BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Dr Dre appears to have confirmed that Apple is buying out his co-owned Beats Electronics for more than $3 billion, thereby making him the first billionaire in hip hop. While Apple has remained characteristically tight-lipped about the many reports that it is close to acquiring the high-end headphone company, Dre blurted out the news in a Facebook video that has since been taken down. The deal is expected to be officially announced sometime this week.
– Mashable.com
★ Meg Cabot is returning as author of “The Princess Diaries” in 2015, but this time will focus on the adult life of her heroine ‘Mia Thermopolis’. Just like her fans, ‘Mia’ has grown up in the new instalment, “Royal Wedding”, which sees her prepare for marriage to long-term beau ‘Michael’. At the same time, it emerges that ‘Mia’ has a half-sister, ‘Olivia Grace’, who, just like ‘Mia’ in the original novel, must come to terms with being an ordinary girl and part of a royal family. “Royal Wedding” will be the 11th “Princess Diaries” book since the series’ inception in 2000.
– RelaxNews.com
★ Hugh Jackman is returning to Broadway for his first dramatic stage role in 5 years. The “X-Men” star will play a reclusive fisherman in the Jez Butterworth play “The River”, which begins previews in October before officially opening November 16th. His last Broadway play was in 2009 when he starred alongside Daniel Craig in the cop drama “A Steady Rain”. He returned to the Great White Way in 2011 for his one-man musical extravaganza “Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway”.
– WENN.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Colbert Report” (Comedy Central/CTV) – The Black Keys (“Turn Blue”, out today).
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Wild Cub (“Youth”).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Future Islands (“Singles”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Night Terrors of 1927 (“Guilty Pleas”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Hozier (“From Eden”).
• “The Talk” (CBS) – Dolly Parton (“Blue Smoke”, out today)..
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Dolly Parton again.
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – The artists that are moving on to the final rounds are revealed; Rascal Flatts performs (“Rewind”, out today).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Black Keys – Today they release their 8th album, “Turn Blue”, co-produced by Danger Mouse and the Keys themselves. They play the Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores AL this week, then tour Europe throughout the Summer. A North American tour begins September 5th.
• Britney Spears – She’s been offered $12 million to extend her Las Vegas residency. Her “Britney: Piece of Me” show opened at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in December as part of a $30 million-deal that flies her in via private jet and accommodates her in her own villa at Caesars. Now the venue wants her to stay on for an extra year, through 2016.
• Michael Jackson – Today, nearly 5 years after his death, his posthumous “Xscape” album is out, featuring 8 previously unreleased tracks ‘contemporized’ for modern ears. The album takes its title from a song Jackson recorded during sessions for his 2001 album “Invincible”.
• Miley Cyrus – She’s revealed she wrote “Wrecking Ball” after having her heart broken by ex Liam Hemsworth, when she wanted to say “f– you”. Quote: “I wanted to make sure every time he turned on his radio he would hear my song and will keep hearing it for the rest of his life.”
• Rascal Flatts – Today they release their new 17-song album “Rewind”. The title track is currently in the top 10 on the ‘Billboard Country Songs’ chart.
• Tori Amos – Today the singer/songwriter releases “Unrepentant Geraldines”, her new album that’s described as pop/rock in both content and feel, a change of pace from her most recent releases. A tour in support of the project launches July 16th in Vancouver BC.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Her” ( R-Rated Romantic Drama ): Joaquin Phoenix stars as a sensitive and heartbroken man who develops a relationship with ‘Samantha’, the synthesized voice of his new, advanced, and intuitive computer operating system. Co-stars Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson.
• “I, Frankenstein” ( PG-13 Action Fantasy ): 200 years after his shocking creation, Dr Frankenstein’s creature ‘Adam’ finds himself in the middle of a centuries-old war between two immortal clans, just as he discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind. Stars Aaron Eckhart, Jai Courtney, Bill Nighy.
• “That Awkward Moment” ( R-Rated Romantic Comedy ): In this comedy that explores male-female relationships and commitment phobia, Zac Efron, Michael B Jordan, and Miles Teller play 3 best friends who, despite pledging to remain single, each find themselves at the make-or-break point in relationships.
• Also released today: “Afterlife: Series 1” (TV); “American Jesus” (Documentary); “The Dave Clark Five and Beyond: Glad All Over” (Musical Documentary); “Dio: Live in London – Hammersmith Apollo 1993” (Music Concert); “Eastbound & Down: The Complete 4th Season” (TV); “The First World War: The Complete Series” (TV Documentary); “Generation Iron” (Documentary); “Longmire: The Complete 2nd Season” (TV); “Magic City: The Complete Series” (TV); “Orange Is the New Black: Season 1” (TV); and “Shelter Island” (Documentary).

WARMING UP TO PEOPLE:
The old adage that cold hands conceal a warm heart has been disputed by psychologists from the University of South Wales who say the exact opposite is more likely. An experiment has found that the level of co-operation experienced with someone increases dramatically by the simple act of giving them something warm to hold. MRI scans have revealed the part of the brain that responds to feeling warm, the insular cortex, also responds to feelings of affection. So it seems that if you want someone to see things your way, the wise thing to do is to first hand them a cup of coffee or something else warm to hold. (Not advised … a freshly used Kleenex.)
– “Times of London”

MAKING SCENTS?
Some car manufacturers are dabbling with new fragrance systems. Peugeot now offers portable perfume diffusers; General Motors is experimenting with built-in fragrances; and the Mercedes S-Class now offers a ‘perfuming system’ as a $600 option. Its new C-Class will follow suit upon its release in June. The Mercedes system, housed in the glove compartment, offers 4 different fragrances, tagged ‘Nightlife’, ‘Downtown’, ‘Sports’, and ‘Freeside’ (a mix of citrus and tea with notes of cedar, patchouli, and ambergris). But just what is the point of scenting a car? Smell is one of the last frontiers left for auto-makers, allowing owners to ‘personalize’ their vehicles. (We like cars that smell of leather and wood.)
– @BBCNewsMagazine

THE DEADLIEST CREATURE ON EARTH:
If you’re more afraid of sharks than mosquitoes, you don’t know much about the world’s deadliest animals. Sharks only rank 10th on a new list of biggest threats to humans. And if you think all those guns, bombs, chemicals and what-all we use to kill each other makes us our own worst enemy, you’re also wrong. Okay, we’re 2nd, causing 475,000 deaths annually. But it’s a distant 2nd to the lowly mosquito, which, according to billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, kills 725,000 people a year; 600,000 of them by transmitting malaria. Gates is hoping to create a ‘Mosquito Week’ to compete with Discovery Channel’s well-known ‘Shark Week’, in order to create more awareness of skeeter-borne illnesses. (Itchy bites are just the beginning.)
– “Washington Post”

SELF-FIXER-UPPER:
A new plastic that ‘heals itself’ has been developed by engineers at the University of Illinois, meaning your cracked phone screen or broken tennis racquet could one day mend its own wounds. Up until now, even the best self-healing plastics and polymers could only repair very small-scale damage, but this new polymer automatically patches holes up to 3.5 cm (1.4 inches). Inspired by the human blood clotting system, it contains a network of capillaries that deliver healing chemicals to damaged areas. Tests show that the ‘healed’ material recovers about 62% of its original strength. (When they can get a fender-bender to fix itself instead of costing you a grand at an auto body shop, then they’ll have something!)
– ScienceMag.org

PRECARIOUS PRODUCE:
Bite into that nice, crunchy apple and you’re also getting a mouthful of pesticide residue, according to annual lists of fruits and veggies with the most – and least – chemicals. The lists are compiled by nonprofit advocacy organization Environmental Working Group. While there are legal limits on the amount of pesticide residue deemed safe, conventionally grown fruits and vegetables can still contain varying levels of the chemicals.
• This year’s ‘Clean 15’, likely to carry the least pesticides – asparagus, avocados, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, frozen sweet peas, grapefruit, kiwis, mangoes, onions, papayas, pineapples, sweet corn, and sweet potatoes.
• This year’s ‘Dirty Dozen’, which need to be thoroughly washed before consumption – apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, imported nectarines, imported snap peas, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and sweet bell peppers.
– AARP.org

BS AMAZING FACTS:
• According to new stats, the UK now has more billionaires per capita than any other country; and London has more billionaires than any other city in the world with 72, far ahead of its nearest rival, Moscow with 48.
• Men whose dating profile pictures are taken outdoors on a sunny day with trees in the background are the most popular.
– “Sunday Times”

