Friday, November 27, 2020 — Edition: #6860

Sweet Sheet!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is that classic Peanuts special from 1973 that airs during the holidays. But one particular scene has been stirring up controversy in recent years. In the scene, Franklin, who is the only Black character, is sitting by himself on one side of a Thanksgiving table, while most of the other kids sit together on the other side. That has caused viewers to, once again, take to social media to voice their frustration and confusion over Franklin’s apparent treatment. Darnell Hunt, a professor of sociology at UCLA, said: “Today this would not be acceptable. It really does speak to the need for more inclusive creators and storytellers behind the scenes who produce these images.”
-Yahoo
★ Johnny Depp has been refused permission to appeal against a UK court decision which upheld claims made by The Sun newspaper that branded him a “wife beater”. He was also ordered to pay the newspaper’s legal costs of $840,00. Depp sued the tabloid’s publishers News Group Newspapers Ltd. and the author of a 2018 article over its claims he was violent to actress Amber Heard uring their volatile two-year marriage.
-Yahoo
★ Alex Trebek was mysteriously dissed by the Grammys. Officials declined to give him a nomination for his memoir, despite the publisher submitting his name for consideration. Trebek’s book — “The Answer is … Reflections on My Life” — was nominated in the category of Best Spoken Word Album. The publisher, Simon & Schuster, submitted both Trebek and Ken Jennings for the award, because they each voiced the book, while Jennings received a nom, Trebek was overlooked. Ken Jennings said, “This should 100% be Alex’s Grammy nomination. He wrote the book and reads much of the audio book! Who do I speak to about this?”
-TMZ
★ Canadian toy maker Spin Master has signed an agreement with Warner Bros. to produce toys based on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises. The deal comes amid an ongoing controversy over Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who was accused of transphobia earlier this year after a series of tweets. Spin Master said its new line of toys ― part of a franchise called Wizarding World ― will be in stores in the fall of 2021. It plans to release dolls and figures, along with accessories, plus plush toys, vehicles and game sets.
-MSN

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Ryan Phillippe, David Cross, Wallows (R)
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Dan Levy, Michael J. Fox, Julia Michaels (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Stacey Abrams, Thomas Middleditch (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Hugh Laurie, Rachel Bloom, LP, Valerie Franco (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Josh Gad, the Score, AWOLNATION (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Jon Ossoff, Emmanuel Acho (R)
• “The Talk” (CBS): Jason Ritter, Dr. Phil McGraw, Robin McGraw, Matthew Gray Gubler, Debbie Gibson, Antonia Lofaso (R)
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Joel McHale, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Sarah Hyland, Chasten Buttigieg (R)
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): Matthew McConaughey, Lauren Ash, Jonny Cota, Lawrence Zarian, Delta Goodrem (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): Tom Green, Tabitha Brown (R)
• “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (ABC): A mailman (the voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year.
• “Frosty the Snowman” (CBS): Animated adaptation of Romeo Muller’s story. Narrated by Jimmy Durante.
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (NBC): Boris Karloff narrates the animated tale about the lonely and heartless Grinch who dresses as Santa to steal the Christmas decorations, gifts and holiday feast from the people of Whoville.
• “Jeff Dunham’s Completely Unrehearsed Last-Minute Pandemic Holiday Special” (COMEDY): The master ventriloquist and comedian returns for his 10th special.

SATURDAY-
• “The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular”(NICKELODEON): Cheering up Christmas with appearances and musical performances by JoJo Siwa, That Girl Lay Lay, and Ne-Yo, as Lex Lumpkin journeys to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
• “Christmas Waltz” (HALLMARK): A woman makes an unexpected connection with her dance instructor after her storybook Christmas wedding is canceled.
• “The National Dog Show” (NBC): More than 500 purebred dogs vie to be named “Best in Show” at the annual event.
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Host Issa Rae, with musical guest Justin Bieber (R)

