Wednesday, March 20, 2024 – Edition: #7681

Sheet for Brains!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ It appears as though the search for the next ‘James Bond’ is over. British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been offered the role of a lifetime as the martini-sipping secret agent, UK newspaper The Sun says. The 33-year-old “Bullet Train” actor is reportedly expected to sign on the dotted line this week. EON Productions, which makes 007 films, is said to be preparing to start shooting later this year. But a production insider has told BBC there is “no truth in the rumors”. Taylor-Johnson starred as John Lennon in “Nowhere Boy” and appeared in “Kick-Ass,” “Anna Karenina,” “Godzilla,” “Nocturnal Animals,” and “Tenet.” He has 2 releases set for this year: “The Fall Guy” and “Kraven the Hunter.”
-DigitalSpy, NYPost
★ Fear not, Richard Simmons fans. The eccentric fitness personality is not dying, despite his string of unsettling tweets. Monday, a statement on his Facebook page stated: “Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying…The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day.” Later, his spokesperson was forced to state “with 100% certainty that Richard is not dying. He’s, in fact, very healthy and happy. The sole purpose of the post was meant to be inspirational.” Simmons later apologized for the confusion, writing: “I am not dying. It was a message about…how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”
-HollywoodReporter
★ Production is now underway on “A Complete Unknown,” the coming Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic musician. The first photos from the New York City shoot have emerged online, offering a first look at the 28-year-old actor in costume. Chalamet can be seen wearing an old-looking scarf and layering up with some gloves and a thick jacket. Of course, he’s lugging around a guitar, too. No release date has been set for the film, which also features Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman and Edward Norton. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y3hku59b
-TheWrap
★ Bill Hader will star as “The Cat in the Hat” for an upcoming animated feature film, Warner Bros. and Dr. Seuss Enterprises have announced. Along with Hader, the all-star voice cast includes Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), Bowen Yang (“SNL”), Xochitl Gomez (“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”), Matt Berry (“What We Do in the Shadows”) and Paula Pell (“Girls5eva”). The animated feature is scheduled to hit theaters Mar. 6, 2026.
-TheWrap
★ Star Wars memorabilia collectors are in for a treat as The British Royal Mint has released a batch of limited-edition coins based on the movies. The new coin collection is titled “Star Wars: Iconic Vehicle”. The website says it is a set of “4 new coins featuring designs inspired by iconic vehicles in the Star Wars franchise, including the Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighter and X-Wing, along with the Death Star II.” Prices start at £12 (US$15.27) for the uncirculated Millennium Falcon 50p coin.
-DigitalSpy

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Jerrod Carmichael, Janelle James, Chicano Batman
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Kristen Wiig, Lenny Kravitz
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Billy Joel, Chappell Roan (R)
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Caitlin Peluffo, Dulcé Sloan, Jenny Zigrino (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Clive Owen, Isla Fisher, Robert Smigel (R)
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Josh Lucas, José Andrés
• “The Daily Show” (COM): Hosts Desi Lydic & Michael Kosta, David Alan Grier
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Sydney Sweeney, José Andrés
• “The Talk” (CBS): Hamish Linklater, Lala Kent
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Brian Tyree Henry, Eric Adjepong, Shaggy and Bruce Melodie
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Kal Penn, Mckenna Grace
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Marie Osmond
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell & Renée Elise Goldsberry, Nathalie Emmanuel
• “The Amazing Race” (CBS): Teams continue the megaleg in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they must choose between detours that get them ready for a fiesta.
• “The Conners” (ABC): Darlene urges Ben to make some male friends as he feels anxious about turning 50. Mark asks Harris to buy him and his friends beer for their dorm room.
• “2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament” (Check local listings): First Four: Grambling State vs. Montana State

