Monday, January 29, 2024 — Edition: #7644
The Beginning of Another Sheety Week!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ X, formerly known as Twitter, has blocked all searches for Taylor Swift, to slow the spread of fake graphic images. Over the weekend, searches for the singer returned an error message that said, “Something went wrong. Try reloading.” Regarding the change, X head of business operations Joe Benarroch said in a statement: “This is a temporary action and done with an abundance of caution as we prioritize safety on this issue.” The move came several days after sexually explicit AI-generated images of Swift went viral across X and other internet platforms.
-Variety
★ Justin Timberlake was the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” and since he’s known for showing up in a ton of sketches, he also showed up during host Dakota Johnson’s opening monologue. “SNL” vet and “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon also appeared, dressed in costume as Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. Fallon and Timberlake have a longstanding “SNL” impression of The Bee Gees, and they busted it out in a sketch later in the show. Timberlake also debuted the new song ‘Sanctified’.
-TheWrap, TMZ
★ Jay Leno has filed for a conservatorship over his wife. TMZ says he filed after wife Mavis, who is 77, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is not clear when she was diagnosed. There will be a hearing for the conservatorship on April 9. The pair have been married since 1980.
-PageSix
★ JoJo Siwa is back on “So You Think You Can Dance”. It’s been announced that she’s replacing Nigel Lythgoe as a judge, amid his mounting legal troubles. Siwa will join Allison Holker and former Dancing With the Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy as judges for the upcoming 18th season, which premieres March 4. Siwa served as a judge during season 17 in 2022. The news comes weeks after Lythgoe, the co-creator of the show, exited following multiple accusations of sexual assault, including from Paula Abdul.
-ET
★ It would appear that theater traffic is grinding almost to a halt to mark the end of January. “Mean Girls” stayed on top of the box office, with an estimated domestic total of $6.7million over the weekend. That’s the lowest-grossing #1 release since “Top Gun: Maverick” returned to the top with $6 million in its 15th weekend, in Sept. 2022. In second place was conspiracy action film “The Beekeeper” with an estimated $6.4 million in its third weekend, followed by “Wonka” with about $5million. The star-studded action-comedy “Argylle” will attempt to kickstart box office business this weekend.
-Variety
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Jason Momoa, Lisa Ann Walter, Alkaline Trio (R)
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): James Corden, Rob Gronkowski, George Birge
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Bryan Cranston, Michele Norris
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Melissa Rauch, Colleen Clark sits-in with the 8G Band
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Chrissy Teigen, Kate Chastain
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Tony Gonzalez
• “The Talk” (CBS): Jamie Chung, Dave Karger
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Bryan Cranston, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Kevin James, Renata Notni, Charles Esten
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jamie Oliver, Jessica Secrest
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Charlie Wilson
• “The Bachelor” (ABC): Joey kicks things off with the first group date, where wedding bells ring and stakes are higher than ever; the first one-on-one date takes love to new heights.
• “Yellowstone” (CBS): 2 episodes, including the Season 3 finale. As the battle for the future of the Yellowstone heats up, John sits down at the negotiating table with former friends and foes.
• “America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League” (NBC): The semifinals begin. Two acts receive golden buzzers and advance to the finals, joined by a third chosen by audience voters.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Dua Lipa – Fans were right! Shortly after guessing the title of her next single is ‘Training Season’, Lipa confirmed it — and announced its Feb. 15 release date. She also teased a snippet on her social media. It’s the follow-up to her first single of this new era ‘Houdini’. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/4ec752fd
• Justin Timberlake – announced the “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon”. It kicks off April 29th in Vancouver, and concludes July 9 in Lexington KY. His album “Everything I Thought It Was” drops March 15. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/2sn86fdc
• Madonna – Friday she released a 5-song EP featuring reworkings ‘Popular’, her 2023 collab with The Weeknd and Playboy Carti. It includes the original, plus sped-up, slowed-down, instrumental, and a cappella versions of the hit. The song has been picking up steam on TikTok recently.
• Elton John – Sept. 24, he’ll release the book “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour”. It will feature specific concerts from his 5-year farewell tour, plus his reflections on the beginning of his career. It’s available to preorder now. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/2hx6dujx
• Jon Bon Jovi – The full performers list has been announced for the MusiCares Person of The Year benefit gala on Feb. 2, honoring him. In addition to Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen and Shania Twain, Brandy Clark, Damiano David of Måneskin, Goo Goo Dolls, Jelly Roll, Marcus King, The War and Treaty, and Lainey Wilson will all take the stage. Jim Gaffigan will host.