BS CHRONOMETER 05.13.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1950 [64] Stevie Wonder (Steveland Hardaway), Saginaw MI, oldies singer-songwriter with over 30 top 10 hits & 25 Grammy Awards (“Sunshine of My Life”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1989)

1964 [50] Stephen Colbert, Washington DC, comedian/TV host (“Colbert Report” since 2005)/comedy writer-reporter (“Daily Show” 1997-2005) who will take over CBS-TV’s “Late Show” when David Letterman retires next year

1966 [48] Darius Rucker, Charleston SC, country singer (“Wagon Wheel”, “This”)/former pop singer (Hootie & the Blowfish-“Let Her Cry”, “Only Wanna Be With You”)

1979 [35] Mickey Madden, Austin TX, pop bassist (Maroon 5-“Moves Like Jagger”, “She Will Be Loved”)

1986 [28] Lena Dunham, NYC, TV comedy creator-writer-actress (‘Hannah Horvath’ on “Girls” since 2012)

1986 [28] Rob Pattinson, London UK, movie actor (“Twilight Saga”, “Water For Elephants”)

1986 [28] Kris Versteeg, Lethbridge AB, NHL winger (Chicago Blackhawks)

1987 [27] Candice Accola, Houston TX, TV actress (‘Caroline Forbes’ on “The Vampire Diaries” since 2009)

1989 [25] PK (Pernell Karl) Subban, Toronto ON, NHL defenceman (Montréal Canadiens)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Leprechaun Day”, dedicated to the wee elves of Ireland. According to folklore, if you catch one he has to give you his pot of gold.

• “Table Knife Appreciation Day”. It’s said that France’s Cardinal Richelieu invented the utensil on this date in 1639.

• “Tulip Day”, celebrated in several countries to welcome Spring. It’s a good excuse to drop by your favorite florist and pick up a tulip bouquet, but don’t expect their floral scent to enhance your home … tulips are virtually fragrance-free.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2004 [10] Series finalé of “Frasier”, starring Kelsey Grammar, airs on NBC-TV (“Goodnight, Seattle”)

2011 [03] Surprise comedy hit “Bridesmaids” opens in movie theaters

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2011 [03] “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” 3-D biopic-concert released on DVD

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1878 [136] Ever-useful petroleum product ‘Vaseline’ is first marketed

COMING UP . . .
[Wed] 2014 Cannes Film Festival begins (France)
[Wed] 3rd Shift Workers Day
[Wed] Receptionists Day
[Thurs] Peace Officer Memorial Day
[Thurs] “Godzilla”; “Million Dollar Arm” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Barbara Walters last day on “The View” (ABC)
This Week Is … Children’s Book Week
This Month Is … Drum Month

BULL’S BITS

ODD WORDS THAT WOULD MAKE NICE NAMES:
If it weren’t for their literal meaning and connotation, these would make creative new names for baby girls …
✓ Apathy
✓ Bandana
✓ Celery
✓ Depravity
✓ Envy
✓ Felony
✓ Lottery
✓ Militia
✓ Ovary
✓ Placenta
✓ Salami
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What hobby or interest of yours would be most surprising to the people you work with?

ODD BUT HONEST-TO-GOODNESS SIGNS:
• Sign in a bar: “Those drinking to forget – please pay in advance.”
• By a urinal: “The same guy who removes the cigarette butts from the urinal also puts the ice in your drinks.”
• At a car wash: “Attention foreign cars – we use imported water!”
• On an egg producer’s delivery truck: “Better laid than ever.”
• In front of manicure salon: “Nail your sweetheart for her birthday!”
– Comedy Central

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Which did a man manage to do in 1923, despite the fact that he was dead?
a. Win a dance marathon.
b. Win a horse race. [CORRECT. Jockey Frank Hayes suffered a heart attack mid-race at NYC’s Belmont Park, but his lifeless body stayed in the saddle until his horse crossed the line for a 20-to-1 long-shot victory.]
c. Get married.
– MentalFloss.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
The brain is a wonderful organ … it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and doesn’t stop until you get to work.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: In the time it takes me to read this question, THIS will have happened about 150-thousand times.
Answer: Someone will ‘like’ something on Facebook.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.