Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Edition: #7481

Here’s More Bull Roar!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Julie Bowen, Jamie Demetriou, Depeche Mode (R)
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Gigi Hadid, Chase Stokes, Micky Dolenz, Dierks Bentley (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): John Lithgow, Wendell Pierce (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Laura Dern, Miranda Lambert (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Gov. Chris Sununu, Sara Bareilles
• “The Talk” (CBS): Sharon Case, Joshua Morrow, Michelle Stafford, guest co-host Victor Cruz (R)
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Jessica Chastain, “American Idol” runner-up Megan Danielle, Joey Thurman
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Salma Hayek Pinault, Guy Branum, “Young” Dylan Gilmer, Stephen A. Smith (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jesse Williams, Gayle King, Meena Harris (R)
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Bebe Rexha, Ego Nwodim
• “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (ABC): Premiere. Martial-arts master Shang-Chi confronts his past when he’s drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
• “City Confidential” (A&E): Season 8 finale
• “NHL Playoffs” (Check local listings): Las Vegas @ Dallas
• “NBA Playoffs” (Check local listings): Miami @ Boston (if necessary)

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Kim Petras – has revealed the tracklist for her major label debut album “Feed The Beast”, out June 23. It’ll include her previously released collabs, Grammy award-winning ‘Unholy’ with Sam Smith, and her recent team-up with Nicki Minaj called ‘Alone’. Also featured: a never-before-heard collaboration with alt-pop queen Banks – titled ‘Bait’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/5n6hsd9j
• Taylor Swift – Stevie Nicks thanked her for writing the “Midnights” song ‘You’re on Your Own, Kid’  during her Atlanta show on Monday. Nicks told the audience that the song has helped her grieve her friend and Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie over the last several months.
• Green Day – drummer Tre Cool is one of the guests who appear on renowned punk band Gogol Bordello’s new benefit single for Ukraine, titled ‘United Strike Back’. Also on the tune: Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Joe Lally (Fugazi), Roger Miret (Agnostic Front), Monte Pittman (Ministry), Sasha (Kazka) and Puzzled Panther. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/57k57my2
• Eric Clapton – led a host of rock royalty in the first of 2 tribute concerts to Jeff Beck at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Mon. He was joined by former Jeff Beck Group singer Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Billy Gibbons, former Allman Brother Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., Kirk Hammett, Imelda May and Johnny Depp, among others. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4zk7f97s
• Whitesnake – David Coverdale has once again ruled out penning an autobiography. In a new interview, he said: “It would be a spilling of the beans, which I’m not interested in hurting anybody, and particularly my family.” He did indicate, however, that he is working with his video people on “another concept” which “could be significantly more interesting”.
• Blake Shelton – While he is done as a judge on “The Voice”, he certainly has left an impact on the show, and on its judges. Former One Direction member and rookie judge Niall Horan told ET that the 2 have become texting buddies. Quote: “”I’m gonna miss him. Big time…Like I’ve made a friend out of Blake, you know?” He also confirmed that he has plans to visit Shelton’s Oklahoma farm.
• Jelly Roll — The trailer for the “Jelly Roll: Save Me” documentary brought him to tears. And now, you can see why. The 2-minute clip was released on Tuesday, focusing on how Jelly Roll is helping others. He asks near the end : “I needed help you know. I still need help.” The doc streams on Hulu starting May 30. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/295u6bu2
• Josh Turner — is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album “Long Black Train”, by releasing it on vinyl for the first time. Autographed copies are available at his website merch store. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4jdfff6u

SHOOTING THE BULL

FUTURE FOODS:
With concerns about the effects of climate change on the world’s agriculture mounting, what we grow and eat could soon see a significant shift. Scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, say that in the years ahead, some crops unfamiliar to many of us could have a crucial role in our diets in the future. Like what? How about a nice seaweed supper? Or a cacti casserole? Other possibilities on our future menus include a type of wild coffee able to cope with warmer temperatures than traditional Arabica coffee; and enset, also known as the false banana. While the bananas you buy from your supermarket may have been grown in Central or South America or Southeast Asia, the enset, while related, is only cultivated in Ethiopia. And here’s the weird thing: You actually eat the whole trunk, or pseudo stem. 15 plants can feed a person for a year, so it’s very large – and very productive, say the experts.
(Yeah, I bet we’ll never see ensets at 59 cents a pound, though!)
(Can’t wait to try my wife’s enset muffins!)
-CNBC

SOCIAL MEDIA DISTANCING:
Are your kids on social media? Chances are, you said “yes”, and chances are also that if you said “no”, you’re just not aware of it yet. That said, it might be better for them if they WEREN’T on Twitter, or TikTok, or Instagram, or whatever else kids are up to these days, according to the US Surgeon General. A new advisory from the government agency says that social media presents a “profound risk of harm” for kids. But on the other hand, no one is completely sure that the usage of social media is harmful at all, due to a lack of research on the matter. The advisory, released this week, notes that although there are some benefits, increased research into social media’s impact on youth mental health, as well as action from policymakers and technology companies, is needed. The report notes that a study of 6,595 adolescents found that those who spent more than 3 hours a day on social media had twice the risk of symptoms of depression and anxiety as non-users. Up to 95% of US teens and 40% of children between 8-12 are on social media.
(…at any given moment!)
(If 95% of teens use social media, I’m surprised they were even able to find any that aren’t, for the study!)
-CNN

