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BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
✳ The follow-up film “Iron Man 3” hauled in just over $195 million in 42 international markets on the weekend according to distributor Walt Disney Co, a total that surpasses the 2012 international opening of mega-hit movie “The Avengers”. The “Iron Man” sequel arrives in the United States and Canada this Friday to kick off Hollywood’s lucrative Summer blockbuster season. (Also coming this Summer: “Man of Steel”, “Fast & Furious 6”, “Star Trek Into Darkness”, etc.)
– Reuters.com
✳ Former “Scrubs” star Zach Braff’s upcoming movie “Wish I Was Here”, the writer/director’s follow-up to “Garden State”, has now raised more than $2 million on Kickstarter.com, surpassing the entire fundraising goal he’d set for it in just 3 days. Fans of the project still have 26 more days to contribute to the campaign, which begs the question … just how high can that tally climb? (‘Crowdfunding’ strikes again!)
– The Wrap.com
✳ Elaborate sex tape scams pay. Just ask former “Teen Mom” star Farrah Abraham who’s finally inked a deal with Vivid Entertainment for her on-camera banging session with adult film actor James Deen that’s said to be worth close to a million bucks. Word has it the 70-minute skin-flick will be titled “Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom”. (Seems totally sleazy but it’s the way numerous celebs became famous including Paris Hilton, Kendra Wilkinson, Leighton Meester and, of course, Kim Kardashian.)
– TMZ,com
✳ Speaking of which, poor celeb sibs Kim & Khloe Kardashian are reportedly miserable after being contractually forced to go on vacation on the Greek island of Mykonos as it’s being filmed for the new season of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” (debuts June 2nd). The sisters are said to be so sad as it means being away from their partners. Kim’s baby daddy, Kanye West, declined to go due to work; Khloe’s hubby, Lamar Odom, is unable to holiday as his LA Clippers are in the NBA playoffs. (Stuck on a Greek island in the Med … such torture!)
– RadarOnline.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS) – Ke$ha (“Warrior”); Paramore (“ Paramore”).
• “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC) – Michael Bublé performs “Come Dance With Me”; couples face elimination.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – LL Cool J (“Authentic”, released today).
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC) – Band of Horses (“Mirage Rock”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Montréal duo Blue Hawaii (“Untogether”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC) – Kenny Chesney (“Life On a Rock”, his 16th studio album, out today. It was recorded in LA, Hawaii, Jamaica, Key West, London, and Nashville.)
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – Phoenix (“Bankrupt”).
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC) – Florida Georgia Line (“Here’s To the Good Times”).
• “The Voice” (NBC) – Contestants again perform in hope of advancing to the next round.
• Webby Awards – The annual honors for excellence & innovation in online broadcasting and advertising presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. This year’s judging panel includes Arianna Huffington (HuffingtonPost.com), Instagram founder Kevin Systrom, and musician David Bowie. Nominees include actor/producer Tom Hanks (“Electric City”); and “Girls” creator Lena Dunham (“Lena Dunham for Obama for America”).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Billy Currington – He’s being replaced by Josh Turner as the pre-race performer at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina on May 18th. He lost the gig because he’s been indicted on felony charges stemming from an alleged bust-up with an elderly tour boat captain.
• Emeli Sandé – Her debut album, “Our Version of Events”, has now spent 63 weeks in the top 10 of the UK album chart, breaking a 50-year-old record set by The Beatles (62 weeks for “Please Please Me” beginning in 1963).
• Psy – His new song “Gentleman” has already been bumped out of top spot on Korean charts  by Cho Yong-pil … a 63-year-old singer, no less! Hope isn’t lost for Psy though. The “Gentleman” video has racked up over 220 million views on YouTube so far.
• R Kelly – He travels everywhere by bus due to his extreme fear of flying. He almost missed his guest spot with Phoenix at the Coachella Festival earlier this month because it took him 3 days to get there. Ironically, his biggest hit was “I Believe I Can Fly”. Apparently not.
• Rolling Stones – Mick Jagger quote: “Personally, I start preparing about 2 months before a tour starts. I have to up my fitness level and I have to start singing every day, doing practices and a bit of dancing. I practice in front of mirrors, if I can, at a dance studio.”