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Olivia Rodrigo – is as big a fan of Ariana Grande’s new song as the rest of us. She shared a TikTok vid of her dancing along to Grande’s ‘The Boy Is Mine’ backstage. As she twirls around and shows off her purple cowboy hat, a smiling Rodrigo sings along to the lyrics. Grande shared it on her Instagram Story, adding a gif of a dancing cat holding a flower. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yc6nyp55
• Lil Nas X – ran the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday — wearing high-top fashion sneakers, because he doesn’t own running shoes. According to the 24-year-old, not only hadn’t he ever run more than 3 miles before, he also had never jogged in the great outdoors. His time? 2:32:53.
• Jeff Lynne’s ELO — has announced its final tour. The “Over and Out Tour” will hit more than 2 dozen North American cities starting Aug. 24 in Palm Desert CA, wrapping up Oct. 25 in Los Angeles. LINK: https://www.jefflynneselo.com/tour/
• John Mellencamp — abruptly left the stage while being heckled at a Toledo, IH show on Sunday. As he told stories between songs, an audience member could be heard shouting “play music”. Mellencamp suggested the person “should go back to kindergarten.” Eventually, the singer said: “Show’s over”, and stormed off stage, but returned after the heckler was removed. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4r3pyh9s
• Nickelback – has teamed up with country-rocker Hardy for the latest installment of “CMT Crossroads”, swapping stories and collaborating on each other’s biggest songs. “CMT Crossroads: Nickelback & Hardy” premieres Saturday, April 6. Songs include Nickelback’s ‘Save Me’ and ‘Animals’, Hardy’s ‘Truck Bed’ and ‘Give Heaven Some Hell’, plus a first-time mashup of both acts’ ‘Rockstar’ singles.
• Luke Combs – has previewed another tearjerker. The singer, who often teases unreleased music on social media, shared a clip of a new song called ‘Remember Him That Way’ on Sunday, telling of an aging father who’s still a hero in his adult son’s eyes. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2d23y48r
• Toby Keith – The late singer will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this fall. Other new members are John Anderson and guitarist James Burton, who played with Elvis Presley. An induction ceremony will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater in October.

SHOOTING THE BULL

STRESS TESTS:
When it comes to beating stress, dogs are great. Husbands? Not so much. Here’s the breakdown:
• A new study from South Korea found that spending time with dogs can help reduce stress and improve concentration. Researchers determined that activities like playing with and walking dogs increased relaxation, while tasks like grooming boosted concentration. As far as mood, study participants also reported feeling less tired, sad and stressed after interacting with the dogs. Meanwhile…
• A study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine looked at data from more than 2,000 elderly couples to see how stress affected the pair’s health over time. Researchers found that women tended to display more negative physiological markers of stress than their male partners, suggesting that women’s health may be more affected by their partner’s stress levels in long-term relationships. (Maybe they should have gotten a dog instead?)
-YahooLife

AEROSCIENCE:
⇒ Plans have been revealed for what will be the world’s largest airplane. The “WindRunner,” designed by Colorado-based energy company Radia, is an enormous cargo carrier measuring a whopping 356 feet (109m) long and 79 feet (24m) tall, with a wingspan of 261 feet (80m). That’s almost as long as an NFL football field and 127 feet longer than the world’s largest passenger plane. And by the way, to accommodate the jumbo jet’s landing, a 6,000-foot runway will also need to be constructed. (At first, I thought: Who on earth needs to transport this much stuff? Then I saw my wife’s Amazon order…)
⇒ A luxurious space balloon with world-class amenities is now taking bookings for next year. Plans for the capsule to transport passengers to the brink of space aboard a balloon were announced by Florida-based Space Perspective. The Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior test capsule will supposedly be elevated to an altitude exceeding 100,000 feet using a massive “SpaceBalloon,” ensuring a gentle ascent. The unique experience will be available to up to 8 passengers per journey, each paying $125,000. Premium food and beverage service are promised, along with amenities including custom headphones, Wi-Fi, and even access to “a proper restroom”, according to the company. (All I can say is this: If there’s a restroom, there’d BETTER be Wi-Fi!) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4b9p2eep
-NYPost, SpaceChatter

SPILLING ON PILLS:
❑ A new weight-loss pill made by the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy helps patients shed weight twice as fast as the popular injections. Novo Nordisk says the pill, called Amycretin, works similarly to weight loss injections, mimicking a natural hormone, which slows down the passage of food through the stomach, making people feel full for longer. In addition, it stimulates a hormone called amylin, which also reduces hunger and slows stomach emptying. Early trials showed that people lost 13% of their weight over 3 months — more than twice the amount seen with Ozempic and Wegovy, the company claims. (Hollywood stars are thrilled, but they’re really hoping for a pill that’ll make their lips feel full longer!)
❑ A new “exercise pill” could replace some — but not all — of the benefits of working out. Scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis spent 10 years creating new compounds that seem to mimic the physical benefits of a workout — at least in rodent cells — that could become ingredients for a future supplement. The researchers hope to replicate the physical effects of exercise, including improved muscle performance, noting that if you are able to exercise, you should do just that, but there are many cases in which a person is unable to exercise, due to illness or genetic conditions. (Also, because Season 2 of “Squid Game” is starting soon…!)
-NYPost

