Thursday, January 19, 2006        Edition: #3200
We’re Bullish on Radio!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
CBS-TV will launch what it’s calling a ‘micro-series’ on TV and online TUESDAY, 7 instalments of a kidnap drama called “The Courier” that run a minute or less (the first airs during a commercial break on “CSI: Miami”) . . . As promised, “Boston Legal” star William Shatner has managed to sell the actual kidney stone he passed LAST FALL, with online casino GoldenPalace.com – who will seemingly buy anything – ante-ing up $25,000 which will go to Habitat for Humanity (let’s hope he doesn’t feel the need to one-up himself with other bodily excretions!) . . . Author Stephen King, whose new book “Cell” is about a cellphone that transmits a pulse that induces madness, does not use or even own a cellphone . . . The standup comedian competition “Last Comic Standing” is apparently still standing, as NBC-TV has just ordered up a 4th season – even though the 3rd was somewhat of a dud (host Jay Mohr, who was very vocal about how the last season was handled, may or may not return) . . . Mark Burnett’s summertime TV series “Rock Star” has been renewed by CBS-TV and may be devoted to finding a lead singer for another headless band (like “Rock Star: INXS”) or may go in a completely new direction – such as creating a new band . . . There are rumors being lobbed about Down Under at the “Australian Open” that two of tennis’ superstars, Maria  Sharapova & Andy Roddick, are ‘playing doubles’ – off the court . . . And actress Halle Berry says she’s desperate for a baby and might just have one with whoever she happens to be dating when she turns 40 THIS AUGUST (volunteers?).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Cyndi Lauper – TODAY she’s on ABC-TV’s “The View”.
• Lenny Kravitz – He’s written the free download tune, “Breathe”, for Absolut vodka’s ‘Absolut Tracks’ initiative which he says is quote – ‘inspired by the brand’s core values of clarity, simplicity & perfection’. (Translation: I will say whatever you want if you pay me enough.)
• Mary J Blige – TONIGHT she guests on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno”.
• Michael Bolton – The has-been pop singer says he’s ‘very committed’ to “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan, increasing speculation they’ll soon be engaged. They previously dated back in 1992 when he was a big recording star and she was just a “Knots Landing” starlet. (How times have changed.)
• Natasha Bedingfield – TONIGHT she guests on NBC-TV’s “Last Call With Carson Daly”.
• Trace Adkins – TONIGHT he kicks off his “2006 Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” tour in Burlington, Iowa. Craig Morgan & Josh Gracin are the opening acts.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
A new Hollywood film called “Blood Trail” will dramatize the true story of how contaminated blood from Arkansas prisoners found its way into the veins of thousands of Canadian hemophiliacs . . . An Italian magazine is reporting that Mehmet Ali Agca, the recently-released Turk who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, has received an advance of $500,000 from a Hollywood studio to play himself in a film . . . 63-year-old Harrison Ford is giving Steven Spielberg & George Lucas an ultimatum, saying that if a 4th instalment of “Indiana Jones” doesn’t happen within 2 years, it isn’t going to – ever (“Indiana Jones & the Wheelchair of Doom”?) . . . “Golden Globe” lifetime achievement honoree Anthony Hopkins has written and will direct & star in the movie “Slipstream”, and in the role of his wife has cast former antiques dealer Stella Arroyave (whose qualifications are – being his real-life wife) . . . Susan Sarandon has signed on to play the wicked ‘Queen Narissa’ in Disney’s upcoming animated-live action fairytale “Enchanted”, which will star James Marsden & Amy Adams as star-crossed royal lovers (oh, it’s the story of Chuck & Camilla?) . . . The teen stars of “Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix” will have to stop filming the new movie for a month to take school exams, a production shut-down that will cost Warner Bros $3.6 million! . . . And shooting on Peter O’Toole’s new movie “Venus” (his first lead role in over 20 years) is finally underway again after being delayed for 3 weeks while the 73-year-old veteran actor had – a hip replacement.

HEY, THERE’S NO LIFELINE ON THIS PAW:
In Taiwan, people are taking their pets to fortune tellers to find out what’s in store for their furry friends. So-called ‘Yi Jin’ fortune tellers use a Chinese compass in order to tap into signals from the universe about the welfare of dogs, cats and even rabbits. Some believers bring pictures of their dead dogs to find out if they’re having a good life in the underworld. Pet fortune-telling is part of the celebration to welcome in the ‘Chinese New Year of the Dog’, coming JANUARY 29th.
– CBS News

WHAT HIS TATTOO SAYS ABOUT HIM:
• Asian Character: This guy craves mystery in his life, so expect surprises. Since few will know the translation of his chosen character, he relishes the opportunity to explain the hidden meaning behind it. He uses the symbol to give people insight into his personality and what he’s all about.
• Spiritual Symbol: Men who have crosses, stars or Buddhist symbols are showing respect to their spiritual roots but are also rebelling by getting body art in the first place. These ‘good boys’ have a secret naughty streak, so although they may follow the rules in their everyday lives, they break them in the bedroom.
• Tribal Marking: A tribal band is the tattoo of a man’s man. Bold and edgy, this design can serve to show off his uber-masculinity. But it’s trendy, so the guy wearing it is likely to have a style-savvy, metrosexual side to him also. Despite his tough exterior, he’ll take good care of a woman.
• Written Message: A guy who puts his message out there is clearly straightforward. He’s confident and comfortable with himself, so he’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind. Never shy about his romantic feelings, he’ll make you smile with lots of thoughtful gifts and other actions.
– “Cosmopolitan”

HIS REAL NAME WAS O’TOOLE:
Scientists from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland may have found the country’s most fertile male, with more than 3 million men worldwide among his offspring. Researchers say that as many as 1 in 12 Irishmen could be descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, a 5th-century warlord who was head of the most powerful dynasty in ancient Ireland. His genetic legacy is almost as impressive as Genghis Khan, the Mongol emperor who conquered most of Asia in the 13th century and has nearly 16 million descendants.
– Reuters

HE SAID IT:
• “I’ve already approved my likeness for a ‘King Kong’ chess set.”
– Actor Adrien Brody, who’s apparently thrilled with the spin-off toys from the big monkey movie.
• “How many other DJs do you know who have delivered a baby?”
– Former Van Halen frontman Dave Lee Roth, who now divides his time between his radio show and working as an Emergency Medical Technician, where he’s so far delivered 4 babies on-the-job.

UNDER THE SEA:
NEXT MONTH construction begins on a $500-million hotel in Dubai UAE, not overly noteworthy except that it’s – underwater! The complex will include 2 sections, a bowl-shaped building positioned on the sea floor in shallow water, and a deep-water structure floating in the sea with anchors on the ground. There will be huge built-in aquariums as an attraction for guests as well as windows looking directly into the sea. It’s rumored that stays will be priced circa $3,000 per night.
– “Khaleej Times”

DID YOU KNOW?
• Lionesses like their males to be deep brunettes.
• About 5.5 million adult Canadians (23%) and 500,000 kids under 17 (8%) are obese.

GOING DOWN – FAST!
In Japan ‘maglev’ technology, based on magnetic attraction & repulsion, has already been used to develop high-speed trains. Now it’s being harnessed to propel high-speed – elevators!  Toshiba Elevator & Building Systems will introduce the world’s first elevators controlled by magnetic levitation as early as 2008, and they’re expected to travel at 300 meters/minute (almost 1,000 ft). They also promise to be quieter and more comfortable than regular elevators.
Currently, the only passenger-carrying ‘maglev’ train in the world links Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China to the city center at speeds up to 430 km/hr (about 270 mph).
– “Mainichi Daily News”

THE BULL SHEET 01.19.2K6

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1934 [72] Lloyd Robertson, Stratford ON, CTV Chief News Anchor & Senior News Editor since 1976/CBC-TV’s “The National” anchor 1970-76/CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame (1998)

1946 [60] Dolly Parton, Sevierville TN, country singer/songwriter (“I Will Always Love You”)/movie actress (“Steel Magnolias”)/amusement park owner (“Dollywood”)

1971 [35] Shawn Wayans, NYC, one of the acting Wayans brothers (“White Chicks”)

1972 [34] Drea de Matteo, Queens NY, TV actress (“Joey”, “The Sopranos” 1999-2004)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Confederate Heroes Day”, observed on the anniversary of the 1807 birth of Robert E Lee. It’s an official holiday in Texas.

