Friday, July 29, 2005        Edition: #3083
Sheet Happens!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY California lawyer Michael Baroni kicks off an eBay auction of personal items from his high school girlfriend Jennifer Aniston, including notes (ie: her name & number written in lipstick), letters (a birthday wish written on toilet paper) & photos (greedy guy – he’s slapped a $100,000 reserve bid on this crap!) . . . TODAY Hollywood auctioneers Profiles In History sell off a collection of “Star Wars” memorabilia that includes a pair of light-sabers used by ‘Darth Vader’ & ‘Luke Skywalker’, ‘Luke Skywalker’s’ X-Wing pilot jumpsuit, and ‘Yoda’s’ walking stick (what about ‘Princess Leia’s’ buns?) . . .  THIS WEEKEND Canada’s largest country music festival, “Big Valley Jamboree” in Camrose AB, features a slew of acts including Tracy Byrd, Diamond Rio, Big & Rich, and Travis Tritt (NET: http://www.bigvalleyjamboree.com) . . . Movie actor Russell Crowe will re-team with “Gladiator” director Ridley Scott for “A Good Year”, the story of a London banker who moves to Provence when he inherits a vineyard (you know what this means – next Crowe will be throwing things at the French) . . . Actor Marlon Brando’s voiceover has been dropped from the upcoming “Godfather” video game because it is unusable (well of course – he’s dead) . . . Disney has announced the closing of its DisneyToon Studios Australia in Sydney, the company’s last studio producing hand-drawn animated features . . . 20-year-old “The Island” star Scarlett Johansson says she nearly crashed her car when she saw her digitally-altered ‘brontosaurus-sized’ boobs on a Hollywood billboard advertising the movie . . . After 3 years of study, Hollywood studios have finally agreed on technical specs to deliver digital movies to theaters, meaning crisper, clearer films for theater-goers in the future, as digital copies remain pristine no matter how many times they are shown . . . Word is Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck are expecting a girl whom they’ll call ‘Violet’ . . . And ABC-TV will soon begin promoting “Desperate Housewives” in ads on dry cleaning bags with the slogan, ‘New Season. New Dirty Laundry’.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Green Day – TOMORROW they’re on NBC-TV’s “Saturday Night Live”.
• Jay-Z – TONIGHT he accompanies Kanye West & other performers from his Roc-A-Fella label for a live MuchMusic special at 8 pm ET. SATURDAY a Toronto music/fashion event introduces his Rocawear clothing line to Canada.
• Jessica Simpson – TONIGHT she’s on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno”.
• Rod Stewart – TODAY he’s on TV’s syndicated “Ellen DeGeneres Show”.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Must Love Dogs” (PG-13 Romantic Comedy): Diane Lane plays a pre-school teacher who meets what could be her perfect man (John Cusack) through an online dating service. Just one problem – his ad states potential mates ‘Must Love Dogs’ … and she can’t stand them.
NET: http://www2.warnerbros.com/mustlovedogs/index.html
• “Sky High” (PG Disney Adventure): In a world where superheroes are common, young ‘Will’ (Michael Angarano), son of ‘Commander Stronghold’ (Kurt Russell) & ‘Josie Jetstream’ (Kelly Preston), tries to find balance between being a normal teen and an extraordinary being.
NET: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/skyhigh
• “Stealth” (PG-13 Action Thriller): Pilots in a top-secret military program struggle to bring an artificial intelligence program under control before it initiates the next world war. Josh Lucas & Jamie Foxx star. Co-star Jessica Biel had a tough time on the shoot – she suffers from motion sickness! Shot in Australia & New Zealand with an estimated $130-million budget.
NET: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/stealth

NEW VACATION DESTINATION:
UK entrepreneur Richard Branson (Virgin Music, Virgin Airlines) has set up ‘The Spaceship Company’ which will build 5 ships, each accommodating 7 passengers, that will travel 62 miles above the Earth. If you’re interested, you better start saving – the trips will cost about $200,000 a pop.
– “Times of London”

THE DIRT ON DOWNLOADS:
• The Leading Question, a digital music consumer research firm, has found that music pirates who share music files online also spend about 4.5 times more on legal music downloads than average music fans.
• New data from the International Federation of Phonographic Industries shows that the number of legal tracks downloaded worldwide tripled in the first half of 2005 compared to the same period LAST YEAR.
• There are now more than 300 sites available for legal downloads, 3 times as many as a year ago.
– CBC Arts

HEY, DO YOU HEAR THAT?
Ever had a weird song just pop into your head, such as “Yes, We Have No Bananas”? You could be experiencing ‘musical hallucinations’. They differ from just having a tune going around in your head, in that you can’t turn them off. Welsh psychiatrist Victor Aziz is an expert in the subject and says we are more likely to experience them if we go from hearing a lot of music to a quiet place with little auditory stimulus. Aziz believes that in the iPod age, the increase in the amount of music we are exposed to will make musical hallucinations a more common phenomenon.
– “The Guardian”

