Monday, May 4, 2020        Edition: #6689

Ah, Some BS You Actually Look Forward to in the Morning!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Joe Exotic is still wheeling and dealing from behind bars. The “Tiger King” is in talks to become the face of a new fashion line. Odain Watson, the owner of the streetwear brand “Odaingerous” wants to partner with Exotic on a limited-edition collection, and they’re already hammering out details through prison phone calls and letters. The collection is being dubbed “REVENGE” and would include graphic T-shirts, hoodies and joggers with his face and, of course, tigers.
-TMZ
★ Sam Lloyd, best known for playing lawyer ‘Ted Buckland’ on “Scrubs”, has passed away at age 56. In January 2019, Lloyd was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, just weeks after welcoming his first child. He appeared in dozens of TV shows including “Desperate Housewives”, “Modern Family”, “Shameless”, “Spin City” and “Seinfeld”. He also appeared in the films “Galaxy Quest” and “Flubber” and was a musician.
-Yahoo
★ Joe Pantoliano is on the mend after he was hit by a car on Friday while out for a walk in his neighborhood in Connecticut. The agent for “The Sopranos” star said he’s being monitored for a concussion. A post on Pantoliano’s Instagram page said he “has a severe head injury and some chest trauma.” His wife Nancy said he was injured when a Porsche collided with another car and then skidded into him. He was knocked back a few feet into a fence and suffered a cut to his head and injuries to his left leg and shoulder.
-TheWrap
★ Captain America has just joined Instagram and he’s already looking for a cause. Actor Chris Evans, has offered up a virtual hangout and game night with himself and five of his fellow cast members from The Avengers as a fundraiser for the All-In Challenge, a charitable effort to fight food insecurity for children, the elderly and frontline workers in the pandemic. Evans is offering a virtual hang-out with himself and five of his “closest friends: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner.” The winner will get a virtual hang-out for 40 minutes and is allowed to bring along two friends.
-MSN

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Evan Rachel Wood, Annie Lennox
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Ricky Gervais
• “Conan” (TBS): Shailene Woodley
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Adam Glick, Jenna MacGillivray
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Dr. Deborah Birx, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (R)
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Mandy Moore
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Brooke Baldwin
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS): A new Message From Montana, repeat segments with Elisabeth Moss, Thomas Sadoski (R)
• “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” (ABC): One couple write a song together with the help of singer-songwriter Joel Crouse; a shocking exit brings another romantic triangle into focus.
• “The Voice” (NBC): The winner from the first ever four-way knockout is revealed; the remaining top 17 perform for their chance at a spot in the top nine.
• “Creepshow” (AMC) Series premiere. A man’s drinking habit becomes insatiable and his appetite grows to frightening proportions; a severed toy head appears in a girl’s dollhouse and starts murdering.
•”Camp Getaway” (BRAVO): Series premiere. Camp Getaway is an adult summer camp in the Berkshire Mountains of Connecticut, where guests indulge in childhood nostalgia, with all the perks of being a grown-up.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande — are releasing a new song together. An announcement on Bieber’s Instagram page says he is releasing ‘Stuck With U’ with his friend Ariana Grande on Friday. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for the children of first responders who were impacted by the coronavirus.
• Kesha – Her “2020 High Road” tour with Big Freedia will not be happening this year due to COVID-19. It was set to begin in Texas on April 23, and run through June. As she put it in her announcement: “I’m going to boogie with you SO hard next year.”
• Eminem — confronted a home intruder who snuck past security and made it into the living room of his home in a gated community near Detroit on April 5. A man entered the rear of the property and used a paving stone to smash a kitchen window at about 4 A.M. No physical altercation occurred and a man has been charged in the incident. (Stan?)
• Eagles — have once again postponed their “Hotel California” tour dates due to the ongoing pandemic. The band initially pushed back the tour – which began in February before being put on hold in March – to fall of this year. The new dates now begin on Sept. 16 in Denver, CO.
• Stevie Nicks – says she hopes to use her period of self-quarantine to work on a multimedia project built around her Fleetwood Mac hit ‘Rhiannon’. This year was already scheduled to be her first year in more than a decade without a tour so she could start on a “book/movie” inspired by the myth of the Welsh witch mentioned in the 1975 song.
• Mötley Crüe – expect to “have an official update by June 1” on whether their summer reunion tour with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett will proceed. In a statement, the band said: “We are currently weighing all options and are awaiting further direction from the powers that be.”
• Blake Shelton – is now the third most-decorated artist in the history of the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His new #1 single ‘Nobody But You’ with Gwen Stefani is his 27th No. 1and breaks a tie with George Strait and Alan Jackson. Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw have 30 and 29 #1s, respectively.
• Luke Bryan – TMZ reports that his Watersound, Florida cigar bar “Shore Thing Cigars” hosted a “grand re-opening” karaoke night on Friday. But the location should not have re-opened at all. While restaurants in Florida can re-open today, bars must remain closed. So, regardless of whether Shore Thing Cigars is considered a restaurant or not, it should not have been open for patrons on Friday.
• Boots and Hearts – The annual country music festival in Oro-Medonte north of Toronto has been cancelled for 2020 due to the pandemic. Eric Church has already been announced a headliner for the 10^th anniversary of the festival, set for Aug. 5-8, 2021.

