BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ George Clooney’s application to makeover his island mansion in Berkshire, England has been approved by planning officials. He bought the $16-million luxury home in Sonning last year, shortly after he & British wife Amal exchanged vows in Italy. The couple submitted plans to build a new swimming pool, pool house, and private cinema in March and now they’ve been given the go-ahead to renovate the historic property, which was built in 1680. Clooney also has homes in Mexico, Hollywood and on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.
– WENN.com
★ “Nocturnal Animals”, a new drama from fashion designer-turned-moviemaker Tom Ford, has landed the biggest deal at this year’s Cannes Film Festival so far. The designer’s sophomore film, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal & Amy Adams, was scooped up by Focus Features for $20 million in one of the biggest deals to come out of the French film festival in recent history. The movie, based on Austin Wright’s 1993 novel “Tony & Susan”, will be Ford’s follow-up to 2009’s acclaimed “A Single Man”.
– Deadline.com
★ Drake and Diddy’s feud went from 0-to-100 with just one punch … and it was killed with just one phone call. The hip-hop superstars have been beefing since December when Diddy put hands on Drizzy outside LIV Nightclub in Miami FL because he felt disrespected in a dispute over a track. But they’ve both scheduled big events this Summer – festival concerts, holiday parties, and award shows – and realized they were going to cross paths several times. So we’re told they connected by phone to clear the air. Seems both would rather make money than war.
– TMZ.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Incubus (“Trust Fall [Side A] EP”).
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Luke Bryan (“Spring Break … Checkin’ Out”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Faith No More (“Sol Invictus”).
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV) – Elle King (“Love Stuff”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Bob Dylan (“Dylan, Cash, and The Nashville Cats: A New Music City”, out June 16th).
• “Marilyn Denis Show” (CTV/CTV2) – Francesco Yates (“Better to Be Loved”).
• “Meredith Vieira Show” (syndicated) – Toni Braxton (“Love, Marriage & Divorce”).
• “REM By MTV” (NR Documentary) – Released as part of the larger “REMTV” box set in 2014, this doc screens in movie theaters for one night only in approximately 300 markets. It’s also getting a stand-alone release on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2nd.
• “The Talk” (CBS) – Josh Groban (“Stages”).
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Jamie Foxx (“Hollywood: A Story Of a Dozen Roses”).
• “The View” (ABC/CTV) – Pitbull (“Globalization”).

TONIGHT’S TV FINALÉS:
• “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC/CTV2) – Season 20 finalé, Part 2. Musical performances include Jason Derulo, Patti LaBelle, and Sia; the winner is announced.
• “The Flash” (CW) – Season 1 finalé.
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – Appearances by Maroon 5; Luke Bryan; Kelly Clarkson; John Fogerty; Meghan Trainor. The Season 8 winner is revealed.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Beatles – A guitar played by George Harrison has sold for $485,000 at a Julien’s auction at NYC’s Hard Rock Café. The Maton Mastersound was used by Harrison at several concerts in 1963 while his beloved Country Gent was being repaired.
• Common – The “Glory” hitmaker has received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina for delivering the commencement speech at the school.
• FKA twigs – She says her relationship with movie actor Robert Pattinson is totally ”worth” the abusive messages she’s been getting on Twitter ever since she started dating the “Twilight Saga” star last year.
• Foo Fighters – Nate Mendel’s 20-year gig as bassist for the Foos has kept him from producing his first solo album … until now. He’s released “If I Kill This Thing We’re All Going to Eat For a Week” under the moniker Lieutenant and has played a handful of North American shows this Spring. His live band features members of Fleet Foxes, The Bronx, and Snow Patrol.
• Madonna – She and fellow pop star Rita Ora have apparently filmed a music video in NYC. Word has it they met at several showbiz events and found they had a real connection, so Madonna asked Rita to work on a collaboration. The shoot reportedly took place on Friday.
• Soundgarden – They’ve just re-released their rarities collection, “Echo Of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path”, as a 6-LP vinyl set. The collection was previously released as a triple-CD set and as a 14-track single disc last Fall.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “American Sniper ( R-Rated War Drama ): Director Clint Eastwood’s take on the real-life story of Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle was Oscar-nominated, as was lead actor Bradley Cooper. After returning home from 4 tours of duty, Kyle finds he has trouble leaving war behind. Co-stars Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner.
• “Hot Tub Time Machine 2” ( R-Rated Comedy ): In this unlikely sequel to a preposterous premise, the guys again fire up the hot tub time machine in an attempt to get back to the past, but inadvertently land in the future. Now they have to alter the future in order to save the past … which is really the present. Stars Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Adam Scott.
• Also released today: “American Hercules: Babe Ruth” (Documentary); “Beauty & The Beast: Season 2” (TV); “Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Series 2010-14” (TV); “Duck Dynasty: Season 7” (TV); “Glee – The Complete Series 2009-15” (TV); “Gunland” (Documentary); “Holocaust: Genocide & Survival” (Documentary); “On Tender Hooks” (Documentary); “Orange Is the New Black – Season 2” (TV); “Rogue: The Complete 2nd Season” (TV); and “Welcome to Sweden: The Complete 1st Season” (TV).

