Friday, September 14, 2007        Edition: #3613
There’s No BS Like Show BS …

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
THIS MORNING Regis Philbin celebrates his daytime talk show’s 20th anniversary in syndication with former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, who left the show & was replaced by current partner Kelly Ripa in 2001 (cat fight!) . . . . TV actor Zachary Quinto (the evil ‘Sylar’ on “Heroes”) has a new sci-fi gig, landing the role of a young ‘Spock’ in the next “Star Trek” movie (he got the role based on his acting talent – and his ears) . . . 18-year-old “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere has split from her 21-year-old “Laguna Beach” boyfriend Stephen Coletti after a 1-year relationship but, as usual, they insist they’re ‘still friends’ (translation: come near me and I’ll spit on ya) . . . TV talk show host Rachael Ray is launching a new cooking-based talent search cleverly titled “So You Think You Can Cook?” in a bid to find the next star TV chef (what would you use as your catchphrase instead of “Bam!”?) . . . In a new AP/AOL poll, 62% of respondents say TV is getting worse, and only 22% think it’s getting better (analysts think one reason is that instead of bringing families together, networks now seem more interested in separating us to watch different sets around the house) . . . Billionaire Donald Trump has beaten off environmentalists and received approval to build the world’s largest golf resort on the Scottish coastline north of Aberdeen, a $400-million mega-development that will include 2 huge courses, a 450-bed hotel, 1,000 vacation villas & 500 private houses (the good news is – he might move there) . . . And the release of actor Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone”, is reportedly being shelved indefinitely due to the story’s similarity to the ongoing case of Madeleine McCann, the young British girl who disappeared in Portugal this MAY (we’re betting the studio’s also worried about the similarity to Affleck’s bomb “Gigli”.)

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Chamillionaire – TONIGHT he guests on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Finger Eleven – TONIGHT the “Paralyzer” band does “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS).
• Good Charlotte – TONIGHT they perform on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC).
• Hot Hot Heat – TONIGHT the Victoria BC indie rockers are on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC).
• Kanye West – He’s leading the trumped up ‘battle’ vs 50 Cent over whose new album would sell best by a margin of about 2-to-1 so far. Should the trend continue, Fiddy will have to retire … if he keeps his word.
• Lonestar – The country band has named Cody Collins to succeed Richie McDonald as lead singer. McDonald will leave by the end of the year to concentrate on a solo career.
• Led Zeppelin – Promoter Harvey Goldsmith predicts their just-announced NOVEMBER 26th reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena will cause the largest ticket demand for a single show in history. So far, his prediction looks good as millions of fans have caused the concert’s official website to crash. Tickets are $250 and limited to 2 per person. Registration for a ticket draw closes MONDAY. The concert will also feature Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman & Foreigner.
NET: http://ahmettribute.com/
• Linkin Park – TOMORROW they’re the musical guests on a rerun of “Saturday Night Live”, hosted by “SNL” alum Molly Shannon.
• Nirvana – SATURDAY the late Kurt Cobain is honored in Hoquiam WA with a tribute concert featuring bands from Seattle & surrounding area. The fundraising event is in support of a youth center & memorial park in Cobain’s name.

WEEKEND SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “Austin City Limits Music Festival” – TODAY through Sunday an eclectic lineup takes to the stage at Zilker Park in Austin TX, including Arctic Monkeys, Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Joe Shaver, Bjork, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Crowded House, Queens of the Stone Age, White Stripes and dozens of others.
• “Emmy Awards” – SUNDAY Ryan Seacrest hosts the 59th “Primetime Emmy Awards” (FOX/CTV) live from LA’s Shrine Auditorium. The HBO movie “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (shot in Alberta) leads all nominations with 17. “The Sopranos” leads TV series nominations with 15. Our picks to win: “The Office” (Comedy Series); “Heroes” (Dramatic Series). TV actress Lisa Rinna hosts the “Red Carpet” pre-show (TV Guide Channel). Comedian Joan Rivers & daughter Melissa will blog the red carpet’s fashion disasters online because they’ve now been dumped from TV … twice.
NET: http://www.emmys.tv/awards/primetimeawards.php
• “Nashville” (FOX) – TONIGHT the new docu-reality series debuts which follows a group of young people trying to make their mark in Nashville’s music industry. It’s sort of like “Laguna Beach” … only country.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Across the Universe” ( PG-13 Musical ): Evan Rachel Wood & Jim Sturgess play a ‘60s couple caught up in the counter-culture in this tribute to peace activism set against the backdrop of 33 Beatles tunes. The stars sing on the soundtrack along with Bono, Joe Cocker, and several lesser-knowns.
NET: http://www.acrosstheuniverse.com/
• “The Brave One” ( R-Rated Crime Thriller ): Jodie Foster stars as a NYC radio host who goes on a vigilante hunt to find the men who brutally beat her & killed her fiancé. Co-stars Terrence Howard & Naveen Andrews. Foster changed her character from newspaper reporter to radio announcer before shooting started. Premiered at this year’s “Toronto International Film Festival”.
NET: http://thebraveone.warnerbros.com/
• “Eastern Promises” ( R-Rated Crime Thriller ): Canadian director David Cronenberg’s story follows a naive midwife (Naomi Watts) who unwittingly stumbles across the activities of the Russian mob while investigating a prostitute who died during childbirth. Viggo Mortensen plays the crime boss trying to hush her up. Shot entirely in London UK. Also premiered at this year’s “Toronto International Film Festival.”
NET: http://www.focusfeatures.com/easternpromises/
• “The Hunting Party” ( Unrated Action Adventure ): Richard Gere, Terrence Howard & Jesse Eisenberg play a trio of journalists who take on an unauthorized mission in Bosnia to find the region’s top war criminal. Their goal becomes seriously jeopardized when their target decides to come after them, thinking they’re a CIA hit squad. Shot entirely in Croatia.
NET: http://www.thehuntingpartymovie.com/
• “Mr Woodcock” ( PG-13 Comedy ): Seann William Scott plays a self-help author who returns home in an effort to stop his mom (Susan Sarandon) from marrying his old high school gym teacher (Billy Bob Thornton), the guy who made high school hell for generations of students. More than half the film was re-shot after test audiences panned the original.
NET: http://www.woodcockmovie.com/

BULL’S INTERNATIONAL MOOS:
• In Australia, children’s book author Kaye Kessing is campaigning to save the country’s wildlife from feral cats (stray domestic cats) and other animals that have been introduced to the eco-system in the land Down Under. In order to promote her cause, she recently entered a ‘Wild Cat Casserole’ in a bush-food competition in Alice Springs. In case you need to know, she informs us it’s a white meat with a strong flavor, but not as strong as rabbit. (It tastes like chicken.)

– “Daily Telegraph”
• In Afghanistan, British soldiers have not only been given permission to grow bushy beards for their tours of duty, many are being ordered to do so, because it’s considered a mark of authority in that country. (Especially among women.)
– “Times of London”
• In China, a factory worker is suing her former employer after she was fired for contradicting her boss 3 times. HWA-1 in the port city of Xiamen gave her the ax after she refused to pay fines she incurred for talking back to superiors. The company’s policy levies a fine of 30 yuan (about $4) for a 1st offence, 100 yuan (circa $13) for the 2nd, and dismissal upon the 3rd violation. The woman is suing on the grounds the fines are handed out no matter whether management is right or wrong. (This is unbelievable! They get 3 chances?)
– Xinhua News Agency
• In France, wine companies have taken to selling wine in small half-pint cartons with straws in a bid to attract the declining youth market. The idea is targeted at young customers popping into corner stores for a sandwich & drink while on-the-go. (A juice box that actually gets you juiced!)
– “GQ”
• In Sweden, the mother of a bullied child has shown up at his school playground … with a crowbar & an ax! Although no violence occurred, the mom was said to have threatened the kids who’d been tormenting her son. She then left before cops arrived. (What an appropriate way to observe “No Bully Week” this week!)
– “Curious Times

DOWN UNDER DYE:
With so many people coloring their hair these days, it was only a matter of time until someone came up with a way to make sure ALL of our hair is the same, matching ‘collars & cuffs’ as they say. Well here it is: ‘miniKINI’, the permanent color gel … for public hair. It purportedly provides natural color and covers grey!
NET: http://www.minikinicolour.com/

BS AMAZING FACT:
The national anthems of Finland and Estonia share the same melody … just different words.

