Here’s More Bull Roar!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Sources say Apple has approached Taylor Swift and Florence & The Machine about exclusive streaming partnerships with the revamped Beats Music. They’re among 12 or so artists with whom the company is said to have discussed limited streaming rights. Apple bought Beats Electronics for $3 billion last May and is reportedly working on a Beats-powered streaming service to rival Spotify. Jay Z recently suggested Apple is attempting to lure artists away from his new Tidal service with lucrative contracts. It’s a booming biz at the moment as consumers are increasingly opting to pay for music subscription services over downloads.
– Bloomberg.com
★ The first 4 episodes of “Game of Thrones” 5th season cropped up on piracy networks a day before HBO even aired the season premiere. HBO says the leaked episodes likely originated from within a “group approved to receive them” (perhaps a press screener). The 4 episodes of the 10-segment season appeared on torrent sites Saturday night and illegal downloads quickly topped 1 million worldwide. “Game of Thrones” has long been catnip for illicit downloaders. It was 2014’s most-pirated TV show, with more than 48 million copies snagged by pirates.
– Variety.com
★ And reality TV star Khloe Kardashian will have her petition to officially end her marriage to troubled former basketball player Lamar Odom dismissed if she fails to take further action in an LA court. Khloe split from the fallen NBA star in 2013 after 4 years of marriage, and she filed legal papers to make the break-up official that December. Odom has failed to respond to the divorce documents, thereby allowing Khloe the option to seek a default judgement. But so far, she has not bothered to do so. Court officials are said to be ready to throw the case out.
– TMZ.com
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Chic (“It’s About Time”, coming in June).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Jonny Two Bags (Social Distortion guitarist).
• “Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS/Omni 1) – Andy Grammer (“Magazines or Novels”).
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Marina & The Diamonds (“Froot”). Rerun.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Chris Stapleton (“Traveller”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Imagine Dragons (“Smoke & Mirrors”); Taylor Swift (“1989”). Rerun.
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Train (“Bulletproof Picasso”).
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – Reba McEntire serves as mentor; Nick Jonas performs; the contestants face elimination.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Aaliyah – 2000’s “Try Again” was the 1st song to hit #1 on the ‘Billboard Hot 100′ on the strength of airplay alone.
• Daft Punk – Not only would they not take their helmets off to drink champagne at Jay Z’s recent Tidal launch in LA, nor would they the next day at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Brooklyn NY. But then … how do we really know who’s under the headgear?
• Dwight Yoakam – Today his self-produced new album “Second Hand Heart” is out. The title track guided the rest of the album, he says, becoming it’s statement about survival and hope.
• Halestorm – Their 3rd studio album, “Into the Wild Life”, is released today. It’s led by the recently released single “Apocalyptic”.
• High Flying Birds – As vinyl albums get their own official chart in the UK, their album “Chasing Yesterday” ranks #1. Britain’s Official Charts Company has launched the new listing due to the recent vinyl sales boom.
• Iggy Azalea – Tonight her “Great Escape Tour” begins at Cal State Fresno in Fresno CA, then hits arenas across North America. Joining Iggy on tour is Nick Jonas as special guest.
• Panic! At the Disco – The title of their 2006 hit “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” was taken from a line in Douglas Coupland’s book “Shampoo Planet”.
• Reba McEntire – The country veteran releases the new album “Love Somebody” today. It features the lead single “Going Out Like That”.
• Tori Amos – Today her 1st 2 albums, “Little Earthquakes” and “Under the Pink”, are getting deluxe reissues from Rhino Records. Both are available as remastered 2-disc sets with rarities, B-sides, and live tracks. They’re also being released on vinyl.
THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Big Eyes” ( PG-13 Biographical Drama ): A drama about the awakening of painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s. Directed by Tim Burton. Stars Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman.
• “John Denver: Country Boy” ( NR TV Biography ): At the peak of his fame in the 1970s, he performed at sold-out concerts, sold more than 100 million albums, and appeared in TV specials that got top ratings. Yet he suffered from insecurity and depression. This intimate BBC profile includes exclusive accounts from those closest to him.
• “Maps To the Stars” ( R-Rated Drama ) – David Cronenberg’s latest follows the ‘Weiss’ family, who are making their way in Hollywood that’s rife with money, fame, envy, and relentless hauntings. John Cusack stars as a TV self-help therapist with an A-list celebrity clientele. Co-stars Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Olivia Williams, Robert Pattinson.