FAMOUS BRANDS THAT USED TO SELL SOMETHING ELSE:
➢ Lamborghini Started Out Making Tractors: At some point, a beef with Enzo Ferrari led to the company making sports cars, but it still makes tractors to this day.
➢ Shell used to literally sell shells: In the 1800s, antique dealer Marcus Samuel expanded his business by selling exotic seashells. This required a large import/export infrastructure. When he died, his sons took over and developed an interest in importing and exporting oil.
➢ Avon used to sell books: In the 1800s, founder David McConnell was a door-to-door book salesman. To get his foot in the door, he offered women a free vial of perfume that he made himself. It turned out that his perfume was much more popular than the books…
➢ Mazda made corks: The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co in Japan. After about a decade, the company did a complete 180 and got into manufacturing vehicles.
➢ Samsung was basically a general store: Founded as Samsung Sanghoe in 1938, it sold dried fish, noodles and other groceries. By the 1950s, the company was branching out into insurance, construction, and even a theme park. But electronics turned out to be their big money maker.
➢ Taco Bell was originally a hot dog stand: In 1948, Glen Bell ran Bell’s Drive-In, selling hot dogs and burgers. But he noticed the popularity of the café across the street, which sold tacos. He got friendly with staff there, learned their recipes, and opened his first taco stand in 1951.
➢ Play Doh Started as Wallpaper Cleaner: The company was a struggling soap manufacturer that started making wallpaper cleaner, at a time when coal soot was an issue inside people’s homes. A relative of one of the owners had a daycare and gave some of the wallpaper cleaner to the kids to play with — and they loved it. The formula was adjusted by adding color and a scent — and Play Doh was born.
➢ Louis Vuitton was a Box Maker: 13-year-old Louis worked as a packer, making fancy custom boxes for various goods. He was so skilled, he was hired by Napoleon’s wife, and eventually developed a line of travel trunks. His family carried on in the business, expanding to all kinds of high-end, elegant products.
➢ Nintendo Made Playing Cards: The company predates not just video games but even electricity, in most homes. They started way back in 1889 in Kyoto, Japan as a playing card business.
➢ NASCAR started as a group of bootleggers: The largest stock car racing organization in the world has roots in an era when drivers ran bootleg whiskey in the US. They typically used small, fast vehicles to evade police. Many drivers would modify their cars for speed, handling, and increased cargo capacity.
-List25

DID YOU KNOW?
While many researchers are encouraging us to find more sustainable plant-based foods to eat, a new study has some surprising dietary advice — eat snakes! An international team examining the landscapes of Thailand and Vietnam found that there’s potential for python farming to become a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional livestock used for meat. The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that python farming, which is a thing in Asia, might someday be the solution to food insecurity around the world. (Now THAT’S a meat alternative!)
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 03.20.24

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Extraterrestrial Abductions Day”, honoring all those who claim they’ve been abducted by aliens. (Hey, I’m as fascinated with alien abductions as the next guy, but let’s not get carried away!)
• “Kiss Your Fiancé Day”. Planning for a wedding can be pretty stressful, but kissing is not. This is a day for engaged couples to take a pause in all their hectic planning and do some serious smooching, instead.
• “Ravioli Day”. There are lots of things that you can put in a ravioli, it’s not just a cheese dish. Today, see if you can make your own unique type. (Butternut squash raviolis are crazy-good!)
• “Atheist Pride Day”, an unofficial salute to non-believers. Many mark the occasion by changing their Facebook profile picture to a stylized capital ‘A’. Green is the chosen color for the day, standing for ‘natural’ as opposed to ‘supernatural’.
• “Hufflepuff Pride Day”. Hufflepuff, one of the 4 houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, is celebrated today, on the first day of “Hogwarts House Pride Week”, which takes place during Hogwarts House Pride Month. (If you don’t know, you don’t know!)
• “World Storytelling Day”, a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling.
• “Jump Out! Day”. Grab a jump rope and start hopping. This is a day for children to be more active, but there’s no reason adults can’t do it as well. (Actually, I can think of TWO reasons…and they’re both knees!)
• “Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day”, a day to remember and honor Fred Rogers, the iconic children’s TV presenter of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”, who was born on this date in 1928.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Thurs] Flower Day
[Thurs] Tattoo Day
[Fri] Sing Out Day
[Sat] Chip and Dip Day
This Week is…Clutter Awareness Week
This Month is…Cheerleading Safety Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1948 [76] Bobby Orr, Parry Sound, ON, retired NHL player (legendary Boston Bruins defenceman who revolutionized the position/2-time scoring champ/2-time Stanley Cup winner)/Hockey Hall of Fame 1979/Order of Canada, 1979

1957 [67] (Shelton) “Spike” Lee, Atlanta GA, movie director (“BlacKkKlansman”, “Malcolm X”)/movie producer (“Kobe Doin’ Work”)/movie actor (“Do the Right Thing”) COMING UP… “High and Low”

