Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Edition: #7524

Good Morning, Sheetheads!

 

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ Actors on the picket line just got a big boost from a big star. SAG-AFTRA Foundation president Courtney B. Vance and executive director Cyd Wilson have revealed that Dwayne Johnson has made “the largest single donation” it has ever received from one individual. And, Wilson said: “What is amazing is that that one check is going to help thousands of actors keep food on their table, and keep their kids safe, and keep their cars running.” The foundation is a non-profit associated with the SAG-AFTRA union, though is not directly a part of it. They provide financial assistance to union members in need, including aid for medical issues and other serious problems.
-ETCanada
★ Apparently, there are quite a few actors who have that “Ken-ergy”. Though Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir are among those who ended up making the cut as ‘Ken’ dolls in “Barbie”, the movie’s casting directors have revealed that there were a few others who had to bow out due to the cast requirement of spending 3 months filming in London. Among them: “SNL” star Bowen Yang, “Schitt’s Creek” alum Dan Levy and “Dear Evan Hansen” actor Ben Platt. Casting director Allison Jones says they were “really bummed they couldn’t do it.”
-E!
★ Films directed by actors Michael Keaton, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ethan Hawke, Tony Goldwyn and Anna Kendrick will screen at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF organizers have announced. Films making their world premieres will include Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” with Paul Dano and Pete Davidson; Ellen Kuras’ “Lee,” with Kate Winslet; David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” with Emily Blunt and Chris Evans; Michael Winterbottom’s political thriller “Shoshana”; and 2 music documentaries, Alex Gibney’s “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon” and Leigh Brooks’ “Hate to Love: Nickelback.” TIFF runs Sept. 7-17.
-TheWrap
★ “House of the Dragon” writer George R.R. Martin says he’s “shocked” by UK laws that keep the HBO spin-off series shooting amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Martin confirmed in a recent blog post that the “Game of Thrones” prequel series has continued production in European locations — including London, and shared the “second season is half done.” While “no writing has been done” since Martin turned in the scripts months ago, he explained that since the actors are members of a British union, “British law forbids them from staging a sympathy strike”. Martin feels this rule needs to be changed.
-TheWrap
★ Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will likely change their names, according to a Royal expert. Although they have stepped down from royal duties, they continue to use the Sussex titles given to them on their wedding day. The couple have since gone to take the last name Mountbatten-Windsor, which they also gave to their children. Now, royal author Tom Bower says he thinks Harry and Meghan may change their name, yet again, to his late mother Diana’s maiden name: Spencer. Bower told a news outlet that Meghan’s “real passion” has always been “to be” Diana.
-PopCulture
★ Everyone’s favorite centuries-old, wisecracking alien life form — a short list, admittedly — is coming back, thanks to Ryan Reynolds. The oddball NBC sitcom star from the ‘80s will return on Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Channel on Saturday, July 29. The reprise, though, will not consist of full-length episodes. Instead, the channel will air old “ALF” episodes alongside ALF-centric shorts, highlighting brands like Mint Mobile and Hims. LINK: https://youtu.be/yqjUxGb3DkQ
-EW