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Broken City” ( R-Rated Crime Thriller ): Mark Wahlberg plays an ex-cop who seeks revenge after being double-crossed and then framed by a corrupt mayor (Russell Crowe). Co-stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright. Shot in New Orleans and NYC.
• “The Guilt Trip” (  PG-13 Comedy ): Just as a guy is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, a quick stop at his mom’s house turns into an unexpected cross-country voyage with her along for the ride. Stars Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen as mother and son.
• “Not Fade Away” ( R-Rated Musical Drama ): From “The Sopranos” creator-producer David Chase. It’s 1964, the Rolling Stones appear on TV, and 3 friends from the New Jersey suburbs decide to form a rock band. Stars John Magaro, Jack Huston, Will Brill, James Gandolfini.
• “Silver Linings Playbook” ( R-Rated Dramedy ): After a stint in a mental institution, a former teacher (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents. To add further complication, he meets a mysterious girl with problems of her own. Co-stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro.
• Also released today: “Frontline: Cliffhanger” (TV Documentary); “NOVA: Earth from Space” (TV Documentary); “The Revisionaries” (Documentary); “Shelter Me” (Documentary); and “30 Rock: Season 7” (TV).

SURPRISING MARRIAGE STATS:
Author Chrisanna Northrup has interviewed more than 80,000 people from around-the-world to compile quantitative data on love, marriage, sex, trust, and more. A few highlights …
✓ Men are much more likely than women (48% vs 28%) to fall in love at first sight.
✓ 33% more men than women say it bothers them ‘a lot’ that their partner isn’t more romantic.
✓ Well-off couples are less likely to be happy than those with less money. In fact, couples who earn $20,000 or less argue less frequently than couples who earn $250,000-to-$500,000.
✓ 57% of those in unhappy relationships still find their partner extremely attractive.
✓ 33% of respondents have watched a TV show or movie that affected them so much they considered breaking up.
✓ A good ‘teammate’ doesn’t necessarily make a good partner. Those who put their partners in this category are most likely to describe their relationships as ‘slightly unhappy’.
✓ Nearly 60% of those who are unhappy with their relationships say they would still be happy to spend eternity with their partners. (Terminal masochists?)
– Condensed from RD.com

TWO-FISTED MEMORY:
New research suggests that the simple act of making a fist can be a method of memory recall. Researchers at New Jersey’s Montclair State University have discovered that squeezing your right fist may help form a stronger memory of an event or action, and clenching your left fist may help you recollect that memory later. (Odds are a left AND a right fist to your nose will give you a memory you’ll never forget.)
– Adapted from PsychCentral.com

BS AMAZING FACT:
Employment experts say you should never spend more than 60 seconds answering a question during a job interview. (“Why did you leave your last position?” “Stunk.”)
– CareerBuilder.com

BS CHRONOMETER 04.30.13

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1933 [80] Willie Nelson, Abbott TX, legendary country singer (“On the Road Again”)/songwriter (“Crazy”)/sometime actor (“Beer For My Horses”)/Farm Aid co-founder (1985)/environmentalist (Willie Nelson Bio-diesel)/Country Music Hall of Fame (1993)

1960 [53] David Miscavige, Philadelphia PA, leader of the Church of Scientology (official title is Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center)

1962 [51] Robert Reynolds, Kansas City MO, country-rock bassist (The Mavericks-“Back In Your Arms Again”, “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down”)

1971 [42] Chris Henderson, Escatawpa MS, rock guitarist (3 Doors Down-“It’s Not My Time”, “Here Without You”)  BS FACTOID: On Monday, the band cancelled its appearances for April and May as Todd Harrell entered rehab after being charged with vehicular homicide.