1958 [66] Holly Hunter, Conyers GA, movie actress (“The Incredibles” movies, “The Piano”, “The Firm”)/TV actress (“Saving Grace” 2007-10)

1963 [61] (Kathleen) Kathy Ireland, Glendale CA, model/author/entrepreneur (as a supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s, she appeared in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues)/movie actress (“Once Upon a Christmas” movies)

1970 [54] Michael Rapaport, New York City NY, TV actor (“Boston Public”, “The War at Home”)/movie actor (“Cop Land”, “The Heat”)

1984 [40] Christy Carlson Romano, Milford CT, TV actress (“Kim Possible” 2002-07, “Even Stevens” 2000-03)

1986 [38] Ruby Rose, Melbourne, Australia, TV actress (“Batwoman” 2019-20, “Orange is the New Black” 2015-16)/movie actress (“John Wick: Chapter 2”, “Pitch Perfect 3”)/fashion model

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2015 [09] The series finale of the musical show “Glee”, titled “Dreams Come True”, airs on FOX-TV

2017 [07] Rihanna begins her stint as ‘Marion Crane’ on the TV series “Bates Motel”, a role originated by Janet Leigh as the infamous shower-stabbing victim in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller “Psycho”

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1991 [33] Eric Clapton’s 4-year-old son, Conor, dies after falling out of a window at his mother’s apartment. Clapton later writes ‘Tears in Heaven’ about him, a song which won 3 Grammys

2020 [04] Kenny Rogers dies at 81 at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1917 [107] The first patent for the zipper (or “Separable Fastener”) is granted to Gideon Sundback (Time flies!)

2015 [09] The equinox, a solar eclipse, and a super-moon all occur on the same day

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Ellen DeGeneres was offered the role of ‘Phoebe’ on “Friends”, but turned it down.
✓ “The Big Bang Theory’s” staff science consultant often used actress Mayim Bialik’s help, because she has a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
✓ One of the late Stephen Hawking’s widely-accepted theories is that black holes aren’t black.
✓ There’s an island in Japan you can visit that’s inhabited only by friendly bunnies.
✓ In the 19th century, experts warned women about a disease called ‘bicycle face’, which meant getting stuck with the awkward faces they made while biking.
✓ All-Bran cereal is only 87% bran.
-Buzzfeed, FactSlides

Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS SPRING IS FINALLY HERE:
• Your slothful neighbor finally returns your snowblower.
• Everywhere you look, adorable baby potholes!
• More than usual, people are mating in the streets.
• Melting snow reveals the entire country is covered in dog turds.
• Your furnace repairman calls to say he can finally make it over next week.
• Screams of women experiencing ‘bathing suit shock’ heard throughout the mall.
• For the 57th March in-a-row, Toronto Maple Leafs fans say, “Maybe THIS is the year.”
• Vladimir Putin orders the flowers to bloom.
• Canadians pull their summer parkas out of storage.
-First published in BS 2003

TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Spring officially arrived last night. (Sorry, but for me, it’s not spring until I pay $16 bucks for a Stadium Beer to sit in the rain and watch my team lose, thanks to free agency!!!)
➠ March Madness is officially underway. (Which is great news. Because I definitely need another reason to sit on the couch and not exercise…)
➠ You can definitely tell its springtime. (I’ve already had my March Madness bracket shattered by the receptionist who picked her teams based on uniform colors!)
➠ Spring officially arrived last night. I’ve already done my spring cleaning, and I’m getting rid of stuff that’s lying around the house and collecting dust. (Anyone interested in some dignity?)
➠ St. Paddy’s was on Sunday.  (All I know about St. Patrick’s Day is that if you’re still wearing pants by the end of it, you didn’t do it right!)

BS WEB GOODIE:
True:  https://tinyurl.com/mrxa9thz

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’d like to have kids one day. I don’t think I could stand them any longer than that, though.

A DOSE OF RIDDLIN’:
Some classic – and not-so-classic riddles…
• I pass in front of the sun, yet make no shadow. What am I?
A: The wind
• To every town I belong. I am the building with the most stories, though not necessarily the tallest. What am I?
A: The library
• I am bought by the yard and worn by the foot. What am I?
A: Carpet
• I’m not enough for one, just right for 2, but too much for 3. What am I?
A: A secret
• When you don’t know what I am, I am something. When you figure me out, I am nothing. What am I?
A: A riddle

BS PHONE STARTER:
What product or service is waaay more expensive than it needs to be?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
34% of people say they have never cleaned THIS in their house. What is it?
Answer:  Their curtains

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
An optimist is the human personification of spring.