Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Edition: #6681
Sheet for Brains!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Ricky Gervais wants to host the Oscars. The controversial comedian previously hosted the Golden Globe Awards in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and again in 2020, but he says he would love to take charge at the Academy Awards. When asked about it, Gervais said: ”Yes, but they would never ask me. Because I’d never do it on their terms. Now, if they said you can say what you want, that would really be tempting. And I know it would go terribly…I know how badly it would go! And I still might do it.”
-ContactMusic
★ “The Batman” movie from Matt Reeves has had its release date pushed back four months to Oct. 1, 2021, Warner Bros has announced. The film was originally set to be released on June 25 next year, and production had begun in the U.K. a few months ago. The studio suspended production on the film last month amid coronavirus concerns. The latest DC Films project stars Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader.
-TheWrap
★ Jennifer Lopez is being accused of profiting off another artist’s work without cutting him in on the action. A photographer named Steve Sands is suing J-Lo and her company Nuyorican Productions. The federal lawsuit accuses her of copyright infringement and seeks in excess of $150,000 in damages. Sands says he is a professional photographer who captured Lopez while out in public. He accuses her of using the photo to promote her brand on Instagram without permission or paying him a dime.
-TheBlast
★ Cheech & Chong are undoubtedly one of the greatest comedy duos of all-time, having created nearly a dozen beloved comedy albums and a number of classic films. Now the pair are taking on the mobile game industry with their brand-new game “Bud Farm”. Tommy Chong says: “The game itself comes at a perfect time, with this lockdown. Now, we can concentrate on entertaining ourselves in our homes, with our phone, and that’s exactly what it does.” The game’s official launch day was April 20. (Go figure!)
-PopCulture
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Chris Hemsworth
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): LL Cool J
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Greta Gerwig, Allison Miller (R)
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Mike D & Ad-Rock, Alec Benjamin
• “Conan” (TBS): Shaquille O’Neal
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Meghan McCain, Erika Jayne
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Day of Hot Topics
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Natalie Dormer
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Kate Hudson
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): A new Message from Montana, repeat segments with Octavia Spencer, David Dobrik (R)
• “Survivor” (CBS): One castaway plays double agent and infiltrates another group; one player who has been playing it cool finally goes to work to search for an idol.
• “The Masked Singer” (FOX): The four remaining singers battle it out; Sharon Osbourne joins the panelists; Nick Cannon and celebrity guests discuss the night’s best moments.
• “People Presents Harry & Meghan: A Royal Rebellion” (CW): Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from royal life is examined.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Lady Gaga – wrote that she feels “humbled” after learning that the “One World: Together At Home.” Online concert raised more than $127 million. After Saturday’s event, which she helped curate, she tweeted: “I love all the artists on #TogetherAtHome. And everyone that watched and everyone that didn’t or couldn’t. We all matter. We’re one world”.
• The Weeknd – His ‘Blinding Lights’ has returned to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Last week, Drake’s TikTok hit ‘Toosie Slide’ debuted at the top, relegating ‘Lights’ down to No. 2. But on the new Hot 100 chart dated April 25, ‘Blinding Lights’ has reclaimed the top spot, forcing ‘Toosie Slide’ down to No. 2.
• Celine Dion – is one of many Canadian stars who will appear on Sunday’s “Stronger Together /Tous Ensemble” special to replenish food and supply chain services at Canada’s foodbanks. Also among the 30-plus notables standing “together apart” are Alessia Cara, Arkells, Barenaked Ladies, Bianca Andreescu, Bryan Adams, Chris Hadfield, Connor McDavid, David Suzuki, Eric McCormack, Hayley Wickenheiser, Howie Mandel, Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Rick Hansen, Rick Mercer, Russell Peters, Sarah McLachlan, Shania Twain, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jason Priestley and Margaret Atwood. It will be carried on multiple networks.
• Beastie Boys — “The Beastie Boys Story,” the rock ‘n’ roll documentary that was to have premiered in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival, is now premiering on Friday on Apple TV+. The Spike Jonze production is the filmed record of three nights in which Michael Diamond and Adam Horowitz showed film clips and photos to audiences while recounting the history of the band.
