BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
Adding to his 2003 win, 46-year-old movie star Johnny Depp has been named “People” magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ in today’s edition, nudging out last year’s winner Hugh Jackman (other double winners of the award have included Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Richard Gere) . . . 45-year-old actor Brad Pitt says he’s ruled out the possibility of ever directing a movie because he’s convinced his obsessive attention to detail would drive him crazy . . . Famous person Paris Hilton says the noisy disturbance outside her home that caused neighbors to call the cops this week was not caused by her & boyfriend Doug Reinhardt fighting, but by Reinhardt’s ‘house guests from hell’ (Paris PR Rule #1: When in trouble, lie) . . . NY Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has reportedly splurged on a $40,000-ring for actress-girlfriend Kate Hudson to ‘thank her’ for cheering him on through the World Series (like free seats for her family & friends weren’t enough?) . . . Ozzy Osbourne’s manager-wife Sharon Osbourne (“America’s Got Talent”) has penned her debut novel, “Revenge”, which is due in March and described as the story of 2 sisters who ‘both have star quality, but only one will stop at nothing to get what she wants’ (is this a novel or an autobiography?) . . . And “Forbes” magazine’s new list of ‘Hollywood’s Most Overpaid Stars’ is topped by Will Ferrell, whose movies earn just $3.29 on average for every dollar he takes home (runners-up for most bloated pay include Ewan McGregor, Billy Bob Thornton, Eddie Murphy, and Ice Cube).
WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “American Music Awards” (ABC/A Channel) – Sunday, the 37th annual gala airs live from LA’s Nokia Theatre. Taylor Swift leads nominations with 6. Performers include Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Eminem, Green Day, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, and Shakira.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Death Cab for Cutie (“Narrow Stairs”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/A Channel) – Tonight Elvis Costello (“Secret, Profane & Sugarcane”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – Tonight Lyle Lovett (“Natural Forces”).
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC/Global) – Joesph Gordon Levitt hosts, with musical guest Dave Mathews Band (“Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King”).
• “Tavis Smiley” (PBS) – Tonight 50 Cent (“Before I Self Destruct”).
• “Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (NBC/A Channel) – Tonight Bon Jovi (“The Circle”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Aerosmith – Guitarist Brad Whitford tells Reuters he suspects there’s ‘a lot more going on’ than we know regarding Steven Tyler, noting he has a well-documented history of drug abuse.
• Bon Jovi – Their 11th studio album, “The Circle”, has zoomed to #1 (not a bad way to celebrate their 25th year of recording) but it’s looks to be dislodged next week by John Mayer’s new album, “Battle Studies”.
• Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Sunday the top bidder in an online charity auction takes 3 friends to a backstage meet-and-greet at the final show of the current tour, in Buffalo NY’s HSBC Arena.
NET: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/87890
• Stone Temple Pilots – They’re postponing December & January dates of their current tour until next year so they can finish their album which is due in early Spring.
• Wynonna – Saturday she returns to her Appalachian roots on the 67th annual “Santa Train”, delivering some 15 tons of toys to children at 14 stops in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “The Blind Side” ( PG-13 Sports Drama ): A disadvantaged teenager (Quinton Aaron) is taken in by a couple (Sandra Bullock & Tim McGraw ) who see tremendous promise in the young man. Their attention and inspiration help him mature into a successful NFL prospect. Based on the true story of NFL rookie Michael Oher (Baltimore Ravens OT).
NET: http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/
• “Planet 51” ( PG Animated Fantasy ): When an astronaut lands on a faraway planet, he discovers it’s inhabited by little green people happily living in a white picket fence world, whose only fear is that it will be overrun by alien invaders … like him. Voice cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, and Jessica Biel.
NET: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/planet51/
• “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” ( PG-13 Romantic Fantasy ): Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner return in the 2nd film in the vampire film franchise. In this installment, ‘Bella’s blood is shed at her birthday celebration, causing Edward’s parents to pull up stakes and leave Forks WA for the sake of the young lovers. Shot in Vancouver.
