Friday, June 10, 2016 – Edition: #5750

Sheet Happens!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Today former US president Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal are leading the eulogies at Muhammad Ali’s public funeral at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville KY at 2 pm local time. Actor Will Smith, who played Ali in a movie of that name in 2001, joins former boxer Lennox Lewis and family members among the pallbearers. Ali died last Friday at the age of 74. A private family service was held yesterday.
– Newser.com
★ NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Alicia Keys, John Leguizamo, Lady Gaga, and Robert De Niro and his producing partner Jane Rosenthal as ambassadors for the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME), which is marking its 50th anniversary this year. As part of their new roles, the 5 appointees will promote, quote: “individual contributions to the city’s cultural identity and economy”. What’s that? Basically ensuring that NYC becomes a character all its own in the films and TV shows made there.
– “Hollywood Reporter”
★ And this week the curtain has risen on JK Rowling’s new stage play “Harry Potter & The Cursed Child”. Previews at London’s Palace Theatre are scheduled for 8 weeks (!!!), with audience members given buttons urging them to #keepthesecret as far as the plot of the story. In a pre-curtain recorded message, Rowling encourages theater-goers to “let audiences enjoy ‘Cursed Child’ with all the surprises that we’ve built into the story”. The drama – staged as 2 plays – picks up 19 years after the climax of Rowling’s last ‘Potter’ novel. The plays officially open July 30th, and the scripts will be published the next day.
– AP