• Bon Jovi — have cancelled their summer tour. Due to the pandemic, they say they have chosen to axe the shows in favor of giving their fans refunds. The band recently delayed the release of their upcoming album “Bon Jovi: 2020”, also due to the health crisis.
• Fountains Of Wayne — will reunite tonight, weeks after the death of co-founder Adam Schlesinger. Surviving bandmembers will perform together for the first time since 2013 at the Jersey 4 Jersey show, to raise money for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. Also performing from their homes will be Tony Bennett, Jon Bon Jovi, Halsey, Charlie Puth, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, and SZA.
• Soundgarden — Chris Cornell’s 15-year-old daughter Toni performed an acoustic cover version of Temple of the Dog’s ‘Hunger Strike’ from her father’s home studio during the “Music Lives” global digital music festival. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/ybztx9ga
• UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro — have released ‘Lean On Me’ to raise money for the UK’s National Health Services “Charities Together Urgent Covid-19 Appeal”. They decided to record a cover of the classic Bill Withers song to show their ”appreciation” to the UK’s doctors and nurses who are fighting the deadly coronavirus.
• Billy Ray Cyrus – has launched a cannabis brand. He’s joined forces with the Lowell Herb Co to personally curate Lava Cake and Banana Cream blends for their “Midnight Special” limited edition black pack of pre-rolls. But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he reminded samplers not to share their joints as they celebrated 4/20.
• Lady Antebellum – appear on tonight’s third night of “Canada Together: In Concert”, along with Meghan Patrick, The Reklaws, and Dean Brody. The 5-night series of at-home concerts on ET Canada support Covid-19 relief efforts by Food Banks Canada and Unison Benevolent Fund. Still coming this week: Jess Moskaluke, Gord Bamford and James Barker Band.
NOVEL DREAMS:
Have you been having weird dreams lately? Blame the coronavirus. Many people around the world—including more than 600 featured in just one study—say they are experiencing a new phenomenon: pandemic dreams. That’s the term being used to describe the vivid, unusual dreams that seems to occur in people when they are removed from their usual environment and left with a “dearth of inspiration.” This is said to force our subconscious minds to draw more heavily on themes from our past. The stress and anxiety caused by the uncertainty around the COVID-19 virus could also have an effect on the content and intensity of our dreams these days (or nights…). And our heightened isolation and stress could also be causing us to remember our dreams more often.
(I know I’ve been dreaming a lot lately. Mostly because I don’t have anything else to do…)
(I know I’ve been dreaming…of leaving the house for something besides groceries!)
(I just thought I was dreaming more because I’m finally getting enough sleep!)
-NationalGeographic
SCARY MOVIE:
With the COVID-19 pandemic, there sure haven’t been many exciting new movies opening lately. In fact, there haven’t been any major new releases in North America for weeks. And with movie theaters across the continent closed, the weekly box office report is basically a distant memory. But there’s one theater that’s still keeping it alive. A single drive-in theater, the Ocala Drive-In in Ocala, Florida was the source of the entire domestic box office this past weekend, showing a whopping two (!) movies to its audience. So, if you were missing your weekly box office report, here it is: The World War II biopic “Resistance” and the indie psychological thriller “Swallow” both averaged an estimated $2,150 per showing for a grand total box office $33,456. It isn’t the only theater open — there are still a fair number of drive-in theaters (official and makeshift) operating — but it seems Ocala is the only one still showing new releases and reporting their grosses.
(But good luck getting a sitter!)
(I was going to say that with the pandemic, a drive-in is all good until you have to go to the bathroom – but that’s the case for a drive-in any time!)
(It’d be a shame to be taken out by the virus while being taken out for a movie!)
-SlashFilm
MORE WAYS THE WORLD COULD CHANGE AFTER THE PANDEMIC:
We know that working from home will be common and handshakes will be rare – but what else?
➢ Staycations could replace international travel: Instead of risking a cruise or other far-flung experience, we may opt to take a “staycation for the nation” and remain within our own country. (At least I won’t have to find my passport!)
