Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Edition: #7655

Get a Load of This Sheet!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Fans have some questions about where Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan stand. “The Real Housewives of Miami” star fueled rumors that she and Michael Jordan’s youngest son have broken up with some cryptic messages to her Instagram Stories. She shared a video showing Morgan Freeman talking about listening to your inner voice, and polled her fans by asking them, “Should your friends unfollow your ex?” In addition, the “Traitors” stars appear to have unfollowed each other on Instagram, with Pippen also removing photos of Jordan from her page.
-E!
★ Eric Idle was in salty form on X over the weekend, posting dismissive words for Monty Python co-founders John Cleese and Terry Gilliam. Idle, who is 80, expressed ­surprise that the comedy troupe’s income had dried up. He wrote: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.” He blamed the mismanagement of the Python brand on Gilliam and his daughter, Holly. Idle also took issue with Netflix after a follower suggested that the streaming giant make a documentary on the rise and fall of Python. Idle replied with expletives regarding both the streamer and documentaries in general.
-Deadline
★ “Jeopardy!” Exec-Producer Michael Davies has spoken out for the first time about Mayim Bialik’s controversial departure as co-host in December. Speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, the game show’s boss — who in May claimed that Bialik had his “full support” — said that while Bialik is “a superb host,” in the end “Ken (Jennings) really won the job.” According to Davies, over the 2½ seasons that the 2 shared hosting duties, the production team found that TV stations and “other interested parties” were “looking for more consistency, they wanted a single host.” He did say that Bialik may host primetime versions or other spinoffs in the future.
-TVLine
★ Cillian Murphy says he’s “totally” open to reprising his role of ‘Tommy Shelby’ in “Peaky Blinders”. The “Oppenheimer” star appeared in the British period drama as the boss of the Peaky Blinders crime gang from 2013 to 2022. Speaking on BBC’s “Desert Island Discs”, Murphy said that while he was “relieved” when the series came to an end, he would “totally” reprise his role, as long as the script is good.
-DigitalSpy
★ “House of the Dragon” Season 2 is on the way, and star Matt Smith may have narrowed down the release date. In a podcast appearance, Smith said he has heard the new season will be out this August. And while it is exciting to hear a specific month, some fans were disappointed that the show isn’t coming sooner. That’s because HBO executive Casey Bloys said earlier that the show will return in “early summer 2024.”
-PopCulture

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): America Ferrera, Kenny Smith, Kygo, Ava Max
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Amy Schumer, JB Smoove, Yard Act
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Matt Damon, Danielle Pinnock
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Finn Wolfhard, Sen. John Fetterman, Matt Goldich
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): James Kennedy, Maddi Reese
• “The Daily Show” (COM): TBA
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Billy Dee Williams
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Jane Krakowski, Janelle James
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Isla Fisher, Justin Chien and Sam Long, Chloe Stroll
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton, Zelda Williams and Diablo Cody
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Sarah Silverman, Chris Matthews
• “FBI” (CBS): Season 6 premiere. Followed by season premieres of “FBI International” and “FBI: Most Wanted”.
• “The Bachelor” (ABC): The dramatic conclusion to the cocktail party cliffhanger brings exciting news, the group is heading to Spain; a sneak peek at the rest of the season.
• “Extended Family” (NBC): Jim advises a player on the Celtics to take a recent loss less personally, sparking a controversy that forces the Kearney clan to confront their spiritual beliefs.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Taylor Swift — is reportedly planning to direct her new film after her current “Eras Tour” ends. In December, it was revealed that Swift will direct her first feature-length film for Searchlight Pictures. She has apparently already written an original script. The Eras Tour is expected to last into early 2025.
• Pink – paused a recent show in Sydney, Australia when a fan went into labor. While she was singing ‘Our Song’, fans signaled to her that the pregnant fan was being attended to by medics. Video shows Pink joking “Is it Alicia or Alex being born right now?” She then asked the crowd to give the woman privacy, before congratulating her, then resuming her show.
• Michael Jackson — Half of his music catalog has been reportedly purchased by Sony Music Group for about $600 million. The deal values the King of Pop’s music at $1.2 billion, the most ever for the work of a single musician. A biopic about him is set for release next year.
• Elton John – A treasure trove of items from his Atlanta home will be auctioned by Christie’s in New York on Feb 21. “The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road” includes everything from a custom Bentley to a pinball machine. Also up for grabs: silver leather boots estimated to sell for up to $10,000, and a pair of Sir Winston sunglasses, worth $3,000. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/mtujpxey
• Sheryl Crow – Friday, she released ‘Do it Again’, the latest single from her new album “Evolution”, out March 29. Sheryl quote: “I feel like I’ve been writing this song for 30 years. To me, life is one long exploration in how to live joyfully. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3kzda5u6
• Nate Smith — Following his 8-week number one smash hit ‘World on Fire’, he has dropped the new single ‘Bulletproof’. He’ll release the EP “Through the Smoke” on April 5. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/5k2fdry7
• Jackson Dean – The ‘Fearless (The Echo)’ singer has released a cover of Percy Sledge’s ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ just in time for Valentine’s Day. A video showing him recording the timeless ballad is also available. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/nhz67c8f
• Toby Keith – The University of Oklahoma’s men’s basketball team (Oklahoma Sooners) honored him by serving all fountain drinks and beer during their game on Saturday…in red solo cups. That, of course, was a nod to Keith’s 2011 hit ‘Red Solo Cup’. Also, a post to his social media accounts states that his family will be “hosting a private funeral service for family, band and crew only in mid-February.” LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yc7m6nbj

