Friday, April 3, 2020 — Edition: #6669
The BS Press!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ J.K. Rowling wants to make it a little easier for kids, parents and teachers stuck at home due to COVID-19 to enjoy “Harry Potter.” She has launched a website featuring a handful of school-friendly activities based on her popular book series. The new site, “harrypotterathome.com”, promises to “bring Hogwarts to you” via themed quizzes, videos, puzzles, and other activities, with the claim: “We’re casting a banishing charm to boredom!”
-TheWrap
★ Universal has pushed back the release date of “Minions: The Rise of Gru” to July 2, 2021, a full year after its planned opening, and removed the movie musical adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked” from its release date of Dec. 22, 2021. That comes after news that Sony Pictures pushed back two of its big summer releases until next year: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and the Marvel movie “Morbius.” (***UPDATE***) [Paramount confirmed on Thursday that the North American release date for “Top Gun: Maverick” has been moved from June 24 to December 23, 2020]. It’s a sign of potentially more to come from other major studios potentially writing off the summer 2020 box office and preparing for the possibility that even if movie theaters are able to welcome audiences back with reduced capacity by July, there will be little product to lure moviegoers who might already be wary of returning to crowded spaces.
-TheWrap
★ “Empire” will come to a premature end after the coronavirus pandemic forced filming to be shut down. Plans were for the hip-hop drama to finish after its current sixth season but the planned season finale – episode 20 in the current run – has now been abandoned. The 18th episode will now serve as the series finale and will include footage from the unfinished episode 19 – which was halfway through shooting before the shutdown – to ”help create a more seamless overall ending”.
-ContactMusic
★ Samuel L. Jackson is making sure everyone gets the message. He appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (which the host is doing from home), and while there, he stressed the importance of staying home amid the novel coronavirus pandemic as only Jackson can: with a lot of yelling and cursing. Jackson presented a new book by Adam Mansbach, author of the adult best-seller “Go the F to Sleep”, titled “Stay the F at Home”. Jackson previously read Go the F to Sleep on YouTube, where it has millions of views.
-HollywoodReporter
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Miley Cyrus, Lewis Capaldi
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): John Krasinski, Rachael & Vilray (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Woody Harrelson, Kieran Culkin, Bobby Flay (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Kathy Bates, Billy Eichner (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Day of Hot Topics
• “The Talk” (CBS): Dr. Mehmet Oz, Sebastian Maniscalco
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Viewers’ Choice Show (R)
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Mark Wahlberg (R)
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): Norman Lear, Fortune Feimster, Acapop! KIDS (R)
• “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS): Season 10 finale
SATURDAY-
• “You’re Bacon Me Crazy” (HALLMARK): Cleo Morelli, an aspiring Portland chef, tries to win a food truck competition. When a handsome chef from a rival food truck parks across the street from her, Cleo’s goal to win takes a spicy turn.
• “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Host RuPaul with musical guest Justin Bieber (R)
SUNDAY-
• “American Idol” (ABC): Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment Part #2
• “ACM Presents: Our Country” (CBS): Intimate conversations and at-home acoustic performances with top country artists; clips of artists’ favorite moments from the Academy of Country Music Awards’ 55-year history.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift — has given money to a small Nashville record stop to help keep it afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. She got her big musical break in the city, and has donated an undisclosed amount to Grimey’s New & Preloved Music to help the business to pay its employees and add three months’ worth of funds to its group health insurance plan.
• Lizzo — is lending a helping hand during the COVID-19 crisis. This week, she sent lunch orders to a number of ER workers across the US, ensuring that they’ll have enough to eat while working long, exhausting shifts during the pandemic.
• Justin Bieber — has postponed his 2020 Changes Tour due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 45-date stadium and arena trek was set to kick off May 14th in Seattle. No new dates yet.
• 5 Seconds of Summer could – drummer Ashton Irwin says he could ”write a whole book” about touring with One Direction. 5 Seconds toured with One Direction as their opening act on their ‘Take Me Home Tour’ in 2013, and Irwin calls them ”incredible” musicians with a ”fascinating career”.
• Blink-182 – are inviting self-isolating fans to be part of their latest music video. They’ve asked those stuck at home to help them with the promo for ‘Happy Days’ by submitting video showing how they are spending their time indoors.