THING ARE LOOKING UP … OR ARE THEY?
Researchers at North Dakota State University tested volunteers to find those with the strongest pessimistic and optimistic traits. What they discovered is interesting – pessimists’ brains work best when they are looking downward and optimists’ minds function more quickly when they are looking upward.
– “Social Studies”

TIPS FOR LIVING LONGER:
• Be happy.
• Love. Nurture an intimate, sexual relationship.
• Have a purpose in life. Stay occupied and involved.
• Nurture high self-esteem. Feel good about yourself and see the inner beauty in those around you.
• Nurture your faith and the capacity to forgive.
• Learn to control stress.
• Eat right, but don’t diet. Being moderately overweight is not a major risk factor for disease.
• Exercise … the more the better. Both aerobic and resistance training are important.
• Get regular medical checkups. Become an educated consumer of healthcare.
– “Breaking the Rules of Aging” by Dr David Lipschitz

HI-TECH DOLL:
Japanese scientists have unveiled the most human-looking robot devised so far, a female android called ‘Repliee Q1′. She has flexible silicone skin and numerous sensors and motors to allow her to turn and react in a human-like manner, such as fluttering her eyelids and moving her hands. Although she can only sit at present, her designer, professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University, says she’s so lifelike that people forget she’s an android while interacting with her.
– BBC News

BS AMAZING FACTS:
• The average American family spends about $1,100 a year on credit card interest.
• Average Americans will spend $3,983 in their lifetime on lottery tickets.
• About a third of Americans finish all the food on their plate no matter how much they’re served.
• The average age for a first-time grandparent is now just 49. More than 1 in 5 people are grandparents at this age and that number will grow by a quarter by the year 2020.

THE BULL SHEET 07.29.2K5

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1938 [67] Peter Jennings, Toronto ON, ailing TV news anchor (“ABC World News Tonight” lead anchor 1965-1968, co-anchor 1978-1983, lead anchor 1983-2005) who’s been diagnosed with lung cancer

1953 [52] Geddy Lee, Willowdale ON, classic rock singer/bassist (Rush-“Vapour Trails”)
 
1953 [52] Patti Scialfa, Deal NJ, classic rock singer (E Street Band-“Hungry Heart”)/Mrs Bruce Springsteen since 1991

1966 [39] Martina McBride (Schiff), Medicine Lodge KS, country singer (“This One’s For the Girls”)

1973 [32] Wanya (‘Squirt’) Morris, Philadelphia PA, R&B singer (Boyz II Men-“I’ll Make Love to You”) whose singles had some of the longest chart runs in music history

1982 [23] Allison Mack, Preez, Germany, TV actress (‘Chloe Sullivan’ on “Smallville” since 2001)

SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAYS . . .
Vegas entertainer Paul Anka (“My Way”) is 64; California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (“The Terminator”) is 58; Movie actor Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix”) is 44; TV actress Lisa Kudrow (“The Comeback”) is 42; Country singer Dwayne O’Brien (Little Texas) is 41; Movie actress Vivica A Fox (“Kill Bill: Vol 1″) is 41; Comedian Tom Green (“Road Trip”) is 34; Movie actress Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”) is 31; Movie actress Jaime Pressly (“Not Another Teen Movie”) is 28.

SUNDAY’S BIRTHDAY’S . . .
Movie actor Wesley Snipes (“Blade”) is 43; Country singer Chad Brock (“Ordinary Life”) is 42; Musician Fatboy Slim (“Praise You”) is 42; Billionaire author JK Rowling (“Harry Potter”) is 40; Rock musician Will Champion (Coldplay) is 27.

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
TODAY is –
• “International Lasagna Day” celebrating the famous Italian heart attack on a plate that’s become a worldwide fave. Almost all recipes for the ‘perfect lasagna’ feature ricotta as the cheese of choice. However, everybody seems to have their own secret ingredient. What’s yours?
• “Rain Day” in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, an annual community event that started more than a hundred years ago when a farmer noticed it always seemed to rain on July 29th. They now claim it has rained on this date every year since 1796. It’s a good excuse for an annual party & ‘Miss Rain Day’ beauty pageant. By the way, TODAY’s forecast calls for a 30% chance of showers.
NET: http://www.greenemessenger.com/rain/history.html
• “Rockhound Gemboree” in Bancroft ON, Canada’s largest gem & mineral show which attracts collectors from around-the-world. Close to 15,000 rockers are expected for the 41st annual gathering through Sunday.
NET: http://www.bancroftontario.com/index.cfm?vNavID=1&vSubNavID=4