➢ Masks will become a regular fashion accessory: With designers releasing fashionable masks, there’s a chance that the fashion could stick. (Once again, Spider-Man is the way ahead of the curve!)
➢ Venues will become more intimate: With virtual concerts becoming all the rage, it seems unlikely that there will be a rush to return to massive venues and their associated risks. Instead, bands will choose to perform in venues with 50 people or less. (Catch the Eagles tonight for their 75th sold out show in [***our city***]!!)
➢The world will become even more connected: Researchers around the world are already working together on drug trials to beat the coronavirus. Maybe that spirit of global cooperation will last.
➢ Surge in creativity: Because most movies and TV shows have suspended filming, there could be a weird period of time when there isn’t much to watch. But think of how many artists, writers and musicians are using their isolation time to create some of the greatest stuff of their careers! (Including a thousand books and movies about the pandemic!)
➢ Corona beer will be re-branded: Just too many people Googling “corona beer virus”!
-FreshDaily
FROM THE BS POLL VAULT:
A statistical look at who we are and the things we do …
• 11% of adults say they have put their smartphone on top of their car and driven off.
• 60% of adults say they can’t remember their first kiss.
• 65% of single people say they wouldn’t date someone who is over $5,000 in debt.
• 34% of adults say they don’t break sweat when they go to the gym.
• 44% of adults exaggerate about how often they floss their teeth.
• 77% of women say they expect their man to know when they’re angry…..even when they say everything’s “fine”.
DID YOU KNOW?
US oil prices crashed Monday to a record low as the market continues to be decimated by an epic collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak. US oil prices plunged, falling below $0 to $-37.63 a barrel, making it possible that some producers in the US and Canada could start paying customers to take crude oil off their hands.
-CNN
BS CHRONOMETER 04.22.20
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1937 [83] Jack Nicholson, Neptune City NJ, movie actor/3-time Oscar winner (“As Good As It Gets”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Terms of Endearment”)
1950 [70] Peter Frampton, Kent UK, rock singer/guitarist (‘Do You Feel Like We Do’, ‘Show Me the Way’)
1959 [61] Ryan Stiles, Seattle WA, improv comedian/TV personality (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” 1998-2007, 2013-present)
1966 [54] Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Seattle WA, TV actor (Negan on “The Walking Dead” since 2016)
1967 [53] Sherri Shepherd, Chicago IL, TV actress (“30 Rock” 2007-12, “Mr. Iglesias” since 2019)
1972 [48] Willie Robertson, Bernice LA, reality star (“Duck Dynasty” 2012-17)
1986 [34] Amber Heard, Austin TX, movie actress (“Aquaman”, “The Rum Diary”)
1990 [30] Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker), Houston TX, rapper (“Bad Things”)/actor (“The Dirt”, “Bird Box”)
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Earth Day”, the 50th anniversary of the international celebration of the planet we all call home. Begun in 1970, it’s now the largest environmental event worldwide – and this year it’s all digital.
NET: http://www.earthday.org
• “Girl Guide/Scout Leader Appreciation Day”, observed since 1982 to honor the many adult volunteers who help keep the program running. Thanks, ‘Brown Owl’!
• “Jelly Bean Day”. Originally they only came in a few colors but nowadays you can get them in lip-smacking flavors like Toasted Marshmallow, Café Latte, and Piña Colada.
NET: http://www.jellybelly.com/flavor-guides?guide=original50
• “April Showers Day”, to enhance the celebration of May Flowers Day next month. We could use a good rain, as they say.
• “”In God We Trust” Day”, on this date in 1864, Congress passed an act allowing for “In God We Trust” to begin appearing on U.S. coins. That same year it appeared on the newly minted two-cent piece and was soon used on other coins.
COMING UP . . .
[Thurs] Cherry Cheesecake Day
[Thurs] Lost Dog Awareness Day
[Fri] Day of Silence
[Fri] New Kids on the Block Day
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2011 [09] A judge orders actress Lindsay Lohan to 120 days in jail for violating terms of her probation after he’s charged with theft of an expensive necklace from a Venice CA boutique (she serves a few hours of hard time, then files an appeal)
2019 [01] The Marvel film “Avengers: Endgame” starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and an ensemble cast, premieres in Los Angeles. It would become the top-grossing movie ever, at $2.8 billion.
