Friday, December 19, 2008        Edition: #3926
Bull Soup For the Radio Personality’s Soul!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
After 6 seasons, CTV has announced that “Canadian Idol” is being shelved for 2009, a victim of the economic downturn as shrinking ad dollars make it too expensive to produce (a year without Ben Mulroney – hurray!) . . . The Catholic movie drama “Doubt” leads contenders for the annual “Screen Actors Guild Awards” with 5 nominations, including honors for Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams & Viola Davis (the 15th annual “SAG Awards” are scheduled to air January 25th) . . . Album sales were down 21.7% during the 1st week of December compared to the same period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan (will there still be CDs a year from now?) . . . 33-year-old sometime country singer (and former underage Roger Clemens GF) Mindy McCready has been hospitalized in Nashville TN following an apparent suicide attempt . . . A man who’s stalked sometime actress Lindsay Lohan in the past has been arrested in Scottsdale AZ after ‘lunging aggressively’ toward her & GF Samantha Ronson in the wee hours outside a local club (on the upside – at least she has one fan left) . . . Despite denials, reports continue to say Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony’s marriage is at a ‘breaking point’, noting she showed up to the movie premiere of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” without her wedding band or 8-carat engagement ring (8 carats? – maybe her arm was just tired!) . . . “Entourage” star Jeremy Piven has ditched his Broadway play, “Speed-the-Plow”, citing doctors’ diagnosis that he’s suffering – a ‘high mercury count’ (2008’s most inventive excuse for blowing off responsibilities?) . . . And starved-for-attention actress Jennifer Aniston has gifted “Late Show” host David Letterman with the necktie she infamously wore (along with nothing else) during the cover shoot for the January edition of “GQ” magazine (Letterman will need to wring out the flop sweat before wearing).

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• Adele – She’s the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live”, hosted by actor Josh Brolin (“Milk”).
• “Christmas With the Stars” (Auction Network) – Kathy Hilton (mom of Paris) hosts her 2nd annual charity auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Over 200 items donated by celebs, including Avril Lavigne, Elizabeth Taylor, the Jonas Bros, and Melissa Etheridge, will be on sale at the Saturday event, to be broadcast live. The sale raised over $27,000 last year.
• Fall Out Boy – This afternoon they’re on Xbox Live to play members in “Call of Duty: World at War”. Tonight they appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV).
• Gavin DeGraw – He’s the guest tonight on “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC).
• “Harry Potter Marathon” – Today through December 24th, all 5 “Harry Potter” films play continuously for over 12 hours a day at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
• Leona Lewis – Tonight she’s onstage on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Melissa Etheridge – Tonight she’s on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel).
• Pussycat Dolls – Today they perform on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/A Channel).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Britney Spears – Reports say she’s decided to visit India, guided by Indian-born choreographer Sandip Soparrkar whom she met through her pal Madonna.
• Hilary Duff – In January’s “Maxim” magazine she says never claimed she was a virgin in a 2006 “Elle” interview, but the mag published that Earth-shaking statement anyway.
• Katy Perry – She’s set to headline “Gridlock New Year’s Eve” in Los Angeles, which takes place December 31st at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
• Taylor Swift – Her “Fearless” album has reclaimed the #1 spot on the “Billboard 200”, thanks to a 29% sales increase over the past week.
• Tim McGraw – A rep says the country star will NOT run for Tennessee governor in 2010, as suggested by “New Republic” magazine earlier this month. It’s something he’s interested in, the spokesman admits, but not for 2010 … later in life.
• U2 – Music promoter Live Nation Inc is set to lose some $19 million as the band moves to sell back its shares in the company. Live Nation guaranteed U2 would receive $25 million for its 1.6 million shares as part of a 12-year deal signed in March. This week the shares’ market value is only a tad over $6 million.
• Whitney Houston – She’s being sued by her stepmother over the will of Houston’s deceased father. Barbara Houston claims the 45-year-old singer improperly kept the proceeds from John Houston’s $1-million insurance policy after he died in 2003.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Seven Pounds” ( PG-13 Drama ): Will Smith plays an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of 7 strangers. Co-stars Rosario Dawson & Woody Harrelson. Prepare to feel depressed, then uplifted, for a 2nd time by Smith and his “Pursuit of Happyness” director Gabriele Muccino.
NET: http://www.sevenpounds.com
• “The Tale of Despereaux” ( G-Rated Animated Adventure ): After being banished from his home a mouse named ‘Despereaux’ (voiced by Matthew Broderick) is befriended by ‘Princess Pea’ (“Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson) who teaches him the value of reading books instead of eating them. Voice cast also includes Dustin Hoffman, Will H Macy & Kevin Kline.
NET: http://www.thetaleofdespereauxmovie.com
• “Yes Man” ( PG-13 Comedy ): Jim Carrey stars as a guy who challenges himself to say ‘yes’ to everything for an entire year. Co-stars Zooey Deschanel (“The Happening”) & Danny Masterson (“That ‘70s Show”). Carrey performed his own bungee jump stunts. Based on a book by British journalist Danny Wallace.
NET: http://yesisthenewno.warnerbros.com

