Thursday, November 24, 2016 – Edition: #5858

Can You Believe This Sheet?

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ As your favorite “Game of Thrones” characters get brutally killed off over the course of the final seasons of the Emmy-winning series, you can numb the pain with glasses of delicious on-brand vintages. That’s right, “Game of Thrones” is making wine now. The HBO hit has partnered with Santa Rosa CA winery Vintage Wine Estates to release a ‘proprietary red blend’ ($19.99), a Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.99), and a Chardonnay ($19.99). HBO has actually had a licensed beer vendor since the show’s 2nd season, so it’s perhaps surprising it’s taken this long to add a line of wines.
– EW.com
★ Kanye West is reportedly in line for a big payout after canceling the rest of his “Saint Pablo” tour due to mental health issues. He was hospitalized Monday after an altercation at his personal trainer’s home. But according to TMZ, the 39-year-old will not lose the estimated $30 million he would’ve earned for the remaining 22 concerts on the tour due to an insurance policy protecting him against any loss of earnings caused by “accident or illness”. However, Kanye may not be covered if he had a pre-existing condition he did not disclose. (They’ll find one.)
– WENN.com
★ And “Quantico” star Priyanka Chopra says her eyebrows are her “strength”. The 34-year-old admits she used to be extremely self-conscious about her appearance, but has now tamed her hairy features so well they look like ”identical twins”. Chopra, who was crowned Miss World in 2000, advises: ”You can’t be like anyone else, because you’re born as you. You need to find what’s unique about yourself and make that your strength. That’s the best advice I ever got, and that was from my mother.”
– InStyle Online

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Banks (“The Altar”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Bob Mould (“Patch the Sky”). Rerun.
• “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (CBS/NBC) – Today’s 90th annual event features balloons, floats, and a diverse lineup of performers including Aloe Blacc, Brett Eldredge, Daya, Easton Corbin, Fitz & The Tantrums, Johnnyswim, Kelsa Ballerina, and Sarah McLachlan.
• NFL Football (CBS/FOX/NBC/CTV/TSN) – Thanksgiving Day action kicks off with Minnesota taking on Detroit. Then a classic rivalry is renewed when Dallas hosts Washington. Pittsburgh Steelers visit Indianapolis Colts in the Thanksgiving nightcap.
• “The Simpsons” (FXX) – A 13-day marathon broadcast of all 600 episodes in-a-row begins at noon and runs through December 6th. It’s said to be the longest-running marathon in TV history, eclipsing the channel’s 12-day, 552-episode event in 2014.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – The Weeknd (“Starboy”, out tomorrow).
• “Wonderful World Of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” (ABC) – Set against backdrops at Walt Disney World, performances by Alessia Cara, Boyz II Men, Flo Rida, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, JoJo, Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, and Zara Larsson.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Adele – The 28-year-old has announced she is going to play 2 massive concerts at Wembley Stadium in London next Summer as the finalé to her world tour. “Adele Live 2017: The Finalé” shows are scheduled June 29th and July 1st.
• Bruno Mars – He’s sold 1 million tour tickets in a single day this week. The 31-year-old’s Europe and North America “24K Magic World Tour” tickets went on sale Monday.
• Fergie – Stacy Ann Ferguson is promising to release her new album “Double Dutchess” early next year. It’s her first solo recording since her 2006 debut album, “The Dutchess”.
• Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood – They’re set to lead the ‘Billboard Top Country Albums’ chart next week with their first holiday album, “Christmas Together”. Keith Urban is on track to top the ‘Hot Country Songs’ chart again with “Blue Ain’t Your Color”.
• Justin Bieber – The 22-year-old has been caught on camera punching a fan in Barcelona, Spain as he arrives for a “Purpose” tour concert. Local police have advised the male fan who was left bleeding that he can press charges over the incident. So far, he’s undecided.
• Katy Perry – She and actor Orlando Bloom are said to have broken up after a 10-month relationship, with both appearing to agree that it’s the best thing for both of them. Orlando has reportedly told friends he’s just not ready to get married and have babies.
• Phil Collins – His 27-year-old actress-daughter Lily Collins (“Rules Don’t Apply”) reveals that her dad wrote “You’ll Be in My Heart” as a lullaby for her. The Oscar-winning tune appeared on the soundtrack to Disney’s 1999 animated film “Tarzan”.
• Spice Girls – Their comeback song has been ‘leaked’ online (BS translation: They’re trying any stunt to generate some interest in a reunion). The 3-minute pop tune “Song For Her” marks the musical return of Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Mel B … without Victoria Beckham and Mel C.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “Black Panther” – Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story”) has been confirmed to play ‘Ramonda’, the mother of the title character who will be portrayed by Chadwick Boseman in the Marvel Studios production. Lupita Nyong’o is also aboard, playing ‘Nakia’, a potential wife for ‘Black Panther’s alter ego ‘T’Challa’. “Black Panther” is due in 2018.
• “Deadpool 2” – “John Wick” filmmaker David Leitch has closed a deal to direct this sequel after Tim Miller dropped out due to creative differences with star and producer Ryan Reynolds. The film has yet to have an official title or release date, but it’s being scripted by the same team who penned the first movie. Oh, and “Deadpool 3” is already being planned.
• ‘Han Solo’ movie – “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke has been cast in this as-yet-untitled standalone project, according to the official “Star Wars” website. The 30-year-old Brit will star alongside Alden Ehrenreich, who is playing the lead role of ‘Solo’, and Donald Glover, who was recently cast as ‘Lando Calrissian’. The movie is slated for release in 2018.
• “Wedding Crashers 2” – A sequel to the 2005 comedy is in early development as a script is currently being prepared. It’s still too early to tell if original cast members Isla Fisher, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, and Vince Vaughn are resprising their roles; or for that matter if original director David Dobkin is returning.
• “White Boy Rick” – Matthew McConaughey is in negotiations to join the cast of this new indie drama. It tells the true story of teenager Richard Wershe Jr, who ran a hugely successful drug empire in Detroit in the 1980s. McConaughey is in talks to play drug dealer Wershe’s father. The film is still in the pre-production phase.