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
Researchers have found that employees exposed to difficult or unjust circumstances may not only become sullen and unproductive, they may become physically ill. A 2-year study at Finland’s University of Helsinki has found that workplaces rated as having ‘low justice’ – where performance reviews are considered unfair and employee viewpoints are not heard – have 41% more sick days among men and 12% more among women. (Seems it’s literally possible to be sick of work.)
– “Psychology Today”

POWDER PRINT:
Scientists at Britain’s University of Surrey have developed a new non-invasive drug test that can detect cocaine use from a simple fingerprint. And the test is so sensitive it can tell the difference between people who have ingested cocaine and those who have only touched the drug. How’s it work? When someone has taken cocaine, they excrete traces of specific chemicals as they metabolize the drug, and these chemical indicators are present in fingerprint residue. It’s hoped the procedure can offer a quicker and easier way to screen people. The researchers predict the system will be commonly used for portable drug testing within 10 years. (It’s almost as definitive as a white powder mustache.)
– “Daily Mail”

THE SURVEY SAYS:
■ In a Hilton Hotel survey, just 85% of married respondents say that their spouse is definitely the ‘love of their life’. (Guess the others were staying with someone else.)
■ According to sex researchers Poretz & Sinrod, 65% of men say they’ve ‘scored’ on a 1st date while just 45% of women admit to 1st-date sleep-overs. (The difference is guys will brag about it even if it isn’t true.)
■ In a “New Woman” survey, over 50% of respondents say they measure success at work based on satisfaction from doing a good job. Less than 25% measure success based on money. (So try offering employees more satisfaction with every pay cut.)

COOKIES FOR CAMPERS:
Get ready for s’moreos! Seemingly everyone’s favorite sandwich cookie is debuting a new flavor as S’mores Oreos hit store shelves this Friday. The new version features a graham cracker-flavored cookie with chocolate and marshmallow crème filling. They’re touted as the next best thing to homemade s’mores if you can’t find a campfire; and are said to be better still after 6 seconds in a microwave. (Fake s’mores – such sacrilege! What’ll they think of next … hot dog-flavored bubble gum?)
– “New York Daily News”

DANGERS OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
A study in the “Western Journal of Medicine” says wild animal attacks, rock climbing, hang gliding, and other ‘exotic’ incidents don’t actually cause many deaths in national parks. Instead, heart attacks (17%), drownings (15%), falls (15%), and motor vehicle accidents (10%) are the top causes. In fact, fighting and substance abuse cause more than 3 times as many injuries as rock climbing. (Yeah, but after getting into fisticuffs you don’t plunge 3,000 feet to your death.)
– PA News

BS AMAZING FACT:
‘Verona’ is a new Tinder-style app for Israelis and Palestinians to date each other. (Because not having the right app is the big problem there.)
– PopBitch.com

BS CHRONOMETER 05.19.15

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [71] Peter Mayhew, Barnes UK, 7′-3″ movie actor (‘Chewbacca’ in “Star Wars” films) who will again appear in “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (December 18th)

1945 [70] Pete Townshend, Chiswick UK, classic rock guitarist-singer (The Who-“Won’t Get Fooled Again”/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1990)  BS FACTOID: He wrote the classic “My Generation” 50 years ago on his 20th birthday in 1965.

1949 [66] Dusty Hill, Dallas TX, classic rock bassist-singer (ZZ Top-“Legs”)

1954 [61] Phil Rudd, Melbourne, Australia, rock drummer (AC/DC-“Moneytalks”)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2003  BS FACTOID: Due to ongoing legal problems in New Zealand, Rudd has been unable to join the band for the 2015 “Rock or Bust” tour.