1983 [30] Jeff Timmons, Canton OH, has-been pop singer (98 Degrees-“The Hardest Thing”, “I Do Cherish You”)  BS FACTOID: May 31st in Uncasville CT 98 Degrees embarks on the 28-date “Package Tour” with fellow 90s boy-bands New Kids On the Block and Boyz II Men.

1982 [31] Kirsten Dunst, Point Pleasant NJ, movie actress (“Spider-Man” films, “Elizabethtown”)

1986 [27] Dianna Agron, Savannah GA, TV actress (‘Quinn Fabray’ on “Glee” since 2009)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Hairstylist Appreciation Day”, honoring the ‘great contribution snippers & coiffeurs make to our self-esteem’. So don’t forget to say thanks for the good hair day!

• “International Jazz Day”, initiated in 2001 by UNESCO to celebrate worldwide appreciation of the music form. This year’s host city is Istanbul, Turkey; events are also planned for London, NYC, and Sydney.
NET: http://jazzday.com

• “Koninginnedag” (Queen’s Day), a national holiday in the Netherlands. In 2014, the holiday will become known as “Koningsdag” (King’s Day) following today’s investiture of Willem-Alexander as the new King Of the Netherlands. His mother, Queen Beatrix, is retiring. (Brit royals, take note!)

• “National Honesty Day”, created by author M Hirsh Goldberg in the early 1990s after spending 4 years researching & writing “The Book of Lies”. Goldberg thought that April, which begins with a big day of lying (April Fools Day) should end on a higher moral note.

• “Screen-Free Week”, when we’re encouraged to turn off electronics and enjoy the world and the people around us. It’s a time to unplug and play, read, create, and spend time with family and friends.
NET: http://www.screenfree.org

• “SpankOut Day”, initiated in 1998 to give widespread attention to the need to end corporal punishment of children and to promote non-violent ways of teaching kids appropriate behavior.
NET: http://bit.ly/abxnpX

• “Walpurgis Night” in many parts of Northern Europe, when legend has it that witches ride on broomsticks to revel with the devil. The tradition is celebrated by university students in particular (in bars). In Sweden, it’s called “Feast of Valborg”; in Switzerland, simply “May Day Eve”.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1938 [75] 1st appearance of Warner Bros ‘Bugs Bunny’ prototype in the animated comedy short “Porky’s Hare Hunt”

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2004 [09] Michael Jackson is arraigned in California’s Santa Barbara County court on child molestation charges, to which he pleads innocent

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1997 [16] In a 1st for network TV, Ellen DeGeneres ‘comes out’ on her sitcom “Ellen” (Laura Dern plays her love interest)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1988 [25] As a fundraiser for the local high school band, the ‘World’s Largest Banana Split’ is created in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, measuring 4.55-miles-long (7.3 km)

BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[May 1] Batman Day / Global Love Day / Law Day / Lei Day / May Day / Mother Goose Day / Bubba Day / New Homeowners Day / School Principals Day / Stepmothers Day
[May 2] “Iron Man 3” opens in movie theaters / 5th Revolver Golden God Awards (Los Angeles)
[May 3] Rolling Stones “50 & Counting Tour” North American leg begins (Los Angeles) / Beale Street Music Festival begins (Memphis TN) / Garden Meditation Day / Hug Your Cat Day / Special-abled Pets Day / Different Colored Shoes Day / No Pants Day / Paranormal Day / Tuba Day / World Press Freedom Day
[May 4] Kentucky Derby (Louisville KY) / Bladder Cancer Awareness Day / Free Comic Book Day / International Firefighters Day / International Space Day / International Respect for Chickens Day / Homebrew Day / Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy / Star Wars Day
[May 5] Cartoonists Day / Cinco de Mayo (Mexico) / International Midwives Day / World Laughter Day / Motorcycle Mass & Blessing Of the Bikes
[May 6] “Rihanna 777” airs (FOX) / Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (NYC) / Buddha Day / Melanoma Monday / No Diet Day / No Homework Day / RN Recognition Day
[May 7] Accountants Day / Childhood Depression Awareness Day / World Asthma Day
[May 8] Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day / Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day / 3rd Shift Workers Day / No Socks Day / Receptionists Day / World Red Cross Day
[May 9] “The Office” series finalé (NBC) / Occupational Safety & Health Professionals Day / School Nurse Day
[May 10] “The Great Gatsby”; “Peeples” open in movie theaters / Child Care Provider Day / Military Spouse Appreciation Day
[May 11] Birthmothers Day / Eat What You Want Day / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day / International Migratory Bird Day / Mother Ocean Day / Babysitters Day / Miniature Golf Day / Stay Up All Night Day / Train Day / World Belly Dancing Day
[May 12] Mothers Day / International Nurses Day / Limerick Day / Doodle Day / World Fair Trade Day
[May 14] Chicken Dance Day
[May 15] “Star Trek Into Darkness” opens in IMAX theaters / Cannes Film Festival beings (France) / CLIO Awards (NYC) / International Day of Families / Chocolate Chip Day / Peace Officer Memorial Day / Employee Health & Fitness Day
[May 16] Biographers Day / Sea Monkey Day
[May 17] “Star Trek Into Darkness” opens in movie theaters / Hangout Music Fest begins (Gulf Shores AL) / Rock On the Range begins (Columbus OH) / Endangered Species Day / Bike to Work Day / Pizza Party Day / World Hypertension Day / World Telecommunications Day
[May 18] Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs (HBO) / HIV Vaccine Awareness Day / International Museum Day / Learn to Swim Day / Visit Your Relatives Day
[May 19] 2013 Billboard Music Awards (Las Vegas) / Neighbor Day
[May 20] Victoria Day (Canada) / Eliza Doolittle Day / Weights & Measures Day
[May 21] Wait Staff Day / World Day for Cultural Diversity
[May 22] Primavera Music Festival begins (Barcelona) / Canadian Immigrants Day / International Day for Biological Diversity / Maritime Day
[May 23] “Michael Jackson ONE” previews begin (Las Vegas) / Taffy Day / World Crohn’s and Colitis Day / World Turtle Day
[May 24] “A Green Story”; “Epic”; “Fast & Furious 6”; “The Hangover Part III”; “Penguins 3D” open in movie theaters / Soul Beach Music Festival begins (Aruba) / Sasquatch! Music Festival begins (Quincy WA) / Rocklahoma begins (Pryor OK) / Brothers Day / Heat Awareness Day
[May 25] Full ‘Flower’ Moon / Missing Children’s Day / Tap Dance Day / Geek Pride Day
[May 26] Indy 500 (Indianapolis) / Whit Sunday (Christian)
[May 27] Memorial Day (USA)
[May 28] Sierra Club Day
[May 29] International Day of UN Peacekeepers / Learn About Composting Day / Senior Health & Fitness Day / World MS Day
[May 31] “After Earth”; “Now You See Me” open in movie theaters / Heat Awareness Safety Day / World No-Tobacco Day
[Jun 1] Chime For Change benefit concert (London)

BULL’S BITS

BS DEAD CERTS:
A BS selection of ways of expressing something being dead certain, an absolute truth, such as the pope being Catholic …
✓ Is Bill Gates rich?
✓ Does a rock star get any tail?
✓ Does a pigeon walk funny?
✓ Do people use smartphones to do really dumb things?
✓ Do dogs pee on brick walls?
✓ Is Arnold Schwarzenegger hard to spell?
✓ Is a frog’s ass watertight?
✓ Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?
✓ Do New Zealanders like sheep?
✓ Does a chicken have lips?

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ Have you got a deep, dark secret? At what price would you sell out?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’ve discovered doing nothing makes you tired because you can’t take a break.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: According to a recent survey, 9-out-of-10 people say it’s OK to steal from THIS place.
Answer: A hotel.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
An extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your spouse.