SHOOTING THE BULL

MORE EX-CELLENT PROMOTIONS:
➢ Pizza Hut is offering to deliver “Goodbye Pies” to be delivered to your soon-to-be ex. The limited-edition pizza has hot honey on top, and is packaged in a custom box with a broken pizza heart illustration, plus a spot to write in the name of the dumpee. Would-be heartbreakers can submit for a chance to send a hot honey “Goodbye Pie” to their significant other at www.GoodbyePies.com . The deal is available at locations in New York, Chicago and Miami. Elsewhere, those about to drop the bomb can request a link to a Pizza Hut gift card for their future-ex to redeem a hot honey pizza. (If it’s for someone you want to dump – shouldn’t it be covered in anchovies?)
➢ A scrap company in Britain is offering jilted exes the chance to send former lovers to the junk heap for Valentine’s Day. Scrap Car Comparison’s “Scrap Your Ex” program is letting people have cars named after their ex before being sent to the scrap heap. The company says it is “Offering a unique form of ‘car-tharsis’…to anyone…who wants to trash the memories of a past relationship, or even nominate a friend’s ex that deserves to be junked.” Each car scrapped will have the ex’s name written on its chassis.
➢ A toilet paper company is offering the chance to have old love letters from your ex turned into recycled toilet paper for Valentine’s Day. The Who Gives A Crap company’s “Flush Your Ex” program asks people to mail them “those leftover love letters taking up psychic space in your sock drawer and we’ll…magically transform their BS into TP.” And why would you want to do that? The company’s website says: “Because nothing says closure like knowing that someone, somewhere is putting those sweet nothings exactly where they belong.” (I cannot think of a punchline for this that doesn’t include the word “dump”!)
-People, UPI

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
⇒ The new Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball becomes available on Friday. You heard that right: Airless. The first commercial version of Wilson’s “Basketball that Doesn’t Need To Be Inflated Because It’s Already Full of Holes” will cost US$2,500. Yup. $2,500. There is no inflated bladder inside to help the ball bounce; instead, its shape and materials allow it to bounce like any other ball, minus the air. Wilson worked on the Airless prototype for years before showing it off at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend. Price notwithstanding, the ball, which features a latticed pattern of hundred of hexagonal holes, is expected to sell out almost immediately. (Coming Soon: Nike Airless Jordans!) LINK: https://youtu.be/IVuXLmu0fHk
⇒ Viral videos showing people driving Tesla vehicles while wearing mixed reality headsets have sparked safety concerns within the US government. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posted a video on X, and wrote: “Reminder — All advanced driver assistance systems available today require the human driver to be in control and fully engaged in the driving task at all times.” The clip shows a man who appears to be wearing the new $3,500 Vision Pro — Apple’s first mixed reality headset, while driving a Tesla pickup Cybertruck. He is shown gesturing as if pressing buttons in the air, with both hands off the steering wheel. (Maybe there was a bee in the truck!) LINK: http://tinyurl.com/52at82nu
-FastCompany, CTV

WELLNESS CHECK:
So, how did you feel yesterday morning, after eating and drinking your face off in front of the TV on Super Bowl Sunday? Did the thought cross your mind that maybe it’s not the best thing in the world to over-do it at every special occasion? The reason I ask is this:  According to a new survey, the average person doesn’t start seriously monitoring their health until age 38 — and often not until they experience some sort of health scare. The poll of 2,000 adults in the UK also found that starting to experience new aches and pains or reaching a milestone birthday were among the triggers that encouraged people to take better care of themselves. Others were prompted to take action after a loved one passed away or experienced a health issue. The study also found that 11% of adults admit they still don’t take their health very seriously. Celebs also play a part in making people take notice of their health. After it was announced that King Charles was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate, the UK Health Service’s webpage about the condition received 11 times more visits than the previous day.
(Yeah, but half of those were by Chuck himself!)
(I WISH I started taking my health seriously when I was 38 . . . pounds overweight!)
-StudyFinds

