Monday, April 20, 2020 — Edition #6679

Tomorrow’s Show Prep Today!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Gwyneth Paltrow is giving fans the opportunity to own a dress that she has labelled one of her worst ever, as part of the All-In initiative to aid the fight against the coronavirus. On Instagram, she revealed that she’ll be auctioning off the silver Calvin Klein dress she wore to the Academy Awards ceremony in 2000. The opening bid was set at US$2,500, and the dress quickly got up to $4,400. Though she says the dress has “sentimental value”, she previously mentioned it in a blog post about her worst-ever looks.
-Canoe
★ The judge overseeing Lori Loughlin’s college admissions scandal case said he was disturbed by allegations that federal investigators pressured a witness to entrap parents. Attorneys for the couple and a group of other defendants have asked the judge to dismiss the case, citing notes from the scheme’s mastermind Rick Singer, the witness who says that investigators instructed him to “bend the truth” and “tell a fib”.
-NBCNews
★ San Diego Comic-Con, the annual celebrity-studded showcase of superhero films and pop culture, has been canceled for the first time in its 50-year history due to the global coronavirus outbreak. Comic-Con had been scheduled to take place in July. The event typically draws tens of thousands of costumed revelers to a San Diego convention hall and surrounding streets, restaurants and hotels.
-Canoe
★ J.K. Rowling has bought a house in the small village of Tutshill in southwest England – but it’s not just any house, it’s her childhood home — the one which helped inspire many elements of the Harry Potter franchise. Though this is probably new information to most of her fans, she actually bought the property, called “Church Cottage,” nine years ago, under her husband’s name, Neil Murray, according to the BBC. Church Cottage has a small cupboard under its staircase, which seemingly inspired Harry Potter’s dingy bedroom while he resided with his cruel Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. The house also features a “trap door” to a cellar, reminiscent of the one that three-headed dog Fluffy covers in “The Philosopher’s Stone” (or “The Sorcerer’s Stone”).
-MSN

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Snoop Dogg
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Megan Thee Stallion, Dan White
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Trevor Noah, José Andrés, Willie, Lukas & Micah Nelson
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Will Forte, Michael Symon (R)
• ” The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Taraji P. Henson, Andrea & Matteo Bocelli
• “Conan” (TBS): Bob Odenkirk
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Rob Gronkowski, Cheri Oteri
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Gov. Larry Hogan
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Katy Mixon, Dr. Doris Day
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Trevor Noah
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): A new Message from Montana, repeat segments with Nick Offerman, Kellie Pickler, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch (R)
• “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” (ABC): Jamie is torn between two men, but chooses one and goes on a date; Bri and Chris deal with trust issues; two new arrivals become Brandon’s admirers; the 11 unattached women try to get a rose from the eight available men.
• “The Voice” (NBC): The knockout rounds conclude as the coaches, along with a mega-mentor, prepare their artists to perform individually against a teammate; the four artists saved during the battle rounds compete for America’s vote in a four-way knockout.
• “Better Call Saul” (AMC): Season 5 finale
• “Cooked With Cannabis” (NETFLIX): We’re not sure why Netflix chose this date to launch this show, but we are certain that singer Kelis and chef Leather Storrs are the hosts for a competition that tasks professional chefs with creating a three-course meal featuring cannabis products.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift — has cancelled all her live appearances for 2020 due to COVID-19. She has plans to reschedule as many shows as possible for 2021. She wrote on Twitter: ”I’m so sad I won’t be able to see you guys in concert this year, but I know this is the right decision”.
• Drake — His ‘Toosie Slide’ has reached over 3 billion plays on TikTok, and become the fastest rising music trend on the video sharing platform. The song’s simple chorus, “It go, right foot up, left foot slide, left foot up, right foot slide…” has provided a quick-to-learn dance, which users have been sharing with the hashtag #ToosieSlide.
• Sam Smith – has made an admission that may get him in a little bit of hot water. He copped to using “poppers” with Nicole Scherzinger while partying together last year. “Popper” is slang for the popular drug ‘alkyl nitrites,’ which are inhaled.
• Whitesnake – Singer David Coverdale says that 2021 would be an “appropriate” year for him to retire. As he put it: I’m 68 now. So I think 69 would be appropriate for Whitesnake’s lead singer [to retire], wouldn’t you?”
• Bon Jovi —  has pushed back the release of their new album “2020” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Jon Bon Jovi also says that he wrote the new song ‘Do What You Can’ because of the pandemic, which will be added to the record. No new release date yet.
• Pink Floyd — have announced a YouTube concert series. For four weeks, they will release a difference historical performance to the streaming service. Things got underway on April 17 with the 90-minute TV version of “Pulse”.
• Shania Twain – She and Dallas Smith will kick off “Canada Together: In Concert” tonight, along with Lindsay Ell and High Valley. It’s a 5-night series of TV at-home concerts on ET Canada to support Covid-19 relief efforts by Food Banks Canada and Unison Benevolent Fund. Other highlights later in the week include: Lady Antebellum, Luke Combs, Brett Kissel and Dean Brody.
• Maren Morris – teamed up with Hozier for a stunning rendition of their #1 hit ‘The Bones’ during the first hour of the “One World: Together at Home” live streaming special on Saturday. It was her first live appearance since she and her husband, Ryan Hurd welcomed their son, Hayes Andrew Hurd, on March 23.

