Friday, November 22, 2024 – Edition: #7841
Can You Believe This Sheet?
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
[***UPDATE***] ★ The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the criminal conviction of actor Jussie Smollett, accused of faking a 2019 attack in Chicago. Attorneys for Smollett argued that a previous non-prosecution agreement with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, along with the decision of the state attorney to drop the initial charges, meant that his conviction should be overturned. Yesterday, the state’s highest court sided with Smollett’s attorneys, reversing his conviction, and ordering the case against him dismissed. He had been sentenced to 30 months probation with the first 150 days to be served in jail.
-CBS, NBC
★ Lizzo has purchased Jeremy Renner’s Hollywood Hills home for a whopping $12.4 million, TMZ says. The “Hawkeye” star made a tidy profit on the sale of the lavish 6-bedroom, 9-bathroom pad, which he purchased in 2012 for $4 million. The outlet says Renner had also invested about $5.5 million into renovations on the property located near Laurel Canyon. He listed the home for $13 million in August, and Lizzo reportedly bought it at the end of October. With a recording studio on the roughly 9,000-square-foot lot, it seems like it could be a perfect spot for the singer.
-PageSix
★ “The Simpsons” voice actor Pamela Hayden, who played ‘Milhouse’ and a number of other characters, is retiring from the show after 35 years. Her final episode will be “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” airing this Sunday. Hayden voiced Milhouse Van Houten, the blue-haired best friend of ‘Bart Simpson’, as well as school bully ‘Jimbo Jones’, Ned Flanders’ son ‘Rod’ (and sometimes his other son ‘Todd’), Chief Wiggum’s wife ‘Sarah’ and Lisa’s friend ‘Janey Powell.’ She has been a mainstay on “The Simpsons” since its first episode in 1989.
-Variety
★ The cast of the “Wicked” movie almost looked a lot different, with Stephen Daldry as director and Lady Gaga and Shawn Mendes in lead roles. The English director and producer of “The Crown” had Gaga in mind to play the character of ‘Elphaba’, according to sources familiar with the project, as quoted by Page Six. The insider said that Gaga even had meetings with Daldry to flesh out the character, and she was cast in the role, but it “fell through”. Mendes was rumored to star as ‘Fiyero’ in the film, a role ultimately played by Jonathan Bailey. Daldry, who was announced as the film’s director in 2016, exited the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.
-PageSix
★ Alec Baldwin was absent from Wednesday’s “Rust” premiere, remaining in New York, as the film’s opening focused on honoring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who lost her life on set of the movie in 2021. Days after Kazimierz Suwała, the director of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival, explained they didn’t invite Baldwin in order to avoid distractions, the premiere in Poland occurred without Baldwin, and without drama. He was spotted this week pushing a stroller in New York. The charges of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin were dismissed in July.
-TMZ
★ Olivia Newton-John’s iconic “Grease” jacket is up for auction for a good cause. Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies are closing out their “A Week of Hollywood Legends” event with a celebration of the late actress and singer. The auction, which will take place from Dec. 10-13, will feature more than 400 pieces of the Grammy winner’s wardrobe, instruments, fine art, jewelry, memorabilia, personal mementos and more. But the standout piece is the beloved leather jacket that Newton-John wore as ‘Sandy Olsson’ in the final scene of the 1978 classic film, expected to go for as much as $200,000. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/9mz4ce6e
-Billboard
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC/Global): TBA
• “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Ariana Grande, Michael Bublé (R)
• “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): TBA
• “After Midnight” (CBS/Global): Andy Richter, Thomas Lennon, Aparna Nancherla (R)
• “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Barry Keoghan, Scott Speedman (R)
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): The Political View with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
• “The Talk” (CBS): Jessica Alba, Lizzy Mathis, Kyle Erby
• “Live With Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Cher, Tieghan Gerard
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Paul Mescal and Connie Nielsen, Bozoma Saint John, The Star Choir
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Keke Palmer, Andrew Rannells
• “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Ted Danson
• “Lopez vs Lopez” (NBC): When Rosie’s spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie’s cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work.