• “Whitney” ( TV-14 Biographical TV Movie ): Angela Bassett’s directorial debut is this Lifetime biodrama that chronicles the headline-making relationship between iconic singer, actress, producer, and model Whitney Houston (played by Yaya DaCosta) and singer-songwriter Bobby Brown (Arlen Escarpeta).
• Also released today: “Call Of the Wildman Season 4” (TV); “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Hall of Famers” (Compilation); “The End Of the Civil War” (Documentary); “Foyle’s War: The Final Season” (TV); “I Am Steve McQueen” (Documentary); “JAG: The Complete Series” (TV); “Little House On the Prairie – Season 5 Remastered Edition” (Vintage TV); and “Stephen Sondheim Collection” (Compilation).
HILARIOUS NAMES FOR A GUY’S MANHOOD THROUGHOUT HISTORY:
The study of euphemisms for genitalia (and yes, it’s a genuine area of academic study) has yielded some pretty spectacular slang terms. Witness …
• ‘Ambassador’ (1927) – Because it makes peaceable negotiations with the enemy?
• ‘Arbor Vitae’ (1732) – Literally, ‘tree of life’. Both technically correct and a bit boastful.
• ‘Bald-Pate Friar’ (1656) – Referring to the ‘tonsure’ hairdo, where top of the head is shaved.
• ‘Credentials’ (1891) – After all, it’s what an ‘ambassador’ needs to present, no?
• ‘Doodle-Dasher’ (1935) – ‘Doodle’ evolved from a German word meaning ‘idiot’. Apropos?
• ‘Gigglestick’ (1944) – Hopefully it referred to causing giggles by use, not by appearance.
• ‘Ladyware’ (1592) – As in ‘hardware’ … or perhaps ‘beware’?
• ‘Master John Goodfellow’ (1653) – Early example of a guy giving his goods a much grander name than deserved.
• ‘Matrimonial Peacemaker’ (1708) – Could this be the origin of ‘makeup sex’?
• ‘Tooleywag’ (1870) – A nonsense word that turned up in magazines until the late 1880s.
– Condensed from Bustle.com
WORLD TRADE CENTER REDUX:
The development of a soaring 88-story tower at the last unoccupied site of NYC’s World Trade Center complex could be back on track following a 2-year construction hiatus. Media conglomerates News Corp and 21st Century Fox – both headed by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch – are in talks to rebuild 2 World Trade Center, known as the South Tower prior to the 9/11 terror attacks. The deal, if consummated, would bring 2 more media giants and their brands (“Wall Street Journal”, “New York Post”, Fox News, etc) to an area that’s quickly becoming the media capital of NYC. Magazine publisher Conde Nast relocated its offices there earlier this year and TIME Inc recently announced its intention to move to south Manhattan. (1 World Trade Center opened November 3, 2014.)
– NYTimes.com
HISTORIC EVENTS PREDICTED LONG BEFORE THEY OCCURRED:
• Late film critic Roger Ebert predicted the likes of Netflix and Apple TV in 1987, before the Internet was even mainstream. His prediction came true in 2007.
• Writer Morgan Robertson wrote an 1898 novella about the largest ship ever made hitting an iceberg … 14 years before ‘Titanic’ sank (1912).
• The 1888 novel “Looking Backward” predicted the rise of credit cards. That prediction came true in 1950 with the Diners Club card.
• In his 1968 book “2001: A Space Odyssey”, sci-fi’ writer Arthur C Clarke described the ‘Newspad’, an iPad-style device. The iPad was released in 2010.
• In a 1900 edition of “Ladies Home Journal”, civil engineer John Elfrath Watkins Jr made several accurate predictions, including mobile phones and digital color photography.
• French apothecary Nostradamus published numerous prophecies from 1550-68. Among his correct predictions: The Great Fire of London (1666), and the rise of Adolf Hitler (1930s).
• Astrologer Jeane Dixon rose to fame due to her 1960 prediction that US president John F Kennedy would be assassinated. That came true on November 22, 1963.
(And your prediction for the future is …?)
– Condensed from @MailOnline
FOR THE RECORD:
A German mother of 13 is set to become the oldest woman in the world to give birth to quadruplets … at age 65. Annegret Raunigk says she is expecting her 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th children in a matter of weeks. The elementary school teacher from Berlin already has 7 grandchildren and is due to retire this year. But she decided to try for another baby after her youngest daughter, who is 9, said she wanted a little brother or sister. Raunigk eventually conceived after 18 months of fertility treatments.
– AFP
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• More than half of parents say they’d rather dip into their retirement savings than have their children take on student loans.
