BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams have received a bit of good news regarding their “Blurred Lines” copyright case; a judge has trimmed more than $2 million from the damages the duo are ordered to pay to the family of late Motown star Marvin Gaye. The judge has reduced the payout to $5.3 million, saying the original amount is not supported by the evidence. However, Gaye’s heirs will also get a share of any future earnings from the 2013 track, including 50% of future songwriting and publishing revenues. The financial award follows the ruling that “Blurred Lines” copies elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up”.
– ContactMusic.com
★ Michelle Dockery’s character ‘Lady Mary’ may have done a couple scandalous things on “Downton Abbey” (by Victorian standards anyway), but she’s a choir girl compared to the actress’ next TV character. With “Downton” closing up shop this year after its 6th season, the Emmy nominee has signed on to play ex-con ‘Letty Dobesh’ in the new TNT drama “Good Behavior”. On the show, ‘Dobesh’ has just been released from prison when she gets up to old tricks, stealing from hotel guests in the North Carolina resort town of Asheville. While she’s in the midst of a robbery, she happens to hear people negotiating a hit on the wife of a lawyer and must decide just what kind of person she is.
– USAToday.com
★ And Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence says she now has ”the most un-rebellious tattoo” anyone could ever get inked. The “Hunger Games” star has had the chemical symbol for water, ‘H20’, etched on her hand and says it was a completely random choice. The 24-year-old also notes that the tattoo is spelled incorrectly as it should feature a subscript ‘low’ 2 rather than a superscript ‘high’ 2. Quote: ”I should have Googled it before I got it tattooed on my body forever.” You’re not alone, Jen. There are lots of people feeling the same way about their ill-conceived tats.
– HitFix.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Wale (“The Album About Nothing”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – The Acid (“Liminal”). Rerun.
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/M3) – Adam Lambert (“The Original High”).
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – R5 (“Louder”).
• “Married” (FX) – Nat Faxon & Judy Greer try to be responsible parents in Season 2 of this matrimonial sitcom.
• Polaris Prize – The shortlist of nominees for Canada’s annual music prize is announced. The highest-profile album with a shot at making the cut is Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”. The overall winner is announced September 21st.
• Pemberton Music Festival (Pemberton BC) – The 4-day lineup is headlined by Kendrick Lamar, The Black Keys, J Cole, and Tiesto. Also on the bill: Missy Elliott, Hozier, Kid Cudi, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction, MIA, The Decemberists and many others.
• “Queen Latifah” (syndicated) – Jordin Sparks (“Right Here, Right Now”, out August 21st). Rerun.
• “Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll” (FX) – After 7 seasons on “Rescue Me”, Denis Leary returns to TV as ‘Johnny Rock’, an over-the-hill rock star who befriends a young musician with dreams of being in the spotlight. And she turns out to be … his daughter (Elizabeth Gillies).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Years & Years (“Communion”).
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo) – Method Man (“Blackout! 3”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Avril Lavigne & Chad Kroeger – The music biz couple have forked out $5.4 million on a French-style property in the leafy LA enclave of Sherman Oaks. They recently celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary, despite last year’s rumors their relationship was on the rocks.
• Ariana Grande – A string of new dates for her “Honeymoon Tour” begins tonight in Tampa FL and includes close to 40 cities throughout North America before wrapping October 15th in El Paso TX. Prince Royce is the special guest on all dates.
• Death Cab For Cutie – Tonight the indie rockers play Salt Lake City UT, ahead of a run of dates starting September 10th in Manchester NH running up to October 1st in Spokane WA.
• Janet Jackson – She has announced a 2nd US leg of her “Unbreakable” world tour, adding 27 more dates to the agenda. The additional schedule begins January 12th in Portland OR and runs until March 9th in Fort Lauderdale FL.
• Jordin Sparks – She took her mom’s advice and gave herself exactly 21 days to mourn the end of her relationship with Jason Derulo. That’s done. Now she’s now dating rapper Sage the Gemini.
• Kenny Rogers – He’s releasing his first new Christmas album in 17 years this Fall. “Once Again It’s Christmas” will be his 1st holiday season release since 1998’s “Christmas From the Heart”. It’s his 6th Christmas release overall.
• Kylie Minogue – The 47-year-old Brit pop star is recording a Christmas album as well. She’s believed to be halfway through making what will be her 13th studio album. Always seems odd that these things get made in the heat of Summer.
• Little Mix – They say they’d love to follow in the footsteps of fellow UK girl-band Spice Girls and make their own movie á la “Spice World”, but they haven’t a clue what it would be about or who they’d cast. (Well that didn’t stop the Spicers.)
• Madonna – The 56-year-old has shared a photo on Instagram of her new septum-piercing, enhanced by a customized gold nose-ring featuring the letter ‘M’. Her 18-year-old daughter Lourdes stepped out with a septum ring while shopping in NYC a couple of months ago.
• One Direction – Louis Tomlinson is going to be a dad early next year, according to “People”. The pregnancy was a surprise but he & LA-based stylist Briana Jungwirth (both 23) are close friends. While they’re not currently in a relationship, Tomlinson wants to be a ‘hands-on dad’. Meantime, he’s said to be dating ”at least 3” women. Seems he’s sure been enjoying the single life since splitting from long-term girlfriend Eleanor Calder in March.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “The Killer Next Door” – James Franco & Ahna O’Reilly co-star in this murder-mystery based on Brit author Alex Marwood’s 2014 novel. The story centers around a group of neighbors who form an unlikely alliance without realizing one of them is a murderer. Franco & O’Reilly have collaborated on a number of films, including “As I Lay Dying” and “The Sound & The Fury”.
• “Rambo V: Last Blood” – 69-year-old Sylvester Stallone is set to reprise his role as Vietnam War vet ‘John Rambo’ but he will NOT be fighting ISIS as has been frequently rumored online. Others have suggested the one-man-army will be taking on a Mexican drug cartel. Whatever the storyline, the film is a follow-up to 2008’s “Rambo”. Shooting (literally) begins in December.
• “Star Trek Beyond” – It’s been confirmed 42-year-old Idris Elba has joined the cast of the sci-fi sequel, alongside original members Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto et al. It has been rumored that Elba is set to play a ‘Klingon’ but co-writer Simon Pegg says that’s not going to happen. The 2016 film will serve as the follow-up to 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness”.
• “Southside With You” – Director/screenwriter Richard Tanne’s romantic docu-drama, due next year, centers on the first date between young lawyers Barack Obama & Michelle Robinson in 1989. The future First Couple visit the Art Institute, take in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing”, and smooch in an ice cream parlor. Parker Sawyers & Tika Sumpter star in the lead roles.
• Untitled Bruce Willis Comedy – Rapper Tyga and boxer Victor Ortiz are joining the star-studded cast of this action comedy, which already includes John Goodman, David Arquette, Famke Janssen, and Kal Penn among others. Bruce Willis stars as a private detective trying to rescue his beloved pet pooch who’s been stolen by a notorious LA gang.

BEST WAY TO FIGHT MEMORY LOSS?
A new Newcastle University study randomly allocated mature adults into 3 groups assigned to do a particular activity for 8 weeks. One group walked briskly for 3 hours a week; the 2nd worked on puzzles, such as crosswords and Sudoku; and the 3rd took part in an art class. The result: All the groups got a bit better at cognitive tests, but the stand-out group was the art class. Why should drawing nudes make a difference to things like memory? One psychologist suggests that learning a new skill engages the brain, and it changes in response. The art class was also the most social activity, another key to keeping the brain sharp. (And it’s really difficult to forget a naked man after staring at him for 3 hours a week.)
– BBC News Magazine

HEFTY HEADPHONES:
The new ‘Quincy Jones AKG N90Q’ headphones from Harman sound great, but are they worth $1,500? Harman claims they are the world’s first with ‘personalized’ sound that adapts to the anatomy of the listener’s ear. That technology, ‘TruNote’, uses 2 microphones in each ear cup to measure frequency response and then uses filters to compensate accordingly while you wear them. They also feature active noise cancellation to block out any unwanted background. The headphones, which ship in September, were designed and ‘inspired’ by Quincy Jones, the legendary multi-Grammy-winning producer who’s worked with the who’s who of the music world. Jones predicts the technology will eventually be adapted to more affordable headphones. (And perhaps less dorky looking?)
– Reviewed.com

EVERYDAY OBJECTS YOU NEVER KNEW THE NAME FOR:
You use these things all the time but what the heck do you call them?
✓ The hair-dryer attachment you snap on to blow-dry your hair … ‘Air Concentrator’.
✓ The cap at the tip of an umbrella – or – the metal ring on the top end of a pencil … ‘Ferrule’.
✓ That gross gunk you remove from eyes in the morning has an equally gross name … ‘Gound’.
✓ Those clear, oval-shaped attachments on eyeglasses that sit on your nose … ‘Nose Pads’.
✓ Those stringy things on a banana you have to keep removing as you try to eat it … ‘Phloem’.
✓ The part of the zipper you yank on to make your jeans or jacket close … ‘Pull Tab’.
✓ The concave bottom part of a wine bottle that cups inward … ‘Punt’.
✓ The roller atop your computer mouse that moves a page up or down … ‘Scroll Wheel’.
– “Woman’s Day”

