Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Edition: #4695
Monthly Planning Calendar in Today’s “BS”!
BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
18-year-old AnnaSophia Robb has landed the role of a young ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ in the upcoming “Sex & The City” prequel TV series, “The Carrie Diaries” (yep, they’re milking it) . . . Actor James Spader is leaving his role as CEO ‘Robert California’ on “The Office” (NBC) after just 1 season, suggesting that was always his intention (BS translation: This ship is sinking fast!) . . . Actress Heather Locklear & former fiancé Jack Wagner will not face charges over their December domestic bust-up as LA prosecutors have decided to drop any legal action (they’d rather take someone more famous to court) . . . Meantime, TMZ is reporting that Wagner will be one of the contestants when “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC) returns March 19th, alongside 47-year-old former child star Melissa Gilbert (“Little House On the Prairie”) and Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) . . . “True Blood’s” upcoming season on HBO will be the last with creator-producer Alan Ball in charge, the network announcing he’ll step down to an advisory role if the show has a 6th go-round (season 5 debuts June 24th) . . . Online voting to name a new bridge over the Morava River from Slovakia to Austria is overwhelmingly in favor of calling it ‘The Chuck Norris Bridge’, the aging martial arts star pulling a whopping 74% (former empress Maria Theresa is 2nd at just 8%) . . . 41-year-old actress Uma Thurman has confirmed to “People” mag she’s expecting her 3rd child, her first via on-and-off boyfriend Arpad Busson (seems he was on-again) . . . Actress Lucy Liu is set to play Sherlock Holmes’ first female ‘Dr Watson’ in a modern-day TV take on the famous detective stories to be set in NYC and entitled “Elementary” (British actor Jonny Lee Miller plays the sleuth) . . . And perhaps surprisingly, 48-year-old Kathy Ireland has been named ‘Richest Model In the World’ in a new “Forbes” magazine ranking for amassing a fortune estimated at $350 million (she no longer walks the catwalk but her company Kathy Ireland Worldwide now sells products at over 60,000 locations in 15 countries).
TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion” (CW) – In the season 18 debut, former “Britain’s Next Top Model” contestants compete against a new crop of American hopefuls.
• “American Idol” (FOX) – The female semifinalists perform.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC) – Wallpaper (“Doodoo Face”).
• “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC) – Portugal. The Man (“In the Mountain In the Cloud”).
• “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC) – ‘Springsteen Tribute Week’ continues.
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS) – Robert Glasper Experiment f/Lupe Fiasco & Bilal (“Black Radio”).
• NME Awards (London) – Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Odd Future, and The Vaccines are among acts nominated as the winners are announced at the O2 Academy Brixton. Noel Gallagher picks up the ‘Godlike Genius Award’ for career achievement.
• “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC) – Romeo Santos (“Formula Vol 1”).
• “The View” (ABC) – Lyle Lovett (“Release Me”).
BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Jennifer Hudson w/Ne-Yo – The video for their duet “Think Like A Man” debuts today. It’s the lead single from the soundtrack of the upcoming film of the same name based on the best-selling book by comedian Steve Harvey. The soundtrack is due out April 10th.
• Lady Gaga – Star Will Smith has confirmed she has a cameo role in the upcoming 3rd instalment of the “Men In Black” movie franchise. Former boxer Mike Tyson, veteran actress Betty White, and ex-“X Factor” judge Nicole Scherzinger are among other celebs believed to be taking part. (Stunt-casting … a sure sign that an idea has been worn out.)
• Little Big Town – This week they’re in the studio recording their 5th album. Today they give fans a glimpse of the process and hold a live online chat at 5:45 CST …
NET: http://new.livestream.com/littlebigtown/studiocam
• Madonna – Her manager is denying a track from her upcoming album “MDNA” has been re-named due to legal pressure from “Girls Gone Wild” entrepreneur Joe Francis. It’s claimed the decision to change the title to “Girl Gone Wild” was ‘part of the final tweaking process’.
• Sex Pistols – The Brit punk rockers have signed with Universal, which will re-release their seminal 1977 album “Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols”. The expanded and repackaged release will tie in with the album’s 35th anniversary later this year.
THE BIG LEAP:
Today is “Leap Year Day”, the calendar correction that occurs every 4 years. A few facts …
• In Leap Years (aka ‘bissextile’ years), a day is added to bring our Gregorian calendar more into accord with Earth’s orbital period … roughly 365.2422 days.
• If we didn’t have Leap Year, our calendar would become so out-of-line it would need a major adjustment like in 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII declared October 5th to be October 15th and 10 entire days instantly disappeared!
• A person born on a Leap Day is called a ‘29er’, a ‘leapling’ or a ‘leaper’. The odds of being born on February 29th are 1-in-1,461.
• Leap Day has often been celebrated as “Bachelors’ Day” or “Sadie Hawkins Day”, traditionally when girls can ask a guy out. The tradition of women proposing to men on this day dates all the way back to 5th-Century Ireland.
• Leap Day effects us in many ways, ie: inmates serve an extra day in jail, but it’s unlikely your bank will give you an extra day’s interest. And this may make you want to take the day off … unless you get paid by the hour or per diem, you’re working for free today.
• What is the official name for a non-Leap Year? It’s called a ‘Common Year’.
• The ‘Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies’ is an association with several goals, including having Leap Day printed on calendars like holidays are.
• Every year in which Summer Olympics are held is coincidentally also a Leap Year.
NET: http://www.leapyearday.com
– ListsOPlenty.com
BS CUTTING-EDGE VOCAB:
New terms leaking into our lingo …
✓ ‘Diabulimia’ – A term combining diabetes + bulimia, this is an eating disorder in which a diabetic person attempts to lose weight by regularly omitting insulin injections. (Not only dumb but dangerous!)
✓ ‘Gen C’ – The latest nickname for the ‘Gen Y’, ‘Millennial’ or ‘Echo Boomer’ generation. It stands for ‘Generation Connected’, reflecting their penchant for social media, online videos, and use of portable devices.
✓ ‘Preppers’ – The new wave of survivalists who are caching food and water in case of an unspecified future disaster. Even retailer Costco has jumped on the bandwagon, offering survival kits in backpacks with enough food for 2 weeks, knives, a hatchet, duct tape, a tent, and a first-aid kit.
SHAKE IT UP:
Want to boost your creativity? Have an innovative breakfast. For instance, pour milk into a bowl and then add the cereal. According to a new study from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands, preparing a common meal in reverse order can stimulate innovative thinking. Researchers think that’s because avoiding conventional behavior and breaking patterns leads to more flexible and creative thinking. Active involvement in a normal event, they say, can trigger higher levels of creativity. (Trying commuting all the way to work in reverse.)
– Miller-McCune.com
BS AMAZING FACT:
81% of littering is done intentionally. Age, not gender, is a significant predictor of littering behavior. People under 30 are more likely to litter than those who are older.
– TTP
BS CHRONOMETER 02.29.12
LEAP DAY CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1944 [17 or 68] Dennis Farina, Chicago IL, TV actor (‘Gus Demitriou’ on “Luck” 2011-12, “Law & Order” 2004-06)/movie actor (“Saving Private Ryan”, “Get Shorty”)
1960 [13 or 52] Tony Robbins, North Hollywood CA, motivational speaker/author (“Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement”, “Awaken the Giant Within”)
1972 [10 or 40] Antonio Sabato Jr, Rome, Italy, TV actor (“Celebrity Wife Swap” 2012, “The Bold & The Beautiful” 2005-06, “General Hospital” 1992-95)/fashion model (Calvin Klein)
1976 [9 or 36] Ja Rule (Jeffrey Atkins), Queens NY, rapper (f/Ashanti-“Always On Time”, f/Ashanti-“Mesmerize”)/sometime movie actor (“Shall We Dance?”, “The Fast & The Furious”)
1984 [7 or 28] Mark Foster, Cleveland OH, indie pop-rock musician (Foster the People-“Pumped Up Kicks”)
TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Gravity Observance Day”, best celebrated by watching any old “Roadrunner” cartoon that features an anvil.
• “International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day”, the 12th annual sponsored by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. The organization notes that while it takes a worker an average 47 days to recover from a broken bone, a worker suffering from an ‘RSI’, such as tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, takes an average 52 days or 71 days, respectively.
NET: http://bit.ly/y4ksFG
• “International Underlings Day”, recognizing the insignificant peons that surround us. So buy your co-host a coffee.
• “Rare Disease Day”, established in 2008 as an annual observance on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment. A disease or disorder is defined as rare in Europe when it affects less than 1-in-2000 people; and in the USA if it affects fewer than 200,000 in total.
NET: http://www.rarediseaseday.org
• “Worldwide Leap Year Festival” in Anthony, Texas, the self-proclaimed ‘Leap Year Capital of the World’. Since 1988 ‘leapers’ have come from all over to celebrate their special birthday in this little town that sits on the border with New Mexico. The bash includes a carnival and parade.
NET: http://bit.ly/y6UtmL
THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2004 [08] “The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King” wins 11 Academy Awards, sweeping every category in which it’s nominated (ties the record haul of “Ben-Hur” and “Titanic”)
TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1968 [44] The Beatles win 4 Grammy Awards for their “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, including ‘Album Of the Year’ & ‘Best Album Cover’
TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1960 [52] Bill Keane’s “Family Circus” comic strip debuts in newspapers
TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1972 [40] Hank Aaron signs a 3-year deal with Atlanta Braves that pays $200,000 per season, making him then-highest-paid player in Major League Baseball (seems laughable now)
BS MONTHLY PLANNING CALENDAR . . .