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/Global): Dana Carvey, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder (R)
• “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV): Nathan Lane, Dove Cameron, Lil Uzi Vert (R)
• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS/Global): Issa Rae; H.E.R. performs (R)
• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC/CTV): Rob Lowe & John Owen Lowe, Judd Winnick, Ruston Kelly (R)
• “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo): Emily Simpson, Tamra Judge
• “The View” (ABC/CTV): Jason Reynolds
• “The Talk” (CBS): Sarah Wayne Callies, Charles Esten, guest co-host Victor Cruz (R)
• “Live with Kelly and Mark” (ABC/CTV): Kenya Moore
• “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Check local listings): Kyle Chandler, Ruby Bridges (R)
• “The Drew Barrymore Show” (Check local listings): Jesse Eisenberg, Finn Wolfhard, Alisha Boe (R)
• “Jennifer Hudson Show” (Check local listings): Kevin Nealon, Xscape (R)
• “Big Brother: 25th Anniversary Celebration” (ABC): Nischelle Turner hosts a look at behind-the-scenes details, house secrets and unforgettable moments. Plus interviews with Julie Chen Moonves and fan-favorite houseguests.
• “My Strange Arrest” (A&E): Series premiere. A naked man allegedly steals an ATV; a man who apparently was feeding alligators is visited by police; a man in Alaska robs a liquor store by smashing the entrance with a stolen front-loader.
• “Air Jaws: Final Frontier” (DSC): Shark filmmakers hunt for “Air Jaws” in New Zealand’s hidden launch pad; Seeking the second breaching great white to uncover secrets from these waters.

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Ariana Grande – Actress Jill Talley has clarified which SpongeBob SquarePants actor is dating Grande — and it’s not Talley’s husband. 60-year-old Talley wrote: “I’m married to Tom Kenny (who voices SpongeBob on TV) He is not dating Ariana Grande.” Apparently, Grande is dating her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, who played ‘SpongeBob’ in the “SpongeBob SquarePants” Broadway musical.
• Ed Sheeran – celebrated his record-breaking attendance of 73,000 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium by dropping by a local bar and leading the crowd in a karaoke rendition of Backstreet Boys ‘I Want it That Way’ and his own song ‘Thinking Out Loud’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mr339nns
• Cher — is getting in the gelato game. She announced she’s launching her own brand in a Sunday video on Instagram that showed off a truck emblazoned with the name “Cherlato”, and decked out in designs showing the 77-year-old inside a cone. She wrote: “This Is Real…. I’m Launching My Gelato…. Watch Out LA!!…More To Come.” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/d4usesu8
• Matchbox Twenty — Their 1996 song ‘Push” makes an appearance in the “Barbie” movie, sung by Ryan Gosling, who plays ‘Ken’. Rob Thomas quote: “When I got the call for Barbie, they told me, ‘Ken’s by the fireside, he’s playing the song and it’s his favorite band. So I (was) thinking I’d be the butt of the joke, and I was fine with that. I’m pretty thick-skinned.”
• R.E.M — have put together a playlist of their top 40 songs to celebrate their resurgence in the FX series “The Bear”, which features a number of the band’s tunes. The playlist features 10 songs selected by each of the group’s 4 members. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/ycxye7mp
• Shania Twain and Billy Currington – At the Faster Horses Festival in Michigan, they performed their fan-favorite duet ‘Party For Two’ together for the first time since a 2004 appearance on “Good Morning America”. She introed the song by saying: “After all the time…Billy, let me ask you one more time. Billy, are you ready for a party?” Currington responded with: “Let’s hit it!” LINK: https://tinyurl.com/bdfzcjur
• Luke Combs – Sang ‘Fast Car’ on stage with a young cancer survivor during his Saturday show in Foxborough MA. Young Cooper is a huge fan of Combs’ music, and his biggest wish was to meet him. The emotional moment ended with high fives, a big hug, and the crowd going wild. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/y2ycn4hc
• Jason Aldean – In the wake of the controversy over ‘Try That in a Small Town’, country music site ‘The Boot” has created a list of the 30 most controversial country songs of all-time. #1 is Loretta Lynn’s ‘The Pill’. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2jvx7wv9

SHOOTING THE BULL

BOUGIE BROKE:
“Bougie broke” is the latest financial trend sweeping the internet. And what, exactly, is “bougie broke”? Well, as you know, inflation has hit just about everyone, hard. Bougie broke involves dispensing advice on how to live the high life on a small budget, often done in a humorous way. It came from TikTok’er Josh Jacobs, who posted a video last year, saying, “Have you ever been broke, but no one believes you because you don’t look like a broke person? The thing is, like you broke, but like a bougie broke, like you broké.” The vid went viral, and people on TikTok and YouTube began using his phrase and voice to showcase their own “bougie while broke” lifestyles. Here are some of the bougie broke tips that have been shared…
• Use peel-and-stick wallpaper to spruce up living spaces while renting, to avoid losing deposits while moving out.
• If you’re hit by an urge to go furniture shopping, instead, move your existing furniture around. “This means swapping decor around on different surfaces and different rooms. It’ll feel brand new!”
• Fit a room with LED lighting and sensors to “make it luxury but on a budget.”
• And in a recent newspaper article, suggestions included serving budget champagne super-cold, and making your partner shop for you at discount stores, to avoid being seen there yourself. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/5n8u98tv
(My wife’s ‘discount stores habit’ is one of the reasons we’re bougie broke!)
(I gave up on the illusion of “keeping up appearances” years ago…!)
-Insider

GARNISHING THE GARNISHES:
Burger King in Thailand is at it again. After making a huge splash earlier in the month by introducing the  “Real Cheeseburger,” a bun filled with 20 slices of cheese…and no meat, now it has done the opposite. Say hello to the “Real Meat Burger” — 3 patties on a bun, and that’s it. No pickles, onions, lettuce, ketchup, or cheese — nothing. And of course, if 3 plain patties aren’t enough, you can add as many more as you want — for a price. BK’s official Thailand social channels show variations of the new burger,  with one featuring a whopping 100 patties. According to a blogger, who posted a video showing him ordering the 100-patty sammy, it cost him 10,039 baht (US$291.51). The 3-patty burger is going for about US$10. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yvva47f7
(“…and can I get cheese on that?”)
(Three plain patties…So…it’s like a kid’s burger…but adult-sized?)
-NYPost

NAILED IT:
There’s a new approach to help people stop biting their fingernails – and it worked for 53% of test participants. The habit-replacement strategy, which was also tested on people with other body-focused repetitive behaviors such as hair-plucking and skin-picking, involves touching one’s own skin gently, such as by lightly rubbing fingertips together or rubbing the palm or back of the arm. The test results were published last week in JAMA Dermatology. 268 people with “trichotillomania”, a condition where people react to stress by pulling out hair, or by chronic nail- or cheek-biting habits — participated in the study, and over half showed improvement. About 5% of the global population has these mannerisms, which can lead to scabs, scars, and bald spots.
(Would this work for toenail biters, too? Asking for a friend. A really gross friend!)
(I’m just glad they’re not telling people to crack their knuckles instead!)
-NYPost

FUNNIEST TWEETS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN:
➢ used to work at a call centre, and the substitutes ppl use when they don’t know the phonetic alphabet are so funny. why did this man say C for Czechoslovakia – Yasmin
➢ barbenheimer is the closest we’ve come to having school spirit week as adults – Kelsey Weekman
➢ Hearing disturbing rumors that some of these protestors on the picket line are professional actors — Amy
➢ The man that invented the Ferris wheel never met the man that invented the merry go round. They traveled in different circles. – mariana z
➢ My favorite thing in TV shows is when they show actual childhood photos of the actor because you know the actor had to ask their mom if they had any old photos of them…and you know she was so excited to dig up her favorite ones for everyone to see her baby on TV – Lucy Huber
➢So humiliating when I go get ice cream with people who order flavors like Earl Gray or Lavender or Lemon and then my greedy ass orders like Chocolate Chipper Double Dipper Brownie Explosion Landslide — Meg
-HuffPost

MOOD FOOD:
The relationship between food, mood and anxiety is garnering more and more attention. Here are some expert-recommended foods, which can have a positive effect on your mental health…
⇒ Salmon: Omega-3s can improve depressive symptoms. Also high in Omega-3s: mackerel sardines, walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds.
⇒ Complex carbs: Whole grains, legumes and starchy vegetables provide a steady release of glucose, which is essential for brain function, and stimulate the production of serotonin, promoting a sense of calmness and well-being.
⇒ Produce: Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support overall health, including brain health.
⇒ Tryptophan (including turkey): It’s an amino acid precursor to serotonin. Also found in chicken, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds.
⇒ Probiotics: They promote a healthy gut microbiota, which can positively impact mood. (Also, never underestimate the positive effect of ice cream after a bad day!)
-HuffPost

DID YOU KNOW?
Scientists say that, for the first time ever, they have witnessed cracked pieces of metal fuse back together without any human intervention, overturning fundamental scientific theories in the process. If the newly discovered phenomenon can be harnessed, it could usher in an engineering revolution—one in which self-healing engines, bridges, and airplanes could reverse damage caused by wear and tear, making them safer and longer-lasting. One member of the research team, from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University, said: “This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand.”
(I’ve been waiting for my ’88 Reliant K to repair itself for 20 years. So far, nothing…!)
-GoodNewsNetwork

BS CHRONOMETER 07.26.23 

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “All or Nothing Day”. This is it, folks – balls to the wall, give ’er all you’ve got, the time has arrived, take no prisoners, it’s now or never, bring your ‘A’ game, give 110% … and any other hackneyed self-help cliché you can think of. (Or just relax.)
• “Aunts & Uncles Day”, honoring a very special pair of relatives. Among other things, they may be …
✓ Someone you can talk to about things you can’t discuss with parents.
✓ Your backup caretaker when mom & dad went out, or were at work.
✓ Real characters at family get-togethers.
✓ Someone who has taken you to fun places and events.
✓ Someone whose house was a great place for a sleep-over, especially if you have cousins.
✓ The ones who’ve given you great gifts for special occasions.
✓ Sound counsel and advice.
✓ Someone who always had candy.
• “Coffee Milkshake Day”, celebrating the Summer cooler that’s also a pick-me-up.
• “Bagelfest Day”, this crunchy-on-the-outside and chewy-in-the-middle bread originated in the Jewish communities of Poland. They are served with a variety of toppings and produced in a variety of flavors.
• “Holistic Therapy Day”, Today, you’re encouraged to speak to your physician about Holistic Therapy, or seek out a Holistic Physician who is willing to take the time to help promote natural healing, without unnecessary procedures or medication.
• “Tofu Day”, created by the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) Canada to offer an opportunity for people to celebrate plant-based diets and to encourage them to bring animal-friendly foods onto their menus. (I have this horrible tofu joke…but it’s tasteless…)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Thurs] Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day
[Thurs] Chicken Finger Day
[Fri] Hamburger Day
[Sat] Chicken Wing Day
This Week is…Air Conditioning Appreciation Days (continuing)
This Month is…Peach Month

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1943 [80] (Sir) Mick Jagger, Dartford England, classic rock singer (Rolling Stones-‘Start Me Up’, ‘Satisfaction’)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1989

1945 [78] Helen Mirren (Ilyena Mironoff), London England, movie actress (“Trumbo”, “The Queen”)/TV actress (“Elizabeth I”, “Prime Suspect”) COMING UP…“White Bird”

1949 [74] Roger Taylor, Norfolk England, classic rock drummer (Queen-‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Will Rock You’)/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with Queen), 2001/Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 2020

1959 [64] Kevin Spacey (Fowler), South Orange NJ, TV actor (‘Frank Underwood’ on “House of Cards” 2013-17)/movie actor (“American Beauty”, “The Usual Suspects”) COMING UP…”Peter Five Eight”, 2023

1961 [62] Gary Cherone, Malden MA, rock singer (Extreme-‘More Than Words’, ‘Hole Hearted’), Van Halen for one album, “Van Halen III”)

1964 [59] Sandra Bullock, Arlington VA, movie actress (“Speed”, “The Blind Side”, “Bird Box”)

