Thursday, February 23, 2017 – Edition: #5918

Have Another Sheetload!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ New parents Peta Murgatroyd & Maksim Chmerkovskiy are competing against each other on the new season of “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC), just months after welcoming new son Shia. Peta won the show’s 22nd season in 2016 with her model-actor partner Nyle DiMarco, and hasn’t appeared on the dance floor since. Peta and fiancé Maksim have been together since 2012 and have always had a friendly rivalry on the show. “Dancing With the Stars” Season 24 premieres March 20th.
– ContactMusic.com
★ Jimmy Kimmel is contemplating retirement because he wants more free time with his family. The 49-year-old TV personality and this year’s Oscars host has recently extended his “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” contract for a further 3 years, but he is unsure what is going to happen after that. He already has 3 children and is expecting another with his wife Molly McNearny. So after another 3 seasons of doing a daily TV show, he says: ”It’s possible that will be it.”
– Variety.com
★ And 60-year-old chef-travel writer Anthony Bourdain has reportedly struck up a romance with 41-year-old movie actress Asia Argento (“xXx”). The TV personality separated from his 2nd wife, Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ottavia Busia, last year. Sources says the new couple began dating after hitting it off while filming an episode of his hit CNN show “Parts Unknown” in Rome, Italy last year. The episode aired in December. Neither has commented on the report, but photos of them walking hand-in-hand and smooching at a local market have appeared in the Italian press.
– PageSix.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The Blacklist: Redemption” (NBC/Global) – Debut of this spinoff series from “The Blacklist”, about the world’s most elusive criminals forming an elite mercenary team. Stars Ryan Eggold and Famke Janssen.
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Clipping (“Splendor & Misery”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Moving Units (“Neurotic Exotic”).
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/CTV) – Ryan Adams (“Prisoner”).
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – Lupe Fiasco (“Drogas Light”).
• “Live With Kelly” (syndicated/CTV) – Guest co-host Jason Derulo (“Platinum Hits”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Charlie Wilson (“In It to Win It”); Little Big Town (“The Breaker”, out Friday).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Chainsmokers / Coldplay – The two acts are collaborating on the new release “Something Just Like This”. The song has been advertised on the Spotify streaming service, although it’s not yet been uploaded for users to hear.
• Chris Brown – Karrueche Tran has reportedly been granted a restraining order against her ex. According to TMZ, Tran filled legal docs claiming Brown had threatened to kill her, saying if he couldn’t have her no one else could. She also claims Brown has assaulted her in the past.
• David Bowie – Fans are trying to raise over $1 million by March 21st in order to build a 3-story memorial statue in his hometown of Brixton, in south London. The statue replicates the late singer’s ‘Aladdin Sane’ character, featured on the cover of his 1973 album of the same name.
• Gwen Stefani – She says she didn’t know Blake Shelton even ”existed” until she got a job on “The Voice”. But Gwen warns: ”He is in trouble this season. I’m about ready to get on him.” The new season of “The Voice” debuts Monday on NBC-TV.
• Radiohead – Frontman Thom Yorke is allegedly enjoying a new relationship with actress Dajana Roncione, a rising star of the Italian cinema.
• Thomas Rhett – Tonight in Saginaw MI he launches his first headlining tour, the “2017 Home Team Tour”. Kelsea Ballerini and new artists Russell Dickerson and Ryan Hurd are the openers.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “The Lion King” – James Earl Jones and Donald Glover lead the cast of the live-action movie version. Director Jon Favreau (“The Jungle Book”) is helming Disney’s adaptation of its own 1994 animated movie musical. The original classic about an animal kingdom in Africa starred Jones as ‘Mufasa’ and Matthew Broderick as his son ‘Simba’, that role now assumed by Glover.
• “Mulan” – The live-action remake of Disney’s 1998 classic now has a director: Niki Caro (“Whale Rider”). The New Zealander becomes only the 5th woman to direct a movie with a budget over $100 million. The story follows a Chinese girl who disguises herself to join the army in her father’s place. The remake is being shot in China, with a mostly Chinese cast.
• “77” – Jared Leto is making his feature film directorial debut with this politically-charged 1970s-set crime thriller about 2 police officers who team up to find real-life kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst, while also investigating the murder of a fellow officer. They uncover corruption and crime in their investigation, as well as a dark conspiracy. No word on casting as yet.
• “Suicide Squad 2” – Could Mel Gibson be directing this follow-up? He’s said to be on a list of several directors that have been approached. Gibson has directed some heavyweight classics like “Braveheart” and “Hacksaw Ridge”, but would he able to adapt to a series with more comedy value than gravity? There’s lots of time to find out; the film isn’t in theaters until 2019.
• “Super Bowl 51” – The game was one for the ages … and is now one for the bigscreen. An upcoming book and film will recount the New England Patriots’ remarkable comeback win in overtime with a focus on the Pat’s QB Tom Brady, who’s now won more Super Bowls than any other quarterback with 5. There are no details about release dates as yet.

