Friday, November 24, 2023 – Edition: #7604
The BS Press!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ “Squid Game: The Challenge” contestants are threatening legal action against Netflix and producers after claiming they were injured during the filming of the game show. A British personal injuries law firm is representing 2 unnamed players who say they suffered hypothermia and nerve damage while shooting in cold conditions in the UK. The contestants’ allegations concern their experience shooting the show’s opening game ‘Red Light, Green Light,’ in which players must evade a menacing robotic doll. The firm said that the contestants “have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures.”
-Deadline
★ Are you waiting to see ‘Frasier Crane’ make a triumphant return to his old bar “Cheers” in the “Frasier” revival? You might as well be waiting to catch a glimpse of Norm’s wife Vera. Paramount+’s revival finds Kelsey Grammer‘s character moving back to Boston, where he spent a decade sitting on barstools on Cheers. But in a new interview, Grammer pours cold beer on the idea of Frasier checking in on the old gang. Quote: “I don’t think we should do that. We don’t want to desecrate a national monument.” He added that the decision not to go back is a testament to how highly they regard the original Cheers series, saying: “I think we honor it by excluding it.”
-TVLine
★ There was almost a Mrs. Doubtfire 2”. Director Chris Columbus has revealed that talks for a sequel to the beloved 1993 comedy started in 2014, shortly before Robin William’s death. He explained that back then, “there was an attitude that sequels were looked down upon by the artists. So Robin was against doing a sequel immediately after.” But the year Williams passed away, someone had written a script “that was really strong”, the director said. Unfortunately, Williams passed away shortly after, so “there will never be a sequel to ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’” The original was the 2nd-highest grossing film of 1993.
-Variety
★ “Queer Eye” star Antoni Porowski and “Shark Tank” alum Kevin Harrington are ending their engagement. A rep for Porowski said: “After many conversations and reflection during the wedding planning process, Antoni and Kevin have amicably decided to part ways. While they still have a lot of respect for each other…they realized they were on different paths.” Porowski — who will host the upcoming series “No Taste Like Home” on National Geographic — and his longtime partner got engaged last November, after 3 years of dating.
-People
★ Melissa Barrera has released a statement after being fired from “Scream VII” amid her controversial comments on social media about the Israel-Hamas war. On her Instagram Story, she posted: “I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people.” She continued: “As a latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about.” She portrayed ‘Sam Carpenter’ in 2022’s “Scream,” alongside Jenna Ortega, who is also not returning for the 7th installment, due to her “Wednesday” shooting schedule.
-NYPost
★ Fans clamoring for another “Nightmare Before Christmas” movie should know Tim Burton just isn’t into it. The filmmaker, who came up with the “Nightmare” story, co-produced the film and created character designs, recently told Empire magazine that the stop-motion classic is too important to him to ever create a sequel, prequel, reboot or anything else. Quote: “I’ve done all that (stuff), right? I don’t want that to happen to this. It’s nice that people are maybe interested [in another one], but I’m not.” Burton went on to say: “I feel like that old guy who owns a little piece of property and won’t sell to the big power-plant that wants to take my land. Get off my land!”
-Variety
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder, Paul Mescal, Laufey (R)
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Dwayne Johnson, Colman Domingo, Cat Power (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Paul Giamatti, Tom Blyth (R)
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC): Ariana DeBose, Iman Vellani, Clementine Moss (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Morgan Freeman (R)
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Tracy Morgan, Tamra Judge (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Theresa Caputo, Bobby Berk
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Tori Kelly
• “The Greatest @HomeVideos” (CBS): JB Smoove hosts a look at a sweet assortment of videos featuring holiday cheer, not-to-be-believed creativity and a sled full of hilarious moments.
• “The First 48: Wrong Place, Wrong Time” (AETV): An innocent bystander is murdered when a brawl at a nightclub turns into a gunfight; a shooting victim’s 911 calls may hold the answer to his killer’s identity.
• “Holiday Road” (HALL): Stranded at an airport, a group of holiday travelers agrees to rent a van to get to Denver. But along the way, they must navigate a series of misadventures that brings them closer together.
SATURDAY-
• “Byron Allen Presents theGrio Awards” (CBS): Celebrating Black excellence, including film, music, comedy, sports and education; recognizing those who are making an impact.
• “The National Dog Show” (NBC): More than 2,000 purebred dogs vie to be named “Best in Show” at the event, hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei, with additional insights from Mary Carillo.
