Friday, February 17, 2017 – Edition: #5914

Tomorrow’s Show Prep Today!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ A celebrity jumping into a car and singing with James Corden has been a staple of “The Late Late Show” (CBS) since he took over as host in March 2015. Now “Carpool Karaoke” is becoming a TV series in its own right, with new episodes released every week on Apple Music. The 16-episode run includes an impressive list of guests: Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, John Legend, Metallica, Taraji P Henson (“Empire”), and Will Smith (in a helicopter). The new series is said to be “coming soon” to Apple Music.
– @BBCNewsEnts
★ Apple is also coming out with an original reality show … about apps. In “Planet of the Apps”, web developers pitch ideas for apps to 4 judges: musician will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), actresses Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow (who both started lifestyle brands), and Vaynermedia founder Gary Vaynerchuk. Competitors get 60 seconds to give their pitch … while riding down an escalator (!?!?). Winners get their app featured on Apple’s app store. The show premieres to Apple Music subscribers this Spring.
– “Quartz”
★ Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis has revealed she and her dad Michael are already speaking to their first headliner for the Brit festival’s 50th anniversary … in 2020. The father-and-daughter team have apparently begun negotiations with one act in particular that they want to take top billing on one of the massive festival’s 3 nights. Guesses, anyone?
– BangShowbiz.com
★ And this week Emma Watson doled out life advice for just $2 via an iPad at NYC’s Grand Central Station. Writer Derek Blasberg hit the Manhattan terminal with a tray attached to him, holding an iPad through which Emma appeared to be live-streaming. The tray had a sign which read “Advice from Emma Watson $2”, and the entire stunt was being filmed. It’s as yet unclear what the footage is being used for, but it may have something to do with Emma’s upcoming movie “The Circle”, a tale about the dark side of modern technology.
– WENN.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight MUNA (“About U”). Rerun.
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Wild Nothing (“Life of Pause”). Rerun.
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Tonight Electric Guest (“Mondo”). Rerun.
• “Legion” (FX) – Saturday the debut of a new series about the son of ‘Professor Charles Xavier’ (Patrick Stewart in the “X-Men” movies). Bryan Singer directs the pilot about parents who discover their child has mutant abilities. Stars Dan Stevens, Jean Smart, Aubrey Plaza.
• “Live With Kelly” (syndicated/CTV) – Today Bebe Rexha (“All Your Fault”, out today).
• “NBA All-Star Game” (TBS/TNT/TSN) – Sunday John Legend (“Darkness and Light”) performs at halftime of the 66th exhibition game, being held in New Orleans LA.
• “The Paley Center Salutes NBC’s 90th Anniversary” (NBC) – Sunday Kelsey Grammar hosts a celebration of the ‘peacock network’ and its iconic shows over the years.
• “The Talk” (CBS) – Today legendary pop icon Cher.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Ryan Adams (“Prisoner”, out today).
• “True North Calling” (CBC) – Tonight the premiere of a new 6-part documentary series that examines the unique challenges of living in Canada’s far north. A half-dozen resourceful locals share what it takes to survive, and even thrive, in the nation’s toughest terrain.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Adele – New stats obtained by UK’s “The Sun” newspaper show she grossed £500,000 (over $625,000) at each of her 107 tour dates between February and December 2016.
• Alison Krauss – Today she releases her first solo disc in 18 years. “Windy City” features Krauss performing 10 classic songs including the lead single, “Losing You”.
• Drake – Saturday the all-black version of his “OVO” Air Jordan 12 shoes are being officially released right in the middle of the NBA’s All-Star weekend. They’re retailing for $225.
• Ed Sheeran – Today he releases a new track from his new album “Divide”, entitled “How Would You Feel (Paean)”.
• Jenny Gill – Like father, like daughter. And that means Jenny, whose father Vince has collaborated with and written about (“Jenny Dreamed of Trains”), is releasing her debut EP today, “The House Sessions”, an autobiographical collection of songs.
• Justin Bieber – He’s now a suspect in an assault investigation. A man alleges that Biebs initiated a mêlée outside a hotel in Cleveland OH after the NBA Finals in June 2016. It’s claimed several of his crew got involved, with the victim sustaining injuries including a concussion.
• Lorde – She’s releasing a new album in July. Her record label Republic Records has teased the news on its website. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor) released her debut album “Pure Heroine” in 2013. The site reads: ”Julia Michaels ‘Issues’ 2/7.”
• Rag’n’Bone Man – He says his voice is ”rough around the edges”. The “Human” hitmaker (real name Rory Graham) may be this year’s recipient of the Brit Awards ‘Critics’ Choice Award’, but he admits he still has a lot of work to do on his vocals.
• Shania Twain – She’s told those working on her new album to erase all her previous work from their minds. “Rolling Stone” quote: “I didn’t want it to be related to Mutt’s productions at all. I wanted a more organic approach.” When her ex, Mutt Lange, was her producer Shania sold 85 million records.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Fist Fight” ( R-Rated Comedy ): When one school teacher gets another one fired, he is challenged to an after-school fight. Stars Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Christina Hendricks, and Tracy Morgan in his first film project since his recuperation from car accident injuries. The film is basically a remake of 1987’s “Three O’Clock High”, only involving faculty instead of students.
NET: http://fistfightmovie.com
• “The Great Wall” ( PG-13 Action Adventure ): Matt Damon stars as a European explorer caught in the jaws of a war staged at the famous Wall. The story is set during the Song Dynasty of 1,000 years ago. China’s film master Zhang Yimou directs an international ensemble cast. The movie is said to be visually fantastic. Oh, and there are monsters involved.
NET: http://www.thegreatwallmovie.com
• Opening in limited release: “A Cure for Wellness” (Mystery Thriller); “Everybody Loves Somebody” (Romantic Comedy); “In Dubious Battle” (Drama); “Land of Mine” (War Drama); “Lovesong” (Drama); and “XX” (Horror).