BOOK IT NOW:
It’s being called the biggest astronomical event of the year. On August 21st, a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America for the first time in 99 years. But if you want to catch a glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime event, you need to start planning now. For many, this will mean taking a 3-day weekend and traveling to a spot that falls within the narrow path of totality, where you will see the full effect of the eclipse as the Moon completely covers the Sun. The eclipse’s path will begin in Oregon and cut a swatch across America to end in South Carolina. Out of all those locations, Hopkinsville, KY marks the point of longest eclipse duration. That may explain why the town’s hotels are already booked up. Don’t forget to buy certified glasses to protect your eyes if you plan to watch the spectacle. (Is it worth traveling long distance for 2 minutes of awe?)
– Space.com

MAKING YOURSELF HEALTHY:
✓ Slow Down Aging – Simply eat less. Brigham Young University researchers have discovered that feeding mice 35% fewer calories causes their body’s ribosomes, the protein makers of the cell, to slow down. When the ribosomes slow down, the aging process does as well.
✓ Examine Your Need to Go Gluten-Free – Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered that people who eat gluten-free have higher concentrations of toxins in the body, including arsenic in urine and mercury in blood, than those who don’t follow the diet.
✓ Fight Flu – Flu activity in North America is spiking right now. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s not too late, HealthDay reports.
✓ Control Your Blood Pressure – Traditionally, doctors worked to lower high blood pressure to less than 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). But new studies show that cutting it even further, to 120 mm Hg or below, can greatly reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke.
– “Men’s Health”

SHAPE SHIFTER:
Dynamic Architecture is designing an 80-story ‘dancing tower’, the first rotating skyscraper. The 1,273-foot-tall Dynamic Tower in Dubai UAE will never look the same because each resident has control over the position of their apartment and the speed at which it spins around a stationary core. That may change the curvy design into one that resembles a stack of Jenga blocks. A view of both sunrise and sunset isn’t the only perk for residents who shell out up to $40 million. They also receive free electricity from 79 wind turbines sandwiched between the building’s floors, and a special elevator lets them park their vehicles right outside their apartments. The current plan is to have it built by 2020. (Potential residents should stock up on Gravol.)
NET: https://youtu.be/jEYZ-ylelbg
– “Your Discovery Science”

FINDING FEMALES:
Thanks to films such as “Rogue One” and “Arrival”, sole female protagonists made up 29% of the heroes in the 100 top-grossing movies of 2016, according to a new study by San Diego State University’s Center For the Study of Women in TV and Film. That’s an increase of 7% from 2015. Women also accounted for 37% of major characters, defined as characters in more than one scene who are instrumental to the action of the story – an up-tick of 3% from the previous year. In films with a female writer or director, women constituted 57% of the protagonists. So, while audiences were still more than twice as likely to see male characters as female characters in top-grossing movies, females fared better as protagonists and major characters in 2016. (Tiny steps … but still steps in the right direction.)
– EW.com

DONALD’S USED CARS:
A Ferrari formerly owned by Donald Trump is hitting the auction block this Spring. It’s expected to fetch $250,000-to-$350,000 at Auctions America’s Fort Lauderdale FL event on April 1st. The 2007 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe was purchased new by Trump in 2007. Powered by a V-8 engine, it has a top speed of 196 mph. It’s also equipped with a 6-disc CD changer and a cherry red paint job. But Trump didn’t drive the Ferrari much and sold it in 2011. It still has less than 6,000 miles on it. Included in the sale is a copy of the original ownership boasting Trump’s recognizable “bold signature”. The auction company surmises it’s likely that Trump is the only US president to ever own a ‘supercar’. (Didn’t Woodrow Wilson have a max-ed out Model T?)
– CNNMoney