– TRowePrice.com
• The “Furious 7” worldwide box office gross after just 10 days …. $800,522,000.
– BoxOfficeMojo.com
BS CHRONOMETER 04.14.15
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1960 [55] Brad Garrett, Woodland Hills CA, TV actor (“Fargo” 2015, “The Crazy Ones” 2013-14, “Everybody Loves Raymond” 1996-2005)/movie actor (“Night At the Museum” films)
1973 [42] Adrien Brody, NYC, movie actor (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”, 2003 Oscar-“The Pianist”)/TV actor (“Houdini” 2014)
1977 [38] Sarah Michelle Gellar, NYC, TV actress (“The Crazy Ones” 2013-14, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 1997-2003)/movie actress (“The Grudge” films, “Cruel Intentions”)
1980 [35] Win Butler (Edwin Farnham Butler III), Truckee CA, indie rock singer (Arcade Fire-“Reflektor”, “Keep the Car Running”)
1993 [22] Graham Phillips, Laguna Beach CA, TV actor (‘Zach Florrick’ on “The Good Wife” since 2009)
1996 [19] Abigail Breslin, NYC, movie actress (“August: Osage County”, “Little Miss Sunshine”)
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Black Day”, an observance original to South Korea where those who have not found love dress in dark colors and commiserate over meals of black food, with the dish of choice being Chinese-style noodles topped with a thick sauce of black bean paste.
• “Dolphin Day”, established in the 1990s to focus on the worldwide plight of dolphins.
• “International Moment of Laughter Day”, a day to take the time to experience the power of laughter. Ha!
• “Library Workers Day”, so be sure to thank your local librarian today.
• “New Year Festival” in South and Southeast Asian cultures (Cambodia, Laos, India, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc), celebrated on what’s called the Sidereal Vernal Equinox (part of Hindu astrology).
• “Pan American Day”, celebrated annually as a symbol of the American continental community. The date marks the 1890 founding of the organization representing North, Central, and South American countries. It’s most recent conference was hosted by Panama City.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/ks7d352
• “Pathologists Assistant Day”, the 2nd annual celebration of those who assist distinct but inter-related medical specialties which diagnose disease through the analysis of tissue, cell, and body fluid samples.
• “Titanic Disaster Anniversary”. Shortly before midnight on April 14, 1912 the ship collided with an iceberg causing it to sink at 2:20 am on April 15th. (The movie “Titanic” airs on ABC Family tonight.)
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1997 [18] TV star Ellen DeGeneres reveals she’s a lesbian in an interview with “TIME” magazine (Quote: “Yup, I’m gay.”)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2008 [07] Liverpool’s John Moore University names Queen’s Brian May its new chancellor
2009 [06] George Harrison (The Beatles) is posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of Capitol Records West Coast headquarters
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2003 [12] Human Genome Project is successfully completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to 99.99% accuracy (in case you ever want to ‘DIY’ a baby from cells)
TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1960 [55] NHL’s Montréal Canadiens defeat Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup for a record 5th year in-a-row
2002 [13] Tiger Woods wins his 3rd Masters golf title, becoming only the 2nd player ever to win 2 in-a-row (alongside Jack Nicklaus)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Income Tax Pay Day (USA)
[Wed] World Art Day
[Thurs] High Five Day
[Thurs] Stress Awareness Day
[Thurs] Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
[Fri] “Child 44”; “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”; “Unfriended” open in movie theaters
This Week Is … Health Information Privacy & Security Week
This Month Is … Parkinson’s Awareness Month
BULL’S BITS
MORE BS SIGNS YOU’RE A BAD PARENT:
• Having never potty trained him, he’s now too big for regular diapers and must wear Depends.
• She tells her friends that toast is a fruit.
• When you ask, “What do we do if the cops come to the door?” he answers, “Flush Daddy’s stash?”
• You have 200 pictures of you at the bar; 2 pictures of you with your kid.
• You feed him steroids so he he’ll hurry up and get big enough to do to the heavy chores.
• When asked at school, “What’s your favorite thing about weekends?” she screams, “Fudge for dinner!”
• The dogs get gourmet Alpo; the kids are eating chicken nuggets.
• You feel OK about Tweeting pictures of your kid posed asleep next to an empty wine bottle.
– Adapted from JasonGood.net / MadameNoire.com
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What game did you invent as a kid that you swear no one else in the world played?
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do … unless we are celebrities.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: If a woman starts THIS, she’ll spend $700 on it; if a man does, he’ll spend $1,000.
Answer: Golf.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.