AND WE QUOTE:
“I paid off a poker debt with sexual favors and I fell in love. It’s so romantic!”
– Pamela Anderson, telling the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” about the successor to her previous ‘real finds’, Kid Rock and Tommy Lee, who is an unnamed professional poker player that paid off her $250,000 debt.

BS CHRONOMETER 09.14.07

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1947 [60] Sam Neill, Omagh, Northern Ireland, movie actor (“Jurassic Park”, “The Piano”)

1971 [36] Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Rye NY, TV sitcom actress (‘Dana’ on “According to Jim” since 2001)

1973 [34] Nas (Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones), Queens NY, rapper (f/Chrisette Michele-“Can’t Forget About You”, “Street Dreams”)/married hip-hop artist Kelis in 2005

1983 [24] Amy Winehouse, London UK, drug-addled soul/jazz/R&B/pop singer (“Back to Black”, “Rehab”)

2005 [02] Sean Preston Federline, Santa Monica CA, unfortunate son of Britney Spears & Kevin Federline who, along with brother Jayden James, is currently involved in a parental tug-of-war (next scheduled court date in the custody case is MONDAY)

SATURDAY –
Movie actor Tommy Lee Jones (“In the Valley of Elah”) is 61; Movie producer/director Oliver Stone (“World Trade Center”) is 61; Rock drummer Mitch Dorge (Crash Test Dummies) is 47; Football analyst Dan Marino (“The NFL Today on CBS”) is 46; Britain’s Prince Harry is 23.

SUNDAY –
Blues singer BB King (“The Thrill is Gone”) is 82; Rock musician Ron Blair (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) is 59; Illusionist David Copperfield is 51; Movie actor Mickey Rourke (“Sin City”) is 51; Singer/songwriter Richard Marx (“Now & Forever”) is 44; Pop/Latin singer Marc Anthony (“I Need to Know”) is 39; TV actress Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”) is 26; TV actress Madeline Zima (“Californication”) is 22.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Cream-Filled Donut Day” … a holiday for cops? The most popular cream-filled donuts are chocolate cream and vanilla cream.
• “International Cross-Cultural Day”, a good excuse to pepper your show with greetings in different languages. The Website for the ‘Say Hello Project’ will help you out …
NET: http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/hello
• “International Shellfish Festival” through Sunday in Charlottetown PEI. Events include a chowder cook-off, oyster-shucking & eating contests, and the $10,000 ‘Chef’s Challenge’.
NET: http://www.peishellfish.com/sf/
• “National Truck Driving Championships” through Saturday in Regina SK. 46 of the best pro truck drivers from across Canada compete in 6 classes (which do NOT include ‘Loudest Air Horn’, ‘Closest Tailgate’, or ‘Longest Wallet Chain’.)
• “Pregnant Women’s Day”, set aside to honor all moms-to-be. According to a recent study, less than half of women are happy with the maternity care they get in hospitals and see giving birth as a ‘conveyor belt’ experience. What’s the most unusual pregnancy craving you’ve heard of?
• “World Hearing Voices Day”, the 2nd annual observance honoring all those who receive advice, encouragement, comforting words, and even laughter from others … WHO AREN’T REALLY THERE.
• “US National Anthem Day”, celebrating the anniversary of Francis Scott Key penning the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814. Key, a Washington attorney, wrote the famous words after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland while aboard a warship during the War of 1812. He adapted his lyrics to the tune of a popular drinking song, “To Anacreon in Heaven”, and the result later became the official US national anthem in 1931.

