BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) has now won ‘Personality of the Year’ at the 2014 MTV African Music Awards (MAMA), held in South Africa’s southeastern city of Durban. The 31-year-old is the first winner of the newly introduced non-music award. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend the ceremony to pick up the honor.
– RelaxNews.com
★ A man has been arrested attempting to break into Sandra Bullock’s Los Angeles property. The “Gravity” star was reportedly at home when the unidentified male tried to gain access to her house on Sunday. She was not hurt in the incident and cops soon arrived to take the suspect into custody. The incident took place the morning after Bullock picked up the ‘Decade of Hotness’ honor at Spike TV’s annual “Guys Choice Awards”.
– “Hollywood Reporter”
★ Now with an average 18.4 million viewers, the “Game of Thrones” fantasy series has become HBO’s most-watched show of all-time. Though its 4th season isn’t over yet, it has already bested the previous HBO record-holder, “The Sopranos”, by a margin of 200,000 viewers. And the season finalé airing this coming Sunday will no doubt push the audience ratings to another new peak.
– Canoe.ca
★ And one lucky real estate purchaser got a big deal from former NBA star-turned TV personality Shaquille O’Neal (“Upload with Shaquille O’Neal” on TruTV). After purchasing a 3,904-square-foot Orlando, Florida home for $235,000 in 2012, it’s just been revealed the retired NBA big man sold the property this March for – huh? – $10. The 5-bedroom, 4-bath abode apparently now belongs to one Yves Paul Demesmin. It’s unknown if the two are friends.
– TMZ.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “America’s Got Talent” (NBC/CityTV) – More hopefuls perform for the judges.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Fall Out Boy (“Save Rock ‘N Roll”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Kodaline (“In a Perfect World”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – The Orwells (“Other Voices”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Ed Sheeran (“x”, out June 23rd).
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Jonathan Jackson & Enation (“My Ancient Rebellion”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Ed Sheeran – He’s scored his first #1 hit in Britain as “Sing” now tops the UK singles chart. The track is from the Suffolk-born singer-songwriter’s upcoming album “x” (‘times’).
• Jack White – Today he releases the 11-track new album “Lazaretto” (a hospital for those affected with contagious diseases, especially leprosy). This 2nd solo album follows 2012’s acclaimed “Blunderbuss”. An ‘Ultra’ vinyl version includes a hologram of a spinning angel, dual-groove technology that allows playing either an acoustic or electric intro to a song, locked grooves that let tracks play endlessly, and 2 hidden tracks under the center label that play at 78 rpm on Side A and 45 rpm on Side B (making it the 1st 3-speed LP).
• Katy Perry – She’s the cover girl for “Cosmopolitan” magazine’s July issue. In the inside interview she divulges: “I guess I happen to be attracted to high-frequency men.” Huh? Could she be talking about radio guys?
• Passenger – Today the “Let Her Go” hitmaker is back with the new album “Whispers”. The Brit singer-songwriter (real name Mike Rosenberg) describes the new set as ‘quite cinematic’ with ‘lots of big stories and big ideas’.
• Toby Keith – Show Dog-Universal Music is releasing the CD box set “5 Rounds” today, a compilation of his recent albums. It includes releases from 2008-12: “That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy”, “American Ride”, “Bullets In the Gun”, “Clancy’s Tavern”, and “Hope On the Rocks”.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” ( PG-13  Action Thriller ): Chris Pine stars as a young CIA analyst who uncovers a Russian plot to crash the US economy. Co-stars Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh (who also directs). Based on late novelist Tom Clancy’s ‘Jack Ryan’ character from “Patriot Games”, “The Sum Of All Fears”, etc.
• “Non-Stop” ( PG-13 Action Thriller ): Liam Neeson plays an air marshal who springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that threaten to put passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. Co-stars
Julianne Moore, Lupita Nyong’o, Anson Mount.
• “True Detective” ( NR TV Crime Drama ): Season 1 of the hit HBO series, starring Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson as detectives engaged in a hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana. The DVD package includes behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew, and never-before-seen footage from the series.
• Also released today: “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” (Documentary); “Ernest & Celestine” (Animation); “Major Crimes: The Complete 2nd Season” (TV); “Ray Donovan: Season 1” (TV); “Transformers Animated: The Complete Series” (TV); “Unacceptable Levels” (Documentary); “Visitors” (Documentary); and “William Shakespeare Collector’s Edition” (Compilation).