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1989 [31] Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” album hits #1 in the US and stays for six weeks. It’s her third consecutive #1 album. Thanks to a controversial music video, the title song hits #1 the same day
2007 [13] Beyoncé & Shakira hit #1 with ‘Beautiful Liar’ (the track later wins “Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration” at 2007 MTV Video Music Awards)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2011 [09] Benedict XVI becomes the first pontiff to participate in a TV interview (pre-recorded for Italian television)
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Bubble gum is pink because that was the only food dye available in the factory where it was made.
✓ Oranges aren’t even in the top ten list of foods when it comes to vitamin C levels.
✓ Bacon was used to make explosives during World War II.
✓ Chewing coffee beans can help eliminate bad breath.
✓ According to one study, dunking an Oreo in milk for three seconds gives you the optimal balance of sogginess and structural integrity.
✓ When it comes to wine, an aroma similar to cat pee is a considered a good thing.
-MentalFloss
Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS ‘EARTH DAY’ IS RUNNING OUT OF STEAM:
• All too often confused with ‘Smurf Day’.
• CBC Newsworld coverage of this year’s event is brought to you by Exxon.
• Saying you’re a member of Greenpeace just doesn’t have the same pickup power in bars anymore.
• Sting now shows up for ‘Save the Rain Forest’ benefits in a Lincoln Navigator.
• In 1990, organizers actually got Shelley Long to come out for it. In 2019, organizers got Shelley Long to come out for it.
-First published in BS in 2001
BS OTHER JOBS FOR UMPIRES:
• Calling strikes at the bowling alley
• Catching fowl
• There’s always a position open in the Trump administration
• Ejection molding
• The loud guy at Starbucks who yells out you name when your coffee is ready
• Telemarketer…so he can make even more bad calls
• There has to be something they could do at the Umpire State Building
• Dishwasher. Because they’re so good at cleaning plates
• Braille teacher
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Police in Spain arrested a burglary suspect accused of breaking into a bar. He was easy to catch because he got drunk and fell asleep on a couch. (He was booked and then charged with not resisting a rest.)
➠ Pope Francis is under fire after he was caught on video proclaiming that Scotch whisky is “the real holy water” (I agree! “For the Father, Son and ‘The Holy Spirits’. . . Cheers!”)
➠ A $399 iPhone SE went on sale this week. It’s an upgraded version of the old SE from 2016, but with a much more sensitive screen. (In fact, it cries during those Sarah McLachlan “save the puppies” commercials…)
➠ A 99-year-old World War II veteran in the U.K. did 100 laps in his garden to raise millions for charity last week. (He’s so old, he met his first girlfriend, “Eve” in that same garden some years ago.)
➠ Superman celebrated a birthday over the weekend. He was first published April 18th, 1932. (I’m not gonna say he’s old, but. . . If there’s a crime between 6:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M., it’s just not gonna get fought!)
BS WEB GOODIE:
You can eat more once you’ve revved up your metabolism: https://tinyurl.com/y75eoxfs
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• Which is NOT a type of apple?
a. Delicious
b. Goldrush
c. McIntosh
d. Redbud [CORRECT]
• Which flower is NOT planted as a bulb?
a. Tulip
b. Daffodil
c. Marigold [CORRECT]
d. Lily
• ‘Tony the Tiger’ is a representative for which cereal?
a. Fruit Loops
b. Cheerios
c. Frosted Flakes [CORRECT]
d. Cinnamon Toast Crunch
-WhoWantstobeaMillionaire
BS RANDOM JOKE:
If I’m not able to perfect human cloning, I won’t be able to live with myself.
BS PHONE STARTER:
What is your best line to win an argument?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: In general, people believe having THIS makes you 20% more attractive. What is it?
Answer: White teeth.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
You are far more worried about what you say and do than anyone else is.
