Friday, January 22, 2021 — Edition: #6899

100% Grade A Bull!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Alex Trebek went out on top, just like he deserved. Trebek’s final week of “Jeopardy!” episodes finished #1 in all of syndication, with TV ratings up 29% from the prior week. Trebek’s final Jeopardy! episode, which aired on Friday, Jan. 8, drew 14 million viewers, according to Nielsen data. That makes it the show’s most-watched episode in 419 days — or since James Holzhauer’s incredible winning streak came to an end.
-TheWrap
★ Netflix hit a new all-time high on Wall Street on Wednesday morning, one day after the streaming giant reported it topped analyst and company estimates by adding another 8.5 million new subscribers during Q4 2020. Top Netflix releases for Q4 included “The Queen’s Gambit”, which was one of Netflix’s biggest shows ever and helped spark a digital chess revolution, along with “Bridgerton,” and the return of “The Crown.”
-TheWrap
★ Tom Holland is reportedly in the running to play ‘Willy Wonka’ in the “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory” prequel. Holland, best known for playing ‘Spider-Man’ – is among the contenders for the role alongside Timothee Chalamet, according to reports. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Warner Bros. has scheduled the Willy Wonka prequel “Wonka” to be released on March 17, 2023.
-Canoe, TheWrap
★ Sir Anthony Hopkins thought “Silence of the Lambs” was a children’s story before he read the script. He played fictional cannibal serial killer ‘Dr. Hannibal Lector’ in the classic 1991 horror, and says that when his agent sent him the script to consider, he said: “Is it a children’s story?” But after reading the first 10 pages, he says “I phoned my agent. I said, ‘Is this a real offer? I want to know. This is the best part I’ve ever read.'”
-ContactMusic

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Rosario Dawson, Daveed Diggs, Amanda Shires featuring Jason Isbell
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Bill Hader, Fran Lebowitz, Chris Coleman (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Matthew McConaughey, Shawn Mendes (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): George Lopez
• “The Talk” (CBS): Missy Peregrym
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Live’s Viewers’ Choice Show
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Charles Barkley
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): Kristin Hensley, Jen Smedley, Cat Deeley
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): Taye Diggs, Michael Symon
• “Little Women: Atlanta” (LIFETIME): Season 6 premiere
• “Painting With John” (HBO): Series premiere. After contemplating how to open his show, artist John Lurie discusses his parents’ approach to nurturing their kids’ creativity, and his lack of trust in someone until he has heard them laugh.

SATURDAY-
• “A Winter Getaway” (HALLMARK): A man finds romance with a concierge after he’s mistaken for a millionaire during a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
• “Salt-N-Pepa” (LIFETIME): Premiere. The journey of college students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they enter the world of rap and hip-hop after recording a song for their friend.
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Host Timothée Chalamet, with musical guest Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. (R)

SUNDAY-
• “NFL Football” (FOX, CTV): Conference championship: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers
• “NFL Football” (CBS, CTV): Conference championship: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
• “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (ABC): A special education teacher vies for the prize; Ray Romano plays for charity.
• “Charmed” (CW): Season 3 premiere
• “Agatha Christie’s England” (PBS): Agatha Christie draws on her surroundings, including the people and places she encounters, to write her stories.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Drake — has become the first artist to break the 50 billion streams barrier on Spotify. He first announced the news over the weekend on his Instagram Stories, but now Spotify bosses have confirmed it.
• Megan Thee Stallion — has reluctantly cleared out all the junk food from her home as she embarks on her healthy eating “bootcamp”. She posted that she enjoyed her “last cheat meal” over the weekend and that she was “Throwing out thee junk food” for her “health journey”.
• Amanda Bynes — is now in the rap game. She dropped a 12-second snippet of her song ‘Diamonds’ on Instagram. It’s unclear how serious she is or when it was recorded.
• Billy Idol – is among the big names taking part in Saturday’s Big Love Benefit Concert to raise funds for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. The virtual show will also include Styx’s Tommy Shaw, Wynonna Judd, Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge, the Allman Betts Band and others, while Poison’s Bret Michaels will introduce the show. The event was organized by Def Leppard’s Rick Allen and his wife.
• The Rolling Stones — are launching their own chocolate bars in honor of their 60th anniversary in 2022. The milk chocolate ‘Brown Sugar’, is named after their 1971 hit, and the dark chocolate ‘Cherry Red’ is inspired by the ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ lyric, ‘My favorite flavor, cherry red’. Both will go on sale via their official online store on Monday.
• Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl says their newest single ‘No Son Of Mine’, is a tribute to late Motörhead frontman Lemmy. Grohl was a close friend of the late music icon, and he says that after the song ended up sounding “aggressive with chunky riffs”, they decided it was an “homage” to the heavy metal legend.
• Gary Numan – says he has only been paid US $58 for a million streams of one of his songs. He’s speaking out about his frustration at streaming services paying an abysmal amount to artists.
• Luke Combs – has just landed his 10th consecutive #1 single on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with his current single ‘Better Together’. The achievement is a first in the history of the chart, and it means that every single he has released to country radio has reached the top spot on the chart.
• The Grand Ole Opry — will mark its 95th birthday next month with a television special hosted by Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton. “Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music” will air Feb. 14 on NBC.
• The C2C (Country 2 Country) Festival – has been postponed again to 2022. It was originally slated to take place in Dublin, London and Glasgow in March 2020, then was postponed to March 2021, and now it has been put off again due to ongoing concerns over the pandemic. The lineup originally included headliners Eric Church, Darius Rucker and Luke Combs.

