Thursday, May 29, 2025 — Edition: #7962

Accept No Substitutes, Ask For 100% Pure BS!

 

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness is speaking out for the first time since filing for divorce last week. The Australian actress said in a statement: “My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.” Furness and the “Deadpool & Wolverine” star announced their amicable separation in 2023 after 27 years of marriage. She called their split “a profound wound that cuts deep”, but said the process has helped her gain “much knowledge and wisdom.” The details of their divorce had been agreed upon prior to her filing on May 23.
-People, TMZ
★ Kevin Costner has been named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer who alleges she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene on the set of “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2” in 2023. The complaint notes that SAG does not allow “any last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex.” Devyn LaBella said the alleged incident upended her career, “leaving her with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come.” She also included the production companies behind the movie as defendants. Costner’s attorneys said the claims have “absolutely no merit”
-People
★ HBO’s “Harry Potter” TV series has found its ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Ron Weasley’ and ‘Hermione Granger’. The new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series will be led by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, the network announced on Tuesday. The roles were originally portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, respectively. More than 30,000 actors auditioned for the lead roles since HBO launched an open casting call last fall. Filming is expected to begin this summer.
-Variety
★ “Adolescence” is about to become Netflix‘s second most-watched English-language series of all time. The limited series has seen huge success since its March 13 release, prompting talks of a follow up, and is now on the brink of the 140.7M views that Stranger Things 4 nabbed in its first 91 days. This is a major feat for Adolescence, which had no major star power attached to its story about a 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing a female classmate to death after being drawn into the online manosphere. By contrast, Stranger Things had become one of Netflix’s biggest franchises by the time the newest season premiered.
-Deadline
★ Byron Allen will be back on CBS in a late-night slot next season. The network has scheduled “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” into the 12:30am slot, following the cancelation of “After Midnight”, which ran for 2 seasons. Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen will begin airing after “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on September 22 with back-to-back, half-hour episodes.
-Deadline

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Ricky Gervais, Kaitlyn Dever, Kali Uchis
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): John Legend, Bill Burr, Black Thought (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Jen Psaki, d4vd (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Sarah Snook, Glenn Howerton (R)
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Joe Manganiello, Thomas Lennon, Paul F. Tompkins (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Sarah Silverman
• “Today” (NBC): Mia Threapleton, Kelsea Ballerini
• “GMA3” (ABC): Jack Innanen, Malik Elassal
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Shopping day with Monica Mangin; more no-gear workout suggestions
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Jessica Biel, Benito Skinner, Monique Rodriguez, Sam Ryder
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Paul Scheer, Joey Chestnut (R)
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer
• “Family Guy” (Fox): Peter suspects Lois of betraying his trust with Quagmire at a swanky vacation resort.
• “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” (MTV): Season 8 premiere
• “And Just Like That…” (MAX, CRAVE): After a 2-year wait, the “Sex and the City” follow-up returns with the first episode of its 12-episode third season.
• “NHL Playoffs” (SN, CBC, ESPN): Conference final game #5: Edmonton @ Dallas
• “NBA Playoffs” (TNT, TSN): Conference final game 5. Indiana @ NY Knicks