BEST CITIES FOR STUDENTS:
The new QS Best Student Cities Ranking is out, a list of the world’s best cities for international students, based on university rankings, employment, affordability, and (for the first time) student opinions. To be considered, a city needs at least 2 world-ranked universities. The new top 10 …
1. Montréal, Canada
2. Paris, France
3. London, England
4. Seoul, South Korea
5. Melbourne, Australia
6. Berlin, Germany
7. Tokyo, Japan
8. Boston, USA
9. Munich, Germany
10. Vancouver, Canada
– Newser.com

PICKET POWER:
The organizers of the Women’s March on Washington on January 21st are now planning a general strike for March 8th. An estimated 2.6 million people worldwide took part in the Women’s March on Washington and its sister marches, and it’s hoped that similar numbers will not show up to work on International Women’s Day. “General Strike: A Day Without a Woman” is being held in protest of White House policies and in support of gender equality. Women’s March organizers haven’t yet said what exactly participants are expected to do during the general strike, but more information is being released in the coming weeks. International Women’s Day started in 1908 with women protesting in NYC for better pay and the right to vote. Within 3 years, it was a global event.
– Bustle.com

BS AMAZING ANIMAL FACTS:
• Dogs tend to mirror their owners’ personalities. (Not to mention looks.)
– BBC News
• Fish-scale geckos rip off their scales and skin to escape from predators. (Um … without skin, don’t they just melt into a pile of gook?)
– “News Magazine”
• Lungfish usually live for more than 100 years. (Don’t freak! They’re not actually in your lings.)
– CNN.com

BS CHRONOMETER 2.17.17

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1965 [52] Michael Bay, LA CA, film director (“Transformers” films, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movies)

1972 [45] Taylor Hawkins, Fort Worth TX, rock drummer (Foo Fighters since 1997-“No Way Back”, “Times Like These”)

1972 [45] Billie Joe Armstrong, Oakland CA, rock singer-guitarist (Green Day-“American Idiot”, “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”)

1981 [36] Joseph Gordon-Levitt, LA CA, movie actor-director-producer (“Lincoln”, “The Dark Knight Rises”)/former TV actor (“3rd Rock From the Sun” 1996–2001)

1981 [36] Paris Hilton, NYC, socialite/sometime TV personality (“Paris Hilton’s My New BFF”)/movie actress (“House of Wax”)/great-granddaughter of hotel magnate Conrad Hilton

1991 [26] Ed Sheeran, Halifax UK, pop singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer (“Thinking Out Loud”, “The A Team”)

1996 [21] Sasha Pieterse, Johannesburg, South Africa, TV actress (‘Alison DiLaurentis’ on “Pretty Little Liars” since 2010)

SATURDAY –
Movie actor John Travolta (“Pulp Fiction”) is 63; Game-show hostess Vanna White (“Wheel of Fortune”) is 60; Movie actor Matt Dillon ( “There’s Something About Mary”) is 53; Rapper Dr Dre (Beats by Dre) is 52; Country musician Trevor Rosen (Old Dominion) is 42; TV actor Ike Barinholtz (“Mindy Project”) is 40; Blues-rock bassist Zac Cockrell (Alabama Shakes) is 29.