THE MOST OFTEN MIS-PRONOUNCED WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (Good luck!):
❑ Asterisk (AS-tuh-risk): The problem is that pesky metathesis. Metathesis? That’s when people accidentally rearrange sounds in a word, like a toddler saying spaghetti as “pasketti.” Here, it’s the final ‘S’ and the ‘K’, which often come out as “asteriks.”
❑ Brewery (BROO-uh-ree): No, it’s not the booze talking. Saying this word while sober is hard enough, thanks to that tricky middle syllable. (Try saying “rural brewery” 5 times fast!)
❑ Defibrillator (dee-FIB-ruh-ley-ter): Thanks to “dissimilation”, this word often comes out as “defibyulator.”
❑ February: (FEB-roo-er-ee): Actually, so many people add a “y” sound after the ‘b’ that many dictionaries now accept that as correct.
❑ Antarctic (ant-AHRK-tik): Those 2 Cs are trouble. Just like the similarly-named Arctic, the southern pole often gets renamed the Ant-ART-tic.
❑ Library (LAHY-brer-ee): Please don’t say “liberry”. Merriam-Webster can cite cases where even college presidents and professors use the dissimilated form.
❑ Often (AW-fuhn): If you’re saying it as “off-ten,” you’re technically wrong. Merriam-Webster prefers the T-less version since it better reflects the evolution from its Middle English roots.
❑ Specific (spi-SIF-ik): Try to keep the name of the world’s largest ocean out of it.
❑ Temperature (tem-PER-uh-cher): It’s pronounced just the way it looks. Just make sure you say that “R” in the middle.
❑ Worcestershire (WOOS-ter-sheer): Pronunciations of the condiment vary based on where you’re from, but most people skip the first ‘R’ altogether. (For clarity, could someone tell me how they say this in Massachusetts?)
❑ Antidisestablishmentarianism (an-tee-dis-uh-stab-lish-muhn-TAIR-ee-uh-niz-uh-m): It’s a tongue twister at 28 letters and 13 syllables. And BTW, even though most dictionaries don’t include it, it means being opposed to the withdrawal of state support from an established church. (And apparently the word is longer than its definition!)
-PopularMechanics

DID YOU KNOW?
New treatments for depression could be on the way, thanks to a discovery by scientists at the University of California-San Francisco. They found that those with depression exhibit higher body temperatures than those without the condition. While it remains unclear whether depression causes an increase in body temperature or if the higher temperature contributes to depression, this new revelation suggests that managing body temperature could play a role in alleviating depressive symptoms.
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 02.13.24

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Mardi Gras”, aka “Fat Tuesday” or “Pancake Day”, the last big blow-out before Lent begins. It’s also “Shrove Tuesday”, the day before Ash Wednesday, observed in many Christian countries through confession and absolution, finalizing one’s Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets. Here’s a look at some . . . WAYS YOU CAN TELL IT’S “PANCAKE DAY”:
⇒ The price of syrup doubled yesterday.
⇒ You shake hands and your palms stick.
⇒ A whole lot of wacky-lookin’ Frisbees in the schoolyard.
⇒ ‘Aunt Jemima/Pearl Milling Company’ has just made “Fortune” magazine’s “Top 10”.
⇒ It’s the first time you’ve heard the word “shrove” since this time last year.
⇒ It just kinda “créped” up on you . . .
• “Kiss Day”, On this day, partners express their love for each other by kissing them. Ingrid Bergman said, “A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” (In other words, “Shut up and kiss me.”)
• “Galentine’s Day”, an observance invented by Amy Poehler on “Parks & Recreation” as a chance to get your best gals together (friends, mom, coworkers, etc.) and revel in being female. (***A few ways to celebrate: https://tinyurl.com/5n8vsvt8)
• “Tortellini Day”, saluting the yummy little pasta rings stuffed with goodies such as cheese or prosciutto. They are sometimes described as ‘navel-shaped’, hence the alternative Italian name of ‘ombelico’ (‘belly button’).
• “World Radio Day”, a UN observation to remember the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together across every corner of the globe. Remember where you heard about it! (Shouldn’t we get the day off or something?)
• “Get a Different Name Day”, set aside to give us the opportunity to pick one we’d really like. (***Find listeners with really odd names and ask them what they’d like to be called***)
• “International Condom Day”, initiated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 2009 in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV through safe sex practices. (I take a condom with me wherever I go. Unfortunately, it’s always the same one…)
• “Employee Legal Awareness Day”, a day to make employees aware of the legal duties involved in conducting their day-to-day activities and the legal risks incurred by failure to fulfil those duties.
• “Extraterrestrial Culture Day”, “to celebrate and honor all past, present and future extraterrestrial visitors in ways to enhance relationships among all citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown.”
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Ash Wednesday
[Wed] Call in Single Day
[Thurs] Gumdrop Day
[Fri] Friday Fish Fry Day
This Week is…Jell-O Week
This Month is…Bird-Feeding Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [80] Stockard Channing, New York City NY, movie actress (“Grease”, “Six Degrees of Separation”)/TV actress (“The West Wing” 1999-2006)