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Teddy Swims — The endurance of ‘Lose Control” has hit new historic heights, logging a record-breaking 92nd week on the Billboard Hot 100. That surpasses the run of Glass Animals’ ‘Heat Waves’, which ran up 91 weeks in 2021-22, for the longest period on the chart, dating to its 1958 inception.
• Jennifer Lopez — After announcing it on the AMAs on Monday, she has revealed details of her new residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. “Jennifer Lopez: Up All Night Live” launches with shows on Dec. 30, 31 and Jan 2 and 3, followed by 8 more in March. It’ll be JLo’s second residency, following “Jennifer Lopez: All I Have”, at Planet Hollywood from 2016-18.
• Joe Walsh — has announced the date and location of the 2025 edition of his annual VetsAid charity concert. It’ll happen at his hometown of Wichita KS on Nov. 15. He posted on Instagram, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like …” Info about this year’s lineup and tickets has not yet been announced. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mv2bjkpy
• Billy Joel – Despite his recent diagnosis of the brain condition normal pressure hydrocephalus, People reports a source as saying that he has no plans to pack it in. Quote: “He is happiest while performing. Music is, has been and will always be his life. He’s not ready to retire.”
• The Who – Ex-drummer Zak Starkey says he had a phone call with singer Roger Daltrey following his recent sacking. Quote: “We kind of left it there- On good terms and great friends as we have always been. Gotta love these guys.” The two sides had disagreed on whether he had been fired, or “retired”.
• Dierks Bentley – has announced the establishment of the Broken Branches Fund, with a multi-year financial commitment to provide mental health resources to the creative and touring communities. He’ll kick off his 30-city Broken Branches Tour tonight, ahead of his forthcoming 11th studio album, “Broken Branches,” out June 13. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3fmtnxh2
• Shania Twain – A few fans got the concert experience of a lifetime recently when she strolled into a random bar in the Bahamas – and decided to play with the band. She posted video, showing herself singing ‘You’re Still the One’ while strumming an acoustic guitar with the house band. Her caption: “You never know what’s gonna go down on a Saturday night in Eleuthera!” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4uz34wdu
• Morgan Wallen – has broken his own record, for the most songs charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week. A staggering 36 songs (all except 1) from his new album “I’m the Problem” appear on the current chart. In addition, his Post Malone collab ‘I Had Some Help’ remains on the chart at #19 — for a total of 37 songs in the top 100.

SHOOTING THE BULL

NO KNEE’DLE REQUIRED:
Scientists say they have discovered a revolutionary new way to help relieve knee pain – and you’re not going to believe this – it involves treating your ear — seriously. A new study found that stimulating a nerve in the ear, called the vagus nerve, helped ease knee pain in some people. This nerve helps regulate our body’s “rest and relax” mode, and researchers think that people with knee osteoarthritis might have too much “fight or flight” and not enough “rest and digest.” In the University of Texas study, 30 people used a small device that clips onto the ear and sends gentle electrical pulses. After an hour of treatment, 11 of them reported feeling less knee pain. It’s early yet, but these results are promising enough to launch a bigger trial. If all goes well, this could open up a new, non-invasive way to manage knee pain.
(If ear zaps help knees, I’m ready to jump-start myself into a new body!)
(Next up: sneezing to fix my back pain. Wait. Bad idea!)
-UPI

THANK ME FOR THIS LATER:
Writing a thank-you note might do more than just brighten someone’s day — it could actually boost your own well-being. According to new research published in PLOS One, positive expressive writing – such as jotting down what you’re grateful for, or imagining a hopeful future — can consistently improve your mental health. Unlike traditional writing exercises that focus on processing negative experiences (which can stir up tough emotions in the short term), positive writing focuses on gratitude and optimism. These techniques help people feel better over time — without that emotional bumpiness. Researchers reviewed studies on this topic, dating all the way back to 1930, and found that those who tried positive writing exercises reported feeling happier, more satisfied with life, and more grateful. The most helpful approaches included writing letters of gratitude and visualizing your “best possible self.”
(So if I decide to write a love letter to pizza, I’ll be “emotionally stable”?)
(My “best possible self” definitely owns a yacht and has a 6-pack…)
-Talker

BROOD MEETS ‘TUDE:
Hold onto your utility belts and chimichangas—this is not a drill. DC Comics and Marvel are teaming up again, and this time, they’re throwing 2 of their biggest wild cards into the same chaotic ring: ‘Batman’ and ‘Deadpool’. Yes, really! In a surprise announcement that’s rocking the comic book world, the 2 publishing powerhouses revealed an upcoming crossover series that kicks off this September. First up, Marvel’s dropping “Deadpool/Batman #1”, then in November, DC will fire back with “Batman/Deadpool #1”. In addition, each issue will come packed with bonus stories featuring surprise matchups between other Marvel and DC characters. Think of it as a comic book multiverse party — and everyone’s invited. Each company will use their own writers and artists for their own takes on the team-ups, with one promising “4th wall busting mayhem, owls, blood, blades, and at least one giant typewriter.” But honestly, would you expect anything less from Deadpool crashing Batman’s brooding skyline? The last time these 2 comic titans collaborated was over 20 years ago.
(This crossover is either going to be epic . . . or the reason Alfred quits!)
(The World’s Greatest Detective meets the World’s Greatest Distraction?)
-UPI

