Thursday, January 29, 2009 Edition: #3948
Monthly Planning Calendar in Tomorrow’s BS!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
62-year-old Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”) is believed to have shot scenes for the finalé of long-running medical series “ER” (NBC), appearing alongside George Clooney as he reprises his breakout role of ‘Dr Doug Ross’ (1994-99) . . . 45-year-old actress Lisa Rinna is so desperate to be cast in a planned remake of her former TV series “Melrose Place”, she’s resorted to publicly begging the show’s producers for a role (she played ‘Taylor McBride’ 1996-98) . . . The producers of Oscar-nominated movie “Slumdog Millionaire” are defending the low wages paid to young Indian actors in the critically-acclaimed film, claiming the children were offered schooling and other benefits besides money (Rubina Ali, who plays ‘Latika’ in early scenes, reportedly received just $725 – for a year’s work!) . . . The Jonas Bros, Fall Out Boy, and Tokio Hotel have been nominated for ‘Worst Band’ for the “NME Awards”, to be handed out February 25th in London . . . As if butchering Tom Waits wasn’t enough, now 24-year-old actress/wannabe singer Scarlett Johansson has recorded a vapid version of Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” for her new film, “He’s Just Not That Into You” (do people have trouble telling her ‘no’?) . . . The relationship between 21-year-old starlet Evan Rachel Wood (“Across the Universe”) with 40-year-old shock-rocker Marilyn Manson was creepy enough but now she’s been spotted making out with her 56-year-old “Wrestler” co-star Mickey Rourke (that’s just ewww!) . . . 41-year old sometime actress Pamela Anderson has met her latest man in the Malibu CA trailer park where she’s been staying while her home is reno-ed, 42-year-old scuba diver Jamie Padgett, who apparently picked her up by offering her a ride to the beach – in his golf cart (always knew she was trailer trash) . . . And tabloid website/TV show “TMZ” has done some ‘extensive research’ to determine that Super Bowl site Tampa FL has a total of 43 strip-clubs; more than its number of high schools (41), fire stations (21) or hospitals (12).
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – Geezer rocker Graham Nash (CSN&Y) sits in with the band.
• “Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash” (VH1) – Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, and Lifehouse headline this annual event leading up to the Super Bowl at the Ford Amphitheater in Tampa FL.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel) – Scots rockers Franz Ferdinand promote the new album “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand”.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• AC/DC – They’ll perform at WWE’s “Wrestlemania XXV” in Houston TX, it’s been reported. The annual pay-per-view event takes place April 5th.
• Jessica Simpson – Cynics are speculating her much-talked-about weight gain (prompted by photos of her spilling out of high-waisted jeans) is nothing more than a PR stunt. How so? If she slims down again, she’ll be perfect fodder for magazine covers. (Her sleazy manager-pop Joe Simpson has likely already sold the ‘weight-loss story’.)
• John Mayer – Jennifer Aniston might be turning 40 alone on February 11th as sources say she and Mayer have split (again) because he needed time to himself. The couple already broke up and took a 2-month hiatus last August.
• Kelly Rowland – She’s reportedly dumped the man who took her in as a teen and managed her to pop stardom with Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé’s dad, Mathew Knowles.
• Killers – Frontman Brandon Flowers says he’s given up booze, fearing it could eventually ruin his vocal cords. He says he feels like he has ‘longevity’ now.
• Madonna – She’s confirmed she’ll hit the road again with her “Sticky & Sweet” tour this Summer, hitting cities across Europe that she missed the first time around. (It seems $280 million just ain’t enough!)
• Spice Girls – 26-year-old Geri Halliwell (‘Ginger Spice’) has bagged herself a posh fiancé, Italian yacht-company tycoon Fabrizio Politi, who reportedly sealed the deal after just a few weeks of dating with a $310,000 diamond ring.
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
• “The A-Team” – Joe Carnahan (“Smokin’ Aces”) will direct this bigscreen take on the iconic 1980s TV series about a team of 4 military veterans who come to the aid of people in trouble. Carnahan promises a ‘classic summer popcorn film’ that will be ‘as accessible as possible without cheesing it up’. No casting is yet announced for the planned Summer 2010 release.
• “The Adventures Of Tintin: Secret Of the Unicorn” – Actor Jamie Bell (“Defiance“) has the title role in Steven Spielberg’s bigscreen adaptation, a 3D ‘motion-capture’ feature (like “Polar Express”) that’s already begun filming. The adventurous tales about a globetrotting journalist were made popular in a series of books by Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
• “Charlie’s Angels 3“ – 6 years after the sequel, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz are set to return for a third film. And sources tell E! Online the angels will be joined by a 4th lovely lady to add to the mix for the 2nd sequel, set to start shooting later this year.
• “The Story of Bonnie & Clyde” – Singer/actress Hilary Duff & Kevin Zegers (“Air Bud” movies) are in negotiations for the lead roles in this retelling of the legend of the infamous 1930s bank-robbing couple. Director Tonya Holly stresses it will be an entirely new movie, rather than a remake of the 1967 classic that starred Faye Dunaway & Warren Beatty. The film’s due out in 2010.
• “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle“ – Oprah Winfrey is teaming with Tom Hanks to turn one of her ‘Book Club’ choices into a new movie. The talk show queen introduced David Wroblewski’s novel to viewers last year and has now brought Universal pictures and Hanks’ Playtone production company on board to make a movie adaptation. Oprah promises, “We will honor the book.”
PAIN PALES:
Scientists have discovered why older folks are prone to go on and on about the good old days. It seems that as you age the brain allows negative memories to fade away creating a distorted impression of how great life was when we were younger. The authors of this study conclude that the brains of the elderly filter out negative information in order to maintain a positive emotional state as they age. (Seems the good old days weren’t all that good after all.)
– “Daily Telegraph”
GPS WITH A HEART:
Stanford University professor Clifford Nass has discovered that mood-sensing GPS gadgets may improve driving safety. Nass suggests that computer software can detect moods from the pitch and speed of a driver’s voice, and could tailor GPS announcements to soothe those that are anxious or wake those that are sleepy. (“It’s gonna be okay, honey … turn right.”)
– “New York Magazine”
TOP 2008 CONCERT TOURS:
Another new ranking of the big-money tours, this time listed by average ticket price for shows in North America …
5. Metallica … $62.39
4. Coldplay … $81.70
3. AC/DC … $87.72
2. Tina Turner … $94.89
1. Madonna … $142.38
– “Pollstar”
SEEMS MOM WAS RIGHT:
A woman increases her chances of landing a ‘good man’ by … not sleeping with him right away. Professor Robert Seymour of University College London used a numerical model to show that better partners are willing to date for a longer period before having sex while ‘bad boys’ are more reluctant to hang around. Longer courtship is a way for the female to acquire information about the male, Seymour says. Bottom line – by delaying mating, a girl is able to increase her chances of finding a ‘good guy’ (aka virgin).
– “The Independent”
BS LAW & DISORDER:
• The UK’s Justice Minister, Jack Straw, has ordered a clampdown on activities designed to rehabilitate criminals after he was embarrassed by revelations that some prisoners at the high-security Whitemoor prison have been getting lessons in … stand-up comedy.
– “Independent on Sunday”
• In Greenfield CA, a 36-year-old man has been arrested for trying to sell his 14-year-old daughter for $16,000 and … 100 cases of Corona beer. He might have gotten away with it had he not filed a police complaint when the purchaser failed to pay up.
– NBC News
• An English police dog has died from a rare form of nose cancer that may be related to inhaling cocaine and other drugs for years. Inspector Anne Higgins of the Avon & Somerset Police says it’s ironic the wonderful organ that made him successful has also been his demise.
– PA News
• Seven people have been hospitalized in Japan after eating … blowfish testicles. Not that that’s unusual; it’s considered a local delicacy. But these blowfish bits had been prepared illegally by an unauthorized chef. According to Japanese law, chefs who prepare the potentially poisonous appetizer must be licensed after extensive training.
– “NY Post”
CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS?
High-end Italian clothier Brioni has just introduced the most expensive line of men’s suits in its history. Made-to-measure from rare fibers, the suits are priced as $43,000. Despite the global economic turndown, the company decided to go ahead with the ultra-high-end line, figuring it would send a ‘reassuring signal’ that Brioni will not compromise on quality. The target clientele – the wealthiest 1-to-2% of consumers in the world. (Do you get an extra pair of pants for that?)