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The American West” (AMC) – Saturday the debut of a new docu-drama that examines the years 1865-90 when names like Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull became legends. Executive produced by Robert Redford.
• Bestival (Toronto ON) – Saturday-Sunday in Woodbine Park, the 2nd annual Canadian offshoot of the UK festival includes The Cure and Tame Impala. Besides music, there’s also a ‘Knitting Tent’, ‘Drag Queen Croquet’, and ‘Flashmob Conga Lines’.
NET: http://www.bestival.ca
• “Chelsea” (Netflix) – Today Wiz Khalifa (“Rolling Papers 2”).
• Download Festival (Donnington Park UK) – The 13th annual 3-day event brings together metal behemoths and rock gods from all over; Rammstein, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden are the headliners. Also on the bill: Korn, Deftones, Megadeth, Disturbed, Nightwish and others.
NET: http://downloadfestival.co.uk
• “Good Morning America” (ABC) – Today Iggy Azalea (“Digital Distortion”).
• “Hell on Wheels” (AMC) – Saturday the final half-season of 7 episodes gets underway. The epic Western drama about the building of the transcontinental railroad stars Anson Mount.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Tonight Train (“Train Does Led Zeppelin II”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Tonight Plague Vendor (“Bloodsweat”). Rerun.
• “OJ: Made in America” (ABC/CTV) – Saturday the debut of Ezra Edelman’s documentary series that looks at OJ Simpson’s winding path from obscurity, to fame, to infamy. Made for ESPN Films.
• The Other Festival (NYC) – Saturday New York’s first all-female festival brings together creators, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists in music, art, film, technology, and more. The 1-day event at Manhattan’s Spring Studios features live performances, plus panels and workshops designed to provide women with the tools and inspiration to bring their ideas to life.
• “Today Show” (NBC) – This morning Nick Jonas (“Last Year Was Complicated”, out today).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Tonight Chris Young f/Vince Gill (“Sober Saturday Night”).
• “Tony Awards” (CBS) – Sunday James Corden hosts the 70th annual gala live from NYC’s Beacon Theatre. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical “Hamilton” has made Broadway history with a record 16 nominations. 74-year-old stage legend Barbra Streisand makes her 1st appearance at the ceremony since 1970, serving as an award presenter.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Dead & Company – Tonight the group made up of some Grateful Dead members along with John Mayer begins an amphitheater/stadium tour in Charlotte NC. The trek includes 2-night gigs at Boston’s legendary Fenway Park and at NYC’s Citi Field.
• Ed Sheeran – He’s being sued by 2 California-based songwriters who allege his huge hit single “Photograph” is a ‘note-for-note copy’ of a song they wrote for 2009 “X Factor” winner Matt Cardle. The songwriting team would like $20 million, thank-you very much.
• Garbage – Their new album, “Strange Little Birds”, is released today. The veteran band is hitting the road for a European tour in support this Summer.
• Little Big Town – They’re out today with the new album “Wanderlust”, an 8-song collaboration with Mr “Happy” himself, Pharrell Williams, producing.
• One Direction – Harry Styles’ north London home has been vandalized with some quote, “very offensive graffiti”.
• Paul McCartney – A new box set of his post-Beatles career is out today. Titled “Pure McCartney”, it’s available as a 2- or 4-CD set, as well as on vinyl and digitally.
• Prince – It seems his estate is now open for business. Bremer Trust is set to begin monetizing his intellectual property and unreleased recordings, many of which have been locked away for years. Prince’s intellectual property is estimated to be worth $100 million-to-$300 million.
• The Temper Trap – Their 3rd studio album, “Thick As Thieves”, is released today. They begin a Fall tour in support on September 19th in Portland OR.
• U2 – Today they release a live concert film of the Paris, France date of their “Innocence + Experience Tour” that followed last November’s terrorist attacks and featured an appearance by Eagles of Death Metal. “Innocence + Experience – Live in Paris” comes in Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download. The concert previously aired on HBO.
• Whitney Houston – Bobby Brown tells “Us Weekly” he is convinced his late ex-wife would still be alive if she didn’t have to hide her bisexuality. Rumors about a private relationship with her best friend and personal assistant Robyn Crawford have circulated for several years.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Ali” ( R-Rated Sports Drama ) – Michael Mann’s 2001 biographical film starring Will Smith is screening in 100+ select theaters over the weekend, just as the boxing legend is being laid to rest. Some theater owners are also screening “When We Were Kings”, the 2006 documentary about the 1974 ‘Rumble In the Jungle’ fight between Ali and George Foreman.
• “The Conjuring 2” ( R-Rated Horror ): Star Patrick Wilson reveals that a priest was called in to bless the set before the cast & crew started shooting this terrifying film. It’s about 2 exorcists sent to help a single mother who’s raising 4 children alone in a north London house plagued by malicious spirits. Co-stars Vera Farmiga. The 2013 original film was based on real-life events.
NET: http://www.theconjuring2.com
• “Now You See Me 2” ( PG-13 Action Comedy ): In this follow-up to the surprise 2013 hit, the ‘Four Horsemen’ (Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco) resurface and are forcibly recruited by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet. Co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman. “Now You See Me 3” is already planned.
NET: http://www.nowyouseeme.movie
• “Warcraft” ( PG-13 Fantasy Action Adventure ): Based on the bazillion-dollar videogame franchise, this movie has been in the works for years. Travis Fimmel plays the knight ‘Lothar’, and Toby Kebbell plays the ‘orc’ leader as the 2 must come together to save their species. Co-stars Paula Patton, Ben Foster, and Dominic Cooper.
NET: http://www.warcraftmovie.com
• Also opening in limited release: “De Palma” (Documentary”); “Diary Of a Chambermaid” (Drama); “From Afar” (Romantic Drama); “Genius” (Biographical Drama); and “King Jack” (Adventure).

