Thursday, June 13, 2024 — Edition: #7733
Tomorrow’s Show Prep Today!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Céline Dion took near-lethal levels of Valium in her battle with stiff person syndrome. The 56-year-old revealed in a new interview with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb that she was prescribed Valium to be able to perform and control the symptoms of the autoimmune disorder. In the “Celine’s Story” special, she explained that she gradually built a tolerance to the drug, and at one point, she was taking 90 milligrams a day, an amount that she said she didn’t know at the time “could kill you”. The problem is that “It worked for a few days, for a few weeks, and then it doesn’t work anymore”. Dion said that she cut back on Valium during the COVID-19 lockdown because she was no longer performing, and her symptoms got worse, leading her to announce her diagnosis with SPS in 2022.
-NYPost
★ The 8G Band has been a staple at “Late Night” since Seth Meyers took the show over from Jimmy Fallon in 2014 — but budget cuts at NBC mean that when the show comes back for its 12th season in September, the band will be out. The group is led by former “SNL” star Fred Armisen. Keyboardist Eli Janney who’s also the show’s associate musical director, said in an interview that “Late Night With Seth Meyers” is set to undergo a “revamp”, that will include saying farewell to the 8G Band, named for the studio the show films in New York.
-TheWrap
★ “Survivor” is counting down to its 50th season. CBS just finished airing Season 46, but the network is already planning a celebration for Season 50, which will start shooting next spring. CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said: “I would consider it kind of a year-long celebration…it’d be the first time in the new era that will have returning players.” She also said that she feels the show can go on “for a really long time.”
-Deadline
★ Netflix phenomenon “Baby Reindeer” has broken into the streamer’s top 10 most-watched TV series ever. The Richard Gadd-led and created limited series, which has made its own real-life headlines, currently ranks as the #10 most-watched English TV series to date, logging 84.5 million views since its release on April 11, booting “The Witcher” Season 1 from the top-10.
-TheWrap
★ Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has been banned from participating in Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4. The perennial winner — who earned his 16th Mustard Belt in 2023 — has reportedly signed a deal to be spokesperson for a rival company, and that’s against brand exclusivity rules. The New York Post says that Chestnut is representing Impossible Foods and their new vegan frankfurter. Chestnut is responsible for the top 10 performances at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, including downing a record 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021.
-TVLine
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Sean Penn, June Squibb, The Avett Brothers
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Ayo Edebiri, Talking Heads, The Linda Lindas
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Jude Law, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Jenna Ushkowitz, Kate Micucci, Eliot Glazer
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Jon Hamm, Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): James Brolin, Tony Goldwyn
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Maya Hawke, host Jordan Klepper
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Tony Hale
• “The Talk” (CBS): Teri Hatcher
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Brolin
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Theo James, Carly Pearce
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): TikTok flight attendant CiCi in the Sky and Captain Tim Griffin share insider travel tips.
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Gerry Turner
• “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” (Fox): A Nashville music lover shocks everyone; a mom from South America and a worship leader from South Carolina sing for a shot at the $1 Million grand prize.
• “Alone” (HISTORY): Season 11 premiere
• “Stanley Cup Final” (Check local listings): Game #3: Florida Panthers @ Edmonton Oilers
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift – Orchestral versions of both artists’ music will be used in part 2 of “Bridgerton” Season 3, which hits Netflix today. Grande’s ‘POV’, and Swift’s ‘You Belong to Me’ will be featured in the show’s soundtrack, as will orchestral versions of Imagine Dragons’ ‘Thunder’, Demi Lovato’s ‘Confident’, Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’, and a stripped-down version of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Lights’.
• Rihanna — celebrated the launch of her Fenty Hair brand Monday, and in an interview, she talked about the “I’m Retired” T-shirt she was spotted wearing, which caused fans to speculate that she’ll never put out another album. Ri-ri said that’s not the case, but she’s “starting over” on her 9th album, so fans should “Give me a second!”
• Styx & Foreigner – The groups, which have just launched their “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” tour together, have announced a special companion album featuring both band’s biggest hits. The collector’s album, available as a picture disc or in elegant silver vinyl, has one side named “Juke Box Heroes”, and the other (wait for it…) is “Renegades”. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3nwwb8yj
• Poison – Frontman Brett Michaels says that if he weren’t a rock star, he’d probably be a…truck driver. He told Fox News: “I love traveling…if I had not continued to succeed in music, I would have still been in a cover band…but also, I could be either a DJ or a long-haul trucker.”