CORONAUPDATE:
➢ Drive-in concerts could be the way live performances return to our lives in the coronavirus era, if the success of a recent event held in Denmark is anything to go by. Pop-rock artist Mads Langer staged a show in the city of Aarhus last week, with 500 tickets selling out in six days. Aarhus played live, facing a lot where drivers observed social-distancing rules and listened to the music on their FM radios. His performance was also projected onto large video screens. (At least you wouldn’t have a problem finding your car afterward!)
➢ A strip club in Oregon has created a “drive-thru” experience to keep business going during the pandemic. Customers of Portland’s “Lucky Devil Lounge” slowly drive through a tent that contains four dancers and a DJ. Owner Shon Boulden says “You pull in and you get one or two songs with the gogos, then we bring your food out to you and then you go on your way.” The first 50 cars also get a free roll of toilet paper. (I think at this point, they might as well make it a topless car wash!)
-UCL, Futurism

HOW TO LOOK GOOD ON YOUR ZOOM CALL:
• Look at the camera:  The big temptation is to look at yourself on the screen, which means you’re looking away from the camera. (You know how bad it looks when a newscaster looks at the wrong camera? That.)
• Find proper light – and acoustics:  The best room is often the living room. They tend to be larger, and have sound-absorbent qualities, which cuts down on echo. But don’t sit directly under a large light, or in front of a window. Worst place? The bathroom. (Just one of many reasons that there should be no cameras in the bathroom!)
• Dress the part:  Maybe you don’t have to dress up as much as you would at the office. Aim for “one-level” down from that. Your face? You can relax the rules a bit here as well. A few days’ growth might be too much, but a scruff is OK. Ladies, you can go easy on the makeup, and hair.
• Pets:  If you know your co-workers will get a smile out of seeing your pup or cat on-screen, feel free to show them, but don’t let them steal the spotlight. (Because if they do, it’ll probably be for doing something in the background that everyone will remember for a long time…)
• Mind the background:  No dirty dishes, no laundry piles or embarrassing personal items (including semi-clad significant others…). Stay away from peeling paint, booze, and unmade beds as well. (If celebs are any indication, a bookshelf is mandatory…)
-NYPost

DEFINITIVE RANKING OF ALL 11 STAR WARS MOVIES:
Today is ‘Intergalactic Star Wars Day’. Nerds and civilians alike will again be busting out their Star Wars tapes and DVDs, special editions or original recipe, or streaming their favorites, and getting ready for the next movie in Dec. 2022. Here are the films from worst to first. May the Fourth be with you:
11. Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999): Basically, is a two-hour trailer for the rest of Anakin Skywalker’s story. Darth Maul is the coolest guy in the movie and he is in it for all of three minutes.
9. Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002): There are so many sleek special effects that you miss the trash heaps and spit-and-gum filmmaking of Lucas’ original movies. Also, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman have ZERO chemistry.
9. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005): It’s no coincidence that it’s the prequel that’s closest to the original trilogy in tone, story and theme, and it’s the best one.
8. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): For its maiden standalone voyage, Star Wars brass blended the old — the Rebel Alliance freaking out about the construction of the Empire’s Death Star — with something new: A war movie digging into the battlefields on land and in space with insurgents rising up against “the Man.” The results are a mixed bag.
7. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Hardcore fans find lots to love and it’s plenty entertaining with bombastic spectacle, but “Rise” crashes and burns as an actual finale.
6. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): A “Star Wars” take on an Indiana Jones jam, and the first movie to tackle the underworld through its most famous anti-hero. This, not “Rogue One,” should be the template for future spinoffs.
5. ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (2017): Demands repeat viewings, but Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is the coolest he’s been since “The Empire Strikes Back.”
4. Return of the Jedi (1983): Check yourself for a pulse if you’re not getting the chills after Vader tosses the Emperor down a shaft or when he says “Let me look on you with my own eyes” to Luke before dying. A perfect ending. (Ummm…spoiler alert?)
3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): The best characters since fans first laid eyes on Han, Luke and Leia. Arguably the best final shot ever in a Star Wars film.
2. Star Wars (1977): The original remains the real deal mostly because of all the great character moments.  We quickly fall in love with all these players as they begin a long journey.
1. Empire Strikes Back (1980): Simply the best. The Imperial Walkers that are arguably the coolest things that have ever stomped across a movie screen. Yet there is so much greatness to Empire: Vader’s reveal to Luke about being his father is an all-time truth bomb. It’s the chapter that takes a cool sci-fi fairy tale and sends it on its way to being a masterwork of storytelling.
(It’s a great day to be in quarantine!)
-USA Today

DID YOU KNOW?
A team of researchers at the University of East Anglia, England have found links between low levels of Vitamin D and COVID-19 mortality rates across Europe. Previous studies have shown that raising Vitamin D levels, if deficient, can reduce the risk of other common respiratory infections including influenza and tuberculosis. The UK’s National Health Service is recommending people to take 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day “because you may not be getting enough Vitamin D from sunlight if you’re indoors most of the day.” (Flintstones vitamins, anyone?)
-Futurism

BS CHRONOMETER 05.04.20

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1947 [73] Richard Jenkins, DeKalb IL, movie actor (“The Shape of Water”, “The Visitor”)

1951 [69] Mick Mars (Robert Deal), Huntington IN, rock guitarist (Mötley Crüe-‘Home Sweet Home’, ‘Dr Feelgood’)

1959 [61] Randy Travis (Traywick), Marshville NC, country singer (‘Diggin’ Up Bones’, ‘Forever & Ever Amen’)

1970 [50] Will Arnett, Toronto ON, TV actor (“Arrested Development” 2003-06, 2013)/voice actor (“The Lego Movie”, “Despicable Me”)

1972 [48] Mike Dirnt (Pritchard), Rodeo CA, rock bassist (Green Day-‘Boulevard Of Broken Dreams’, ‘Good Riddance [Time Of Your Life]’)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2015

1978 [42] Erin Andrews, Lewston ME, TV host (Fox NFL sideline reporter 2014-present), season 10 contestant on “Dancing With the Stars”, co-host 2014-present)

1979 [41] Lance Bass, Laurel MS, former boy-band star (‘NSYNC-‘It’s Gonna Be Me’)

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Intergalactic Star Wars Day”, an unofficial holiday which celebrates the “Star Wars” franchise created by George Lucas. Why today? Because of the painful pun: “May the 4th be with you” (ouch!). (***See “Signs You’re a Star Wars Fanatic”, below***)

• “International Firefighters’ Day”, to recognize the efforts of those brave hearts who risk their lives to keep us safe. (And the job consistently picked in polls as ‘Sexiest Profession’.)
NET: http://www.firefightersday.org

• “Petite & Proud Day”, for all people under 5’4″ who are tired of derogatory comments about their size. It’s all about celebrating your lack of height and the advantages it brings. Famous names 5’4″ and under include: Amy Poehler, Eva Longoria, Natalie Portman, Michael J Fox, Reese Witherspoon, Dolly Parton and Bruno Mars

• “Relationship Renewal Day”, a day to forget the old problems and celebrate the relationship making it through yet another year. Couples are encouraged to congratulate one another … and each other.

