Wednesday, February 28, 2024 – Edition: #7666
You Really Know Your Sheet!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Nicole Kidman was previously granted a restraining order against the same paparazzo who accused Taylor Swift’s dad of assault, it has been reported. The “Big Little Lies” star won a court battle against freelance photographer Ben McDonald and friend Jamie Fawcett in 2005, after a listening device was found on her Sydney property, says People. A judge ordered the 2 to stay at least 60 feet away from the actress and her home after she claimed they made her fear for her safety and feel like a prisoner in her house. That photographer, McDonald, now alleges he was attacked by Taylor Swift’s father, Scott, at Sydney’s North Shore on Tuesday.
-PageSix
★ The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced some of the stars who will take the stage to hand out Oscars on Hollywood’s biggest night. Those include past Oscar winners like Mahershala Ali, Brendan Fraser, Matthew McConaughey, Ke Huy Quan, and Michelle Yeoh, as well as Hollywood legends like Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jessica Lange, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer. Also on the list of presenters are Sam Rockwell, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the 96th Oscars will air live on ABC on March 10.
-ET
★ After months of speculation, it’s official: Ryan Gosling will perform ‘I’m Just Ken’ at the Oscars. Variety reports that Gosling will sing the Academy Award-nominated song from “Barbie” during the 96th annual ceremony on March 10. Whether he would agree to show off his singing chops on the Oscars stage has been a big question ever since both Gosling and the song picked up nods in January. Earlier, Gosling said that while the Academy hadn’t yet asked him to perform, despite the fact that “might be too much of a risk” to have him do it, Gosling said he’s “open to it.”
-Variety
★ Alec Baldwin’s trial for the “Rust” shooting has been scheduled for this summer. Court proceedings for the actor’s manslaughter trial are scheduled to begin with jury selection, on July 9. The trial kicks off the next day, and New Mexico officials say it is expected to last 9 days. This will be the second time Baldwin has been accused of manslaughter by the state. The first time, charges were dropped, but in the months since, more evidence has surfaced, which prosecutors say implicates him.
-TMZ
★ Reba McEntire is clearing up a rumor — and urging fans not to fall prey to scam that falsely claims she’s endorsing a gummy business. On Instagram, McEntire shared a screenshot of an article that claims she’s leaving her coaching role on “The Voice” after an “accidental ‘live’ confession on-air.” There’s no truth to the story, which she emphasized by adding a big red “FALSE” stamped over the photo. Her caption reads: “Please do not click on any articles that say I am leaving The Voice. This is not true.” The rumors are tied to a scam hoping to trick fans into buying a supposed weight loss gummy product, which they claim McEntire is selling. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yesw9zt5
-TheBoot
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Theo James, Sheryl Crow
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Kate Winslet, Robin Wright, Maya Hawke
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): TBA
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin, Tig Notaro
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Austin Butler, Jenny Slate, Two Door Cinema Club
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Michael Kosta, host Sloane Crosley
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Marc Summers
• “The Talk” (CBS): David Oyelowo, Jessica Oyelowo, Diane Farr
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Howie Mandel, Carrot Top, REO Speedwagon
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Stephen Moyer, Duff Goldman
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Lisa Ling, Alan Cumming
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Shemar Moore
• “Survivor” (CBS): Season 46 premiere. 18 new castaways embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they are left stranded on the islands of Fiji.
• “We Are Family” (Fox): Season 1 finale. The final 6 perform show-stopping solos and duets with their hidden famous relatives.
• “Chicago Med” (NBC): Maggie empathizes with a patient whose mother is afraid to consent to her son’s risky surgery. Followed by new episodes of “Chicago Fire” and Chicago P.D.”
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Miley Cyrus — IFPI, the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has announced her hit ‘Flowers’ has won the IFPI Global Single Award for 2023. That goes to the artist with the world’s best-selling single of the year across all digital formats. The song hit #1 hit simultaneously in 29 markets following its release in Jan. 2023.