DRUG DEALS:
⇒ Miracle drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy — which have recently exploded in popularity for their incredible weight loss side effects — may also quell be an “accidental” treatment for addiction, some experts say. Patients who have taken these type 2 diabetes treatments have reported that they compel them to better control their impulses — especially when it comes to buying and eating junk food. And Tulane University has also observed that for some, it makes “people want to drink less alcohol.” North Carolina researchers are now looking into whether drugs like these could be prescribed to suppress the urges to drink and smoke. (Any hope for those of us who live with a crippling addiction to … gravy?)
⇒ There may be relief for women who suffer through hot flashes, night sweats, chills and other symptoms of menopause. The USFDA has approved Veozah, a one-of-a-kind treatment, suitable for women who cannot use hormone-replacement therapy for hot flashes. According to professor Waljit Dhillo, an endocrinologist at Imperial College London who was involved in early research into Veozah, “It’s like a switch. Within a day or two the flushes go away. It’s unbelievable how well these drugs work.” (Does it help with moodiness at all? Asking for a spouse…I mean a friend!)
-NYPost

BEST-EVER BASEBALL MOVIES:
(According to a survey of 10 “expert” websites…)
1. “Field of Dreams” (1989): Starring Kevin Costner, the story of an Iowa farmer who hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field on his land, and the magical events that unfold when he does.
2. “Bull Durham” (1988): Yup. Costner again. This rom-com features Susan Sarandon as his love interest and is set in the minor leagues, exploring the relationships between players, coaches, and fans.
3. “Moneyball” (2011): Based on a true story, it stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the GM of the Oakland Athletics, who uses data analysis to build a winning team on a budget.
4. “A League of Their Own” (1992): Starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna, it tells the story of the first women’s pro baseball league, put together during WW II, when many male players were serving overseas.
5. “The Natural” (1984): Starring Robert Redford, it is based on a novel of the same name, telling the story of a talented but troubled baseball player who gets a second chance at greatness.
(What would you add to the list? “Eight Men Out”? “Bad News Bears”?)
-StudyFinds

BEST-EVER MOVIE DIRECTORS:
(Yup, according to a survey of 10 “expert” websites…)
1. Alfred Hitchcock: The “master of suspense” quarterbacked a succession of classics, including “Rear Window” (1954), “Vertigo” (1958) and “North by Northwest” (1959). And don’t even get me started on “Psycho” (1960), which basically created the horror genre.
2. Stanley Kubrick: He wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and explore the extremes of the human condition. Among his most famous films are: “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), “The Shining” (1980), and “Full Metal Jacket” (1987).
3. Martin Scorsese: A master storyteller whose iconic films include “Taxi Driver” (1976), “Goodfellas” (1990), “Casino” (1995), and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013).
4. Francis Ford Coppola: Often considered a visionary who raised the bar for artistic cinema. Best known for directing “The Godfather” trilogy (1972 and 1974, and 1990). He also handled “The Outsiders” (1983), “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992), and “Apocalypse Now” (1979).
5. Steven Spielberg: The most commercially successful director ever. Some of his most famous films include “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), “Jurassic Park” (1993), and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998).
-StudyFinds

DID YOU KNOW?
Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all. CEO Jim Farley announced Tuesday that the automaker is reversing its plan to remove AM radio from vehicles, both electric and gasoline operated, in 2024. On social media, he wrote: “After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we’ve decided to include it on all 2024 Ford & Lincoln vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software update.” LINK:  https://tinyurl.com/4zd6yc2p
-DetroitFreePress

BS CHRONOMETER 05.25.23

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Geek Pride Day”, a day for sci-fi fans and techno-nerds to stand tall. The date coincides with the 1977 release of the first “Star Wars” movie. What is a geek? The Geek Pride Organization says ‘you know one when you see one’. (I already knew this, because I had it circled on my “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” calendar…)
• “Red Nose Day”, a campaign with the mission to end child poverty by funding programs that keep children safe, healthy, educated and empowered. People join together today to laugh and have fun. Since its debut in 2015, Red Nose Day has raised over $324 million to help over 32 million children. LINK: https://rednoseday.org/
• “International Missing Children’s Day”, promoting awareness of the problem and safety tips for kids and parents. We’re encouraged to turn on our porch lights as a way to show hope for missing kids, and support for their families.
• “African Liberation Day”, when many African countries celebrate the hard-fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers. It was founded in 1958 and coincides with the African Union’s “Africa Day”.
• “Tap Dance Day”, honoring the birthday of Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, ‘King of Tap Dancers’, in 1878. (***Caution***: I wonder if tap dancers look at a floor and think “I’d tap that!”)
• “Brown Bag-It Day”, taking your lunch to work or school is an effective way to save money and to ensure you and your family are eating healthy (and to smuggle all of the cookies out of the house for yourself!). [And yes, last Thursday was “Brown Bag-It Thursday…”]
• “Wine Day”, in moderation, wine not only fights heart disease, it can also help with high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, reduce risk of some cancers, and even fight depression. In general, red wines are healthier than white wines. (Really, ANY day is wine day!)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] Don’t Fry Day
[Fri] World Redhead Day
[Sat] Cellophane Tape Day
[Sun] Hamburger Day
This Month Is…Healthy Vision Month
This Month Is…Respect for Chickens Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1939 [84] (Sir) Ian McKellen, Burnley England, movie actor (“The Hobbit” films, “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “X-Men” series)