BIGGEST MOVIE FLOPS 2016:
Based on return on investment, a new ranking of the bigscreen’s top turkeys of the year …
1. “Max Steel”, earning back $4.4 million of a $10.4 million budget.
2. “Free State of Jones”, with a 46% return on a $50 million spend.
3. “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”, made $9.5 million; cost $20 million.
4. “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”, earned $16 million; spent $28 million.
5. “Ratchet & Clank”, based on the videogame series of the same name.
Note: The annual list only includes films in wide release that hit theaters before October 31st.
– Forbes.com

MUCHO MACHO:
A new study finds that trying to conform to certain masculine norms plays out negatively in many men, sometimes causing depression. Researchers have found a link between mental health and conformity to 11 ‘manly’ traits, including the desire to win, violence, the need for emotional control, and risk-taking. Three traits in particular – self reliance, sexual promiscuity, and power over women – have a significantly strong link to negative mental health. It’s not hard to see the appeal of being self-reliant, for example, but if men put too much emphasis on this for fear of looking weak they won’t seek help in times of genuine need. (Women talk, men pose.)
– “New York Magazine”

TYPES OF MEN WHO WON’T MARRY YOU:
✗ Mr Still Hung Up on His Ex
✗ Mr Not Ready For a Serious Relationship Right Now
✗ Mr Always Looking For Something Better
✗ Mr Hangs Out With Guys 15 Years Younger
✗ Mr Still Trying to Figure Out My Career
✗ Mr 50-Something and Never Been Married
✗ Mr Doesn’t Believe In Monogamy
✗ Mr It’s All About Me
✗ Mr My Kids Are the Only Thing I Care About
✗ Mr Also Dates Other Women Who – air quotes – “Mean Nothing to Him”
(What other types of men would you add to this list?)
– HuffingtonPost.com

FEAR NOT:
Scientists say they can remove fears from the brain. They hope to use the technique to treat phobias and PTSD. Currently most treatments involve drugs, which have side effects; or aversion therapy, which requires patients to be exposed to their fears. But the Japanese researchers behind the new study say their technique – Called Decoded Neurofeedback or ‘DecNef’ – can remove specific fears using brain scanning technology and artificial intelligence. Simply put, volunteers are given a reward whenever a fear memory reappears subconsciously. Eventually, the fear memory is overwritten. It’s thought the process can be used to reduce common fears, such as spiders, if researchers can figure out the individual brain patterns associated with them. (What’s the oddest thing you’re scared of? Watching “Ghostbusters”?)
– “The Guardian”

PHOBIAS OF THE STARS:
★ Billy Bob Thornton – The “Bad Santa 2” star admits he’s creeped out by antique furniture and silverware.
★ Ellen Page – Has a neurosis about tennis balls. Says she can’t even watch the sport on TV.
★ Jennifer Lawrence – She fears she won’t be a mother due to an epidemic of the Zika virus.
★ Kendall Jenner – She has trypophobia, the fear of clusters of small holes. Pancakes? Agh!
★ Khloé Kardashian – Abhors belly buttons. Actually wears mitts in the shower to avoid touching her navel.
★ Nicole Kidman – Still hates butterflies even after trying to overcome the phobia in a butterfly cage at the American Museum of Natural History.
★ Oprah Winfrey – A fear of chewing gum. Especially when people chew loudly or smack it.
★ Tyra Banks – She’s afraid of dolphins. At least it’s something you don’t face every day.
– DailyVulture.com

