NYC’s Theater at Madison Square Garden. Performances by Aloe Blacc, Brandon Flowers (Killers), Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Pat Monahan (Train), Sheryl Crow, Spoon, Steven Tyler, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), and Willie Nelson.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Wolf Alice (“My Love is Cool”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/M3) – Tonight Alanis Morissette (“Jagged Little Pill Collector’s Edition”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Tonight Andrea Bocelli (“Cinema”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – Tonight Leon Bridges (“Coming Home”).
• “Marilyn Denis Show” (CTV/CTV2) – Today Jann Arden (“A Jann Arden Christmas”).
• “Miss Universe” (FOX) – Sunday the 64th annual pageant finds a new home after getting dumped by NBC-TV. Steve Harvey hosts live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas NV.
• “The Real” (syndicated) – Today The Braxtons (“Braxton Family Christmas”).
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Tina Fey & Amy Poehler (“Sisters”) host the Fall season finalé; musical guest Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (“The Ties That Bind: The River Collection”).
• “Wendy Williams” (syndicated) – Today 1980s-90s duo Salt-n-Pepa (“Icon”).
• “The Wiz Live!” (NBC) – Saturday a rerun of the live musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” that stars Mary J Blige, Queen Latifah, and Stephanie Mills. Competitor TNT is airing the actual movie.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Adele – Her NBC-TV special that aired Monday night was the highest rated primetime concert special to air in a decade. According to “Hollywood Reporter” 11.3 million viewers tuned in. The last network concert to score similar ratings was The Eagles’ farewell tour in 2005.
• Cage the Elephant – Today their new album “Tell Me I’m Pretty” is released. The rockers’ 4th album was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
• Chris Brown – Today his long-delayed new album “Royalty” is released. His 7th studio album is named after his baby daughter, who is pictured on the cover sleeping in her daddy’s arms.
• The Cranberries – Lead singer Dolores O’Riordan has pleaded guilty to assaulting 3 cops and a flight attendant on an Aer Lingus flight from NYC to Shannon, Ireland last year. Police say she spat in their faces, head-butted one, and kicked the others. She’s been ordered to write letters of apology; and still faces a possible fine and up to 6 months in the slammer.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip” ( PG Animated Family Comedy ): Through a series of misunderstandings, ‘Alvin, Simon & Theodore’ come to believe ‘Dave’ is going to propose to his new girlfriend … and dump them. Voice cast: Jason Lee, Justin Long, Jesse McCartney. Co-stars Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Kaley Cuoco. This is the franchise’s 4th movie.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/hqlkdgk
• “Sisters” ( R-Rated Comedy ): Amy Poehler & Tina Fey play 2 sisters who decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home. Co-stars Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz. This lowbrow comedy is rated ‘R’ for crude sexual content and language throughout, and for drug use. Shot on Long Island NY.
NET: http://www.sistersfilm.com
• “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” ( PG-13 Sci-fi Adventure ): It’s time for some payback! Disney bought Lucasfilm from “Star Wars” creator George Lucas last year for $4 billion. It has committed to making at least 3 new films in the series. JJ Abrams both directed and wrote the screenplay for this one. Some are predicting the biggest box office ever.
NET: http://www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens
• Opening in limited release: “Extraction” (Thriller); “The Lady In the Car with Glasses & A Gun (Thriller); “Noma: My Perfect Storm” (Documentary); and “Son of Saul” (War Drama).

THE WORST PLACES TO SIT ON AN AIRPLANE:
Here are the seats you should stay away from every time you travel …
✗ The seat with the entertainment box. If this metal equipment box is under the seat in front, your leg-room is going to be severely limited.
✗ The seat at the back of any section. They’re usually found just in front of a bank of lavatories or a galley, meaning lots of traffic and invasive aromas. Also the seats don’t recline.
✗ The seat next to the main exit door. Having no seat in front means no under-seat storage. And there’s reduced seat width due to the solid metal armrests needed to stow tray tables.
✗ The rows in front of exit rows. All that leg-room in the exit row behind you is partially at your expense. In order to keep the exit clear for emergencies, your seat does not recline.
✗ The broken seat. Whether it leans at a weird angle, jiggles loosely in its bolts, or the recline mechanism is jammed, you need to draw attention to it and get another seat … if one’s empty.
✗ The seat near the bathroom. Expect a constant stream of passengers steadying themselves on your seatback, if not squishing into you to allow two-way traffic in the aisle.
✗ Misaligned window seat. Many planes have configurations that place some seats between windows. Not only can’t you see out very well; you can’t control the window shades.
✗ The last row. Don’t bother getting up for at least 10 minutes after the seatbelt sign dings off. By the time the aisle is clear for you to go, it will just be you and the cleaning crew.
✗ The DMS (Dreaded Middle Seat). Almost every traveler has a horror story about being sandwiched between 2 people. Odds are they’ll claim the armrest … on both sides of you.
– SmarterTravel.com