POWER FOODS:
Researchers at William Paterson University in New Jersey have done all of us a big favor by producing a list of ‘powerhouse fruits and vegetables’ ranked by the amounts of 17 critical nutrients they contain. The foods are scored by their content of fiber, potassium, protein, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D and other nutrients, all considered important to public health. Here’s what’s atop the list (along with their healthful score out of 100) …
1. Watercress (100)
2. Chinese cabbage (91.99)
3. Chard (89.27)
4. Beet Greens (87.08)
5. Spinach (86.43)
Fruits, however, didn’t turn out to be so powerful in these rankings. While they may be rich in phytochemicals (non-essential nutrients that have healthful properties), there are as yet no uniform data or recommended intake amounts for these compounds.
– “Washington Post”

NEW SMART PRODUCTS:
The ‘smart home’ is the future – and it’s almost here. A few of the newest inventions you may not have heard about …
• Aros – There are several Wi-Fi-enabled window air conditioners, but this one puts a major focus on design. It includes an app that tracks usage and gives setting suggestions.
• iGrill2 – A probe thermometer for grilling connected to any smart-device via an app. Lets you know when to pull those steaks off the BBQ so they don’t overcook.
• Skybell – Makes you aware that someone is near your home before they even ring the doorbell. It has a built-in camera, speaker, and microphone so you can greet (or ignore) visitors.
• Smartplug – Plug any non-smart device into this first, and then into an outlet for power, and that item gets a lot smarter. It uses motion sensing to turn things off when you’re not around.
• Sonte Smart Film – A Wi-Fi-enabled stick-on window covering that allows you to remotely flip between transparent and non-transparent modes so you can control both lighting and privacy.
• Withings Smart Baby Monitor – Like most high-end monitors it includes a camera, but it also includes sensors for temperature and humidity, and allows parent to speak directly to baby.
– TheVerge.com

SMOKIN’ GIRLS:
Researchers at the University of Montréal have discovered that teen boys are 80% more likely than teen girls to quit smoking. Their study followed smokers of both genders from Grades 7-to-11. Over those 5 years, 40% of overall participants quit smoking. What influenced the teens to quit? If they were male, warnings on cigarette packages and participation in sports were the leading factors. Older teens were also 30% more likely to quit. What wasn’t effective? Teens who reported having family stress, who worried about their weight, used drugs, or had other nicotine dependence symptoms were up-to-30% less likely to quit. (Is it still ‘quitting’ if you switch to e-cigarettes?)
– iVillage.com

WAYS TO BEAT BUGS THIS SUMMER:
✓ Use a Fan – Insects are not only incapable of flying in the sustained winds from the fan, the forced air also makes them unable to sense carbon dioxide flowing from potential victims.
✓ Relax – Body heat attracts mosquitos, which zero in on the lactic acid excreted by muscles and sweat glands. Panting from exertion also sends out a telltale plume of carbon dioxide.
✓ Use Garlic – Adding garlic or brewer’s yeast to a dog or cat’s diet creates an odor that fleas find offensive. If you decide to go this route, be sure to read up on suggested serving sizes.
✓ Have the Right Genes – OK, it might be too late for this one. But according to WebMD, experts have discovered that genetics account for 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito attacks.
– MentalFloss.com

CANINE BREWSKIES:
Saturday nights in with your pooch are about to get a whole lot better thanks to a new line of dog beer. Seriously, it’s a real thing. But don’t worry, it won’t get your pup drunk. ‘Barker’s Brew Dog Friendly Beer’ is non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, low-sodium, fat-free, and all natural. It’s meant to be added to dry food, adding both taste and moisture. It can also be added to drinking water for enhanced taste. It comes in a beer-style bottle so you’ll actually feel like you’re having a boozy night in with Barney. Available in ‘Chicken’ or ‘Beef’. (Wait … this isn’t beer, it’s gravy!)
NET: http://www.barkersbrew.co.uk
– Metro.co.uk

MOST HOSPITABLE FRUIT:
Yes, you can vacation inside a giant pineapple! Baanphasawan is an upscale resort well off the beaten track near Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Each of its close to 100 dwellings has been fashioned into the shape of fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Guests can sleep in fully stocked lodgings resembling colossal pineapples, dragonfruit, mangosteen, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and the stinkiest fruit of all … durian (variously compared to rotten onions, turpentine, or raw sewage). The resort is surrounded by orchards growing the real deal. (What’s the weirdest ‘theme room’ you ever stayed in?)
NET: http://tinyurl.com/krqsyhr
– AtlasObscura.com