• “Edgar Allan Poe Birth Anniversary”, celebrating the 1809 birthday of the famed writer of “The Raven” and inventor of the mystery novel. For 57 years, in the middle of the night, a mysterious black-hooded man has slunk into the small Baltimore cemetery where Poe is buried to leave a tribute of French cognac and 3 roses at his grave. No one knows the identity of the so-called ‘Poe Toaster’. The visit was first documented in 1949, a century after Poe’s death at age 40. But in 1993 the original visitor left a cryptic note saying, “The torch will be passed.” A later note said the man, who apparently died in 1998, had passed the tradition on to his sons. (Spooky!)

• “International Sing-Out Day”, a time to break out in song just like they do in goofy musicals.

• “Maintenance Day”, honoring all janitors and building maintenance personnel. (Because they’re good natured swabs.)

• “Penguin Awareness Day”, to highlight conservation of natural resources by increasing awareness of the interrelationship between humans and marine animals. (Not sure where the official celebration is being held, but you can bet they’ll be wearing tuxes!)

• “Sundance Film Festival” through January 29th in Park City, Utah. The top showcase for independent film has been the launching pad for many low-profile movies, including “In the Bedroom”, “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Garden State”. Some 64 films will screen this year.
NET: http://festival.sundance.org/2006/

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1993 [13] Fleetwood Mac reunites to perform at Inaugural Gala for US President Bill Clinton

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1915 [91] 1st ‘Neon Sign’ (it actually spelled out ‘N-E-O-N’, because it was created by George Claude of Paris, France for a demonstration.)

1935 [71] 1st ‘Jockey Shorts’ go on sale (beginning the boxers vs briefs controversy)

1951 [55] 1st ‘Front-Hook Bra’ (fumbling teenage boys cheer!)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1977 [29] 1st recorded snowfall in Miami FL

COMING UP . . .
[Fri] Philately Day
[Sat] Hugging Day
[Sat] Squirrel Appreciation Day
[Sun] Producers Guild of America Awards (LA CA)
[Sun] Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
[Sun] Speak Up & Succeed Day
[Sun] Rid the World of Fad Diets Day
[Mon] Canadian General Election
This Week Is . . . Printing Ink Week
This Month Is . . . Glaucoma Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

BS THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
• Why bean sprouts aren’t just weeds.
• Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
• The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
• Cutting your bangs to make them grow.
• ‘Fat clothes’.
• Cat’s facial expressions.
• The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
• Eyelash curlers.
• The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
• Other women.

BS INTERVIEW:
Okay, we admit it – we didn’t know Canada had a ‘Sex Party’ either, until they protested that Canada Post was refusing to deliver their political leaflets. It’s apparently the world’s first registered political party dedicated exclusively to ‘sex-positive’ issues – whatever the hell that means. Why not find out? They’re based in BC – surprised?
PHONER: 604-688-4810 (Vancouver)
NET: http://www.thesexparty.ca/

BS QUICK-PICK TRIVIA:
• Nearly half of drivers surveyed admit that they have done this while driving …
a. Fallen asleep.
b. Run out of gas. [CORRECT]
c. The dirty deed.

• By age 60, most people have lost 40% of their ability to do this …
a. Smell. [CORRECT]
b. Drive.
c. The dirty deed.

ACTUAL NEWSPAPER HEADLINES:
• “Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents”
• “Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told”
• “Miners Refuse to Work After Death”
• “Stolen Painting Found by Tree”
• “Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years”
• “Never Withhold Herpes Infection from Loved One”
• “War Dims Hope for Peace”
• “Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures”
• “Include your Children When Baking Cookies”
• “Is There a Ring of Debris Around Uranus?”

BS BLATANT JOKES:
An old geezer at least 95-years-old walks into a bar. He spots a young woman sitting alone and sidles up next to her and says, “So tell me … do I come here often?”

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: Men and women disagree on a lot of stuff, however, when it comes to the opposite gender, both agree that THIS is sexy.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A foreign accent.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.