• Def Leppard – is giving fans a taste of their upcoming single ‘Just Like ‘73’. They posted a graphic of a telephone on fire, with the words: “Light up the fuel. Just Like 73. Hotline Now Open”, and a couple of phone numbers, where fans can hear the teaser. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2d7mspej
• Jordan Davis – Today, he releases the 2-song collaboration with rock group NEEDTOBREATHE “Among Friends”. It features studio-recorded duet renditions of Davis’ ‘Buy Dirt’ and NEEDTOBREATHE’s ‘Banks’. It arrives in conjunction with “CMT Crossroads: NEEDTOBREATHE & Jordan Davis”, which premieres today. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2pwkcnsr
• Shaboozey – The 29-year-old’s “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going” has debuted in Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart at #2. It also is at the top of the Americana/Folk Albums chart, and debuted at #5 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
• Shania Twain – will play a free show in Edmonton on Saturday prior to game #4 of the NHL finals between the Oilers and Florida Panthers. It will begin at 4pm local time at Scotiabank Fan Park outside Rogers Place. Rock band Our Lady Peace will perform prior to game #3 tonight, and both shows will be partially televised.
• Billy Ray Cyrus — has filed to divorce Firerose, his wife of 7 months. TMZ says he filed paperwork in May, citing irreconcilable differences, as well as “inappropriate marital conduct.” Cyrus also appears to claim the marriage was obtained by fraud, and has asked the court to grant him an outright annulment.
SHOOTING THE BULL
PALM SOMEDAY:
I hate to say I told you so, but… An experiment to see if palm trees could survive the fickle and often-wintery weather of Halifax, Nova Scotia has come to an end – just the way you’re probably thinking it did. In 2018, the city planted 9 palm trees near Halifax Harbour, choosing varieties grown in more northerly areas of Japan and China, or in high-altitude areas such as northern India. But alas, the Maritime winters proved to be too much for the trees. Five died by 2022, despite efforts to protect them, including insulating the trunks, and repotting leaves inside during the cold months. Two trees died early on in the experiment, and the last 2 trees failed to bloom this spring. And before you wonder what kind of plants the powers-that-be must have been smoking when they decided to grow palm trees in Canada, note that Halifax has had success in the past with cultivating coffee, pineapple and agave plants.
(But it seems that branching out was a bad idea…)
(Next experiment: Selling snowmobiles in Saint Lucia!)
-CP
NEW FOOD NEWS:
❑ 7-Eleven and Drumstick have introduced the convenience store treat to end all convenience store treats: the Drumstick Slurpee Blue Raspberry Vanilla Cone. The king-sized cone brings the tart flavor of 7-Eleven’s blue raspberry Slushee — to an ice cream cone, if you can imagine. The crispy cone is filled with the brand’s signature vanilla ice cream and a chocolatey nugget, as you would expect. But it also includes a layer of vibrant blue raspberry along with “blue razz sauce ripples” and candy bits. 7-11 and Drumstick say the food collab “promises an unexpected adventure, taking your taste buds on a journey into uncharted flavor territories.” They’re available for a limited time. (Thank goodness. Then I can go back to enjoying a Drumstick the way God intended?) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yc3upp9x
❑ A new restaurant in Missouri won’t let you in unless you’re 30 years old. Or, if you’re a guy – 35. The owners of Bliss Restaurant in Florissant say they plan to stick to the controversial minimum age requirement in spite of complaints from some social media users. A post from the restaurant on Facebook says the age restrictions are meant to “ensure a grown and sexy atmosphere.” Another post specifies that the eatery is interested in maintaining “a mature and relaxed environment for all guests.” And yet another post just might reveal the real reason behind the age restrictions. It calls them: “a way for older people to enjoy a night out while avoiding people who don’t know how to be responsible or who think it’s nice to come play WAP on the juke.” (I know I did so much growing up between the ages of 34 and 35…!)
❑ The Edmonton Oilers’ hopes of winning the Stanley Cup rest on Connor McDavid’s shoulders. But McDonald’s is trying to give him a little extra incentive. The fast-food chain took to X to make a deal with McDavid. McDonald’s Canada tweeted at the hockey superstar: “ok @cmcdavid97 how about this… if you bring the cup back to Canada, we’ll turn an Edmonton McD’s into a McDavid’s. Deal?” That was followed by the “handshake” emoji. McDavid’s Oilers are down 2-0 in the best-of-7 series, which resumes tonight. (I’m starting to doubt I’ll ever have the chance to order a “Big McDavid”!) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bdmtv8ev
-Food&Wine, LittleThings, HockeyNews
KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID:
What makes you click on a news article? According to new research, it’s the headlines that use simpler language that lead to more people clicking and reading the story. Researchers from Ohio State University, Michigan State, and Harvard partnered with The Washington Post and Upworthy to analyze tens of thousands of real-world headline experiments. They discovered that headlines using simpler, more readable language consistently garnered more clicks than their more complex counterparts. This was true of traditional news sites (like Washington Post) and lighter-content sites, such as Newsworthy. They concluded that by prioritizing clear, accessible language, journalists might be able to cut through the noise and connect with a broader audience.