SHOOTING THE BULL

MONKEYING AROUND – YOUR FACE:
Because why not? Already, 2021 is starting to look like another weird year, so how about a bizarre fashion trend? Now appearing on a face near you, the ‘monkey tail beard’, which looks very much like the name suggests, except somehow, it’s even MORE bizarre. Yes, the monkey tail beard is shaped to look like a monkey’s tail curling around the wearer’s face. Picture this: It starts as a sideburn, curving under the chin and then around the lip, finishing with a moustache. And that’s it. No balancing collection of facial hair beginning from the other side. Just one monkey tail. Online response from men has been…um…predictable, with one writing: “I will join the fight against this monkey-tail atrocity. This cannot stand.” Another posted: “Finally an issue worthy of insurrection”. But women seem a little more open-minded about the idea, with one commenting: “I enjoy the monkey tail beard trend, appreciate manbuns, and think men should…be encouraged to be more playful and expressive, in whatever ways bring them joy.”
(***It requires pics to do it justice:***) https://tinyurl.com/y3gulaum
(Definitely recommended if you feel you’re not being noticed enough on Zoom calls!)
(This is a classic example of the thought process of someone who has spent WAAY too much time in lockdown and definitely needs to get out more!)
-Unilad

NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ A research paper published this week in the journal Science has revealed that rats don’t just enjoy playing hide-and-seek, they REALLY get into it — and they don’t do it strictly for food rewards. In perhaps the happiest case of testing on rats ever, German neuroscientists spent weeks teaching rats how to play hide-and-seek in large room with boxes. Before long, the playful rodents were taking turns with the humans, finding a spot and waiting to be found. For the scientists, it was about studying play behavior in animals. For the rats, it was pure, uninhibited joy. Researchers reported that the test rats practically bubbled over with elation every time they found their human. In fact, scientists recorded their shrieks of glee — a sound so high in pitch, it can’t be heard by the human ear. Even more adorably, the test subjects leapt in the air whenever they sniffed out a human. And what was their reward for playing? When they found a human, they were tickled, caressed and stroked. (Rats are under rated. Just check your dictionary!)
➢ A London man spent about US $400 to have a veterinarian examine his dog’s limp, but it turned out the canine was just imitating his owner, who had a broken ankle. Russell Jones said he noticed after his ankle was broken that his dog, Billy, was keeping one of his front paws raised while walking. Jones posted a video to Facebook showing the dog hopping next to him as he walks with the use of crutches. Jones had the vet examine Billy and take X-rays of his apparently injured leg; no problems were found. The vet told Jones his dog was imitating the way he walks with his broken ankle. Billy had been limping since the day after Jones injured his ankle. AWESOME LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y3th2vwz
(So, should his wife be concerned if she catches Billy humping the mailman?)
-TreeHugger, UPI

MALE ACTORS WHO’VE PLAYED THE EXACT SAME CHARACTER IN ALMOST EVERY MOVIE THEY’VE BEEN IN:
☞ Adam Sandler (Well, duh!)
☞ Dwayne Johnson
☞ Will Smith
☞ Hugh Grant
☞ Michael Cera
☞ Will Ferrell
☞ Jeff Goldblum
☞ Mark Wahlberg
☞ Jackie Chan
☞ Al Pacino
(There are more…who comes to mind?)
-BuzzFeed