• David Bowie – His son Duncan Jones used April Fool’s Day to trick fans into thinking an animated series about his late father was in the works. The filmmaker tweeted that Aardman Animations, the studio behind “Wallace and Gromit”, had developed a new Bowie TV program. He later teased that he would “make it up to everyone,” suggesting a legitimate Bowie TV project could be on the horizon.
• The Who — The coronavirus forced them to push all their tour dates to 2021, and Pete Townshend says he is using the downtime to begin work on new Who music. Quote: “I feel like I’ve been given an answer to a prayer I don’t think I would have had the guts to do, which is to say, ‘Please cancel everything and give me some time in the studio!’ It feels like a gift.”
• Dolly Parton – has announced plans for “Goodnight With Dolly,” a weekly web series where she’ll read bedtime stories pulled from her book donation program Imagination Library, each Thursday at 8 EDT for the next 10 weeks. Goodnight With Dolly will be available on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
• Sara Evans — her autobiography, “Born to Fly,” will be released Sept. 8. It is said to be about her life in music, inspirations and how her faith keeps her strong. “Copy That”, her first solo album in nearly three years, comes out on May 15.
TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
***Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fact that most theatres are closed, all major movie releases have been put on hold. Try watching that “Tiger King” show if you need to waste some time!***
VIRAL APP:
They say there is an app for just about anything – how about one to detect COVID-19? A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have released an the “COVID Voice Detector” app, which they say can determine if you have the virus by analyzing your voice. Users are prompted to cough several times and record a number of vowel sounds, as well as reciting the alphabet into their phones. Then it provides a score, representing how likely the algorithm believes it is that the user has COVID-19. The researchers who worked on the project say that the virus affects the lungs so badly that breathing patterns are affected, and that shows up in people’s voices. You can use the COVID Voice Detector now to analyze your own voice for signs of infection, but remember that at this point it is not approved by the FDA or CDC, and its developers point out that it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a medical test.
(Do us all a favor and don’t use this app in public, OK?)
(They should have named it the “No One Will Steal Your Phone After This” app…)
-Futurism
NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ Few measures have been enforced to curb coronavirus in Belarus, except a few questionable ones. The country’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, shrugged off concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak by taking place in a hockey game on Saturday, and declaring that the sport “is the best anti-virus remedy.” In recent weeks, the president has suggested that Belarusians should drink 50ml of vodka a day to ward off the virus (but not at work), and to be sure to take regular saunas and enjoy “breakfast on time”. (***It seems some others agree with the drinking part – see “Did You Know”, below…***)
➢ Some people will do anything to get out during the coronavirus lockdown. A couple in Stevenage, UK shared video to TikTok of a neighbor who went incognito disguised as a shrub in order to go outdoors without being caught. Madeline Mai-Davies’ video shows a bush with two legs scuttling from the top of a driveway down to the street. The stunt has already gathered more than 3.2 million likes. (And about that many bugs!)
DID YOU KNOW?
Nielsen reports sales of booze in the U.S. rose 55% in the week ending March 21. Among the biggest categories chosen by those trying to boost their spirts were – spirits, with tequila, gin and pre-mixed cocktails leading the way. Sales in those categories jumped 75% compared to the same period last year. Wine sales are up 66% and beer sales 42%. And it appears people are getting alcohol while practicing social distancing; Nielsen says online alcohol sales are up 243%. (Probably just to sanitize their hands…)
-AP
BS CHRONOMETER 04.03.20
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1934 [86] Jane Goodall, London UK, zoologist (iconic British primatologist, ethnologist, and anthropologist who lived with and studied the chimpanzees of East Africa)/UN Messenger of Peace/founder of the “Jane Goodall Institute”
1958 [62] Alec Baldwin, Massapequa NY, Movie/TV actor (“30 Rock” 2006-13)/‘President Trump’ on “Saturday Night Live”