BS AMAZING FACT:
A typical Tupperware party yields about $400-worth of sales. (Most with lids that will be lost within a month.)
– BBC News

BS CHRONOMETER 02.23.17

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1952 [65] Brad Whitford, Winchester MA, rock guitarist (Aerosmith-“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”, “Crazy”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2001)

1965 [52] Michael Dell, Houston TX, founder & CEO of Dell Computer/net worth $20.8 billion as of 2017

1969 [48] Daymond John, Queens NY, CEO of FUBU/TV personality (“Shark Tank” since 2009)

1981 [36] Josh Gad, Hollywood FL, movie actor (“Frozen”, ”Jobs”)/Broadway actor (“The Book of Mormon”)

1983 [34] Emily Blunt, London UK, movie actress ( “The Girl On the Train”, “The Devil Wears Prada”)/Mrs John Krasinski since 2010 COMING UP: “Mary Poppins Returns” 2018.

1983 [34] Aziz Ansari, Columbia SC, TV actor (“Parks & Recreation” 2009-15)/standup comedian (“Live at Madison Square Garden”)

1994 [23] Dakota Fanning, Conyers GA, movie actress (“Twilight Saga”, “The Runaways”)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Chili Day”, observed annually on the last Thursday of February. It’s a great excuse to put together a perfect pot of spicy chili. What’s your secret ingredient?

• “Digital Learning Day”, an annual observance to spotlight the effective use of technology in today’s classrooms.

• “Curling is Cool Day”, celebrating the Winter sport of curling … basically a drinking game with some housecleaning interspersed. (See “Bull’s Bits”.)

• “Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day”. A recent poll of pet owners finds that about ⅓ have eaten dog food at one time or another, most likely just to see what it tastes like.

• “Girl Day”, an annual event designed to ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering’. The day of encouragement is brought on by the fact that women are under-represented in the engineering profession.
NET: http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/girl-day

• “Great American Spit Out”, observed on the Thursday of the 3rd full week of February to discourage the use of chewing tobacco (aka chaw, plug, dip, wad, etc).

• “Single Tasking Day”, a day to focus on one project at a time. Studies show you’ll likely end up accomplishing more.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2013 [04] At the 33rd Golden Raspberry Awards, Rihanna is named ‘Worst Supporting Actress’ for her role in the sci-fi action flick “Battleship”

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2010 [07] Britain’s Culture Ministry declares The Beatles’ Abbey Road Studios in London a protected historic site

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1997 [20] Scientists in Scotland announce the 1st successful cloning of an adult mammal, ‘Dolly’ the sheep

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1992 [25] Residents of Auckland, New Zealand complete the tallest tower made entirely of LEGO blocks … 65 feet, 2 inches (19.9 m)

2000 [17] Santana wins 8 Grammys for the album “Supernatural”, tying Michael Jackson’s record for the most awards in a single night

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] “Collide”; “Get Out”; “Rock Dog” open in movie theaters
[Fri] World Bartender Day
[Sat] International Sword Swallowers Day
[Sat] Open That Bottle Night
[Sun] “The Oscars” (ABC/CTV)
[Sun] World Pistachio Day
This Week Is … Justice for Animals Week
This Month Is … Hot Breakfast Month

BULL’S BITS

WHY CURLING HAS REPLACED SEX AS THE #1 INDOOR SPORT:
✓ In mixed curling, it’s acceptable to play with your best friend’s wife.
✓ You can score more than once in each end.
✓ You can do it in 8 houses in less than 2 hours.
✓ You get to shoot your rocks 16 times in just 1 game.
✓ You can use your rubber more than once.
✓ Short is not always bad.
✓ In mixed curling, women always shoot first.
✓ You can yell “Hurry, hurry, hard!” without anyone taking much notice.
✓ Men don’t fall asleep when play is completed.
✓ The ice-maker always cleans the sheets after you play.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ In the ‘olden’ days of MSN chat rooms and AOL Instant Messenger, what was your screen name and what did it say about you?

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Which was the official language of England for over 600 years?
a. French [CORRECT]
b. Greek
c. Phlegmish
– “Trivia Crack”

BS RANDOM JOKE:
It’s untrue that oysters make good aphrodisiacs. I tried a dozen once and only 6 of them worked.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: According to a new survey, more than 1-in-3 people do THIS while they’re dreaming.
Answer: Text.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it will just make it worse.