DID YOU KNOW?
How can you tell when someone isn’t telling the truth? In a new study, researchers have identified a strong sign of fibbing: mimicking the body language of the person they’re lying to. According to Sophie Van Der Zee, researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, “Liars often deliberately change their behavior into a way they think truth-tellers behave, but this behavior is something they…don’t realize they’re doing.” The study, published in the Royal Society’s Open Science journal, could lead to applications of the theory in criminal justice.
-NYPost

BS CHRONOMETER 01.22.21

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1949 [72] Steve Perry, Hanford CA, classic rock singer (‘Oh Sherrie’, Journey-‘Don’t Stop Believin’)/Rock Hall of Fame w/Journey, 2017

1952 [69] Teddy Gentry, Ft Payne AL, country bass player, singer (Alabama-‘Mountain Music’, ‘Forever’s as Far as I’ll Go’)/a record 21 consecutive #1 country hits

1959 [62] Linda Blair, St. Louis MO, movie actress (“The Exorcist”, “Roller Boogie”)

1965 [56] Diane Lane, NYC, movie actress (“Under the Tuscan Sun”, “Unfaithful”)

1965 [56] Steven Adler, Cleveland OH, rock drummer (ex-Guns N’ Roses -‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’)

1965 [56] DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Allen Townes), Philadelphia PA, DJ (w/Fresh Prince [Will Smith]-‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’)

1968 [53] Guy Fieri, Columbus OH, celeb chef/TV host (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” since 2006, “Guy’s Big Bite” 2006-2016)

1972 [49] Gabriel Macht, The Bronx NY, TV actor (‘Harvey Specter’ on “Suits” 2012-19)

1985 [36] Orianthi (Panagaris), Adelaide Australia, rock guitarist/singer-songwriter (former guitarist for Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper/collaborator with former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in “RSO”)

1996 [25] Sami Gayle, Weston FL, TV actress (‘Nicky Reagan-Boyle’ on “Blue Bloods” since 2010)

SATURDAY- Richard Dean Anderson (“MacGyver”) is 71; Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (U.S. Airways Captain who safely landed a disabled plane on the Hudson River) is 70; Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) is 68; Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) is 57; Tiffani Thiessen (“Saved by the Bell”) is 47; Nick Harmer (Death Cab For Cutie) is 46

SUNDAY- Neil Diamond (‘Sweet Caroline’) is 80; Gymnast Mary Lou Retton is 53; Matthew Lillard (“Scooby Doo”) is 51; Ed Helms (“The Office”) is 47; Kristen Schaal (“Last Man on Earth”) is 43; Justin Baldoni (“Jane the Virgin”) is 37; Mischa Barton (“The OC”) is 33

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day”, a day to concentrate on your feline and answer the questions you think it’s asking. People often consider cats unaffectionate, but the truth is, they only talk to humans. Studies show they rarely ‘meow’ at other cats.

• “Celebration of Life Day”, a day to honor the gift of children and grandchildren. (Because having “a two-year old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.” — Jerry Seinfeld)

• “Hot Sauce Day”, if you are one of those people who feels that “spicy” is never quite spicy enough, Hot Sauce Day is the perfect holiday for you! Current best-rated hot sauce on Amazon: “Hoy Fong Huy Fong Sriracha”.

• “Polka Dot Day”, Today, we celebrate Disney’s most esteemed fashionista — Minnie Mouse. Minnie is not only Mickey Mouse’s beloved counterpart, but is a sassy and sweet pop culture icon who popularized the polka dot pattern.

• “Roe vs. Wade Day”, the day that changed everything. This date in 1973, the Supreme Court announced its decision that the constitutional right to privacy includes a right to abortion. 48 years later, we celebrate Roe vs. Wade Day as a historical moment in women’s rights.

• “Blonde Brownie Day”, the blonde brownie uses vanilla and brown sugar as ingredients in place of the chocolate or cocoa of traditional chocolate brownies. Also known as “blondies”.

SATURDAY-
• “Handwriting Day”, to recognize ‘graphology’ (handwriting analysis) and to encourage more legible handwriting. (I don’t have bad handwriting…I prefer to refer to it as “my own font”)
• “Measure Your Feet Day”, to draw attention to the importance of wearing correctly fitted shoes. (***find the listener with the largest, and smallest feet***)
• “Pie Day”, celebrating the pie as an ‘art form’. There are said to be 231 varieties of apple pie alone.  (Not to be confused with ‘Pi Day’, celebrated March 14)
• “Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day”, when snowplow drivers are encouraged to take out as many mailboxes as possible. High score wins! Hey, any excuse to have fewer bills delivered. (In my neighborhood, they don’t need any extra encouragement!)