– “Wall Street Journal”
BS AMAZING FACTS:
• According to a recent survey by wealth researcher Prince & Associates, more than 80% of multimillionaires who have extramarital relationships are now planning to cut back on gifts and allowances.
– “Social Studies”
• In camel racing in the Middle East, the jockeys are now most often electronic robots.
– BBC News
• 74% of retailers surveyed report an increase in shoplifting since the world economy has gone south.
– ABC News
BS CHRONOMETER 01.29.09
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1945 [64] Tom Selleck, Detroit MI, TV actor (“Las Vegas” 2007-08, “Magnum PI” 1980-88)/movie actor (“Three Men & a Baby”)
1954 [55] Oprah Winfrey, Kosciusko MS, 1st woman to own & produce her own TV talk show (“Oprah” since 1986)/movie producer & actress (“Beloved”)/magazine publisher (“O”)/philanthropist (Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa)
1968 [41] Ed Burns, Queens NY, movie actor (“27 Dresses”, “Saving Private Ryan”)/movie producer/director (“Purple Violets”, “She’s the One”)
1970 [39] Heather Graham, Milwaukee WI, movie actress (“Bobby”, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”)
1975 [34] Sara Gilbert, Santa Monica CA, TV actress (“The Big Bang Theory” since 2007, “The Class” 2006-07, “ER” 2004-07, “Roseanne” 1988-97)/half-sister of actress Melissa Gilbert
1985 [24] Athina Onassis Roussel, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, stinking rich heiress (daughter of Christina & Thierry Roussel) who at 21 became CEO of the multi-billion-dollar Onassis Foundation
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Corn Chip Day”. Ask listeners to put a half-dozen in their mouths and whistle a tune.
• “Free Thinker’s Day”, celebrating the fact that everyone has the right to agree with what you think.
• “Kazoo Day”, celebrated on the last Thursday of January to honor one of the simplest of musical instruments that even the most untalented can play. On December 31, 2006 a new “Guinness World Record” for ‘Largest Kazoo Ensemble’ was set, with 2,679 participants in Rochester NY. Play some online kazoo here (“Smells Like Teen Spirt” anyone?) …
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3564dk
• “Puzzle Day”, celebrating one of our all-time favorite pastimes. What’s your fave: Jigsaw or Crossword?
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1959 [50] Disney classic “Sleeping Beauty” is released in theaters … to mixed reviews
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1996 [13] Garth Brooks refuses the “American Music Award” for ‘Favorite Overall Artist’ claiming Hootie & the Blowfish kept music alive in ’95
1998 [11] Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” is released, which goes on to top charts across the world and become her signature song
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1796 [213] Toronto’s main drag, Yonge Street, takes its name from Britain’s Minister of War, Sir George Yonge
1963 [46] 1st members of NFL Hall of Fame announced in Canton OH (Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, and George Halas)
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1995 [14] 1st NFL team to win 5 Super Bowls (San Francisco 49ers defeat San Diego Chargers 49-26)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] 36th Annie Awards (LA)
[Fri] Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
[Fri] “New in Town”; “Taken”; “The Uninvited” open in movie theaters
[Fri] 55th Carnaval de Québec begins (Québec City)
[Sat] 61st Directors Guild of America Awards (LA)
[Sat] Backwards Day
This Week Is … Catholic Schools Week
This Month Is … International Coffee Gourmet Month
BULL’S BITS
BS THINGS YOU DON’T EXPECT TO SEE ON A BABY SHOWER ANNOUNCEMENT:
• “Clothing optional.”
• “Baby Wendy Carlyle, 19 inches, 84 pounds.”
• “BYOB”
• “Don’t forget your towel!”
• “Steelers game to follow.”
• “RSV Pee-Pee.”
• “Stephanie, you’re not invited, bitch.”
– Thanks to Jonathan Shipley
BS PHONE STARTER:
You are going out for the evening. If your partner objects to what you are wearing, would you change your clothing?
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Psychiatrists say that 1-in-4 people is mentally ill. Check 3 friends. If they’re OK … you’re it!
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: You are 30% more likely to do THIS when you are sad than when you are happy.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Watch TV.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Youth isn’t a time of life but a state of mind.