BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Nutritionists are criticizing the ‘January Detox’ currently being recommended by Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop website. The health-obsessed 42-year-old actress and wannabe lifestyle guru recommends a bizarre 7-day meal plan that includes things like garden weeds and crushed seeds. She promises that, when paired with colonic irrigation and trips to infra-red saunas, the diet will help devotees lose weight and remove ‘heavy metals and pesticides’ from the body. Critics note that the human body naturally detoxes itself and the controversial diet may do little except leave users out-of-pocket and possibly unable to sleep from hunger.
– @MailOnline
★ Late screen siren Marilyn Monroe has become the new face of cosmetics brand Max Factor … from beyond the grave. The Hollywood icon died in 1962 but will star in the beauty company’s 2015 ad campaigns, having been posthumously appointed its ‘Global Glamour Ambassador’. Monroe was a Max Factor client in the 1940s and the ads will show how the products transformed her from regular girl Norma Jeane Mortenson into an international sex symbol. Creative director Pat McGrath says Marilyn had “the ultimate look that defines glamour, nothing else compares.”
– ContactMusic.com
★ And “Downton Abbey” star Michelle Dockery is dismissing reports saying she’s poised to quit the hit period-drama. The 33-year-old Brit actress, who has won 3 Emmy nominations and 1 Golden Globe nod for her depiction of the character ‘Lady Mary Crawley’, has recently been rumored to be the next big name set to exit the show, but says that’s simply not true. Quote: “I love playing ‘Mary’, and I love being part of a show that for all of us has been really special. None of us ever imagined how huge a success it would become. Why would I want to leave that?”
– TVGuide.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Børns (“Candy”).
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Joshua Radin (“Wax Wings”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Weezer (“Everything Will Be Alright In the End”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Parquet Courts (“Sunbathing Animal”).
• “Tavis Smiley” (PBS) – Folk music icon Joni Mitchell. Rerun.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – The War on Drugs (“Lost In the Dream”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• George Ezra – This week the Brit singer/songwriter has returned to the top of the UK albums chart, a full 6 months after “Wanted On Voyage” first appeared.
• Jay Z – He’s reportedly interested in investing in David Beckham’s new US soccer venture. Beckham, who’s attempting to get a Miami FL Major League Soccer team off the ground, could use the help. He’s said to have already committed $100 million of his own money.
• Kelly Clarkson – The 32-year-old has revealed on Twitter that new music will be released within a month, and a full album is coming this Summer. It’s been more than 3 years since 2011’s “Stronger”. She says the lengthy gap between albums is due to being a busy new mom.
• Kid Rock – In a new op-ed piece for “The Guardian”, he admits he’s a young ‘old guy’ at the age of 43 as he’s about to become a grandfather. He also admits he’s not keeping up with today’s technology. Quote: “I don’t FaceTweet or whatever people do.”
• Madonna – She’s apologizing after Photoshopping the cover art of her latest album “Rebel Heart” onto the faces of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Quote: “I’m sorry. I’m not comparing myself to anyone. I’m admiring and acknowledging rebel hearts. This is neither a crime or an insult or racist!” The stunt sparked intense outrage on social media.
• Mark Ronson – He’s held onto the top spot on the UK singles chart this week with “Uptown Funk”, featuring Bruno Mars.
• Sam Smith – The 22-year-old pop sensation has gone public with his budding romance with Jonathan Zeizel after sharing images of the couple’s vacation Down Under. The “Stay With Me” hitmaker met the male model when he appeared as one of the extras in the video “Like I Can”.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Boyhood” ( R-Rated Drama ): Filmed over 12 years with the same cast during short periods, this groundbreaking film covers the life of a family as seen through the eyes of a son beginning at age 5. Stars Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, Ellar Coltrane. Richard Linklater’s critically-acclaimed movie is already drawing Oscar buzz.
• “No Good Deed” ( PG-13 Thriller ): After a suburban Atlanta GA mom offers to help out a charming but dangerous escaped convict who shows up at her door, she finds herself fighting for survival when he invades her home and terrorizes her family. Stars Taraji P Henson, Idris Elba, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo.
• Also released today: “Archer The Complete Season 5” (TV); “Dinosaur 13” (Documentary); “Jungle Master” (Animated Adventure); “The Pleasures of Being Out of Step: Notes On the Life of Nat Hentoff” (Jazz Documentary); and “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Pilot, A Mini Movie & The Squareshorts” (Animation Compilation).