SUNDAY-
• “Beer Can Appreciation Day”, observed on the anniversary of the first canned beer, marketed by Krueger Brewing of Richmond, Virginia on this day 86 years ago, in 1935. (Gee, what should we do to celebrate?)
• “Compliment Day”, when we’re encouraged to say something nice to at least 5 people. (Who will in turn ask, “OK, what is it that you want?”)
• “Global Belly Laugh Day”, a day to experience the health & happiness benefits of taking a moment to laugh out loud. To that end, we’re encouraged to throw our arms in the air and laugh heartily at precisely 1:24 pm local time.
• “Peanut Butter Day”, originally called ‘nutmeal’, peanut butter has only been around for about 135 years, but it’s a staple in 85% of homes. We eat about 3 lbs (1.36kg) per person per year of this nutrient-rich food, containing high amounts of protein, several vitamins, and dietary minerals. (What’ll it be? chunky, smooth or creamy? Or cookies?)
• “Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day”, a tongue-in-cheek salute to the beginning of the 1848 gold rush in California. (“Well, consarn it! A whole ’nuther year’s done skedaddled right past an’ we’re celerbating this agin!”)
• National “Just Do It’ Day, a day to throw caution to the wind, take chances, and try something new. (Or just buy a pair of Nikes…)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2005 [16] Businessman and “The Apprentice” host Donald Trump weds former model Melania Knauss at the Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach, Florida

2008 [13] Australian actor Heath Ledger (Oscar-“The Dark Knight”) dies in NYC of a pharmaceutical overdose at age 28

2018 [03] Netflix becomes the largest digital media and entertainment company in the world (worth $100 billion. Netflix’s current net worth? $220 billion)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2012 [09] Adele’s second album “21″ clocks up a 16th week at #1, matching the record of the “Titanic” movie soundtrack

2018 [03] Neil Diamond announces that he’s retiring from touring because he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2020 [01] China locks down the city of Wuhan and its 11 million people, in an effort to control COVID-19 with a then official death toll of 17 and over 500 people ill

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2006 [15] LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant scores 81 points against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center, second-most points in an NBA game in history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in 1962

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ “Jedi” is an official religion, with over 70,000 followers, in Australia.
✓ Charlie Chaplin once lost a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest.
✓ A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber.
✓ When you walk down a steep hill, the pressure on your knees is equal to three times your body weight.
✓ Dandelion root can be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.
✓ All odd numbers contain the letter ‘e’.
-RandomFactGenerator, WritersWrite

BS TERRIBLE MOVIE SEQUEL IDEAS:
• 10 More Things I Hate About You
• Apocalypse Again
• The Second to Last Jedi
• The Day After the Day After Tomorrow
• Titanic II: Jack’s Back
• San Andreas II: The Repair Begins
• Four Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• The Matrix 4: Turn The Power Off, Wait 10 Seconds And Turn it Back On
• Schindler’s List 2: Checking it Again
• Star Wars: Episode 9
-Twitter

TODAY’S SLICE OF BS:
➠ A study says that men are more likely to lose their memory if they’ve been drinking heavily. (Though I think we’d all agree, occasionally forgetting where you parked is a small price to pay for being incredibly handsome and undeniably hilarious…)
➠ A reports claims that 60% of NBA players are broke within five years of retiring. (But luckily, they have all focused their energy on mentoring their kids and being great fathers…)
➠ Fact: “Chillax” and “whatevs” are now actual words in the dictionary. (“What’s a Dictionary?”, asked those who use words like, “chillax” and “whatevs”)
➠ Former Journey frontman Steve Perry turns 72 today. (He plans to celebrate any way he wants it, because that’s the way he needs it, any way he wants it…)
➠ TV chef and host Guy Fieri is 53 today. (Which brings up the question: Just what do you get for the man who annoys everyone?)

BS WEB GOODIE:
Friday vibe:  https://tinyurl.com/y5oaa577

BS PHONE STARTER:
Name something odd that you like the smell of…

BS RANDOM JOKE:
The fact that I have more clothes to sleep in than to go out in says a lot about me.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  Women are more than twice as likely as men to do THIS good deed. What is it?
Answer:  Allow someone to cut in line

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If only we’d stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time.