October 18 2017

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017 – Edition: #6078

Good Morning, Sheetheads!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ John F. Dunsworth, best known for his portrayal of Jim Lahey in ‘Trailer Park Boys’, has died at the age of 71.  His daughter says in an email that “John left this world peacefully after a short and unexpected illness”.  Dunsworth was born in Bridgewater, N.S.  He acted in numerous CBC radio dramas had many starring roles in stage productions.  Along with his role as Jim Lahey, Dunsworth had an extensive career in television and film dating back to 1978.  Another of his more prominent roles was as Dave Teagues in the series ‘Haven’.
Classic Lahey Lines (at least the ones that are airable):
– “I beg your pardon; I was only a real cop. I was never an important Mall-Cop like you, Rick.”
– “Randy, I’ve decided to lay off the food for a bit, and go on the booze.”
– “Hi Bubbles. You might be able to fool the FBI, but you can’t fool the FBme.”
– “I’m sober enough to know what I’m doing, and drunk enough to really enjoy it.”

★ Jimmy Kimmel is happily reporting that his 6-month-old son, Billy, is “doing well.” As for revealing his son’s health scare on the air, Kimmel isn’t so sure he would do that again. He says that what he didn’t think of was that, “Everywhere I went, every day of my life, people would be asking me how my son is doing.  But thank God I can say he’s doing well. If that wasn’t the case, each day would be very, very painful.”
-YahooEntertainment
★Taylor Kitsch lost 30 pounds for his role in ‘Waco’. The actor stars as cult leader David Carwash in the TV miniseries and though he shed the weight slowly, the normally buff star is now eating ”anything and everything” to get back to his normal weight.  Waco debuts in January.
(Good excuse for eating “anything and everything”.  Now, what’s mine again?)
-ContactMusic
★ Actor Griffin Newman says he regrets his role in a new Woody Allen movie and plans to donate his salary to charity. Over the weekend, Newman sent a long string of tweets explaining how he believes Allen is guilty of sexually abusing his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, as she has alleged. Newman has a small role in Allen’s new untitled film which is currently in production around New York City and New Jersey.  He says that he has donated his entire salary from the film to the charity RAINN — the Rape, Abuse, And Incest National Network.
-CelebrityInsider
★ British actor Roy Dotrice has passed away at the age of 94.  Dotrice, a Tony Award winner for his role in ‘A Moon for the Misbegotten’, was also known to many as Leopold Mozart in the 1984 film ‘Amadeus’, and as Hallyn the pyromancer in ‘Game of Thrones’.
-Cosmopolitan