BS AMAZING FACTS:
• Dead passengers on British Airways flights used to be given sunglasses, a vodka & tonic, and a newspaper to disguise them from other passengers.
– “Daily Mirror”
• Hungry men are attracted to voluptuous women, but studies show once they’ve had dinner  they like fewer curves.
– “Daily Telegraph”
• Common houseflies can completely change direction by rolling their bodies and giving a slight flick of their wings … all within 5 milliseconds. No wonder you can’t swat them.
– BBC.co.uk

BS CHRONOMETER 06.10.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1921 [93] Prince Philip Mountbatten (Philippos Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderbert-Glucksburn, Prince of Greece), Corfu, Greece, Duke of Edinburgh & Mr Queen Elizabeth II since 1947

1965 [49] Elizabeth Hurley, Basingstoke UK, movie actress (“Austin Powers” films)/TV actress (“Gossip Girl” 2011-12)/model (Estée Lauder)  UP NEXT: Plays a boozing, table-dancing monarch in the new E! series, “The Royals”, debuting next year.

1979 [35] Lee Brice, Sumter SC, country singer (“I Don’t Dance”, “I Drive Your Truck”)

1985 [29] Kreesha Turner, Edmonton AB, R&B-pop-dance singer-songwriter (“Keep Running the Melody”, “Don’t Call Me Baby”)

1992 [22] Kate Upton, St Joseph MI, fashion model (“Sports Illustrated” ‘Swimsuit Issue’ cover model 2012, 2013)/sometime movie actress (“The Other Woman”, “Tower Heist”)

2001 [13] Sasha (Natasha) Obama, Chicago IL, younger daughter of US president Barack Obama & first lady Michelle Obama

TODAY’S BS REASON TO PARTY . . .
• “Ball Point Pen Day”, commemorating its 1943 invention by Lasalo Biro of Budapest, Hungary. During WW2, Britain’s Royal Air Force commissioned him to develop an instrument that could write under low atmospheric pressure at high altitude.

• “Iced Tea Day”, celebrating the favorite Summer cooler of millions. Tea is the world’s 2nd-most-popular beverage … after water.

• “World Pet Memorial Day”, in recognition of pets past and present, and the important role they play in our lives.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2003 [11] “Last Comic Standing” debuts on NBC-TV (a revival is now airing on the CW)

2005 [09] Action comedy “Mr & Mrs Smith” opens in movie theaters, the film in which Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie become a couple … both onscreen and off

2007 [07] Close to 12 million fans tune in for the final episode of “The Sopranos” on HBO

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1979 [35] ‘World’s Largest Pastry’ is baked in Liestal, Switzerland … a 1,084-ft-long éclair (“And gimme a vat of coffee with that, please!”)

COMING UP . . .
[Wed] Corn On the Cob Day
[Thurs] Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala (NYC)
[Thurs] 2014 World Cup begins (Brazil)
[Thurs] Crowded Nest Awareness Day
[Thurs] Jerky Day
[Thurs] Peanut Butter Cookie Day
[Thurs] Career Nurse Assistants Day
This Week Is … Men’s Health Week
This Month Is … Potty Training Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

WORST BS FATHERS DAY GIFTS:
✗ Cheesy BBQ apron or T-shirt emblazoned with ‘World’s Best Dad’. Even worse … a tie.
✗ Overly mushy card that says, “If we ever need to know the score of the game, you’re always there.”
✗ Meggings.
✗ A handsome wall plaque listing all of Bill Gates’ accomplishments next to all of Dad’s.
✗ Bikini swimwear.
✗ Any kind of lame novelty item, ie: “The Potty Putter”, “The Shower Beer Holder” … or any fart-themed merchandise.
✗ Concert tickets to a band too old to be in concert.
✗ The Bob Costas Hairpiece Collection.
✗ Any kind of personal hygiene product, ie: “Nose Hair Trimmer”, “Odor-Absorbent Socks” … or any fart-themed merchandise.
✗ Build-your-own-enlarged-prostate model kit.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Money cannot buy happiness, but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than on a bicycle.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ There’s a new trend of drawing up legally binding social media ‘prenups’ that cover potentially embarrassing online material. These digital agreements determine what images and info couples may share about each other on sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Vine. Penalties for violations such as sharing an embarrassing story or an ugly bathing suit photo can range from a $50,000 fine to … being forced to scrub the toilet. Good idea or is this something that a couple should be able to handle on their own?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: The average household has 5 of THESE, according to a new survey.
Answer: Fridge magnets.
– “Good Housekeeping”

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
If you want your eggs hatched, sit on them yourself.