DOING THESE WILL MAKE YOU HAPPIER:
Mental health experts say that doing these activities will help boost your body’s production of the feel-good brain chemical dopamine — even on a Monday…
☞ Dancing: Doing so lights up the brain’s reward system by pairing movement with rhythm, novelty, and joy, which boosts mood naturally. And if you dance with other people, it releases oxytocin — a chemical that facilitates connection. (When I dance with others, it releases their “embarrassed for me” chemicals!)
☞ High-Intensity Interval Training: HIIT alternates bursts of intense exercise with periods of recovery. Those shorts bursts of intense effort force your brain to release a combo of dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins. (I’ll probably never know for sure!)
☞ Walking in Nature: Walking anywhere provides health benefits — but when done in nature, the combo of movement, sunlight, and being surrounded by trees offers a triple hit of dopamine, serotonin, and reduced cortisol, the stress hormone. (Not during mosquito season…!)
☞ Play-Based Activities: Things like trampoline jumping, skating, water games, or playing with your dog help make movement feel like joy, not a task. That’s a natural dopamine-boost.
☞ Yoga: It activates dopamine by reducing stress hormones and encouraging present-moment awareness. The combo of slow breathing stretching, and focus calms the nervous system and resets your mood.
(I’ll keep those in mind for if the world ever runs out of coffee!)
-RealSimple

DID YOU KNOW?
The more steps you take each day, the lower your chances of developing up to 13 different types of cancer, according to recent findings from the University of Oxford. In a 6-year study involving over 85,000 people in the UK, a clear pattern was discovered: more steps equals lower cancer risk, regardless of how fast those steps are taken. The benefits began to appear at around 5,000 steps a day. At 7,000 steps, the risk of developing cancer dropped by 11%. At 9,000 steps, it dropped by 16%. Beyond 9,000 steps, the benefits levelled off. These findings support the popular recommendation of aiming for 10,000 steps a day – not just for general health, but now potentially for cancer prevention too. (I get that many steps in just trying to remember where I parked!)
-StudyFinds

BS CHRONOMETER 05.29.25

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers”, observed on the anniversary of the first deployment of UN Peacekeeping Forces, in 1948 in the Middle East.
• “Learn About Composting Day”, a great excuse to go green and help the environment. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mpbnp2z7
• “Paper Clip Day”. Yes, even the paperclip has its own day. (Really, a paper clip is just a stapler for people with commitment issues…)
• “Coq Au Vin Day”. Coq au vin (which translates to “rooster with wine”) is French braise of chicken, cooked with wine, lardons (salt pork), mushrooms and garlic.
• “Biscuit Day”. American biscuits are small crusty bread rolls, often served at breakfast or as a side dish. But in the UK, the word “biscuit” is used for flat sweet treats which are known as “cookies” elsewhere. (Do they also have a “Biscuit Monster”?)
• “End of the Middle Ages Day”, this day celebrates the day Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453. That marked an end to the Middle Ages, and the beginning of the Renaissance.
AND REMEMBER . . .
[Fri] World MS Day
[Fri] Creativity Day
[Sat] Save Your Hearing Day
[Sun] Dare Day
This Week is…Week of Solidarity With the People of Non-Self-Governing Territories
This Month is…Women’s Health Care Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1953 [72] Danny Elfman, Los Angeles CA, film composer (“The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “Spider-Man”, “The Simpsons” theme)/pop singer-songwriter (Oingo Boingo ‘Dead Man’s Party’)/married to Bridget Fonda since 2003

1958 [67] Annette Bening, Topeka KS, movie actress (“The Kids Are All Right”, “American Beauty”), 4 Oscars/married to Warren Beatty since 1992. COMING UP… “The Bride”, 2026

1956 [69] La Toya Jackson, Gary IN, R&B singer (‘Just Say No’, ‘Hot Potato’)/sister of Michael Jackson

1961 [64] Melissa Etheridge, Leavenworth KS, rock singer (‘I’m the Only One’, ‘Come to My Window’)

1967 [58] Noel Gallagher, Manchester England, rock guitarist-songwriter (Oasis -‘Wonderwall’, ‘Champagne Supernova’)

1975 [50] Melanie B (Brown) [“Scary Spice”], Leeds England, pop singer (Spice Girls-‘Wannabe’)/TV personality (“America’s Got Talent” 2013-18, “The X Factor UK” 2012-16)

1975 [50] Daniel Tosh, Boppard Germany, comedian-TV host (“Tosh.0” 2009-20, “Brickleberry” 2012-15)

1972 [53] Laverne Cox, Mobile AL, TV actress (“Orange Is the New Black” 2013-19)/LGBTQ advocate (in 2014, became the first transgender person in over 20 years to be nominated for an Emmy)

1987 [38] Noah Reid, Toronto ON, TV actor (“Schitt’s Creek” 2017-2020, “Outer Range” since 2022)

1989 [36] Riley Keough, Los Angeles CA, movie actress (“Mad Max: Fury Road”, The Runaways”/TV actress (“Daisy Jones & The Six”)/granddaughter of Elvis Presley, sole owner of Graceland. COMING UP… “Butterfly Jam”

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2003 [22] Legendary entertainer Bob Hope celebrates his 100th birthday (he dies just a few months later).

2010 [15] Dennis Hopper (“Blue Velvet”, “Easy Rider”, “True Grit”) dies of prostate cancer at age 74.

2018 [07] ABC cancels “Roseanne” after star Roseanne Barr posts a racist tweet.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC:
1983 [42] Van Halen is paid a record $1.5 million to play Day 2 (“Heavy Metal Day”) of Apple founder Steve Wozniak’s ‘US Festival’. At the time, it’s the most any act has ever been paid for a single performance (David Bowie was paid the same for his show the next day).

2010 [15] Shania Twain divorces music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange after 14 years of marriage.

2022 [03] Rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins dies at age 87.

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1953 [72] Edmund Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

2005 [20] 23-year-old Danica Patrick becomes the first female driver to take the lead in the fabled Indianapolis 500 (eventually finishes 4th).

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Standing like a superhero for 2 minutes configures your brain to cope well in stressful situations.
✓ 35 years after leaving school, most people can still identify 90% of their classmates.
✓ When you correct for weight difference, men are proportionately stronger than horses.
✓ Martha Stewart became a billionaire while in prison.
✓ Albert Einstein never wore socks.
✓ Scientists usually omit left-handed people from tests because their brain works differently.
-FactRetriever, WhattheFFacts

Best of BS . . .
BS STUPID QUESTIONS FOR THE BARBER:
• Do you run with scissors?
• If you have a lot of people waiting for a cut, is that called a ‘barberqueue’?
• Are you the bass, baritone, or tenor?
• Can you cut it longer?
• How much can I get cut for six bucks?
• What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
• If I don’t like my haircut, do I still have toupée?
• Can you take just a little off the bottom?
• Can I have a refund? It grew back.
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BS REJECTED SUPERHERO SIDEKICKS:
• Assistant to the Regional Superhero
• Captain Backseat Driver
• I Told-You-So-Boy
• The Edible Hulk
• Garfunkel Boy
• He-Man Bun
• Soup or Salad Man
• Need-to-be-Home-by-Six Boy
• PMS Woman
• The Passive Aggressor
• The Emotional Support Avenger (Big hugs, zero combat training…)
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2017

BS WEB GOODIE:
When you’re changed one too many diapers today:  https://tinyurl.com/yckav556

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Before marrying someone, you should be required to listen to them chew while you’re in a bad mood.

☎ BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s something that you say wrong on purpose?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
The average woman will have 21 of THESE during her lifetime. What are they?
A:  Jobs

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
People don’t waste time. They just spend it on things they don’t need to.