[Mar 1] Horse Protection Day / Pig Day / Plan a Solo Vacation Day / Witch Hysteria Day / World Book Day / World Compliment Day
[Mar 2] “Dr Seuss’ The Lorax”; “Project X” open in movie theaters / Dress in Blue Day / Dr Seuss Day / Employee Appreciation Day
[Mar 3] International Sister Cities Day / I Want You to Be Happy Day
[Mar 4] Daughters & Sons Day / Iditarod Race begins / International Scrapbooking Day / March Forth-Do Something Day / Grammar Day / Toy Soldier Day
[Mar 5] Fun Facts About Names Day / Go Commando Day
[Mar 6] “Breaking In” season premiere (FOX) / Namesake Day / Unique Names Day / Snowshoe Day
[Mar 7] Learn What Your Name Means Day / Be Heard Day / World Maths Day / Cereal Day / Purim begins at sundown (Jewish)
[Mar 8] Full ‘Worm’ Moon / Day For Women’s Rights & International Peace / International Women’s Day / Proofreading Day / Organize Your Home Office Day / World Kidney Day
[Mar 9] “A Thousand Words”; “John Carter”; “Silent House” open in movie theaters / Barbie Day / Get Over It Day / Middle Name Pride Day / Panic Day
[Mar 10] Genealogy Day / International Day of Awesomeness / International Fanny Pack Day / Landline Telephone Day / Mario Day / Women & Girls HIV-AIDS Awareness Day
[Mar 11] Daylight Saving Time begins / Check Your Batteries Day / World Plumbing Day / Girl Scout Sunday
[Mar 12] Napping Day
[Mar 13] “SXSW Festival” begins (Austin TX) / Rolling Stones Tribute Concert (NYC) / Donald Duck Day / Earmuffs Day / K-9 Veterans Day / Ken Day / L Ron Hubbard Day / Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
[Mar 14] International Ask a Question Day / Potato Chip Day / Pi Day / Registered Dietitian Day
[Mar 15] “mtvU Woodie Awards” (Austin TX) / Absolutely Incredible Kid Day / Companies That Care Day / Ides of March / True Confessions Day / World Consumer Rights Day
[Mar 16] “21 Jump Street” opens in movie theaters / CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012 begins (Hunter Valley, Australia) / Freedom of Information Day / Lips Appreciation Day / St Urho’s Day
[Mar 17] St Patrick’s Day / International Astrology Day / Corn Dog Day / International Sports Car Racing Day / Quilting Day
[Mar 18] Awkward Moments Day / Forgive Mom & Dad Day / Biodiesel Day
[Mar 19] Chocolate Caramel Day
[Mar 20] Spring Equinox / Proposal Day / Agriculture Day / Naw-Ruz (Persian New Year) / Snowman Burning Day / Alien Abduction Day / Atheist Pride Day / Great American Meat Out Day / Kiss Your Fiancée Day
[Mar 21] Kick Butts Day / International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / Memory Day / Common Courtesy Day / World Down Syndrome Day
[Mar 22] Letting Go of Stuff Day / As Young As You Feel Day / International Day Of the Seal / International Goof-off Day / World Day for Water
[Mar 23] “The Hunger Games” opens in movie theaters / Day of Unplugging / Puppy Day / Near Miss Day / World Meteorological Day
[Mar 24] “GLAAD Awards” (NYC) / Chocolate Covered Raisins Day / World Tuberculosis Day
[Mar 25] “Mad Men” season debut (AMC) / International Day of Remembrance Of the Victims of Slavery / Pecan Day / Tolkien Reading Day / Waffle Day
[Mar 26] Legal Assistants Day / Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
[Mar 27] Celebrate Exchange Day / Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day / Viagra Day
[Mar 28] Weed Appreciation Day
[Mar 29] Knights of Columbus Day / Mom & Pop Business Owners Day
[Mar 30] “Mirror Mirror”; “Wrath Of the Titans” open in movie theaters / “BMI Latin Awards” (Las Vegas) / Doctors Day / Pencil Day
[Mar 31] 25th Kids’ Choice Awards (Nickelodeon) / Lollapalooza Chile (Santiago) / Love Our Children Day / Bunsen Burner Day / Earth Hour / She’s Funny That Way Day
[Apr 1] 47th Academy of Country Music Awards (CBS) / WrestleMania XXVIII (Miami) / April Fools Day
BULL’S BITS
There are about 4 million people worldwide who were born on February 29th. So here’s a timely look at …
BS REASONS IT’S GOOD TO BE A ‘LEAPER’:
• Your house isn’t all cluttered up with thoughtful birthday gifts.
• You can still pay children’s price at the movies.
• Lack of birthday cake has kept you relatively thin.
• Dumb people think you’re supernatural.
• How many other people get a car on their 4th birthday?
• Between your birthday and Groundhog Day, February’s one non-stop party.
BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ Do you still tune in for your favorite TV shows ‘live’ or are you increasingly watching them online at your leisure?
BS RANDOM JOKE:
I know what Victoria’s Secret is. The secret is that nobody over 30 can fit into their stuff.
BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: For the average woman THIS happens 34 times during an 8-hour workday.
Answer: She thinks about sex.
BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Not all children disobey their parents. Some are never told what to do.