• “Respect For Chickens Day”, promoting compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl. Advocacy group United Poultry Concerns argues that we should celebrate the beauty and dignity of chickens and protest the bleakness of their lives in farming operations.
NET: http://www.upc-online.org

• “National Orange Juice Day”, When someone mentions Vitamin C, you probably picture a glass of orange juice. Orange juice has more nutrients than virtually any other fruit juice. If you want the maximum vitamins per serving, drink orange juice with the pulp in it!  If you don’t, have a screwdriver!

COMING UP . . .
[Tues] Cinco de Mayo
[Tues] Cartoonists Day
[Wed] National Nurses Day
[Wed] Bike To School Day
This Week Is…Small Business Week
This Month Is…ALS Awareness Month

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1927 [93] The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is founded in Hollywood (the Oscar people)

2012 [08] Marvel’s “The Avengers” opens in movie theaters (worldwide box office eventually totals over $1.5 billion)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1990 [30] In an interview, David Bowie’s ex-wife, Angie (namesake of the Rolling Stones song) claims she once walked in on her ex and Stones frontman Mick Jagger having sex

2012 [08] Adam Yauch, the gravelly-voiced rapper who helped make the Beastie Boys one of the seminal groups in hip-hop, dies in NYC of cancer at age 47

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1968 [52] The first McDonald’s ‘Big Mac’ is served (2 all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun) in Uniontown, PA. Price: 45 cents

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Liechtenstein, the world’s smallest country, is also the world’s largest manufacturer of false teeth.
✓ In some parts of Africa, ostriches are used to herd sheep.
✓ 28% of household injuries in the summer are caused by yardwork.
✓ You would have to walk 5 miles (8km) to burn off the calories of a single hot fudge sundae.
✓ It’s estimated that you’ll spend a year of your life looking for misplaced objects.
✓ Shrimp can only swim backward. (which would make it ‘forward’ to them!)
-BathroomReadersInstitute

Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS YOU’RE A STAR WARS FANATIC:
• You enjoy watching “Big Bang Theory” way more than the casual viewer.
• You try to use the Force on automatic paper towel dispensers.
• You think “The Phantom Menace” is a cinematic Tour de Force.
• You have the original version of “Star Wars” on VHS. And laser disk. And DVD. And Blu Ray.
• Your favourite episode of “Friends” is ‘The One With the Princess Leia Fantasy’.
• You knew about the existence of the “Holiday Special” before the internet was invented.
• You still have your Star Wars bed sheets and pillows. On your bed.
• You think it’s funny to speak like Yoda, you do.
• Five Words: Your wedding song: ‘Imperial Death March’.
-First published in BS in 2017

TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Customers at Costco are now required to wear a face mask while shopping, as the pandemic continues. (This will make for some GREAT membership photos!)
➠ A welcome mat at the front door of a Florida home read “Come back with a warrant” — and that’s just what deputies did before arresting the owner after finding a load of drugs. (#FloridaMan has been charged with drug paraphernalia, drugs, plus possessing lethal amounts of irony)
➠ Tomorrow is Cinco De Mayo. (Normally, the next morning you call into work sick from ‘The Corona.’ (It’s just now, there’s a lot more irony to it!)
➠ It happened over the weekend. . . Christina Hendricks is now 45! (Triple-E!)
➠ Fact of the Day: It’s illegal to get a fish drunk in Ohio. (The only people trying to get a fish ‘drunk’ are doing so …for Shellfish reasons!)

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
• In what city was the TV show “Cheers” set?
a. New York
b. Boston [CORRECT]
c. Philadelphia
d. Little Rock

• Who was host of “The Tonight Show” immediately prior to Jay Leno?
a. Jack Paar
b. Steve Allen
c. Johnny Carson [CORRECT]
d. David Letterman
-WhoWantstobeaMillionaire

BS WEB GOODIE:
Tool Time:  https://tinyurl.com/y9bw3oxh

BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s that one thing that you genuinely do not understand?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
My dad said I’d never amount to anything.  Lucky guess.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  According to a survey of newlyweds, 60% had one of THESE at their wedding, but only half of the spouses knew about it.
Answer: An ex!

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
You don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.