C.E.S. 2015:
Here’s a look at what to expect from the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas NV. It opens today and runs through Friday. Amongst the cutting-edge technology …
• Self-Driving Prototype Cars – All technically capable of ferrying passengers around without interaction.
• New Smart Cars – Packed with Google’s Android Auto or Apple’s CarPlay, banishing the ancient entertainment and navigation systems most of us are used to.
• Android TV – Google’s 2nd attempt at creating a smart TV platform after the failure of the confusing and poorly implemented Google TV devices from 2010.
• Wearables – This year is predicted to be the year when wearable technology finally hits the mainstream. As well as smartwatches and fitness bands, expect ‘smartclothing’.
• The ‘Internet of Things’ – A buzzword that’s long promised to turn all our dumb appliances about the home, workplace, and environment into an Internet-connected mesh capable of talking to each other … as well as us. (Can we have solar-powered phones instead?)
NET: http://cesweb.org
– “The Guardian”

BANNED WORDS 2015:
Michigan’s Lake Superior State University has put out an ‘Annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Over-use, and General Uselessness’ ever since 1976. Among this year’s terms to be turfed out …
✗ ‘Bae’ – A girlfriend, boyfriend, sweetheart.
✗ ‘Cra-Cra’ – A slang variation of ‘crazy’.
✗ ‘Enhanced Interrogation’ – A shameful euphemism for ‘torture’.
✗ ‘Foodie’ – Someone really into food, like … all of us.
✗ ‘— Nation’ – When used as a suffix for fans of a sports team, celebrity, or politician.
✗ ‘Polar Vortex’ – A large pocket of frigid air. Also known as ‘cold’.
✗ ‘Skill Set’ – Why use 2 words when one will do? ‘Skills’ works perfectly well.
✗ ‘Swag’ – It’s used variously to mean ‘a gift’ or ‘cool demeanor’.
✗ ‘Takeaway’ – Not to do with food, but an important point that needs to be remembered.
– Reuters.com

FLOWER POWER:
Food trend watchers say versatile cauliflower is the superfood that’s poised to become the next kale. The lush, cruciferous broccoli cousin is predicted to be the 2015 produce king. Unlike bitter green kale, cauliflower is versatile enough to be used in many ways, such as …
• Swapped out for potatoes when mashed. It easily absorbs the flavors of butter & garlic and can be an alternative topping for shepherd’s pie.
• Breaded with flour & seasonings, then fried until golden brown as a replacement for beefsteak.
• Baked with various flavorings. Cauliflower can be used to make bread or biscuits, even pizza crust.
• Puréed to make creamy soups.
What’s more, cauliflower is a fantastic source of fiber, vitamin C, and is low in calories (150 per head). It also contains vitamins B and K, Omega-3s, and manganese. (Seems someone has hired a really good PR firm.)
– Adapted from NYDailyNews.com

GOLDEN GLOBES GALA:
The annual awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association are coming up this Sunday, the perfect excuse to throw a party. A few tips from experts on how to create the best bash …
✓ Theme – It’s best to go with a simple overall theme such as … gold (like the statues). The metallic hue says it all and can be incorporated in the dress code, drinks, decor, and menu.
✓ Decor – Leave a bag of bling (ie: candy) on each guest’s seat. Print out color photos of nominees to hang on walls. Lay out a red towel (or runner) to create your own mini-red carpet.
✓ Booze – When in doubt, there’s always beer. Any fan of “True Detective” will happily drink it up.
✓ Food – Every screen-focused party needs popcorn. Offer different toppings like truffle salt, cinnamon, or salted caramel drizzled on top.
✓ Games – Play “Who Are You Wearing? Bingo” by giving guests a bingo card with designers’ names in each square. Whenever a star name-checks a designer, guests stamp their cards.
✓ And Don’t Forget Drinking Games – Take a shot every time award recipients run out of time during thank-you speeches Or have a sip each time someone thanks Harvey Weinstein.
– Condensed from “NY Daily News”

BS AMAZING SHOW BIZ FACTS:
• “Star Wars” character ‘Han Solo’ was partly based on filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
– “New Yorker”
• Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver turned down a role in “The Hobbit”.
– TheGuardian.com
• “Breaking Bad” is the TV show people most often lie about having watched.
– “Radio Times”

BS CHRONOMETER 01.06.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1953 [62] Malcolm Young, Glasgow, Scotland, rock guitarist (AC/DC-“Thunderstruck”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2003)/left band in April 2014 to receive treatment for dementia

1955 [60] Rowan Atkinson, Consett UK, movie actor (“Bean”, “Four Weddings & A Funeral”)/former TV comic (“Mr Bean”, “Blackadder”)/Order Of the British Empire (2013)

