Thursday, May 12, 2022 — Edition: #7229
100% ‘Grade A’ Bull!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” has gone dark again this week after its host was seemingly struck by another bout of COVID. CBS announced the show will “not be taping new episodes until further notice”, and that Colbert is “experiencing symptoms consistent with a recurrence of COVID”. The show added on Twitter: “Out of an abundance of caution for his staff, guests, and audience, he will be isolating for a few additional days.” The Late Show was also forced to cancel a show on April 21 after Colbert contracted the virus. Colbert joked on social media that the news marked the “worst sequel ever”.
-Deadline
★ Celebrity chef Mario Batali was found not guilty Tuesday on charges of indecent assault and battery related to the alleged groping of a star-struck patron at a Boston restaurant in 2017. The judge noted Batali’s conduct was “not befitting of a public person of his stature”, on that night, but said his accuser has “significant credibility issues” that supported the defendant’s “contention that her motive was financial gain.” Batali stepped away from public view in the wake of the allegations and his restaurant group cut ties with him in 2018.
-CNN
★ Netflix could be launching its cheaper ad-supported tier as soon as the end of this year, according to a note to employees. That’s also when Netflix plans to begin cracking down on password sharing, the New York Times has reported. Both the crackdown on password sharing and the ad-supported tier were ideas the streamer had already floated in response to the company’s Q1 loss of 200,000 subscribers. However, neither was expected so quickly. In the company memo, execs wrote: “Every major streaming company excluding Apple has or has announced an ad-supported service. For good reason, people want lower-priced options.”
-TheWrap
★ The famous hammer Chris Hemsworth wields as ‘Thor’ is hitting the market, and the auction hammer is expected to slam when the bidding hits 6 figures. The movie prop, known as “Stunt Mjolnir Hammer”, is from the 2011 Marvel film “Thor”, is expected to fetch at least $100,000 next month in one of the world’s largest live auctions of film and TV memorabilia. Propstore will also be accepting bids on items from blockbusters like “Back to The Future”, “Cast Away”, and “Freddy vs. Jason”. The most expensive item is likely to be a “Red Leader’ X-Wing Starfighter model miniature from ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’”, which is estimated to go for up to $1 million.
-TMZ
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Jerrod Carmichael, James Hong, the Black Keys
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Post Malone, Howie Mandel, Arcade Fire
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Amy Sedaris, Michael R. Jackson, a performance from “A Strange Loop”, Derrick Wright
• “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS/CTV): Niecy Nash, Smashing Pumpkins
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Desus & Mero
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Raja, Jinkx Monsoon, Jaida Essence Hall, Monét X Change, Trinity the Tuck, Shea Couleé, Yvie Oddly, The Vivienne, guest co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin
• “The Talk” (CBS): Samantha Tan
• “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (ABC/CTV): Jean Smart, Howie Mandel
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (NBC/CTV): Rebel Wilson, John Paul Dejoria, Sophia Grace & Rosie
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Tiffany Haddish, Samson Kayo, Danielle Kartes, the winner of “American Song Contest”
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jennifer Grey, Zosia Mamet, Kwame Onwuachi
• “Restaurant: Impossible” (FOOD): Chef Robert Irvine travels to Forks and Flavors in Kennesaw GA, to meet married co-owners David and Darnell; David struggles to run his kitchen under the shadow of Darnell’s big personality and need to be right.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Camila Cabello – will headline this year’s UEFA Champions League Final Opening Ceremony in Paris. She’ll take to the stage at the Stade de France on May 28 for a 5-minute carnival-themed set, performing a medley of hits.
• Twenty One Pilots — Tyler Joseph claims Tom Cruise dropped them from the “Top Gun: Maverick” soundtrack. In an interview, he said that he was working on a song with “the music placement person” for the movie, “and then I believe Tom Cruise just came in and just fired everyone.” Lady Gaga recently released the soundtrack ballad ‘Hold My Hand’. The movie drops May 27.
• Tame Impala – teamed up with Diana Ross on the new song ‘Turn Up the Sunshine’. It will appear on the soundtrack for the “Despicable Me” film, “Minions: The Rise of Gru”. Both the album and the movie arrive July 1. LINK: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xChhmmgowyc
• The Go-Go’s – will play a very special concert on June 23. “Live From the Upside Down” is a “Stranger Things”-themed virtual show, also featuring Corey Hart and Soft Cell, with a guest appearance by Charli XCX. The ‘story’ is that in 1986, a tour bus crashed in Indiana on its way to the Doritos Music Fest, and everyone on board vanished. Now, the event has been resurrected in real life for a special concert.
• AC/DC – Late singer Bon Scott’s brother Derek has broken his silence about the singer’s wild life and death on the TV documentary “Australian Story: On the Brink – Bon Scott”, which aired down under this week. The doc, which also features interviews with friends and band members, is now available to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9HZdQGoFjqQ
• The Cult — will embark on a North American tour this summer. The 16-date trek kicks off July 8 in St. Paul MN, and end July 30 in Rama, ON. 13 shows will also feature Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Zola Jesus. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.
• Kacey Musgraves and The Chicks – will headline this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival. They’ll join fellow headliners Lil Nas X, Paramore, Flume, Sza, Pink and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The lineup for the festival, running over 2 weekends in Oct., also includes Billy Strings, Jackson Dean, Nathanial Ratliff and the Night Sweats, Zach Bryan, Asleep at the Wheel, Joshua Ray Walker, Wilderado and more.
• Cam – is hitting the road this summer, with “The Otherside Tour”. The 21-city run will make stops across the U.S. and Canada, with opening acts Amythyst Kiah and Jillian Jacqueline at select shows — and some surprise guests along the way.
• Luke Combs – When he announced his tour, “The Middle of Somewhere”, many fans were left wondering where the name came from. Now, he has shared a preview of the song of the same name. He wrote: “That’s one of my favorite songs off of the album, and you know a great name for a tour.” His new “Growin’ Up” album arrives June 24. LINK: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEzPq6DLzv/
SHOOTING THE BULL
TIK TALK:
How well do you know your partner? A Portland OR therapist shared a video on TikTok called: “15 Small But Very Significant Things You Should Know About Your Partner 6 Months Into a Relationship”. According to Jeff Guenther, who has been a practicing therapist for over 15 years, it’s essential that you know certain things about your significant other, in order to “feel more confident and worthy in a relationship” (his words, not mine), and to give you an “intimate picture of who the person really is” (again, his words…). A warning from the doctor: “You probably won’t be able to answer all the questions, so it can also be a fun exercise to create closeness if you go through the list with your sweetie” Here it is:
• How do they want to celebrate their birthday?
• How much alone time, if any, do they need?
• What’s their favorite food?
• What turns them on and gets them in the mood?
• How long do they need to get ready and head out the door?
• What’s their favorite TV show, movie and band?
• What’s their most controversial take?
• Who’s their best friend and why?
• What family member triggers them the most?
• What will instantly make them laugh?
• What’s their biggest insecurity?
• What’s the best way to support them when they’re stressed or upset?
• What do they ultimately want from this relationship?
• What do they allow themselves to splurge on financially?
• What’s their biggest guilty pleasure?
The video has over 4.1 million views and 613,800 likes, with TikTokers adding their own suggestions in the comments. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mrytsdn6
(Nothing about which way to hang the toilet paper?)
(Uh, sorry to put you through this, guys, especially during the playoffs!)
-NYPost
TECH TALK:
➠ Sure, he’s busy with his Twitter purchase and receiving death threats from Russia and stuff these days, but you might recall that Elon Musk unveiled Neuralink in 2016, a startup developing a wireless chip that could allow humans to control a computer with their mind. He described it as a ‘Fitbit in your skull’. While a demonstration showed a monkey with the implanted chip playing Pong with its brain, there must be a practical use for this, right? In a recent interview, Musk said Neuralink has the potential to help people with Parkinson’s, brain injuries, spinal injuries, morbid obesity and other health conditions. And when a Twitter user asked if there is hope of curing tinnitus, Musk replied: “Definitely. Might be less than 5 years away…” By the way, the chip also makes it possible for users to stream music directly into their brain. (Kinda like my neighbor!)
➠ In news about products that you weren’t aware still existed, Apple has announced it will be discontinuing the iPod Touch, the only remaining model of the portable MP3 players that changed the way people consumed music after being introduced in 2001. The original 6.5-ounce iPod was capable of storing 1,000 songs and had an advertised battery life of 10 hours. That was followed by the 3.6-ounce iPod Mini in 2004, the iPod Shuffle and the iPod Nano in 2005 and the iPod Touch in 2007. (I’ll never forget that first thrilling moment when I realized I could enjoy Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s ‘Numb’ while on the go – without a Discman!)
-Billboard
TURNING THE TABLES:
Could it be true? A new study says that just by pointing your bed and other furniture in the right direction, your physical and mental well-being could be greatly improved. A team from Maharishi International University in Iowa looked at 40 years of research into the practice of Maharishi Vastu architecture (MVA). Whether you want to call it “Zen” or “flow,” they found that the placement of certain objects are inside a building — as well as the direction they face — can impact everything from stress, to sleep, to mental health. According to the study, if your head is facing to the east or south when you sleep, you’re more likely to have a lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. They found that people with homes that have an entrance facing south display poorer mental health and have more financial problems. And apparently, facing east while you work leads to greater brain coherence and helps you complete tasks faster.
(I bought a book on feng shui. I read it, but now I don’t know where to put it!)
(This explains a lot about ***local sports team***!)
-StudyFinds
IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO:
I hate to be the one to tell you, but all these things happened 20 short years ago…
⇒ The social networking site “Friendster” was launched. Perhaps more significantly, Microsoft introduced Xbox Live, its online multiplayer gaming service.
⇒ Ben Affleck was named People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’. He and Jennifer Lopez also got engaged that year.
⇒ Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake announced their breakup after 2½ years of dating. And Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton broke up after 2 years of marriage.
⇒ Michael Jackson freaked everyone out when he dangled Prince Michael II off the balcony of his hotel room in Berlin.
⇒ “Kim Possible” made its debut on Disney Channel.
⇒ Yu-Gi-Oh! cards were some of the must-have toys. And Bratz dolls were the must-have toy for Christmas.
⇒ ‘Rachel’ gave birth to ‘Emma’ on “Friends”.
⇒ “The Osbournes” made its debut on MTV.
⇒ So did “The Bachelor” — with Alex Michel as the very first Bachelor.
⇒ Avril Lavigne released her debut album “Let Go”, featuring ‘Complicated’, and was quickly proclaimed the anti-Britney.
⇒ Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” was the biggest-selling album of the year — selling 7.6 million copies.
⇒ Ashanti’s ‘Foolish’, Nelly’s ‘Dilemma’, Vanessa Carlton’s ‘A Thousand Miles’ were some of the biggest songs of the year. And so was Nickelback’s ‘How You Remind Me’.
⇒ Everyone was playing “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” — the biggest-selling video game of the year.
⇒ Apple released its 2nd generation iPod, which held a then-whopping 20GB of storage space.
⇒ Tiger Woods won his 3rd Masters, and Lance Armstrong his 3rd Tour De France (though he was later stripped of the title).
⇒ “Spider-Man”, “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones”, and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” were the 3 biggest movies of the year.
⇒ Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
⇒ “A Beautiful Mind” starring Russell Crowe won the Oscar for Best Picture, and Denzel Washington won Best Actor for “Training Day”.
⇒ Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of “American Idol”.
⇒ And finally, the word “selfie” became popular.
(20 years ago is also the last time it was cool to say “Chillax”!)
-Awkward, Buzzfeed, Billboard
DID YOU KNOW?
Scientists say chili peppers could be the secret ingredient for beating all forms of cancer. Researchers at Marshall University say capsaicin — the substance which gives chili peppers their hot and spicy taste — can also keep multiple forms of cancer from growing. The biggest hurdle scientists have to overcome, however, is finding the best way of delivering capsaicin to patients. (There must be a way to make it a flavor of chicken wings, no?)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 05.12.22
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “International Nurses Day”, a highlight of “Nursing Week” that commemorates the 1820 birth date of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Here’s to you, RNs, NPs, and all nurses!
• “Limerick Day”, celebrating the 1812 birthday of Edward Lear, author of the first collection of limericks, “The Book of Nonsense”. (Some ‘Loony Limericks’ here: LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4dd2ahun )
• “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day”, promoting awareness of the syndrome officially known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ‘M-E’. Today is also “Fibromyalgia Awareness Day”, a similar malady that can cause debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness.
• “Odometer Day”, a reminder that odometers help us anticipate the lifespan of our cars and remind us to schedule maintenance (in hopes that our cars will “go that extra kilometer” for us…)
• “Nutty Fudge Day”, fudge is a confection made with ingredients like butter, sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk, marshmallow creme, vanilla, and chocolate. Nuts can be added as well, as they are today, for it is Nutty Fudge Day! The ingredients are cooked and then beaten until soft, creamy, and smooth.
COMING UP . . .
[Fri] Cough Drop Day
[Fri] Apple Pie Day
[Sat] Dance Like a Chicken Day
[Sat] Buttermilk Biscuit Day
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1948 [74] Steve Winwood, Birmingham England, rock singer/keyboardist (‘Higher Love’, ‘Roll With it’, Spencer Davis Group-‘Gimme Some Lovin’, Traffic, Blind Faith) Rock Hall of Fame w/Traffic, 2004
1950 [72] Billy Squier, Wellesley MA, rock singer-guitarist, (‘The Stroke’, ‘Everybody Wants You’)
1955 [67] [Leon] Kix Brooks, Shreveport LA, country singer (Brooks & Dunn- ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’, ‘My Maria’)
1959 [63] Ving Rhames, NYC, movie actor (“Mission: Impossible” films, “Pulp Fiction”)
1962 [60] Emilio Estevez, Staten Island NY, movie actor (“Breakfast Club”, “The Outsiders”, “Mighty Ducks” movies)/brother of Charlie Sheen, son of Martin Sheen. COMING UP…”Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid”, 2022
1968 [54] Tony Hawk, Carlsbad CA, pro skateboarder (became a star for redefining vertical skateboarding, founding skateboard company Birdhouse, and launching a successful video game series)
1969 [53] Kim Fields, NYC, TV actress (‘Tootie’ on “The Facts of Life” 1979-88, “Living Single” 1993-98)
1978 [44] Malin Akerman, Stockholm Sweden [raised Niagara-on-the-Lake ON], TV actress (‘Lara Axelrod’ on “Billions” 2016)/movie actress (“Rock of Ages”, “Friendsgiving”)
1978 [44] Jason Biggs, Pompton Plains NJ, movie actor (“American Pie” franchise)/TV Actor (“Orange is the New Black”)
1981 [41] Rami Malek, Los Angeles CA, TV actor (‘Elliot Anderson’ on “Mr. Robot” 2015-19)/movie actor (Best Actor Oscar for “Bohemian Rhapsody”) COMING UP… “Amsterdam”, 2022
1986 [36] Emily VanCamp, Port Perry ON, movie actress (“Captain America: Civil War”, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”)/TV actress (“Revenge” 2011-15)
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1956 [66] According to the show, ‘Homer Simpson’ of “The Simpsons”, is born in Springfield
2008 [14] NBC announces Jimmy Fallon will succeed Conan O’Brien as host of “Late Night” (hosts the show 2009-14)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2008 [14] Neil Young has a spider named for him. The recently discovered species is called ‘Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi’
2013 [09] After Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield records the David Bowie song ‘Space Oddity’ on board the International Space Station, his rendition is posted to YouTube, and quickly garners millions of views
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1941 [81] Konrad Zuse presents the Z3, the world’s first working programmable, fully automatic computer, in Berlin
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ Pollen can travel up to 500 miles (800km) in a day.
✓ Coffee beans have very little taste until they’re roasted.
✓ When you walk down a steep hill, the pressure on your knees is equal to 3 times your body weight.
✓ Penicillin was originally called “mold juice”.
✓ 75% of people who use Q-tips stick them in their ear, even though the box says not to.
✓ Penguin urine makes up about 3% of Antarctica’s glaciers.
-BathroomReadersInstitute, RandomFactGenerator
BEST OF BS . . .
BS SIGNS FACEBOOK HAS VIOLATED YOUR PRIVACY:
• Your personal photos start showing up on billboards.
• Singles who live near you begin knocking on your door.
• You get over a million hits when you Google your credit card number.
• Your account has uploaded pictures of you sleeping all by itself.
• Meghan Markle says she’s glad she at least has more privacy than you.
• You get ‘friend’ suggestions based on your annual salary.
• Mark Zuckerberg is looking through your bedroom window.
• You have a Facebook account.
-BBSpot, first published in BS in 2010
MORE BS QUESTIONS PLAGUING HUMANITY:
• Can you get cavities in your dentures if you use too much ‘artificial sweetener’?
• Why is the person who invests all your money called a ‘broker’?
• How do they treat someone who’s addicted to counseling?
• If maple syrup comes from maple trees, where does cough syrup come from?
• If you have to push a button, is it really ‘automatic’?
• Do masochists enjoy dying?
• If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, do the other trees laugh?
• When will New Jersey get new jerseys?
BS WEB GOODIE:
Totally my friends: https://tinyurl.com/mreec83n
BS RANDOM JOKE:
Dear teacher: If the bell does not dismiss me, then the bell does not decide when I should be in class!
BS PHONE STARTER:
What was your biggest “Oops moment” at work?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 14% of adults admit they’ve had a drink or two before going HERE. Where?
Answer: The dentist
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.