1950 [74] Peter Gabriel, Surrey England, rock singer (‘In Your Eyes’, ‘Sledgehammer’), Genesis co-founder (‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’)

1961 [63] Henry Rollins (Garfield), Washington DC, punk singer (Black Flag, Rollins Band)/spoken word artist/TV-radio host (“The Henry Rollins Show”)/movie-TV actor (“Sons of Anarchy”)

1966 [58] Neal McDonough, Dorchester MA, TV actor (“Desperate Housewives” 2008-09, “Suits”2014-19, “Yellowstone” 2019)/movie actor (“Captain America”)

1974 [50] Robbie Williams, Stoke-on-Trent England, pop singer (‘Angels’, ‘Rock DJ’, Take That-‘Pray’)

1976 [48] (Leslie) Feist, Amherst NS, pop singer (‘1-2-3-4’, ‘Mushaboom’)/member of Broken Social Scene 2001-05

1979 [45] Mena Suvari, Newport RI, movie actress (“American Beauty”, “American Pie” movies)/TV actress (“American Horror Story” 2011, 2018) COMING UP… “Reagan”

1997 [27] (Prince) Michael Jackson Jr, Beverly Hills CA, Michael Jackson’s first son (with then-wife Debbie Rowe)

2002 [22] Sophia Lillis, Brooklyn NY, movie actress (‘Beverly Nash’ in “It” movies)/TV actress (“I Am Not OK With This”, 2020)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2000 [24] The last original “Peanuts” comic strip appears in newspapers, one day after the death of creator Charles M. Schulz

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1970 [54] Black Sabbath release their self-titled debut album, which not coincidentally, comes out on Friday the 13th. It is It is widely considered the first heavy metal album

2007 [17] Rod Stewart is paid $1 million to perform for one hour at billionaire Steve Schwarzman’s 60th birthday bash in NYC’s Park Avenue Armory

2016 [08] Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’ replaces his song ‘Sorry’ at #1 on the “Billboard Hot 100″ (the 3rd consecutive #1 from his “Purpose” album)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2003 [21] Dan Price completes a 4,000-mile cross-country ride from Joseph, Oregon to Key West, Florida … on a tricycle (he averages 50-to-60 miles a day, camps out at night)

TODAY’S LAST . . .
2019 [05] NASA confirms that Mars Opportunity rover’s mission has ended after 15 years due damage sustained in a sandstorm

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ In the Philippines, McDonald’s serves spaghetti.
✓ The “BF” in “B.F. Goodrich” stands for ‘Benjamin Franklin’.
✓ Roller coasters were invented to keep Americans away from seedier pastimes, such as saloons and brothels.
✓ An ant can survive a fall from almost any height, because its terminal velocity would never be high enough to injure it.
✓ Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins can.
✓ Zoologists say a tiger’s scent markings smell like buttered popcorn.
-F’edUpFacts, ReadersDigest

Best of BS . . .
BS ALTERNATE NAMES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY:
• You’d Better Get Her Something Even if She Says She Doesn’t Want Anything Day
• Netflix and Ch…ocolate Day
• You Didn’t Get Her The Right Gift For Christmas Do-Over Day
• Keep Florists in Business Day
• Make Singles’ Self Esteem Plummet Day
• Unrealistic Expectations Day
• Cheesy Card Day
• Procrastinate Getting Your Significant Other Something Until the Day Before Day
• Please Forgive Me for Everything in the Past Year Day
• Discount Chocolate Eve
• Festivus
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018

BS STUPID QUESTIONS FOR EINSTEIN:
• Did your parents name you Einstein because you’re so smart?
• Any theories on why my “relatives” hate me?
• Why isn’t the McRib available ALL the time??
• Toilet paper: Over or under?
• Is it hip to be MC Squared?
• How do they put the lead in the tree before they cut out the pencils?
• Any ideas about who it was that let the dogs out?
• Is there a formula for outsmarting a fitted bed sheet?
• How is it you know all about the big bang theory, but nothing about hair conditioner?
• How can we trust atoms if they “make up” everything?
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BS WEB GOODIE:
Not exactly as planned:  https://tinyurl.com/2juft42w

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Being married means you get to go to bed with your best friend every night. And if you don’t snore too much, you’ll also wake up with your best friend.

BS PHONE STARTER:
What is the most romantic food?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 21% of us will give THIS as a gift to their Valentine. What is it?
Answer:  Clothing

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.