1983 [32] James Richardson, Memphis TN, indie rock guitarist (MGMT-“Electric Feel”)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Boys & Girls Club Day”, saluting the efforts of those who create and maintain facilities for safe recreational activities for young people that help teach values and citizenship.

• “Plant Something Day”, which many people would do if they could only be assured the plant would grow. What’s the most foolproof plant you can stick in your garden?

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [09] “The Da Vinci Code” starring Tom Hanks opens in movie theaters, based on the mega-selling Dan Brown novel (eventually accrues $758 million in worldwide box office)

2012 [03] A day after his company goes public, Facebook founder & CEO Mark Zuckerberg weds longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan at his home in Palo Alto CA

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2000 [15] Guitarist & founder Dickey Betts leaves the Allman Bros Band due to ‘creative differences’

2013 [02] Taylor Swift wins 8 awards at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas (with 8 more at this year’s gala, she’s now the award show’s most decorated artist with a total of 20)

2013 [02] Donald Trump declares country singer Trace Adkins winner of “The Celebrity Apprentice” (NBC)

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1995 [20] Balamurali Ambati graduates from NYC’s Mount Sinai Medical School at age 17 to become ‘World’s Youngest Doctor’

2005 [10] “Star Wars Episode III – Revenge Of the Sith” opens at 12:01 am, then grosses $50 million in a single day, a new box office record

COMING UP . . .
[Wed] “Late Show With David Letterman” series finalé (CBS)
[Wed] “500 Questions” premiere (ABC)
[Thurs] Wait Staff Day
[Thurs] One Day Without Shoes
[Fri] “Tomorrowland” opens in movie theaters
[Fri] Boston Calling Festival begins (Boston MA)
[Fri] Sasquatch! Music Festival (George WA)
This Week Is … Safe Boating Week
This Month Is … Hamburger Month

BULL’S BITS

WHAT YOUR FAVORITE ’90s FASHION TREND SAYS ABOUT YOU:
• Aztec Patterned Shirts: You once got your forearm stuck inside a tube of Pringles.
• Babydoll Dresses: You’ve attempted to grow your own magic mushrooms. More than once.
• Baggy Jeans: You have a framed black-and-white photocopied portrait of George Orwell hanging over your toilet.
• Big-Ass Flower Bucket Hats: You carry brass knuckles in the center console of your car.
• Bowl Haircuts: Fish fingers are one of your main food groups.
• Chain Wallets: You once licked the back of a Post-it to see if it tasted like a stamp.
• Chunky-Heeled Sneakers: You were twice kicked out of a bar. Once for sleeping, another time for getting stuck in the bathroom window.
• Crushed Velvet: Pigeons at the park avoid you, even when you’re clutching fistfuls of artisanal bread.
• Dark Lipliner w/Light Lipstick: You don’t believe in honeymoons, baby showers or climate change.
• Denim Jackets: Your drink of choice is an Orange Julius.
• Fanny Packs: You have half of your life savings hidden under the floorboards of your spare bedroom.
• Flannel Shirts: You clean out your ears with your car key.
• Frayed, Sprayed Bangs: If you could do it all over again, your life would’ve included more staring contests.
• Looney Tunes T-Shirts: You’re well-versed in Pig Latin and Slinky physics.
• Manic Panic Hair Color: Your pet name for your sweetheart is ‘butt nugget’.
• Mini Backpacks: You’re a long-lost descendent of the Danish royal family.
• ‘No Makeup’ Makeup: You have a 3-D tattoo and live in a treehouse.
• One-Shoulder Overalls: You’re resistant to tickling.
• Over-Plucked Eyebrows: You’ve become adept at drawing charcoal arches.
• Starter Jackets: You make a mean Shrimp Rangoon.
• Vests: You once carved your science teacher’s name into a tree with a mechanical pencil.
• Yin-Yang Chokers: You fill the lulls in conversations with the word ‘clams’.
– Thanks to Jennifer Burns

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What is your least-favorite household chore? Why?

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
According to a new report, which is the world’s favorite color?
a. Red
b. Green
c. Blue [CORRECT]
d. Black
– YouGov.co.uk

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: The average woman will have 1.5 of THESE in her lifetime.
Answer: Blind dates.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent.