Tuesday, February 5, 2008        Edition: #3704
Deja Moo!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
THIS WEEK late actor Heath Ledger will be buried next to his grandparents at the Karakatta Cemetery in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia following a private funeral . . . 61-year-old Sylvester Stallone has inked a deal with his “Rambo” producers to direct & star in 2 more action films, which he will also produce (uh, what’s the age limit for an action hero?) . . . Paramount Studios is reportedly already in talks with Matt Reeves to direct a sequel to his monster hit “Cloverfield” (“Son of CLoverfield”?) . . . “The Hills” star Lauren Conrad will launch her LC Collection at “LA Fashion Week” in MARCH . . . Former “Arrested Development” star Jason Bateman has confirmed that plans are underway for a movie version of the canceled TV sitcom (if it failed on small-screen, why would it work blown up big?) . . . Despite the fact actress Eva Mendes recently went into rehab for undisclosed substance abuse, fashion house Calvin Klein is publicly declaring its loyalty & support for its newest spokesperson (translated: we’re dumping her ASAP) . . . FOX-TV has ordered up 13 additional episodes of “The Moment of Truth”, the lie-detector-based reality show that’s benefitting from audience overflow after “American Idol” on WEDNESDAY . . . And Anna Nicole Smith’s sleazy mom Virgie Arthur is now attempting to cash in on the death of her grandson, Daniel, by offering media outlets footage & photos showing her grieving at his grave (apparently tackiness is genetic).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Arcade Fire – They’re discussing what, if anything, should be done about FOX-TV’s unauthorized use of “No Cars Go” in a promo for “ NFL on Fox” that aired just after the Super Bowl half-time show.
• The Beatles – LAST NIGHT at 7 pm EST their song “Across the Universe” was beamed across the galaxy to Polaris, the North Star, by NASA’s giant antenna in Madrid, Spain. The stunt was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song, the 45th anniversary of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and the 50th anniversary of NASA itself. It will take 431 years to reach Polaris because it’s 2.5 quadrillion miles away. So much for satellite radio.
• Big & Rich – As a tongue-in-cheek nod to them, country veterans Little Jimmy Dickens & Bill Anderson are booking shows slugged as ‘Little & Poor’. “Po’ Folks” is the title of one of Anderson’s most famous tunes and also the name of his band.
• Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am is supporting presidential candidate Barack Obama by creating a music video based on one of his speeches. The “Yes We Can” video features the likes of actress Scarlett Johansson and jazz legend Herbie Hancock. It was shot by Jesse Dylan, son of Bob Dylan.
• Brad Paisley – “Letter to Me” is his 10th #1 country single. He’s wanted to record an all-instrumental album for some time and now has the superstar power to make that happen.
• Coldplay – According to their website, they’re just a few weeks from finishing their new album, which will NOT be titled “Prospekt” as has been reported. The project still requires several more mixes and the re-recording of a complete song.
• U2 – Rumor has it they may be the next major act to go indie. They’re said to be quietly negotiating a deal with Live Nation similar to the one Madonna scored LAST FALL.