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kummel Live” (ABC/Global): Howard Stern, Cardi B, Paul Shaffer
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Ben Stiller, Fred Armisen, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Midland ( R )
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Sen. Bernie Sanders, Caitriona Balfe, the National ( R )
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Emma Stone, Kaitlin Olson, Blondie ( R )
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Mindy Kaling, Olivia Munn, Fifth Harmony ( R )
• “Conan” (TBS/Comedy): Conor McGregor, James Van Der Beek, Dan St. Germain ( R )
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Valerie Bertinelli, Siggy Flicke
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Woody Harrelson, Rob Reiner
• “The Talk” (CBS): Jay Pharoah, Deborah Norville, guest co-host Michelle Williams
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Oprah Winfrey, Jonathan Groff
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Laura Dern, Arcade Fire
• Survivor” (CBS): “I Don’t Like Having Snakes Around” Things are switched up for the tribes; a tribe is aggravated by a new member
• “CMT Artists of the Year 2017” (CMT): Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban have been selected by CMT as the premiere country artists of 2017 and each will be celebrated at the eighth annual CMT Artists of the Year special, airing live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift – gave a British fan the surprise of a lifetime by showing up at her doorstep with a big basket of gifts. Instagram user “laraheartstaylor” first connected with Swift during an Instagram Live session when Swift logged on and joined it.
• Sia – After announcing plans for a Christmas album back in August, she has finally announced the title and release date.  ‘Everyday Is Christmas’ will hit the shelves on Nov. 17, and feature 10 original songs.
• Justin Bieber – Marilyn Manson described him as a “girl” with “the mind of a squirrel”in a radio interview.  Last month Manson suggested that the pair had reconciled after an earlier feud,  hinting at a possible collaboration between the pair. (Seems ol’ Marilyn is feeling better!)
• Pink –  says she can’t stand the “girl-on-girl violence” of recent female pop-star feuds, such as the one between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.  According to Pink, she hates “how readily available” the confrontations are. She says “That’s the only thing I’m a little more thoughtful about [these days].”
• Pussycat Dolls – founder Robin Antin calls former member Kaya Jones’ comments comparing her time in the group to being in a prostitution ring as “disgusting, ridiculous lies”. Jones took to Twitter on Friday to allege members of the girl group were told to sleep with men on demand.
• Marc Anthony – has had over $2.5 million stolen from his personal bank accounts, allegedly by an employee at a New York accounting firm.  Anthony’s American Express card was used for purchases which were then paid off with his own bank account funds between 2009 and this year.
• ABBA – Benny Andersson says he still tries to write new music every day. The 70-year-old, who has penned timeless hits like ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Mamma Mia’ – has not lost his creative spark and is always attempting to create fresh songs.
• Bananarama – say it is ”hard work” re-learning their choreography for their upcoming reunion tour. Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward have reunited with original member Siobhan Fahey for their first tour in almost 30 years, which kicks off in the UK in November.
• Radiohead – A Fox News commentator has labelled their music as “just elaborate moaning and whining over ringtone sounds”.  Kat Timpf had been asked for her take on who will be inducted into next year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.
• Weird Al Yankovic – has announced his ‘Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill Advised Vanity Tour’, starting February 27 in Poughkeepsie, NY and running through June 10 in Green Bay WI.
• Chris Young – The first leg of his ‘Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour’ kicks off January 11 in Indianapolis. Joining him on the run are breakout acts Lanco and Kane Brown.
• Kelsea Ballerini – she and Trisha Yearwood are set to headline ‘Opry Goes Pink’, the Grand Ole Opry’s annual fundraiser for breast cancer research.  The legendary Nashville venue is teaming with local nonprofit ‘Women Rock for the Cure’ for the show, which is set for Oct. 24.

BRAIN CRAMP:
Been here?  The boss is looking over your shoulder and you forget how to open up “Word” on your computer.  You pop the hood to get a boost from a stranger, and forget in which order to attach the cables.  Your office crush drops by your cubicle, and you forget how to string a sentence together.  Science to the rescue! Researchers at the University of Sussex and Sussex Medical School say they have figured it all out.  And yes, your brain is pranking you.  They found that when study participants thought they were being observed, a section of their brain called the inferior parietal cortex (IPC) said “peace out” and completely shut down. This part of the brain helps us control fine motor functions.  It also works with the part of the brain that helps you infer what someone is thinking based on facial expressions. So, if an observer seems to want us to do well, we will perform well (usually). But, if we get negative cues, it’s “see ya later!”  So, in a nutshell, our brains enjoy messing with us, and making us forget what it was we’ve done a million times before, especially when it is most important.  But there’s an upside! If you’re doing a simple activity such as running or weightlifting that doesn’t require complicated coordination, then the presence of observers could actually boost your game.
(And I thought the reason I have no muscle memory is that I have no muscles!)
(And those who don’t choke when there are people watching?  Narcissists, egomaniacs, and actors.)
(Based on the above, I have an incredibly powerful IPC thingie…)
-OMGFacts

HALLOWEEN TREATS (not fun-size):
Health experts are warning that there may be a real scare lurking inside your child’s Halloween costume this year.  Medical officials are sounding the alarm that head lice may become a disgusting nuisance for many children and adults who are trying on Halloween costumes, specifically masks and other headwear.  Apparently, doctors generally see a spike in head lice cases at this time of year. While many blame the start of a new school year, the biggest culprit may actually be Halloween costume shopping. This becomes even more ghoulish when you think of how many people may have tried on your mask or wig in the store before you.
(A new answer to the question, “What did you get for Halloween?”)
(Chalk one up for the traditional bedsheet with eyeholes cut out!)
(And when you’re asked what you are dressed as, you can always say “Itchy and Scratchy”!
-CBS