NO STRINGS ATTACHED:
If you never floss your teeth, you’re not alone. Just over 32% of adults aged 30+ don’t either, says a new CDC study. Another 30% claim they floss daily; 37% floss at least once per week. Dental experts say flossing is key because it removes food stuck between teeth as well as helping to prevent tartar buildup which can attack teeth and gums, eventually causing teeth to fall out. The study has found that certain people are less likely to floss than others … namely men, people with lower incomes, and those aged 75 and older. (Who have nothing left to floss.)
– CNN.com

UGLIEST COLOR:
Pantone 448C is officially the world’s ugliest color. A team of experts spent 3 months trying to identify it. Why? It could be the key to cutting cigarette sales. Researchers at Gfk Bluemoon have been commissioned by the Australian government to design new cigarette packaging aimed at discouraging people from buying them. So they set out to find the most offensive and unappealing shade to put on packets. After examining hundreds of hues, a panel that includes 1,000 smokers has settled on 448C, known as ‘opaque couché’. It’s a sludgy brown that’s been described as the color of ‘tar’, ‘dirt’, and even ‘death’. (Well that seems just about right then.)
– “Metro”

VINTAGE ICE CREAM:
Your Friday night plans just got a serious upgrade. If balancing a bowl of ice cream and a glass of wine on the arm of your chair is a bit difficult, this could be the answer. Crossroad Co has just created ‘Winecream’, an ice cream with real wine. It’s made by mixing the wine with a cream & sugar base, then blasting the mixture with liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze it. Each bowl contains 10% alcohol, about the same as a glass of wine. There are currently 2 flavors on offer: chocolate-covered strawberry and mixed berry. So far it’s only being sold at US festivals and events, but they’ll soon be marketing the magic online as well. (What a glorious time to be alive.)
– Thrillist.com

BS AMAZING FACT:
4-in-5 US Army recruits have a close relative in uniform.
– TIME.com

BS CHRONOMETER 06.10.16

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1921 [95] Prince Philip Mountbatten (Philippos Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderbert-Glucksburn, Prince of Greece), Corfu, Greece, Duke of Edinburgh & Mr Queen Elizabeth II since 1947

1965 [51] Elizabeth Hurley, Basingstoke UK, TV actress (‘Queen Helena’ on “The Royals” since 2015, “Gossip Girl” 2011-12)/movie actress (“Austin Powers” films)/model (Estée Lauder)

1979 [37] Lee Brice, Sumter SC, country singer (“I Don’t Dance”, “I Drive Your Truck”)

1985 [31] Kreesha Turner, Edmonton AB, R&B-pop-dance singer-songwriter (“Keep Running the Melody”, “Don’t Call Me Baby”)

1992 [24] Kate Upton, St Joseph MI, fashion model (“Sports Illustrated”, 100th anniversary “Vanity Fair” cover)/sometime movie actress (“The Other Woman”, “Tower Heist”)

2001 [15] Sasha (Natasha) Obama, Chicago IL, younger daughter of US president Barack Obama & first lady Michelle Obama

SATURDAY –
Movie/TV actor Hugh Laurie (“House”) is 57; TV personality Mehmet Oz (“Dr Oz Show”) is 56; TV actor Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) is 47; TV/movie actor Joshua Jackson (“The Affair”) is 38; Rock singer Josh Ramsay (Marianas Trench) is 31; Movie actor Shia LaBeouf (“Transformers”) is 30.

SUNDAY –
41st US president George HW Bush is 92; Pop singer Robyn (“Dancing on My Own”) is 37; Fashion model Adriana Lima (“Vogue”) is 35; Country singer Chris Young (“Sober Saturday Night”) is 31.

TODAY’S BS REASON TO PARTY . . .
• “Ball Point Pen Day”, commemorating its 1943 invention by Lasalo Biro of Budapest, Hungary. During WW2, Britain’s Royal Air Force commissioned him to develop an instrument that could write under low atmospheric pressure at high altitude.
• “Iced Tea Day”, celebrating the favorite Summer cooler of millions. Tea is the world’s 2nd-most-popular beverage … after water.