(Why am I not surprised that in the current political climate, long words tend to scare large numbers of people away?)
(Also leading to more clicks: Bikinis. But that doesn’t really fly at The Washington Post…)
-StudyFinds
TRAITS YOU CAN ONLY INHERIT FROM YOUR FATHER:
On Father’s Day, you can give your dad credit…or blame…for these:
☞ Your gender: If you paid attention during biology class, this won’t be news to you. But, yes – it is men who are 100% responsible for the gender of a baby.
☞ Crooked teeth: Studies show that if a child is prone to crooked teeth, gum problems, cavities, or even early tooth decay, this can all be traced back to the father. (And not just because he bribed me with candy so I’d shut up and go to bed!)
☞ Height: It is determined by about 700 genetic variations inherited from both parents. But the father’s height genes are the ones charged with stimulating the growth of the baby, which is why they determine our height. (So…I’m not short because I didn’t drink all my milk?)
☞ Dimples: As adorable as they are (especially on babies), scientists describe dimples as a defect caused mainly due to shortened facial muscles. And you guessed it: that’s a genetic trait inherited from dear old dad.
☞ Sneezing (!!): If you’re the type of person who sneezes first thing in the morning or when you look at the sun, or the second you step outside, guess what? You got it from your dad! Sneezing is a genetic trait that the father is responsible for. (I know MY dad definitely sneezed at the price I paid for my first car!)
-MomJunction, first published in BS in 2023
DID YOU KNOW?
When faced with an important decision, the logical thing to do is to gather information, weigh the pros and cons, and come to a logical conclusion. But wait. If you want to make better decisions, stop the exhaustive research! A study published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications reveals that most people’s decision-making skills actually drop off as more and more facts enter the equation. Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology found that when they gave study participants the choice of receiving more or less information, those who asked for more information made poorer decisions than those who asked for less. The researchers concluded: “If you give people the opportunity to overthink…things go poorly.” (What about those of us who don’t think at all?)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 06.13.24
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Kitchen Klutzes Day”, celebrating not-so-accomplished cooks by encouraging them to prepare a recipe that contains no more than 4 ingredients, not including water, salt & pepper. (Umm, does ketchup count?)
• “Weed Your Garden Day” … or maybe you could just start referring to it as a ‘wildflower display’?
• “World Softball Day”, to celebrate the sport, which is played by about 30 million people around the world. Today, you’re encouraged to get involved in softball as a way to promote physical activity, as well as international spirit and social integration. (And blown-out shoulders!)
• “Sewing Machine Day”. Thomas Saint patented the first sewing machine in 1790. Since then, it has become one of the iconic symbols of the Industrial Revolution. (Any idea how to work one of those things?)
• “International Axe Throwing Day”, a day to try your hand at skillfully lobbing this tree-felling instrument in a fun, competitive, and most of all, safe environment. (So, get to it…chop chop!) LINK: https://worldaxethrowingleague.com/
• “Random Acts of Light Day”, encouraging us to bring light to the darkness of cancer by surprising someone with an act of kindness.
