Thursday, December 15, 2016 – Edition: #5873
Ah, the Sweet Smell of BS!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ What do you do when you’re a retired late night TV host? If you’re David Letterman you go to New Orleans LA to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. A local volunteer has shared a selfie of herself and a heavily bearded Letterman in front of the construction site. Letterman retired in May after nearly 25 years as host of CBS-TV’s “Late Show”. Word has it he likes to help out with projects like this … but keeps it on the down-low.
– Bang Showbiz
★ The rarest of ‘Harry Potter’ books has sold at auction for a whopping $469,000. “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”, handwritten by JK Rowling, is 1 of just 6 copies that the author gave to people who helped her achieve her literary dreams. The rare 2007 book features illustrations drawn by Rowling as well as a personalized inscription. The book has been sold through Sotheby’s in London with Rowling’s blessing, as some proceeds are going to her writers’ charity Lumos.
– WENN.com
★ Lena Headey’s ex-husband Peter Loughran is reportedly demanding she pay his legal fees after claiming she earns $1 million-per-episode for her role on “Game of Thrones” (‘Cersei Lannister’). The 43-year-old actress divorced Loughran in 2013 after 6 years of marriage They’re now locked in a heated custody battle over their 6-year-old son. Peter is now filing new court documents asking that the star cough up the $40,000 to pay for his legal fees. Loughran believes it’s only fair … since he’s jobless.
– TMZ.com
★ And Gordon Ramsay is a world-renowned chef, restaurant owner, and famous TV host with a fierce attitude. Those are some scary shoes to fill, but it looks like his 15-year-old daughter Matilda (‘Tilly’) is up to the challenge. She already has a successful kids’ cooking show, “Matilda & The Ramsay Bunch”, which premiered in 2015. And now she’s signed a cookbook deal with the same publisher that puts out her dad’s books. It’s expected to hit bookshelves next Spring. Let’s hope she uses fewer swear words than her papa.
– “Daily Mirror”
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Chelsea” (Netflix) – Maren Morris (“Hero”).
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – The Pretenders (“Alone”).
• “Ellen” (syndicated/CTV2) – Alicia Keys (“Here”).
• “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2016” (CW) – Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, The Chainsmokers, Meghan Trainor, and Fifth Harmony perform in this pre-recorded special.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Blake Shelton (“If I’m Honest”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Classixx (“Faraway Reach”).
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Megadeth (“Dystopia”).
• “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global) – REM’s Michael Stipe.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Solange Knowles (“A Seat At the Table”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Kelsea Ballerini – She’s the first female country artist in 25 years to have three #1 singles in-a-row from a debut album. And she’s the only woman who has ever topped the ‘Billboard Country Airplay’ and ‘Hot Country Songs’ charts at the same time.
• Margo Price – She’s confirmed new 2017 tour dates in support of her debut album “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter”. They start in Knoxville TN in late February.
• Rihanna – She was initially ‘discovered’ by music producer Evan Rogers as part of a girl band in Barbados in 2003. He encouraged her to record a solo demo, which he then sent to Def Jam Records in NYC. That demo fell into the hands of the then-president of the label, Jay Z, who soon offered her a recording deal.
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A BS selection of movies in the making …
• “Avatar 2-5” – Actress Sigourney Weaver has confirmed director James Cameron plans to shoot all 4 “Avatar” sequels simultaneously. The original fantasy film, starring Weaver, Zoe Saldana, and Sam Worthington, was released in 2009 and followed a group of scientists exploring a moon called Pandora. “Avatar 2” is scheduled to hit cinemas in December 2018.
• “Gotham City Sirens” – Actress Margot Robbie’s ‘Harley Quinn’ spinoff movie is officially on its way, with her “Suicide Squad” director David Ayer signed on to direct. The film features some of DC Comics’ most popular females, like ‘Catwoman’ and ‘Poison Ivy’, and will hit theaters ahead of a proposed “Suicide Squad” sequel. The original made over $700 million at the box office.