CORONA – LIGHT:
Scientists say they believe that opening windows and blinds may stop the coronavirus from “settling” indoors. Researchers from the University of California are recommending that people open windows, which could “dilute virus particles indoors”, and prevent them from being inhaled. Pulling back curtains or opening blinds also lets in natural light, which could help fight the virus as well. A flu study found the virus’ half life fell from 31.6 minutes in a dark environment to just 2.4 minutes when in simulated sunlight. Half-life is the time it takes for half a pathogen’s particles to become inactive. Although COVID-19 mainly spreads face-to-face via infected droplets expelled in a cough or sneeze, there is also evidence it can survive on surfaces.
(Open the curtains? Darn. Back to wearing pants!)
(I’m doing my part to help in the community by forcing drive-thrus to open their windows at least twice a day!)
(Well, now I’m never going outside after dark again…)
-YahooStyle

FLATTEN THE CURVE – AND THE COLA:
First there was the toilet paper shortage – and now this. Dwindling supplies of carbon dioxide are leading to concerns that we may face shortages of beer, soda pop and seltzer water. How does this happen? Brewers and soft-drink makers use carbon dioxide, or CO2, for carbonation, which gives beer and soda their fizz. Ethanol producers are a key provider of CO2 to the food industry, as they capture that gas as a by-product of ethanol production and sell it. But ethanol, which is blended into gasoline, has seen production fall sharply due to the drop in gasoline demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of reduced ethanol production, 34 of the 45 ethanol plants in the US have idled or cut production. It is believed that some brewers will be forced to cut production in two to three weeks.
(So, I’ll drink my Coke flat. It’s not like my teenagers ever tighten the cap anyway…)
(And with (***co-host***) working from home, we’ve noticed a severe ethanol shortage around here, too!)
(Beer without any fizz? Sounds like it’s Miller time!)
-Reuters

CATCHY NAME:
Astronomers have discovered a planet which they are calling “another earth”. ‘Kepler-1649c’ is nearly the same size as Earth, and orbits in its star’s habitable zone, where water could exist on its surface. Kepler-1649c is 300 light-years away from Earth, and NASA says that of the 2,000 exoplanets (planets outside our solar system) that have been discovered using the Kepler Space Telescope, this one is most similar to Earth in both size and estimated temperature. Although NASA’s Kepler mission ended in 2018, scientists are still making discoveries as they examine the information it sent to Earth before it ran out of fuel. The newly revealed world is 1.06 times larger than our own planet, and receives from its host star 75% of the amount of light Earth receives from our sun. However, because it orbits a red dwarf, which are known for stellar flare-ups, its environment could be challenging for any potential life.
(Hey, you think the environment around here is any better? Especially lately?)
(Could someone be clear here: Are we searching for alien life forms, or for a planet for when we’ve finally completely destroyed THIS one?)
(I hope they’re also looking a disc-shaped planet to house a future colony of flat-earthers!)
-YahooNews

GREY HAIR MYTHS – DEBUNKED:
Many of us in isolation these days are noticing that not only do we need a haircut – we’re also just about due for a dye-job. Here are some colorful truths about grey hair…
➢ If you pull out a grey hair, three will pop up in its place:  That’s an old (pardon the pun…) wives’ tale. But you still shouldn’t pluck ‘em. You could damage the follicle, causing it to stop producing hair at all. (Problem solved!)
➢ Stress causes grey hair:  The answer isn’t black and white. Some studies show that stress may affect melanin production, but there’s no hard evidence on the connection.
➢ Genetics determine when you’ll go grey:  True: Some genes are responsible for grey hair, and it’s not exclusive to one side of the family, so if your parents went grey early you’re more likely to go grey. (You bet going grey is genetic. It’s caused by your kids!)
➢ Coloring your hair causes greys:  False: Because hair follicles sit under the skin, nothing you do once they’ve grown past the scalp will affect whether you go grey or not.
➢ You can laser away grey hairs:  False: Because laser hair removal devices work on pigment, they don’t work on grey hair. So, if you’re thinking of doing laser hair removal, do it while you’re young. (The first time I noticed a grey hair, I thought I’d dye!)
-Chatelaine

DID YOU KNOW?
A new survey of 2,000 U.S. residents found the average American is currently streaming eight hours of content per day and finishing three TV series per week. (Both my kids average that themselves…!)
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 04.20.20

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1937 [83] George Takei, Los Angeles CA, actor (“Mr. Sulu” on Star Trek 1966-69 and in 6 movies)/over 10 million Facebook followers

1949 [71] Jessica Lange, Cloquet MN, movie actress (Oscars-“Blue Sky”, “Tootsie”)/TV actress (“American Horror Story” 2011-2018)

1964 [56] Andy Serkis, Ruislip UK, movie actor (“Planet of the Apes” franchise, “Lord Of The Rings”)

1970 [50] Shemar Moore, Oakland CA, TV actor (‘Derek Morgan’ on “Criminal Minds” 2005-2017, “S.W.A.T.” since 2017)

1972 [48] Carmen Electra, Sharonville OH, TV actress (“Baywatch” 1997-98,)/movie actress (“Scary Movie”)

1976 [44] Joey Lawrence, Philadelphia PA (“Blossom” 19910-1995, “Melissa & Joey” 2010-2015)

1978 [42] Clay Cook, Snellville GA, country musician (Zac Brown Band-‘Whatever It Is’, ‘Chicken Fried’)

1983 [37] Miranda Kerr, Sydney, Australia, fashion model (Victoria’s Secret)/wed to Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “420” or “Pot Smokers Day”, the unofficial holiday of potheads. A few facts, man:
☞ ‘Four-twenty’ became an emblematic number for dopers in the 1970s. It comes from the time 4:20 pm, the secret ‘burn time’ originated by a group of pot-smoking students at California’s San Rafael High School in 1971.
☞ Marijuana is the most lucrative domestic crop in the USA, worth $52 billion … more than corn and wheat combined. Of that, 87% of sales are on the black market.
☞ More than 1 person every minute is arrested for marijuana possession in the US.
☞ In 2020, the entire month of April is 420!
(***See ‘Today’s Firsts’, below***)

• “Lima Bean Respect Day”, encouraging us to recognize the protein power offered by the tasteless, mealy morsel that most of us avoid at all costs. (You have to admit, it has some pretty serious competition with today being 420 and all…)

• “Look-Alike Day”, a day for people who are constantly mistaken for rich and famous celebrities to have some recognition of their own. So, who do people say you look like?

• “Volunteer Recognition Day”, honoring the legions of people who dedicate themselves to causes and helping others, thereby making both big and small differences in the lives of millions worldwide.

• “Cheddar Fries Day”, who can resist crispy, golden French fries topped with cheddar cheese? Add some chives, bacon or jalapenos and you have a culinary delight that will satisfy even the most discerning taste buds (the perfect snack for “420”, or am I overdoing it just a bit?)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2018 [02] Swedish musician, DJ, remixer and record producer Avicii (Tim Bergling), commits suicide at age 28

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1971 [49] Five friends at San Rafael High School in California coin the term “4:20” as a euphemism for smoking pot. April 20th becomes a popular day to spark one up, and 4:20 pm becomes a popular time. (Note that the Boston song ‘Smokin’’ clocks in at 4 minutes, 20 seconds, and if you multiply the title numbers in Bob Dylan’s ‘Rainy Day Women #12 And #35′, you get 420. Dude!)

2008 [12] Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver to win an Indy car race

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2010 [10] ‘Deepwater Horizon’ drilling rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and beginning an oil spill that lasts 6 months (“Deepwater Horizon”, a movie version of the disaster starring Mark Wahlberg, followed in 2016)

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Throughout the entire Twilight saga, there are over 24 minutes of just staring.
✓ Arnold Schwarzenegger never blinks in “Terminator 2”.
✓ Steve Jobs never wrote a single line of programming code.
✓ Bill Gates is so rich that the average American spending $1 is comparable to him spending $1.06 million.
✓ The founder of FedEx, Fred Smith, once saved the company by taking $5,000 to Las Vegas and turning it into $32,000 by playing Black Jack.
✓ Po, the smallest Teletubby, is 6 ft. 6 in. in real life, while Tinky Winky looms around 10 ft. tall.
-UberFacts

Best of BS . . .
BS DESCRIPTIONS OF MY FITNESS LEVEL:
• Let’s just say I get winded playing UNO.
• I pump my own gas.
• I run late a lot…
• Currently hiding from exercise… I’m in the fitness protection program.
• Jogging… my memory to figure out the last time I exercised.
• My Fitbit thinks I’m dead.
• ‘Fat.’ With an ‘F’, not a “PH”
• Less Jersey Shore and more Pauly Shore.
• I named my dog “Five Miles” so I can brag that I walk Five Miles every day
• I once did a high jump to reach the Oreos on the top shelf at Walmart.
• If you see me running, call the police.
• Presidential!
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018

TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Apple has announced the new low-cost iPhone SE starting at $399.  (I’d get one, but I hate to cast aside a phone that’s helped me catch so many Pokémon…)
➠ A company called American Marijuana will pay you up to $3,000 a month to smoke and test weed at your home.  (It’s a kushy job!)
➠ I just read that there’s a coffee shop in Switzerland that provides coffee and prostitutes. (I’ll take a Short, Wet, Skinny Americano AND I’ll have a coffee…)
➠ Mark Cuban says there’s a 10% chance he’ll run for president. (10% he’ll run, with a 100% chance’ he’ll lose…)
➠ A two headed goat was born in Wisconsin. (Ewe!)

BS WEB GOODIE:
Life in 2020 (sound up):  https://tinyurl.com/ycagtggq

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• Which is NOT a James Bond Movie?
a. Goldfinger
b. Shanghai Express [CORRECT]
c. You Only Live Twice
d. Diamonds are Forever

• In fashion, what is a very thin stripe called?
a. Stripette
b. Stripling
c. Pinstripe [CORRECT]
d. Paisley

• What color fur does Sesame Street’s ‘Cookie Monster’ have?
a. Green
b. Orange
c. Brown
d. Blue [CORRECT]
-WhoWantstobeaMillionaire

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Apparently one of the symptoms of coronavirus is having no taste. Looking back on my exes, I think I’ve been infected for years…

BS PHONE STARTER:
What pet names do your kids use for their parents, other than ‘mom’ and ‘dad’?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  When asked for one word to describe their dream vacation most women say ‘romantic’, but most men say THIS. What is it?
Answer:  Golf

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
To escape criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.