1965 [58] Jeremy Piven, New York City NY, TV actor (“Entourage” 2004-2011, “Mr. Selfridge” 2013-16)/movie actor (“American Night”)

1967 [56] Jason Statham, Shirebrook England, movie actor (“The Expendables”, “Transporter” films”, “Fast & Furious franchise) COMING UP…”The Meg 2″, 2023

1973 [50] Kate Beckinsale, London England, movie actress (“Pearl Harbor”, “Underworld” films) COMING UP…”Canary Black”

1993 [30] Taylor Momsen, St. Louis MO, TV actress (“Gossip Girl” 2007-2012)/movie actress (“How The Grinch Stole Christmas”)/rock singer (The Pretty Reckless-‘Death By Rock and Roll’)

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2006 [17] “Little Miss Sunshine”, starring 9-year-old Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, and Steve Carell, opens in movie theaters. It goes on to win 2 Oscars

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
2006 [17] Paul McCartney’s first-ever guitar is sold at an Abbey Road Studios auction for £330,000 (about a half-million dollars)

2015 [08] In a field near Cesena, Italy, 1000 musicians and singers play Foo Fighters ‘Learn to Fly’ simultaneously to encourage the band to play a show there for the first time in nearly 20 years. The next day, Dave Grohl posts a video, saying in Italian: “We are coming. I promise.”

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
2018 [05] Facebook has the single worst day of any public company on the stock market – losing 19%, or $119 billion in market value

BULL’S BITS

BS WHACK FACTS:
✓ A company named Cisco introduced its “iPhone”, a VoIP device, 22 days before Apple introduced its smartphone of the same name.
✓ “X.com” was the original name for an online bank co-founded by Elon Musk in 1999. It later became PayPal.
✓ Sweat doesn’t stink. It’s the bacteria on your skin that breaks the sweat down that causes an odor.
✓ Sharks can live for 5 centuries.
✓ There are over 900 stone ring monuments in the British Isles. Stonehenge is just the most famous.
✓ Too much nutmeg can kill you.
-WhattheFFacts, BestLife

Best of BS . . .
BS SILLY TESTS TO FAIL:
• Clown College entrance exam.
• A test of the emergency broadcast system.
• “Pull my finger”
• “What’s the number for 911?”
• “How old do you THINK I am?”
• “What is the average air speed velocity of a laden swallow?”
• Eye exam
• Blood test
• The one where she asks, “Do these jeans make my butt look big?”
• My patience.
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BAD DINNER PARTY ETIQUETTE:
• Bringing two bottles of wine: One for you and one for everyone else.
• Pitching your “great business opportunity” to everyone.
• Showing up drunk, insulting the décor, and taking their dog when you leave.
• Eating with the serving fork.
• Yelling “Who wants to play real-life Clue??”, then shooting the guy who’s sitting across from you.
• Not believing that it’s not butter.
• Bringing your big purse so you can take home leftovers.
• Not telling your host until you arrive that you are vegetarian, lactose and gluten-intolerant, and sort-of a picky eater besides.
• Picking your teeth and calling it “seconds”.
• (***Caution: ‘Dammit’***) “Dammit, Diane! This is NOT a key party!”
-Twitter, first published in BS in 2019

BS WEB GOODIE:
I’m guessing he likes water:  https://tinyurl.com/v63tu9uy

BS THREEZER:
(Give contestant the clues, they tell you what all 3 have in common…)
• A guitar, a genie bottle, a flamingo
Answer: They all have long necks

• A party, a tape worm, a talk show
Answer: They all have hosts

• A student, a steak, a steep road
Answer:  They all have grades
-TriBond

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I don’t believe flying is as safe as they say. Have you ever seen an old flight attendant?!?!?

BS PHONE STARTER:
What weird “industry secret” did you learn from a job?

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question:  26% of us say we want to avoid doing THIS over the summer. What is it?
Answer:  Helping someone move.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to swim.