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “American Idol” (FOX/CTV): Auditions move on to ‘Hotlanta’ (Ryan Seacrest’s hometown as he’ll tell us over and over). Thousands attempt to survive long lineups in the scorching summer sun of Atlanta GA in order to get a shot at fame.
• Blake Shelton – A digital re-release of his current album, “Pure BS”, includes his new version of the Michael Buble song “Home” as an extra.
• Bow Wow/Omarion – They promote their collaborative new album, “Face Off”, on “Live With Regis & Kelly” (syndicated/CTV).
• Christina Aguilera – Her new concert DVD “Back to Basics – Live and Down Under”, featuring performances in Sydney, Australia last JULY, is exclusively released at Best Buy.
• Elle Macpherson – The 44-year-old former supermodel accepts an award for her lingerie line at a “New York Fashion Week” event. She’ll be escorted by her new boy-toy, Vito, 21-year-old son of director Julian Schnabel.
• Juno Awards – 2008 nominations are announced by members of Alexisonfire, Finger Eleven, and opera star Measha Brueggergosman at an 8:30 am EST media conference at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel. The hardware’s handed out APRIL 6th in Calgary.
NET: http://www.ctv.ca/mini/junos2007/
• kd lang – She flogs her new self-produced album “Watershed” on “Good Morning America” (ABC).
• Sheryl Crow – She’s the musical guest on both “The View” (ABC/CTV) and “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Across the Universe” ( Musical Romance ): Evan Rachel Wood & Jim Sturgess play a ‘60s couple caught up in the counter-culture in this tribute to peace activism set against the backdrop of 33 Beatles tunes. The stars sing on the soundtrack along with Bono, Joe Cocker, and several lesser-knowns. Also available in a ‘2-Disc Deluxe Edition.
• “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” ( Western ): In this James Gang bio-film, Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), who has idolized Jesse James (Brad Pitt) since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang but gradually becomes resentful of the Missouri outlaw. Could be the most cumbersome title ever … and Pitt admits it was his idea. Shot entirely in Alberta.
• “Blonde & Blonder” ( Comedy ): Pamela Anderson & Denise Richards star as a pair of gorgeous blondes (‘Dee’ & ‘Dawn’) who get into deep doo-doo when they’re mistaken for international mob killers. Pam basically showed up for this as a favor to her screenwriter-brother Gerry Anderson. Partially shot in Vancouver & area.
• “The Brave One” ( Crime Thriller ): Jodie Foster stars as a NYC radio host who goes on a vigilante hunt to find the men who brutally beat her and killed her fiancé. Co-stars Terrence Howard & Naveen Andrews. Foster changed her character from newspaper reporter to radio announcer before shooting started. Premiered at the “Toronto International Film Festival”.
• “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” ( Bio Drama ): Reprising the roles they originated in “Elizabeth” (1998), Cate Blanchett & Geoffrey Rush return for this gripping historical thriller laced with treachery and romance. Joining them is Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh, the dashing seafarer and newfound temptation for Britain’s ‘virgin queen’.
• Also released TODAY: “The Apartment (Collector’s Edition)”; “The Aristocats (Special Edition)”; “Midnight Express: 30th Anniversary Edition”; “Tootsie: 25th Anniversary Edition”; and “You’ve Got Mail: Deluxe Edition”.

HERE’S TO HEELS!
Italian urologist Dr Maria Cerruto of the University of Verona has discovered that a pair of moderately high-heeled shoes can have beneficial effects in exercising the pelvic muscles. Her research involving dozens of women under 50 has found that those who maintain their feet at a 15-degree angle, the equivalent of a 2-inch heel, show up to 15% less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles. Yeah, so? Apparently that suggests the muscles are more relaxed, increasing their strength and ability to contract. (Somehow there’s gotta be a guy involved in all this.)
– PA News

FROM THE BS POLL VAULT:
A statistical breakdown of life by the numbers …
• 78% of us will eat food beyond its posted expiry date.
• 44% of managers have at least one tattoo or some other form of body art.
• 43% of men & 30% of women say they would rather spend Valentines Day with their pet.
• 33% of people bring protection on a first date.
• 21% of women say a guy needs a mustache in order to qualify as the ‘perfect man’.
• 1% of people who use online dating services have described themselves as ‘less than average looking’.

WHY YOUR DAD STILL THINKS HE’S ‘GROOVY’:
Linguistics  professor Pam Peters of Australia’s Macquarie University says her studies suggest that the slang most of us use crystallizes within the first 20 years of our lives. And it’s those expressions, language short-cuts, and buzzwords that we carry around with us and use until we’re at least middle-aged. (What current slang terms will sound really dated in 20 years?)
– “Globe & Mail”

BETTER THAN TOYS:
Why spending big money on expensive toys? Your kid would MUCH rather play with …
• Wrapping Paper: Ever notice it holds far more fascination than what’s inside the package?
• Bathroom Tissue Rolls: They’re tidier toys if you make sure they’re empty first.
• Cellphones: What’s more fun than lights and buttons? Just watch out for drool deposits after.
• Water: Whether it’s coming out of a hose, sitting in a sink, or pooled in a puddle.  
• Keys: They’re shiny and they rattle. It they tasted good, they’d be perfect!
• Wallets: You never notice how much fits inside until a kid empties it for you and ‘sorts’ it.
• Dirt: You can jump in it, throw it, pile it. It’s most effective if you’re coated in it.
• Pots & Pans: Handy musical instruments available in any kitchen. Just add wooden spoons.
• You: The ultimate amusement! Your kid naturally craves your attention … so give ‘er!
– Gomestic.com

MORE REASON FOR PARANOIA:
A new study suggests that radiation from cellphones can cause insomnia. New research by a team of US & Swedish scientists has found that talking on a cellphone at bedtime can cause you to take longer to reach deep sleep stages and spend less time in them, thereby interfering with the body’s ability to repair damage done during the day. Based on the findings, researchers suggest you refrain from sleeping with a cellphone on your bedside table and use a landline if you need to make a nighttime call. (Hmm, wonder who funded THIS study?)
– “New Science”

BS AMAZING FACTS:
• The Beverly Hills estate once owned by infamous publisher William Randolph Hearst has been put on the market for a staggering $185 million.
• By 2050, humans and robots will be hooking up, say some researchers, because traits of human attraction are programable.
• The length of a single human DNA molecule, when extended, is 5′-5”.

BS CHRONOMETER 02.05.08

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1934 [74] Don ‘Grapes’ Cherry, Kingston ON, “Hockey Night in Canada” commentator (“Coach’s Corner” since 1980)/hockey video huckster (“Rock’Em Sock’Em”)/former NHL coach (‘Coach of the Year’ with Boston Bruins 1975-76)/“Coach’s Corner” clips here …
NET: http://cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnic/coach.html

1948 [60] Christopher Guest (Haden-Guest), NYC, movie director (“Best in Show”)/movie actor (“This is Spinal Tap”)/married to actress Jamie Lee Curtis since1984

1964 [44] Duff McKagan, Seattle WA, rock bassist (Velvet Revolver-“Fall to Pieces”, “Slither”/ex-Guns N’ Roses-“November Rain”, “Sweet Child o’ Mine”)

1969 [39] Bobby Brown, Boston MA, reality TV show personality (“Gone Country”, “Being Bobby Brown”)/married to Whitney Houston 1992-2006/has-been R&B singer (“Every Little Step”)

1971 [37] Sara Evans, Boonville MO, country singer (“A Real Fine Place to Start”, “Suds in the Bucket”)/short-time “Dancing with the Stars 3” competitor (ABC)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Constitution Day” in Mexico, honoring the country’s ‘Political Constitution of the United Mexican States’ approved on this date in 1917.

• “Dump Your Significant Jerk Week”, when you’re encouraged to terminate your jerk relationship BEFORE “Valentine’s Day”, thereby saving the associated money and awkwardness involved in faking romance.

• “Mardi Gras”/”Fat Tuesday”/”Shrove Tuesday”/”Pancake Day”/”Carnaval”, always 46 days before Easter and traditionally the final chance to indulge before the austerity of Lent. In Latin, ‘carne vale’ means ‘farewell to meat’. The day is marked by masked balls, lavish costumes, floats, parades, torchlight processions, dancing, fireworks, and feasting on all sorts of foods. Some of the biggest celebrations are in New Orleans, Louisiana; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Nice, France. Many of the traditions go back to the 14th Century.

• “Super Tuesday Primaries”, when a record 24 US states hold primaries or caucuses due to a stampede by states to gain prestige and wield clout by moving up voting dates in the Democratic and Republican nominating races for the White House. What this means to most of us … our favorite TV shows might be preempted.

• “Weatherman’s (Person’s, Forecaster’s) Day”, commemorating the 1744 birth of Boston MA physician Dr John Jeffries, one of the first to keep detailed records of weather conditions (from 1774-1816).

• “White Cane Week”. Aging is a major cause of vision loss, says the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. 1 in 9 Canadians over age 65 experiences significant vision loss.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1922 [86] “Reader’s Digest” debuts (the original ‘show prep’)

1992 [16] For the first time ever, an animated feature is nominated for a ‘Best Picture’ Oscar … Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast”

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1952 [56] 1st city to adopt ‘3-Color Traffic Lights’, with red, green AND yellow (NYC)

1996 [12] 1st ‘Online Banking’ (Bank of America website)

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1978 [30] Fred Newman makes 88 consecutive basketball free throws … blindfolded!

1981 [27] World’s ‘Largest Jell-O’ contains 9,246 gallons of watermelon-flavored mix (Brisbane, Australia)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Ash Wednesday
[Wed] Pay-A-Compliment Day
[Thurs] “Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites” debuts (CBS)
[Thurs] Chinese New Year
[Thurs] Charles Dickens Day
[Thurs] Girls & Women in Sports Day
[Thurs] Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
This Week Is … Crime Prevention Week
This Month Is … International Boost Your Ego Month

BULL’S BITS

REJECTED BOND FILM NAMES:
You’ve likely heard the next ‘James Bond’ film is to be titled “Quantum of Solace” (opening NOVEMBER 7th). If you think that sucks, consider these rejected ‘007′ movie titles …
• “On Her Majesty’s Escort Service”
• “Thunderballs”
• “Herpes Are Forever”
• “Doctor Yes! Yes! Yes!”
• “Muckraker”
• “The Man With The Golden Bum”

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Recent studies prove it! Money is the root of all … wealth.

BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s the absolute best perk of your job?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: In a relationship, a woman is far more likely to do THIS on purpose than a man.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Start an argument.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
It’s lonely at the top, but you eat better.