DEFINITELY NOT ‘FRIENDLY’ MANITOBA:
The most unfriendly cities in the world, based on a survey of Travel+Leisure readers…
10.  Cannes, France:  known for being wealthy and pretty, but also snobby and ridiculously expensive. (Maybe they’d be nicer to us if we had a clue how to pronounce their city…)
9.  Las Vegas, Nevada, US:  Vegas earned its fame thanks to its vaguely seedy pomp and flamboyant performances. It might be this superficial gilding that makes so many people regard this city as unfriendly. (I don’t want to kick a city when it’s down, but it HAS taken my money.  Many times.)
8.  Baltimore, Maryland, US:  Has a variety of interesting things to offer, from great theaters to renowned restaurants, but obviously the Charm City did not live up to its reputation in the survey.  (Humid, too.)
7.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US:  Even the City of Brotherly Love is not always friendly. Some report a particularly bad experience with rude fans of local sport teams.  (And this was a surprise to them?)
6.  New York City, New York, US: Visitors often feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the crowds here. Moreover, travelers paint New Yorkers as unfriendly and unhelpful people.  (But it’s the city that’s so nice, they named it twice!)
5.  Los Angeles, California, US: While L.A. is filled with good-looking people, many of them come off as pretentious, rude, and unhelpful. (And artificial.  Literally.)
4.  Marseilles, France: Many travelers still find it to be quite unkempt and gritty.  (I should be lucky enough to know…)
3. St. Petersburg, Russia: Although it is home to numerous top-notch tourist sites including the world´ s largest museum, visitors are disappointed by their encounters with local residents. (I know.  I’ve seen the “Only in Russia” videos!)
2.  Atlantic City, New Jersey, US: Travelers warn that you’ll have to put up with rude and fast-paced people all around you.  (But did you ever notice that when you’re a local, the tourists are all too friendly and relaxed?)
1.  Moscow, Russia: Locals are apparently not very helpful, which – combined with the city’s notoriously bad traffic and general aloof atmosphere – contributed to its low ranking.  (“The Unfriendliest City in the World”….Watch for their new advertising campaign!
-TravelandLeisure

BS CHRONOMETER 10.18.17

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1938 [79] Dawn Wells, Reno NV, TV actress (‘Mary Anne’ on “Gilligan’s Island” 1964-67)

1960 [57] Jean-Claude Van Damme (Van Varenberg), Brussels, Belgium, action movie actor (“The Expendables 2″, “Timecop”)

1979 [38] Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith), Camden AR, pop-R&B singer-songwriter (‘Let Me Love You, ‘Miss Independent’)

1984 [33] Lindsey Vonn, Saint Paul MN, skier (First American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing; she won at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver)

1984 [33] Freida Pinto, Mumbai, India, movie actress (“Rise Of the Planet Of the Apes”, “Slumdog Millionaire”)

1984 [33] Esperanza Spalding, Portland OR, jazz singer-musician (‘Radio Song’, ‘I Can’t Help It’)

1987 [30] Zac Efron, San Luis Obispo CA, movie actor (“Baywatch”, “High School Musical”) COMING UP…“The Greatest Showman”, 2017

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Alaska Day”, commemorating the formal transfer of Alaska from Russian to USA control on this date in 1867, one of the sneakiest real estate deals ever. The US paid $7.2 million, less than 2 cents an acre. Nowadays 20% of the oil produced in the US comes from Alaska.

• “Chocolate Cupcake Day”. They don’t count, right? They’re just little.

• “No Beard Day”, an observance likely started by some guy’s extremely chapped partner.  (And if today is No Beard Day for you, so is tomorrow, the next day, and a few days after that…)

• “World Menopause Day”, a collaboration between the International Menopause Society and the World Health Organization for improving awareness on the subject.

• “Hagfish Day”, celebrating one of the world’s ugliest living creatures, made even more repugnant by its production of viscous slime as a defense mechanism. Today’s salute aims to promote understanding that in nature, beauty isn’t everything. (And you’ve got to admit, its name isn’t doing it any favors either…)

• “Medical Assistants Recognition Day”, saluting Certified Medical Assistants who  specialize in both clinical and administrative skills, such as venipuncture, medical office procedures, and medical transcription. (Most important duty: “Sir, you have the gown on backwards.”)