1961 [59] Eddie Murphy, Brooklyn NY, movie actor (“Trading Places”, “Beverly Hills Cop”)/former TV comedian (“Saturday Night Live” 1980-84)
1968 [52] Sebastian Bach (Bierk), Freeport Bahamas (raised in Peterborough, ON), rock singer (Skid Row – ‘I Remember You’)
1972 [48] Jennie Garth, Urbana IL, TV actress (“Beverly Hills, 90210” 1990-2000, “90210” 2008-10, “BH90210” 2019)
1973 [47] Adam Scott, Santa Cruz CA, TV actor (“Parks and Recreation” 2010-2015, “Big Little Lies” since 2017)
1982 [38] Cobie (Jacoba) Smulders, Vancouver BC, TV actress (“How I Met Your Mother” 2005-14)/movie actress (“The Avengers”)
1985 [35] Leona Lewis, London UK, pop singer (‘Bleeding Love’)/“X Factor UK” winner (2006)
1986 [34] Amanda Bynes, Thousand Oaks CA, movie actress (“Easy A”, “She’s the Man)
1998 [22] Paris Jackson, Beverly Hills CA, model/media personality/actress (“The Space Between”)/daughter of Michael Jackson
SATURDAY- Craig T. Nelson (“Parenthood”) is 76; Graham Norton (“The Graham Norton Show”) is 57; David Cross (“Arrested Development”) is 56; Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man”) is 55; Josh Todd (Buckcherry) is 49; Magician David Blaine is 47; Natasha Lyonne (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 41; Jamie Lynn Spears (“Zoey 101”) is 29
SUNDAY- Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA) is 70; Mitch Pileggi (“X-Files”) is 68; Pharrell Williams (‘Happy’) is 47; Mike Eli (Eli Young Band) is 39; Lily James (“Downton Abbey”) is 31
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun Day”, an annual observance encouraging us to lighten up at the office and actually enjoy work, not just endure it. (Of course, lately, it’s been just “Don’t Go to Work Day”…)
• “National Chocolate Mousse Day”, recognizes the decadent dessert that gained popularity in France in the 1800s (good training for Easter!)
• “Find a Rainbow Day”, although I’m sure you would rather find the pots o’gold at the ends!
• “American Circus Day”, Englishman John Bill Ricketts promised to open a circus in the newly formed United States, and on April 3, 1793 he produced the first performance in Philadelphia. This early circus emphasized equestrian feats and was geared toward adults, unlike today’s “family” shows.
• “National Walking Day”, The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind people about the health benefits of taking a walk. Wear your sneakers (or take them with you) to work, and at some point in the day, you are encouraged to take a 30-minute walk.
• “Pony Express Day”, celebrates those brave souls who made up the unique mail delivery system of the same name. Back in the days of the wild west, there was no Fed Ex, no Postal Service that ran that far west, no planes, and deliveries by ship were likely to take months — if they ever got there at all.
SATURDAY-
• “404 Day”, celebrating(?) the 404 error or, ‘not found’ message. This error occurs when your computer is not able to communicate with a server or server can’t find what was requested. Since the decimal form of April 4 coincides with 404, this day has become 404 Day.
• “Ballroom Dancing Day”, celebrated on the birth anniversary of Arthur Murray, the famous ballroom dancing instructor. It’s an activity that’s seen a recent resurgence thanks to TV shows like “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.
•“Hug a Newsperson Day”, Caution: wait until he/she has had their morning coffee!
• “International Day for Landmine Awareness & Assistance”. (Unfortunately, participation in this can cost you an arm and a leg.)
• “Carrot Day”, the day when the carrot is celebrated through carrot parties and other carrot related festivities. (Carrot festivities? The only carrot festivity I want to be a part of is a big hunk of carrot cake…hold the carrots!)
• “World Rat Day”, recognizing the ‘dear, sweet animals which deserve greater recognition and admiration’, according to people who own them. It’s claimed their bad image only suffers from ignorance and unthinking prejudice. (Well that and the plague.)
NET: http://www.worldratday.com
• “Tell-A-Lie Day”, a good day to ask listeners to add to the list of ‘World’s Greatest Lies’ …
– “You get this one, I’ll buy the next round.”
– “Drinking? Why no, officer.”
– “Trust me, I’ll take care of everything.”
– “It’s not the money, it’s the principle of the thing.”
– “I gave at the office.”
– “Don’t worry, my dog’s never bitten anyone.”
— “The check’s in the mail.”
– “Of course I love you.”
– “It was good for me, too.”
– “I’ll call you later.”
SUNDAY-
• “Dandelion Day”, No one is really sure why, no one is really sure who came up with it, but it’s Dandelion Day. So, rub one under someone’s chin and mourn the fact that Crayola has retired the ‘dandelion’ crayon!