1960 [55] Nigella Lawson, London UK, coke-snorting celebrity chef (“The Taste” 2013-14, “Nigella Kitchen” 2010, “Nigella Bites” 1999-2001)

1960 [55] Howie Long, Charlestown MA, TV football analyst (“FOX NFL Sunday”)/former NFL DE (Raiders 1981-93)/Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000)

1969 [46] Norman Reedus, Hollywood FL, TV actor (‘Daryl Dixon’ on “The Walking Dead” since 2010)

1970 [45] Julie Chen, Queens NY, TV host (“The Talk” since 2010, “Big Brother” since 2000)/wed to CBS-TV president-CEO Leslie Moonves since 2004

1982 [33] Eddie Redmayne, London UK, movie actor (“The Theory of Everything”, “Les Misérables”)

1986 [29] Alex Turner, Sheffield UK, indie rock singer-songwriter-guitarist (Arctic Monkeys-“Do I Wanna Know?”, “When the Sun Goes Down”)

1994 [21] Jameis Winston, Bessemer AL, NCAA football QB (Florida State University) whose off-field behavior may affect his appeal to the NFL

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Carnival Season” begins, which runs from today (“Epiphany”) until “Shrove Tuesday” (February 17th).

• “Cuddle Up Day”, an opportunity to snuggle up to someone or something on a cold Winter’s day.

• “Epiphany” (aka “Three Kings Day”), a Christian celebration and public holiday in Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Puerto Rico. In Ireland it’s known as “Little Christmas”; in Italy the kindly witch ‘La Befana’ slides down chimneys on her broom to bring toys & goodies for kids; in Mexico, where it’s known as “Dia de los Santos Reyes”, kids put straw out and leave shoes on balconies to be filled with toys by ‘Los Tres Reyes’ (The Three Kings), who tote gifts while riding camel-back.

• “Smith Day”, celebrating the most-common surname in the English-speaking world.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1975 [40] TV game show “Wheel Of Fortune” debuts on NBC (original host is Chuck Woolery and the letter-turner is Susan Stafford; Pat Sajak shows up in 1981, Vanna White in 1982)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1989 [26] Pop singer Madonna & actor Sean Penn announce they’re getting a divorce after 4 tumultuous years of marriage

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1945 [70] Future US president George HW Bush weds Barbara Pierce at First Presbyterian Church in Rye NY (it’s their ‘Platinum Anniversary’)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1980 [35] Philadelphia Flyers set an NHL record of 35 consecutive games without a defeat

COMING UP . . .
[Wed] “The Book of Negroes” opens in movie theaters (Canada)
[Wed] “Empire” debuts (FOX)
[Wed] “American Idol” season premiere (FOX)
[Wed] “2015 People’s Choice Awards” (CBS)
[Thurs] Show & Tell Day at Work
[Fri] “Taken 3” opens in movie theaters
This Week Is … Lose Weight/Feel Great Week
This Month Is … Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month

BULL’S BITS

NEW YEAR’S INTERNET RESOLUTIONS:
• I will limit my time on social media to 2 … no 3 … OK, maybe 4 hours-a-day. Except the 24 hours immediately following new #GoodWife, #Scandal, or #RHOA episodes.
• I will no longer purchase Groupons for every single new Thai restaurant that opens up within a 30-mile radius of my residence.
• I will change my Facebook profile only once a week, and limit the selfies I post to days I get decent haircuts and/or additional eyebrow piercings.
• I will stop tagging people who are either intoxicated or appear intoxicated in photos, particularly (but not limited to) supervisors, long-standing customers, and in-laws.
• I will stop lying about cooking the complicated, multi-step recipes I’ve re-pinned to my Pinterest board, except between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, when everyone else is lying about it.
• I will limit Netflix binge-watching between the hours of 10 AM and 1 AM … except on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.
• For the rare occasions I engage in real life and in-person conversations, I will abstain from relying on verbal hashtags to emphasize a point.
– Thanks to Anjali Enjeti

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
New research shows that the more you do this, the smarter you become. Though if you overdo it, people will start avoiding you. What is it?
a. Talk to yourself. [CORRECT]
b. Criticize everything.
c. Eat beans.
– University of Wisconsin

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Whenever I go to a restaurant I always ask the maitre d’, “Give me a table near a waiter.”

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s the one coffee shop every coffee lover needs to visit?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: It’s estimated the average employee spends about 45% of the workday doing THIS.
Answer: Working.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Never take a pill that has more side effects than you have symptoms.