FOR THE RECORD:
Arcade game distributor Bandai Namco has debuted a massive version of the classic glide-‘n’-gobble game “Pac-Man” on a 108-inch LED screen. In addition to being enormous, Namco has updated the game so that 2 players can control their little gobblers onscreen simultaneously. The monster setup is part of Bandai Namco’s line of “Pac-Man”-branded titles, including an air hockey version (“Pac-Man Smash”) and mini-basketball (“Pac-Man Basket”). If you want one for your home arcade, the throwback game on billboard-style screen will set you back $10,995. (But it’s the closest you’ll ever come to playing “Pac-Man” on IMAX.)
– Nerdist.com

BS AMAZING FACT:
The wild turkey was hunted nearly to extinction by the early 1900s, when the population reached a low of around 30,000 birds. But restoration programs across North America have brought the numbers up to about 7 million.
– “Smithsonian”

BS CHRONOMETER 11.24.16

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1964 [52] Conleth Hall, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, TV actor (‘Lord Varys’ on “Game of Thrones” since 2011)

1977 [39] Colin Hanks, Sacramento CA, TV actor (“Life in Pieces” since 2015)/movie actor (“Vacation”)/son of actor Tom Hanks

1978 [38] Katherine Heigl, Washington DC, TV actress (“State of Affairs” 2014-15, “Grey’s Anatomy” 2005-10)/movie actress (“Knocked Up”) COMING UP: The CBS-TV show “Doubt” in 2017.

1990 [26] Sarah Hyland, NYC, TV actress (‘Haley Dunphy’ on “Modern Family” since 2009)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day”, saluting the individual abilities each of us has. Okay, so what is it that you can do that no one else can? Whistle through your nose? Play both armpits simultaneously? Recite the alphabet backwards?

• “Thanksgiving Day” in America, an annual feasting tradition made a statutory holiday on the 4th Thursday of November in 1879.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2013 [03] At the “American Music Awards” in Los Angeles, Taylor Swift is named ‘Artist Of the Year’; Rihanna is presented with the first ‘AMA Icon Award’

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2007 [09] Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s $4.8 million home is “burnt to a crisp” in a wildfire that also sweeps through 53 other properties in Malibu CA

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2013 [03] Pope Francis displays what are believed to be the bones of St Peter at a mass in St Peter’s Square, the first time the relics have ever been displayed in public

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] “Lion”; Moana” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Black Friday
[Fri] Flossing Day
[Sat] Small Business Saturday
[Sun] Electric Guitar Day
[Mon] Cyber Monday
This Week Is … Better Conversation Week
This Month Is … Pomegranate Month

BULL’S BITS

LESSER KNOWN LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE:
• No matter how careful you are, your coat will always bunch up your shirt sleeves at the elbow when you pull it on.
• The bus will always come right after you’ve decided to walk.
• You will always highlight either too much or too little of a URL you’re trying to copy and paste.
• Your nose will only run while you are sitting in a quiet room taking some sort of test.
• All the marshmallows in your hot cocoa will move away when you try to take a sip.
• You only remember that you forgot to put on deodorant after you’ve gotten fully dressed.
• The dialogue scenes will never be loud enough, and the action scenes will always be too loud.
• The barista will always choose to look away the moment you drop your tip in the jar.
• You will always pull up to the gas pump on the wrong side in a rental car.
• A tucked shirt will always come untucked the moment you sit down.
• Your GPS will only remind you to turn moments before you miss the turn.
• The onion will always come out of the fried batter ring after the first bite.
• You’ll only notice that you forgot to take the sticker off a bell pepper after you’ve chopped it.
• You will always check your door when a doorbell rings on TV.
• Large T-shirts will look like nightgowns on you; Mediums will hug so tightly you can’t move.
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
By doing just a little bit each day, I can gradually let the task completely overwhelm me.

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
All the characters on “The Simpsons” have 4-fingered hands with one exception. Which?
a. ‘Homer’
b. ‘Bart’
c. ‘God’ [CORRECT]
– List25.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What movie title best describes your boss? (In a related poll, “Psycho” was quite popular.)

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 4% of us have asked a friend to do THIS for us, instead of doing it ourselves.
Answer: Break up with someone.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Never trust anyone who always tells the truth.