• “Jurassic World 2″ – Director JA Bayona reveals this as-yet untitled sequel will be darker than the previous movie and have a political element to it. Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are returning for what will be the 5th motion picture in the series. Bayona promises to ”take care” of the franchise begun by Steven Spielberg. The film is slated for release in June 2018.
• “Meg” – 30-year-old actress Ruby Rose (“Orange Is the New Black”) says she almost drowned on the set when she felt herself sinking during an intense water scene but the director thought she was just acting. Jason Statham stars as a naval captain recruited to rescue scientists under attack from a fearsome white shark. The film is set for release in 2018.
• “Sugar Ray” – 40-year-old actor David Oyelowo (“Selma”) says he has ”very real ambitions” to star in a movie about a boxer but isn’t quite sure whether he’ll take the lead role in the movie he’s currently developing about fighter Sugar Ray Robinson. Quote: “Whether I choose to play him or end up just producing … that’s something that remains to be seen.”
BS DANGEROUS PHRASES:
The most fearsome, harrowing combination of words a female can utter to a guy …
• “I’ve been thinking …”
• “My parents want to meet you.”
• “That’s not the way my ex did it.”
• “What are you thinking about?”
• “Do you find her pretty?”
• “Do you notice anything different about me?”
• “My friend is pregnant (engaged).”
• “We need to talk.”
– AskMen.com
SURPRISE, GOOD NEWS:
Teens are doing fewer drugs than ever before … except for marijuana. Numbers from this year’s ‘Monitoring the Future’ survey show the lowest usage levels of heroin, meth, cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants ever recorded among high school students. That’s especially surprising given the current opioid epidemic. But among teens there’s actually been a 45% decrease in the use of prescription opioids over the past 5 years. Fewer teens are using alcohol and cigarettes as well, perhaps because they’re becoming harder to get. The only exception to the downward trend is marijuana, as its usage remains stable. That’s attributed to the growing push toward marijuana legalization. (Today’s teens are more addicted to screens.)
– TheVerge.com
2016’S MOST INSTAGRAMMED LOCATIONS:
5. Eiffel Tower, Paris
4. Times Square, NYC
3. Central Park, NYC
2. Universal Studios Theme Parks (global)
1. Disney Theme Parks (global)
– Refinery29.com
RELATIONSHIPS KEY TO HAPPINESS:
Good mental health and having a partner make people happier than doubling their income, a new study has found. The research by the London School of Economics is based on several international surveys from around-the-world on how different factors impact a sense of well-being. Suffering from depression or anxiety hits people hardest, while being in a relationship causes the biggest increase in their happiness. On a scale of 1-to-10, the doubling of someone’s pay increases their overall happiness by less than 0.2. However, having a partner boosts happiness by 0.6 … more than 3 times the impact. Researchers suggest we focus more on creating well-being rather than wealth. (What if your partner’s income doubles?)
– BBC News
WHICH IS SEXIEST?
Highlights of a new poll of over 2,000 adults on their favorite body types among members of their preferred gender …
• 42% of straight women like men with ‘average’ bodies best.
• 36% of straight women prefer ‘muscular’ dudes.
• 36% of gay women like an ‘average’ body type.
• 30% of gay women seek out ‘curvy’ women.
• 11% of gay women like ladies with a ‘muscular’ build.
• 48% of straight men appreciate ‘curvy’ women.
• 22% of straight men prefer ‘average’ women.
• 22% of straight guys prefer ‘thin’ women.
• 4% of straight men say ‘muscular’ women are ideal.
• 36% of gay men look for ‘muscular’ partners.
• 27% of gay men like ‘average’-bodied guys.
• 18% of gay men like their partners ‘thin’.
• 11% of gay men pick ‘curvy’ as the ideal body type.
(Bottom line – there’s somebody for everybody!)
– Condensed from “Cosmopolitan”
BS AMAZING FACT:
Leaving the water running while brushing your teeth can waste 4 gallons (15 liters) of water in a single minute.