• Chris Young — has been cleared of all charges stemming from last Monday’s incident at a Nashville bar. The DA says charges will be dismissed “after a review of all the evidence in this case.” Young’s lawyer had called for a dismissal and an apology after video surfaced that showed Young being shoved to the ground by an agent of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
• Morgan Wallen – has released a new version of his 2015 tune ‘Spin You Around’. Why? He’s fighting back over a deluxe re-release of his 2015 “Stand Alone” EP, which he has no control over. Quote: “I cringe when I listen to these songs & I’m very concerned my fans may mistakenly believe (the EP) is a new release by me.” LINK: http://tinyurl.com/29fwnerp
• Glen Campbell — A posthumous album of duets, including with Dolly Parton and Elton John, will be released April 19. “Glen Campbell Duets – Ghost on the Canvas Sessions” “reimagines” Campbell’s 2011 farewell album, which was recorded while he was dealing with Alzheimer’s. Two songs were released on Friday: ‘Hold On Hope’ (with Eric Church) and ‘Nothing But The Whole Wide World’ (with Eric Clapton)”. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/5ethxfdt
SHOOTING THE BULL
TAKE NOTE:
Even though taking classroom notes on a computer is now more popular than handwriting in schools and universities, scientists say those who still take notes by hand are more likely to retain the information they are learning. Norwegian researchers found that handwriting is better for brain connectivity, meaning it could actually improve memory while studying. Now, they are urging students to consider handwriting their notes rather than typing them, as it may be to their advantage when exam time comes. In addition, the team is advising schools to give students the requirement of a minimum amount of handwriting while learning.
(You bet that physically writing things down helps you remember. I prove it every weekend…when I forget to bring the grocery list – again!)
(On the other hand, if your penmanship is anything like mine…)
-Newsweek
BODY OF EVIDENCE:
❑ A California woman earned a Guinness World Record when a single strand of hair growing out of her arm was measured at 7.24 inches (18.39cm) long. Macie Davis-Southerland said the hair, on her bicep, has often approached 6 inches, but would end up breaking or being accidentally plucked. She plans to keep growing the hair until she overtakes the overall record for longest arm hair, which is held by California’s David Reed at 8.54 inches (21.7cm). (That’s what he claims. It’s probably about 5 inches!)
❑ A man tore a hole in his windpipe by pinching his nose and keeping his mouth shut during a sneezing fit, a case study says. Doctors in Scotland are using the “rare” situation as an example of what could happen if people hold in their sneezes. The man, in his 30s, suffered from allergic rhinitis, which causes nasal congestion. He experienced “severe neck pain” after stifling multiple sneezes in a row by pinching his nose and closing his mouth. The incident happened while he was driving with a seatbelt across his chest. Doctors believe the seatbelt also played a factor. (Yeah – it played a factor in him not blowing himself out the back window!)
-UPI, CTVNews
NEW GOOD NEWS:
➢ How would you like to have a smartphone that you NEVER have to charge? It could happen, now that a Chinese company has unveiled its BV100 battery, which is smaller than a coin — but has a lifespan of 50 years and never requires recharging. Betavolt says it is the first to successfully miniaturize atomic energy. And while an “atomic battery” might not sound safe to you, the company says it won’t leak radiation even if its protective cover is punctured. The company plans to begin mass-producing the battery later this year, and introduce a more powerful version in 2025, that could be used to power the aerospace industry, medical equipment, AI devices, small drones, and yes, even your future smartphones. (The battery might last 50 years, but the phone will still be obsolete in about 2!)
➢ A 100-year-old British World War II vet has walked hundreds of miles around his garden to raise money for charity—every day, rain or shine. Strolling behind his walker, Lance Corporal Harold Jones circles his back garden 30 times each day, and has been doing so since 2020. He was inspired by the media frenzy surrounding the late ‘Captain Tom’, who did the same thing during the worst of the pandemic, and raised big money for hospitals. Corporal Jones has so far taken his walker over 661 miles (1,064km), a total of 41,550 laps around his garden, or about the same distance as his home in Birmingham to the border of Germany. Oh, and by the way, Corporal Jones says his ankles, knees and hips are “perfect”, but he does get experience a bit of back pain, possibly because at one point he “broke it in 3 places.” LINK: https://youtu.be/RqJBvm_WqoU
-OddityCentral, GoodNewsNetwork
BABY BYE-BYE:
The online child-care site BabyCenter.com has compiled its annual list of baby names at risk of going extinct, based on the US portal’s analysis of names given to newborns. These trends were noted:
• Girls’ names that were popular when Millennials were being born have fallen from grace in the past decade – especially Amanda, Angela, Brooke, Diana, and Michelle.