• “Christmas at the Chalet” (LIFE): A former TV host tries to avoid spending Christmas at a luxury chalet with her ex-husband and his new girlfriend.
SUNDAY-
• “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” (ABC): Derek Hough and Julianne Hough host; Performers include Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Chrissy Metz, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Robin Thicke.
• “NFL Football” (Check local listings): Baltimore Ravens @ Los Angeles Chargers
• “2023 Soul Train Awards” (BET): Keke Palmer hosts the ceremony, which recognizes the best in soul, R&B and hip-hop.
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Camila Cabello and Olivia Rodrigo – Rumor has it they have a collab in the works. This week, Cabello took to her Instagram Stories to share a selfie of her and Rodrigo. She tagged Rodrigo, and added a bunch of cat/kissy face emojis. Earlier, Cabello confirmed that she is finishing up her new album.
• Ed Sheeran – 50 Cent surprised fans at the O2 Arena in London by bringing out his good friend Ed Sheeran for a song. Sheeran gave fans a preview of his performance on Instagram, saying: “I’m going to walk on stage and go, ‘Who likes ‘In Da Club?… Here’s ‘Shape of You.’” Fiddy joined Sheeran during his tour stop in Detroit earlier this year to perform his hit ‘Lose Yourself’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mrx7a4cz
• Hall & Oates — Daryl Hall has launched a lawsuit against John Oates. The case is categorized as a “contract/debt” dispute, but court documents are sealed. Hall has also filed a restraining order against Oates. The duo never officially broke up, and toured together as recently as last October.
• Sammy Hagar – says there is “no (BLEEPING) way” David Lee Roth will take part in all of his upcoming tour focusing on the music of Van Halen. Hagar had told Howard Stern that Roth was welcome to participate, to which Roth responded: “Let’s do this”. But when asked by a fan on social media about it, Hagar said: “He can come out and sing…on a show or two, if he can remember the words”, but Hagar said he “knows better than to tour” with Roth. How so? “Been there, done that”.
• Tracy Chapman — Less than 2 weeks after winning a CMA Award for song of the year for ‘Fast Car’, she has been nominated to join the 2024 class of inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Other nominees include Bryan Adams, Kenny Loggins, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, and members of R.E.M., Blondie, Heart and the Doobie Brothers. Inductees will be announced in 2024.
• Morgan Wallen – is the #1 streaming artist (all genres) for 2023, according to Billboard. His hit ‘Last Night’ has also been named the most-streamed song of the year. ‘You Proof’ came in at #6.
• Chris Stapleton – His new album “Higher” has entered Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart at #1, and #3 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It is his 5th #1 on the Country chart.
• Garth Brooks – has some Black Friday fun lined up. Amazon Music will livestream his performance kicking off the grand opening of his Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk in Nashville. Amazon Music “Live with Garth” will air at 7pmET via Prime Video and Twitch. Both members and non-members of Prime Video will be able to livestream the show.
SHOOTING THE BULL
NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK:
• “Napoleon” (R, Biography/Action, opened Wed.): An epic telling of the rise and fall of the French Emperor and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine. (Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Ben Miles) Tomatometer: 64%, Audience Score: 67%
• “Wish” (PG, Animation/Adventure, opened Wed.): Young Asha has heard the stories, but when she wishes on a star, she gets a more direct answer than she bargained for, when a mischievous star comes down from the sky and into her life. (Chris Pine, Ariana DeBose, Alan Tudyk) Tomatometer: 46%, Audience Score: 84%
• “Saltburn” (R, Comedy/Drama, expanded wide on Wed.): Struggling to find his place at Oxford, Oliver finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten. (Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike) Tomatometer: 71%
CAN’T “WEIGHT” FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
So what’s YOUR plan? To watch your intake of treats and sweets (and egg nog) over the holidays, in an ultimately vain attempt at maintaining your waistline – or thoroughly enjoying yourself, and letting the flab fall where it may – and worry about it in the New Year? Three-quarters of us are choosing door #2, according to a new survey. 72% of the 2,000 Americans surveyed say they want to make the most of the rest of 2023, regardless of what that means for their diet. That number is WAAAY up from 54% in last year’s survey. In the 6th annual “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey, respondents said the expect to gain 8 (that’s right – EIGHT!) pounds (3.6kg) before the end of the year — compared to 5½ pounds (2.4kg) last year. Now for the fun part:
• 50% of respondents admit to having eaten so much during the holiday season that they’ve had to undo a button on their pants or loosen a belt.
• 35% said they have even eaten until they felt sick or full to bursting.
• 47% said they have eaten more than 3 meals in a day.
• 42% have eaten more than one dessert at a meal.
• and 59% have eaten more than one of the same meals in a day.
(Nothing wrong with 2 turkey dinners. You should have seen me yesterday!)
(Still, that’s a LOT of weight to gain. And that’s precisely why I’ve sworn off fruitcake this year. Pass the cheese log please!)
-StudyFinds
OFF THE LIST:
As we begin to get serious about holiday shopping, the group “World Against Toys Causing Harm” (W.A.T.C.H.) has unveiled its annual “10 Worst Toys” list for 2023. According to W.A.T.C.H., here are the toys that parents (and Santa) should avoid getting for kids, due to potential hazards…
✗Disney The Little Mermaid King Triton’s All-Powerful Trident: (potential blunt force and eye injuries)
✗Original Squishmallows-Raisy (potential for suffocation)
✗Soccer Boppers (potential for blunt force and impact injuries)
✗Diecast Fast-Food Truck (potential for choking injuries)
✗Our Generation Hop In Dog Carrier (potential for choking injuries)
✗Orbeez Seeds- Rainbow (potential for choking and ingestion injuries)
✗Splat-R-Ball Dude Perfect Blaster (potential for eye injuries)
✗B Toys Make A Melody Musical Instrument Set (potential ingestion and choking injuries)
✗Zoom-O Turbo Disc Launcher (potential for face and eye injuries)
✗Carve Pro Stunt Scooter (potential for head and other impact injuries)
(And this is why, like Santa, we make our list – and check it twice!)
(Remember the good old days when a little bit of lead paint was all we had to worry about? Wait – what?)
-CBS
NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ The sound of screams prompted a police response on Quadra Island, off the coast of British Columbia, and police are happy to say the call didn’t involve a person in distress, just a sad goat. RCMP said they received a report of someone screaming “help, help” off a ravine, and were concerned someone had fallen off the cliff. A news release says: “Further investigation revealed that the ‘help’ heard was actually a sad goat from a neighbouring goat farm. The owner advised that the mama goat’s babies had just been removed and she was calling for them.” Police noted in their report that the goat’s cries sounded similar to someone yelling for help. (Then, they rushed off to their next emergency at the owl sanctuary, where there were reports of someone yelling “who, who”!)
➢ An Australian man who tried to hitch a ride home beneath a tractor-trailer after a night of drinking is lucky to be alive. The 43-year-old — who police did not identify — rode for hundreds of kilometres on metal racks suspended about 3 feet above the pavement. The rig’s driver said he was traveling from Sydney to Brisbane when he stopped at about 1:30am for a nap, and when he started again, he could see in his mirrors a piece of orange cloth under the truck. He took pity on the man and let him ride in the cab, but then decided to call police. The man told police that he planned to hop off near his home when the truck came to a red light, but the driver threw a wrench into his plans when he didn’t stop for nearly 400km. Cops fined him $288, then gave him a lift to a train station for the trip home. (I look forward to hearing the sequel next week!)
-CTV, Canoe
DID YOU KNOW?
Providing positive feedback to workers is a big part of any manager’s job. But new research suggests bosses should think twice about divvying out too much praise. Scientists at Kühne Logistics University have discovered a tendency for employees to act arrogantly toward their peers and co-workers after receiving a lot of praise from higher-ups. The researchers said: “This is especially true when privileged employees are already dominant…In this case, some are even willing to undermine their coworkers.” (Of course. How did you think they became dominant in the first place?)
-StudyFinds
BS CHRONOMETER 11.24.23
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Black Friday”, the day after US Thanksgiving, that’s touted as the biggest single shopping day of the year in America, though that’s statistically untrue. The ‘black’ refers to retailers finally turning a profit after spending much of the year ‘in the red’. These days, many retailers kick off their annual sales sooner (waaay sooner…). It is also now celebrated to varying degrees in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, France, Switzerland, and other countries.
• “Buy Nothing Day”, a 24-hour moratorium on holiday shopping (observed today in North America; tomorrow internationally), created as a protest against outlandish consumption and commercialism, particularly during the holiday season.
• “Sinkie Day”, the 33rd annual salute to the time-honored tradition of eating a snack (or an entire meal) over the kitchen sink. People prone to the practice are known as ‘sinkies’.