SATURDAY –
• “Care Givers Day” recognizing the selfless people who do the chores for the sick & elderly that the rest of us can’t be bothered with. How come one of the most important occupations is one of the worst paying?
• “Ganesh Chaturthi”, the Hindu celebration of the birthday of Lord Ganesha, widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity & good fortune. The main sweet-dish served during the festival is ‘modak’ [MO’-thuk], a rice-flour dumpling stuffed with coconut & condiments.
• “Hispanic Heritage Month”, through OCTOBER 15th. Felicitaciones!
• “Independence Day” in much of Central America, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (1821).
• “Wife Appreciation Day”. We’re betting it goes over about as well as “Husband Appreciation Day” did back on April 15th.

SUNDAY –
• “Collect Rocks Day”, a celebration of the hobby of gem & mineral collecting.
• “Independence Day” (“El Grito de Independencia”) in Mexico, celebrating the country’s independence from Spain in 1810.
• “International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer”, as declared by the UN.
• “Terry Fox Run”, the 27th staged annually across Canada and in several other countries. The event has raised close to $400 million for cancer research since 1981. A million Canadians usually take part in local runs, which can optionally be walked or cycled.
NET: http://www.terryfoxrun.org
• “Working Parents Day”. Isn’t parenting work in itself?

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENTS . . .
1984 [23]  Dan Ackroyd & Bette Midler co-host the debut of the “MTV Video Music Awards” as The Cars (‘Best Video’) & Michael Jackson (‘Best Overall Performance’) are the big winners

1995 [12] Sotheby’s auctions Paul McCartney’s hand-written lyrics for “Getting Better” from “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” for $257,600, a then-record for a Beatles song

2002 [05] No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani weds Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale in London UK

TODAY’S FIRST . . .
1964 [43] Quickie breakfast alternative the ‘Pop Tart’ is introduced

TODAY’S RECORDS . . .
1979 [28] Theodore J Coombs completes a 5,193-mile roller skate from LA to NYC and then back home to Yates Center KS

1987 [20] ‘Largest-Ever Newspaper Edition’ as Sunday “NY Times” has 1,612 pages and weighs in at a whopping 12 lbs (paper carriers use forklifts for delivery)

2003 [04] Detroit Tigers become the first MLB team in 34 years to lose 110 games in a single season

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Women’s Friendship Day
[Tues] Play-Doh Day
[Tues] Dream Concert (NYC)
[Wed] Talk Like a Pirate Day
[Thurs] International Student Day
[Thurs] UN International Day of Peace
This Week Is … Housekeepers Week
This Month Is … Mushroom Month

BULL’S BITS

OUR FAVORITE AVRIL LAVIGNE QUOTES:
• “I’m getting more famouser by the day.”
• “Sometimes I just stay up and go, ‘Hey, I’m not going to sleep tonight.’”
• “Who’s Duran Duran? Are they a new band?”
• “I am a very giving person. When the hurricane thing happened, I went to my closet, filled 6 boxes of stuff and said to my assistant, ‘Take it to Katrina!’”
• “It’s important to be thankful, even if you’re poor. I mean, come on, we all have clean water. Well, OK, not people in the developing world.”

BS PHONE STARTER:
TODAY is “Write Your Own Headlines Day”. Now there’s a concept that makes for a good phone-in! Tell us about your life in a headline of 5 words or less. Tell us a headline you’d LIKE to read in your daily newspaper.

BS TOP SWAPS:
The week’s most-requested music files online …
5. J Holiday – “Bed”
4. Kanye West – “Stronger”
3. Fabolous f/Ne-Yo – “Make Me Better”
2. Fergie – “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
1. Sean Kingston – “Beautiful Girls”
– Big Champagne online music measurement.

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I cured my kids of bed wetting … bought ’em an electric blanket.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: We do THIS about 15,000 times in our lives.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: Honk our horns.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
All generalizations are bad.