– GreatFacts.com
BS CHRONOMETER 12.15.16
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1949 [67] Don Johnson, Flat Creek MO, TV actor (“Blood & Oil” 2015, “Nash Bridges” 1996-2001, “Miami Vice” 1984-89)/movie actor (“Django Unchained”)
1979 [37] Adam Brody, San Diego CA, movie actor (“Scream 4” , “The Ring”)/former TV actor (“The OC” 2003-07) UPCOMING: “CHiPs” 2017.
1981 [35] Michelle Dockery, London UK, (“Good Behavior” 2016, “Downton Abbey” 2010-15)
1983 [33] Camilla Luddington, Ascot UK, TV actress (‘Jo Wilson’ on “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2012)
1991 [25] Alana Haim, LA CA, pop-rock guitarist (Haim-“The Wire”, “Don’t Save Me”).
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Cat Herders Day”, a day of sympathy for anyone who feels their job, or even their life, is like trying to herd cats.
• “Free Shipping Day”, an annual pre-Christmas shopping event when participating retailers offer free delivery with purchases.
• “International Tea Day”, observed annually since 2005 in tea producing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania.
• “Zamenhof Day”, the beginning of “International Language Week” celebrated by the International Esperanto League. The international language ‘Esperanto’ was invented by Dr LL Zamenhof in 1887 to solve the world’s language barrier, but never really caught on. Get some useful phrases in ‘Esperantese’ here …
NET: http://www.esperanto.ca/kurso/phrases.htm
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2008 [08] Madonna pays former husband, film director Guy Ritchie, around £50 million (circa $65 million) as part of their divorce settlement
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2014 [02] Taylor Swift’s 5th album, “1989”, reaches #1 and goes on to become the best-selling album of 2014 (9.5 million copies worldwide)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2001 [15] Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years and $27 million are spent to fortify it, without fixing its famous lean (because that’s the tourist attraction)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] “Collateral Beauty”; “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” open in movie theaters
[Fri] Underdog Day
[Sat] Clean Air Day
[Sat] Re-Gifting Day
[Sun] “Canada’s Walk of Fame Induction Gala” (Global)
[Sun] International Migrants Day
This Week Is … Gluten-Free Baking Week
This Month Is … Impaired Driving Prevention Month
BULL’S BITS
BS SUGGESTED ALCOHOL WARNING LABELS:
• “Consumption of alcohol is a major factor in deranged dancing.”
• “Consumption of alcohol may cause you to shay shings like thish.”
• “Consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.”
• “Consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell happened to your pants.”
• “Consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are dying for you to text them at 4 in the morning.”
• “Consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of inexplicable rug burns on the forehead.”
• “Consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.”
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Everybody sing-along now: “You’re beginning to look a lot more attractive. / I’ve had too much egg nog …”
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ If you could become any celebrity (dead or alive), who would it be?
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
You have just completed a ‘wick’. Which Winter sport are you playing?
a. Hockey.
b. Curling. [CORRECT. It’s when your rock strikes another and glances off at an angle.]
c. Luge.
– “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Curling”
GUESS THE SEASONAL SONG BY ITS THEME:
• Physical incongruities can only be reconciled by making yourself indispensable to your superiors. (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”)
• No amount of magic can prevent your dearly beloved friends from dying. (“Frosty the Snowman”)
• Coniferous trees retain their green color throughout the year. (“O Christmas Tree”)
• The hallucinatory experience of family and friends is a valid replacement for actual family and friends. (“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”)
• Refraining from social and romantic enjoyment throughout the year entitles you to material compensation equivalent to approximately $1.6 billion. (“Santa Baby”)
• Freezing temperatures are optimal circumstances for holding the object of your desire captive in your home. (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”)
• Human and animal trafficking are recommended for gift purposes during a brief period of each year. (“The Twelve Days of Christmas”)
• Children should not report witnessing acts of adultery. (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”)
– McSweeneys.net
BS WEB GOODIE:
Want to hear what other radio stations are doing around-the-world? Just spin the ‘Radio Garden’ globe and pick a market …
NET: http://radio.garden/live/
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Just 30% of us try a new one of THESE each year.
Answer: Recipe.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Anytime you have a 50/50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90% probability you’ll get it wrong.