• Charli XCX — has hinted that her new album will be a dance record. She recently previewed her new song ‘Von Dutch’ (out tomorrow) on social media, writing: “i was born to make dance music…i came from the clubs .. xcx6 is the album i’ve always wanted to make.” LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yue3wp2c
• Selena Gomez – During her appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Friday, she faced off against a superfan to see who was more knowledgeable about…Selena Gomez. And you guessed it, in a game of “Who Knows Selena Gomez?” diehard stan Ashley won. The prize: Gomez’s own junk drawer, filled with assorted goodies from her home. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4fyj58ye
• Linkin Park – has shared the previously unreleased song ‘Friendly Fire’. The tune, with vocals by late singer Chester Bennington, will appear on “Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)”, the first greatest hits collection from the group, out April 12. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/s7c9pd4p
• Oasis – Because there’s nothing better than a Liam Gallagher quote (except possibly a Noel Gallagher quote), here’s his latest about Oasis’ Rock Hall of Fame nomination: “As much as I love (fellow nominee) Mariah Carey and all that, I want to say: do me a favor and [BLEEP] off. It’s like putting me in the rap hall of fame, and I don’t want to be part of anything that mentally disturbed.”
• George Harrison and Eric Clapton — Model Pattie Boyd is selling letters that lift the lid on her notorious love triangle with the legendary guitarists. Initially married to Harrison, she was pursued by his close friend Clapton in a series of passionate love letters, and eventually married him. Now, she’s auctioning her collection of love letters from both men, along with other possessions.
• Luke Combs – has announced the first-ever “Bootleggers Bonfire Weekend” in Miramar Beach FL, Oct. 10-12. Combs will play 2 sets, one featuring his usual setlist, and another consisting solely of deep cuts. Other “exciting artists” will be announced later. Just 5,000 tickets are available, and fan club members will have first access to the pre-sale, starting next month. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/mr24x7d9
• Morgan Wallen – His “One Night at a Time” tour has been named the second most-in-demand concert tickets of 2024 by the experts at Planet7Casino. Using search volume data, it was determined that country acts hold 3 of the top 5 slots for the most popular concerts acts in the US. Numbers 3-5, in order, are: Zach Bryan, Drake, and Chris Stapleton. Number 1? Was there any doubt? Taylor Swift.
• Travis Denning — has announced his long-awaited debut album “Roads That Go Nowhere”. Arriving May 24, he is a co-writer on 12 of the 15 songs, and has collabs with HARDY and Josh Ross. Denning will open for HARDY this spring and summer on his “Quit! Tour”.
SHOOTING THE BULL
E(LON)-MAIL:
Now that we’ve recovered from the shock of that (unfounded) rumor that Gmail was supposedly shutting down this summer, comes the next email shocker: Is Elon Musk really planning to take on Gmail with the launch of “Xmail”? Maybe. In a post on X (formerly Twitter, which he owns), Musk replied to a question tweeted by X security engineer Nate McGrady, that asked when the company would be developing Xmail. Musk responded with 2 words: “It’s coming”. While this could simply be a ‘trial balloon’ on Musk’s part, simply to judge what the reaction will be, it should also be noted that there are already at least 3 existing email services already in existence by the name of Xmail. But it should also be noted that Musk would probably have no problem coming up with the funds needed to buy the rights to the name.
(Why bother? Apparently at least 2 of the other Xmails didn’t!)
(Or, he could just buy Gmail. Why not? Things have worked out so well with Twitter!)
-Forbes
WAKE UP AND TASTE THE COFFEE:
Coffee experts and journalists are saying that your mug could have a big impact on the flavor of your coffee. Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, authors of “But First, Coffee,” explain that while the mug you drink out of doesn’t have a major impact on taste, there is still a subtle change in perception. They even say that a collection of personalized coffee mugs is similar to a sommelier who keeps an assortment of glasses for different wines. The coffee connoisseurs write that “the flavor receptors in our tongue are fallible and easily influenced by forces beyond proof of taste”, and things like music and even the company you’re with can make wine – and coffee – seem to taste better. They wrote: “This means that when it comes time to pick a mug, the vessel you drink from matters a great deal.” The authors believe that using a certain mug can induce feelings of nostalgia (for instance, if it has an image of a fav childhood cartoon character on it), and make you feel happy as you have your first beverage of the day.
(Hey! I’m not looking for a trip down memory lane – I’m just looking to kickstart my brain!)