• “Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day”, observed annually on the 3rd Wednesday in October. It’s all about giving them the business!

AND REMEMBER…
[Thurs] Seafood Bisque Day
[Thurs] New Friends Day
[Fri] National Suspenders Day
[Fri] National Mammography Day

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ …
2000 [17] Demi Moore divorces Bruce Willis due to irreconcilable differences after 13 years of marriage

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2005 [12] An image of a naked John Lennon curled around Yoko Ono, taken on the last day of his life, is named top magazine cover of the past 40 years (the “Rolling Stone” cover shot is by Annie Leibovitz)

2008 [09] Adele is the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live”.  Hosted by Sarah Palin, the show gave her a huge boost of exposure (performs ‘Cold Shoulder’ and ‘Chasing Pavements’)

2011 [06] A Birmingham UK court declares 4 of the original members of UB40 bankrupt, after selling 70+ million records over their 33-year career

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1977 [40] In Game 6 of the World Series vs LA Dodgers, NY Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson (‘Mr October’) hits 3 home runs off 3 consecutive pitches from 3 different pitchers (Yankees win the game and the series, the team’s first since 1962)

BULL’S BITS

BS WACK FACTS:
✓ Staring at a picture of someone you love can reduce moderate pain by 40%.
✓ Lack of sleep is associated with excessive worrying.
✓ Scientists have concluded that the chicken came before the egg because the protein which makes egg shells is only produced by hens.
✓ Video games are more effective at battling depression than counseling is.
✓ Eating garlic improves your body odour.
✓ Rats can feel regret.
-WhattheFFacts

BS PROBLEMS THAT ALL TEACHERS WILL UNDERSTAND:
✗ Trying not to laugh when a student says something hilarious but completely inappropriate.
✗ Seeing red when non-teachers tell you how you should be running your classroom.
✗ Realizing that there definitely IS such a thing as a stupid question.
✗ Receiving strange gifts from students.
✗ When a kid asks you a difficult question that you definitely don’t know the answer to.
✗ Trying not to catch the flu from your students. Getting the flu and going to work anyway.
✗ Trying to remember every child’s deadly food allergies.
✗ Meeting people who get paid more than you to do easier jobs than yours.
✗ Trying not to cry in front of your class when a struggling student finally gets their head around the thing you’ve been trying to teach them for the last 6 months.
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

NEW BS BASEBALL STATS:
Baseball novices may be confused by all the RBIs, ERAs, and BoBs mentioned while watching MLB playoffs. Allow us to make things worse …
• ‘ARM#’ (Arm Number) – How many arms a player has. Anything above a 2-point-oh is considered very advantageous.
• ‘REB’ (Rebounds) – Number of rebounds a player makes after being injured, quitting baseball, being placed on waivers or demoted to the minors.  The higher the number, the less likely he will see any post-season action.
• ‘RFT’ (Relaxed Fit Trips) – Number of times in a game that a given player trips and falls due to his baggy pant legs snagging in his cleats.
• ‘SPI’ (Spitting Per Inning) – A player’s total expectorations of saliva, sunflower seed shells, and chewing gum wads, but definitely NOT chewing tobacco, in a single inning.
• ‘TPAB’ (Tics Per At Bat) – The number of helmet adjustments, face scratches, bat squeezes, jock modifications, etc accumulated by a nervous and/or superstitious player in a single at-bat.
• ‘WARC’ (Wins Above Replacement Cats) – A measure of how many wins a player contributes to his team’s record as compared to being replaced by 4 dozen feral cats.
And the most useful stat of all …
• ‘G Fact’ (Good Factor) – This number is ‘0′  if the player is lousy at baseball and ‘1′  if the player is good at baseball. Proven extremely useful in determining whether a player is any good.
– Thanks to an idea from Ezra Deutsch-Feldman
-First published in BS in 2014

BS RANDOM JOKE:
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first.  Because by then, you’re off it.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s the worst break-up excuse anyone ever laid on you? (I want to spend more time with my dog?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  15% of women have broken up with a guy because of this.
Answer:  She didn’t like his mom

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Miracles start to happen when you give as much energy to your dreams as you do to your fears.

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