• Names ending with “aiden” are seeing a big drop-off as well, including Aidan, Raiden, and Jaiden.
• Last names-turned-first names are on the outs among both boys and girls, including Bradley, Brady, and Clayton for boys — and Oaklee, Mckenzie, Raegan, and Sawyer for girls. Here are the names that saw the steepest declines from 2022 to 2023:
GIRLS: BOYS:
1. Brooke (down 198 spots) 1. Julius (down 189 spots)
2. Blake (down 185 spots) 2. Jaiden (down 151 spots)
3. Mckenzie (down 184 spots) 3. Johnny (down 150 spots)
4. Brooklynn (down 182 spots) 4. Raiden (down 147 spots)
5. Charli (down 179 spots) 5. Reid (down 143 spots)
6. Raegan (down 161 spots) 6. Brady (down 114 spots)
7. Mckenna (down 150 spots) 7. Nasir (down 114 spots)
8. Finley (down 144 spots) 8. Ronan (down 104 spots)
9. Amanda (down 131 spots) 9. Bradley (down 104 spots)
10. Michelle (down 129 spots) 10. Clayton (down 102 spots)
(Raiden, we hardly knew you!)
-BabyCenter
DID YOU KNOW?
An AI chatbot called itself “useless” and said the company it was made for was “the worst delivery firm in the world,” to a frustrated customer. When the chatbot failed to help connect him with a human, the customer asked the chatbot to write him a poem. It came up with this: “There once was a chatbot named DPD, Who was useless at providing help. It could not track parcels, Or give information on delivery dates, And it could not even tell you when your driver would arrive…” It gets worse: “One day, DPD was finally shut down, And everyone rejoiced. Finally, they could get the help they needed, From a real person who knew what they were doing.” When the customer asked the bot to swear, it also obliged, even though it said that was against rules. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/szvst5rc
-Forbes
BS CHRONOMETER 01.29.24
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Corn Chip Day”. The corn chip is made from cornmeal, which is baked or fried in oil. Although it originated in Mexico, the US patent was granted in 1932. (***Ask listeners to put a half-dozen in their mouth and whistle a tune***)
• “Curmudgeons Day”, an annual celebration of the crusty, yet insightful, wags who consistently apply the needle of truth to the balloons of hypocrisy and social norms. Celebrated on the birthday of late comedian WC Fields, one of the all-time most beloved curmudgeons.
• “Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day”, held on the last Monday of January, celebrating the padding we all like to pop. (Would working in a bubble wrap factory be the most distracting job ever?) LINK (Go bananas!): http://tinyurl.com/yc2p8jxw
• “Seeing Eye Dog Day”, commemorating ‘The Seeing Eye’, North America’s first guide dog school which opened in Nashville, Tennessee on this date in 1929.
• “Puzzle Day”, celebrating one of our all-time favorite pastimes. What’s your favorite: Jigsaw or Crossword?
• “National Carnation Day”, honoring the memory of President William McKinley. The carnation was said to be McKinley’s favorite flower, and he always wore one on his lapel.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Tues] Inane Answering Message Day
[Tues] Plan for Vacation Day
[Wed] Hot Chocolate Day
[Thurs] Change Your Password Day
This Week is…Take Back Your Time Week
This Month is…Poverty Awareness Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1940 [84] Katharine Ross, Los Angeles CA, movie actress (“The Graduate”, “The Stepford Wives”)
1945 [79] Tom Selleck, Detroit MI, TV actor (‘Frank Reagan’ on “Blue Bloods” 2010-24, “Magnum, P.I.” 1980-86)/movie actor (“Three Men and a Baby”)
1954 [70] Oprah Winfrey “Queen of All Media”, Kosciusko MS, TV network mogul (OWN)/TV talk show host (“Oprah” 1986-2011)/movie producer-actress (“Selma”)/magazine publisher (“O”, now online only)
1968 [56] Ed Burns, Queens NY, movie actor (“Saving Private Ryan”)/movie producer-director (“She’s the One”)
1970 [54] Heather Graham, Milwaukee WI, movie actress (“The Hangover” movies, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”) COMING UP… “Chosen Family” 2024
1975 [49] Sara Gilbert, Santa Monica CA, TV personality (“The Talk” 2010-19)/TV actress (“Roseanne” 1988-97, 2018, “The Big Bang Theory” 2007-10, 2016, “The Conners” since 2018)
1977 [47] Justin Hartley, Knoxville IL, TV actor (“This Is Us” 2016-22) COMING UP… “Bride Hard” movie
1982 [42] Adam Lambert, Indianapolis IN, pop singer (‘Whataya Want from Me’)/2009 “American Idol” runner-up/“Queen + Adam Lambert” singer since 2011
1983 [41] Eric Paslay, Abilene TX, country singer (‘She Don’t Love You’, ‘Friday Night’)
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [18] A US 39-cent stamp is released, featuring Hattie McDaniel in the dress she wore in 1940 when she became the first African-American to win an Academy Award
2019 [05] “Empire” star Jussie Smollett suffers an apparent racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. It was later determined to be a self-perpetrated hoax
2022 [02] Howard Hesseman, star of “WKRP in Cincinnati” (‘Dr. Johnny Fever’) and “Head of the Class”, dies of colon surgery complications at 81
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2009 [15] Kelly Clarkson makes the largest leap to date in “Billboard Hot 100” chart history, rising 96 places to #1 with ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’
2014 [10] Over 100,000 Americans sign a petition to deport Canadian Justin Bieber out of the USA after his arrest for DUI and driving without a valid license (doesn’t happen)
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1936 [88] The first members of the Baseball Hall of Fame are announced in Cooperstown NY: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson
1963 [61] The first members of the NFL Hall of Fame are announced in Canton OH, including Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, and George Halas
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ A white flag is not actually a sign of surrender for boats at sea. It’s just a request to communicate.
✓ Wearing a tie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5 per cent.
✓ Before crash-test dummies, pig cadavers were used to simulate accident victims.
✓ Hula hoops were once banned in Japan for causing “obscene movements”.
✓ Scientifically speaking, water is not wet. Most scientists define wetness as a liquid’s ability to maintain contact with a solid surface, meaning that water itself is not wet, but can make other objects wet.
✓ Before the Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt ate 100 Chicken McNuggets a day for 10 days straight, then won 3 gold medals.
-KickAssFacts, BBC
Best of BS . . .
BS LEAST INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES:
• “You may not have succeeded, but you were at the top of the list of those that failed.”
• “You may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but you’re still a tool.”
• “The ground’s the limit.”
• “If one door closes…open it again. It’s a door. That’s how they work.”
• “Don’t walk before me for I will not follow. Don’t walk behind me for I will not lead. Just stay 100 yards away from me. The restraining order is very specific.”
• “Be yourself. Nobody else wants to be you.”
• “Go ahead. Have the piece of cake. You’re gonna be fat either way.”
• “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after that.”
• “Creativity is contagious, pass it on. Once you have some.”
• “I have a dream. Then I wake up, use the bathroom, and go back to bed.”
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2018
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ A wheel came off a Delta Boeing 757 shortly before taking off from Atlanta. (Passengers were immediately charged a $35 wheel-that-came-off fee…)
➠ An Amish horse and buggy were stolen from a Michigan Walmart parking lot while the family shopped. (If caught, the thieves will be arrested and suspendered.)
➠ Adam Sandler’s next film will be about outer space. (It’s all part of his ultimate career goal of making a bad movie in every genre imaginable…)
➠ Santa Clara has been named the kinkiest city in California. (No comment from residents, as they were all “tied up at the moment.”)
➠ Fact: If you stay up all night, your body will burn an extra 161 calories. (So, all those ‘Midnight Snacks’ are actually helping me stay fit?)
BS WEB GOODIE:
…and you thought YOUR co-workers were ruthless: http://tinyurl.com/mrp47ztj
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I have a motivational problem. But only until I reach the point of having a deadline problem…
BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• In what country was the Caesar salad invented?
a) The USA
b) Poland
c) Mexico [CORRECT]
d) Salad Arabia
• Where were French fries invented?
a) France
b) Belgium [CORRECT]
c) The USA
d) French Fry Polynesia
• Where was the modern donut invented?
a) The USA [CORRECT]
b) Canada
c) Brazil
d) Sweeten
-Slido
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s the most overrated product out there?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: The average person will produce over 14 pounds of THIS in their lifetime. What is it?
Answer: Bellybutton lint
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