(I love how they compare it to a glass affecting the taste of wine. Now, what about when you have wine in a mug…in the morning? Asking for a friend…)
-NYPost
FLORIDA GAMES, MAN:
It actually happened. “The Florida Man Games” took place over the weekend. Promoted as “the most insane athletic showdown on Earth,” the Florida Man Games came about thanks to the state’s reputation for bizarre news stories that involve brawling, drinking, gunfire – and often alligators. 5,000 spectators sipping beer from behind metal barricades cheered as a dozen teams of men in tank tops and cutoffs battled in contests inspired by real “Florida man” headlines. James Gordon of DeLand won the first event, wolfing down a plate loaded with barbecue pork and sausage, a fraction of a second before his nearest competitor. He chugged a beer to celebrate. In his post-competition interview, he said: “I’ve lived in Florida my whole life. They’re calling these ‘events.’ I’m calling this [BLEEP] Tuesday afternoon.” Other events involved contenders wrestling sumo-style while holding pitchers of beer, and running from actual sheriff’s deputies while jumping fences and avoiding obstacles.
(They’re planning to make it an annual event. But on the other hand, you can see pretty much the same thing if you fly to Florida any time…!)
(I’m just disappointed that I haven’t seen any events involving fireworks…!)
-AP
“LOTS” ABOUT PARKING:
• The average car spends about 95% of its lifetime parked, according to Donald Shoup’s “The High Cost of Free Parking”.
• Vehicles travel an average of 1,825 miles (2,937km) each year for every curb space available, just looking for a place to park.
• The largest parking structure in the world is at Canada’s West Edmonton Mall, with 20,00 spots available. (I once spent a lovely week there…looking for my car!)
• If New York’s Empire State Building was built with today’s requirements, it would need to provide space for 12 city blocks worth of parking spaces.
• New York City is currently owed $1 billion in unpaid parking and speeding tickets.
• 76% of US college students say they have to pay to park on campus.
• 57% of UK drivers say their heart rate surges whenever they attempt to parallel park. (As does mine, whenever someone attempts to parallel park in front of me!)
-Insider
DID YOU KNOW?
A smile really can brighten everyone’s day. Researchers from the University of Essex found that when someone smiles, even for just a split-second, it actually makes others more likely to see happiness in an otherwise expressionless face. The groundbreaking work was possible thanks to the use of electrical stimulation. A painless current served to manipulate participants’ muscles into momentary action, resulting in a brief uncontrollable smile. The team determined that even a weak grin helps make faces appear more joyful. The researchers hope their study can jumpstart further exploration of potential treatments for depression or disorders that affect expression, such as Parkinson’s and autism. (I also know a few people who would need an electrical shock to make them smile!)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 02.28.24
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Tooth Fairy Day”, honoring the devious dental donor who leaves money under kids’ pillows for lost teeth. No one knows her origin for sure but there was a fairytale in 18th-century France about a ‘tooth mouse’ who hid under pillows. In 2023, parents….err…the Tooth Fairy left an average of $6.23 per tooth. That means that for a full set of 20 baby teeth, kids are raking in about $125.
• “Inconvenience Yourself Day”, not merely about inconveniencing oneself, it is about acknowledging others, putting them first, and having a positive effect on their lives. (There’s a meme that says: “There are 2 types of people: Those who believe in doing what’s best for everyone even if it means personal sacrifice, and those who see their own inconvenience as unacceptable, no matter what.” Perfect!)
• “Pink Shirt Day” in Canada, a semi-annual event in which participants sign up and wear a pink shirt to take a visible stance against bullying. The color is based on a campaign started by Travis Price and David Shepherd, who took a stand for a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. LINK: www.pinkshirtday.ca
• “International Floral Design Day”, focusing on the art of flower arranging, both as a profession and as a hobby.
• “Public Sleeping Day”, when you are encouraged to doze off in a public area, to draw attention to the fact that almost one-third of us sleep less than 6 hours a night. You may nap while riding on public transportation or on a bench in a park, at a library or a cafe, or any other public place. (Just don’t take off your shoes!)