• “Deep Dish Pizza Day”, celebrating the creation of Chicago’s Uno Chicago Grill, which opened in 1943. Why deep dish? Because you can’t possibly get enough fat-laden cheese and sausage onto a regular pie to cause a proper cardiac arrest.
• “Go For Broke Day”, a day to throw caution to the wind and go all out, give it all you’ve got, don’t hold back, give it all or nothing, start giving 110%, let ’er rip, balls to the wall! (Now I need a nap…)
• “Road Map Day”, which promotes map reading as an ‘enjoyable pastime’ and survival skill. Who reads the map or GPS during your family trips?
• “Bell Bottoms Day”, you’ll notice this is NOT held in conjunction with “Ride Your Bike Day”
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2009 [11] “Fast & Furious”, the 4th film in the franchise, has a record-breaking $72.5 million opening weekend
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2007 [13] Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards denies to MTV his own earlier claim that he once snorted the ashes of his late father (maybe smoked them?)
2008 [12] Mariah Carey’s ‘Touch My Body’ goes to #1, beating Elvis Presley’s old solo artist record of 17 chart-topping singles (she now has 18; only The Beatles have more with 20)
2009 [11] A Malawian court rejects Madonna’s attempt to adopt a second child from the African nation after local rights groups protested her adoption of David Banda 2 years earlier (but she did manage to adopt a girl that year, and twin girls in 2017)
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1973 [47] The first portable cell phone call is made in New York City
2010 [10] Apple releases its multi-touch tablet computer, the ‘iPad’ (3 million devices are sold within the first 80 days of its release)
TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
2003 [17] An Oklahoma couple (aged 95 & 94) finally gets married after 77 years of living together (“Gummy, I’ve decided I wanna make you an honest woman …”)
2007 [13] A French TGV train sets an official new ‘Conventional-Train World Speed Record’ … 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph)
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Weeks have 7 days because the ancient Babylonians had one day for each known celestial body: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.
✓ White mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms are all the same mushroom, but at different stages of growth.
✓ In 2007, Georgetown University banned the possession of multiple ping pong balls in an effort to eliminate the playing of beer pong.
✓ NASA estimates that the value of minerals in the asteroid belt equals nearly $100 billion per person alive.
✓ A man actually looked for and found a single needle hidden in a haystack. It took him 18 hours.
✓ All Ben & Jerry’s Employees get to take home 3 free pints of ice cream every single day!
-FactRepublic
BS WORST THINGS TO AWAKEN TO:
• Your dog making that heaving sound
• A hangover and construction next door
• Your toddler yelling “uh-oh” from the kitchen
• A bedroom you’ve never seen before
• A missing kidney
• All your passengers screaming at you
• The realization that you’ve now hit “snooze” 15 times
• Lorena Bobbitt
• Decaf
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ A truck carrying 55,000 pounds of cheese crashed and spilled all over a Milwaukee highway last week. (I heard there was de-brie everywhere!)
➠ The lifestyle brand, Candy Couture California’s (CCC) is offering T-shirts that smell like bacon. (I’m in lockdown — Been there, done that. Still wearing the t-shirt. Have been wearing it for 2 weeks…)
➠ A Washington State man who was teaching his pit bull how to drive his ’96 Buick, was arrested last weekend after a 100 mph-plus high-speed chase. (The man was cited for reckless driving, speeding, eluding police and driving with no license. The dog? He had a license.)
➠ A Washington State man who was teaching his pit bull how to drive his ’96 Buick, was arrested last weekend after a 100 mph-plus high-speed chase. (I knew this wasn’t a story about #FloridaMan, because the car wasn’t stolen!)
➠ Researchers say that too much happiness might actually be bad for your heart. (And that, my friend, is your total explanation for the popularity of “Awkwafina.”
BS WEB GOODIE:
Can’t wait to see what he does on day 21: https://tinyurl.com/wvleyxr
BS PHONE STARTER:
What technology isn’t available yet – that should be? The results of a recent survey included:
• Dustpans that don’t leave that one line of dirt
• The ability to “unpress” an elevator button
• Quiet microwave doors
• Resealable cereal packages
BS RANDOM JOKE:
How to stop eating during quarantine: Put on your swimsuit instead of your pajamas. You’re welcome.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Living near one of THESE could increase the value of your home, but maybe not so much these days. What is it?
Answer: Starbucks
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.
