BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Movie star Matt Damon is set to return to the ‘Bourne’ film franchise, with a new movie set for release in 2016. Following months of speculation, the 44-year-old actor has confirmed that both he and director Paul Greengrass will return to shoot the film next Fall. Damon had previously stated he had no intention of returning to the role of ‘Jason Bourne’, but that was before Greengrass agreed to helm another installment. Actor Jeremy Renner stepped in as the new character ‘Aaron Cross’ for 2012’s “The Bourne Legacy”. That storyline may also be continued.
– BangShowbiz.com
★ 66-year-old Robert Plant has reportedly ripped up a contract that would have paid his legendary rock band Led Zeppelin £500 million (circa $800 million) to reunite for 35 dates in 3 cities. Former bandmates Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones had signed on, as had Jason Bonham, who replaced his late father John on drums for Led Zep’s one-off 2007 gig in London. But after considering for 48 hours, Plant rejected the opportunity outright. Virgin tycoon Richard Branson is behind the offer, which would include a Virgin jet rebranded ‘The Starship’ to carry the band. The back 20 rows on the plane would have been sold at £100,000 ($160,000) a seat.
– Mirror.co.uk
★ And the family of late composer Earle Hagen is embroiled in a battle over the royalties from 2 classic TV theme songs. Hagen penned the opening songs for “The Andy Griffith Show” (NET: http://tinyurl.com/3lykyqv) and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (NET: http://tinyurl.com/372hznr) in the 1960s. The themes have earned $390,000 in royalties since 2011 but BMI music publishing is unsure who should receive the loot in the wake of Hagen’s 2008 death. Both his 2nd wife and his sons from his 1st marriage believe they are the rightful recipients. BMI has filed paperwork asking a judge to decide.
– TMZ.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – First Aid Kit (“Stay Gold”).
• “The Concert Of Valor” (HBO) – A live all-star event on the National Mall in Washington DC to honor military veterans, headlined by Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Dave Grohl, Eminem, Rihanna, Metallica, and Zac Brown Band. Tom Hanks serves as an Executive Producer and also makes an appearance, along with Jamie Foxx, John Oliver, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg and others.
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Pitbull (“Globalization”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – The So So Glos (“Blowout”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – OK Go (“Hungry Ghosts”).
• “Live With Kelly & Michael” (syndicated/CTV) – Alicia Keys (“Girl on Fire”).
• “The Man Who Killed Osama Bin Laden” (FOX News) – The Navy SEAL who claims to have shot bin Laden in 2011 is interviewed in a 2-part special tonight & tomorrow. It was intended to be a big ‘reveal’, but Robert O’Neill was publicly named last week. Both he and Matt Bissonnette, who wrote the book “No Easy Day” under the pen name Mark Owen, are being lambasted by the military for not keeping quiet.
• “Meredith Vieira Show” (syndicated) – Nico & Vinz (“Black Star Elephant”).
• “Tavis Smiley” (PBS) – Smokey Robinson (“Smokey & Friends”).
• Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit Concert (London UK) – The Who’s Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend have recruited Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Liam Gallagher (ex-Oasis) to perform at this annual fundraising event at Royal Albert Hall. Other guest performers include Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield, Rush’s Geddy Lee, and Brody Dalle.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Johnny Marr (“Playland”).
• “The Voice” (NBC/CTV2) – Live playoffs continue; Gwen Stefani (“Baby Don’t Lie”) performs.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• AC/DC – They’ve released a statement saying: “Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album ‘Rock or Bust’ [December 2nd] and upcoming tour next year.” Drummer Phil Rudd is facing charges of threatening to kill as well as drug possession in New Zealand.
• Beyoncé – You can live next to Queen Bey & Jay Z for just $4.8 million in a palatial Tribeca loft in NYC. Alex Sapir, a billionaire real estate tycoon, has listed his 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom pad in the same building as the music power-couple.
• Frank Ocean – A California judge has denied his request to officially change his name from Christopher Breaux due to a number of driving offences, including speeding, driving without insurance, and driving without headlights. The judge says he can reapply for the name-change once these pending cases have been resolved.
• Halestorm – Tonight in Chattanooga TN, they begin a run of headline dates that are scheduled through February 3rd in Reno NV. The tour intertwines with their already-announced dates supporting country star Eric Church.
• Lorde – She tells “Rolling Stone” she’s been ‘plotting out ideas’ for a follow-up to her breakthrough album “Pure Heroine”, but isn’t in any kind of rush. Quote: “I don’t really have any sort of timetable.” But the soundtrack she curated for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” does … it’s out November 17th.
• Queen – This week’s new release, “Queen Forever”, includes 3 previously unheard tracks. One is “There Must Be More to Life Than This”, featuring vocals by Freddie Mercury & Michael Jackson. It was originally written for the “Hot Space” album (1982) but was never finished. The new album is available as a 20-track single CD and as a 36-track 2-CD set.
• Sam Hunt – He has the this week’s #1 country song (“Leave the Night On”) and #1 country album (“Montevallo”), according to “Billboard”.
• Santana – Carlos Santana says he became a guitarist because his first instrument, the violin, sounded like an ‘alley cat’ in his hands.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “How to Train Your Dragon 2” ( PG Animated Adventure ): In this 2nd installment of a planned trilogy, ‘Hiccup’ & ‘Toothless’ discover an ice cave that’s home to hundreds of new wild dragons. Voice cast includes America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, Gerard Butler, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, and Kristen Wiig.
• “Jersey Boys” ( R-Rated Musical Drama ): The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who come together to form the iconic 1960s pop act The Four Seasons. Stars John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza. Directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the hit stage musical of the same name.
• “Let’s Be Cops” ( R-Rated Action Comedy ): A pair of pals dressed as police officers for a costume party become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted ‘heroes’ get tangled in a real-life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line. Stars Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr, Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev.
• “Tammy” ( R-Rated Comedy ): Melissa McCarthy plays a woman who hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother (Susan Sarandon) after losing her job and learning that her husband has been unfaithful. Co-stars Kathy Bates, Allison Janney. McCarthy’s real-life husband, Ben Falcone, makes his directing debut on this film.
• Also released today: “Batman: The Complete Television Series” (Vintage TV); “Beauty & The Beast: The Complete Series” (TV); “Charmed: The Complete Series” (TV); “Dads: The Complete Series” (TV); “Duck Dynasty: Duck the Halls” (Reality TV); “Family Ties: The Complete Series” (Vintage TV); ” I am Ali” (Documentary); “Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey” (Documentary); “James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge” (Documentary); “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story” (Documentary); “Monty Python Live [Mostly]” (Comedy); “Sons of Anarchy: The Collector’s Set” (TV); “Taxi: The Complete Series” (Vintage TV); and “True Blood: The Complete Series” (TV).