1944 [79] Frank Oz (Oznowicz), Hereford England, Muppeteer (‘Miss Piggy’, ‘Fozzie Bear’, ‘Bert’, ‘Grover’, ‘Cookie Monster’)/movie director (“Little Shop of Horrors”)/the voice of ‘Yoda,’ also he is

1948 [75] Klaus Meine, Hanover Germany, rock singer (Scorpions-‘Wind of Change’, ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’)

1963 [60] Mike Myers, Toronto ON, movie actor (“Austin Powers” movies, “Wayne’s World” movies/voice of ‘Shrek’)/TV actor (“Saturday Night Live” 1989-95)/Canadian Walk of Fame 2003

1972 [51] Octavia Spencer, Montgomery, LA, movie actress (“The Help”, “Hidden Figures”)

1976 [47] Cillian Murphy, Douglas Ireland, movie actor (“Inception”, “The Dark Knight Rises”)/TV actor (“Peaky Blinders” 2013-19) COMING UP… “Oppenheimer”, 2023

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1977 [46] “Star Wars” (Episode IV – A New Hope), directed by George Lucas and starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, is released, laying the groundwork for one of the most celebrated film franchises of all time. (This date in 1983: “Return of the Jedi” is released)

2011 [12] Oprah Winfrey airs her final program, ending the 25-year TV run of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1985 [38] Wham!’s ‘Everything She Wants’ hits #1 in the US, making them the first group since the Bee Gees to have three #1 hits from the same album. (‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’, ‘Careless Whisper’)

2005 [18] Carrie Underwood wins Season 4 of “American Idol” and becomes the show’s most successful alum: Her debut album goes on to sell over 7 million copies

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
2001 [22] 32-year-old Erik Weihenmayer of Boulder CO becomes the first blind person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest

2012 [11] The SpaceX ‘Dragon’ becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully dock at the International Space Station

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Children learn an average of 10 new words a day between the ages of 2 and 5.
✓ Gloves have been around for 2,500 years. Mittens? Only about 1,000.
✓ The sudden jolt, or feeling of falling down as you’re drifting to sleep is called a “hypnic jerk”.
✓ It takes 8 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth, and more than 5 hours to reach Pluto.
✓ Your mouth produces a quart (946ml) of saliva every day.
✓ In 1900, if a family had 2 servants or less, US census takers recorded them as “lower middle-class”.
-BathroomReadersInstitute, FactSlides

Best of BS . . .
LEAST POPULAR GRADUATION PROM THEMES:
• “Bring Your Mom To the Prom!”
• “Where We’ll Be in 15 Years: A Realistic Appraisal!”
• “I Swear, It’s Not Contagious”
• “Late 1970s East German Discotheque!”
• “In the Year 2525: The Music of Zager & Evans!”
• “Scenes From the Class Struggle in Coahuila, Mexico!”
• “Gymnasium Chic!”
• “Up with Abstinence!”
• “McDonald’s is Hiring!”
-Kevin Evers, first published in BS in 2010

TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ Research shows that teens’ interest in Facebook continues to dwindle. (Meanwhile, Facebook shows that your Aunt Carol’s interest in adorable cat videos continues to skyrocket!)
➠ NASA is developing a snake-like robot to slither over one of Saturn’s 83 moons. (Well, THAT ought to shut up all those critics who claim NASA is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money!)
➠ Monday is Memorial Day in the US. (I sometimes worry that amid all the non-stop partying, the true message of Memorial Day gets lost: and that message is: “There’s NEVER been a better time to buy a mattress!”)
➠ A study found that that people with longer commutes die sooner. (Probably because they have to sit through THIS show…)
➠ A study shows that men are more likely to hit on women who have lower back tattoos. (Uh, what about women hitting on MEN with lower back tattoos? Asking for a friend…)

BS WEB GOODIE:
She’ll be cringing about this moment for years:  https://tinyurl.com/y2e4mb2a

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Solar power is definitely the future. But it won’t happen overnight…

BS PHONE STARTER:
What has someone borrowed from you, but never given back?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  9% of workers admit their boss had to talk to them about THIS. What is it?
Answer:  Their messy work space

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning.