Thursday, January 31, 2008 Edition: #3701
Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s Issue!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
THIS WEEK actor Tom Cruise becomes first to take delivery of the new Ducati motorcycle, a $72,500 superbike that can reach speeds of up to 200 mph (only 1,500 are being made) . . . Celebrity TV chef Nigella Lawson & her husband share a fortune worth over $200 million, but she’s confirmed NONE of it will be left to her children because not earning their own money ‘ruins people’ . . . 48-year-old pop singer-turned-“Dancing With the Stars” finalist Marie Osmond is getting her own daytime TV talk show NEXT YEAR through an independent production company that will give her a good chunk of profits (if any) . . . “Celebrity Apprentice” has been renewed by NBC-TV, with the show’s 8th overall season & 2nd celebrity season debuting NEXT JANUARY . . . Filming on the movie “Blue Valentine”, starring Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams, has been postponed indefinitely while she attempts to cope with the death of her former fiancé Heath Ledger . . . And word has it that Heath Ledger may be digitally inserted into the final scenes of his last, unfinished film, “The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus”, currently shooting in London (producers offer their condolences and all, but hey … a buck’s a buck!).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Feist/Finger Eleven/Michael Buble – They’re the first acts confirmed to be performing at this year’s “Juno Awards”, APRIL 6th at the Saddledome in Calgary.
• Gnarls Barkley – Their sophomore album now has a name, “The Odd Couple”, which will release in APRIL.
• Gwen Stefani – Reports say the 38-year-old is circa 13 weeks pregnant with her 2nd child via hubby Gavin Rossdale. Their son Kingston turns 2 in MAY.
• Madonna – According to “Forbes”, she’s the highest-earning female in the music biz, grossing $72 million LAST YEAR. 65-year-old Barbara Streisand, the oldest person on the annual list, is 2nd with $60 million.
• Michael Jackson – Hype over the 25th anniversary re-release of “Thriller” FEBRUARY 12th is building. Rumor has it he’ll make a surprise appearance in a Super Bowl ad and in a live performance at the Grammy Awards.
• Norah Jones – After working herself to the point of exhaustion LAST YEAR promoting an album and shooting the movie “My Blueberry Nights”, she says she’s taking 2008 off. Must be nice.
• Peter Gabriel – The soon-to-be 58-year-old classic rocker is recovering at his home in Wiltshire, England after breaking a leg while skiing in Switzerland.
• Queen – Brian May has announced the band and original scriptwriter Ben Elton are currently working on a sequel to their musical “We Will Rock You”, which has been running in London’s West End since 2002 and spawned numerous spin-off productions worldwide.
• Radiohead – Frontman Thom Yorke says spending 2 weeks last summer doing manual labor on a friend’s construction site made him realize how lucky he is to be in a band.
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• Colbie Caillat – She performs on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• “Eli Stone” (ABC/CTV) – The return of “Lost” serves as the springboard for this new legal dramedy centered around a lawyer (Jonny Lee Miller) who begins to think he might be a prophet. Canadian actors Victor Garber & Natasha Henstridge co-star.
• Keith Urban/Carrie Underwood – They launch their new “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride“ tour with the first of 2 shows at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville CT.
• “Lost” (ABC/CTV) – The 4th season premiere of this sometimes confusing cult series has become a bit of a big deal … it’s one of the few fresh-scripted shows left on TV.
• Suzanne Pleshette – Her induction on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame” will go ahead as planned on what would have been her 71st birthday. Longtime friend Tina Sinatra will accept on her behalf; former co-star Bob Newhart is expected to speak. She died JANUARY 19th of cancer.
FUTURE FLICKS:
A BS selection fo movies getting made …
• “GI Joe“ – In the first live-action film based on the classic action figure, Dennis Quaid will suit up as team leader ‘General Hawk’ and 27-year-old little-known actor Channing Tatum will play ‘Sgt Duke Hauser’. Sienna Miller & Marlon Wayans are also onboard as part of the heroic ensemble. Shooting is set to begin NEXT MONTH with an eye on a Summer 2009 release.
• “The Hobbit” – Academy Award-nominated writer-director Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) is reportedly in talks to helm back-to-back epics adapted from JRR Tolkien’s famous novel. Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”) is set to produce the films.
• “A Nightmare on Elm Street” – ‘Freddy Krueger’s head may have been chopped off but some screenwriter will likely find a way around that. New Line Cinema has lined up a team led by “Transformers” producer Michael Bay to revive the dormant horror film franchise (1984-2003), the studio’s biggest moneymaker until “Lord of the Rings” came along. Bay is already working on resurrecting the “Friday the 13th” series.
• “Toy Story“ – The 2 existing “Toy Story” movies (1995, 1999) are now scheduled to be re-made in 3-D before a 3rd film in the animated franchise is released in 2010. Imagine that … a 3-D ‘Woody’.
• “A Walk in the Woods” – Robert Redford’s next project is to adapt Bill Bryson’s 1998 book about 2 out-of-shape, middle-aged Americans – himself & an old college buddy – hiking the mountainous Appalachian Trail. Redford will play Bryson & produce the film. Barry Levinson is expected to direct.
LIFE BY THE NUMBERS:
A snapshot of who we are and what we do …
• 58% of women say they would lose interest in a guy on a first date if he had a dirty car.
• 50% of adults have signed up to be organ donors, but only half of them have told their families.
• 49% of women expect the guy to be the one to call after a first date.
• 42% of adults say they find blue the most attractive eye color.
• 24% of employees would fire their boss if given the opportunity.
• 16% of moms admit that one of their kids is their favorite.
ACHOO TO YOU TOO:
Covering your mouth when you sneeze is a bad idea because the easiest way to transmit cold and flu germs is via your hands. So medical experts recommend turning your head and sneezing into your shoulder. (Sure is a goofy spot to keep a Kleenex though.)
– “New Woman“
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
The foreign equivalent to some common English expressions …
• We say “Go fly a kite”, while the Spanish say “Go fry asparagus!”
• The Chinese equivalent of “You’re in over your head” is “You’re a baby with a runny nose who became emperor”.
• We say “Save your breath” when we want someone to stop talking, while in France they say “Save your saliva”.
• In Hawaiian, the expression “It’s nothing to lose sleep over” becomes “It’s a heap of relish made of octopus liver”.
• If you give the ‘thumbs up’ sign in Australia, it’s equivalent to a raised middle finger here. (Guess they avoid movies “Siskel & Roper” recommend.)
– AFP
POLITELY DRUNK:
According to the book, “How to Live Like a Gentleman“, here’s what to do if you find yourself too tipsy at a social event …
• Talk as little as possible.
• Call a taxi and leave as soon as possible.
• No matter how tempted, DON’T give a toast.
• Leave all your clothes on, including your tie.
• When the time comes to walk, set goals for yourself: first get to the next table, and so on.
• Aside from a brief ‘thanks’ as you leave, do NOT attempt to thank your host. Call, e-mail, or write a letter later.
– “Facts & Arguments”
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• The NFL buys up to 150 Super Bowl rings each year at a cost of about $5,000 each. (Losers also get rings.)
• In 1984, a cellular phone cost $4,195. (And was the size of a Buick.)
BS CHRONOMETER 01.31.08
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1959 [49] Anthony LaPaglia, Adelaide, Australia, TV actor (‘Jack Malone’ on “Without a Trace” since 2002)
1970 [38] Minnie (Amelia) Driver, London UK, movie actress (“Phantom of the Opera”, “Good Will Hunting”)
1973 [35] Portia DeRossi (Amanda Lee Rogers), Geelong, Australia, TV actress (“Arrested Development” 2003-06, “Ally McBeal” 1998-2002)/Ellen DeGeneres’ partner since 2004
1977 [31] Kerry Washington, Bronx NY, movie actress (“The Last King of Scotland”, “Ray”)
1981 [27] Justin Timberlake, Memphis TN, pop singer (“SexyBack”, ‘N Sync-“Girlfriend”)/wannabe actor (“Shrek the Third ”, “Black Snake Moan”)/Jessica Biel’s bf/Cameron Diaz’s ex-bf (2003-07)
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Backwards Day”, a day to relieve the winter blahs by doing everything backwards, ie: calling people by their last name, eating meals in reverse, signing off your show at the beginning, etc.
• “Beloved Wives Day” in Japan, the 3rd annual salute to the better half of couples. On this day, husbands are supposed to pay extra attention to the missus and do things they don’t usually do, such as say ‘I love you’. It’s a creation of the ‘Adoring Husbands Association’. Retch!
• “Gorilla Suit Day”, an annual observance when people around-the-world are encouraged to get their gorilla suits out of the closet, put them on, and go door-to-door. That’s really all there is to it. You don’t have to buy gifts; you don’t have to fast, although some Orthodox Gorilla Suiters do.
(Um, somebody didn’t take their meds.)
• “Inspire Your Heart With Art Day”. If you’re admitted to the ER today, instead of defibrilator paddles, they’ll be strapping a Renoir on your chest.
• “Play an Old Game You Haven’t Played in Years Night”. Maybe Yahztee, Scrabble, Monopoly, Canasta, Hungry Hippo … Strip Poker?
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1999 [09] The animated TV series “Family Guy” debuts as a special sneak preview (FOX)
2005 [03] On the “Late Show”, David Letterman delivers Johnny Carson’s final monologue as a tribute to the legendary talk show host’s passing
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1988 [20] Herb Alpert performs the anthem before Superbowl 22 in San Diego and Chubby Checker does the halftime show (almost makes Tom Petty seem contemporary)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1928 [80] ‘Scotch Tape’ 1st marketed by 3M (without inventor Richard Drew, we’d still be wrapping up gifts with rope!)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1977 [31] Only time since US weather records have been kept that all 48 contiguous states simultaneously have snow on the ground
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Feb 1] Wear Red Day (Women’s Heart Health Day) / Bubble Gum Day / 54th Carnaval de Québec begins (Québec City) / “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds”; “The Eye”; “Over Her Dead Body”; “Strange Wilderness“ open in movie theaters
[Feb 2] Groundhog Day / 19th Producers Guild of America Awards (LA) / Candlemas (Christian) / Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day / Men’s Grooming Day
[Feb 3] Super Bowl XLII (Phoenix AZ) / Boy Scout & Girl Scout Sunday
[Feb 4] Midpoint of Winter / Rose Monday
Feb 5] Juno Awards nominations announced / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day / Mardi Gras / Weatherman’s Day
[Feb 6] Ash Wednesday / Pay-a-Compliment Day
[Feb 7] “Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites” debuts (CBS) / Chinese New Year / Charles Dickens Day / Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day / Dump Your Significant Jerk Day / Girls & Women in Sports Day
[Feb 8] 35th Annie Awards / “Fool’s Gold”; “The Hottie & the Nottie”; “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” open in movie theaters
[Feb 9] 60th Writers Guild Awards (LA/NYC) / Hockey Day in Canada (CBC) / Develop Alternative Vices Day
[Feb 10] 50th Grammy Awards / East Coast Music Awards (Fredericton) / British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards (London UK) / NFL Pro Bowl (Honolulu HI) / World Marriage Day
[Feb 11] Inventors Day / Pro Sports Wives Day / Satisfied Staying Single Day / Random Acts of Kindness Week
[Feb 12] 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” released
[Feb 13] Get A Different Name Day / Read to Your Child Day
[Feb 14] Valentines Day / 39th NAACP Image Awards (FOX) / “Definitely, Maybe”; “Jumper”; “The Spiderwick Chronicles”; “Step Up 2 the Streets” open in movie theaters
[Feb 15] National Flag of Canada Day / Second Honeymoon Weekend
[Feb 18] Thumb Appreciation Day / Presidents Day (USA) / Family Day (AB, ON, SK) / Louis Riel Day (MB)
[Feb 20] 2008 BRIT Awards / Hoodie Hoo Day / 1st CFPTA Canadian Indie Awards / Full (Snow) Moon
[Feb 21] Card Reading Day / Single Tasking Day / Chinese Lantern Festival
[Feb 22] “Be Kind Rewind”; “Charlie Bartlett”; “Cover”; “My Mom’s New Boyfriend”; “Possession”; “Vantage Point”; “Witless Protection” open in movie theaters
[Feb 23] 28th “Razzie Awards” (Los Angeles) / Spirit Awards (Los Angeles) / Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day / Curling is Cool Day / Chili Day
[Feb 24] 80th Academy Awards / Flag Day (Mexico)
[Feb 26] For Pete’s Sake Day
[Feb 27] International Polar Bear Day
[Feb 28] International Floral Design Day / Tooth Fairy Day / International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day
[Feb 29] Leap Year Day / “The Other Boleyn Girl”; “Penelope”; “Semi-Pro” open in movie theaters
[Mar 2] “Oprah’s Big Give” debuts (ABC)
[Mar 3] Conrad Black goes to prison / 28th Genie Awards (Toronto)
[Mar 5-8] 26th Canadian Music Week 2008 (Toronto)
[Mar 7] Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Induction / Canadian Radio Music Awards (Toronto)
[Mar 8] International Women’s Day
[Mar 9] Daylight Saving Time begins
[Feb 1] Wear Red Day (Women’s Heart Health Day) / Bubble Gum Day / “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds”; “The Eye”; “Over Her Dead Body”; “Strange Wilderness“ open in movie theaters
[Feb 2] Groundhog Day / 19th Producers Guild of America Awards (LA) / Candlemas (Christian) / Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day / Men’s Grooming Day
[Feb 3] Super Bowl XLII (Phoenix AZ) / Boy Scout & Girl Scout Sunday
[Feb 4] Midpoint of Winter / Rose Monday
Feb 5] Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day / Mardi Gras / Weatherman’s Day
[Feb 6] Ash Wednesday / Pay-a-Compliment Day
[Feb 7] “Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites” debuts (CBS) / Chinese New Year / Charles Dickens Day / Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day / Dump Your Significant Jerk Day / Girls & Women in Sports Day
[Feb 8] 35th Annie Awards / “Fool’s Gold”; “The Hottie & the Nottie”; “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” open in movie theaters
[Feb 9] 60th Writers Guild Awards (LA/NYC) / Develop Alternative Vices Day
[Feb 10] 50th Grammy Awards / British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards (London UK) / NFL Pro Bowl (Honolulu HI) / World Marriage Day
[Feb 11] Inventors Day / Pro Sports Wives Day / Satisfied Staying Single Day / Random Acts of Kindness Week
[Feb 12] 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” released
[Feb 13] Get A Different Name Day / Read to Your Child Day
[Feb 14] Valentines Day / 39th NAACP Image Awards (FOX) / “Definitely, Maybe”; “Jumper”; “The Spiderwick Chronicles”; “Step Up 2 the Streets” open in movie theaters
[Feb 15] Second Honeymoon Weekend
[Feb 18] Thumb Appreciation Day / Presidents Day
[Feb 20] 2008 BRIT Awards / Hoodie Hoo Day / Full (Snow) Moon
[Feb 21] Card Reading Day / Single Tasking Day / Chinese Lantern Festival
[Feb 22] “Be Kind Rewind”; “Charlie Bartlett”; “Cover”; “My Mom’s New Boyfriend”; “Possession”; “Vantage Point”; “Witless Protection” open in movie theaters
[Feb 23] 28th “Razzie Awards” (Los Angeles) / Spirit Awards (Los Angeles) / Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day / Curling is Cool Day / Chili Day
[Feb 24] 80th Academy Awards / Flag Day (Mexico)
[Feb 26] For Pete’s Sake Day
[Feb 27] International Polar Bear Day
[Feb 28] International Floral Design Day / Tooth Fairy Day / International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day
[Feb 29] Leap Year Day / “The Other Boleyn Girl”; “Penelope”; “Semi-Pro” open in movie theaters
[Mar 2] “Oprah’s Big Give” debuts (ABC)
[Mar 8] International Women’s Day
[Mar 9] Daylight Saving Time begins
[Mar 10] 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Indiction (NYC)
[Mar 17] St Patrick’s Day
[Mar 23] Easter (Christian)
BULL’S BITS
BS SIGNS YOU’RE TOO OLD TO BE LIVING AT HOME:
• You’re 42 and you have a curfew.
• Every night when you come home from the office, mommy lays out your “Star Wars” jammies.
• You sneak in late from a Barry Manilow concert.
• You’ve convinced yourself that when Dad dies, Mom will marry you.
• You and your parents’ Canada Pension cheques come on same day of the month.
• You can never figure out which dentures are yours.
BS RANDOM JOKE:
The Super Bowl is man’s way of balancing out Valentine’s Day.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: In 41 Super Bowls, THIS has never happened. It won’t this year either.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: There has never been a team that played a Super Bowl on their home field. Hard to believe, as the locations are selected 4 years in advance. (The closest were Super Bowl XIV when the LA Rams played Pittsburgh at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena CA and Super Bowl XIX when the San Francisco 49ers played Miami at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto CA.)
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Sometimes opportunity knocks when you’re too damn tired to get up.