SATURDAY is –
• “All-American Soap Box Derby” 68th annual final in Akron OH.
• “Caribana Parade” in Toronto, the 38th annual celebration of Caribbean culture.
NET: http://www.caribana.com
• “Heritage Festival” in Edmonton AB, the ‘World’s Largest Celebration of Multiculturalism’. Some 6,000 volunteers pitch in to run the party in close to 50 ethnic pavilions through Monday.
NET: http://www.heritage-festival.com
• “International Cheesecake Day”, a day to indulge yourself in one of the most decadent of all desserts.
• “World Horseshoe Pitching Championships” in Bakersfield CA where pitchers from 47 US states & 6 Canadian provinces compete for $108,000 in prizes at the 81st annual competition.
NET: http://www.horseshoepitching.com/wrld_rpt_05.html

SUNDAY is –
• “Baseball Hall of Fame Induction” in Cooperstown NY. THIS YEAR’s inductees are Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg.
NET: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org
• “Mutts Day”, celebrating dogs without pedigree … but lots of heart.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1936 [69] 1st ‘TV Program’ includes dancing, fashion show & comedy

2000 [05] Actors Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston wed in Malibu CA

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1907 [98] 1st ‘Boy Scout Troop’ is organized by Sir Robert Baden-Powell in London UK

1958 [47] ‘NASA’ (National Aeronautics & Space Administration) is established

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1986 [19] Record for ‘Hammock Swinging’ begins (ends after 240 hours of lying around)

1988 [17] Reg Morris of Walsall UK sets world record for ‘Crawling on Hands & Knees’ at 28.5
miles

BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Aug 1] World Wide Web 15th Anniversary / Respect for Parents Day / Rounds Resounding Day / Girlfriends Day / Sisters Day / Holiday in 7 provinces & NWT (BC Day, Heritage Day, Civic Holiday, Simcoe Day, etc)
[Aug 2] Ice Cream Sandwich Day / Coldplay kicks off North American tour [Toronto] / 22nd National Night Out
[Aug 3] National Park Day / Watermelon Day / National Kids Day
[Aug 5] 6th Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards [Atlanta] / “The Dukes of Hazzard” & “Underclassman” open in movie theaters
[Aug 6] Fresh Breath Day / Wiggle Your Toes Day / Pamper Yourself / National Mustard Day / National Date Night
[Aug 6-20] 2005 Canada Games [Regina]
[Aug 6-9] 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction [Canton OH]
[Aug 7] Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
[Aug 7-16] Elvis Week
[Aug 8] Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night
[Aug 9] Book Lovers Day / International Art Appreciation Day / Hand Holding Day
[Aug 10] S’mores Day / Spoil Your Dog Day
[Aug 11] Daughters Day / Dog Days of Summer end
[Aug 12] Middle Child’s Day / International Youth Day / Truck Drivers Day / “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo”, “Four Brothers”, “Skeleton Key” & “The Great Raid” open in movie theaters
[Aug 13] International Left-Handers Day / Garage Sale Day
[Aug 14] Senior Citizens Day / Financial Awareness Day / International Nagging Day
[Aug 15] Relaxation Day / Failures Day / Stay Home With Your Kids Day / Discovery Day [Yukon]
[Aug 16] 2005 Teen Choice Awards
[Aug 17] Thriftshop Day
[Aug 18] Bad Poetry Day
[Aug 19] “Red Eye”, “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” & “Valiant” open in movie theaters / National Aviation Day
[Aug 19-24] 2005 National Scrabble Championship (Reno NV)
[Aug 20] Potato Day / National Radio Day
[Aug 21] Spumoni Day / Homeless Animals Day / Rolling Stones kick off world tour [Boston] / 9th Wreck Beach Bare Buns Run [Vancouver]
[Aug 22] Tooth Fairy Day
[Aug 24] Single Parent Family Day
[Aug 25] Kiss & Make Up Day
[Aug 26] Make Your Own Luck Day / Women’s Equality Day / “The Brothers Grimm”, “The Cave” & “Undiscovered” open in movie theaters
[Aug 26-Sept 5] Montréal World Film Festival
[Aug 27] Petroleum Day
[Aug 28] 22nd MTV Video Music Awards [Miami]
[Aug 29] More Herbs, Less Salt Day
[Aug 30] Toasted Marshmallow Day
[Aug 31] Trail Mix Day / Love Litigating Lawyers Day
[Sept 5] Labor Day
[Sept 8-17] Toronto International Film Festival
[Sept 8] “Blondie” comic strip 75th anniversary
[Sept 12] “Martha” daytime TV show debuts / Canadian Country Music Awards [Calgary]
[Sept 18] 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards / 20th Farm Aid [Tinley Park IL]

BULL’S BITS . . .
BS BLATANT JOKE:
There are lots of doughnuts at Tim Horton’s, but did you ever wonder … where are all the doughbolts?

TOP SWAPS:
The week’s most requested music files online …
1.  Ciara – “Oh”
2. Missy Elliott – “Lose Control”
3. 50 Cent – “Just A Lil Bit”
4. Mike Jones – “Back Then”
5. Rihanna – “Pon De Replay”
– “Big Champagne” online music measurement.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: You are twice as likely to lie to someone if you are doing THIS with them.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Talking on the phone. (Cornell University study.)

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
When all else fails, read the instructions.