• “S.W.A.T.” (CBS): When back-to-back shootings at women’s clinics leave 2 healthcare providers dead, Hondo and the team investigate whether the shootings were politically motivated.
• “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days” (TLC): On the morning of his flight to meet Magda, Joe is nowhere to be found; Brian and Ingrid travel to Recife; Rayne says goodbye.
SATURDAY:
• “College Football Week 13” (Check local listings): Dozens of games are scheduled throughout the day and evening. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/45xdz252
• “Christmas in the Spotlight” (Life): Premiere. Bowyn is a popular singer who develops an unexpected romance with Drew, a pro football player. They soon face mounting pressure from the press, the paparazzi, fans, and their families.
• “Crazy Rich Asians” (BRAVO): Rachel accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his friend’s wedding in Singapore, but is surprised to learn that Nick’s family is extremely wealthy and he’s considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.
SUNDAY:
• “The Equalizer” (CBS): The team investigates who is trying to put a hit on a stand-up comedian; McCall grapples with her feelings for Dante, who is deciding how to proceed with Big Ben.
• “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC): AFV: So Many Laughs, So Little Time
• “NFL Football” (NBC, TSN): Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift — will reunite for a new song on the rapper’s upcoming album, according to DJ Snake. Lamar and Swift previously collaborated on the remix to Swift’s hit ‘Bad Blood’ from her 2014 album “1989”. He also appeared in the song’s star-studded video.
• Miley Cyrus – In the Harper’s Bazaar December/January Art Issue cover story, she reveals that she is working on a “visual album” for release in 2025. She calls it “a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music.” The project was inspired by Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”.
• Sarah McLachlan – told fans she is “heartbroken” that she had to cancel her 30th anniversary “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy” tour. On IG, she said: “My voice is not recovering as it should”, and needs rest in order not to risk “permanent damage to my vocal cords.” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/danuwv3r
• Elton John – If you want your house to smell like a mansion in the English countryside this Christmas, he’s got you covered. John partnered with Slatkin + Co. to create a line of holiday candles inspired by the scenes and vibes of Woodside, his country home. There are 24 scents, which are, he said, “inspired by my personal holiday memories.” His fav? The English Oak and Amber candle.
• AC/DC – It appears Axl Rose is re-joining the group for its upcoming, as-yet unannounced (but oft-rumored) North American tour. In an interview, Sebastian Bach suggested that at least 10 shows are planned for April and May, and Rose will be joining the group on those dates. Rose famously stepped in for Brian Johnson during the group’s 2016 tour when Johnson faced hearing issues.
• Sam Hunt – Although he likes to keep his kids out of the public eye, he let it slip backstage at the CMA Awards that he and his wife Hannah Lee Fowler are expecting their third child. He said that about 2 months ago, he was making plans to go on hunting trips, but had to rearrange when she started feeling morning sickness.
• Luke Combs – Quote: “This is the least country thing I’ve ever said: [I’m] gluten-free now.” He told ABC news that in the summer, he noticed that his anxiety and OCD were “flaring up really bad” and “beginning to get in the way of everyday life enjoyment.” That prompted a “deep dive” into his health, and tests showed a “really high sensitivity” to gluten.
• Jelly Roll — will headline the closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler on Feb. 16. In a hilarious promotional video for the event, Jelly is seen giving Prince Harry a neck tattoo, part of a “deal” to ensure Jelly’s performance at the ceremony. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2p948p6h
SHOOTING THE BULL
NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK:
• “Wicked” (PG, Fantasy, Musical): Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular girl, become friends in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads. (Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum) Tomatometer: 92%, Audience: 99%
• “Gladiator II” (R, Action, Adventure): After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people. (Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielson) Tomatometer: 75%
NEW FOOD NEWS:
❑ Pizza Hut’s new offering gives you the chance to pair your pizza with wine – literally. The restaurant has partnered with a winery to create – pizza wine. Tomato Wine by Pizza Hut is the company’s limited-edition offering that supposedly “captures the essence of your favorite slice in every sip”. The red wine is not made from grapes, but rather from tomatoes infused with basil. Tomato Wine, made in partnership with Irvine’s Just Beyond Paradise Winery, costs $25 per bottle, and is said to offer “an aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices with rich, sun-ripened tomato notes and a subtle hint of toasted oak.” And the taste? It is “reminiscent of a perfectly baked pizza crust.” (Pizza and wine. What’s not to like? Pizza and wine together. THAT’S what’s not to like!)
❑ A new study says that if you have a sweet tooth, it may be genetic – and your DNA could be encouraging you to eat more. An international team of researchers found that a genetic variation in our ability to digest certain sugars may influence how much we like sweet foods — and how much we consume. The scientists determined that the gene known as ‘sucrose-isomaltase plays a key role in breaking down sucrose (table sugar). Those with mutations in that gene have difficulty breaking down sucrose. And in conducting tests on 140,000 people, they found that those who couldn’t digest sucrose consumed significantly fewer sucrose-rich foods. The results were published in the journal Gastroenterology. (I don’t know science, but I know what I like. And what I like is CAKE!)
-NYPost
NEWS OF THE WEIRD:
➢ A cruise ship was playing the “Titanic” theme when it suddenly lilted, and seemed like it was tilting over, according to passengers. The ‘Explorer of the Seas’ was near Spain’s Canary Islands off the African coast, when it was rocked by an “unexpected wind gust,” Royal Caribbean Cruises said. The wind made the ship tilt at a 45-degree angle, causing superficial damage and requiring the ship to dock so a passenger could seek medical assistance. Footage of the incident shows furniture sliding across the deck and passengers running and screaming. The moment the gust hit, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ – famous as the theme song from the movie Titanic – could be heard from an onboard movie theater. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/ntkukazy
➢ A UK phone giant has created an AI tool that sounds like an elderly grandmother – designed to keep phone scammers on calls, and away from the general public. O2 said that the so-called “scambaiter”, named ‘Daisy’ has been successful in keeping numerous scammers on calls for up to 40 minutes at a time, frustrating them with meandering stories and explanations about their tech use, as well as providing false personal information and made-up bank details. By tricking fraudsters into thinking they were scamming a real person, Daisy has prevented them from targeting real victims, and has exposed the common tactics used so the firm can help customers better protect themselves. (Plus, it made them feel really guilty for eventually losing patience and hanging up on a grandmother!)
-Newsweek, TheIndependent
DID YOU KNOW?
New research suggests a love of video games could actually be good for your career. University of Houston researcher Melika Shirmohammadi (***good luck with that!***) said that despite the fact that online gaming often gets a bad reputation, their research shows that “gaming can actually help people develop valuable workplace skills.” Such as? Skills that can be honed by playing video games include problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence. The team’s study found that gaming, when done in moderation, “can be a way for people to grow both personally and professionally.” (I just want to know where on earth they found a bunch of gamers who actually do it in ‘moderation’!)
-NYPost
BS CHRONOMETER 11.22.24
BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Go For a Ride Day”, a day to take a breather and go for a relaxing ride on a bike, bus, horse, motorcycle, boat . . . whatever! (Or go to a used car dealer and get TAKEN for a ride…)
• “Start Your Own Country Day”. What 3 things would be different if you ran your own nation? (How about no taxes, no taxes, and no taxes?)
• “Stop the Violence Day”, observed annually on the anniversary of the 1963 assassination of US President John F Kennedy.
• “Humane Society Anniversary Day”, celebrating its mandate of protecting animals of all shapes and sizes from abuse. The Humane Society is dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals, as well as upholding existing laws for their protection, and educating the public on the issue.
• “National Housing Day” (in Canada), also known as “National Housing Strategy Day”, to help ensure that everyone has access to housing that is both affordable and meets their needs. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/39mj5499
• “Cranberry Relish Day”, celebrated as the perfect precursor for American Thanksgiving. Cranberry relish is prepared with some surprise ingredients, like horseradish and onion. Nothing cuts through the tart of these red rubies like the zing of an onion! (Fine, but I’m still not putting it on my hot dog!)
SATURDAY:
• “Dr. Who Day”. Today is the 61st anniversary of “An Unearthly Child,” the debut episode of “Doctor Who”, and the origin point of an ever-expanding universe. Originally airing on the BBC, William Hartnell’s character hopped in his TARDIS and embarked on an adventure that has enamored millions of fans. Happy birthday, Doctor. (***See “This Day in Show Biz”, below***)
• “Eat a Cranberry Day”. Native to North America, cranberries are grown in bogs, primarily in New England. When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, they found Native Americans harvesting and eating them. They were also used as dyes for clothing, and for medicinal purposes.
• “Cashew Day”, celebrating the yummy nut that sounds like a sneeze. (ca-SHEEEWW!)
• “Espresso Day”, a good excuse to have a wake-me-up shot this morning. Luigi Bezzera invented the espresso coffee machine in Italy in 1901. His objective was to decrease his employees’ coffee break time and increase their productivity. The small cup in which an espresso is served is called a demitasse.
• “Family Volunteer Day”, the 35th annual, celebrating the power of families who volunteer together, an activity that helps communities, strengthens family communication, and provides opportunities for family members to be role models.
• “Adoption Day”, an annual event in which courts and communities across America come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care.
• “Survivors of Suicide Day”, the 26th annual day of outreach to those who’ve lost a friend or family member to suicide. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/3bubzg
• “Fibonacci Day”. November 23 — or 11/23 — is Fibonacci Day because the first series of numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 1, 1, 2, and 3. The sequence is created by adding the previous 2 numbers to get the third number, so it begins as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, and 144.
SUNDAY:
• “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.
• “Use Even If Seal Is Broken Day”. Go ahead, I dare ya!
• “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.
TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1943 [81] Billie Jean King, Long Beach CA, former tennis pro (winner of 39 Grand Slam titles [12 singles])/winner of the infamous 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” vs. former men’s champ Bobby Riggs)
1950 [74] (“Little”) Steven Van Zandt, Winthrop MA, rock guitarist (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band-‘Born to Run’)/TV actor (“Lilyhammer” 2012-15, “The Sopranos” 1999-2007)
1956 [68] Lawrence Gowan, Glasgow Scotland (raised Scarborough ON), rock singer-keyboardist (‘A Criminal Mind’)/Styx singer since 1999
1958 [66] Jamie Lee Curtis, LA CA, movie actress (“Halloween” movies, “True Lies”, “Freaky Friday”)/daughter of Janet Leigh & Tony Curtis/married to Christopher Guest since 1984. COMING UP… “Freaky Friday 2”, 2025
1961 [63] Mariel Hemingway, Ketchum ID, movie actress (“Personal Best”, “Lipstick”)/TV actress (“Civil Wars” 1991-93)/granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway
1965 [59] Mads Mikkelson, Copenhagen Denmark, TV actor (“Hannibal” 2013-15)/movie actor (“Casino Royale”, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”) COMING UP… “ Mufasa: The Lion King”, 2024
1967 [57] Mark Ruffalo, Kenosha WI, movie actor (“Zodiac”, ‘Hulk’ in “Avengers” films, “Thor: Ragnarok”, “Iron-Man III”) COMING UP…“Mickey 17”, 2025
1984 [40] Scarlett Johannson, NYC, movie actress (“Avengers” films, “Black Widow”)/married to Colin Jost since 2020. COMING UP… “Jurassic World Rebirth”, 2025
1986 [38] Oscar Pistorius (“Blade Runner”), Sandton South Africa, former pro sprinter (double amputee who competed in the Olympics using ‘racing blade’ prostheses)/convicted in the 2014 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, released on parole in 2024, after serving 8.5 years in prison
1996 [28] Hailey Bieber, Tucson AZ, model (Ralph Lauren, UGG)/TV Host (“Drop the Mic” 2017-19)/ married to Justin Bieber since 2018/daughter of Stephen Baldwin
SATURDAY- Bruce Hornsby (‘The Way It Is’) is 70; Maxwell Caulfield (“Emmerdale”) is 65; Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) is 64; Lesley Fera (“Pretty Little Liars”) is 53; Chris Hardwick (“Talking Dead”) is 53; “Snooki” [Nicole Polizzi] (“Jersey Shore”) is 37; Miley Cyrus (‘Wrecking Ball’) is 32
SUNDAY- Billy Connolly (“The Boondock Saints”) is 82; Clem Burke (Blondie) is 70; Conleth Hill (“Game of Thrones”) is 60; Colin Hanks (“Jumanji” movies) is 47; Katherine Heigl (“Knocked Up”) is 46; Gwilym Lee (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) is 41; Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”) is 34
THIS DAY IN HISTORY . . .