• “Chocolate Soufflé Day”. A soufflé is a French dish dating back to the 1700s that is usually associated with dessert, but can be either sweet or savory. Today the focus is on the chocolate soufflé, one of the most popular sweet soufflés (of course!) LINK: http://tinyurl.com/7tbjynwt
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Thurs] Bachelor’s Day
[Thurs] Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day
[Fri] Employee Appreciation Day
[Sat] Old Stuff Day
This Week Is…Eating Disorder Awareness Week
This Month Is…Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1940 [84] Mario Andretti, Montona Italy, retired race-car driver (1969 Indianapolis 500, 1978 Formula One World Champion)
1944 [80] Kelly Bishop, Colorado Springs CO, TV actress (‘Emily Gilmore’ on “Gilmore Girls” 2000-07, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” 2016)/movie actress (“Dirty Dancing”)
1957 [67] John Turturro, Brooklyn NY, movie actor (“Transformers” films, “The Batman”)/TV actor (“Monk” 2004-08, “Severance” since 2022)
1957 [67] Cindy Wilson, Athens GA, new wave-rock singer (B-52’s-‘Love Shack’, ‘Roam’)
1969 [55] Pat Monahan, Erie PA, pop-rock singer (Train-‘Hey, Soul Sister’, ‘Drops of Jupiter’)
1973 [51] Eric Lindros, London ON, retired NHL player (Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars), Hockey Hall of Fame, 2016
1976 [48] Ali Larter, Cherry Hill NJ, movie actress (“Resident Evil” films, “Final Destination” films)/TV actress (“Heroes” 2006-10, “The Rookie” 2020-22)
1977 [47] Jason Aldean (Williams), Macon GA, country singer (‘Try That in a Small Town’, ‘Dirt Road Anthem’)
1985 [39] Fefe Dobson, Scarborough ON, pop-rock singer (‘Take Me Away’, ‘Stuttering’)
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1983 [41] The final episode of “M*A*S*H” airs; a record 125 million watch in the US (still the most-watched TV series episode in history)
1998 [26] Pamela Anderson divorces Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee after 3 years of marriage
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1984 [40] Michael Jackson is the big winner at the Grammys, winning 8 trophies, including Album of the Year for “Thriller” and Record of the Year for ‘Beat It’
1998 [26] Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’, from the movie “Titanic”, goes to #1 in the US, joining the soundtrack and the movie at #1 on their respective charts
2016 [08] At the Oscars, Lady Gaga performs ‘Til It Happens To You,’ joined by a group of sexual assault survivors, but the “Best Song” Oscar goes to Sam Smith’s ‘Writing’s On the Wall’
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2013 [11] A neuro-scientist at Duke University announces he has successfully connected the brains of 2 rats in such a way that they can share information
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ The first Fords had engines made by Dodge.
✓ Toto the dog was paid $125 per week while filming The Wizard of Oz.
✓ Of the 70% of water covering the Earth, only 3% is fresh, and the other 97% is salt water.
✓ Studies show that when people fall in love, they lose an average of 2 close friends.
✓ Humans cannot walk in a straight line without a visual point – When blindfolded, we gradually walk in a circle.
✓ Frogs sometimes eat enough fireflies that they themselves glow.
-Owlcation, TheFactSite, RandomFactGenerator
Best of BS . . .
BS FAILED CIRCUS ACTS:
• World’s tallest dwarf
• Man-bun lady
• Three-ring binder
• Non-creepy clowns (couldn’t find any)
• Synchronized fidget spinning
• My world-famous check-book balancing act
• Electrified hi-wire
• The carny kissing booth
• Russian roulette
• My 2018 family reunion
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019
BS OTHER EXPLANATIONS FOR LEAP YEAR:
• It offers a way for overdeveloped 5-year-olds to explain why they have a beard.
• It’s all because the groundhog saw his shadow.
• It’s just another one of those days created by those jerks at Hallmark.
• It makes up for the day we lost when we turned the clocks ahead.
• One of those things that happens every 4 years, like Nicholas Cage paying his taxes.
• The March calendars aren’t ready yet.
-First published in BS in 2012
BS WEB GOODIE:
Relationship advice: http://tinyurl.com/3fmvbaez
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’m “remembers when a 32-inch TV weighed 450lbs” years old.
TRUTH OR BS:
• Glass is manufactured mainly from processed sand. [True]
• Popping your finger or toe knuckles is bad for your joints. [BS. There is no scientific proof that popping your joints is bad for you.]
• Miley Cyrus is an only child. [BS. She has no less than 5 siblings — 4 brothers and a sister.)
• There are over 50,000 varieties of apples in the world. [BS. But there are over 30,000.]
• The U.S.A.’s southernmost state is Florida. [True]
• Confucius was a world-renowned Latin philosopher. [BS. Despite the sound of his name, Confucius was Chinese.]
• Harry Potter’s first flying broomstick is called ‘Firebolt’. [BS. It is called ‘Nimbus 2000’.]
• Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed person on Instagram and Facebook. [True. He’s followed by 622 million on IG, and 168 million on FB.]
-Ponly
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s your best example of easy come, easy go?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 18% of people say they clean THIS less that once a year. What is it?
Answer: Their freezer
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
There is little success where there is little laughter.