NET: http://www.newmoonthemovie.com/
INTERNET MOMENTS OF THE DECADE:
According to the “Webby Awards”, these are some of the landmark events online since 2000…
• Free classified ads site Craigslist expands beyond San Francisco CA (2000).
• Google AdWords launches (2000), allowing advertisers to better target their online customers.
• Free, open-source encyclopedia Wikipedia launches (2001).
• Online video explodes (2006) as faster bandwidth, cheaper camcorders, and YouTube’s use of Adobe’s Flash 9 video player all come together.
• Facebook expands from exclusively college students to anyone older than 13 (2006) and, almost overnight, social networking goes mainstream.
• The iPhone debuts (2007), leading to ‘apps’ for just about every aspect of modern life.
• Iranian election protests (2009) as the opposition takes to social networking and the ‘Twitter Revolution’ is born.
– CNN.com
REASONS CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU:
• Dark chocolate contains hefty amounts of disease-fighting flavenoids, antioxidants that are also found in red wine and many fruits & vegetables.
• Chocolate releases calming endorphins that reduce anxiety. Plus, it’s high in magnesium, which lifts moods.
• A University of Illinois study suggests that daily consumption of dark chocolate lowers cholesterol and improves blood pressure.
• A recent study shows that those who regularly consume 70% dark chocolate (about 20 g per day) show a marked improvement in blood flow, thereby helping to prevent heart disease.
• Researchers at Germany’s Heinrich Heine University think they’ve found compounds in chocolate that act as UV filters, which can contribute to smoother, healthier skin.
– Condensed from BestHealthMag.ca.
MOST USED WORDS OF THE CENTURY:
Global Language Monitor, which uses a math formula to track the frequency of words and phrases in print and electronic media, says these have been the most-used terms so far in the 2000s …
5. Evacuee or Refugee (thanks to hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, wars).
4. Bailout (as in banks, automakers, etc).
3. Obama (as in Barack Obama).
2. 9/11 (after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001).
1. Global Warming.
Honorable mentions: Climate change, Google, surge, and tsunami.
– HuffingtonPost.com
HOW TO GET A GUY:
Women who bare 40% of their bodies maximize their chances of attracting men, according to a new study from Britain’s University of Leeds. The finding is based on discreet observation of women in a nightclub by a team of 4 female researchers. For the purpose of the study, each arm accounts for 10% of the body, each leg 15%, and the torso counts for 50%. Results show that women who reveal about 40% of their skin attract twice as many men as those who cover up. However, those who expose more than 40% lose out. (Be sexy, not trampy!)
– “Daily Telegraph”
FOR THE RECORD:
French company Air Austral has just placed an order with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 2 double-decker, wide-body A380 airliners that will be modified for ‘high density’, meaning they’ll have capacity for a whopping 840 seats. When put into service, they will easily carry the most passengers ever to fly in a single plane. (“Attention passengers, we’re now boarding rows 850 through 900 …”)
– “The Guardian”
BS CHRONOMETER 11.20.09
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1942 [67] Joe Biden, Scranton PA, US Vice President 2009/US Senator (Delaware) 1973-2009
1947 [62] Joe Walsh, Wichita KS, classic rock guitarist (“Life’s Been Good”, Eagles-“Hotel California”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1998)
1965 [44] Mike D (Diamond), NYC, rap/rock musician (Beastie Boys-“Ch-Check It Out”, “You Gotta Fight for Your Right To Party!”)
1975 [34] Dierks Bentley, Phoenix AZ, country singer (“Sideways”, “Every Mile a Memory”)
1975 [34] Davey Havok (Passaro), Rochester NY, rock singer (AFI-“Medicate”, “Miss Murder”)
1977 [32] Josh Turner, Hannah SC, country singer (“Why Don’t We Just Dance”, “Your Man”)
1986 [23] Jared Followill, Mt Juliet TN, rock bassist/pianist (Kings of Leon–“Use Somebody”, “Sex On Fire”)
SATURDAY –
Movie actress Goldie Hawn (“Private Benjamin”) is 64; TV actress Nicollette Sheridan (“Desperate Housewives”) is 46; Avant garde singer Bjork (“I Miss You”) 44; FOX-TV NFL analyst Troy Aikman (ex-Dallas Cowboys) is 43; Country singer Kelsi Osborn (SHeDAISY) is 35.