SATURDAY –
• “Belmont Stakes”, the 148h running of the 3rd and final jewel in horseracing’s Triple Crown at NYC’s Belmont Park.
NET: http://www.belmontstakes.com
• “Corn On the Cob Day”, celebrating the only ears most of us will ever eat.
• “King Kamehameha Day”, honoring Hawaii’s first king, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. Not very significant to the rest of us … but it sure is fun saying ‘Kah-MAY-uh-MAY-uh’!
• “Missing Mutts Awareness Day”, created to raise awareness of missing family pets and to help raise funds to enable families to advertise and bring their pets home.
• “Rosé Wine Day”, honoring the light summery wine that is NOT a blend of red & white wines, but rather a red wine containing some of the color from grape skins, but not enough to fully qualify it as a red.
• “Trooping the Colour” (aka “Queen’s Birthday Parade”), the annual official celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in London on a Saturday in June. Her actual birthday is in April.
• “World Naked Bike Ride”, the 12th annual clothing-optional bike ride in which participants ride together en masse. Affiliated events are now held in 70 countries.
NET: http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org
• “World Gin Day”, the excuse for the 8th annual “Ginstock” celebration in London UK and other related events elsewhere.
NET: http://worldginday.com
• “Worldwide Knit in Public Day”, observed since 2005 on the 2nd Saturday of June and said to be the largest knitting event in the world. And who’s to argue with that?

SUNDAY –
• “Automotive Service Professionals Day”, begun in 2005 by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence to salute auto mechanics and others involved in vehicle maintenance.
• “Canadian Rivers Day”, a yearly salute on the 2nd Sunday of June to the source of what is arguably Canada’s greatest resource … freshwater. Canada has 20% of the world’s supply.
• “Children’s Sunday”, an annual celebration of wee folk, annually on the 2nd Sunday in June.
• “Crowded Nest Awareness Day”, recognizing the condition ‘Crowded Nest Syndrome’, the series of problems that occur when children who’ve moved out of the house move back in.
NET: http://www.giftypedia.com/Crowded_Nest_Awareness_Day
• “Jerky Day”, the 5th annual observance celebrating the rich history, immense popularity, and nutritional benefits of dried meat snacks. In one poll, men pick jerky as ‘Best Road Snack’.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/c44hxoh
• “Peanut Butter Cookie Day”, a good time to dig out Grandma’s famous recipe and bake up a dozen. The treat first became a favorite in the early 1900s.
• “Red Rose Day”, an annual celebration of the most popular cut flower. Also one of the most expensive!
• “World Day Against Child Labor”, an International Labor Organization-sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002 to foster the worldwide movement against child labor in any of its forms.
• “World Pet Memorial Day”, observed the 2nd Sunday in June in recognition of pets past and present, and the important role they play in our lives.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2003 [12] “Wicked” opens on Broadway (proceeds to win 40 awards over its run)

2007 [09] Close to 12 million fans tune in for the final episode of “The Sopranos” on HBO

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2004 [12] Legendary singer Ray Charles dies at age 73 in Beverly Hills CA (the bio-film “Ray” opens 4½ months later, starring Jamie Foxx in the title role)

2009 [07] The daughter of Cher, Chastity Bono, announces she’s undergoing a sex change to become a man, a decade after she came out as lesbian

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Kitchen Klutzes Day
[Mon] Weed Your Garden Day
[Tues] “Mötley Crüe: The End” screens in movie theaters
[Tues] World Blood Donor Day
This Week Is … Men’s Health Week
This Month Is … Potty Training Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

BS WHYZITS:
• Whyzit we’re sold wieners in packages of 10 but hot dog buns come in packages of 8?
• Whyzit called ‘common’ sense when hardly anyone uses it?
• Whyzit nickels are bigger than dimes?
• Whyzit you never hear of a ‘born-again atheist’?
• Why is ‘abbreviated’ such a long word?
• Whyzit when the police pull you over, they ask you if you know what you did? If they don’t
know then why did they pull you over?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
[Discretion] I sat on the train this morning opposite a stunning Thai girl. I kept thinking to myself, please don’t get an erection … please don’t get an erection … But she did.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What movie star who’s so far never disrobed onscreen would you most like to see naked?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Fully half of couples say they do THIS separately.
Answer: Laundry.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
A golf course is a site to be holed.