WHO GETS HIRED:
Highlights of a new Rutgers University study on employee recruiting interviews (and the character on NBC-TV’s “The Office” who typifies the trait) …
• Bossy females are seen as lacking social skills (‘Angela’). Men who act the same way are rated as competent and most hirable (‘Dwight’).
• Women who project co-operation and humility are seen as likeable but lacking competence (‘Meredith’). Men who exhibit those same traits are judged the least hirable of all (‘Oscar’).
– “Philadelphia Inquirer”

BS HABITS THAT MAKE YOU FAT:
5. Eating to Manage Emotions … Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by feelings of depression, anxiety, or loneliness rather than hunger.
4. Frequent Fast-Food Consumption … Fast-food should be a treat not a habit.
3. Task Snacking … Eating while you work, drive, talk on the phone, or watch TV.
2. Eating Too Fast … Eat slow, let the feeling of fullness kick in.
1. TV Watching … Studies show those who watch 2 hours per day are much more likely to be overweight than those who watch only a half-hour per day.
– HealthAssist.net

FAMOUS FATTIES 2008:
Veteran fitness expert Marty Tuley has just released his 6th annual ‘Celebrity Get Off Your Ass’ list of famous personalities who are getting plump (or are already there). Among those listed …
5. Former US VP Al Gore.
4. “The View” panelist Whoopi Goldberg.
3. ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin.
2. Former “Batman” actor Val Kilmer.
1. Golfer John Daly.
NET: http://www.getoffyourass.biz:80/2008list.html

DESTINATION DIVINER:
Minneapolis MN-based Jack Dunamis claims to be the world’s only ‘Astral Travel Agent’. He helps clients select appropriate vacation spots by reading their energy fields and then mentally transporting himself to the location they want to go to … before they go. He charges $60-an-hour for advice on the ideal vacation, claiming his astral travels can determine which location will be most conducive for fun, adventure, and romance. He also claims his process will reveal if the client has had negative past life experiences at the proposed destination, thereby helping them avoid ‘negative reincarnation experiences’ while on vacation. (“I am sensing that you will not enjoy your trip to Kabul …”)
– “Curious Times”

UNDERSTANDING ARF:
Highlights of a recent Petside.com poll of pet owners …
• 67% claims they understand their animals’ woofs, meows, and/or other sounds.
• 62% say that when they speak, their pets understand them.
• 18% say they ‘comprehend completely’ what their pet is attempting to communicate.
– AP

DID YOU KNOW?
• Christmas trees were hung upside down in the Middle Ages.
• The Christmas cracker was invented in 1847 by Tom Smith, a London wedding cake baker.
– DidYouKnow.org

BS CHRONOMETER 12.19.08
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1963 [45] Jennifer Beals, Chicago IL, TV actress (‘Bette Porter’ on “The L Word” since 2004)/movie actress (“The Grudge 2“, “Flashdance”)

1967 [41] Criss Angel (Christopher Sarantakos), NYC, TV/stage illusionist (“Mindfreak”)/dating Hugh Hefner’s former GF Holly Madison

1972 [36] Alyssa Milano, Brooklyn NY, TV actress (‘Billie Cunningham’ on “My Name is Earl” 2007-08, “Charmed” 1998-2006)

1980 [28] Jake Gyllenhaal, LA CA, movie actor (“Brokeback Mountain”, “Rendition”)/actress Reese Witherspoon’s BF

1983 [25] Matt Stajan, Mississauga ON, NHL center (Toronto Maple Leafs)

SATURDAY –
Rock drummer Peter Criss (Kiss) is 63; Rock singer Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) is 42; Pop singer David Cook (“American Idol”) is 26; Pop singer JoJo (“Too Little Too Late”) is 18.