1963 [61] US President John F. Kennedy is assassinated at age 46 by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas, and Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as 36th President.
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1995 [29] Disney’s “Toy Story” opens in theaters, the first computer-animated movie.
2013 [11] A special episode of “Doctor Who” titled ‘The Day of the Doctor’ airs simultaneously in 94 countries to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary (Guinness Record for the largest-ever simulcast of a TV drama, and the first episode to feature the 12th “Doctor”, Peter Capaldi)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1997 [27] INXS singer Michael Hutchence dies by suicide at 37.
2020 [04] For the 3rd consecutive year, Taylor Swift wins Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. She accepts from a Nashville studio, where she’s re-recording her first 6 albums. (She has won the award a total of 7 times.)
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
2005 [19] The XBox 360 videogame platform is released by Microsoft.
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1986 [38] At age 20, Mike Tyson becomes ‘Youngest World Heavyweight Boxing Champion’, after a 2nd-round knockout of Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas.
BULL’S BITS
BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ A strawberry isn’t actually a berry, but a watermelon is.
✓ All humans are 99.9% genetically identical.
✓ Your big toes have only 2 bones each. The rest of your toes have 3.
✓ In about 175 million years, days on Earth will be 25 hours long.
✓ Michael Jackson tried to buy Marvel so he could star in ‘Spider-Man’ movies.
✓ Prince Charles has a car fueled by wine.
-BathroomReadersInstitute, ReadersDigest
Best of BS . . .
BS SIGNS YOUR FAMILY MAY BE DYSFUNCTIONAL:
• Family discussions usually begin with the words: “Put the weapon down.”
• Your mother and your pre-teen sister are always fighting over the last beer.
• You’re 42, but your dad still makes you watch the parade on his shoulders.
• All of mom’s recipes involve 3 parts gin and 1 part tonic.
• Breaking the turkey wishbone usually involves a trip to the hospital.
• Instead of spouses, each family member brings an attorney to get-togethers.
• Local cops save money by making your house a precinct station.
• The bikers next door are always complaining about the noise.
• No more sunny breakfast nook now that the kitchen is a meth lab.
• Your vacations are planned through AA instead of AAA.
• Your step-mom’s name is Camilla.
-First published in BS in 2010
TODAY’S SCOOP OF BS:
➠ People are suing Netflix over the Jake Paul Mike Tyson fight. (Listen, if we could sue for every Netflix event that was a letdown, everybody involved with the new season of “The Lincoln Lawyer” would be in jail right now!)
➠ Mark Zuckerberg said Facebook will be smarter than humans in 10 years. (For starters, Facebook won’t have a Facebook account…)
➠ Ranker.com has come out with a list of Taylor Swift Songs and the boyfriends they were written about. (Remind me to look it up next time I have 12 hours to spare!)
➠ This week marks the 61st anniversary of the JFK assassination. (It remains one of history’s great mysteries…along with “Who built the pyramids?”, “What happened to D.B. Cooper?”, and Who actually let the dogs out?”
➠ A study shows men tend to overeat when surrounded by women. (Or, in my case, when surrounded by men. Or a combination of men and women. Or men, women and children. Or completely alone…)
BS WEB GOODIE:
Ummm…Friday fun? https://tinyurl.com/yc53m27u
BS RANDOM JOKE:
My wife says I talk in my sleep. But I’m skeptical. No one at work has ever mentioned it…
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ What’s the funniest movie ever made?
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
A new survey found that 40% of teens want THIS for Christmas. What is it?
Answer: Headphones
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.