BS GOOFY GIFT GUIDE:
Real but really ridiculous gifts found online this year …
• ‘Bullshit Button Keychain’ ($7.95) – A keychain with a red button that activates recorded messages whenever you hear BS. Messages include: “Bullshit Alert! Bullshit Alert!”; “What a Crock Of Bullshit!”; and “Now That Was ‘Grade A’ Bullshit!”.
• ‘Extend-A-Mistletoe’ ($8.95) – It’s like a selfie stick for mistletoe. This portable mistletoe is connected to an expanding metal rod that you carry around with you to use whenever the notion strikes … if you’re totally obnoxious.
• ‘Santa’s Dreidel’ – This wooden dreidel spinning top has symbols of Christmas on it, like Santa and a Christmas tree, instead of Hebrew letters. It’s half Christmas, half Hanukkah … and pretty much useless for either.
• ‘Wine-O Bottle Bag’ ($10.99) – It looks like a crumpled paper bag that a wino would drink out of, but it’s actually a high-quality insulated cooler bag. An inexpensive gift for any wine lover with a sense of humor … or a really serious joy-juice jones.

HELPFUL HINT:
It turns out getting into the holiday spirit can be good for your mental health. A new study published in “Clinical Psychological Science” shows that performing small acts of kindness can give us an improved outlook on things and help us better deal with stress. The researchers say that deeds as simple as holding an elevator open for someone or giving directions to where someone is trying to get can help us feel less poorly. The findings suggest that this so-called ‘prosocial behavior’ might someday be a useful course of treatment for people suffering from chronic stress or depression. (Helping others helps you … what a good deal!)
– CBS News

FOR THE RECORD:
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is still scaring up sales and giving the late King of Pop’s legacy a new milestone. The RIAA has now certified sales of 30 million copies, making him the first artist to attain 30-times multi-platinum status. A greatest-hits collection by The Eagles is Jackson’s closest competitor at the moment, with 29 million albums sold. The “Thriller” album has proven even more popular overseas, with a total of 100 million copies sold worldwide since its 1982 release.
– Newser.com

BS AMAZING FACT:
Friday is the most expensive day of the week to buy a plane ticket.
– “Wall Street Journal”

BS CHRONOMETER 12.18.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1943 [72] Keith Richards, Dartford UK, classic rock guitarist (Rolling Stones-“Start Me Up”, “Satisfaction”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1989)

1946 [69] Steven Spielberg, Cincinnati OH, movie director-producer (“Indiana Jones” films, “Jurassic Park” films)/estimated net worth: $3.6 billion as of 2015

1954 [61] Ray Liotta, Newark NJ, movie actor (“The Place Beyond the Pines”, “Goodfellas”)/TV actor (“Texas Rising” 2015)

1963 [52] Brad Pitt, Shawnee OK, movie actor (“12 Years a Slave”, “Moneyball”)/Angelina Jolie’s partner since 2005/wed to Jennifer Aniston 2000-05

1975 [40] Sia (Furler), Adelaide, Australia, pop singer (“Elastic Heart”, “Chandelier”)

1975 [40] Randy Houser, Lake MS, country singer (“Like a Cowboy”, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”)

1978 [37] Katie Holmes, Toledo OH, movie actress (“Batman Begins”, “First Daughter”)/TV actress (“The Kennedys” 2011, “Dawson’s Creek” 1998-2003)/Mrs Tom Cruise 2006-12

1980 [35] Christina Aguilera, Staten Island NY, TV personality (“The Voice” since 2011)/pop singer (“Beautiful”, “Genie In a Bottle”)/5 Grammy Awards/30 million+ albums sold worldwide

1989 [26] Ashley Benson, Anaheim CA, TV actress (‘Hanna Marin’ on “Pretty Little Liars” since 2010)/movie actress (“Spring Breakers”)

SATURDAY –
TV-movie actress Alyssa Milano (“Mistresses”) is 43; Movie actor Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”) is 35.