SUNDAY –
Rock guitarist Steven Van Zandt (E Street Band) is 59; Movie actress Jamie Lee Curtis (“True Lies”) is 51; Country drummer Chris Fryar (Zac Brown Band) is 39; Movie star Scarlett Johansson (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”) is 25.
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Elephant Round-Up” in Surin, the ‘Elephant Capital’ of Thailand through Sunday. Events include a mock battle with over 100 elephants & costumed warlords; and special elephant competitions in strength, skill & obedience. There’s also a 60-ton buffet … for the elephants.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/24n4qu
• “Mexican Revolution Day”, celebrating the anniversary of the date in 1910 when the uprising to overthrow dictator Porfirio Díaz began.
NET: http://www.inside-mexico.com/revolucion.htm
• “Name Your PC Day”, a good day to ask listeners what pet names they’ve bestowed on theirs.
• “National Child Day in Canada”, first recommended by the UN in 1989 as a day to highlight the importance of young people in our society.
NET: http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/children1.asp
• “Transgender Day of Remembrance”, the 11th annual commemorating those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender bias, prejudice, or hatred.
NET: http://www.transgenderdor.org/
SATURDAY –
• “Pumpkin Pie Day”, celebrating a truly North American food phenomenon. What’s your secret ingredient? And your favorite topping?
• “Survivors of Suicide Day”, the 11th annual day of outreach to those who’ve lost a friend or family member to suicide.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3bubzg
• “World Hello Day”, the 37th annual observance that now takes place in some 180 countries. Participants are asked to spread goodwill by saying ‘hello’ to at least 10 people.
NET: http://www.worldhelloday.org/
Here’s how to say ‘hello’ in over 800 languages …
NET: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/hello.htm
• “World Television Day”, established in 1996 by the UN General Assembly to encourage nations to exchange cultural programming focusing on peace, security, economic & social development.
SUNDAY –
• “Cannabis Cup” in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where blowing a stick is legal. The 22nd annual competition through next Thursday seeks the world’s top weed while participants attend seminars and ‘sample’ product.
NET: http://hightimes.com/public/cancup
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1982 [27] Drew Barrymore first hosts “Saturday Night Live” … at age 7
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1866 [143] Pierre Lalemont of Paris, France patents the ‘Rotary Crank Bicycle’ (this original bicycle is nicknamed the ‘bone shaker’)
1923 [86] 1st ‘Traffic Signal’ (Garrett Morgan designates red for ‘stop’, green for ‘go’, and yellow for ‘go like hell!’)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1994 [15] New England Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe sets NFL record for pass attempts (70) and completions (45) vs Minnesota Vikings
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Rihanna releases “Rated R” album
[Mon] International Emmy Awards (NYC)
[Mon] Eat a Cranberry Day
[Mon] Cashew Day
[Tues] Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
[Wed] International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women Day
[Wed] Shopping Reminder Day
This Week Is … Better Conversation Week
This Month Is … Pet Cancer Awareness Month
BULL’S BITS
REALLY BAD BS WRITING:
A collection of excerpts from actual high school English compositions …
• “He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.”
• “Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.”
• “He was as tall as a 6-foot, 3-inch tree.”
• “She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.”
• “The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t.”
• “McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.”
• “From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you’re on vacation in another city and ‘Jeopardy’ comes on at 7 pm instead of 7:30.”
• “Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.”
• “The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.”
• “The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.”
– ThatsRich.com
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Writing is easy. You just stare at the paper until your forehead bleeds.
BS WEB GOODIE:
Want to know what you’re getting for Christmas? Answer 3 simple questions at this free website and ‘Mysterio’ will predict what you should expect. (The site works even if you protect your privacy by using a fake email address).
NET: http://www.wrybaby.com/mysteriopredicts/
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: Nearly 1-in-5 people who do THIS are women.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Play fantasy football.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
We always enjoy things more when we know a lot of others have been left out of the pleasure.