• It’s also “Leftovers Day” and “Flossing Day”. (I get it. I’ve eaten A LOT this week…)
• “Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day”, saluting the individual abilities each of us has. Okay, so what is it that you can do that no one else can? Whistle through your nose? Play both armpits simultaneously? Recite the alphabet backwards?
• “D.B. Cooper Day”, also known as Dan Cooper, a pseudonym for an unknown man who in 1971 hijacked a plane traveling from Portland to Seattle, and parachuted out with $200,000 in ransom money. An extensive manhunt ensued, but he was never identified or seen again, resulting in one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in US history.
• “Brownielocks Day”, to celebrate being a brunette (or “brownielocks”). As some people have “big” brown hair, the day has also been called Big Hair Day. It has also been referred to as Brunette Pride Day.
• “Fur Free Friday”, raising awareness for the millions of fur-bearing animals that are slaughtered each year for the sake of fashion. Today, peaceful protesters march down the world-famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and speak out against luxury brands that sell fur. LINK: http://furfreefriday.com/
• “National Sardines Day”, Here are 5 things to know about Sardines:
– Sardines are the most plentiful edible fish in the world.
– Sardines live short lives, and grow quite quickly. They can reach a length of 23cm in 2 years.
– The main ingredient in Worcestershire sauce is fermented sardines.
– The term sardine was first used in the 15th century and may come from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, around which sardines were once abundant.
– The original ‘secret’ ingredient in Caesar Salad is…crushed sardines.
SATURDAY-
• “Shopping Reminder Day”, marking exactly 1 month until Christmas Day. Just what you wanted to hear, huh? (If anyone is shopping for me, I take a size large in cash!)
• “Small Business Saturday”, an annual shopping holiday on the Saturday after US Thanksgiving, a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day is dedicated to supporting local small businesses.
• “Eat With a Friend Day”, because social isolation and poor nutrition go hand in hand for many seniors. Today, you should not only take your aging loved ones out for a meal, you should encourage and enable them to make mealtime a social time — all the time.
• “Parfait Day”, saluting the yummy treat that’s concocted from layers of ice cream, whipped cream, and any combination of syrups and fruits. Yes, it’s basically a fancy word for a sundae . . . likely because it’s usually served in a fancy glass.
• “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”, initiated by activists in 1981 and adopted by the UN in 1999 to help raise awareness of this worldwide problem. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yckmp8rc
• “Blasé Day”, a perfect day for the world-weary to revel in their apathy. (Eh, who cares.)
• “International Aura Awareness Day”, Some believe that all living things are surrounded by an energy field — or “energy body” — called an aura. They believe they change color and intensity, depending on mood and health. (I’ve heard a person’s aura takes a particular color right before they die – “Cyan Aura”!)
SUNDAY-
“Secondhand Sunday”. Did you know that only one-third of people say they’d consider shopping second-hand for gifts – but 92% are open to receiving second-hand gifts? (And you may find some treasures for yourself while you’re there!)
• “Good Grief Day”, a phrase often used by ‘Charlie Brown’ of Charles Schulz’s comic strip, “Peanuts”. Schulz was born on this day in 1922, and today is dedicated to both him and his enduring comic strip.
• “Cake Day”, an annual salute to the classic dessert that’s the climax of many a celebration. What’s the best kind? Angel Food? Black Forest? Red Velvet? Double Chocolate Fudge?
• “Small Brewery Sunday”, celebrating small and independent craft breweries. Why is it important to visit craft breweries throughout the year? Every dollar a beer lover spends at a craft brewery fuels a small business that supports the economic health of its local community. (So, I should do what I can to help it become LARGE brewery?)