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO QUIT YOUR JOB:
Tips from career consultants to help you determine when it’s time to hand in your notice …
• Your boss doesn’t have your back. Constantly being passed up for promotions may also be a sign that your employer isn’t your biggest fan.
• Literally anything sounds better than what you’re doing. It’s a sign you’re obviously unhappy and should start researching openings for something you can actually see yourself doing.
• You’ve been slacking off. It could be a clue that you’re simply not interested. Perk up your performance by finding something you can feel good about.
• Your skills are going to waste. For security and satisfaction, seek work where your skills are showcased.
• Your job isn’t useful to you anymore. You may have outgrown a job that once helped you gain new knowledge, develop new skills, and offered new experiences.
• You’re bored. Really, really bored. If your work is truly dull with no benefits, sticking around just isn’t worth it.
• You’re less than 70% satisfied. Things will never be perfect, but it’s crucial to have more positives than negatives. Only checking off half the items on your work wish-list? Time to go.
– Condensed from MensHealth.com

STUPIDITY MAY BE CONTAGIOUS:
Scientists have discovered a virus that causes human stupidity. The surprise discovery has been made by a joint team from Johns Hopkins Medical School and the University of Nebraska while undertaking a separate study into throat microbes. The algae virus, which has never before been observed in healthy people, affects cognitive functions such as visual processing and spatial awareness. Those who have it perform worse on tests that measure visual processing and attention spans. The researchers say the discovery goes to further prove that not just genetics affect human function, but also the various microorganisms we harbor. (“It’s not my fault … I got the dumb bug!”)
– “Metro”

UNDENIABLE PERKS OF GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN:
✓ You, your family, and friends are featured in the local newspaper pretty much all the time.
✓ Local stores are all owned by people you know, so you can call up whenever you need something.
✓ Your town has an actual ‘Main Street’ with little shops, eateries … and probably a clock tower.
✓ You’re able to eat amazing homemade food at a local diner, where the servers all know you by name.
✓ The same person has cut your hair since you were a toddler, meaning they do it just right every time.
✓ Traffic is never an issue … except during parades.
✓ Whenever you’re going through a hard time, someone shows up at your door with a hot meal.
✓ You grew up with the same people and attended every grade together, kindergarten through graduation.
✓ And no matter where you go in life, your small town will always be there ready to welcome you back. With open arms.
– Adapted from BuzzFeed.com

DID YOU KNOW?
• For $50,000, the Dallas Zoo in Texas will sell you naming rights for a baby giraffe.
– CBS News
• More than $2 billion in lottery prizes went unclaimed in 2013.
– Yahoo! Finance

BS CHRONOMETER 11.11.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1960 [54] Stanley Tucci, Peekskill NY, movie actor (“The Hunger Games” films, “The Devil Wears Prada”)/TV actor (“BoJack Horseman” 2014, “ER” 2007-08)

1962 [52] Demi (Demetria) Moore, Roswell NM, movie actress (“Margin Call”, “Ghost”)/former Mrs Ashton Kutcher 2005-12/former Mrs Bruce Willis 1987-2000

1964 [50] Calista Flockhart, Freeport IL, TV actress (“Brothers & Sisters” 2006-11, “Ally McBeal” 1997-2002)/wed to actor Harrison Ford since 2010

1974 [40] Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood CA, movie star (“The Wolf of Wall Street”, “Django Unchained”)

TODAY’S OBSERVANCES . . .
• “Martinmas”, when they’ll stage the annual “Martinmas Goose Celebration” at the town hall in Sursee, Switzerland. Blindfolded participants try to cut down a suspended goose with a single sword stroke. The warm weather that (sometimes) occurs around this time is called ‘St Martin’s Summer’ in Europe, ‘Indian Summer’ in North America (uh, maybe ‘Native Summer’?).

• “Origami Day”, celebrating the ancient Japanese art of paper-folding. Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch, hey look what I made … it’s a flu virus!

• “Remembrance Day”, commemorating the end of WWI at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It’s observed in Canada & the UK, and in Belgium & France as “Armistice Day”. The original tradition is to observe 2 minutes silence at 11 am.

• “Singles Day” in China, begun by college students in the 1990s as a version of Valentines Day honoring all those who’ve yet to wed. It has developed into a major shopping day for gifts to woo that special someone. It’s scheduled on 11-11 because it’s the date with the most ‘singles’.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/mhf7kub

• “Veterans’ Day” in the USA, the 95th annual observance originally called “Armistice Day”, then renamed in 1954. The day now honors all American military veterans.

• “Young Readers Day”, an annual observance on the 2nd Tuesday of November encouraging children to read for fun, and adults to give books to children in order to make that happen.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1994 [20] Opening in movie theaters: “Interview With the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles”, staring Brad Pitt & Tom Cruise; and “The Santa Clause”, starring Tim Allen (spawns 2 sequels)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2004 [10] M’hammed Soumayah, bodyguard for Liza Minelli, sues the singer for $100 million for allegedly forcing him to have sex with her or be fired

2006 [08] Carrie Underwood tops the ‘Billboard Country Songs’ chart with “Before He Cheats”

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2011 [03] The clock registers 11:11 on 11-11-11 (a hot date for many couples to wed)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1997 [17] Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roger Clemens becomes the only American League player and the 3rd MLB player overall to win the Cy Young Award 4 times

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Fancy Rat & Mouse Day
[Wed] World Architecture Day
[Thurs] World Kindness Day
[Fri] “Beyond the Lights”; “Dumb & Dumber To”; “The Homesman”; “Rosewater”; “Saving Christmas”; “The Toy Soldiers” open in movie theaters
[Fri] International Girls Day
[Fri] Spicy Guacamole Day
This Week Is … Dear Santa Letter Week
This Month Is … Epilepsy Awareness Month

BULL’S BITS

BS REASONS NOT TO DIET:
If you’re looking for an excuse not to diet, here are a whole bunch …
• You’re perfect, as is.
• Tater Tots!
• Being hungry sucks.
• People find it annoying to eat out with you when you’re dieting.
• Dieting plays into that creepy female culture of competitive non-eating.
• Dieting is pretending that losing weight will make every aspect of your life better.
• Tater Tots!
• Dieting makes you feel guilty about food.
• Loving your body as it is feels better than pretty much anything else.
• Dieting is BO-RING.
• Food is good and life is short.
• Tater Tots!
– Adapted from Cosmopolitan.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Home is where you can say anything you like because nobody listens to you anyway.

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What book do you claim to have read but really never did?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: Households with kids eat THIS for dinner twice a month or more.
Answer: Breakfast.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Even on the most exalted throne, you’re still sitting on nothing but your ass.