SUNDAY –
Movie actor Jeff Daniels (“Dumb & Dumber”) is 62; Britain’s Prince Andrew (Duke of York) is 57; Pop singer Seal (“Crazy”) is 54; Movie actor Benicio Del Toro (“Guardians Of the Galaxy”) is 50; TV actress Bellamy Young (“Scandal”) is 47; Pop-rock drummer Daniel Adair (Nickelback) is 42; TV actress Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”) is 13.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “PTA Founders’ Day”, commemorating the parent-teacher association’s 1897 founding. It was originally known as the ‘National Congress of Mothers’.
• “Random Acts of Kindness Day”, sponsored by a non-profit organization that believes in making the world a nicer place.
NET: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org
• “Women’s Heart Health Day 2017”, observed on the Friday of Valentines week.
• “World Human Spirit Day”, encouraging 2 minutes of silent meditation throughout the world – and ‘beyond’ – to focus on the true spirit that flows through everything. Wow, groovy.

SATURDAY –
• “American International Toy Fair”, the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere through Tuesday in NYC. This is the exhibition where many of today’s most popular toys were 1st introduced over the years.
NET: http://www.toyfairny.com
• “Battery Day”, observed on the birth date of Count Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), the Italian physicist credited with developing the first electric cell in 1800. His vital invention is now used everywhere from smoke alarms to phones.
• “Drink Wine Day”, set aside to embrace the positive benefits of wine such as new friends, reduced risk of heart disease, and the enhancement of food and life.
• “Thumb Appreciation Day”, a day devoted to the digit that helps make us human – the opposable thumb. Chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans have opposable thumbs … on all 4 limbs. Wow, we’ve got thumb envy!
• “World Whale Day”, which aims to raise awareness of these magnificent sea creatures. The annual celebration originated in Maui, Hawaii.

SUNDAY –
• “Chocolate Mint Day”, a celebration of one of the all-time great flavor pairings.
• “Lashes Day”, to notice and appreciate both true and false eyelashes for the beauty they add to every woman (and man).
• “Pisces” astrology sign begins. People born under the sign are said to be compassionate, adaptable, accepting, devoted, and imaginative. On the downside, they can also be oversensitive, indecisive, self-pitying, lazy, and escapist.
• “Temporary Insanity Day”. Some of us would like to see this observance occur more frequently in order to explain our actions.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2010 [07] Mumford & Sons make their US TV debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS)

2014 [03] Jimmy Fallon officially replaces Jay Leno in his first broadcast as host of “The Tonight Show” (NBC)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
2005 [12] A 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar once belonging to Jimi Hendrix sells for £100,000 ($125,000) at an auction in London

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2013 [04] Danica Patrick becomes the 1st female driver in NASCAR history to win the pole position at the Daytona 500 auto race

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2003 [14] Tauranga NZ man is sentenced to 200 hours of community service for speeding … without a license or registration … on a motorized barstool … semi-naked … while intoxicated … with his butt on fire

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Mon] Family Day (Canada)
[Mon] Presidents Day (USA)
[Mon] Bean Day
[Mon] Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day
[Tues] Travel Africa Day
This Week Is … Kraut & Frankfurter Week
This Month Is … Celebration of Chocolate Month

BULL’S BITS

BS ‘BEFORE FAME GAME’:
What did these celebrities do before they became famous?
• Ice Cube (“Fist Fight”) –
a. Pro boxer.
b. Marijuana dealer.
c. Received a degree in Architectural Drafting at Phoenix Institute of Technology. [CORRECT]

• Harrison Ford (“Star Wars”) –
a. Carpenter. [CORRECT]
b. Plumber.
c. Commercial airline pilot.

• Sarah Palin (future US ambassador to Canada?)
a. TV sports announcer. [CORRECT]
b. Electronics repair.
c. Professional beaver trapper.
– HardlyFamous.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Is the world full of smart people pretending, or imbeciles who mean it?

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What is something new that you learned this week?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: The #1 complaint from house guests is being left alone in the home, followed by THIS.
Answer: Not enough toilet paper.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
The best things in life are for a fee.