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1942 [81] (Sir) Billy Connolly, Anderston Scotland, comedian/movie actor (“The Boondock Saints”, “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”)
1954 [69] Clem Burke (Bozewski), Bayonne NJ, rock drummer (Blondie-‘Call Me’, ‘One Way or Another’, Ramones, Romantics)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2006
1964 [59] Conleth Hill, Ballycastle Northern Ireland, TV actor (‘Lord Varys’ on “Game of Thrones” 2011-19)
1977 [46] Colin Hanks, Sacramento CA, TV actor (“Impeachment: American Crime Story” 2021, “Life in Pieces” 2015-19)/movie actor (“Jumanji” movies, “King Kong”)/son of Tom Hanks
1978 [45] Katherine Heigl, Washington DC, model, TV actress (“Grey’s Anatomy” 2005-10, “Firefly Lane” since 2021)/movie actress (“Knocked Up”)
1983 [40] Gwilym Lee, Bristol England, movie actor (‘Brian May’ in “Bohemian Rhapsody”)/TV actor (“Midsomer Murders” 2013-16)
1990 [33] Sarah Hyland, NYC, TV actress (‘Haley Dunphy’ on “Modern Family” 2009-20)/TV host (“Love Island USA” since 2022)/movie actress (“Dirty Dancing” [2017])
SATURDAY- Ben Stein (“Win Ben Stein’s Money”) is 79; John Larroquette (“Night Court”) is 76; Bruno Tonioli (“Dancing With the Stars”) is 68; Amy Grant (‘Baby, Baby’) is 64; Christina Applegate (“Married with Children”) is 52; Kristian Nairn (“Game of Thrones”) is 48; competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is 40
SUNDAY- John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) is 78; Peter Facinelli (“Twilight” movies) is 50; DJ Khaled (ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne-‘I’m the One’) is 48; Joe Nichols (‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off’) is 47; Natasha Bedingfield (‘Unwritten’) is 42; Mike Gossin (Gloriana) is 39; Rita Ora (‘How We Do [Party]’) is 33
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1991 [32] Under the new ownership of actor John Candy, Wayne Gretzky and LA Kings owner Bruce McNall, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts win the Grey Cup with a 36-21 victory over the Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Stadium
2016 [07] Florence Henderson, who played Mom ‘Carol’ in “The Brady Bunch”, dies at 82
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1991 [32] Queen singer Freddie Mercury dies of AIDS-related complications at 45
2007 [16] Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s $4.8 million home is “burnt to a crisp” in a wildfire that sweeps through 54 properties in Malibu CA
2019 [04] Taylor Swift wins 6 American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year and Artist of the Decade
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1874 [149] Inventor Joseph Glidden patents barbed wire (without it, there’d be a lot of people with no idea of what tattoo to get!)
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ The year on a bottle of wine refers to when the grapes were picked, not when the wine was bottled.
✓ Dark roasted coffee is weaker than medium roast. Roasting burns off caffeine.
✓ The little bumpers on the underside of a toilet seat are called ‘buculets’.
✓ In Spanish, the word “esposas” means both “wives” and “handcuffs.”
✓ Elvis Presley owned $60,000 worth of prescription sunglasses when he died.
✓ Giraffes are the only animals born with horns. (Ouch!)
-FactSlides, BathroomReadersInstitute
Best of BS . . .
BS THINGS OVERHEARD IN LINE ON BLACK FRIDAY:
• “Black Friday has become so commercialized.”
• “I do hate missing my kid’s birthday.”
• “Someday, there’ll be a way to shop from home.”
• “This isn’t the line to vote?”
• “I’m just waiting to return something.”
• “Just 4 more hours in line and boom! … 10 whole dollars off a giant-screen TV!”
• “Sale? I’m avoiding my family.”
• “So, where did YOUR life go wrong?”
-First published in BS in 2017
BS REJECTED ENTRIES IN THE LOCAL SANTA CLAUS PARADE:
• “The Plumbers’ Union Pipe Band”
• “Pets on Display” float sponsored by Woody’s Taxidermy
• “The Central Junior High Marching Piano Band”
• “The Black Friday Mob Trampling an Elderly Walmart Greeter” float
• “Bambi’s Peeler Parlor North Pole-Dancing Bonanza”
• “Uncle Earl’s souped-up purple Dodge Duster Convertible”
• “The Pit Bull Drill Team”
• “The (***Local***) Police Department Pepper Spray Extravaganza!”
-First published in BS in 2015
BS WEB GOODIE:
I wouldn’t expect anything different: https://tinyurl.com/mwfued8x
BS RANDOM JOKES:
• One big difference between men and women is that if a woman says “smell this”, it usually smells nice.
• I miss the good old days when Black Friday actually WAS on a Friday.
BS PHONE STARTER:
What’s the grossest food that you just can’t get enough of?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTIONS:
• Question: Stats show the average person will experience THIS 6 times over the winter. What is it?
Answer: Being sneezed on
• Question: THIS place sees a 27% increase in activity in the days immediately after Thanksgiving. What is it?
Answer: The emergency room
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody.