SUNDAY-
• “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” (AMC): Season 1 finale
• “2020 Soul Train Awards” (BET): Honoring the best in soul and R&B music. Hosted by Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold. Performers include Brandy, Babyface, Monica and Smokey Robinson.
• “If I Only Had Christmas” (HALLMARK): A cheerful publicist teams up with a cynical business owner to help a charity in need at Christmastime.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift – says the song from her back catalogue that she is most excited to be re-recording is the 2008 single ‘Love Story’. She said that on her oldest songs her voice is so “teenaged” and sometimes when she hears them, it makes her feel like a different singer now.
• The Weeknd — called out the Grammys after not receiving a single nomination for the 2021 awards show. He tweeted: “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…” His single ‘Blinding Lights’ was the biggest chart hit of the year, breaking the record for the most weeks on the Billboard Top 10.
• Dua Lipa — Elton John will join her “Studio 2054” livestream special, airing at 9pm ET tonight. John joins a stacked lineup that includes Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, FKA Twigs, J Balvin, Angele, Kylie Minogue, and Tainy.
• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – will be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” on December 12th with host Timothée Chalamet. It has also been announced that Dua Lipa will perform on December 19th with former cast member Kristen Wiig hosting.
• Rolling Stones — Following the opening of their flagship store in London, they’ve announced a new global e-commerce shop equipped with a 360-degree virtual experience so customers can step in and shop inside the store from anywhere in the world. It includes men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, as well as homeware, accessories and gifts.
• Keith Richards — has taken up gardening amid the pandemic. He says he found the hobby to keep him occupied during the first lockdown – and he’s loving his “more normal way of life” these days.
• Saga — will release a new studio album “Symmetry” on March 12. It’s album of acoustic versions of some of their best known songs, which “offers a unique listening experience by bundling complex and delicate arrangements with familiar melodies and sounds.”
• Morgan Wallen — has set a new date of Dec. 5 for his first-ever appearance on “Saturday Night Live”. He made the reveal on Twitter Wednesday, writing: “Let’s try this again”. This comes after his Oct. 10 appearance was scrapped after viral videos of him partying maskless with fans made the rounds. “Ozark” star Jason Bateman will host.
• Chris Stapleton – says he totes around an old dining room chair from his parents’ house to his sessions, because he likes to sit in when he records. The chair not only played a role in the album-making process for his latest disc “Starting Over”, it’s been a mainstay for every one of his albums.
• Dan + Shay – will be among the artists who will help NBC kick off the holiday season during the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” TV special on Dec. 2. The 88th annual holiday special will celebrate the lighting of a 75-foot tall Christmas tree. Also performing: Dolly Parton, Brett Eldredge, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, Goo Goo Dolls, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pentatonix, Meghan Trainor, and the Radio City Rockettes, and more.

THERE’S EVEN AN APP FOR THIS:
There’s a new dating site that aims to help those who are bald find true love. You don’t actually have to be bald to use the matchmaking site “Bald Dating” – it’s also there to help those with very little hair, as well as people who prefer the follically-challenged. On the site’s description, it says: “There are many people who don’t mind you being bald and there are even others who prefer it.” The site was created by David Minns, who is bald himself, after seeing news stories about “hatfishing”, where men are ashamed of their lack of hair and hide under a hat on their dating profile pictures. He has previously launched a matchmaking site for “underendowed” men, and an “extreme” love-finding app that pairs users with 20-year age gaps.
(Actually, if he could combine all 3 into one site, I just might stand a chance…)
(Why not? Most people on dating sites are bald-faced liars anyway…)
(The politically-correct term is “having a no-hair day”…)
-NYPost

NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ The owner of a restaurant in Germany is staging a protest against lockdown measures by filling his tables with a hundred stuffed toy pandas, in a play on the word “pandemic”. On Wednesday, the country extended a “lockdown light” through Dec. 20, which requires bars, restaurants and entertainment venues to stay closed, while shops and schools remain open. Guiseppe Fichera, manager of Frankfurt’s Pino restaurant, says he “wanted to put some life back into” the business. The pandas are seated at the restaurant’s tables and propped up at the bar, some with bottles of ‘Corona’ beer. He calls it a “silent protest” and plans to leave the lights on at night for passersby to enjoy. (So if the pandas get drunk, are they ‘bamboo-zled’, or is it ‘pandemonium’?)
➢ Czech police are seeking help in an unusual case after a deer turned the tables on hunters by running off with a rifle. The deer, frightened by a dog, ran toward one of the hunting party, tore his sleeve and caught a strap of a rifle on his antlers. Another hunter later spotted the deer about 1km away, still carrying the gun. It was unloaded. (Bet you can’t say the same for the hunter after THAT!)
-Reuters

DID YOU KNOW?
Researchers from the University of California say eating just enough mango can significantly reduce facial wrinkles in women. Now the BAD news: too much may actually make your skin look worse. A study found that women with fairer skin who eat half a cup of mangoes four times a week see a 23% reduction in wrinkles within two months. Women who ate a cup and a half of mangoes for the same period of time saw an increase in wrinkles. The lead author of the study said: “This shows that while some mango may be good for skin health, too much of it may not be.”
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 11.27.20

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1951 [69] Kathryn Bigelow, San Carlos CA, movie director-producer-writer (“Zero Dark Thirty”, Academy Award-“The Hurt Locker”)/married to director James Cameron 1989-91

1955 [65] Bill Nye, Washington DC, TV show host (“Bill Nye the Science Guy” 1993-1998)/mechanical engineer

1957 [63] Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg, NYC, 29th US Ambassador to Japan 2013-17/author/attorney/only survivor of her family that included JFK, Jackie O, and JFK Jr.

1964 [56] Robin Givens, NYC, TV actress (“Riverdale” since 2017, “Head of the Class” 1986-1991/married to Mike Tyson 1988-89

1962 [58] Mike Bordin, San Francisco CA, rock drummer (Faith No More-‘Epic’)/former Ozzy Osbourne drummer

1968 [52] Michael Vartan, France, TV actor (“Alias” 2001-2006, “Hawthorne” 2009-2011)/movie actor (“Never Been Kissed”)

1976 [44] Jaleel White, Culver City CA, TV actor (‘Steve Urkel’ on “Family Matters” 1989-1998)

1993 [27] Aubrey Peeples, Lake Mary FL, TV actress (‘Layla Grant’ on “Nashville” 2013-16)

SATURDAY- Record producer Berry Gordy Jr. is 91, Randy Newman (“Short People’) is 77; Ed Harris (“Apollo 13”) is 70; Judd Nelson (“The Breakfast Club”) is 61; Jon Stewart (“The Daily Show”) is 58; Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam) is 57; apl.de.ap (Black Eyed Peas) is 46; Trey Songz (‘Can’t Be Friends’) is 36

SUNDAY- Joel Coen (“No Country for Old Men”) is 66; Howie Mandel (“America’s Got Talent”) is 65; Don Cheadle (“Avengers: Infinity War”) is 56; Jonathan Knight (New Kids On the Block) is 52; Brian Baumgartner (“The Office”) is 48; Anna Faris (“Mom”) is 44; The Game (f/Lil Wayne-‘My Life’) is 41;  Lucas Black (“NCIS: New Orleans”) is 38

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Black Friday”, the day after US Thanksgiving that’s touted as the biggest single shopping day of the year in America, though that’s statistically untrue. The ‘black’ refers to retailers finally turning a profit after spending much of the year ‘in the red’. These days, many retailers kick off their annual sales on Thursday (or sooner – waaay sooner…).

• “Buy Nothing Day”, a 24 hour moratorium on holiday shopping (today in North America; tomorrow internationally), created as a protest against outlandish consumption and commercialism, particularly during the holiday season.

• “Jersey Day”, in Canada, when you’re invited to show your support for School Sport by wearing a sport jersey to school, work or play. (And to find out who at your workplace judges people according to what team they cheer for!)

• “Bavarian Cream Pie Day”, an annual salute to the delicious, chilled dessert made with cooked egg custard layered with whipped cream and toppings in a pie shell.

• “Pie in the Face Day”, rather than Bavarian, can I opt for pumpkin instead?  After all, it IS the holidays!

• “National Electric Guitar Day”, it’s also, not-so-coincidentally, Jimi Hendrix’s birthday (born in 1942).

• “Pins and Needles Day”, might refer to that tingling feeling you get after sitting or lying in an awkward position – but I see it as Christmas decorating. We have pine needles and metal pins all over the house now – and I won’t be able to walk around barefoot until probably February.

SATURDAY-
• “Letter Writing Day”, when we’re encouraged to take a few minutes to send someone a handwritten letter. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone, either printed or in cursive? (Well, I left a note on someone’s windshield yesterday…and it was FULL of ‘cursive’!)
• “French Toast Day”. Either bread dipped in egg and fried … or perhaps a big ol’ glass of Champagne?
• “Make Your Own Head Day”, a crafty day often celebrated by artists and grade-school children. The idea is to create your own head through one of many different artistic options. The rule is that the head you make must be your own. (Looks like I’m getting a head of myself!)
• “Red Planet Day”, commemorates the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4 on November 28,1964. Its 228-day mission brought the spacecraft within 6,118 miles of Mars on July 14, 1965.
• “Small Business Saturday”, an annual shopping holiday on the Saturday after US Thanksgiving, a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day is dedicated to supporting local small businesses.

SUNDAY-
• “Throw Out Your Leftovers Day”, after a couple of days of heating and cooling and heating and cooling your leftovers, it’s time to let them go… (What is this “leftover” thing you speak of?)
• “Customer is Wrong Day”, if you work in retail, celebrate it at your own risk! You’ll receive some long-overdue satisfaction, to be sure, but weigh the risks and the benefits before you begin your mantra of “The Customer is Always Wrong…!” (Even if they usually are…)
• “Electronic Greetings Day”, another excuse to interact with others via messaging, Facebook, email, voicemail, etc.
• “Square Dance Day”, a chance to get out and ‘dosey-doe’ with your partner.
• “National Chocolates Day”, and no, you can’t have one from the second tray until all the lame ones on the top are gone!

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2013 [07] Ashton Kutcher divorces actress Demi Moore due to irreconcilable differences after 8 years of marriage

2013 [07] “Frozen”, starring Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, is released. It becomes the highest-grossing animated movie of all time (since surpassed by “The Lion King” remake and “Frozen 2”)

TODAY IN SPORTS . . .
2009 [11] Tiger Woods is taken to hospital following a single-car accident near his Florida home (Highway Patrol says he pulled out of his driveway at 2:25 am, hit a fire hydrant, and then drove into a tree on a neighbor’s property)

TODAY IN ROYALTY . . .
2017 [03] Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1995 [25] The Beatles’ “Anthology 1” sets a (then) first-week sales record of 1.2 million copies

2017 [03] Country singer Blake Shelton is named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive”

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2005 [15] The first partial human face transplant is completed in Amiens, France (is ‘completed’ the correct word to use when referring to a ‘partial’ face transplant?)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1966 [54] Highest-scoring NFL game (113 points: Washington Redskins 72, NY Giants 41)

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ There are no muscles in your fingers: They are controlled by muscles in your palms and arms.
✓ The difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with mashed up fruit while jelly is made with fruit juice.
✓ Earth used to be covered with giant mushrooms that were 24 feet tall and three feet wide, instead of trees.
✓ Prior to the 20th century, squirrels were one of America’s most popular pets.
✓ People started wearing pajamas instead of nightgowns so they’d be prepared to run outside during World War I air raids in England.
✓ For a short time, the planet Uranus was named…George.
-FunFacts, Parade

Best of BS . . .
BS THINGS OVERHEARD IN LINE ON BLACK FRIDAY:
• “Black Friday has become so commercialized.”
• “I do hate missing my kid’s birthday.”
• “Someday, there’ll be a way to shop from home.”
• “This isn’t the line to vote?”
• “I’m just waiting to return something.”
• “Just 4 more hours in line and boom! … 10 whole dollars off a giant-screen TV!”
• “Sale? I’m avoiding my family.”
• “So, where did YOUR life go wrong?”
-First published in BS in 2017

Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS YOU ATE TOO MUCH YESTERDAY:
• Dad had to use electric knife to carve you out of your pants.
• You’ve been sweating ham glaze ever since.
• When you plopped onto the couch, your spouse flew through the window.
• You’ve receive a personalized ‘Thank-you’ text from the president of Butterball.
• GPS units now tell local drivers “Turn left at the bloated guy.”
• You’re suffering from ‘Dunlap’s Disease’ …  your gut has dunlapped over your belt.
• They had to use the Jaws of Life to remove you from your chair.
• You’ve been assigned a probation officer … by Weight Watchers.
• For the first time ever, there are no leftovers.
• (***CAUTION: “Ass”***) You’re in Wyoming, but your ass is in Idaho.
-First published in BS in 2002

TODAY’S SLICE OF BS:
➠ An East Coast university called Yoga Alliance is offering a degree in yoga. (It’s perfect for kids who want to fulfill their parents’ dream of attending college . . . but still disappoint them.)
➠ Taylor Swift finally confirmed that her boyfriend Joe Alwyn co-wrote two songs on her new album “Folklore” (…And when they break-up, he’ll be the inspiration for 15 more…)
➠ Fact of the Day: 80% of people keep their feelings to themselves because they believe it’s hard for others to understand their pain. (The other 20% have Twitter.)
➠ I just read a report that claims we all have at least one unfinished DYI project that we are working on. (And by the way, guys, as far as your wife is concerned, that project is YOU!)
➠ I just read a report that says cellulite, or fat on your hips and butt, as opposed to belly fat, can actually be GOOD for you. (In other words, Kim Kardashian may live forever!)

BS WEB GOODIE:
Black Friday Fun:  https://tinyurl.com/ydxsqrwt

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I can’t wait for Sunday, a day of rest — so I can do the REST of the laundry, clean the REST of the house, and the REST of the stuff that I put off all week!

BS PHONE STARTER:
What childhood game or toy do you remember most fondly?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTIONS:
The average woman will spend one hour and 15 minutes each week doing THIS. What is it?
Answer:  Blow-drying her hair

Question:  The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for THIS profession. What is it?
Answer:  Plumbers

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.