SUNDAY –
Movie actress Jane Fonda (“Coming Home”) is 71; Movie actor Samuel L Jackson (“Pulp Fiction”) is 60; Former TV actor Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 51; TV personality Andy Dick (“Celebrity Rehab”) is 43; TV actor Kiefer Sutherland (“24”) is 42.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Email Santa Claus Just in Case He Didn’t Get Your Letter Day”.
• “National Clean Out Your Closet to Make Room for New Toys Day”.

SATURDAY –
• “Games Day”. The best-selling board game of all-time? ‘Monopoly’, with over 200 million games sold in 80 countries and in 26 languages since 1935. In fact, an estimated 500 million people around-the-world have played ‘Monopoly’ since its inception.
• “International Human Solidarity Day”, established by the United Nations in 2005 as an initiative in the fight against poverty. It’s a reminder that the world has a collective responsibility to alleviate the plight of the poorest people.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3c3ztc
• “I’ve Got My Big Fat Pants On Day”, a day to wear anything you want as long as it’s comfortable and roomy. Wouldn’t this be better celebrated AFTER the holidays?

SUNDAY –
• “Christmas Revels”, a fast-growing modern observance that includes a theatrical celebration of the solstice with traditional dance, carols and plays.
• “Flashlight Day” and “Look At The Bright Side Day”, tongue-in-cheek commemorations of the year’s longest night.
• “Forefathers Day”, celebrated on the anniversary of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 in what would become the United States.
• “Hanukkah” begins at sunset, the 8-day Jewish celebration also known as “Festival of Lights”. Traditions include the lighting of candles placed in the menorah and the exchange of gifts. Children often play the dreidl game.
• “Humbug Day”, when 12 ‘humbugs’ are allowed to be uttered in order to vent the frustrations of preparing for the holidays.
• “Winter” begins officially at 7:04 am EST. In the Southern Hemisphere, here comes Summer!
• “Yule” in the Wicca religion, marking the death of the Sun-God and his rebirth from the Earth Goddess (the origin of the ‘Yule Log’).

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1997 [11] All-time movie box office champ “Titanic”, starring Leonardo Dicaprio & Kate Winslet, opens in theaters (eventually grosses over $1.8 billion worldwide)

2001 [07] “Lord Of the Rings: The Fellowship Of the Ring” opens in movie theaters ($871 million in worldwide box office)

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1857 [151] 1st ‘Bathroom Tissue’ marketed (50 cents for 500 sheets … about the same as now)

1917 [91] 1st ‘National Hockey League’ games played (5,500 fans watch Montréal Canadiens beat Ottawa Senators 7-4, while 700 soldiers get in free to see Montréal Wanderers defeat Toronto Arenas 10-9)

1970 [38] 1st ‘Disposable Razors’ go on the market (and 1st wife borrows her husband’s to shave her legs)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1922 [86] 24-year-old Theresa Vaughn is tried for bigamy in England after it’s found that she has accumulated 62 husbands … in only 5 years!

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Abilities Day
[Wed] Christmas Eve
[Wed] Egg Nog Day
[Thurs] Christmas Day
This Week Is … Gluten-Free Baking Week
This Month Is … Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month

BULL’S BITS
BS HALLMARK HOLIDAYS:
With the Christmas card rush almost over, time to find some new excuses for us to waste money – not to mention trees – on greeting cards. How about …
• ‘The Taxman Cometh Day’
• ‘Abusive Cousins Day’
• ‘Pork Gristle Appreciation Day’
• ‘Trendy Adopted Third World Baby Day’
• ‘Mercilessly Teased Ugly Girl Day’
• ‘National Close the Post Office Again Day’
• ‘Overpaid Athletes’ Day’
• ‘Greeting Card Day’
• ‘You’re Just Like Your Worthless Father Day’
• ‘Christmas II’
– Chickenhead.com

BS PHONE STARTER:
If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you most want to be?

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
In Victorian times, Londoners would have been familiar with the ‘goose club’. What was it?
a. A pantomime troupe specializing in slapstick.
b. A stout stick used for slaughtering geese.
c. A method of saving to buy a goose for Christmas. [CORRECT. The working-class would pay a few pence a week towards the cost of a Christmas goose for months ahead of time.]

BS RANDOM JOKE:
When decanting wine, make sure that you tilt the paper cup, and pour slowly so as not to ‘bruise’ the fruit of the vine. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: People who do THIS are 42% more likely to say they are ‘very happy’ with their lives than people who don’t.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Volunteer work.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
It is easier to do good than be good.