SUNDAY –
Rock singer Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) is 49; Movie actor Jonah Hill (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) is 32; Pop singer JoJo (“Leave”) is 25.

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day”. The idea is to answer: “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”, a quote that comes straight from the 2003 Will Ferrell movie.
• “Free Shipping Day”, an annual pre-Christmas shopping event when participating retailers offer free delivery with purchases.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/jzn2qwd
• “International Migrants Day”, a day of solidarity for migrant workers, on the anniversary of the UN’s 1990 adoption of the International Convention On the Protection Of the Rights of All Migrants Workers & Members of Their Families. (Catchy name.)
• “Roast Suckling Pig Day”. Here [co-host], put this apple in your mouth!”
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3no9em
• “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day”, an annual event on the 3rd Friday of December celebrating the seasonal fad that’s now become so commercialized that thrift stores are charging top prices for them and other retailers are selling kits to make them.
NET: http://www.nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org/about.php
• “Underdog Day”, the 39th annual on the 3rd Friday in December saluting all underdogs and unsung heroes, the ‘Number Twos’ who contribute so much to the ‘Number Ones’ that we always hear about: Sherlock Holmes’ Dr Watson, Captain Kirk’s Mr Spock, etc.

SATURDAY –
• “Build a Snowman Day”. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can always make snowmen out of paper or marshmallows and toothpicks or maybe … mashed potatoes and raisins?
• “Look For an Evergreen Day”, a day saluting people for whom only a fresh-cut real tree will do for Christmas. For them, the scent of fresh pine helps to capture the feeling of the holidays.
• “Oatmeal Muffin Day”, a day to enjoy the cholesterol-lowering benefit of oatmeal in your muffins … then slather on the butter.

SUNDAY –
• “Go Caroling Day”, a day to get together and sing out with friends, family, or a singing group. Nursing homes, hospitals, and other places often welcome carolers if you call ahead.
• “Sangria Day”, a day to put a little olé in your life with the traditional fruity wine punch named for the Spanish word ‘sangre’, which means ‘blood’.
NET: http://www.nationalsangriaday.com

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2009 [06] “Avatar”, directed by James Cameron, opens in movie theaters (with a reported budget of $300 million-plus, it’s said to be the most expensive movie ever made; fortunately it’s also the most successful, with $2.8 billion in worldwide box office)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1983 [32] With Mick Jagger serving as best man, Keith Richards weds longtime girlfriend Patti Hansen on his 40th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2006 [09] United Arab Emirates holds its 1st-ever elections

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Winter begins
[Mon] Crossword Puzzle Day
[Mon] Global Orgasm Day
[Mon] Homeless Persons Remembrance Day
[Mon] Short Girl Appreciation Day
This Week Is … Tell Someone They’re Doing a Good Job Week
This Month Is … Closed Caption TV Month

BULL’S BITS

LESSER-KNOWN GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS:
The Ghost of Christmas Cards Yet-To-Send
The Ghost of Christmas Ugly Sweater T-Shirts with Pop Culture References
The Ghost of Christmas Costumes on Confused Pets People Post Online
The Ghost of Christmas Albums Put Out by Singers You Thought were Dead
The Ghost of Christmas Puddings and Other Weird Traditional Food
The Ghost of Christmas Liquor Gift Packs with Cheap Glasses
The Ghost of Christmas Clearance Aisles Still Looking Sad in February
– Thanks to JT Robertson

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ Do you prefer to shop online or in a store? Why?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
My wife and I have a system for settling arguments: We just talk and talk until she’s right.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 9-out-of-10 of us do THIS almost daily even though we don’t want to.
Answer: Wake up in the middle of the night.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.