• “Cupcake Lovers Day”. Cupcakes originated in Europe hundreds of years ago, and were made from a simple dough mixed with spices and baked in small cups. Over time, the recipe evolved, and cupcakes became a popular dessert all over the world. (And my reason for living…)
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] Marriage Day
[Fri] Family History Day
[Sat] Lobster Day
[Sun] Father’s Day
This Week Is…Shampoo Week
This Month Is…Soul Food Month
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1943 [81] Malcolm McDowell, Horsforth England, movie actor (“A Clockwork Orange”, “Halloween”)/TV actor (“Entourage” 2005-11, “Son of a Critch” since 2022) COMING UP…”The Panic”
1953 [71] Tim Allen (Dick), Denver CO, TV actor (‘Tim Taylor’ on “Home Improvement” 1991-99), “Last Man Standing” 2011-21/movie actor (“Toy Story”, “Santa Clause” movies)
1962 [62] Ally Sheedy, New York, NY, movie actress (“The Breakfast Club”, “St. Elmo’s Fire”)
1970 [54] Rivers Cuomo, Yogaville CT, rock singer-guitarist (Weezer-‘Buddy Holly’, ‘Beverly Hills’)
1974 [50] Steve-O (Glover), London England, reality star, stunt performer (“Jackass” TV show 2000-02, “Jackass” films)
1981 [43] Chris Evans, Boston MA, movie actor (“Captain America” films, “Avengers” films) COMING UP…”Red One”, 2024
1986 [38] Kat Dennings (Litwack), Bryn Mawr PA, TV actress (‘Max Black’ on “2 Broke Girls” 2011-17, “Dollface” 2019-22)/movie actress (‘Darcy Lewis’ in “Thor” movies)
1986 [38] Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Sherman Oaks CA, former TV actresses (twins who played ‘Michelle Tanner’ on “Full House” 1987-95)/co-founders of a billion-dollar consumer-goods company, including The Row and Olsenboy fashion lines
1996 [28] Kodi Smit-McPhee, Adelaide Australia, movie actor (“The Road”, “X-Men: Apocalypse”) COMING UP…”Maria”
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2005 [19] After a sensational 16-week trial in Los Angeles, Michael Jackson is found innocent of child molestation charges
2015 [09] Queen Elizabeth II officially celebrates her 89th birthday with a Trooping the Color ceremony, and bestows knighthood upon Kevin Spacey and Van Morrison as part of the celebration
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1992 [32] Billy Ray Cyrus begins a 17-week run at #1 on the US album chart with “Some Gave All”. His debut album featured the world-wide hit ‘Achy Breaky Heart’
1995 [29] Alanis Morissette releases “Jagged Little Pill.” It goes on to win 5 Grammys, inspire a Broadway musical, and sell more than 33 million copies worldwide
TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1920 [104] The US Post Office says children can no longer be sent by parcel post (after various instances of just that)
2022 [02] A Google engineer claims one of its AI systems, Lamda, might have a sentient mind, causing the company to place him on leave
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1922 [102] Charlie Osborne gets the hiccups — and continues for 68 years.
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Relative to their bodies, Chihuahuas have the biggest brains in the dog world.
✓ China owns all of the pandas in the world.
✓ From the Middle Ages until the 18th century, a barber’s duties also included dentistry, blood letting, minor operations and bone-setting.
✓ Avocados never ripen on the tree.
✓ Genetically, a fungus is more closely related to animals than to plants.
✓ Taylor Swift’s keyboardist is named Karina DePiano.
-OMGFacts, Facts
BS THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR DAD SAY:
In recognition of Father’s Day, on Sunday…
• “No, I’m not mad you spent $200 on those shoes. I’d say they’re worth at least DOUBLE that.”
• “Honey, that TV you bought me is just too big. Take it back and get something smaller!”
• “Whatever you make me for Father’s Day breakfast, I sure hope it’s vegan!”
• “Why would I want a Corvette, when we have a perfectly good minivan?”
• “No, you’re NOT playing football. You’re going to be a dancer like your old man!”
• “When parenting gets tricky, I ask myself: What would Alec Baldwin do?”
• “Why didn’t you just say you wanted to drop out of college and become a street musician? Let me buy you a new harmonica.”
• “I’m gonna skip watching football today . . . I don’t want to miss the big clearance sale at Linens & Things.”
• “Actually, you kids have it much harder than I did as a kid. I had a spoiled and entitled childhood.”
• “Are you SURE you want to go to college? It’d be a shame to see all that stand-up comedian potential go to waste!”
-Meatblankett
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ The Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, is now on at the Convention Center in Los Angeles. (E3 exposes gamers to exciting new things. Like new consoles, news technology…and human interaction…)
➠ The Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, is now on at the Convention Center in Los Angeles. (E3 is to gamers what ‘Comic-Con’ is to sci-fi fans – and what ‘Con-Con’ is to Trump’s lawyers…)
➠ A giraffe snatched a child from a vehicle at a Texas wildlife park. (Apparently it felt the kid would be safer in the wild than with anyone from Houston…)
➠ Sunday is Father’s Day (Or, as it’s widely-known in the NBA, “Spending half-a-day opening cards from strangers…”)
➠ Scientists say strawberries and blueberries slow memory decline. (But then, if you eat strawberries and blueberries all day, is there anything in your life you want to remember?)
BS WEB GOODIE:
Yup: https://tinyurl.com/bdehutz2
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Two wrongs don’t make a right. But they sure do make a good excuse.
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s the biggest lie you were told growing up?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
The average man will do THIS 2340 times in their lifetime. What is it?
Answer: Mow the lawn
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.