BS AMAZING FACT:
A baby mouse exposed to the smell of cat urine will be much less likely to flee or show signs of fear later in life.
– BBC Science & Technology

BS CHRONOMETER 07.16.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1943 [72] Jimmy Johnson, Port Arthur TX, sports analyst (“Fox NFL Sunday”)/former NFL coach (Miami Dolphins, 2 Super Bowls-Dallas Cowboys)

1952 [63] Stewart Copeland, Alexandria, Egypt, classic rock drummer (Police-“Every Breath You Take”, “King of Pain”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2003)

1967 [48] Will Ferrell, Irvine CA, movie actor (“Anchorman” movies, “Old School”)/TV comic (“Saturday Night Live” 1995-2002)

1979 [36] Jayma Mays, Bristol TN, TV actress (‘Debbie’ on “The Millers” since 2013, “Glee” 2009-15)/movie actress (“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” films, “The Smurfs” movies)

1996 [19] Luke Hemmings, Sydney, Australia, pop singer (5 Seconds of Summer- “She Looks So Perfect”)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Closet Space Appreciation Day”, a day of awareness of that giant double-door or walk-in closet that allows you to store so much (useless) stuff.

• “Fresh Spinach Day”, an occasion to make use of some healthful leafy greens in your favorite recipes. Spinach & sharp cheese omelette, anyone?

• “Get Out Of the Doghouse Day”, a day to make amends and ask forgiveness in order to get back in the good graces of someone you have upset by your bad actions.

• “World Snake Day”, an annual celebration by wildlife enthusiasts of the age-old fascination with these beautiful but misunderstood creatures.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2001 [14] “Jurassic Park III” has its world premiere (last in the series until this year’s “Jurassic World”)

2005 [10] “Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince” is published, the 6th book in the JK Rowling series

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2014 [01] Bluesman Johnny Winter dies at age 70 near Zurich, Switzerland

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1935 [80] World’s 1st parking meter, the ‘Park-O-Meter #1’, is installed in Oklahoma City OK

1945 [70] ‘Manhattan Project’ comes to fruition as the 1st atom bomb is successfully tested in Alamogordo NM

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2003 [12] A drink sold at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France is recognized as ‘Most Expensive Commercially Available Cocktail In the World’ by Guinness World Records (‘The Sidecar’, containing hundred-year-old Champagne Cognac, costs $440.88 a glass … plus tip)

COMING UP . . .
[Fri] “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” debuts (Netflix)
[Fri] Eid-Al-Fitr (Muslim)
[Sat] Celebration Of the Horse Day
[Sat] Hot Dog Day
[Sat] International Mandela Day
[Sun] Ice Cream Day Sunday
This Week Is … Avoid Boredom Week
This Month Is … Herbal Prescription Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

WHAT YOUR SLEEPING POSITION SAYS ABOUT YOU:
• Fetal (curled up) – You crave security and the all-encompassing nutrient sac of your mother’s womb. You are tough but sensitive … like a tooth with a cavity.
• Yearning (arms outstretched) – No, you are NOT lonely. You sleep like this because you are a fan of the letter ‘F’, right?
• Starfish (arms & legs outstretched) – You are allergic to your own hands & feet and you need all your body parts to be as far away from each other as possible.
• Pretzel (arms & legs akimbo) – You are terrified of strong winds and make yourself as dense as possible to avoid being eaten by a tornado.
• Thinker (fist on chin) – You love pondering big questions such as, “How much of Einstein’s hair would I have to eat in order to gain his knowledge?”
• Connected (wearing headphones attached to one or more devices) – You crave information. Specifically, info about whether or not wi-fi will give you cancer.
• Wide Awake in Terror All Night – You have embraced the only sleeping position that makes sense in our frightful, unknowable universe.
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What made you change your mind and decide to have kids?

BS TERRIBLY TOUGH TRIVIA:
Q: There are 7 ways a baseball player can legally reach 1st base without getting a hit. Taking a base on balls – a ‘walk’ – is one way. Name the other 6.
A: Batter hit by a pitch; passed ball; catcher interference; catcher drops 3rd strike; fielder’s choice; and being designated as a pinch-runner.
– Yahoo! Answers

TODAY’S REAL HEADLINE:
‘Woman in Coma After Her Butt Implants Explode During Squat Routine’
– “Redbook Magazine”

BS RANDOM JOKE:
When I was young, I wanted a BMW. Now that I’m older, I don’t need the ‘W’.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Doing THIS while thinking can make you 60% more creative when trying to solve a problem or work on a project.
Answer: Walking.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered drawer.